Page 58 of The Substitute (New York Gods #4)

“Better feed him before he decides all food is unpalatable,” I tell Savage.

“Hey!” Tobi smacks my stomach with the back of his hand. “That’s rude.”

“But accurate,” I reply.

“You don’t have to be so loud about it.” Tobi pouts, and I want to bite on that lip he’s sticking out.

I glance around quickly, too used to having to hold myself back. When I don’t see anyone, I lean over him and take his bottom lip between my teeth and tug just enough to get a gasp from him. He arches up, clinging to me. “I love how easy you are.”

“Don’t tease! That’s not nice!” Tobi whines and shifts under the blanket. The idea of making him come out here is an enticing one but I wink at him and slide my arm around him instead. “I’ll send you to the cuck chair,” Tobi huffs.

“Don’t worry, I’ll get another one, and you can both be in one.” Savage pats my shoulder like he’s doing me a favor and leaves it there.

“How the hell would that work?” I ask, trying to make that make sense.

“Are you unaware of what the point of the cuck chair is?” Savage asks, holding back a laugh.

I stare at him with a blank face. “If the two of us are banned to the chair, what are you doing? Jacking off?”

Heat blooms on Tobi’s cheeks.

“It’s really cute when you pretend you don’t like it.” Savage winks at me.

Bastard.

“The bedazzling really is interesting.” I shrug, knowing damn well my cock is thickening just talking about it. “You should get ones that light up, turn it into a strobe light.”

Tobi snorts and settles deeper into the blankets and pillows. “I need food!”

“That’s actually not a terrible idea…” Savage gets up. “I’ll go grab the snacks.”

I sigh and rub a hand down my face. “You’re going to flash bang me awake, aren’t you?”

An evil glint shines in Savage’s eye, and he winks, letting me know I’m fucked.

“Disco party in Savage’s pants. I’m definitely intrigued.” Tobi smiles. “But seriously, I’m hungry.”

“He’s going to get bratty if you make him wait much longer,” I sigh.

“Sounds like you’re getting bratty.” Savage goes to grab the snacks and comes back with two big trays, reclaiming his seat.

Before he can even get settled, Tobi is going to town.

“Did you not feed him breakfast?” Savage asks, eyeing Tobi inhaling food.

“I tried—he refused.”

“You need to find more creative consequences.” Savage side-eyes me and slides his hand under the blanket to rest on my thigh.

I instantly tense and glance around, but no one can see us, so I force myself to relax. What the fuck is he doing with all this flirting?

Tobi jerks his head to glare at Savage. “Hey!”

“I said what I said.”

“I’m open to suggestions.” I have better access to Savage with Tobi sitting up, and I suddenly want to push his buttons back. My hand flexes on his shoulder, bringing his attention to me. His eyes drop to my mouth before meeting my gaze.

I fight with myself over wanting to push it further.

Should I kiss him? I bet that would stop the game.

Would Tobi like to watch? Would Savage get annoyed if I pushed it that far?

It would be interesting to know what it’s like.

Would he want to control it, or would he let me?

Which way would I prefer it to go? Both?

But none of that really matters. While it would be fun in the moment to have a real threesome, he’s still my step-brother, and we don’t exactly have a good history.

Neither of us like each other like that, and focusing on Tobi has meant we’ve ignored every other potential feeling.

I’m starting to wonder, though, if we’re getting to a point where we won’t be able to pretend they don’t exist anymore.

But that doesn’t mean we don’t have a lot of shit between us to work out.

Deciding I want to be in the middle, I pick up Tobi and move him so he’s sitting in my lap, and I scoot over toward Savage.

Tobi makes a startled sound at the unexpected movement but settles quickly when he sees what I’ve done. I’m forcing myself not to think too hard about it or freak out about it. It’s fine. People need physical touch. It makes some brain chemicals that make you happy or whatever.

Savage grabs a cracker and shoves it into his mouth. “What movie are we watching?”

“The Labyrinth.”

Now I’m suspicious. “Have you seen it before?” I ask Tobi.

“Of course. David Bowie with a codpiece in tight pants? Come on.” He scoffs, and Savage and I laugh. “Fifteen-year-old me had a real obsession with that movie.”

“Once again, you are killing me, smalls.”

“Still don’t know what that means.” Tobi grabs some grapes.

“What?” Savage looks at Tobi. “You’ve never seen Sandlot?”

“Thank you!” I sit back, validated.

“We clearly need to expand your movie knowledge.” Savage shakes his head. “What about Little Rascals?”

“I’m not saying no to that.” Tobi settles back again when the screen flicks to life and the previews start. I’m so damn content right now that it’s kind of mind blowing.

“Is this actually working? Are we all surprised, or is it just me?” I ask softly, unsure if I want to tempt fate by bringing it up.

“No, no, we are all surprised.” Savage shoves a grape in his mouth.

“Shocked,” Tobi adds.

“Pleasantly?” I ask, verifying that I’m not misreading this.

“I would say so. You?” Savage looks at me.

“Yeah, and it’s unexpected.”

Tobi chuckles. “It is…but I don’t think I’ve ever been happier.”