Page 31 of Rise of Temptation

“Where are you going?” I sit up, completely confused. I thought we were on the same page for a minute there.

“I’m getting back to work. Enzo asked me to keep an eye on things around here—on you—while he went to tend to something at the club.”

“He thinks I need a babysitter?” Maybe he really has forgotten about my job.

“He just doesn’t want anything to happen to you. He might be overreacting, but better safe than sorry, right?”

“Are you just sitting out in the hall while I sleep?”

“Pretty much. Easiest job I’ve ever had.” He turns and leaves, suddenly very eager to do his job.

“You could sit in here and give me orgasms instead,” I mutterto the empty room, lying back and pouting with my arms crossed over my chest. I fume silently for a few more minutes until I finally tell myself that it’s not Joey’s fault; Enzo is being sweet in an overprotective way. That thought calms me enough that I’m able to drift back off to sleep. Hopefully dreams of Joey sneaking back into my room for some fun are waiting for me in my subconscious mind.

Chapter 24

Joey

As I walk out of Elise’s bedroom, I hear Enzo’s footsteps coming up the stairs. I quickly shut the door, not wanting to disturb her with whatever conversation I’m sure we’re about to have. She needs to sleep after the ordeal she had tonight, and she doesn’t need to be burdened with anything related to work or Enzo’s obsessive jealousy.

I turn back around just in time to make eye contact with him, and I’m honestly not sure how he’s going to react to me being in her room. He asked me to be here, but he didn’t ask me to be in there. Sure, he claims he’s okay with sharing, but none of us really believe him. He’s never wanted to try it before, and he’s never acted this way about a woman before. Why would she be the one he’s ready to experiment with? It doesn’t make any sense.

But if he doesn’t change his mind soon, I’m pretty sure we’re going to be fighting over which of the three of us gets to have her first. Maybe this conversation will give me a clue as to where he stands. It’s been a few days since he gave us the green light, so he has to be expecting one or all of us to make a move soon.

When he realizes where I just was, Enzo’s expression instantly hardens, and I brace myself for a fight. But when he gets to the top of the stairs, he forces his shoulders to relax and takes a deep breath. I’ve never seen him fight his natural emotions before; it’s fascinating to watch.

I expect the first words out of his mouth to be an interrogation about what I was doing in her room. Instead, he asks, “Did anything happen while I was gone?”

“No, boss. All quiet here.” I pause, then extend an olive branch. “I was just checking to make sure she was okay after the meeting, and I accidentally woke her up. But she seems fine. I think she’s asleep again.”

He looks at me, contemplating my words and probably trying to decide if I’m lying. But I have no reason to lie, which he must realize.

“Why haven’t any of you taken advantage of the new rules yet?” he asks. I can tell that he’s genuinely curious but also not sure if he wants to hear the answer.

“Been watching your cameras lately?” I tease. He’d know immediately if any of us touched her; this house is under heavy-duty surveillance. Most rooms have either cameras or microphones. Nothing happens here that he doesn’t know about. Is it a little extreme? Sure. But with as many enemies as he has, I don’t blame him.

“I always check the cameras,” he points out.

I hesitate, not sure if he can handle what I’m about to say. But he needs to hear it. “You’ve never shared before. We aren’t sure you can handle it.”

“I wouldn’t have offered if I couldn’t handle it.”

“Well, in that case…” I turn to go back into her room, but Enzo stops me with a hand on my shoulder.

“Not right now. She’s recovering from a traumatic event. She needs to sleep.”

I smirk over my shoulder at him. “I could wear her out. That would help her sleep.”

He laughs, which surprises me, then says, “Trust me. It’s much more likely that she’d wear you out.”

I turn around and tilt my head, studying him. “Are we… bonding over our shared woman right now? Aww!” I reach out to hug him, but he pushes me away.

“Since we haven’t shared her, I’m going to say no. We’re not.”

“We haven’t shared heryet,” I correct him. Because I will have my hands and mouth all over her as soon as an opportunity comes my way.

He rolls his eyes and nods. “Yet.”

“How was work? Got it all straightened out?”

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