Page 42 of Electric Wounds
"Uh, where should I sleep tonight?" I finally ask, breaking the quiet.
Four sets of eyes turn to look at me, their gazes sharp. The question seems to shift the atmosphere immediately, thickening the air with unspoken competition. Marcus exchanges a look with Dylan while Jax’s jaw clenches slightly, his calmness flickering, as if he’s fighting off a surge of jealousy. Enzo leansback in his chair, an amused smirk playing on his lips as if he’s enjoying the situation.
Marcus is the first to break the silence. "You can sleep with me. Dylan’s in there too, and we have plenty of space."
I hesitate. "I could just sleep on the couch," I offer. "It looks like it pulls out."
Jax shakes his head, his voice low but firm. "Not the pull-out couch. Hotel day is supposed to be time to refresh, and a pull-out bed is barely better than the bunks."
Enzo snorts from the corner, his dark eyes glinting with mischief. "Yeah, even fancy hotels like this are too cheap for a decent couch bed."
I glance back at the couch, realizing they’re probably right and I’m definitely not going to win an argument if they all agree on this point, anyway. With a small sigh, I nod. "Okay, I’ll stay with Marcus and Dylan."
The room begins to clear as everyone heads off to their respective spaces. Marcus gives me a soft, reassuring smile before he leaves.
Enzo offers a nod. “Goodnight, Lily.”
“Goodnight.”
“Goodnight,” Jax adds, looking a little put out as he walks off to the last of the rooms.
Dylan brushes past me with a light pat on the shoulder, whispering in a teasing tone, "You’ll be fine, don’t worry. We don’t bite… much."
Once the room empties, I take a moment to collect myself. I head to one of the luxurious bathrooms, the marble and gold accents making everything feel expensive and posh. I look at myself in the mirror, giving a silent pep talk. "Just be honest with them," I murmur to my reflection. "Whatever happens, you’ve got this."
I wash my face, the cool water refreshing against my skin, and change from the robe into a tank top and shorts. After a few deep breaths, I step out, ready to face the room and whatever the night brings.
When I walk back in, Marcus and Dylan are already in the bed, laying on opposite ends, their eyes following me. Marcus is under the covers, shirtless, his muscular torso and tattoos illuminated by the dim light. His blond hair is tousled, and his blue eyes are soft yet intense. Dylan is propped up on his elbows, his brown hair messy, and his chest bare.
"Come on, Lily," Marcus says softly, his voice both inviting and calming. "Don’t be shy."
Taking a steadying breath, I make my way to the end of the bed, near the center. "I guess this is me for the night," I say, trying to keep my tone light, though I can feel the tension beneath the surface.
Dylan chuckles from his bed. "You make it sound like that’s a bad thing."
I shake my head, a small smile tugging at my lips. "Not bad at all."
I clamber upwards, then slip under the covers between them. I can feel the warmth radiating from their bodies under the blankets, without touching them. Marcus reaches over and turns off the bedside lamp, plunging the room into darkness. Even though I can’t see them, I can feel their closeness. The energy between us charged in the quiet.
TWENTY-SEVEN
THREE’S COMPANY
Dylan
Lily's hesitation over our sleeping arrangements made me feel like a high schooler at a sleepover. She’s kind of adorable. As we settle into the darkness, I feel her tugging on the blankets, then tucking them under her sides, like a mummy. I imagine this is her way of creating a barrier.
My eyes finally adjust to the darkness, and Marcus catches my gaze, tilting his head towards Lily. I nod in return. He scoops her up, ruining the blanket protection she was trying to create between us. She squeals, which turns into a laugh as Marcus tucks her into his body like the little spoon.
"You know, I’m feeling kind of lonely over here," I say, my tone playful. "I'm a little jealous."
Marcus laughs softly from his spot. "Why don't you join us, Dylan? There's plenty of room."
I glance at Marcus, noticing the mischievous glint in his eye, then look back at Lily. Her eyes widen slightly, but a smile pulls at her lips.
"Really?" I ask, raising an eyebrow. "You sure you can handle it, Lily?"
She rolls her eyes but lets out a light laugh. "Come on over, Dylan."
