Page 72 of Full Mountie

I close my eyes and try not to think about Hugh. I’m kissing Lachlan. Just Lachlan right now.

“What is it?”

Damn him and his attentive ways. “Nothing.” I groan. “No, not nothing.” I turn my head and look in the direction of his bedroom. “I was thinking about him.”

Lachlan chuckles. He clearly doesn’t get why this is a problem, although the way his erection is lazily growing against my thigh, maybe it isn’t one.

“Should we wake him up?”

“To make out?” He kisses my jaw. “No. How much time do we have left?”

I glance at the numbers counting down on his stove. “Nine and a half minutes.”

“That’s appropriate. Okay. In the morning, over pancakes, we’ll talk about this with Hugh. I’ll tell him how you blushed with worry at the thought of cheating on him with me in the kitchen—”

“I know it’s not cheating.”

“Doingfilthythings with chocolate chip cookies and milk.”

“There’s no milk.”

“Yet. I have plans.” He kisses my chin, my lips, my nose. Delicate, laughing little kisses. “They’ll be scandalous. And Hugh will love hearing about them, I promise you.”

“You can’t blame me for wondering. This is my first…whatever we’re doing.”

“Polyamorous relationship?”

“That’s a mouthful.”

“If we’re lucky, yes.”

I laugh, and it takes hold, shaking my entire body.

“See?” He rubs his nose against mine. “No big deal.”

“Mmm.”

“You sound unconvinced. Is this what had you up in the middle of the night?”

“I didn’t actually fall asleep. You have six mini meat pies in your fridge for the week.”

“Ah, Beth.” He sighs. “Come on. Tell me what else is on your mind.”

I tap my fingers against his chest, trying to frame it in a fair way. “You know, maybe Hugh’s question before dinner wasn’t completely out of line. He doesn’t understand why we hadn’t hooked up before. And… I still don’t completely understand. And now we’re doing this, and it changes everything that I thought might one day happen.”

Surprise rolls over his face. I can’t blame him when he looks away. There was a lot loaded in what I said.

But he asked. I cup his cheek, stopping him. He sighs as he turns back to me. “I know. You’re right.”

“What’s changed?” I drop my hand to his chest and tap his heart. “Right here?”

A tortured look rolls over his face. “I don’t know. I mean, shit, that’s an awful answer, but it’s the truth.” He grabs my wrist and lifts my hand, pressing a rough kiss to my palm. “I never want to lie to you. Even if it’s uncomfortable.”

My chest is tight, but my head is clear. “It’s fine.” I stretch my arm out, inviting him to kiss my wrist and up to my elbow. “We’ll figure it out together. Slowly.”

“I am sorry it took me so long.” His voice rasps in the quiet of the kitchen. “And it’s not because of Hugh. I didn’t think I’d ever see him again. Fuck. I’m glad he’s back, though. And I’m glad he pushed us together, even if that wasn’t his plan.”

I glance toward the bedroom. “Maybe it was.”

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