Page 20 of Lucy and Her Wicked Three

I haven't even seen Mateo yet, but my sex clenches in response to the energy in the room. What the hell is this place?

Then I see him. His back, anyway. He's talking to the other guy he came here with, both with a drink in hand. The other guy sees me first, and recognizes me instantly, his brows rising high, lips curling into a huge smile, dimples deep in his cheeks. Mateo must have shown them my picture or my profile because both his friends know who I am.

It makes me feel marginally better, but my hope plummets when Mateo turns to see what his friend is staring at, and his scowl—one I've seen before but never directed at me—sharpens, brows furrowing. He's furious. My steps falter, but Noah is still holding my arm. Leaning close, I try to ignore the feel of his breath in my ear and how his kind voice vibrates through me when he says, "Relax. Mateo's all bark."

That's not entirely true.

Tentatively, I lift my fingers in a wave, feeling so awkward, so unwelcome, tears burn in my eyes.

"Lucy," Mateo growls as we approach. Somehow, the sound only turns me on more, and I'm so confused by the myriad of emotions, feeling turned on in this strange club, feeling sharply dejected by Mateo, I don't know what to do or think, so I stand next to Noah, frozen.

Just looking at him hurts, but feels so good. I've missed him so much. Again, for the millionth time in a week, I just want to say fuck it, keep your secrets, just come back to me.

Mateo and his friend come closer, and I take a step back, bumping into Noah's chest. Only he doesn't move out of the way or back off. His hands come to my arms in support, and I feelguilty, so fucking guilty for leaning against him. He squeezes tighter, and I expect Mateo to throw a fit, to tell his friends to fuck off.

Instead, he comes closer, pushing me further against his friend's chest.

"What are you doing here?"

I sniff, no longer on the verge of crying but feeling sensitive all the same. I open my mouth to respond, but nothing comes out. Mateo looks around, running his hand through his hair in exasperation.

He must come to some kind of decision because he tilts his head, relaxes his scowl, and says point blank, "Did you know you were coming to a sex club?"

Chapter 8

Noah

"A what?" She whispers. I can't see her face, but I can feel the shock radiating, her muscles tensing in my grip.

Mateo's expression softens, and he reaches out, pulls her hat off, tosses it on a chair close by, and wraps his hands around her face, sandwiching her between us. I can't help it, it turns me on. She smells so good. Her ass presses against me, and I swear she softens into me while I hold her, only making my cock grow harder.

Hell, I got hard the first time I saw her picture a few days ago. Silas annoyed the shit out of Mateo, forcing him to tell us more about this mysterious girl who did the unthinkable—made Mateo fall in love.

I don't mind admitting I've watched her videos every night since he shared her username. I feel like I know her. I've listened to her sweet voice and that adorable accent, watched her face light up passionately as she talked about swimming, running, and cooking.

I know Silas is just as interested because he showed me which videos were his favorite, and I catch him staring at his phone more than usual when we're supposed to be working.

Despite knowing Mateo wouldn't mind, neither of us admitted we'd been crushing on his girlfriend. We've beenwalking on eggshells around his relationship since he's been so fucking dejected all week.

He described Lucy as the sweetest and kindest woman he'd ever met. I've never heard Mateo use those words, let alone find them endearing qualities. He's always found softness as a kind of crutch, a weakness.

Not with Lucy, though.

It's weird seeing one of your best friends, a typically overconfident, arrogant alpha male type, fall into a mess of self-doubt. I can see why he thinks he's not good enough for her, even though I don't agree.

He's right though, she is wholesome—a down-home girl. It stands out in a place like this. And she's even prettier in person.

"A sex club," Mateo repeats.

Lucy's breath hitches, and she presses further into me. I know she can feel my erection. I feel guilty about it, but since she doesn't shy away, I hold her tighter. She smells like coconuts and sunshine.

Mateo tilts his head, staring her down, daring her to run away. This has been building for a while between these two, and as much as I want to help my brother out, to engage with Lucy, he's the one who made this mess.

"I don't understand. That's what you've been keeping from me? That you come to… sex clubs?"

His narrowed eyes remain fixed on her as he gives a subtle nod. I can practically feel her thinking it through. She straightens, trying to take another step back, but only manages to press her ass further against me.

She rasps, "So youhavebeen cheating on me?"

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