Page 25 of Break

“And we have been,” Landon says, then tips his head at me suspiciously. “Haven’t we?”

Loaded. Fucking. Question.

Say it, Kerrington. Just fucking say the words!

Again, my mouth runs dry, and I remainsilent, staring at Landon until movement catches my attention. Nicole works her way towards the bedroom door, and I snap into action. There’s no way I’m going to let her walk out of this motherfucking suite without us and I know damn well she’s going for her bag so she can run again. “Don’t you dare move, Duchess.”

She freezes.

Turning my attention back to Landon, I answer his honesty question. “Yes.”

The lie cuts me in half, but I can’t admit the whole truth right now. I’m still trying to figure things out for myself.

“Shopping,” Landon suddenly says. Standing up, he puts on his shirt and grabs his boots.

“We’re going to get a little retail therapy tonight and then we’re coming home, piling into the king-sized bed, and vibing.”

Nicole and I look at each other, and I think she’s waiting for me to approve.

“Okay,” I say calmly, rising to my feet. “Let’s go.”

Grabbing Nicole’s hand, I give it a reassuring squeeze and we leave the penthouse, with Landon leading the way.

Chapter 9

Landon

Something’s up with Kerrington. I can tell he’s holding something back and I want to know what it is. My attempt at reassuring him we’re solid in our relationship did nothing to cut the fear radiating from him. So, I’m going to take this night in a more fun direction instead.

Look, I don’t mean to be a fucknut, and I definitely donotwant Nicole miserable, but I am thrilled she’s with us. A week isn’t long, but it’ll give us time to convince her she should be with us permanently. I’d love nothing more than to wake up with both of them every goddamn morning.

Does that make me a selfish prick? I don’t care. I want that life. I’ll do anything to make it happen too. My feelings for Nicole are deeper than a fun fuck. She brings out a side of me I rarely get to indulge in. With Kerrington, I’m a bratty sub, but I ache to have someone I can dominate, and that will never be him. He’s perfect as is.

We’re the opposites attract trope to the max.Kerr’s a broody, strict control freak. I’m wild with no fucks to give about anything other than having a good time, being there for my friends, and making as much money as possible.

My life goal is to own an island one day.

Tonight, however, my only priority is to make Nicole feel safe and give her whatever she needs to heal. I’ve known Nicole for almost as long as I’ve been best friends with Mason, Kerrington, and Gage. At first, she put me off because she was such a raging bitch, but it didn’t take long to see it was an act.

She pretends to hate Mason, but deep down, she values his friendship more than anything. I think the reason they were so volatile over the years was because of the arranged marriage thing. Thank God Mason took care of that before it turned into a nightmare for them both.

And I’ve always noticed the way Kerrington stares at her. We’ve never discussed it, but he has big feelings for her. I can tell. I just wish he’d say what’s in his heart, so I know my place in it.

“You hungry?” Kerrington asks Nicole from the back seat. She’s up front with me this time, making me feel all kinds of special.

“Not really. No.”

“You need to eat more, Duchess. We’ll pick up some pizzas on the way back and order room service.” I place my hand on her thigh. She’s cold to the touch, so I turn the heat on in the car for her. She should have put on leggings under theshirt dress. Kerrington’s right, it’s too cold for her chosen outfit. I should have told her what to wear.Fuck. I’m botching my role already. Guess I’m a little rusty. Cranking the heat to the max, I aim the vents in her direction.

“I think I’d like to set some boundaries,” she says, staring out the window.

I glance at Kerrington in my rearview mirror, and we both nod. “Absolutely.”

Nicole clears her throat, and I swear she goes into business mode on us with how her tone and posture change. “I don’t want to think. I don’t want to decide. I don’t want to work. I need to check out and just…” Her voice fades and she crosses her arms, hugging herself.

“And just what, Duchess?” Kerrington presses.

She shrugs and leans her head against the window, going radio silent on us.

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