Page 53 of Steal Me (Rebel Hearts Heists 1)
“You filthy little slut! Did you think I wouldn’t notice how you were making eyes at the waiter and at every man in the restaurant? Did you get wet at the thought of all those men putting their hands on you? Did you want to wait for them in the bathroom and let them take turns fucking you?”
“No, Pierce, I—”
“Shut up! I’m talking to you, you dirty whore! I’m gonna fuck you so hard now that you’ll learn who you belong to.”
Royce’s low voice shakes me out of the unpleasant memory of one of my last dates with Pierce. “Oh yes he was, princess,” Royce retorts bluntly, but he doesn’t sound angry at me, his eyes have a completely different emotion blazing in them as they settle on me. “As I said, I think we need a new waiter.”
“You guys are jealous?” I try to clarify.
“Jealous implies that we want something that isn't ours,” River mumbles. “I would go with possessive. I like that word more.”
“Agreed.” Blaine nods.Something that isn't ours… so are they calling me, theirs? Oh man, I don’t think I am emotionally prepared for this dinner. Or maybe I need more wine.
“I don’t like anyone looking at you like that.” Royce mutters looking put out.
“Let’s just ignore him,” I say, trying to not be thrilled at their odd little possessive stint and at the fact that they don’t seem to be blaming me for trying to lure the waiter in.
“Alright, here we go: wine for the lovely lady.” The waiter is back and I feel a bit bad for the guy. I mean, he was just trying to do his job. Well, until he does something authentically creepy.
As he hands me my glass of wine, he includes a napkin underneath and it’s not until he walks away that I look down and wince. Now, why would you go leaving your number on a napkin under my wine?
Blaine freezes next to me as River lifts my glass and the other takes the napkin. I try to hide my smile as Blaine growls, “Is this for fucking real?”
Why is the sound of his voice turning me on? This can’t be healthy … oh, well. I almost feel a bit hyper and manic with relief that they weren't angry at me.
“I can’t —” River tries to stand up but I grip onto him.
Royce crumples the napkin in his huge hand and looks at Kaden. “You should go ask for a change in staff because if I find the kid, we are going to get kicked out.”
“Like I’ll do any better,” Kaden mumbles taking the napkin and standing up. I blink at the spectacle as he walks away.
“Y'all are a bit crazy.” I offer trying to hide the little smile that has started to form on my lips. Lesson learned though. Apparently, if there’s anything that can bring these guys together it’s how crazy they all are. Not just River, they’re all batshit crazy. If I thought that they were bad around one another, this is a totally different brand of possessive. I sort of like it though … a lot. It feels different than when Pierce used to get mad at me and jealous. The guys, I realize, aren’t mad or angry at me at all, they’re just annoyed at the guy hitting on me. I can work with that.
Royce actually chuckles at my comment and I don’t fully understand the look River and he exchange with each other, but Blaine relaxes next to me. Our waiter never comes back, replaced by an older woman who is actually fantastic and funny, and it’s as if some weird understanding came from the situation. The men begin talking easily about school and specifically the past football season. I listen, trying to learn small snippets of who they are, past the whole robbery bit, as I finish my wine and our food is brought out. I make sure to fully enjoy everything from our appetizer to dessert at the end, because for once we aren’t eating gas station food. My brain is a bit foggy and my body is tired after a while of eating and talking for what seems like hours. The exhaustion of the past couple of weeks has me struggling to keep my eyes open.
I barely even register that I’ve fallen asleep in the car as River picks me up and someone wraps the coat around me. My head is buried against his neck and my eyes are shut, absorbing the affection and strength of the men around me. A small blossom of hope grows inside of me. I don’t want this to end and while in a way I’m glad that we are extending our time together, going overseas, I know this is bigger than that. What if I don’t want it to ever end?
