Page 76 of The Billionaires' Prize

My father would have lost his shit if we ever tried such a thing. His shouts about bugs clang through my mind, and I close my eyes, willing them to be silent.

A gentle hand cups my cheek, and I look down to find Katherine staring up at me, lips parted.

“You okay?”

Here she is, having had a rough day, according to King, and she’s checking on me. Watching me, looking for any signs of distress and, knowing her, ready to go to battle for me. Because, as I’m coming to learn, that’s her default.

Katherine is a fighter. But only for people she cares about.

Everything about the way she’s relaxed against me, arm wrapped around my middle, staring up at me, says she cares aboutme.

I’m a lucky man.

Kingston rolls toward us, propping his head up on his fist, gaze raking over Katherine.

We’re lucky men.

“Yeah,” I tell her, giving her a squeeze. “I’m good. How are you?”

She gives a happy sigh, ducking her face against my chest. “I’m high on rice and veggies.”

“Same,” King murmurs. “But I’m ready for my dessert.”

Katherine mumbles against my chest, “I didn’t get anything. But there might be some ice cream in the freezer.”

His eyes meet mine, brilliant green in the soft lamplight. There’s a little groove bracketing his mouth, and it’s utterly distracting. Kingston Saint is a gorgeous man. No other way to put it.

He reaches out, sliding a hand down her back. She stretches into his touch. There’s raw hunger etched on his face, and I can almost see the dirty thoughts flicking through his mind. Stripping her out of her robe, touching her all over, sliding down between her thighs.

But the longer he looks, the more tortured his expression grows. Like he’s looking at something he can’t have.

Except, he’s already had her. He’s sleeping in her bed. He’s her best friend.

So what’s this look about? Why does he look so. . . tortured?

I don’t know how to ask the questions peppering my brain, especially not in front of her. And almost as quickly as the shadows appeared, they lift, and he rolls onto his back and pats his chest.

“Come here, Wildfire.”

She twists to face him. “What are you up to?” Her voice is light and full of humor.

He tugs the belt on her robe, and she gasps softly. “Having my dessert.”

“King!” She sounds scandalized, but she doesn’t pull away. In fact, she leans over him, pressing a kiss to his lips.

He wraps his arms around her, devouring her like she’s the last woman he’ll ever kiss. Their connection sizzles, and I swear the air around us crackles. Kingston moans, and she smiles against his lips.

My stomach swoops and flips at that smile.

Sex is supposed to be fun. That’s a hill I’ll die on. But this is so much. . . more. I don’t know if it’s having multiple partners, that they’re best friends finally falling for each other, or maybe the way Katherine’s always seemed just out of my reach. There’s tenderness here combined with heat in the way I feel her against my chest, her lips against mine, even though she’s actually wrapped up in him.

Another man.

A younger man.

Stunningly handsome and built like a god. But funny and charming. And open. . . to new things. New experiences. And sure, he spiraled for a minute when he found out Katherine was with Alex and me. But who wouldn’t in his position?

Watching them is seeing two friends putting each other at the top of their priority list in small and huge ways.

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