Page 176 of Naughty & Nice

“How was I to know she’s cast some voodoo spell over him that meant he was only interested in sharing her with his brother?”

“I can’t decide if that’s hot or gross.”

“Hot, definitely hot. But it won’t last. She’s too… average for Wilder. The other one, sure. But not our Wild.”

Finally, the people in front of us disperse and I’m able to move away from the blonde with no panties and her bitchy little friend.

Looking up, I find my boys. My heart yearns to step up to them and claim them as mine publicly, but I’m scared—no, terrified—of what everyone will say. I agreed to this knowing that I was going to be on the receiving end of their jealously, but it seemed okay while I was safely locked inside our house. Now we’re here out in the open, I’m not sure I’m ready or strong enough.

But while turning in the opposite direction and running the hell away is an option, my legs take me to where I belong.

“Noelle, what’s wrong?” Hendrix asks the second I’m close enough for him to read my expression.

“Rebel?” Wilder asks as both of them surround me. It’s the first time we’ve been this blatant in public. But now they’re with me, I don’t second guess it. I can’t. Not when I know they’ll always protect me.

“Nothing. It’s nothing.”

Hendrix takes my hand in his warm one as Wilder’s possessive side takes center stage. His fingers grip my chin and he forces me to look up at him. He studies me closely before guessing, “Someone said something.”

“It was nothing. Just forget it.”

His eyes narrow and his nostrils flare before he scans the people around us, looking for the culprit.

His attention locks on someone, and I can only imagine he’s found her.

The rejected little jersey chaser who can’t cope with being told no.

“You need to ignore them, little rebel. You’re worth a million of them.”

“It’s no big deal. Let’s just go,” I say, attempting to take a step back, putting an end to our three-man show.

“Nah, I refuse to have anyone gossiping about our girl. If they want to talk, then they need to know all the facts.

“I love you, Noelle, and I want this entire campus to know about it.”

Before I can say anything, his lips are on mine and his tongue is in my mouth.

I respond because I’m powerless to do anything else.

There’s a part of me that expects Hendrix to step back, to slip into the shadows. It’s what the old version of him would have done. But Wilder hasn’t been the only one to learn a thing or two about himself recently, and Hendrix is well and truly finding hisfeet and his confidence. So really, I shouldn’t be surprised when he steps up behind me, letting his strong, hard body warm mine. His hand wraps around my throat, and with his thumb and forefinger, he drags me away from Wilder and turns me to him.

“I love you too, and I’m not ashamed of anything.”

I’m pretty sure the people around us react, but I’m too lost to my boys to hear any of it.

“If they’re going to talk, you may as well give them something good to talk about,” Wilder whispers in my ear. “Now, are you ready for your surprise?” he asks, reminding me that they were both meant to be busy.

“Uh…”

“We lied,” Hendrix offers. “And now we’re taking you out on a date while this lot discuss how fucking awesome your life is.”

Both of them take my hands, and without looking back, we walk away with our heads held high.

Together. Just like we always will be.

EPILOGUE

Noelle

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