Page 26 of The Loneliest Number (The Thirst Trap #3)

Chapter twenty-four

Cam

A bby decides to tag along to drop Saff off for her flight.

We stand on the tube in a cluster, gathered around Saff’s giant suitcase, all clinging to the pole.

I’m used to Saff filling the space with chatter, and even Pixie is usually talkative, but we’re all zenned out from spending most of the day in our sex nest. Fuck, it was fun.

We’ve come early, having plans to grab something to eat on the way to the airport before dropping Saff off at departures. I’m already wondering if I can convince Abby to come back to the hotel afterwards, but her quietness is making me wonder if she’ll pull away.

Gratification has settled in my bones from spending the weekend with these two women I adore. But unfortunately, there’s an underlying something there as well, making me wonder if it’s all too good to be true.

The other shoe drops a little while later when we’re all sitting around a circular table at the Asian fusion restaurant for a bite to eat.

Saff clears her throat, glancing between me and Abby before she starts talking.

“I’ve had the best time. I’m so glad I came.

” She smiles, but it’s watery at best. My breath hitches as concern weighs heavy in my chest.

“I wish you could stay longer. Do you need to go back?” I ask, reaching across to give her hand a squeeze where it rests on the table.

“I do. I’m booked out for the next few months.

Although there are a few pockets of time where I might be able to pop down again.

I’d love to see you both more and take more photos of The Juniper,” she says.

“I’ll have a proper look at my calendar and get in touch.

See if we can find some dates that work for all of us. ”

“That would be great. I love spending time with you,” Abby tells her with a smile.

Saff clears her throat again. “I’m not sure…

” There’s a pause which focuses my gaze intently on her face, trying to get a read on her.

“I think I’m going to look for a steady relationship.

So I don’t know if I’ll be available to play next time.

And I understand if that means you’d rather I didn’t come.

” Her statement doesn’t shock me, it’s not the first time she’s talked about settling down, but I can’t help but wonder if it’s her bad experience that has triggered this decision.

“Don’t be daft,” Abby replies before I get the chance to open my mouth.

“There’s never any expectation that we do that.

I’d like to say we’re friends, Saff?” Saff’s head bobs with a nod.

“We have fun together, regardless whether there’s sex and orgasms involved.

I’d love to keep you as a friend, even if that means no more sex. ”

I shift closer on the bench seat to plaster our sides together and hug Saff tight. “What she said. You’re my best friend, Saff. I’ll take you in any capacity I can have you. What’s got you thinking this way?”

“I’ve had fun playing with you over the years, Cam, and I think I always assumed I wouldn’t need anything more than casual.

” My heart squeezes at her confession. “But when you left, and I had that awful experience, I realised I do need more. I hadn’t realised how much the friendship, along with the sex, was important to me.

With you down here and you two…” she waggles her brows at us both, “you know. Well, I want to find my own version of that.”

Abby shifts uncomfortably in her seat, drawing my attention.

Her brows knit, and awkwardness clouds her face, but she says nothing.

Saff has picked up that there’s more between us than either of us has verbalised.

Although, Abby may need more persuading.

I have to hope that I’ll find a way to convince her because I’m in this—I want to be with her—and I know we’ll be able to find a way forward if we both try.

“Guys, I should go. You clearly need to talk this out, and I’m in the way.” Abby’s tone is higher pitched than normal, her gaze flickering everywhere apart from meeting my eyes.

“Nonsense.” Saff leaves my side, lunging towards Abby to mirror the one armed hug I’d just given her. “Please don’t go. I didn’t mean for you to feel uncomfortable. I wanted to get it all in the open while I’m still here in person.”

Abby swallows hard as she finally meets my gaze. “Do you mind if I’m here?” The perplexities that can sometimes come with any trio are rampant at the moment. The space we are in doesn’t allow me the opportunity to gather them both close and provide comfort and that sucks.

“Of course not, Pixie.” I give her a lopsided smile. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“Yeah, but you two have known each other so much longer. I’m just temporary.” Her voice is pitched low.

“I didn’t mean to cause problems between you two with my announcement. I’m so sorry. I thought you’d already figured out what you two are,” Saff tells us both, softly. It’s her turn to look panicked now.

I let loose a sigh. “I don’t think we have worked it out.

But I’m still glad you told me in person what you need.

