Page 36 of Petals of Blue, Part One (Wilted Duet #1)

Thirty-One

BLUE

When I opened my door to greet Roman half an hour ago, I was not planning on inviting him to the gym with me. But when he pouted about not being able to find a decent place to work out, I caved.

I definitely didn't think I'd be riding with him to their townhome so he could change and get a water. And I abso-fucking-lutely did not assume I'd find Declan and Felix looking like they are ready to fuck each other’s brains out.

Jesus.

I'm woman enough to admit that the scene I'm witnessing is the sexiest thing I've ever seen. And yes, my panties are soaked. Their arguing makes this even hotter. When Declan asks what he's supposed to do, it's pretty fucking obvious.

"Next step would be kissing."

Amusement bubbles up my throat as Declan and Felix jump and dart their eyes toward me. They don't move apart, though, which is interesting. You'd think with something clearly so new, they'd be freaking out about being caught.

"Do you need help?" I ask. Their ragged breathing is the only response I realize I'm going to get.

Declan gulps and flashes his gaze to Felix who hasn't moved. I think they actually do need help. Kicking off the doorframe, I saunter over to them doing my best to keep my heart locked up tight.

The scent that encompasses the two of them as I get closer makes my arousal skyrocket. Sex and cologne. Goddamn.

Against my better judgment, I step into their space and wrap my hands around their necks. I must be drunk on the sexual tension in the room because I forget all about the just friends policy I made with myself.

My heart pounds and my clit throbs with each pulse too. I'm so focused on their parted lips, mine start to tingle. "Like this," I murmur and pull Felix down to me first.

He sucks in a breath right before our mouths collide.

Taking control of our kiss is shockingly easy considering he's such a dominant guy.

I nip at him and force my way between his lips.

Chills race down my spine when our tongues touch, making me grip Felix's neck harder.

He groans and begins to battle me for control, but I split when I feel myself slipping too far into the addictive energy that is Felix Morel.

Our three bodies are flush when I pull away from Felix. Quickly, I break eye contact with him because while I'm horny as hell, I can't form that connection with any of them. This is just about the sexual tension.

"Your turn," I whisper and yank Declan toward me next. His kiss is less surprised and slow to start, but it's also sweeter. For a man who's a bit ballsy and chaotic, his mouth is tender, and his tongue is gentle.

My tummy swoops and my heart flips, making me end the kiss sooner than the one with Felix. "Now, you guys," I croak and push them together. Just as their mouths meet, I slip away and rush quietly to the door.

Quickly closing the door behind me as softly as I can, I blow out a breath.

"Want to talk about it?"

"Ah!" I whisper shout, my hand going to my chest in fear. "Jesus, Roman. You scared the shit out of me."

He raises a brow and smiles a little. "Well?"

So he clearly saw all of that. "No," I grumble, rushing away from Declan's room like the hot hellhounds are nipping at my clit. Wait, NO. "Let's get out of here."

Roman laughs, but follows me through the kitchen and outside to his car. Thankfully, Levi's gym is only a few minutes from here so Roman can't demand answers from me.

Fuck, I just kissed Declan and Felix. Then they kissed each other! This was not the plan.

As soon as I get us through the front doors of the gym, I'm ready to bolt. "I'm going to the bathroom. See you in a minute," I mumble and rush away from Roman.

Unable to get the feel of their lips out of my mind, I curse myself for my hussy choices. Roman was calm as a fucking clam the entire drive here, all the while I was losing my shit. Silently, of course, because he doesn't need to know I'm in the middle of a horny crisis.

Slipping past a few women changing, I close myself in a stall. As much as I would love to bang my head on the door, I don't—that's gross.

I do my business and dab the built-in panties of my shorts. They're about as dry as they’re going to get, and they're only going to get wetter if I have to watch Roman workout.

As I wash my hands and make my way back out to the main gym, I wonder if there's a way I can get out of this. I'm flustered which gives Roman an advantage. If he has the upper hand while lifting weights, my boundaries are toast.

Well, let’s be honest, they incinerated the moment I saw Declan and Felix together. What a fucking choice that was.

I blink and suddenly I'm in the twilight zone. Roman and Levi waltz out of Levi's office grinning. How long was I gone?

Roman shakes my friend’s hand. "This is great, man. Thank you for the opportunity. What time do you want me here tomorrow?"

"Does nine work? We'll go over some basics of the gym and work out your schedule." Levi looks so excited I almost feel bad for bursting their bromance. Almost.

"What's going on?" I snap, crossing my arms as I stop in front of them. They make me feel puny, but I shake it off. "Did you seriously just hire the enemy?"

"Enemy?" Roman asks, looking hurt and surprised.

I wave him off. "Levi doesn't know I'm attempting to forgive and befriend you so this," I gesture between them, "is against girl code."

"How do you know Rome?" Levi asks me, looking confused and worried. Good.

"You mean Roman? One fourth of the asshole squad who ghosted me in senior year?" I can't help it; I stomp my foot like Violet did this morning. Where's my water bottle?

"Shit. Fuck! You’re joking. Tell me you’re joking!" Levi grabs my forearm, looking a little green. He glares over at Roman who I refuse to look at right now. "Rome?"

"Stop calling him that," I growl, pulling my arm free. That's my nickname for him. "You knew what he did, Levi. All's just forgiven because you need a position filled? You're my best friend."

Shit, the anger is fading behind the hurt in my tone. My eyes burn a little too. Today is a complete mess. I want to go home.

"Petal..." Roman murmurs. "I met Levi in college. We were gym buddies. I didn't know you were friends. I'm sorry."

Levi's jaw grinds as he studies his college friend. "Son of a bitch, dude. This sucks. You're one of the guys who hurt my girl?"

Something shifts in Roman's eyes making me stand up taller and take notice. "Your girl?" Roman snaps, stepping forward threateningly.

My pussy flutters, enjoying the possessive reaction. I grab Roman's shirt and tug him toward me. "Levi's married. To Kevin."

"Oh." Rome deflates, almost curling around me in relief. Then he perks up. "Wait really? Congratulations, man!"

What the hell is happening?

"Thanks. We need to have a chat, though," Levi declares, glaring at Roman. "Blue, go do your warm-ups. We'll be there in a minute."

Not once does he take his eyes off of Roman. Slightly giddy over the fact that Levi's going to lay into Roman a bit, I skip over to my friend and kiss his cheek. Roman makes a sound of indignation, but I scurry away with a mischievous feeling buzzing in my spine.

If Rome can handle my buff bestie telling him off for his behavior, then we'll be another step closer to making amends.