Page 65 of Succumbed

“Under what condition?” I demand.

My infuriatingly lovable nephew rolls his eyes. “Only at home.”

“Where no one else would hear it.” I give him a pointed look.

“I didn’t break any rules, Lexi. We’re home. Not my fault you have company for the first time in forever.”

My cheeks flush as Linc throws his head back and laughs while Shane chuckles. Declan smirks, his green eyes finding mine and flaring in amusement. I swallow roughly, feeling the weight of his playful attention in my core. Jax smiles and pokes around on Declan’s laptop.

“Just take notes, please,” I mutter, moving to sit closer to Declan and shoving my wandering thoughts down as I do. “And you’re in charge of getting the door when the pizza gets here.”

Two hours later, I walk the guys to the door. Jax is still in the kitchen, scarfing down the last of the Hawaiian pizza. Declan’s gaze lingers on me after he pulls on his shoes.

“Thank you, Lex,” he says. “Tonight was…helpful.”

I grin, crossing my arms and tracking the dip of his gaze to the hint of cleavage at my neckline. “You’ve come a long way, Declan. But I’ll know you've transcended when you can express gratitude without looking constipated.”

Shane pats Declan’s arm roughly. “Looks like you’ve got a ways to go.”

“Fuck off,” Declan grumbles, turning for the door. He glances back at me one last time, his lips curling into a smug little smile.

Linc steps up into my personal space, crowding his body against mine. “Can we break a rule and allow a string tonight? I don’t want to go.”

He ducks down and kisses my neck, gripping my waist in his broad hands. I reach up and thread my fingers through his soft curls, pressing my body to his.

“No strings, Linc,” I murmur.

Pouting, he straightens and peers into my eyes. He reaches a hand up to cup my cheek, his thumb on my cheekbone. I want to break my rules, want to fist his tee in my hand and drag him right up the stairs. But my nephew is in the kitchen. And you have rules for a fucking reason.

“I’ll see you soon.” I press my lips to his, kissing him sweetly.

He releases me with a lingering look, then squeezes my hand and follows his brother out. Shane is waiting behind him, hands in his pockets. He shaved his head again recently, and I’d admired how gorgeous he looked all night.

“Thank you for being gentle,” he says, his deep voice impossibly soft. “He’s…invested.”

“Who, Linc?”

Shane inclines his head.

Sighing, I lean into him as he presses his lips to my forehead. “I know,” I murmur.

“Good night, Lex.” Shane grips my arm briefly, then walks out and pulls the door closed.

I sigh, crossing my arms and hanging my head before turning to meet Jax in the kitchen. To my surprise, he isn’t in the kitchen–he’s standing at the end of the hall, leaning against the wall. I narrow my gaze.

“How long have you been standing there, Jackson Thomas?”

He smirks. “Long enough, Lexi Livingston. Come on, have a drink with me. I know you’re not going to bed for another few hours.”

Grumbling, I follow him back to the kitchen. “What do you know about my schedule?”

“Aw, Lexi. You wound me!” He winks over his shoulder. “I might be all fun and games, but I pay attention. The lights are on over here until midnight at least.”

“Why do you stay up so late?”

He smiles as he hands over my wine glass, pouring the last of the red into it. “My brain doesn’t like to shut off.”

“Well, sleep’s overrated, anyway.”

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