Page 65 of Lords of Misrule
“Thank you!” she calls after him, smiling as she watches him walk out.
“Is there something I can do for you?” I ask.
I feel out of my depth right now, almost a bit out of place even though we’re in my room because she continues to surprise me. Some part of me had hoped that maybe this experience would ruin it for me. That seeing her with them when she’d just been with me would make me jealous or hurt. Except I loved every second, and I never felt for a moment like she didn’t want me here. But I’m still learning how this works and the three of them seem to already have it figured out. It probably helps that Finn and Rowan operate like each other’s other half most of the time anyway.
“No. You were perfect. As always. Are you okay?” She blinks and looks at me, sitting up a little like she’s realizing she forgot to check up on me.
“I’m good.”
“If you two are going to do the whole post-fuck bonding thing, I’m out.” Rowan kisses her thigh and pulls away, standing and putting his clothes back on. He nods on his way out and disappears down the hall.
When he’s gone, she looks back at me, her eyes running over my body like she’s trying to be sure I haven’t been bruised or damaged. When she looks up at me again, I lean down and kiss her, and she answers it. Her lips are soft, and the way her fingers run over my body, delicately exploring my skin. I feel like I’m some interesting piece of art she’s found and is appreciating for the first time. I pull back and look at her again.
“I take back what I said before. I don’t think I could fall.”
“No?” Her brow furrows.
“I think I’m already getting there."
“And you’re okay with them?”
“Yeah. Sometimes I get you alone though, right?”
“Sometimes for sure.” She kisses my cheek. “And Hudson?”
“Yeah, Duchess?”
“I’m getting there too.” She grins at me.
Thirty-Three
Charlotte
I sit with Hudson for a moment before I go to jump in the bath, making sure he’s okay given how much has changed for him in such a short period. When I get to the bathroom in Rowan’s room, he’s nowhere to be found, but Finn is just finishing the bath for me. I’d thrown one of Hudson’s shirts on to walk through the house—for what reason I don’t know, as I obviously don’t need to be modest around any of these three anymore.
“Hey.” Finn’s eyes go soft, and he stands when he sees me. He wraps an arm around me, pulling me close, and I lay my head against his chest. “How are you feeling?”
“Sore but good.”
He kisses the top of my head and then leans over to shut the water off.
“Bath should help some, but if you need an ice pack or anything just let me know.”
“Thank you. You’re the best, you know?” I stand on my tiptoes and kiss his nose. He grins at me and pulls the hem of the T-shirt up, undressing me and then holding my hand while I climb into the bath.
He sits at the edge of the tub, leaning against it, and talks with me about his day, the team, and a couple of his current art projects. He asks me a million questions about how the trip to see Hudson’s family went and what Hudson’s life is really like back home. We talk about all the things we’re going to do once my brother’s home later this week and how excited he is to meet him. His fingers interlace with mine on the edge of the tub while we talk, and my heart feels fuller than it ever has in my life. He’s mid-sentence, telling me about gouache and watercolor and his latest inspiration for a landscape painting when I interrupt him.
“I love you.”
His brows raise, and his eyes go wide like he’s trying to process what I’ve just told him.
“I told Hudson already but—”
“You told Hudson you love him?” He sounds surprised.
“No. I told Hudson I love you. You and…” My eyes flick to the door, implying the man whose name I’d rather not say.
“I know you’re in love with him.” Finn’s eyes follow mine to the door.
