I really am a fool, because I smile at my temporary husband and speak the truth that seals my fate. Seals all our fates together into one braided knot. “She wouldn’t be so skittish if she didn’t want you. She wouldn’t have been fucking herself with her fingers and pretending it was your cock, and she wouldn’t have nearly come on the spot when you kissed me after I ate her out. So, yeah, Broderick, it’s safe to say she wants you.”
He narrows his eyes, but he’s not a good enough liar to hide the hope my words bring to life. “You’re sure.”
Gods, how can this man be so clever in some ways and also so determined to ignore the truth right in front of his face? “I’d bet my life on it.”
He weighs that for a long moment. “You have a point.”
“In fact, I do.” I fling off the blankets and get to my feet. I’m vain enough to love the way he follows me with his gaze as I round the mattress and head for the bathroom. I stop in the doorway, knowing full well that the light frames me from the back, creating one hell of an image. “My point, dear husband, is that we’re going to seduce our sexy little Shiloh. Together.”
He goes perfectly still. “How the fuck are we going to manage that?”
We.
He says it so easily, as if us teaming up isn’t strange and borderline unnatural. Did it feel as good, as right, for him last night as it did for me? I grin. “Well, to start, you’re going to be the one to pick us up after I’m done working. Then we’re going to take our girl out for a drink and have a little fun.”
“A little fun,” he says slowly. “Monroe, has anyone ever told you that you’re fucking terrifying?”
“Only every day that ends in a Y.” I pause. This should be where I end it, but I can’t help the question that bubbles up. “You’re really going to trust me in this?”
“Consider it was you who got her into bed with us last night, I do.” Now it’s his turn to pause. “I know you care about her, so I don’t think this has to be said, but I don’t want her to do anything she doesn’t want to. I don’t want to pressure her.”
Oh, this sweet man. He makes me want to muddy him right up. “You’re right. I do care about her and I’d never pressure her into anything. We’re not going to do anything but give her a taste of what it would be like to close this triangle, so to speak.”
“Ah.”
I walk slowly to him, putting a little sway in my hips. “Would you like to know how I plan to do that?”
“Yes,” he says warily.
“You’re going to seduce her by proxy.” I wave at my body, fully enjoying the way his gaze follows the sweep of my hand. “I’m your proxy.”
“Monroe—”
“Walk and talk, husband. I have to get ready.” I turn on my heel and head into the bathroom. Broderick, of course, follows me. He’s so damn sexy as he leans against the counter and watches me get the shower going. A wave of remembered pleasure goes through me just from being in the same room as him. I’d say it’s a shame we don’t get along this well normally, but the truth is that conflict adds to the spice.
We were getting along last night.
We’re getting along right now.
I step beneath the water before I can follow that thought anywhere. It doesn’t matter if it feels good to be aligned in purpose. He’s not for me. Fuck, Shiloh isn’t for me, either. It’s going to be everything I can do to avoid a war at the end of this year. I don’t have time for two sexy, high-maintenance partners. Not that either of them are jumping at the idea of being linked to me permanently. They aren’t.
The Amazons aren’t like the Mystics. Political marriages are rare, especially with other factions. Any outsider who marries into the Amazons has a long road ahead of them. It’s not that we ostracize outsiders; more that we simply don’t hand over power that isn’t earned. Even then, whoever I end up with won’t be an equal in the eyes of the faction. I will always be queen, they will always be consort.
Why am I thinking about this now?
I wash my hair and body quickly, keenly aware of Broderick’s gaze on me. The sensation only gets stronger when I turn off the water and grab a towel. We’re long past any point of modesty, and I’m hardly a shy person on my best day, so I don’t bother to try and cover up as I dry off. I also don’t put on a show, either.
We don’t have time to get into it right now, not if I don’t want to be late.
“I’d like more details,” he finally says. “If you’re willing to share them.”
“Sure.” I head out of the bathroom and into the walk-in closet, him trailing behind. I managed to get a decent amount of my clothing brought here the first week, so I have plenty to choose from. I flip through the options. “We’re going to go get a drink somewhere nice and shadowy, with booths or a private back room. And then you’re going to sit across from us and use that stern voice of yours to dictate how I touch Shiloh.”
“I don’t have a stern voice.”
I flick my fingertips in his direction. “You’re using it right now.”
“Monroe.”
I sigh and turn to face him. “Broderick, why are you questioning this so hard? Tell me it’s not sexy as
