Page 75 of Feeling the Heat: Part Two
I stride toward the hook on the side of the fridge where the keys are, on a mission to get them and get out as quickly as possible. Which is why I don’t notice that Camille has joined me in the kitchen, almost bumping into her as I turn on my heel to head back out.
“Shit, sorry, am I in your way?” I ask, stepping to the side to give her access to the refrigerator.
“You’re fine,” she says, eyes falling to the keys in my hand and then focusing back up on my face.
We stand there staring at each other for a long, awkward moment.
“I should?—”
“Do you need to finish packing up tonight?” Camille asks right after I begin to speak.
“Uh, not tonight, just sometime in the next few weeks.”
She nods. Another silence stretches out, and this time I can tell through my one-sided bond with her that she’s nervous, and trying to work up to saying something. I don’t move or speak, giving her the space to say whatever she’s thinking about.
“You could stay. If you want to. Ambrose has enough snacks to feed an army, and we’re only about fifteen minutes into the movie.”
I blink back at her, then shake my head. “Oh, no, I shouldn’t. I don’t want to get in the way.”
There’s a flicker of dejection from Camille, and for a moment I think that’s the end of that conversation.
“You shouldn’t or you don’t want to?”
Again, my reply is instantaneous. “I want to.”
A smile curves her plush lips, and my eyes drop to them, heart hammering in my chest. She’s so beautiful, especially when she smiles.
“Okay, then you should stay.”
“But what about your time with Ambrose? I want you to have space to be with him, without worrying about all of my… nonsense.”
She snorts, turning toward the living room where Ambrose is pointedly looking at the screen even though the movie is paused, pretending like he’s not eavesdropping on our conversation. “You don’t mind if River joins us, do you?”
The smile that stretches across my mate’s lips would make me fall for him if I weren’t already deeply and completely in love with him. “Not at all.”
I reach into both of my bonds with them, attempting to find any sign that they’re being polite or feel bad for me, but if anything, they both seem pleased.
“Alright. If you insist.”
“I do.” Camille reaches out and eases the keys from grip, setting them back on the hook. She inclines her head toward the living room. “I hope you like rom-coms.”
I nod, swallowing down the lump of emotion forming in my throat at their easy inclusion of me. I couldn’t care less about what they’re watching. It could be one of those cult documentaries that always hit too close to home, and I wouldn’t mind. All that matters is they want me here with them.
Ambrose slides over to one end of the couch as we join him in the living room, making room for us. Camille takes a seat at the other end. My brow furrows as I look between them, then at the space they’ve left for me right in the middle. My mate raises a brow at me when I hover in front of the sofa.
“If you’re going to stand there blocking the screen, at least do something entertaining,” Camille teases.
My cheeks heat. “Sorry.” I sit down between them, unsure what to do with my arms or my legs. Confused as hell why I’m the one that’s sandwiched between them when tonight is meant to be a courting date for Camille.
Ambrose slides closer, leaning in to kiss my cheek. His citrusy, herbal scent soothes my nerves, but his hand on my thigh has my blood heating. I don’t think he means anything by it, but tell that to my dick that’s about to embarrass me if I get any harder.
“Relax,” he murmurs, his breath tickling my skin.
I nod and sit back, and the couch shifts as Camille inches closer. Her approach is more hesitant than Ambrose’s. She waits to catch my eye before closing the rest of the distance between us, her thigh resting against mine.
I swallow heavily as her scent swirls with Ambrose’s, making it difficult for me to think. How did this go from me interrupting their date, to me being pressed between two of the people I’m utterly obsessed with and them wanting me between them?
It doesn’t make sense. I’ve always been the obstacle. The person getting in the way of their peace and ease. Why are they being so nice? Why are they acting as if it’s a natural place for me to be?
