Page 103 of Succumbed

He huffs a laugh. “Thanks for giving me a chance. Even though I didn’t deserve it.”

His self-deprecating grin holds an edge of truth that makes my heart clench.

“You deserve everything, Declan. I won’t let you try to convince yourself otherwise.”

We’re no longer swaying along with the melody. We stand frozen on a rooftop in Paris, drowning in tension. Declan’s emerald eyes drop to my mouth, and I’m painfully aware of how close he is. If I press myself up the slightest bit, our lips will meet. My pulse pounds in my ears as I wonder if I’ll survive a second kiss from Declan Wilde.

As I lean a fraction closer, Declan stills. Frantic eyes meet mine, then shutter as his hands drop away and he steps back, clearing his throat. Disappointment settles in my gut at the loss of him.

“It’s, uh…the night’s not over,” he croaks, turning to Linc and Shane. “We have to go, right?”

Linc’s brows furrow momentarily before they smooth with his easy smile. “Sure, let’s go.”

Chapter 29

Shane

Lex steps to the table, raising her wineglass to her lips, hand trembling. As I leave Linc to soothe Dec, she finishes it in three long gulps. She sets the glass down and presses a hand to her mouth as I move behind her. I place a hand on her hip and she melts into me, leaning back without hesitation.

“Don’t give up.” I press a kiss to the hollow of her throat, my words for her ears only. “You want him?”

She freezes. When she told me about their kiss before, she didn’t seem ready to answer the question, and I couldn’t blame her given Dec’s behavior. After a day together, the want between them is obvious, but I still want to hear it from her.

“Relax, Lex,” I croon, smiling in her skin. “I’m not mad. Linc either. But…do you?”

Her eyes close and she nods almost imperceptibly. I groan, pressing myself more firmly against her, my cock hardening in my jeans. Her soft gasp tells me she can feel exactly what the thought does to me. I grip her waist tighter and kiss her again to make it perfectly clear.

“I’m so fucking glad, baby. Can’t even tell you how hot it is to think of you with all of us.”

I watch her chest rise and fall more rapidly with smug satisfaction, hoping she’s envisioning the same myriad of filthy scenes marching through my brain.

“Promise me you won’t give up on him,” I urge, my grip tightening. “If you want him…want all of us…don’t let him pull away again.”

Letting out a shaky breath, she whispers words that are equal parts vow and damnation. “I promise.”

“Good girl.”

She shivers at the praise, and I bite back another groan. After the day we’ve spent, we’re all on edge. I’m desperate to bury myself in her, to lose myself to the lust and desire only she can ignite. But I’m equally needy to watch her come apart for Linc. Even for Declan. There’s nothing I’ve ever wanted more.

Breathing deeply through my nose, I force myself to think of anything other than Lex laid out for all of us. It feels within reach, but Declan is clearly going to fight it to the bitter end. Stubborn dick.

“Come on.” I step back, adjusting myself, and take her hand. “Fancy a walk?”

Lex’s eyes shine with anticipation and a hint of nervousness as she turns to face me. “With you three? Always.”

Chuckling, I press a kiss to her temple, then pull her toward the stairs. Linc and Dec disappeared through the doorway a minute before, and we find them waiting on the street. Paris comes alive in the dark, bright streetlights and the sparkling Eiffel Tower almost overwhelming.

Lex releases me as she steps out into the cobbled rue, the musicians who inspired our impromptu dances filling the block with romantic music. There isn’t a car in sight, and she walks right into the middle of the rue, arms outstretched as she throws her head back and twirls.

“J’aime Paris!” she calls, laughing.

Cheers and hollers from pedestrians and the street band rise in response, and she grins our way. She’s a vision, her cheeks flushed and eyes bright as she giggles. Linc can’t resist, rushing out to sweep her into his arms, lifting her off her feet and spinning them both. Lex squeals as she flings her arms around him, her legs swinging wide.

I watch Dec as he takes them in with a look of intense longing, a smile playing on his lips. You can join them, brother. You can share in their joy. I know he won’t, not yet. Dec glances up as I step next to him. His smile doesn’t falter, and I take that as a good sign.

“He’ll stay out there with her like that all night if we let him.” Dec’s eyes flash with good humor.

“Nah,” I disagree. “He wants inside her as bad as we do. Can’t do that in the street, even in the City of Love.”

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