Page 176 of Indulge
“Okay,” I cut in quickly, fighting a smile. “Five more books. But this time—you two can help me pick them.”
Reggie steps closer, his presence swallowing the space between us. “Five more books, huh?” His voice drops, low enough to make my knees weak. “You really want to test me in public, Princess?”
I tilt my chin up, matching his tone. “You offered to bring me here to pick out books. I’m just following orders. The next five, Rowan can hold.”
His mouth twitches. “That’s funny. You only follow orders when it suits you.”
Rowan moves behind me, his breath ghosting my ear. “She follows mine just fine,” he murmurs, dragging a fingertip down the curve of my spine until I shiver. “Don’t you, sweetheart?”
The sound that escapes me isn’t a word; it’s a soft, involuntary noise that earns a satisfied hum from him.
Reggie’s eyes darken, that sharp possessiveness flashing hot. “You really want to play that game here?”
Rowan’s grin widens. “I don’t mind if the audience learns a few new kinks. They’ve been watching us long enough already.”
“Boys,” I whisper, my voice catching. “We’re in a bookstore.”
Reggie leans in until his lips brush my ear. “And that’s the only reason your ass isn’t already red.”
The threat hits like a live wire. My breath stutters, thighs pressing together.
Rowan laughs under his breath. “Guess we’ll save it for later, then. Hope you remember which shelf that book came from, sweetheart. Wouldn’t want to lose our place.”
I grab another novel just to steady my shaking hands, pretending to read the back cover while my pulse races. I really need to compose myself.
Rowan plucks it from me and tosses it onto his pile.
“Fine,” Reggie says. “That’s your first one. But when we get back, you’re reading the first chapter out loud. Both of us listening. And whatever scene you hit first…”
He lets the words trail off, a promise steeped in sin.
Rowan smirks. “Looks like story time just got a whole lot more interesting.”
And the worst—or maybe the best—part?
I already can’t wait to find out which scene it’ll be.
I grab hold of Reggie’s tense bicep, biting my lip. “Turns out having two muscly boyfriends is even better for book shopping,” I tease, earning matching low chuckles from both of them.
By the time we reach the cashier, they’re right behind me. I pull my card from my purse as Reggie sets his pile on the counter.
He catches the card in my hand and frowns. “Put it away. This is on us. We aren’t just muscle, we’re also the bank.”
He flashes the cashier a killer grin and hands over his black Amex.
“I can pay for these,” I whisper. “I don’t expect you to buy all my stuff.”
Rowan slides an arm around my waist. “We want to spoil you. And I think these books might work in our favor.”
I giggle, resting my head against him. “I can live with that deal.”
85
ROWAN
The drive back feels like the longest goddamn hour of my life.
Bella’s in the back seat, legs crossed, pretending to scroll her phone, but every few minutes she glances up in the rearview mirror, right at me.
