Page 32 of The Companion Love Trap

“Isn’t that the definition of trapping her?” Jace asked, lifting one eyebrow in a challenge.

“I’m not trying to trap her; just get her to confront her feelings. I know how Meu Tudo feels for me, but she believes that means something it doesn’t.”

“Like what?” Kieran asked, confused. His brows were creased, and he stared at the floor like it had hidden the answer from him. It was so innocently cute I instantly wanted to soothe him, my protector genes emerging.

“Jace believes the two of you are destined, and I don’t disagree. I know she needs you like she needs to breathe. Performing is a huge part of her despite her denial. If I try to cut you out, then I’m not seeing Everly for who she is.” I dropped my hands and placed them in my pockets, rocking on the balls of my feet. “Thankfully, I don’t ascribe to monogamy in the traditional sense. Relationships can take on many shapes and sizes, and if Everly could slow down for one second and hear me out, she might realize it’s exactly what she wants and needs.”

“So, both of you plan to trap her in some twisted game?” Kieran sneered, the unusual anger surprising me. “I won’t be a part of it.”

Kieran stood with his shoulders back at his full height, about two inches taller than me. I respected him at that moment. He wasn’t afraid to stand up for her, showing me he was worthy of Everly’s love. Jace stood as well, turning his body as he spoke to his friend, his hand gently placed on his forearm. The love and care they had were visible, regardless of what they believed. I was envious of how freely they could show one another.

“Kier, that’s not it. Everly’s free to make her own choices. We’re only showing her the options. She has chemistry with the three of us, so if we agree up front that we won’t try to take her away from the other, we can find a solution that benefits all. Together.”

As Kieran looked between the two of us, I could practically see him running through scenarios in his mind; his eyes shifting back and forth looking for all the potholes.

“It’s going to blow up in your faces, but I don’t know how to stop you at this point,” he concluded, sitting back down and crossing his arms.

Buns trotted over to him, nudging him with her nose. His face morphed into a soft smile, the action so light it snared something in me I didn’t know existed. With Everly, I protected her from herself, but with Kieran, I wanted to keep him from the world.

Jace stepped closer to me, his arm brushing mine again as he spoke in a hushed tone so Kieran couldn’t hear.

“He’s like a newborn cub. Soft, cute, and vulnerable. There’s this primal need in you that wants to dominate him, right?”

I swallowed, nodding as I kept watching the mystery that was Kieran Byrne. How had I never seen it before?

“Yeah. That’s Kieran.” Jace looked smug for all of two seconds before it changed into a fierce glare. “If you misuse him or harm him in any way, not only will I cut off your balls and feed them to the sharks, but he’ll take everything from you and ruin your name. Never forget that he’s still a lion or that I’m the king of this jungle. You might have the upper hand with Everly, but he’s mine. I’m willing to share if he’s interested but don’t think I won’t protect him. Do you understand, Gato?”

For a split second, I felt his dominance powering over me, and I had the urge to bow my head in obedience. Still, that power turned to heat, promising a raging inferno when we inevitably collided. Oh, I couldn’t wait. But I admired his loyalty and defense of what was his. He was someone I could go toe-to-toe with, and I liked that quality in a person.

“I copy, Meu Dengo.” Our eyes seared into one another, his hazel ones melding with my brown ones, and it felt like time stopped for a few seconds while we both existed together.

“What do you suggest we do in the morning?” Kieran asked, pulling Jace and my eyes apart.

“Hmm?” In my standoff, I’d already forgotten his question.

“Everly,” he said like that was all he needed. But he wasn’t wrong. It said everything. I shrugged in response. There wasn’t a simple solution.

“I chase her. It’s our thing. She pushes me away, and I pull her back. Figure out the dynamic between you two, and don’t retreat.”

“I don’t know how to do that. I’ve never been great with women. So I don’t have a lot of experience.” His voice was low like he was embarrassed by that.

“Whatever you were doing on the plane was working, and you have a deep connection through music. Just be yourself, Kier. She’s got his possessiveness to contend with and my cockiness; she doesn’t need another one of us. Be the music that she needs.”

“I need to tell her, don’t I?” he sighed, biting his lip as he peered up. Buns was still between his legs, loving the head rubs.

“Up to you. But the longer you hide it, the harder for her to get over it,” I said, knowing how hypocritical I sounded. She didn’t know everything about my past, but I contended that I wasn’t hiding it. Everly just didn’t ask.

Kieran groaned, throwing his head back on the couch as he sat back. He rubbed his hands over his face, tugging at the light strands. “I can’t deal with this right now. I need to prepare for tomorrow.” He stood and stalked away, heading into the room he’d propped his luggage.

“What did you do with Everly?” I asked Jace the second it was clear.

He smirked, falling back into the cocky guy I’d found outside my office door listening to me fuck Everly. He spread out his arms on top of the couch, one leg bent at the knee with his ankle resting on his leg. Jace was the epitome of cool guy right now.

Please push my buttons, Meu Dengo. Give me a reason to show you how well you’ll submit to me.

“I don’t kiss and tell, Gato.”

Growling, I zoomed across the few steps and pinned him against the couch as I entered his space. My legs straddled his, restraining them as I hovered over him. My hands pressed his arms into the sofa, keeping him helpless and at my mercy. He’d have to buck hard to throw me off him. Jace sucked in a breath, his chest hitting mine as he stared open-mouthed at me in shock.

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