I don’t want to lose your friendship, Saff.

I know it’s been an adjustment with me being down here, but I promise I want to stay in close contact with you.

Maybe I can help you find someone?” I suggest, wondering what the fuck I’m volunteering for.

What the hell do I know about serious and committed relationships?

“Oh yeah, and how would that help work?” It’s a relief to see Saff’s cheeky raised brow as she looks at me with amusement.

“I don’t fucking know. It slipped out. I could ask around, see who I know that’s looking for something serious.” I shrug in helplessness, and Saff chuckles.

“No thanks. I need to do this on my own. Perhaps if I do meet someone and start to wonder if they’re the one, I could introduce them to you two and see if you scare them away?”

“I’m up for that if you are, Pixie?” I say with an answering grin.

“Sure,” Abby replies with a smile. “Always willing to convince people that monogamy isn’t the answer.” She makes me want to find a creative solution to keep her without her feeling trapped.

We finish our food and drinks, and I settle the bill, luckily without any arguments. We head out to the airport, me dragging Saff’s bag behind me as we stroll. “So, what did you think of London?” Abby asks.

“It’s alright. I’ll definitely visit again, but can I be honest and say it’s more for the people than for the place?”

Abby snorts in amusement. “You can. When we get another date arranged, I’ll see if I can organise a catch up with Cassidy so you can meet one of your favourite authors. How does that sound?” Saff lets out a squeal of excitement.

“I’d love that. Ooh, do you think I could meet her boyfriends, too?”

“Yeah, maybe I can get our smut book club together for a dinner. Mel and Laura, too. I came up to Glasgow with Laura when I met you guys.”

“That would be great.”

Elation rises in my chest. If Abby is thinking about future plans, perhaps she’s coming around to the idea that there’s a future for us? I fucking hope so.

We see Saff off at the departure gate, waving like loons until she’s completely out of sight.

Once we can no longer see her and her riot of auburn curls, I turn to face Abby.

The corners of my mouth rise in a smile, and excitement fizzes when she mirrors me.

I reach out and clasp each of her hands with mine.

“Hey,” I say, unsure what I’m doing but wanting to keep the connection we’ve had these last couple of days.

“Hey.” Her grin is impish.

“I still have the hotel room for one night. I’m moving into the flat tomorrow,” I tell her.

Her brows raise with curiosity. Should I push my luck?

“I don’t think we ever got round to fucking on the couch. Or the table,” I continue, the smirk a permanent feature on my face.

“No, we didn’t,” she agrees, but other than the smile, she gives nothing else away.

“So what do you say? Wanna join me for my final night there? Can I get you all to myself now Saff has gone?”

Her teeth worry at her bottom lip for a moment. “Will there be potato-based rewards if I do?”

My laughter spills out. “You can’t still be hungry after that meal,” I exclaim.

Her expression morphs into something serious.

“Cam.” Her tone is admonishing. “There’s always room for potatoes.

Not sure I have energy left for the fucking, but I have room for the tatties.

” The impish grin is back, and my chest expands with joy at her using the Scottish term. I must be rubbing off on her.

“Let’s go,” I say as I drag her out of the terminal. “We’ll get a cab back. It should be quicker.”

“Stay with me.” My tone is pleading. We are sitting at the table in my hotel room, a tray of picked over food in front of us where she’s perched on my lap, but as soon as she’d had her fill of food, and I guess dick, she started squirming.

“I’m going to get a complex if you keep leaving as soon as you’ve had your wicked way with me and the potatoes. ”

She huffs, pushing against my arms that wrapped tightly around her when she made her move to leave.

“Come on, Cam, let me go.” Her voice doesn’t request. It orders.

She’s a fierce little pixie. I release my hold so she can stand, and I let loose a sigh of relief when she doesn’t go far.

She turns to face me, laying her palm against my cheek.

“What’s made you so needy?” Her head tilts to the side like she’s trying to solve a mystery.

“I thought you were going to spend the night. You’ll stay?” I ask, eyebrows raised to match the hopeful expression plastered on my face.

She purses her lips, still holding my cheek in her palm. I shift to rub my stubble against her hand, relishing her touch.

“I’ll stay. But only because it’s your last night here. Don’t be getting any ideas.” Her tone is brusque, at odds with her soft touch, and her gaze steadfastly avoids mine.