Page 33 of Mocha Kisses

“Luna, you realize that I can’t be seen walking down the street in that, right?”

I stare at the mess I’ve created and then glance up at him apologetically. “Um… oh! I still have Griffin’s shirt. You can wear his.” I’m not sure that will be much better. No doubt Spring Haven will be exploding with gossip. Rome shakes his head as he points to the bathroom for me to take my shower first.

A full, hot shower later, I’m standing by the door and wearing the last pair of clean clothes I have with my bag strapped to my back. I hope Ms. Elrod has a washing machine. Rome steps up beside me wearing Griffin’s shirt, a little too tight for him, showing off all those beautiful muscles beneath the fabric. He’s handling one of the treats he brought last night, unwrapping it and holding it up to my lips. “I meant to feed you last night but I got a little preoccupied,” he says sheepishly.

The slice of cake makes my mouth water so I lean forward and take a healthy bite, moaning as the flavor spreads across my tongue. Rome’s eyes darken, his tongue running along his top lip.

I snatch the cake from him and then reach for the coffee from the little table. We don’t have time for another round and now I’m sore again. Four times in two days? I’ve somehow hit the jackpot. Stuffing the rest of the dessert in my mouth, I wash it down with the coffee, trying not to groan as the lavender and vanilla flavors spill down my throat. Maybe I should have taken my time to enjoy it but I’m hungry and anxious and those two things mean I will devour any food that comes my way.

“Ready?” Rome asks as he throws open the door.

“Not really but I have to be.”

We walk downstairs in silence, Rome gathering my hand in his when we make it out onto the sidewalk. It’s early enough that Ms. Elrod hasn’t taken up residence at the front desk but not early enough to avoid stares from some of the older crowd in Spring Haven. Still, walking beside Rome feels comfortable and the warmth of his hand is perfect. This is the longest amount of time I’ve spent with one man since Griffin, too scared that I would bring my problems to their door or that one of them could be after me.

“Where’d you disappear to in your head? You know the walk over here is less than five minutes.”

“Just thinking.”

“Mmhmm.” Rome twists toward me, a devilish grin sitting on his lips before he leans down to kiss me. It’s quick and light but there seems to be a joke I’m missing. “Luna, I’m going to enjoy every last minute you give me. Kisses and all. However, Griffin’s just inside, and no doubt he saw that.”

I frown. “So, you’re in competition? I don’t like that.”

Rome snorts. “No, but I think both you and I know what Griffin is into. I can’t imagine the type of shit you two must have gotten up to in college. I’m just curious who introduced it first.” I can’t hide my blush and that just makes Rome laugh. “See? Be careful. Nova is a kinky bastard and he’ll take you up on probably every fantasy you’ve ever thought of.”

I swallow. “I’m… I… there’s nothing between Nova and I.”

“Not yet, sweetheart. But it’s inevitable.” He kisses my forehead and then pushes me toward the office door before heading to the café. I don’t know what to do with that information. Nova is inevitable. Do I want him to be? Am I really that selfish to want three men?

I step inside and Griffin is inches away, nearly vibrating out of his skin. His arms spread wide and I fall into them, Griffin running his nose against my cheek as he takes me in. When I wrap my arms around his neck and tug him closer, he melts. “I’ve forgotten how good it feels to have your arms around me.” One of his hands sifts up into my hair, a grunt pulling from his lips when he realizes it’s been tied up again. He always loved my curls loose. “Did Rome take care of you?”

He asked something similar before. “Why would you ask that?”

“Because the man looked like he was going to die last night when you didn’t answer any of his texts. I also saw that sweet kiss he gave you a few moments ago. Rome isn’t sweet, precious.”

“What?”

Griffin pulls away a little. “Rome bakes but that’s probably the sweetest thing about him. Sure, he can be gentle but that man isn’tsweet,not unless he cares.”

“Seriously?” That surprises me. “And you’re okay with this?”

“Luna, knowing that you’re taken care of means way more to me than anything else. I fucking love that it’s Rome, knowing that you’re safe in his hands. That if you have a problem, you have more than just me to run to.”

“And Nova is okay with this?” My insecurities are getting the better of me again as I pull away, wringing my hands together. Griffin looks at Nova the way Griffin used to look at me, the way hedoeslook at me.

“Am I okay with what?”

My eyes widen as Nova appears from the staircase, dressed in a different set of lounge clothes than yesterday. The long-sleeve black shirt tightens around his torso, showing off many of the same muscles that Rome has. He’s still sporting dress pants but sleek black sneakers complete the look. His mussed silver and black strands curve around the sharp angles in his face, those piercing blue eyes a few shades lighter than yesterday. I’m not sure I have ever been so impressed by a man in all black. Griffin chuckles and I shake my head, realizing that I was staring.

Nova steps toward us, his gaze locked on me. “Am I okay with what, Luna?”

“Fuck. This. It’s messy and weird and now you’re looking into these men and-” Nova raises an eyebrow and it’s almost like a command to calm down. I do. Immediately. And the rush of emotions that comes with obeying has me a little scared.

“What happened isn’t your fault, Luna. It’s the fault of a man who you’ve never met trying to crawl out of the grave he’s dug himself by throwing someone else in. I’m making sure that doesn’t happen.”

Violence laces his words. I should be appalled at what Nova is insinuating but I’m really not. “That’s not what I was talking about.”

“I was. However,” Nova’s tone drops to a purr and I watch as he steps up behind Griffin and wraps his arms around the man’s shoulders. “I’ve told you before that it’s okay. Besides, Griffin likes to be held.” Griffin shudders as Nova presses a kiss to the man’s ear. I bite back a moan, watching them together, understanding the dynamic. Griffin was always the dominant one when we shared. I switched back and forth, depending on the situation but Griffin always directed the scenes.

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