Page 87 of My Ex's Brothers

I settle a hand on her waist and pull her closer, not missing the grunt that echoes in the hall from Dane or the sarcastic sigh emanating from Richard.

“Butonlyif that’s what you want,” I say. I feel strangely exposed waiting for her answer, and it seems like an eternity until she answers me.

She nods. “I think…I think I’d like that, actually.” She turns to look back at Dane, and I don’t miss the hurt in his eyes. “Are you okay with that?” she asks shakily, staring at Dane. “With this…arrangement?”

We wait for his answer and Amelia shifts closer to Richard and me.

Dane’s gaze meets mine, and then he glances down at Amelia for only a second before he answers her. “I’m not going to pretend it’ll be easy, but…if this is what you want,” he breathes, “what youreallywant, Amelia, then I will be whatever you need me to be.”

He looks at her the way I imagine every woman wants a man to look at her. The desire, the longing, the love in that one look is irrefutable, and a part of me almost feels bad about shoving my way into Amelia’s list of choices.

Almost.

“It’s not that uncommon, you know,” I say, wrapping my arms around her. She falls into me with ease. I meet Dane’s steady gaze. “Plenty of people do the open relationship thing. Or the multiple partners thing.”

Dane scoffs, crossing his arms. “Still, it’s?—”

“Complicated,” Amelia says softly.

Dane looks at her, his shoulders falling. “Yeah.”

Amelia looks between us and then up at Richie. It’s only then I notice that Dane has kept his distance, but Richard stays still. His hand brushes against mine and I realize he’s holding her too.

That should piss me off. But I know for this to work I’m going to have to be open to this very scenario. Seeing them touch her. Kiss her. Fuck her. My cock jumps, remembering the sight, and I shift my stance to quell any burgeoning erections.

“So maybe we just do what feels right, then?” she asks.

Dane chews his lip. “As long as we’re all on the same page, as long as we’re honest…as long as we agree to do what feels right.” he says.

“As long as you’re happy,” I tell her. “We’ll just do what feels right, okay? No sidestepping or shady shit.” I shoot Dane a glare. “If we have a problem, we tell each other. That goes forallof us.”

I have to give the man credit where it’s due. He did plan this out perfectly, he just didn’t know I’d get out of class early. Usually I have class until ten and then I head out afterward, but after everything this morning…

I just wanted to see Amelia. I wanted to come home and make up for the awkwardness of last night.

But things are much more awkward now, that’s for sure.

“Okay,” she says, and Dane echoes the sentiment.

“Agreed,” Richard grunts.

“And if at any time it doesn’t feel right…with any of us, just tell us,” I say.

She nods, biting her lip. “Okay.”

I trace my fingers over her lips, bringing her face up to kiss me. She doesn’t startle, doesn’t shift. Only relaxes in my hold. I feel the weight of her worries, of her heightened emotions as I settle one hand on her hip and the other on her neck, kissing her eagerly. She sighs as we break apart, looking up at me from beneath her lashes.

I glance at Dane, licking my lips, and then I let her go.

Richie rolls his eyes as he shoves his hands in his pockets and heads for the kitchen. “I’m fucking starving,” he mumbles.

“Now if you don’t mind, I have a shower to take, and dinner to heat up,” I say. I remove my shirt, not missing the way Amelia’s gaze roves over me or the way Dane rolls his eyes at me.

“Un-fucking-believable,” he mutters as I laugh and Mia shakes her head.

“Good night, Mamma Mia,” I whisper as I kiss the space below her ear, my voice dark and full of interest.

“Good night, Tripp,” she says, her voice faint as I leave her and Dane just as I found them.

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