Page 14 of Chill

God, I’ve never had someone—or two someones—able to make me react like this in my life. I lean into him with a sigh, nipping at Val’s lower lip and reaching up to card my fingers through his messy hair. “Do you really love me?” I ask, unable to help myself.

“Just as much as I love tall, dark, and frustrating out there,” Val replies easily. The idea of him loving Kieran is a momentary shock, though really I should’ve realized that. After all, it’s pretty clear they’re closer than justcoworkersormurder buddies.

I’ve seen the way Val looks at Kieran with excitement and raw attraction.

And I’ve definitely noticed how Kieran glances at Val with warmth and affection. At least until Val looks back at him and the look fades to fond frustration or downright irritation at whatever is coming out of the brunette’s mouth.

“So…” I kiss him again, forming a plan in my head. “I’m going out there.” I need to prove that I can be a part of this. That Iwant tobe a part of this and that I’m not satisfied with Val keeping me company.

I don’t need to be entertained.

“I could stop you,” Val points out. “You wouldn’t even mind it, I swear. I could pin you down and eat you out. You’d come so hard with my fingers and tongue in that pretty pussy, Noa.” His eyes dance as he promises me what I know he can deliver, and warmth pools in my lower body, prompting me to groan.

“Yeah, as tempting as that is, I’m still going out there. Are you going to stop me?” I lift my chin to look at him, trying not to look like a pleading little girl. “I mean,reallystop me?”

For a few tense seconds Val holds my gaze, searching for something I’m not sure he’ll find. After all, I don’t even know what he’s looking for. “Nah, I won’t stop you. I don’t like being the bad guy for you.” His fingers smooth up my thighs before he leans back on his hands, looking tempting and sinful as hell in just a pair of unbuttoned jeans.

As I move to get up, though, he reaches out to grip my wrist gently, pulling me to a stop. “He’ll try to make you back down,” Val tells me kindly. “He’ll try to make you nervous. To make you second guess yourself. He thinks it’ll protect you from the worst sides of us.”

“So I shouldn’t let him?” I ask, a wry grin on my lips.

But Val just shrugs his lean, muscled shoulders. “I guess that’s up to you and how much youwantto see of us.” Then hedrops his hand and flops back onto the bed with a groan. “Go out there and tell him you beat me up or something. I’ll be out when I’m dressed.”

With one last smile in his direction, I shove my feet into my sneakers and open the door, having to push a little more than I expect to when it sticks. The noise attracts the attention of both men, though they remain seated at the rusted picnic table a few feet away.

Sam looks just like he did a month ago, though it’s not like I should be surprised. Still, to me, he’ll always beNero, and his smile when he sees me somehow reminds me of the regality of his demeanor back at the haunt.

“Good morning, Noa,” he greets as another, closer roll of thunder sounds. “Kieran was just telling me you were here. Bit of a long drive to do in the cold, isn’t it?”

“My super power is long distance driving. My true calling is being a trucker, actually,” I admit, shivering in the chilly air and wishing I grabbed my hoodie off of the floor.

“I thought Val was keeping you entertained.” Kieran’s words are cool and neutral, so I turn my bright grin on him and march right over to sit beside him on the picnic table, though it takes all of my mental fortitude to do so. Especially when he shifts against me, though it’s only to wrap an arm over my shoulders and pull me in against his warmth.

“This seemed more interesting, so I knocked him out and came out here,” I lie, trying to look and sound like neither of them intimidate me in the least. Which unfortunately for me, isn’t true at all.

“It’s not that interesting,” Sam informs me almost kindly. “It’s just work.”

“Well, I have nothing better to do,” I reply with faux cheerfulness and a conversational tone. I won’t be pushed into going back inside. At least, not that easily.

Sam stares at me, studying my features, until Kieran shifts beside me and gives a soft sound of displeasure in his throat. Though it only makes Sam’s grin widen and he sits back, hands raised in surrender. “Relax, Kier. I’m not about to steal your prize. She’s not my type. No offense, Noa,” he adds, glancing in my direction.

“What’s your type?” I’m only a little interested, but from the way Kieran stiffens beside me, I wonder if it’s something I shouldn’t have asked. Especially when he lets out an audible breath with his attention fixed firmly on Sam.

“I don’t think he wants me to tell you,” Sam chuckles, resting his head on his hand. His eyes go back to Kieran’s just as the RV door opens again, revealing Val dressed and my hoodie in his hand. Gratefully, I take it when he tosses it to me, and I sit up enough to pull it on before letting Kieran pull me against his side once more.

Instead of sitting like us, Val chooses instead to perch on the tabletop itself. He seems unruffled by Sam’s presence and greets him with a quick clasp of his arm. “We’re ahead of your schedule, and you’d better be taking that body with you.” He chuckles, prompting me to look around until I see a large truck parked just behind my car. The tailgate is down, like he’s ready to load something, but I have no idea where the body from last night is.

“I’ll finish your cleanup,” Sam agrees. “But do I need to ask Erika to, uh, come out here and give someone a ride home?” His eyes drift to me, and I wonder if he knows Erika is the one who told me where to go.

Well, either way, I’m not about to tell him. "I don’t need a ride home,” I tell him cheerfully instead. “I’m right where I want to be.”

Sam doesn’t answer, but his gaze goes to Kieran and he lifts his brows as if to ask,really?

“You could really do me a favor and go back inside,” Kieran murmurs against my jaw. “Why are you so interested in what you already know is a crime?”

“Because I’m being a supportive—” The wordgirlfriendalmost leaves my lips, but I find I’m not confident enough to label myself as that. No matter that they’ve told me theyloveme.

“Cheerleader,” I say instead. “And I need to know what I’m cheering for to do so effectively.” My blithe tone is enough to make him narrow his eyes, and Kieran scoffs under his breath.

---