Page 82 of The Triangle

So I say, “Some people get boring office jobs.” They both look down at me. “And some become international jewel thieves. And I’m not knocking the boring office job. But it’s just not for us. We are these three people.” I turn Alec a little so I can point to the tattoo on his back. “We are these lines. This,” I say, “is the shape of our love.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE - DANNY

The shape of our love.

I’m looking at Alec when these words echo in my head. He’s looking back at me like… like he needs something. He’s always had that look. I’ve always felt that need. “Back in the gym that first day we met,” I say.

“Yeah?”

“You said you were there for me.”

“I was.”

“Why?” I say. “What the fuck did you ever need from me?”

His eyes narrow a little. “Let’s start with what I didn’t need, yeah?”

“Whatever.”

“I didn’t need your help,” he says. “Not the way you thought. I certainly didn’t need anyone’s help stealing diamonds. Hell, I didn’t need to steal diamonds at all. That’s not why I wanted you around. And I definitely didn’t need a fourteen-year-old girl hanging about. No offense,” he says, eyes meeting Christine’s briefly before returning to me.

“Then what the fuck was all that about? Just the thrill? The danger? What?”

“A bit of that, I guess. But why can’t it just be about you, man? Why do you find that so hard to believe?”

“So you wanted to fuck me?”

“Everyone wants to fuck you, Danny.”

Christine laughs.

“You’re bleeding hot, bru. You’ve got everything going for you.”

“Shit,” I say.

“You do. More than I ever had. Not money. Obviously. I’m talking about… this… self-possession. Even before I knew you, I saw it. You walked around with a goddamn invisible sign on your chest that said, Take it or leave it. I wanted that.”

“So you wanted me?”

He shrugs. “What can I tell you? It’s not fokken rocket science. It’s just… attraction. Which is more of an earth science.” He winks.

And in the moment I take to process this, his hand slides up to my neck. His fingers wrap around and grip. Just enough to make me lean forward into his space.

I know what’s coming. And it’s not our first, so my heart shouldn’t be beating so fast.

But it is.

Because when his mouth finds mine I do something different.

I don’t give in, I don’t give up, I don’t resist, and I don’t complain.

I just… kiss him back.

The way he wants me to. The way I’d kiss Christine if it was her, not him.

Open mouth. Pliant lips. Probing tongue.

Long, deep breaths in those fractional seconds when we change position. Inhaling, and exhaling. Christine’s body between us. Her arms around us, hands wandering, fingertips encouraging.