Page 165 of Indulge
“Night, rockstar.”
He stands and looks at Reggie. I can’t quite work out what he’s trying to say with his eyes. But it’s something.
It makes Reggie’s jaw clench.
As he leaves, I finish a few more mouthfuls and take the plates into the kitchen. As I turn around, Reggie is right there behind me.
“Are you and Rowan okay?” I ask.
He nods.
“Just some work shit going on. Nothing we can’t figure out.”
I tilt my head. Reggie is harder to read than Rowan.
“You two have never really had anyone look after you, have you?”
He lets out a sigh and gives me a sad half-smile. “We look out for each other. And the Quinns—they’re our family now too. We’ve done alright, Bella.”
“Hmm.” I lean against the counter. “I think you’ve spent so long protecting Rowan, making sure everyone else is okay, you’ve forgotten about yourself. That’s why you were so cold with me at the start.”
A grin pulls at his mouth as he steps closer, one hand finding my hip and drawing me in.
“Your analysis is most likely correct, Princess. These feelings I had for you—they threw me off.”
“They scared you?”
He nods. “I guess they did. It was like being pulled in every direction. If I fucked up the alliance, it hurt the Quinns. If I let you in, you might see me and not like what you found. And keeping you… meant hurting Rowan at the start.”
I drag my hands up his chest, feeling the steady strength beneath my palms. “That’s a lot to carry, Irish.”
“You drove me insane, Bella King. From the very moment I laid eyes on you.”
“I told you I’d push every button you had.”
He chuckles, and I rest my head against his chest, listening to the steady beat beneath my ear. He presses a kiss to the top of my head.
“That you did. But you also found the main button—the one that brought me back to life, baby.”
I pull back and look up into his dark eyes. “You’re a softie, deep down.”
“Don’t bank on it.” He smirks. “But I hope I make you happy, Bella.”
I cup his cheek. “The happiest.”
He leans into my touch.
“I have a question,” I say.
“Hit me.”
I grin. His eyes go wide. “Not literally.”
“Okay. Fine.” I laugh softly. “This whole thing with the three of us, how does it work? Day to day?”
He leans back against the counter, running a hand over his jaw.
“Bella,” he sighs. “Honestly? This is new for all of us. Before, our sharing only extended to sex. Not a relationship. I guess it’s what feels right for us all? Communication. Making you happy.”
