Page 51 of Heat Island
“Trinity?” I keep my voice soft, not wanting to startle her. “Are you okay?”
She whips around, eyes wide. “Lucas! I—” She crosses her arms over her chest, but the gesture only accentuates her curves. “I’m fine. Just needed some air.”
That’s when it hits me—her scent. Sweet, heavy, and unmistakable. Arousal rolls off her in waves so potent, I have to grip the doorframe to steady myself. My body responds instantly, primal and hungry.
Holy shit. Her response can only mean one thing.
She heard us. She heard everything between Cash and me, and it turned her on.
The realization sends heat surging through my veins. Trinity’s cheeks flush pink as she watches my reaction, confirming my suspicions.
“You can go back to bed,” she says, her voice higher than usual. “I’m just... clearing my head.”
I step fully onto the balcony, closing the distance between us. “Funny thing about that. I was just in there thinking about how wrong it feels—all four of us in that gigantic bed while you’re out here alone.”
Her breathing quickens. “This is a business arrangement, Lucas. I’m fine on the couch.”
“Are you?” I move closer until I can feel the heat radiating from her skin. “Because that’s not what your scent is telling me.”
Trinity’s eyes widen, her pupils dilating as she realizes she’s been caught. “I—that’s not?—”
“It’s okay,” I whisper, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. My fingers linger against her cheek. “We all want things we’re afraid to ask for.”
She shivers, but doesn’t pull away. “This isn’t part of our agreement.”
“The agreement can evolve.” I let my hand drop to my side, giving her space even as everything in me screams to pull her close. “You know, you’re more than welcome to join us in the bedroom.”
Trinity’s breath catches. “All of you?”
“However you want it.” I smile, watching her process the implications. “Just you and me. You and any combination of us. Or all of us together.”
Her scent spikes again, and I know I’ve hit on something she’s fantasized about.
“I’ve seen how you look at Matheo,” I continue, voice low. “At Cash. Even at Kyren, despite whatever is going on there.”
Trinity swallows hard. “It would complicate things.”
“Life is complicated.” I reach for her hand, relieved when she doesn’t pull away. “But this doesn’t have to be. We’re all adults. We all want this—want you.”
Her fingers tremble slightly in mine. “You don’t even know me.”
“I’d like to.” I bring her hand to my lips, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. “And I think you’d like to know us, too.Really know us, not just the act we’re putting on for your family.”
The ocean crashes against the shore below us, filling the silence as Trinity considers my words. I see the war behind her eyes—desire versus caution, longing versus fear.
“No pressure,” I say finally, releasing her hand. “The couch is there if you want it. But so is the bed.” I take a step back toward the door. “Your choice.”
She lets out a shuddering breath and blinks those wide doll eyes a few times. “Yeah, okay. Thanks.”
I start to turn away, giving Trinity the space she clearly needs, when something stops me. A thought clicks into place—a recognition of something familiar in her posture, in the way she’s holding herself so rigidly against the railing.
I pivot back abruptly. Three quick strides and I’m in her space again, not touching her but close enough that she has to tilt her head back to maintain eye contact. Her breath catches, pupils dilating as I tower over her.
“Or maybe,” I say, my voice dropping to a rumble. “You don’t actually want the choice.”
Trinity freezes, her scent spiking sharply with arousal before she can control it.
“Maybe what you really want,” I continue, leaning closer until my breath stirs the wisps of hair around her face. “Is for someone to tell you what to do.”
