Page 36 of This Reckless Home

“Doesn't mean I like it.” I reply, voicing my thoughts. Steele won’t judge me, especially since the tightening of his lips says he feels similarly.

“Neither do I.” He tosses the rag aside, his dark eyes meeting mine. “But we don't exactly have a claim on her, do we?”

There’s a twinkle in his eyes, something that says perhaps he’s leading me down a path he wants me to go.

I'm quiet for a moment. “What if we did?”

His hands still. “Did what?”

“What if we did have a claim on her?” I push off the workbench, shoving my hands in my pockets. “All three of us.”

Steele's gaze sharpens, his lips twitching and I can’t help feeling I’m playing catch up. “You want to talk about this now?”

“Why not? We're both thinking it.” I take a breath. “You've already slept with her. Left your marks all over her neck for everyone to see.”

“Yeah, I did. Her body too.” No apology in his tone, and fuck, a bolt of lust filled envy flies through me. “And I'd do it again. Will do it again.”

“Good. Because I want to do the same thing.” The admission feels like ripping something open in my chest. “I want her, Steele. Have since she blew into that sitting room, talking a mile a minute.”

He studies me for a long moment, something like approval shining in his dark eyes. “And Anatole?”

“You saw him today. He wants her too.”

He crosses his arms, but I can see the interest in his eyes. “So, you’re ready to share her?”

“Why not?” I meet his gaze steadily. “We've shared everything else our whole lives. Why not this? Why not her?”

“She's not just a thing to be shared, Nox. She's a person.”

“I know that.” I scrub a hand over my face. “But she wants all of us. I see the way she looks at you. At Anatole. Hell, even at me when she thinks I'm not paying attention.”

Steele's lips curve into a slow smile. “Yeah. I know she does.”

I freeze. “You... know?”

“She told me. Saturday night.” He leans back against the truck, crossing his arms with obvious satisfaction. “After we fucked. Told me she wanted me even when she shouldn't because of Jus, because of you and Anatole.”

My jaw drops. “She said that?”

“She said that.” His smile widens. “Called it ‘wanting all the desserts at the table.’”

I bark out a laugh despite myself. “That's very her.”

“Yeah, it is.” His smile drops as he sobers slightly. “So I've been waiting. Watching. Seeing if you and Anatole would catch up.”

“Catch up?” My skin prickles with heat. “You mean you've known this whole fucking time and didn't say anything?”

He shrugs. “Wasn't my place to tell you how to feel, Nox. You needed to get there on your own.” He picks up his rag, wipes his hands again even though they're already mostly clean. “But watching you two get jealous over James today? Figured you were finally ready to admit it.”

“You bastard.” But there's no heat in it. My lips split into a rueful grin. “You've been sitting on this since Saturday?”

“Yep.” He smiles and I can’t even be mad because fucking hell, she wants us. “And it's been entertaining as hell watching you try to convince yourself you don't want her.”

“Fuck you.” I can’t stop my smile.

“Nah, but she might.” His grin turns wicked. “If you ask nicely.”

I flip him off, but I'm still smiling like a fucking dork. “Just so you know, I kissed her on Sunday.” His brows raise.