Page 161 of Entangled

“This is going to kill me. I’m going to be so backed up, cum is going to explode from my eyeballs and that’s how I’ll die.”

If I’m to draw no satisfaction from my palm, it hardly feels fair he should be able to from his.

I stroke a finger along his jaw. “As long as you don’t ruin the upholstery, darling.”

He smirks for a moment, but then it fades.

I watch it disappear with a low throb in my chest, then stand. He takes my hand, and when he stands, I pull him against my chest. I wish Eden were here too—that I could hold them both close, and safe, and beautifully together.

But it’s up to her now. I’ve done all I can for her until she comes to see me. And she will. I have to believe it.

She’s been incredible this week.

I may be too emotionally compromised to be an impartial psychologist for her, but I can help her as a friend. I will help her however I can.

“It will work out, Lucien. She’ll come back to...”Us. I swallow down the hazardous word. “To you.”

Lucky sighs, then nods against me.

“Come now,” I murmur. “Let’s get you to bed.”

I lead him to Dominic’s room and let him go reluctantly, with lingering kisses—and extra, always extra, for all the years I missed.

I close the door behind him, thinking of the day I’ll be bringing him to my own bed instead.

* * *

Lucky

The door swings open in front of me, but it’s the wrong face.

Beau’s eyes drop to the cheese in my hands, then he lifts them back up to my face. He steps out of the room and presses his back against the closed door, barring the way in.

“Darn it, Lucky. Aren’t you meant to be in charge of rations?” he says in exasperation. “How do you think things are going to go for her if the others catch on that you’re sneaking her cheese? They’re already on her ass about Jayk.”

All the more reason Eden could use some cheese. Damn it, I know I shouldn’t be here. I’ve been trying to give her space. But it’s been days, and all I’ve had from her are these long, thoughtful looks from a distance.

The waiting is killing me.

Beau raises his brows, and I give him my most winning smile.

“Well, who says this is for Eden? Maybe I brought it for you, buddy. You’ve been working hard lately.” I assume. I actually have no clue what Beau has been up to. I wave my hand, taking a stab. “Doctoring... and things.”

His lips curl up as he nods knowingly. “Now, you’re right. I have been working hard.”

“It’s what I’ve been telling everyone.” I shrug.

Beau plucks the folded cloth from my hands and unwraps the cheese. Watching me, he picks it up and takes a bite. Anenormousbite.

I bite my tongue to strangle my protest, my foot starting to tap anxiously.

Still watching me, he raises the cheese to his lips again, and I can’t take it. I snatch it out of his hands.

“What iswrongwith you?” I scold, as I inspect the damage. Jesus. Has he always had such gigantic beaver teeth? I glare at him. “Don’t you want her to be happy? You’ll just eat all of it? Just gobble all of her joy away, bite by bite. That’s the last bit, you know!”

Beau pokes my chest. “Stop trying to manipulate our girlfriend with cheese!”

“Our?” Hope crashes through me. I grab his poking hand. “Has she said something?”