Page 19 of Raise Me Up

A storm of unwanted emotions rage in my chest. Anger. Frustration. Concern over having both Beau and Stas under my roof when my self-control is already flagging like I’ve run a marathon.

At least I’ve only fucked one of them.

Jesus.

Beau throws me a curious look when I pull into my double garage. “Nice place.”

I don’t entertain him with an answer as I get out of my car and stalk through the interior door.

“Stasi?” I call out.

“I’m here.”

I feel the burn of Beau’s eyes on the back of my head.

“I’m not sleeping with her,” I say, quiet enough for Beau’s ears only.

“Did I hear a ‘yet’ at the end of that sentence?” Beau teases.

I clench my jaw. We’re not done with our discussion about what he’s doing here, but my interrogation will have to wait until I can use moreelaboratetactics to get him to talk.

Rounding the hall into the kitchen, I spot Stas behind a line-up of baking ingredients. She’s in the middle of fixing her hair, head bowed as she gathers the layers into a hand.

When she straightens back up, I can’t keep my gaze from dipping to the cropped black tank top she’s stripped down to, clinging to her fit body.

“Got hot. I didn’t want to mess with your thermostat,” she explains.

Her gaze darts to Beau, and her lips part. I look back at Beau, surprised to find he’s just as captivated by what he sees.

“Holy fuck,” he utters, his backpack dropping to the floor.

I’m tempted to wrap my hand around the back of his neck and steer him right the fuck out of my house. Last thing Stas needs is to be drooled over by both of us. Does she get any peace in her life? Does she want it or would she rather a little chaos?

“This is why you left me on read, huh?” Beau chuckles.

His words spear through the defective organ in my chest. I didn’t realize he cared. Was he pretending to be apathetic every time I left him after a hookup? Never once did he bat those long lashes at me or show signs of wanting more.

Did I take advantage of that? Did I…hurt him?

Beau drags a hand through his hair, his eyes stuck on the beautiful woman standing before us.

Yeah, she’s a lot. Perfection on a bad day. Life-changing on a good one. How the fuck she’s still single… it’s got to be by choice.

But when I think about it, I can’t recall a time she’s ever mentioned dating someone. I know she messed around in college. It used to drive Hail crazy to be labeled the only black sheep in his family when he was paying his bills with music and Stas was flunking classes and partying. Hecouldn’t see that they were both seeking attention in their own unique way.

Beau moves over to her and holds out a hand. “Hey. I’m Beau.”

“Stasi,” she replies, flushing.

He cracks a full dimpled smile, and Iknowit’s game over. She’s about to be sucked into his event horizon just like everyone else. “Pretty name. So, did Liam work his sorcery on you too?”

seven

Stasi

My head snaps to Liam, eager for answers on the mysterious man he brought home.

Is this the ‘situation’ he was referring to? And if so, what exactlyisthe situation?