Page 61 of Peyton's Price

“I think we’ve created a monster,” Liam said, but his eyes flared. Coughing, he pressed her legs back together. “But you’re still sore and I don’t need the temptation, no matter how much I want you—and believe me, after that last dry spell, I’m ready to go.”

Peyton was about to tell him she had rested long enough, but she was distracted by what he’d said. “What does that mean?”

“Hmm?” Liam hummed, his mouth full of bacon.

“You said it’s been a long time.”

He shrugged. “Before this weekend, it had been a long-ass time. In fact, the last partner was with this one,” he said, gesturing to Matthias as he appeared on the deck.

“What was that?” the other man asked as he sat in a chair across from them.

“Peyton was asking about the last time I had sex,” Liam said.

“And it was with me?” Matthias was incredulous.

Liam shrugged. To him, she knew, embarrassment was for peasants. “Yeah, so?”

“Well, that was like a year and a half ago. Or two even.”

Liam dismissed his lengthy period of celibacy with a wave.

Peyton wasn’t ready to let it go. “But you got back together with Caroline not that long after. You even got engaged.”

She wasn’t sure if she would get over that last part.

“I thought I explained all this. Caroline wasn’t comfortable with a physical relationship after what happened with Matthias, and I respected that.”

Her brow creased. “And you were going to get married anyway?”

Liam put down the fork, clearing his throat. “She and I were planning to do our own thing,” he confessed. “Caroline was chiefly interested in the other aspects of marriage—mostly being a hotel-owning super couple. And we were friends…”

He reached out for Peyton’s hand. “I feel bad for how things went down with her, but it was my fault for agreeing to marry her.”

“So, I was the last sex you had?” Matthias gloated.

“Don’t look so smug,” Peyton said, raising her glass. “I’m the one who broke his fast.”

Matthias laughed aloud, reaching for the coffee pot.

“Broke my everything else, too.” Liam groaned. “I am officially ruined for all other women.”

“Good,” she said. “But speaking of your past…when am I going to see some hot man-on-man action?”

Liam frowned, nonplussed. “I don’t know. When the spirit moves us?”

Matthias couldn’t seem to tear his eyes away from her legs. “I’m not in a hurry. I think we’re both consumed with other matters now. Namely you.”

The sun was getting stronger. Peyton reached for the sunglasses she’d left on the table. “Well, I won’t complain about that, but I would like to add that I want this to work. And if that means I should make myself scarce so you two can have some private time, just tell me.”

“I don’t see a need for that,” Matthias said, turning to Liam. “Am I right?”

Liam nodded, then laughed. “Also, privacy might be counter-productive. If memory serves me right, this one is a bit of an exhibitionist.”

“Only in places where no one can identify us,” Matthias replied before turning to Peyton. “Besides, this is about all three of us. Without you, none of us would be here.”

“I agree,” Liam said. “But to be safe, I think we need to set some ground rules.”

Matthias put down his coffee, his mouth tightening. “What did you have in mind? I thought we were all getting on just fine, going where the currents carry us.”

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