Page 7 of Denial

Chapter 2

"Well, if it isn't Princess Lexa."

Jeremiah stands in the open door, his suit gone, replaced with black sweatpants sitting low on his hips. No shirt in sight. And I should know with the way I'm finding it hard to look anywhere other than his chest. At that tattoo I am finally seeing on his chest. I've only ever seen the top of it, but could never make out the jagged lines, different lengths and angles. Now, I can see that it's puzzle pieces, three of them, fitting together just right. On the left is his name, on the right Ezekiel's. The middle piece has no name at all, but its meaning is very clear.

Don't even think about it,I chide myself.

I close my eyes and give my head a shake to remind myself I am not here to stare at his muscles, or tattoos. And definitely not here to let my mind make up situations it has no business even thinking of. I look back at his face, find his signature smirk there as his own eyes go up and down my body.

I was nervous to knock on their door, even knowing it was my only option at this point. But standing here now, in front of a shirtless Jeremiah, knowing Ezekiel is somewhere inside of the room, I find it hard to even breathe, let alone think straight.

"To what do I owe the honor?" he asks.

My mouth opens, and it feels like the words just all come tumbling out.

"I lost my room card. My phone is dead. I went to the lobby, and they won't give me a new card, and there's no other rooms available. My feet are aching, and these damn pins in my hair are giving me a killer headache."

His eyebrows raise at my rambling, and I can see he's fighting not to laugh at me.

"Well, do you wanna come in?" He waves his welcome. "I mean, I really do feel like you're only here because you have no other choice, but if it gets you in the room, I think I'm okay with that."

His words take some of the tension, and awkwardness, away from the moment, and for once, I'm thankful for it. But then I look past him, into the room, and my nerves return right away. I've done all I could not to be alone with them for months, and now here I am, about to walk into the lion's den, because that is exactly what this feels like. Like once I go in, nothing will ever be the same.

Jeremiah moves aside more, motioning me in. "You coming?"

I am not even letting my mind go where his words try to take it. Instead, I swallow and walk past him. The room smells just like them, because they always freaking smell alike. Like vanilla musk, manly and so damn enticing. I've had to stop myself from leaning in and inhaling their scent a few times, just like I do right now.

"Where's Ezekiel?" I ask as I sit on the couch in between their bedrooms.

"In the shower. He'll probably be out in a minute."

I look around their room. It's almost identical to mine, except a different color scheme. They're actually using the second bedroom, whereas mine had just been my makeshift office.

"I hope I'm not—what are you doing?" I exclaim at the feeling of his hand on my calf.

I look at him in alarm, but he just smiles. "You said your feet were hurting. I'm taking your shoes off."

"Well…I—" He arches a brow as his hand slides down to my foot.

When I don't say anything else, he takes my shoe off. It hits the floor with a soft thud, and I cannot hold back the moan that escapes me. It feels that good to have the shoe off. He licks his lips at the sound, and I look away. I can't be noticing things like this while I'm in this room. Far too dangerous. He removes the other shoe and I expect him to stand, move away, but he stays there, on one knee before me.

"Yes?" I ask.

"You sure you didn't lose your key on purpose? To end up in here?"

I stand, even though my feet protest at it, just to put some distance between us.

"All I had planned to do tonight was climb into bed and not open my eyes until ten minutes before we all meet at the pool tomorrow, so, no."

"Shame. Well, you can sleep in my room. I'm sure Zek won't mind me taking three fourths of his bed. It'll bring back so many fond childhood memories."

"Please tell me you're not out here talking to yourself..." Ezekiel begins, coming into the room, head down from him towel drying his hair. "Because I'd hate to tell mom you're losing—" His words cut off when he looks up and our eyes lock.

I've already gotten my fill of his body while he was walking out here. Except on him, I'm not focusing on his tattoos, but instead on his abs, his movements. God, even this man's footsteps turn me on. And turned on is the very last thing I need to be right now.

"This is an unexpected surprise," he slowly says. "In the best way. I'm just not sure what made Queen Lexa grace us with her presence."

"You know, he called me a princess." I jut my chin towards Jeremiah. "But somehow, you calling me a queen is insulting, instead of one upping him."

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