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My lips twitched, but I fought off the smile, same as the first time we’d agreed on the choice of wine to go with our dinner.
Heat still clung to the air and the pavers of our patio when Ash and I let ourselves outside. We had both changed into swimming trunks even though I had no intention of getting in the water.
I settled into a lounger facing the pool and ocean beyond, enjoying the slight breeze that came with the crashing of waves along the beach while I popped the cork on the riesling.
Three glasses in hand, Ash leaned down, and I tipped back my head, offering my mouth. He kissed me gently, a lingering of lips without intent to take things further.
“Thank you.”
I knew what he meant and simply nodded while pouring into the glasses he held. Not bothering with being skimpy, I filled all three to the brim, emptying the bottle.
“Would you mind if I invited her into our bed tonight?” Ash asked quietly.
“I’m too tired to fuck,” I stated the honest truth even though thoughts of the three of us definitely interested my body.
“How about pleasuring her?”
“I’ll probably pass out the second my head hits the pillow, but if not…” I shrugged, knowing very damn well my bed and his presence would give me the sleep I craved after almost a week of living in a damn hotel room.
Ash hesitated, glancing at the house.
“As long as you’re in the middle,” I said, “I don’t mind what goes down tonight. Just…keep your dick to yourself unless I’m awake and involved.”
Ash leaned over and kissed me again. “Love you.”
“You too.” I sipped my wine, the tangy sweetness slid down my throat, and I sat back, stretching my legs out in front of me.
The French door opened behind us, and Ash grinned at the sight of our houseguest. Heat flushed through me, but it wasn’t arousal—it accompanied that fucking dry throat shit I’d had going on since we got home.
What the fuck?
Frowning, I took a large gulp of my wine.
We needed to have a serious discussion about moving forward outside the sexual draw which I couldn’t deny. Not having a plan set into place for a future relationship or even knowing Skylar’s thoughts on how to get her feet under her didn’t encourage relaxation in my muscles.
She entered my periphery, stealing my breath.
Rather than the itty-bitty bikini I’d expected she would tempt us with, a modest one-piece covered her pale skin. But the moonlight kissed along her curves, making her glow with a radiance that caused me to hunger for a taste.
“Come on.” Ash gave her one glass and laced their free hands together. “We can sit on the seat cut into the pool’s side.”
Skylar glanced at me as though questioning if I wanted to join.
I’d had a long as fuck day and wasn’t in the mood to entertain or flirt even if my dick could easily be persuaded. “Go on.”
I brooded as they settled onto the water-covered seat, giggling quietly about something. They clinked their glasses together and sipped, and I bit back a moan as Ash held Skylar’s wine so she could twist up her hair and reveal her long, slender neck.
My mouth drooled to latch on and mark her delicate skin.
Dick once more swelling, I took a good swallow of my wine, staring as the two angled closer, getting cozy as fuck.
Underwater lights illuminated their bodies, giving me a clear view of Ash’s hand on her thigh and how her nipples hardened at his touch.
I sipped again, turned on as fuck yet thoroughly exhausted.
Skylar Larsen wasn’t exactly the type of woman I wanted in our lives, a seemingly live wire of emotion who unsettled…and I’ll admit scared the hell out of me.
Ash leaned in and whispered in her ear.