I clenched my jaw. Nosy, meddling, bastard. "I can sleep on the couch."
"No can do, mate. Kaydence has a major book deadline with her editor. She's pulling an all-nighter to get the last couple of chapters done and prefers to work in the living room."
"The floor?"
"We have spiders. Haven't you heard about the massive spiders in Australia?" John countered.
"How about my rental car?" I tried.
"Get your ass downstairs and get some rest. Go cuddle. Go confront this. You're gonna be stronger together. Just try, okay?"
"Fine," I replied before stalking off. I loved John like a brother, but that didn't mean I had to like him right then.
I walked down to the basement with my footsteps heavy and my heart racing. My ears were peeled for sensual sounds, but I didn't hear a thing. When I got to the basement door, I debated on running upstairs and sleeping outside in the dirt; it would have been preferable to confronting my demons with Nix and Grace.
But instead, I slowly turned the knob. The scent of sex hit me first. Lust filled my nose, and I breathed it in like it was a drug. My mind buzzed with painful images of them fucking hard and fast—the reunion I'd been craving. The room was dark. The soft glow from the hallway illuminated the room, and I noticed two bodies resting on the mattress. The white comforter was pulled up to their necks, and I saw the steady rise and fall of their chests. The two of them were snuggled close together.
Walking over to the side of the bed where Grace was, I slowly shrugged out of my shirt and took off my pants. It had been one helluva long couple of days. I eyed her peaceful face and the scratches on her cheek. Her neck was bruised. She looked utterly spent. I couldn't bring myself to look at Nix, but I felt his eyes on me. "Get in bed, Alessandro," he whispered.
I dragged my eyes to the man that had been haunting my dreams for as long as I could remember. He looked on edge, as if my presence made him nervous. "I love her too, you know. Not in the same way as you, but she's important to me." Nix licked his lips and nodded. I continued. "So you have to know that I refuse to let you hurt her. And I won't be used again, Nix. I won't let you manipulate my feelings for you to push her away."
We had fought earlier about his public displays of affection when Grace walked in. I hated wondering if there was any authenticity to our kiss. He had me questioning every touch, every secret smile and sentimental linger. "I'm sorry, but what I feel for you is real. You're stronger than she is. It's easier to push her away because..." he rambled.
"Because you don't worry about me, huh? You don't care if something happens to me. It's always been her. It'll always be her."
"It'll always be both of you. You and I have a lot to discuss. I owe it to you. But don't confuse my protective instincts for preference." Grace stirred in her sleep before nuzzling deeper into the pillow. "I have to push her away, because she doesn't give up. You've already proven that you'll leave me without a second thought, Alessandro."
That statement hit like a punch to the nuts. "You expected me to stay when you were sleeping with others. I'm no fool," I snapped, trying to keep my voice down but failing.
"I'm not perfect. I don't do monogamy. But I loved you, Alessandro. I still do. And I love her. The only difference is, it's going to take both of us to keep her safe. So you're going to have to decide if you're up for the job."
I let out a huff and crawled into bed beside Grace. She immediately migrated closer to me, pressing her nose against my neck. She breathed me in like I was a lifeline, and I wrapped my arm around her naked body. We'd cuddled plenty of times—mostly when she was drunk—but this felt different. I used to tell myself that touching Grace was a part of my babysitting obligations, but looking back, I realized we held hands and snuggled close often. We found comfort in one another long before we realized it was comfort we sought.
"I've been keeping her safe since you left, Nix. That won't change just because you're back."
My determined statement ended our conversation. I knew we had more to talk about, and I needed to digest the fact that Nix still wanted me. I understood his motivations. People did stupid shit when they were scared. But right now, I just wanted to hold my best friend and fall asleep. I was thankful for how content she looked. She even smiled a little and hummed as she dreamed.
"Goodnight," Nix choked, his words full of tension and sadness. "I love you."
I didn't reply.
Chapter Fourteen
Grace
I woke up feeling safe and warm. I listened to the rhythmic sounds of peaceful breathing in and out. My naked body was covered by limbs and a soft duvet. I didn’t want to open my eyes; I knew the spell would break.
Fingers tightened around my thigh, circling the expanse of my flesh and creeping between my legs. I settled deeper into the mattress and arched my back, pressing my ass against the hard presence of an erection. My hair was fanned out around me. My body was sleepy and sore in that delicious way that came from orgasms and comfort. I’d almost forgotten that we were on the run.
“Sleep well?” Alessandro’s voice asked. He stroked my cheek, and I cracked open my eyes to stare at him. The hand around my thigh crept higher. Fingers stroked my need.
“Yep,” I replied, my voice shaky and unsure. “You?”
“You stole the covers, and Nix snores like a freight train,” he deadpanned. His comment was meant
