Page 154 of Entangled

“That isnothygienic,” I blurt, quivering with something like panic but not.

Jasper’s head tilts to look at me, an inch from Lucky’s face. The danger, the warning, the need in his face remind me forcefully of a vampire being kept from its prey.

I take one step backwards, and the plug shifts, rubbing against my sensitive, slick flesh, lighting up my every nerve ending with breathless pressure.

“This is akitchen. And as far as I’m aware, we haven’t yet resorted to cannibalism. So you should just—” I look at the ceiling. I think my hands are shaking. “Just put your clothes back on, for goodness’ sake.”

Formysake.

“Or you could come over here and give me a kiss too,” Lucky teases, his voice thick and husky.

I whip my head to stare at him, the offer like the crack of a cane against my tender heart. Jasper is buttoning his shirt unhurriedly, his predatory expression gone and replaced with something cruelly kind.

What am Idoinghere?

I back toward the door, suddenly mortified. They can do whatever they like. They’re together. They’re in love.

Iam the intruder here.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have—” I shake my head, and my glasses slip down. I push them back up, scrambling to find the door handle behind me. “This is none of my business.”

Jasper dismounts the breakfast bar with the ease of an equestrian and strides toward me, just as Lucky sits up, a different kind of heat glinting in his eye.

“Of course it’s your business.”

I look behind me and realize I’m not even standing in front of the door. Jasper reaches me before I can move the foot and a half left to escape.

He pauses in front of me. Even under the bright lights, he’s all Hadean darkness and impious angles. Watching him top Lucky was intoxicating.Distressing.I can’t help but wonder what they would look like together, truly naked and twined together. Lucky’s sunshine and Jasper’s glowing moon.

I’m sure it’s glorious.

I’m sure I’ll never have the chance to see it.

“Talk with him, Eden. He’s hurting for you.” Jasper touches my chin gently, turning my face as he examines it. “And when you’re ready, please come talk to me. It hurtsmeto see you so lost.”

Lost.

How does he always see me so clearly? I think it’s what frightens me most about him.

I tear my chin out of his hands, hating how I feel instantly vulnerable in them. My lips tremble, and I need to press them together to make them stop.

Jasper inclines his head with a gentle, dissatisfied sigh, then leaves. The door clicks shut behind him.

Lucky is watching me. I can feel it, even if I can’t look at him. My fingers knot in front of me.

“Lucky, if you’ll excuse me, I have to...” I trail off, biting down on my lower lip as I try to think of a reason that would allow me to politely run as far and fast from this conversation as possible.

I would rather stick rusty nails in my palms than hear Lucky apologize to me for falling in love with Jasper.

“Have to leave just so you don’t have to talk to me?” Hurt and bitterness bleeds through the question. “Yeah, Jasper used to do that to me too. You two can be more alike than you think.”

At this moment, I don’t believe he means it as a compliment.

My hands pause in their anxious knots, and I lift my chin a fraction. What more does he want from me? I’ve been graceful. I’ve been as kind as I can.

Do I really need to have my face rubbed in this?

“There’s really no point to this, Lucky. You certainly don’t need to apologize for your feelings for Jasper.” My breath snags, and I can’t help the resentment. I want to bury it. Ishouldbury it. But I need him to leave me be. My voice lifts. “Surely you can understand why this is difficult for me. Is it so hard for you to give me some time?”

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