Page 55 of Force At Third

She puts her little paws on my lap.

“That’s right; don’t be shy. Come right out and tell me you want more attention.”

Roman walks out as Elle and I are bonding and sets her dishes down. Then he hooks her up on a run, grabs the beer, sits down, and throws his feet up on the railing.

“What do you think?”

“I think you need to step up your game.” He nods toward the house and laughs. “You might want to write whatever you’re feeling in a note since she won’t talk to you.”

“Gwendolyn only responds to one thing when it comes to me.”

“Yeah, and what’s that?”

“Orgasms.”

He nearly chokes on his beer. “Probably need to use your words before you get to that point, yeah?”

“Nope, just need to open the door and let her in.”

“Come again?”

“She and Marks take shifts over at CeCe’s?”

He nods, confirming my suspicions that it has to have something to do with her.

“When hers is up and if I’m home, she’s riding my dick or my tongue.”

“Since when?” he asks.

“Every night I’ve been here.”

“Wait—isn’t she dating?—”

“She might be, but that’s got nothing to do with me.”

“Locke.” He palms his face.

“What?”

“Fuck, man, I don’t know, but I sure as hell wouldn’t be eating pussy that’s been getting it from somewhere else.”

I shrug. “Still tastes like mine.”

“I have not a clue where to go with this, and it’s not my business, but you’re obviously in need of an ear and some advice.”

“Just came for the beer and the pup.”

“Not calling bullshit, but I’ll tell you a story, and you can do with it what you will.”

“Let’s hear it.”

“I haven’t kissed Red’s lips since I’ve been back because she’s not pushed up on her little toes and demanded it. It’s fucking killing me, too, but she needs that control over us, and I’m giving it to her. But when she backs away, acts like she’s gonna end it, I remind her how we feel about each other and assure her I’m not going anywhere.”

“Not following the lesson in this one, Hart.”

“She’s got all the control, and you just let her have it.”

“She might need it, just like CeCe does.”