Page 47 of Full Mountie

Empty, quiet house.

Fuck.

He’d kiss her. Right there at the door, as she giggled in his arms. His lips soft, his jaw covered in stubble. Rough scratching kisses.

My phone vibrates in my pocket.

Fuck off, Hugh.

This is the awkward reality of what we’re doing. It’s fine. I’ll go jerk off furiously in the shower and get the fuck over it.

The vibrating stops, then starts again. This time a text message.

It would be torture to look at it, but I can’t help myself.

I pull my phone from my pocket. A missed call, and a text message, both from the same person.

Beth: Want to come over tonight?

19

Beth

Hugh arrivesa few minutes after I send Lachlan the text invitation.

“He isn’t answering his phone,” I say as I open the door. My voice cracks.

“Shit.” He pulls me in close and strokes his hand over my hair as I bury my face in his chest. “I shouldn’t have told him I was coming over.”

I shake my head. “No lying. We can’t do that.”

“We could go over to his house. Stage an intervention.”

I laugh weakly. “Yeah?”

“Sure. We’ll point out he can’t have it both ways. Crack an egg and tell him that’s his brain on jealousy.”

My laugh gets stronger and I step back. I’m still shaking my head, though. “He’s not really jealous. Well, maybe he is, but that’s not his primary reaction. That’s…social conditioning, maybe. Or maybe he just had a really long day and can’t deal. Let’s not push him just yet. Give him a night to sleep it off and worry about it tomorrow.”

I lace my fingers through Hugh’s and tug him into the kitchen.

“You want a glass of wine?”

He grins. “Am I invited to sleep over?”

“Ooh, forward. I like it.” I tap my chin, mock thinking about it, and wink at him. “Maybe.”

“Then yes, please.”

I empty the remainder of the bottle that we opened on Wednesday into two glasses and hand him one. “To big, dumb Mounties who forget they like it both ways.”

“We’re talking about Lachlan, right?” He leans in and taps his glass to mine. “Cheers.”

I take a big sip and set my glass down. “Yes. Lachlan.” I growl under my breath and Hugh gives me an amused look.

I reach for my glass, but a heavy knock at the door interrupts me. I exchange a glance with Hugh before hurrying to answer.

On the other side is Lachlan.

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