Page 116 of In The Game

“I said I liked his mom a lot, which he already knew. I told him that you two have a special relationship I’ll never break or get in the middle of, but explained I also have a special bond with you.”

“What did he say?”

“He asked if he had a special bond with me too. I was truthful, and told him yes. But that’s all I said. Promise.”

Oh, my heart.

“He really asked that?”

Barrett sighs. “Yeah—shot me right in the feels with that one.”

I wince, knowing he’s holding back all the things he wants to say to Arthur because of me. He’s probably feeling tortured, but it has to be the right time for Arthur. I’m not ready to unleash the truth on him yet.

“Me too.” I swallow.

“I told him I’d be hugging and kissing you more, but that it wouldn’t change anything. It’s because we like each other. Then I said if he hears you making strange, loud noises all night—”

“Shut up,” I whisper, nudging him with my shoulder blade.

He locks our fingers once more, and this time, wraps my arms with his around my waist. I relax and lean against him.

“Your hair smells good.”

“Thanks,” I respond, chuckling. “It’s your shampoo.”

The products stocked in the showers are nicer than what I brought. My post-airplane shower felt like a day at the spa.

Arthur points at the television and laughs at some hijinks the talking animals have gotten themselves into. He turns around to see if we saw it too.

“Mom, did you see that?” He giggles more.

I nod and laugh with him. He doesn’t seem to notice or care that Barrett is holding me in his arms. Knowing he had the foresight to bring this up with him ahead of time earns him major points. I snuggle deeper against his chest, and he hums in approval.

His giant palms graze over my arms and shoulders. He digs his thumbs into the tense knots and massages my muscles through my cotton sundress. With each pass over my thighs, I swear he’s purposely moving higher up my legs. Light caresses become petting. Massages become gropes.

My nerve endings are lighting up like little sparks, stoking the sexcitement. I grip his knee, needing a place to squeeze and ground my breathing. His hands travel lower, and he runs his fingers over the side of my panties through my dress. He fists them through the fabric and pulls until a small tear can be heard.

I smack his leg and he smiles against my neck just before he nips with his teeth. Damn it, I know he’s doing this to torture me. He thinks it’s funny to turn me on and leave me squirming, knowing there’s nothing I can do about it when Arthur’s in front of us.

“Look, he crashed.”

Sure enough, he’s curled up with his pillow and koala, conked out. I’d be willing to bet there’s a puddle of drool dribbling out of his mouth. “He didn’t even make it halfway through.” I snicker.

He grabs at my sides again. “Go to your room. I want you naked, lying face down when I get in there.”

I suck in a breath. I’m unsure what he’s planning on doing, all I know is I need it. Last night we were so tired from traveling, we mostly focused on getting situated for bed. With each touch, I’ve become more and more restless.

“What about him?”

“I’ll get him tucked in. Go.”

Normally, I’d rouse him first so he doesn’t wake up in the middle of the night and not know where he is, but after our hike today, I have a feeling he’ll be out until morning. Slightly dizzy, I stand, but before I take two steps, he snatches up my hand and pulls me to his chest, the grumble under his breath is low and threatening.

“Raleigh, I mean it, if those panties are on when I get there, I will finish what I started and rip them off of you.”

He’s not bluffing, and he’s certainly capable. It wouldn’t be the first time.

Smiling, I practically skip to our room to brush my teeth and wash up. When he comes in, I’m lying naked on my stomach, as he requested, though my knees are bent and bobbing with crossed ankles. I can’t risk losing any underwear when I’m on vacation. He huffs through his nose and locks the door behind him. He strips down but leaves on his boxer briefs.

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