Chapter 23
LANGSTON
“Why the fuck are you sharpening your knife?”
I dragged my stare from the dangerously sharp blade to West before returning to the monotonous task. It was the only thing I could think to do to lower my blood pressure and calm my pulse since Juno left for the bridal shower.
“Never know when you’ll need to use it, so I might as well keep it in pristine condition.”
West snorted, shaking his head before turning to face out the window again.
He had stood sentry there for the last thirty minutes, watching out the glass panes for Juno to return.
Our little hotel room was less of a room and more of a shoebox with a queen-size bed.
I eyed it for the hundredth time, wondering how in the hell we’d all fit on the thing later.
“She should’ve been back by now,” West complained, crossing and uncrossing his arms in his clear agitation. “The thing ended at four so everyone could leave to get ready for the rehearsal dinner.” He turned and tossed his hands in the air. “We should’ve gone with her.”
“To a women-only bridal shower?” I arched a brow and shook my head. “You’re the one who told me to cool it with the overbearing shit.”
“We could’ve waited outside or something. Fuck, you could’ve done your stalking shit and just hid in the shadows.”
The blade clicked into the hilt. West was worked up, that was for fucking sure.
I watched him pace from one window to the other.
He continued to rant under his breath about us being lazy with her safety and how we should go after her.
It was when he started talking bad about himself that I knew it was time to end the toxic shit.
Pushing out of the armchair that had creaked when I sat down, a warning that it could break under my solid weight, I marched over to my friend and stepped into his path.
He stumbled to a stop to keep from smacking into my chest. Running a hand over his short hair, he attempted to sidestep me to continue pacing, but I mirrored him, keeping him from passing.
“Langston,” he gritted out. “I’m not in the mood for games. She’s in danger.”
“Is she now?”
“Yes, and you’re doing nothing about it. Do you even care about what happens—”
Forearm to his throat, I shoved him against the wall and pinned him there with my weight. He snarled, bucking in my hold, attempting to break free. Not that I let him.
“First of all, I do fucking care. I care so fucking much that I’m taking your advice and trying not to smother her when I know she can take care of herself. If she needs us, she’ll call.” I slid my phone free and held it up so he could see the blank screen. “She hasn’t reached out, so she’s fine.”
His eyes narrowed. “You’re way too calm. What did you do?”
My responding smile was sharp. “Nothing.”
“Langston,” he demanded—well, as best as he could with my forearm still pressed against his throat.
“I might have installed a tracking app on her phone so I know where she is at all times.”
A colorful string of curses left his lips, drawing my focus there. Not resisting, I leaned in and bit the lower one hard enough to leave an indentation but not draw blood. His chest rose and fell with his deep breaths. Gazes locked, I tossed my phone onto the bed and reached between us.
His breath caught when I yanked open his jeans and ripped down the zipper. Dipping into his boxer briefs, we hissed in unison when my fingers brushed against his hard cock. Wrapping around him, I squeezed hard, making him gasp.
But I didn’t move, just stayed perfectly still, waiting.
It took only a few seconds before the sound of heels echoed down the hall outside the room. A slow smile tugged at my lips, making his brows pull in tight, not understanding.
But he would. In just a few quick seconds.
The sound of the key tapping against the door before sliding into place and disengaging the lock had an almost evil chuckle vibrating in my chest. I knew the second she came into the room, took us in, and understood what was going on.
Her steps were light on the thin rug as she drew closer, pausing at my side.
“He’s worked up about you not being back when he thought you should be,” I explained. Keeping my eyes on West, I slowly ran my palm up and down his shaft. His perfect lips parted with an explosive exhale. “Want to watch or participate, shortcake?” I cut my gaze over to her.
Cheeks pink, lips parted, pupils dilated, my Juno was turned on at seeing me dominating West. Good. Very good. I wasn’t sure which answer I wanted from her—both would be perfect, because it would be the three of us together.
“Both,” Juno rasped. “I want to watch you two then participate.”
I hitched my chin to the bed. “Get comfortable, shortcake, and watch how I make our boy beg.”
Then it would be her turn.
Best fucking day ever.
I wiped the sweat from my forehead unable to smother the cocky smile aimed at the two completely wiped lying beside me. I had no idea it could be that mind-blowing, but I guess it only was when you were with the right people.
“Great, now I need another shower before tonight,” Juno rasped, chest still heaving. “Not that I’m complaining because… wow.”
Not understanding, I leaned up to gaze down at her, brushing a rogue lock of light brown hair off her sweaty forehead. “Tonight?”
She winced. “Yeah, so, about that. I was a little later than expected because Stephanie cornered me after the shower and begged me to come tonight and bring you two.” She looked between me and West. “To the rehearsal dinner.”
“Please tell me you said no,” West whined. “I don’t know if Lang and I can take any more time with that asshole. Plus, that would mean his family would be there too, and I bet they’re just as douchey as he is.”
“They are,” she replied. “And they will be.” Rolling over, Juno climbed on top of West, thighs straddling his ribs. “But I promise to make it worth your while.”
“While I love that gesture and would take you anytime you were offering, I’ll go if you want to go and simply ask. No need for a sexual incentive tied to my going or not, sweet cheeks.”
Her lower eyelids filled with unshed tears. “I’m so fucked up in the head.”
“You’re not.” He wrapped his hands around her waist. “We just have to work to change your conditioning, that’s it. It’s not fucked in the head when you’re responding in a way that was expected or needed before. That was adapting.”
“And now we all need to un-adapt in different ways,” I added.
“I don’t think that’s a word,” she said, shooting me a soft smile.
“I’ll make it a fucking word, just for the three of us.”
“Un-adapt,” West mused. “Not sexy at all, but I like it.” He slid his grip down to her bare ass and squeezed. “Now, about the rehearsal dinner. What do you want to do, Juno? That’s what we’ll do.”
With a sigh, she lay down, resting her cheek on his chest to face me. “I think I want to go. If anything, to get the awkwardness of us three together over with. Apparently, Eric mentioned our unique relationship to his mom, who told everyone.”
Her squeal reverberated around the room when both of West’s palms slapped her round ass.
“Then that settles it. We’re going to this rehearsal dinner and will gladly let you show us off, so everyone knows we’re proud as hell to be your dates.”
She shifted to press her chin on his sternum and smiled up at him. “Same.”
My heart stuttered at the sight of them lying there, smiling at each other, completely and utterly happy. I always had the need to protect those who I loved, but this was different. It was more—way fucking more.
Prison more.
Death more.
Anything to keep these two protected, safe, and together.