Page 137 of Ensnared

Domconsiders me, golden eyed and dangerous. “Andyour body?Doyou want full authority over that?”

Mymouth goes dry, and it’s a struggle not to look away. “Not... always.”

Hismouth curves up on one side, just a little, asItry not to fidget.

Beaurubs his chest, then glances atDom. “Wenever wanted a full-time submissive.Notreally.Thisarrangement was never meant to be all about kink.Itwas meant to be the start of something.Arelationship.”

Ipurse my lips primly. “Anddo you always start your relationships by lying?Orwere you being experimental?”

Domsnorts, andBeaulaughs uncomfortably, then bites his lip.They’restill red from kissing me senseless.Heedges in close to me and shoots me a sinful look under his lashes. “Thatwas allDom’sidea,” he confides. “Ivoted for honesty.”

“Seriously?”Dommutters dryly. “Unbelievable.”

Theheated wayBeau’slooking at me makes me shiver.Ittakes me longer thanI’mproud of for my brain to start functioning again, butIfinally manage to work up a frown.

AndIreally hope it looks at least somewhat disapproving and not just desperately aroused.

“Don’tblame him—you should have been honest regardless.You’reresponsible for your own decisions.You’rean independent adult.”Mygaze slips down to his bare, deliciously firm chest.AnX-rated, beautiful, well-developed,well-endowed...Icatch his smirk and snap my eyes away, cheeks flushing. “You—You’rejust as much at fault.”

Domsnickers, andItwist to give him a stern look. “Anddon’tyoulaugh, you lied to me too.Allof you did.It’sincredibly patronizing.”

Hissmile fades. “Iwas trying to keep you safe.”

Istifle a sigh. “Yes, well, as darling and”—Iwave an exasperated hand—“machoas the impulse is,I’mnot some fragile ornament, or something for you tokeep.Iknow you mean well, but the lying has to stop.Youneed to trust me to be sensible.”Myvoice turns tart. “Youdo understand thatIdon’t actuallyenjoyputting myself in danger?Givenall the information,Ido usually choose to keep myself far away from it.”

Beau’scheeks color, butDomsighs. “Wetalked about this.SometimesI—”

“Don’thave time to explain, yes,Iheard.Butyou did then.Youusually do.Youchose not to.”Ihold his gaze, even as his eyes narrow. “I’mnot a soldier,Dom.Youmight need to try a different approach becauseIdon’t enjoy being treated like one.”

Theremust be something wrong with me that his stern look kicks my heartrate up again.

“Cutme off again and we’ll make it another fifteen,”Domreplies, and my breath catches.Idon’t thinkIcan take another fifteen right now though.Mybutt is bruised as it is.Thenhe gives me a contemplative look. “I’lltry,Eden.Youmight need to remind me.Mytrack record at working with civilians is... not the best.”

“Iwill,”Isay sweetly, andDomswats my hip.

“Good,” he replies.

Myheart is racing.

It’srather exciting, speaking your mind.

Ilaugh, feeling light.Surprisinglyso, after the last few hours. “Sothat’s it then.Thedeal is over!”

Atmy laughter,Beau’sface kindles, and he gives me that slow, melting smile again. “Iguess it is.”Heruns a finger up my arm, then along my collarbone. “Sohow exactly amIgoing to win alone time with you now?You’regoing to have all of us fighting for your attention.”

Despitemy best intentions, my mind slips to the sparring sessionIhappened to briefly glance at the other day.Theywere sweaty, and wrestling, and pressed up against one another...

“Hmm.”Ipretend to consider that as his finger trails back down the curve of my breast.Breathlessly,Imurmur, “Iguess you’ll have to convince me that you’re worth my time.”

Hispretty hazel eyes widen in surprise, and he shoots me a cheeky grin. “NowIwonder howI’lldo that.”

“You’reboth getting ahead of yourselves,”Domcuts in, andIlook back at him.Hiseyes linger onBeau’shand on my chest before they lift to meet mine. “Theset days were in place to keep things fair.Even.It’snot easy to share,Eden.”

Ipurse my lips, studying him. “Yes,”Isay slowly, “Iunderstand that it’s easier for you all whenIdon’t get a say.Butit’s not working for me.”

Domrolls his eyes with a short, hard sigh. “That’snot whatImeant.”

“Thenwhat did you mean?”Iask testily.I’mnot about to let him ruin my glow, no matter how distracting he is, all damp and dark and gorgeous in the sunshine.

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