Page 37 of Raise Me Up

“Yeah. Wow. Sorry, I may have judged you on your appearance.”

“I’m a bit of a conundrum.”

“What a nice conundrum you are.”

His answering grin spreads warmth through me. “Stasi. Can I kissyou again?”

I should say no. He just told me he plans on leaving. But I can't erase how last night made me feel. I can't help wishing we could have another night like it, all three of us together.

That’swrong, isn’t it?

Before my brain can fully process and shut down the idea of seeing two people, I’m nodding.

And when Beau touches his lips to mine, I forget what I was worried about.

eleven

Liam

After a sleepless night and a punishing workout early this morning, I swing my car into the parking lot of my studio.

Ascension Records is open seven days a week, Sundays being dedicated recording slots for local bands—mostly teenagers and college kids.

However, Hail made me agree to take Sundays off. Something about work-life balance or some shit.

He comes for me the second I walk through the front door, his silver cross earring swinging wildly. “Oh,hellno. You better turn around and start marching back to your car.”

His hands land on my chest, and I grin down at him when he doesn’t get me to move. Whiskey eyes flash with anger. Suddenly, I’m reminded of his sister laid out beneath me last night, begging for my cock.

Do I feel guilty about what we got up to? No. I really fucking don’t.

Flipping my sunglasses up onto my head, I stride over to the counter where Walter sits and bump a fist against his.

“Sup, boss?” he says.

“We booked up today?”

Walter bobs his head. “You know it. Emma should be here in—”

Bells jingle, and a wild-eyed woman in a leopard-print dress rushes in, orange curls bouncing and iced coffees sloshing in the tray she’s barely balancing in one hand.

Hail grabs one of the coffees about to spill. “See? We’ve got itcovered.”

I don’t want to admit to him that I can’t go home. Not when there are two people snuggled up in my bed—a place that’s off-limits for everyone but me. Not until I decide what to do about them.

My brain teases me with visions of my night with Stas and Beau like erotic strips of film. Whimpers and moans. Soft, warm skin and firm muscles contracting. Rich bourbon and dusky blue eyes. Both of them were so eager for my instruction. For mypraise.

Fuck. It was hot. I won’t deny that.

As much as I want to let it happen again, I’m on edge, waiting for something from the shadows to come swallow me whole for crossing lines and taking what doesn’t belong to me.

What I don’t deserve.

Something about being told you’re a waste of space as a kid really fucks with your ability to form healthy relationships as an adult.

Which is why I can’t let anyone gamble on me. Stas is at the start of a new chapter in her life. And Beau…

Well, I’m not sure what’s going on with him, but I refuse to kick him out until I slaughter whatever it is that chased him into my unreliable arms.