He makes a sound in the back of his throat, but his arms cautiously come around my body and tighten.
“Hey,” he says gently. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
I press my face against the warm skin of his neck and feel his pulse racing against my cheek. It’s weird being able to feel him this close. It’s not like the quick hugs I give Marcus, and it’s different than when I embrace Fi, who’s all soft curves. No, I feel muscles flexing against mine and the hard planes of his chest. The scent of his leather jacket fills my senses, and I breathe it in, letting it calm my waring emotions.
“Did you just smell me?” He sounds amused.
I pull back and lock eyes with him. “I don’t hate you,” I say, and he stills. “And I’m sorry. Really sorry.”
Fi walks into the living area and turns on one of the lamps, casting the room in soft buttery light. She turns back to us, twisting her fingers together.
“What?” I ask her.
“Are you guys about to fight or fuck? Because I can leave you alone.”
Michaels bursts out laughing, and I shake my head. “Which do you prefer, baby?” He stalks toward her, his eyes hooded, and I have to admit that I feel my cock jump with the way he moves so sensually. “You’re the boss.”
“I was making a joke, but if you’re offering…”
“Jesus, you’re a menace,” I say, trying to adjust my hardening cock. “You both are.”
Michaels and Fi give each other a wicked look and then they each grab of my hands, pulling me toward the loft.
“What?”
“Just get your ass up the ladder, grumpy bear,” Fi says with a gentle shove to my ass.
“I don’t really want that nickname to stick,” I mutter.
Michaels smirks. “I like it.”
This is the first time we’ve all been in the loft together, and despite our flirty foreplay, we look at each other awkwardly when we reach the bed.
“So, are we all crashing up here tonight?” Michaels asks, his eyes bouncing between us hopefully.
“We haven’t even had dinner,” I protest, not ready for more emotional turmoil.
“Actually, I have a surprise,” Fi says with a smile. “I completely forgot!” She runs to the ladder and shimmies down. I glance at Michaels, who shrugs back at me.
A minute later, Fi climbs back up, holding her laptop. “I remembered last night that I had a few movies downloaded on here from the last time I flew to New York with Anna.” She smiles shyly. “It’s not a very imaginative selection, but I thought we could watch something.”
“Rom-coms?” Michaels asks excitedly. “Do you haveNotting Hill? I love a good Hugh Grant flick.”
“What?” Fi wrinkles her nose. “No.”
“Oh…”
“You sound disappointed, Sti—Michaels,” I say with a snicker.
“I happen to really like rom-coms; they make me feel fuzzy,” he mumbles defensively. “So what’re we watching then?”
“TheTerminatormovies,” Fi says with a bright smile. “They’re my favorite.”
Michaels and I glance at each other and try to hide our laughs because, shit, her excitement is adorable and her movie choices are a little unorthodox.
“And before you chicken out, B, I’ll make sure to cover your eyes during the scary parts.” He sticks out his tongue at her.
“Okay.” I clap my hands together. “Let’s fire up Arnold, and we’ll have popcorn for dinner?”
