Page 171 of Entangled

For some reason, the image of Eden on Beau’s lap pops into my mind. An image of the river follows, her hands all over me, her little squeaks as I laid my hand against her ass.

I shake my head, then look at Heather as we draw to a halt. Her eyes scan the lawn, cataloging the half-dug dry moat, the half-built barricades, the people hurrying around.

“You haven’t come on to me once.” I’m not really sure why I say it. Or why I’m saying itnow. I don’t even know how I feel about it.

It should make me feel something, right?

Heather shoots me a sideways look, studying my face. I study hers back.

She’s still beautiful. Not in a model way or a cute way. Her gray eyes are sharp as a hawk’s, her mouth is a little too large. Her cheekbones are pointed, and her jaw is a touch too strong to be too feminine. It’s all a bit out of balance, but it works. It’s striking. Strong.

It’s doing absolutely nothing for me.

“You haven’t come on to me either,” she says. Her mouth curves up on one side, then she turns back to the lawn and sips her coffee. She sighs quietly. “I loved him, Dom. So much it hurt to breathe around him. Even though he’s dead, I just... I still choose him.”

Thomas. I look at her profile—her expression is dark, turbulent. Of course she’s still cut up over him. It’s only been a few months, and Heather loves hard.

I wait for the jealousy, but that doesn’t come either. I only feel sad for her. I nudge her shoulder with mine. I’m not good at comforting people, but she smiles up at me anyway, like she’s trying to shake it off.

“Now, I might not have been opposed to a sympathy fuck.” Heather grins mischievously. “But I wouldn’t do my girl dirty like that.”

Her girl?

I give her a puzzled look. “Is this about that Mila chick? Because I don’t?—”

Heather laughs, cutting me off. “You seriously need to get out of battle mode.” She turns me to face the other direction, toward the trees. “I’ll give you a minute, but you’ll spot her.”

I’m about to cut this conversation off, seeing the teams starting to gather on the lawn, when I see her. Eden is trying to balance three shovels over her shoulder, and two duffels. At least three people walk past without helping her. I frown as she drops one of the shovels, looking frazzled.

She still has those tired rings under her eyes. Jasper tells me she still hasn’t been to see him. Stubborn little brat.

“She’s kind of great, Dom. I don’t even know if she likes me that much, but you should have seen her in the camp, keeping her head down, playing it smart. She was patient—and then she was fucking ruthless. She saved my life more than once out there.” Heather’s voice is quiet, a little wondering. “She wants you, you know. I feel the need to point that out, since you apparently have the self-awareness of a hamster on a wheel.”

I give Heather a sharp look, but my gaze drifts back to Eden. I know she’s attracted to me—even I’m not that oblivious. But she was the one to declare usfriends. Is she just waiting for me to make a move? Or does it end at wanting me to fuck her?

That’s usually how it goes with the nice ones Beau and I have tried to share. They fall for him, and they just put up with me for the sex.

I don’t think she’d do that though. The more I talk to her, the more I like her.

She doesn’t ever act like she wants to bail on me to find Beau.

“Lock her down, Dom. She’ll choose you over Jayk or Beau if you play it right. You’re the better choice.”

Stiffening, I give her a hard look. “Can it. She wants them both, and they want her. I know sharing never worked for you, Heather, and that’s fine, but it’s her choice.”

Her blue-tinged copper hair swings as she shakes her head and tuts. “If she ends up with three of you, you’ll be lucky if these women don’t napalm her pussy just to get some action. This is the end of days, CC. These people are great, but they’re horny as hell.” Her snort is derisive. “Look, do what you want. Share or don’t share—it’s your life. But lock. Her. Down.”

Heather touches my arm, and Eden looks over right at that moment. The other shovels tumble, and she has to drop the duffels to avoid them whacking her in the face.

I stifle a smile.

Turning, I pluck Heather’s coffee out of her hands, and start walking toward Eden.

“Wait! I didn’t meannow. We have a meeting!” she calls after me, exasperated.

I turn around, walking backwards.

“You don’t need me,” I call back, loud enough that several heads turn our way. I chuck her a salute, then add, “Boss.”

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