Page 83 of Falling for Them

“I figured it was just a one-time thing, anyway,” she says quietly.

“Nope,” Bash says.“I tried to tell you that the other night.What do we need to do to get the message to sink in for you?”

“I don’t know,” she says.“But I have to go to work, so…”

“Go on a date with us,” I say.

“A date,” she says, worrying her lower lip between her teeth.

“Yes,” Sebastian says.“A date.Dinner, drinks, dancing.The three D’s.Well, there’ll be five D’s, in the end, if you count what King and I will bring to the evening.”

Ella’s eyes twinkle with humor.Slowly, she says, “A date with both of you…at once.Like, out in the world, around other people.”

“If it makes you uncomfortable to date us in public, we can figure something else out,” I say.

“Or you can decide to ignore all the fucking social niceties and norms,” Bash says.“You can take what you want.You can have whatever you want, Ella.”

“Every inch of it?”she says, pursing her lips.

I can’t help laughing.Fuck, when was the last time a woman made me laugh like this?She’s intelligent, sexy, and funny, and I know there are other intelligent, sexy, funny women out there.But every time I talk to Ella, I feel like another jagged piece of my heart is getting snapped into place.

“Yeah, princess,” Sebastian says.“Every inch.”

Nodding, Ella says, “I’ll date you in public.I don’t care what anyone thinks, if you don’t.But I don’t have the kind of wardrobe to go to fancy restaurants or whatever.Look at where I live.”

You can live with us, I want to say, but as much as I want to order her ass out of this building and into mine, I know that won’t go over well.Our little girl is brave, but also easily spooked.

“Wardrobe won’t be an issue,” I say.“We’ll go wherever you’re comfortable.”

“All right,” she says.“I guess we can try this.”

Fuck yeah.

“We’ll get you a new phone,” Sebastian says.“So we can plan our date.”

“No,” she says firmly.“I’ll get mine fixed.”

Something about the way her brown-eyed gaze flits to the side when she says it makes me think she’s hiding something from us.We haven’t built the trust so I can force the truth out of her—not yet.

Hopefully soon.

“Friday night,” I say.“Are you free?”

“Yeah,” she says.“I’m free.”

“Not anymore, you’re not,” Bash says.“We’ll pick you up at eight.We’ll go somewhere casual.”

“Okay,” she says.“I have to go now, though—I have work.”

Bash and I both step forward.I cup her soft cheek in my hand, then lean down partway, waiting to see if she wants me to kiss her.Those beautiful eyes grow large and she gives me a soft smile, so I press my lips to hers.Briefly.Just a light touch.When I step back, Bash does the same.

We watch her turn and go into the apartment building.

“I’ve never wanted a woman more than I want her,” I say to Bash.

“Same, King.You don’t have to convince me.It’s her we have to convince.”

Twenty-Two