Page 107 of Too Safe

Hunter and I step out onto the upper deck and make our way to the rail to look down on the beach and across the water. It’s clear why Decker favors this spot. Almost the entire beach is visible from up here, and it’s easy to see the ferries coming and going.

Control. Power. Dominance.

Everything I used to hate about him makes more sense now. His need to protect his people makes him who he is. He has legitimate excuses for being unreasonable. At least some of the time.

I turn in time to catch him staring. He’s surrounded by teammates—a few guys I recognize and several more I don’t. He’s leaning against the opposite side of the deck instead of lounging on the love seat like usual. To my relief, the women who usually surround him are absent tonight.

I raise one brow, and his onyx eyes darken at the challenge. He wants me to come to him. He’s willing me to his side without a word. I have to fight my body’s natural urge to obey. The tension between us is palpable.

He cocks his head, and that’s all it takes to make my willpower slip a fraction. I want to be closer. I want to know what he’ll say or do in front of his teammates. I straighten my spine and lift my chin, readying myself to step toward him.

But I’m stopped by a strong arm that wraps around me from behind.

“Hot Girl,” Locke grunts into my ear, his embrace tightening as he sidles up behind me. “You are living up to your name tonight.”

I smile, then melt in his arms without a second thought.

Hunter mutters something about a refill and heads back inside, obviously trying to give us a modicum of privacy.

Except there’s nothing private about the way Locke is wrapping his arms around me and folding his body over mine. It’s a claiming. Half the team is out here on the deck with us.

Unease washes over me as I remember where we are and who I was just eye fucking.

Shit.

I dig my fingernails into Locke’s forearms, silently pleading with him to ease up when I look over and confirm that Decker’s focus is still fixed on me.

“He wants you, you know,” Locke murmurs in my ear, sending a shiver coursing down my spine when his lips brush against my skin. “Decker’s used to getting what he wants.”

Chest heaving, I swallow thickly. I’m so wrapped up in all things Locke—literally—I can’t catch my breath. Damn this ridiculously tight bandage dress.

“But tonight, you’re mine.” He nips at my earlobe and grunts in approval when a shudder racks my body in response. One of his arms loosens, and for a moment, I think that maybe he’s going to let me go. Instead, he slides that arm up between my breasts and gently grips my throat in a clear show of possession.

“Locke—”

“Joey,” he growls with a squeeze. My name vibrates through his chest and reverberates to my core.

I clasp my thighs together, desperate to ease the ache as he runs his hands over my body while Decker looks on.

“I want you. He wants you. The only question now is, what doyouwant?”

Him.

Them.

I want it all.

My body hums with need. My clit has its own pulse as it aches with desire. But even as I try to focus on his words, I can’t tear my eyes away from Decker’s.

“Tell me you want me, too.”

There’s a quiver to his words that gives me pause. Reality barrels into me like a freight train as I wrap my head around the gravity of this moment.

I want him. I want him so badly I ache. And he deserves to know that. To be picked first. To know without a doubt where things stand between us as we try to make our way back to what we shared that first night.

“I want you,” I hum, closing my eyes and letting my head loll back against his chest.

I’m done fighting this. I’m done punishing him. I’m ready to begin again.

---