Page 151 of Release

I swallow. “Total freebie,” I whisper. “Nothing off the table. Tit-for-tat.”

He shifts position a little, like he’s widening his stance, but I damn well know it’s because his cock is hard and pressing against something and pinching him. Yet he looks so fucking at ease and comfortable in this moment in his tux that it’s hard for me to think about what he looks like naked and kneeling and collared with his head on my feet and his hands cupping my heels.

He sucks air through his teeth. “Tit-for-tat, hmm? Total freebie, nothing off the table. That covers a loooot of ground, doesn’t it, Ms. Blaine?”

I fight the urge to squeeze my thighs together. George turns and intercepts someone who’s walking over to speak with us, stepping away with them, leaving the two of us caught in this darkly sexy bubble.

I nod.

“And youneverwelch, do you, Ms. Blaine?” He shakes his head a little as he says it, his lips pouted just enough to make me almost hear thesplooshmy pussy is currently doing.

Sitting tomorrow is going to be interesting, I can tell already. I’m sure I’m going to be wearing a set of purple stripes along my ass and the backs of my thighs.

“No, I don’t welch, Mr. Howard,” I say, lifting my chin for what little bit of height it’ll give me. “Ineverwelch.”

“Excellent.” He surprises me when he steps to the side and offers me his arm. “Time for us to say our good-nights, then.”

I’m genuinely shocked the ballroom carpet hasn’t caught fire yet from the heat in his gaze.

Or that there’s not a puddle under my feet.

* * * *

It takes us about twenty minutes to finally make it out of the ballroom. We send the kids and George’s brothers off in the limo with a security detail after a final round of hugs before we head to the elevator with the EPU officers who are guarding us tonight.

Apparently, the two goobers had also already told the kids and Tyson and Chase that we were staying there tonight, and to keep it secret from me, because it was a surprise for me.

Inside the elevator, the EPU officer stands by the door, facing it, George chatting with him while Declan pushes me against the back of the car and kisses me. I know the fuckers planned this because I spotted George’s hand signal to Declan before he stepped forward to keep the officer’s attention off us.

I’m breathless and squirming when Declan ends our kiss before we reach our floor. He reaches up with a thumb to brush at his lips, smiling, knowing damn well what he’s done to me.

I should be…outraged. I should put a stop to this.

I don’t know why I can’t say no to them. Ishouldsay no.

This can’t end well, can it?

This can’t end with anything but more pain and misery for me, right?

Except…

Isn’t this exactly what Iwanted? For Declan and George to be happy?

I mean, yeah, I’d like to be happy, too, but I’ve lived without that in my life for so long that it’s not like I’ll know the difference.

I mean, I will feel the pain of losing them, but I’ve survived that before. Loss.

My left thumb seeks out the ring on my hand and rubs it, anchoring me to the here and now.

The love me.

They want me.

Sometimes, my brain wants to chatter lies to me, though. I’m learning to breathe through it and focus on my ring.

On them.

Before the elevator door opens, George reaches back, catches my arm, and draws me forward, his hand in the middle of my back and having me go first after the officer exits and checks the hallway.