But it’s true. I want everything with them, everything I’ve never given anyone before. Which is absolutely terrifying.
“This is just allcomplicated,” I sigh, wrapping my hands around my waist for comfort. “I like you guys. I do, okay? I can’t lie about that or try to fool you. Clearly, that’s not working. Butthis”—I gesture between us—“can’t be anything. Not secret friends?—”
“Please don’t ever use that word about us again,” Dean cuts me off, the gruffness in his voice catching me by surprise.
I continue, “Okay. Regardless, nothing can happen after tonight. This has to end here.”
“Why?” Dean pushes me, taking a step closer, and Asher follows.
They’re staring at me like nothing else in the world exists.
“I can’t tell you.”
“I don’t like that answer,” Asher challenges, his tongue wetting his bottom lip.
“I don’t like you,” I snap back.
They both smirk, glancing at each other and then back to me.
“Don’t lie to us. Come on.” Dean shakes his head softly. “Answer me this.”
“What?” My voice is barely audible.
They take another step forward, only a few feet remaining between us, my restraint waning more by each passing second.
Dean clears his throat. “Do you have any feelings for us?”
My chest deflates. “That’s not fair.”
“It’s an easy question,” Asher counters. “Tell us that you feel nothing for us.”
Another step.They’re closing in, and I’m suddenly regretting walking into this cage.
If they wanted, they could reach out and touch me. I’m within their grasp, which is only making this ten times harder, knowing how good their hands feel on me.
“Tell us your heart isn’t beating out of your chest right now. That you haven’t thought about usoncesince our night together,” Asher challenges me. “Tell us why you came to meet in person when you could’ve left a note and avoided seeing us altogether.”
Another step.
Dean’s fingers graze my left arm, and I inhale sharply.
Go away. Go away. Just leave me alone.
Asher reaches forward, tucking my hair back behind my ears. “Look us in the eyes and tell us that you want nothing to do with us. And we’ll leave.”
Dean’s thumb strokes my wrist, his fingers branding their way up my arm.
Why can’t they just focus on a different girl?
The mere thought guts me because the truth is … I’ve never felt anything like this before.
I’ve never connected with someone like I have with them. I don’t know if it was fate or luck that I ran into their conversation by the fountain, but I know it was the best night of my entire life.
I don’t feel like Cirella Matthews when I’m with them or like Cirella Chamberlain, whoever that even is. I’m justme. How can I push that away?
I don’t want to.
“I-I want …” My heart’s in my throat, making it hard to breathe and even harder to speak. I want … so much, so much that I can’t have.
