Chapter 80
BELLA
There’s a weird feeling between the brothers at dinner. Neither of them has hardly touched their pasta. I slam down my cutlery, getting their attention.
“Look, is my cooking that bad? My brothers never used to mind it. Speak now or forever hold your peace.”
I glare between them.
Reggie remains expressionless. Rowan, he shifts in his chair.
“Bel, I’m sorry. I’m just exhausted from training with Con.”
I blow out a breath, sympathizing with him.
“Do you need a cuddle?” I ask.
He smiles. Pushing himself up and rounding the table to wrap his arms around me, placing a soft kiss on my cheek.
“I promise you, it’s nothing to do with you. Nor your cooking. You’re perfect, precious,” he whispers.
“I’m gonna head to bed. I’ll see you in the morning, okay?”
I frown, not liking him leaving. I liked it in Phoenix—with both of them. Although, I know that can’t be life every night. None of us will sleep.
“I-I can come with you?”
How is this going to work? A bed schedule?
He tips my chin up to him and kisses me.
“I’ll be back with you tomorrow. You need to get some proper sleep too. Night, beautiful.”
“Night, rockstar.”
He stands and looks at Reggie. I can’t quite work out what he’s trying to say with his eyes. But it’s something.
It makes Reggie’s jaw clench.
As he leaves, I finish a few more mouthfuls and take the plates into the kitchen. As I turn around, Reggie is right there behind me.
“Are you and Rowan okay?” I ask.
He nods.
“Just some work shit going on. Nothing we can’t figure out.”
I tilt my head. Reggie is harder to read than Rowan.
“You two have never really had anyone look after you, have you?”
He lets out a sigh and gives me a sad half-smile. “We look out for each other. And the Quinns—they’re our family now too. We’ve done alright, Bella.”
“Hmm.” I lean against the counter. “I think you’ve spent so long protecting Rowan, making sure everyone else is okay, you’ve forgotten about yourself. That’s why you were so cold with me at the start.”
A grin pulls at his mouth as he steps closer, one hand finding my hip and drawing me in.
“Your analysis is most likely correct, Princess. These feelings I had for you—they threw me off.”
“They scared you?”
He nods. “I guess they did. It was like being pulled in every direction. If I fucked up the alliance, it hurt the Quinns. If I let you in, you might see me and not like what you found. And keeping you… meant hurting Rowan at the start.”
I drag my hands up his chest, feeling the steady strength beneath my palms. “That’s a lot to carry, Irish.”
“You drove me insane, Bella King. From the very moment I laid eyes on you.”
“I told you I’d push every button you had.”
He chuckles, and I rest my head against his chest, listening to the steady beat beneath my ear. He presses a kiss to the top of my head.
“That you did. But you also found the main button—the one that brought me back to life, baby.”
I pull back and look up into his dark eyes. “You’re a softie, deep down.”
“Don’t bank on it.” He smirks. “But I hope I make you happy, Bella.”
I cup his cheek. “The happiest.”
He leans into my touch.
“I have a question,” I say.
“Hit me.”
I grin. His eyes go wide. “Not literally.”
“Okay. Fine.” I laugh softly. “This whole thing with the three of us, how does it work? Day to day?”
He leans back against the counter, running a hand over his jaw.
“Bella,” he sighs. “Honestly? This is new for all of us. Before, our sharing only extended to sex. Not a relationship. I guess it’s what feels right for us all? Communication. Making you happy.”
He wraps his arms around my waist, so I’m flush against him.
“I want you both to be happy too. It’s all of us. Not just me. You two aren’t my little fuck toys.”
He grunts.
“We can be if you want us to be,” he winks.
I slap his hard chest.
“Like tonight, I would have liked to sleep between you both,” I say quietly. “I think Rowan needed that.”
He kisses my temple.
“Then, maybe, we make this one big house? Buy somewhere new where we all live together. One fucking huge bed. Because, Bella, as much as I cherish you. I need fuckin’ space from my brother.”
I can’t help but laugh. I can see that.
“Okay, we can work on that bit. But I like spending time with you both. Not separately.”
“I get it. But, sometimes, it will have to be separate, just to keep us all sane. If that’s okay?”
His hands squeeze my ass.
“And sometimes, I want my girl all to myself. I’m a little selfish.”
I wrap my arms around his neck as he lifts me easily, my legs locking around his waist.
“I can deal with that, Irish. Now, take me to bed.”
His brow arches. “I’m not the one who lets you make the rules, remember?”
I kiss him, surrendering control. “I know. I just want the punishment, Reggie. I gotta keep being a brat so you keep taming me. Otherwise, you might get bored.”
He growls against my lips. “Never. I’d never get bored of you.”