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I reached out to slide my hand over his pecs, and they flexed beneath my fingertips. “You have a gorgeous body,” I murmured, my tone having a dream-like quality that made me sound like a lovesick fool.
“Did you catch sight of Rhett when he hightailed it out of bed?”
“A glimpse—not nearly enough. Why’d he leave us?” I let out a huffed sigh and snuggled back against Ashton’s pillow. I’d never cuddled after sex, never had someone who wanted to just lay there and chat about whatever popped into my mind.
“Don’t take his escaping as a bad thing. It’s not. I promise.” Ashton grinned as though he held the secrets of the world while gathering me up in his arms again.
He didn’t care about morning breath, so I didn’t either, offering him my tongue when he licked over my mouth. The man’s soft lips and the way he moved them over mine spiraled fresh arousal through my core. I was ready for round two, but I expected that wouldn’t be happening anytime soon until Rhett figured out…whatever had sent him off in a rush to the bathroom.
I’d definitely made him uncomfortable, and it was more than just my personality that clashed with his.
“Do you think…I threaten him in some way?” I asked as Ashton’s lips slid along my jawbone.
He pulled back enough to focus on my eyes. “Yes—and it’s what he needs, so don’t go getting all insecure, okay? Outside of bed, I haven’t been able to help him release all the emotions he keeps clammed up inside, but I have hope that you can.”
The Rhett Whisperer…
I giggled, but another idea popped in my head. “So you think I really am a good match for the two of you?” I wondered out loud then cringed. “I’m not fishing for compliments! That was my usual flighty thoughts spilling before they’re fully processed.”
Ashton’s smile eased the sudden antsy feeling in my feet that made me want to pull away before he did. He held me tighter and nibbled on my chin. “You, my dear, are the sweetest ray of sunshine ever.”
I met Ashton in the kitchen a half hour later, both of us freshly showered and dressed. Rhett wasn’t with him. The thought he’d taken off to escape whatever he was feeling made my stomach twist.
“Where’s Rhett?” I asked, heading toward the coffee pot where Ashton waited for the machine to finish gurgling him a cup.
“Office.”
Needing to touch Ashton, I laid my hand on his lower back. The heat of his body reached through his T-shirt to warm my palm. “Is he okay?”
“Yeah.” He offered me a smile, but I took in the paleness of his face and frowned.
“Are you alright? Don’t take this the wrong way, but you don’t look so good.”
He huffed a laugh and turned away to retrieve his coffee. “I’m fine. Just need some caffeine.”
I didn’t know Ashton enough to tell if he was lying or not, but his assurance didn’t ring true.
Perhaps he and Rhett had words in the bathroom after I’d left their room for my own shower. Perhaps Rhett had regretted what we’d done or how much his partner had seemed to enjoy being with me.
But Ashton had told me they’d shared women before. Had our hooking up somehow hit Rhett in a different way? Was he second-guessing what had happened? Did he want me to leave?
All the questions made me realize the three of us moved forward a lightning speed, but I wouldn’t go back and do things differently if given that option. Ashton and I had something real, and maybe Rhett and I had too earlier that morning, but what had sent him scurrying off like he was the one with antsy feet—
“Sky.”
I realized I stared at the cabinet, unmoving for who knew how long. Forcing a smile, I turned to find Ashton peering at me. Concern furrowed his brow as his gaze flitted over my face. “Hmm?” I asked.
“Where’d you go just now?”
“Oh, just in the clouds.” I waved my hand as though brushing aside my weirdness and set my sights on making my own coffee. “Two scoops of sugar and one unhealthy dollop of cream,” I half-sang to myself, flitting toward the refrigerator.
I pulled open the door, and thoughts of coffee fled.
“Ooo, bacon!” I grabbed the rest of the pack I’d cooked from my first morning in Ash and Rhett’s house, but my stomach screamed French toast!, so I retrieved the eggs and milk too. “Cinnamon…” I placed my supplies on the countertop and searched the spice drawer for what I wanted. “Powdered sugar?” I asked Ashton without turning.
“No—sorry.”
“Not a problem!” I sing-songed. “Griddle?”