Page 67 of Deceit

I’m walking to my introduction to business class the next day. My new favorite morning drink is firmly in my hand when a pair of arms grab me, pulling me into a supply closet. Apple cider splashes across my arm before I lose my grip on it entirely, watching as it spills on the floor.

I look up to see how huge this closet is. It’s bigger than you’d expect a closet to be, much like everything at this university, but it’s still only about six feet deep and four feet wide. There are shelves of cleaning supplies and maintenance tools as well as Liam and Ronan.

Liam unwinds his arms from around my waist before pressing a chaste kiss against my lips. For half a second, I lean into the gesture before I remember where we are, who is in front of us and everything that came with last night. Ripping myself away from him, my eyes come up to Ronan, waiting for his anger or chastising. Instead, he is stoic, his watchful eyes on the two of us.

“What’s going on?” I ask softly, as my eyes bounce between the two of them.

I look up at Ronan to see some red marks around his neck.

“Oh my god! What happened?”

“You like him,” Ronan says stiffly, dodging my question completely.

It doesn’t sound like a question, though I’m not sure it’s a statement either. Maybe a verification of sorts? Maybe it is his way of asking, but he’s so damn direct it’s hard to tell.

“I—”

The words die on my tongue. To be honest, Liam is kind of obnoxious, and half the time he’s practically Asher’s little lap dog. He’s slept with half the population of this university, and I’m not so sure that would stop just because I confessed that I may have felt a spark there last night. Liam seems to be able to understand my hesitancy as he gains my attention.

“I like you, babygirl. I want more nights like last night, I want your days too. I want you.”

A rush of butterflies take flight inside me as his light green eyes latch onto mine, not letting me go for seemingly anything.

“What about Asher?” I find myself asking.

Liam’s smile doesn’t budge, even for a second as he lifts a hand up, his thumb brushing against the outline of my mouth.

“What about him? If he’s not going to recognize what a perfect diamond was laid before his feet, I’m certainly not going to pass it up. You deserve to be taken care of, treasured. He’s so unworthy of you, it’s unreal. I just hope that my dumbass hasn’t earned the same fate,” he says, with a slight crook of his head. As if he were testing the waters with that last part.

My eyes come to Ronan, who apparently hasn’t looked away since I was pulled into this closet. My eyes are asking him a million questions and thankfully, he speaks.

“It’s okay, if you want to be with him. It would be easier, at least for the time being.”

I frown at that, taking a step away from Liam until I’m pressed against Ronan. I have to look up to maintain eye contact as I shake my head.

“I want you, Ronan. I…we…”

I’m tongue tied, and amazed at how I got myself into this situation in the first place.

“What if you didn’t have to choose?” Liam says.

“What?” I ask, turning to face him fully.

He takes a step closer, pinning me in against Ronan’s chest while he plasters himself against my front.

“What if we didn’t make you choose? What if you could be with both of us?”

I blink at him, waiting for this jester to deliver the punchline. It doesn’t seem to come, though. Instead, he’s watching me with rapt attention as Ronan’s hand comes to my hip, squeezing gently.

“I…what?” I ask breathlessly.

They can’t be serious….can they?”

“Things are…messy right now,” Ronan continues. “I can’t be with you the way I want to, the way you deserve. Though, you would still need a level of…discretion with Liam since you are engaged. He can be with you in a lot of ways and places that I can’t.”

I frown at that as I look up at him.

“So, what? He’s going to keep me warm for you? Am I just a plaything that you want to keep satisfied, while you handle Amber whatever while I—”

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