Page 14 of Satisfying the King

“You are a naughty girl, my friend.” I giggled to myself and shook my head. This was one conversation I never thought I’d be having with my best friend.

It was her turn to turn to me in shock. She pointed to herself. “I’m naughty?” Her voice was high and a little too loud, so I shh’d her. We looked over at the living room and saw the men staring at us.

Yikes.

Eve lowered her voice. “I wasn’t the one tangled up with two hot guys this morning.”

I tried not to smile, but I couldn’t help it. A long sigh exited my mouth. “I know.” We both smiled at each other—and then laughter bubbled up and out of us.

“What’s so funny over here?” Nick’s question made us turn our heads. He was at the edge of the island, but I hadn’t heard him and it didn’t seem like Eve had either.

Carlo walked over from the living room, leaving Stefan with all of the kids. The babies were in their bouncy chairs and Dani was dancing around, making them laugh.

A big smile crossed Eve’s face. “Nothing, just girl stuff.” She shrugged and winked at me. I grinned at her and laughed quietly.

“Hmm, seems suspicious to me. What do you think, Carlo?” Nick grabbed a banana from the bowl and opened it.

Carlo stood beside Nick and leaned on the counter. “Definitely suspicious. I heard that someone over here was a naughty girl.”

Eve and I shared a look and laughed. “We’ll never tell,” was all she said as she put her arm around me.

“I see,” Nick said, making no secret of sizing us up. “I suppose we can find out the answer tonight. What do you say, Carlo?”

I felt myself clench and my nipples instantly got hard. I wasn’t exactly sure what Nick was proposing—but whatever it was, my body sure seemed to like it.

Carlo’s eyes looked me up and down, then did the same to Eve. “I guess that’s the only way to truly find out.” Carlo’s voice was deep and menacing. And it made me wet and achy.

“Good plan.” Nick took a bite of the banana and chewed. He swallowed and said, “Sophia is taking the kids to the guest house for the night. So, we’ll have some—adult time here at the house. Be ready at seven.” Nick turned and walked back to the living room. Carlo smiled at us and headed toward the kids, too.

Oh, boy.

5

Giselle

Iwas putting the finishing touches on Eve’s hair. She wanted long, smexy waves for tonight. “Your hair likes Italy.” I smiled at her in the mirror. My best friend grinned back, and it warmed my heart. “So does your skin. You’re absolutely glowing.”

And she was.

I’d helped do her makeup, too. Not that she needed much. Her sun-kissed skin was more beautiful than any makeup she could buy.

Her hand covered mine and she sighed. “I think it’s having all of you guys around. It feels like—” her eyes got glassy and then so did mine, “we’re one big happy family, you know?”

My heart grew three sizes—and then my stomach twisted. Because I felt the same way. She was completely right.

Being here with—everyone, well, that was exactly what it felt like.

And the reason my stomach twisted was because I knew this couldn’t last.

There would be no big, happy families in my future.

My past made sure of that.

“Giselle?” Eve’s voice was full of concern.

I blinked and looked down at her. “What? I’m right here?” I smiled and finished the last chunk of her hair.

“No, it looked like you were a billion miles away. Are you okay?” Her eyes studied my face, and I quickly changed the subject. “I’m fine. I’m just—unsure about tonight. You know?” I mean, that wasn’t a complete lie. I really didn’t know exactly what was going to happen tonight.

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