Chapter 34 #2
“Never,” I whisper, even though it’s a lie, and he knows it. My skin feels too hot, my heart too loud because with him, I’m always teetering on the edge of unraveling.
I let my hand drift down to his arm, skimming over the ridges of muscle before brushing against the strap of his Patek Philippe.
He watches me, his smirk widening as I work the strap loose in seconds, slide the watch free, and tuck it behind my back with a triumphant grin.
“That first time…” Koen’s hands tighten at my waist, pulling me flush against him until his lips are at my ear, “… will stay the only time you’ll ever manage to steal from me without my knowledge, Little Thief.
” A shiver runs down my spine. His hands skim up my back, trailing heat with every inch.
“Because I’ll never take my eyes off you for that long again.
” His lips brush the shell of my ear as he speaks.
“Whenever you enter the room, my eyes are already on you.”
I pull back to look at him, and the tenderness in his gaze knocks the breath out of me. There’s desire, but beneath it is more. Something that makes me feel like I’m home.
I don’t know who moves first, but our mouths clash. His tongue brushes against mine, and I moan into his mouth, my body moving against his in time with the kiss. When I finally pull away, I’m breathless, and so is he. My fingers skim his beard, and his eyes soften even more.
“Goddamn.” He brushes his thumb along my jaw. “You’re precious.”
I don’t care if he only let me swipe his watch. All I care about is the steady comfort of his touch and the quiet promise in his eyes that he’ll always be looking out for me. And when Koen kisses me again, I swear I can feel the truth of that promise settle into my bones.
“Time to meet your master,” Koen jokes when he breaks the kiss, and I turn my head to look at Ace, who’s already watching me.
My skin buzzes with electrical currents as I slide off Koen’s lap. The three watches I’ve swiped are nestled in my hand, cool metal pressing into my palm, and now it’s difficult to keep them hidden. I curl my fingers around them, palming them as best I can as I turn toward Ace.
He’s waiting for me, looking relaxed, but there’s an unmistakable gleam in his eyes. Unlike the others, he’s not sprawled across the couch. No, Ace sits tall, one leg crossed over the other.
That little poser.
“May I?” I ask, letting the words hang between us, daring him.
I’m fine if he doesn’t want me this close outside the safety of his room, but I’d love to give all of them my final private dance.
Ace’s mouth curves into a slow smirk as he uncrosses his leg and leans forward, his eyes locked onto mine. “I dare you to.”
Challenge accepted.
I straddle his lap, feeling his heat radiating through his clothes. His hands slide up to rest lightly on my hips as I settle onto him. His touch is steady but loose as if he’s waiting to see what I’ll do next.
I start to move, rolling my hips against him like I did with the others as I trail my hands down his chest with a featherlight touch. Ace lets out a soft hum of approval, his eyes never leaving mine.
My hands slide over his shoulders, my fingers curling behind his neck as I press my chest flush against his.
He doesn’t look away, not for a second. And then, without warning, he presses a soft, quick kiss to my lips.
It’s not like the others—there’s no hunger in it, no urgency. Just tenderness. Just him.
The simplicity of it steals my breath more than anything else tonight.
I love you he mouths like a secret meant only for me.
I love you. My heart stutters when I mouth it back.
Even if butterflies take flight in my chest, I can’t take my focus from the gold Rolex he’s wearing. The one I stole for him.
Now.
My hand drifts lower, reaching for it, but before I can even brush my fingers against it, Ace’s hand shoots out and grabs my wrist.
I let out a surprised gasp as he lifts my hand between us, his grip firm but not tight, his expression unreadable except for the amused sparkle in his eyes.
“Really?” He inspects the watches resting in my palm like he’s seeing through every plan I’ve ever had before his gaze flicks to mine again.
“You think that works a second time around, Trouble?”
“She stole my fucking watch?” Comes from Sylus, tinged in disbelief, and a laugh bursts out of me.
Ace watches me with a satisfied grin for a second, then pulls me closer with a low growl and says, “That’s my girl.”
Then his mouth is on mine—hot, rough, and consuming. The kiss is nothing compared to the peck from a little bit ago. It’s deep and possessive, one hand still holding my wrist while the other tangles in my hair.
I melt into him, a soft whimper escaping my throat as his tongue parts my lips, tasting me, taking exactly what he wants. His teeth catch my bottom lip, tugging, making me gasp as he deepens the kiss again.
The watches clink together in my hand, forgotten, as heat races through me. My free hand curls against his chest, fisting his shirt as I lose myself in the feel of him.
When he finally pulls back, we’re both breathless, and his smirk is slow and devastatingly handsome.
“You’re fucking trouble,” he murmurs, brushing his thumb over my cheek.
“So…” Koen drawls. “Did you enjoy your last night as a stripper?”
“Very. Thank you, Koen.” I reach out to brush my fingers along his jaw. “You didn’t have to do all this.”
Koen’s smirk softens as his hand slides over mine. “Oh, it was our pleasure.”
The curtains to the private room open, and Levi and Ezra walk out. Disheveled, hair messy, clothes rumpled. Levi’s shirt is untucked, and there’s a red mark below his jaw that he’s not even trying to hide. Ezra looks cool as ever, except for a flush at the tips of his ears.
Levi runs a hand through his hair, glancing around at the group. “We’re heading home.”
Koen flicks a quick glance at me, then toward the bartender and bouncer still lingering by the bar, trying their best not to watch but failing miserably. He stands and steps up to me, pulling me off Ace’s lap and to my feet into his arms.
“How about we go too?” he murmurs, his lips brushing my ear. “I think we’d all welcome the privacy.”
Sylus springs up from the couch with a loud whoop, making all of us jump. He throws his hands in the air. “Gangbang.”
Ace pinches the bridge of his nose, half exasperated, half amused. “Jesus, Sy.”
Nicholas shakes his head, but I catch the twitch of a smile at the corner of his mouth.
Koen chuckles low, his arm sliding around my waist as he pulls me closer. “Well, there you have it.” He glances toward the others. “Let’s head home.”
My heart pounds, but it’s not with fear. It’s freedom.
This is mine.
This moment, this life, them.
All mine.