Page 61 of Kidnapping Their Third

“Books!” he breathed, pressing his face to the window like a kid as Pike pulled into a parking spot.

“I noticed you’d read the few physical books I had,” Cora commented as Pike got out and flipped the seat forward for them. “I thought about getting you an e-reader but decided you might like this instead. There are a few used bookstores we can visit some other time. Imani reads a lot too, and she’s always swapping books with people. I bet she’s got a collection we could—oh!”

Her words were cut off by Kimble picking her up and sprinting across the parking lot and into the building. Pike laughed and chased after them.

Cora liked to read the occasional book but nothing like Imani, or Kimble apparently! He made his way to the nearest row of books labeled fiction and started looking while still holding her. When he wanted to pull a book off a shelf, he turned to Pike and handed her over.

“You could’ve put me down,” she laughed as Pike cuddled her to his chest.

“I like this better,” Pike said.

Catching some side eye from one of the employees, Cora tapped his arm. “Put me down so I can look at the magazines. You stay with Kimble and keep him to one armload, okay?”

Pike put her down with obvious reluctance. “I can’t promise anything.”

Chuckling, she headed to the racks of shiny magazines and found the section on fashion. She’d flipped through several by the time Kimble and Pike appeared at her side, both of them loaded down with books.

Eyeing their burdens, she did a quick calculation in her head. “I think doing drugs would’ve been cheaper!”

Ignoring her words, Kimble set his books down on a nearby table and took the magazine out of her hands. “Fancy clothing?”

Embarrassed, she snatched it back. “I like pretty dresses and shiny outfits.”

“Don’t be defensive,” Pike said, setting down the stack he was holding. “He was surprised. You are so practical, and you don’t have any showy clothing at home. I don’t think you own a dress or skirt. I didn’t think you were interested in fashion.”

“Sorry,” Cora mumbled, rolling the magazine into a tight tube. “I want to wear gorgeous things like Imani does, but I’m not as pretty as her. I’d look like an idiot.”

Kimble growled. “You beautiful.”

Pike looked upset. “Both you and Imani are beautiful women.”

Cora snorted. “Imani is tall and curvy, I’m short and built like a plank of wood. I don’t have breasts, hips, or an ass, not to mention I’m ungodly pale. I could never pull off any of these dresses.”

When Kimble scowled and Pike looked like he was going to protest more, Cora held up her hand to stop them. “I’m not putting myself down. I’m stating facts.”

“The facts as you see them,” Pike responded, sliding in closer to her and taking the magazine from her grip. “Kimble and I see very different facts.”

Cora tried very hard not to be charmed. “You can’t possibly tell me that I’m prettier than Imani.”

Pike tilted his head. “Why do you think beauty is a zero-sum game? There is no winner or loser.”

She blinked, surprised by Pike’s words. “That’s an enlightened view.”

Pike gave her a shy smile. “I never found anyone beautiful before Kimble and you. For a long time, I thought there was something wrong with me and then someone suggested I was demisexual. That made so much sense to me and also made me realize that beauty, lust, and love can be different for everyone.”

Cora put a hand on Pike’s arm. “Have you had sex before us?”

Pike snorted out a laugh. “Of course I have! I haven’t had many partners because I had a hard time coming, but I’m not totally inexperienced.”

Cora let out a relieved sigh. “Thank fuck.”

“Don’t worry, you didn’t corrupt an innocent virgin,” he teased. Holding up the magazine, Pike’s expression turned serious. “Cora, you’re as beautiful as any of these women.”

“Sure.” Cora tried to look like she believed him then moved to distraction. “Are all these books for Kimble?”

“Except for that one,” Pike said, pointing to a book on drawing.

“You draw?” Cora asked.

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