Page 60 of Dismantle & Prevail

“Yeah, Tay. That man has it baaaad for you.”

We all break out into a fit of laughter, still wrapped in each other’s arms.

I love these two. I couldn’t ask for a better group of friends.

“Tucker. Arms off now.”

Our attention snaps to Ari and Boone standing behind the couch.

Reagan lets go and moves back to her spot, while Tuck pulls me in closer, his eyes locked with Aries’.

Ari’s face morphs from slightly annoyed to pissed off as he rounds the side of the couch.

His hands wrap around Tuck’s forearms, flinging them off me. Tuck is a ball of laughter as Ari points to the vacant recliner next to Boone, who is sitting in the other.

I expect Tuck to protest, but he doesn’t. He stands and jumps over the table, almost face planting into the plush recliner.

Reagan and I’s laughter fills the air, but I’m quickly distracted when Ari sits in Tucker’s vacated seat and pulls me close to him so that our sides are plastered together.

One arm rests behind me on the back of the couch as he leans in to place a gentle kiss on my forehead.

“Hellhound.”

His dark eyes lock with mine and Reagan’s words play on repeat.

Maybe I can do this? Maybe I can let him in fully?

“Ace.”

Aries flashes me a small smile, his hand moving to rest on my thigh. His thumb stroking back and forth over the tiny blue butterfly.

“Aww, you two make such a cute couple.”

Aries and I’s head snap in Tucker’s direction.

“We are not together,” I protest.

“Keep telling yourself that, Butterfly.”

This time, my head snaps to Aries, my eyes wide in shock that he just said that in front of our friends.

I glare daggers at him, and he winks at me.

This fucking…

“Tuck. Leave them alone.”

“Thank you Boone!” I say, grateful to have someone on my side.

“Didn’t let me finish, Tay. I was gonna say leave them alone. She hasn’t seen Ari’s dick yet. That thing would scare anyone away.”

My cheeks heat.

“For fuck’s sake,” Reagan mutters.

“YOU’VE SEEN ARI’S DICK?” Tucker exclaims, his body practically falling off the chair as he stares wide eyed at Boone.

Chatter fills the room as Reagan, Boone, and Tucker all begin talking at once.