Page 46 of The Companion Love Trap

Traditional. Marriage.

I hated that I cared what these men thought of me; using their approval to reinforce what I believed about myself. It had never been more obvious how stupid that was—especially from these two. They might have a say in what business they invested in, but it didn’t mean they had carte blanche to judge my life.

I glanced at Jace, grateful he was my best friend. I’d been so angry with him when I spotted Everly in the airport lounge and realized she was my fake date. Out of all the things he’d done over our friendship, blindsiding me with the one woman I had feelings for felt cruel. Everything in me had tightened up, the urge to bolt never as strong as I’d stared into her eyes.

Did she know it was me? Would she like this version? What if I was a letdown?

Only Jace’s hand on my arm stopped me, his presence reassuring. Learning her name and hearing her words snapped me out of my fear and anger. I’d heard the hurt hiding behind her professionalism, and I hated myself for making her feel that way. I’d give her anything if she asked. When she hinted at her activities with him, my body locked up as my mind concluded that the panties I’d jerked off in had been hers.

My muse. My pulse. Mo Chuisle.

The more time I spent with her, the easier it was to relax. Everly had the same effect as Jace, grounding me while pushing me to take flight. They were both the wind in my sails and the string keeping me from flying off. Jace and Everly stood up for themselves, knowing who they were without others’ approval. I never thought I could do that, but the more I was around Everly, the easier it was to believe.

I needed to tell her who I was, and I needed to show Jace I appreciated him. I could protect him for once like he was always doing for me.

“Gentleman, it’s become abundantly clear that no matter what I do, you’ll still see me as beneath you. Everly and Jace are two of the best people I know, and neither are open for you to ridicule. Have a problem with me, then I’ll listen. But unless it directly affects the products I invent and your investment, I don’t see how it’s any of your concerns. So, excuse me; I have a beautiful and sexy woman to devour with my best friend.”

I dropped my cards onto the table and pushed my chips toward the dealer. “For having to deal with their bigoted and idiotic comments.” The man’s eyes bulged as he looked at the stack. I didn’t even glance at it, knowing it didn’t matter to me. But hopefully, it would to him.

Jace stared at me, his eyes shining brightly as I stood and buttoned my suit. I said nothing to him, only turning and leaving the casino floor. He’d catch up, and I needed to get some fresh air before I broke out in hives or vomited for speaking up for the first time in my life.

My strides were long as I maneuvered around people, eating up the distance between Everly and me. I had no real intention of devouring her tonight, but I’d liked making them believe that. I knew I needed to tell her everything before I opened that door with her. Thoughts raced through my head, and I didn’t know how far I’d walked until the sight before me stopped me dead in my tracks.

Everly sat topless on top of Cruz, her head thrown back as she rocked on him, the chair moving slightly with her movements. They were hidden in the shadows, but my eyes and body were trained to always find her. Her tits bounced with each thrust, the two of them an erotic picture as they moved together. I hadn’t known how I would feel about Cruz being with the woman I wanted, but watching them, I found it arousing, with not a hint of jealousy in sight.

My cock grew as I remembered how she’d touched me during dinner; her honey and eucalyptus scent had imprinted on me, and I could smell it now. I loved to watch in general, often finding more pleasure in observing a woman taking what she wanted. Watching Everly as she grew closer to her orgasm was the sexiest thing I’d ever witnessed. My hand rubbed against my slacks, unable to stop myself.

Arms wrapped around me, sage and cedar greeting me, and I instantly knew it was Jace. His head rested on my shoulder, his hands running up my legs, and he pressed his lower half into me as he leaned in to whisper.

“Watching you hand those old fogies their ass was sexy as fuck, Kier. Finding you watching our girl be fucked by the Brazilian Ken is even hotter.”

He slipped his hand in my zipper, squeezing me as he came into contact with my rock-hard cock. I licked my lips and pressed back into him.

“Soon, we’ll all be taking her. What do you think about Cruz?” he asked, his lips leaving small pecks on my neck.

“I don’t know,” I admitted, my eyes fighting to stay open to watch them and not give in to my own pleasure. Right then, Cruz sat up, wrapping his arms around Everly as he fucked her from below, her arms clinging to his neck. Jace squeezed my balls with one hand, stroking me quickly with the other. I braced my hand against the wall, my legs shaking.

The motion had Cruz’s eyes flashing open and searing into me as he smiled. He winked right before he doubled down and sent Everly crashing into an orgasm. Her moans were more beautiful than I imagined, and I was a lost cause, coming in my pants like a teenager. Jace kissed my neck before he stepped back and pulled me with him. I zipped my pants and let him direct me, trusting he knew where to go. My mind was mush, a mess of emotions trying to fight one another.

“Tell her, Kier. She’ll understand,” Jace whispered as he opened the stateroom door and pushed me in. I took a quick shower, climbing into bed a while later. Jace was already asleep, his soft snores filling the space. Everly wasn’t here, but I guess she stayed with Cruz tonight. I missed her and had secretly been looking forward to snuggling up to her.

My mind kept replaying the day and everything that had occurred. I recounted conversations and played them out to see if I’d said the best thing or if I could’ve done it differently. I looked at all the information my brain had observed that I’d been too overstimulated to notice earlier. The facial expressions, the body language, and the atmosphere all filtered through.

When I couldn’t make the thoughts stop so I could go to sleep, I climbed out of bed and dressed in black joggers, a black t-shirt, and my black hoodie. I was playing with fire, but maybe I wanted to. If Everly saw me in this, she’d know without me saying anything.

It was cowardly. But I couldn’t stop myself from going through the motions and slipping on tennis shoes as I grabbed the lanyard and stepped out into the dim hallway. The ship was quiet, and I made my way to the lounge where a piano sat. It wasn’t the nicest one, but it was close and one of the reasons we chose this deck. I shut the doors to keep the sound low, not wanting to wake anyone at this hour.

Just Everly.

With my hood up, I embraced the Phantom, allowing me to play, and my fingers moved over the ivory keys as music poured from me. The regret, fear, and shame I felt fell away as I escaped in the music, the melody taking my emotions.

I didn’t know how long I sat at the piano, each song melting into the next one. My arms were fatigued, and my body relaxed as I drained the last of my emotions. The final chord rang out in the room, the acoustics better than expected.

My breathing was heavy as I slumped forward on the piano, exhaustion finally entering my bones. It had to be why I didn’t realize someone had entered the room; I was too absorbed in my own world.

“Phantom?”

I snapped my head up and turned toward the voice, my body already knowing who it belonged to. The hood fell to my shoulders, and without my mask, it was clear as day who I was. Everly stood in a robe, her hair disheveled and her long legs on display. She gasped as she met my eyes.

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