Page 40 of Stuck On Them

“Nothing is acceptable coming out of your mouth, but that’s incredibly sexy.” He took the towel I’d left on the counter and threw it in the sink. “Don’t yuck someone’s yum.”

I bit my lip, stifling a laugh. “Yum? You’re going to eat them? Or maybe you’ll boil them and make a soup. Maybe that will help Ryker feel better.”

“Zuppa di figa is a delicacy in Italy. People travel from around the world to sample the savory pussy soup that takes hours to make.” He shook out his tie before he rolled it up and handed it to me. “For you. Since I’m keeping your panties.”

I looked down at the blue piece of fabric he’d shoved in my mouth, my face heating at what he’d just done to me. “Thanks?”

“You should wear that and only that the next time you get off.” He grabbed his suit jacket, putting it over his arm, and my heart sank that he was going to leave. It was the complete opposite of the reaction I should have been having.

“You never told me why you want to take me out.” I watched my hand as I traced a circle on the counter.

“Why?” he asked softly as he lifted my chin. “You brought Ry back to life... you made him smile, laugh, care about something other than work. And then when he cares too much about work, you call him an asshole and write him a ‘fuck you’ sticky note.”

Tears stung my eyes, but I couldn’t look away from his. “But... why ask me out?”

I could have sworn he clenched his jaw, but my eyes were too blurry. “Nothing brings me more joy than seeing my best friend lose his shit over a woman for the first time ever.”

My eyebrows nearly shot clear to my hairline. “I see.” I stepped back. “I think you should go.”

I wasn’t going to be used as a pawn in whatever fucked up game these three were playing. My feelings for them were already messing with my head and I didn’t need to add going on dates to the pile.

“Paige.” He reached for me. “That’s not how I meant-”

“That’s exactly how you meant it, Luca. I won’t allow you to turn me into some kind of laughing stock.” This was exactly why I’d run away from California, yet there I was again, putting myself in a situation where I’d inevitably be water cooler gossip. “I deserve better.”

It hadn’t escaped my notice that my termination papers had been sent to me by someone other than Ryker and had clearly stated I had a personal intimate relationship with him. People at their company knew I’d slept with him, and it was only a matter of time before word of that spread. Even though it wasn’t like I’d be there to know, it was inevitable.

“A laughing stock? What are you even talking about? I want to take you on a date and get to know you better.” He reached for me, but I moved to the other side of the island, leaving his tie in front of him. “You misunderstood me.”

“I don’t think I did. I’m one woman and there are three of you. Don’t you have rules in place for a reason? To avoid this?” The fact I even had to remind him of this was enough of a deterrent to stay away from all of them. “I’m not going to cause a company to crumble or friendships to be ruined. That’s not fair to me.”

“No one is asking you to choose.” He scrubbed his hand over his face, his shoulders sagging in defeat.

“That’s exactly the position you’re putting me in... that I put myself in.” I needed to run and run fast before he could put any weirder feelings in my chest. “I need to go get dressed and start looking for a job and a place to live. Maybe I’ll just go back to California.”

“Paige.” He anticipated my retreat and cut me off before I got to the entryway that led to the hallway. “I’m bad at this. We all are.”

“I can’t be your practice.” I crossed my arms over my chest and quickly uncrossed them once I realized it made the hem of my shirt rise. “Are you going to move or am I going to have to scream for Ryker?”

“Hang out with me on Saturday. As friends.” Luca gave the phrasepuppy-dog eyesa whole new meaning, and I felt myself soften just a smidge. “I’ll invite some people to hang out with us too.”

Damn it, Paige.

“I don’t know, Luca...” I looked past him as the door at the end of the hall opened and Ryker leaned against the doorframe. My stomach twisted at the frown on his face.

“What can it hurt? If you’re uncomfortable, you can just leave.” He pulled me into a hug and my resolve to run away crumbled.

“Fine. I’ll go.” I would just plan several escape strategies beforehand.

“Perfect! I’ll text you.” He was grinning when he pulled away. “Do you have any food allergies?”

“No, I don’t.” I waited for him to pull out his phone but instead, he slipped on his jacket. “Don’t you need my number?”

“Already have it.” He gave me a quick peck on the lips and then was out the door, a bounce in his step.

Ryker didn’t move from where he was leaning in his doorway as I went to the guestroom door. “Did you just agree to go on a date with him?” He sounded like he looked—like shit.

I felt a pang of guilt, which was ridiculous. “Not on a date. We’re going to hang out. You should come.”

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