Page 38 of The Triple Play

“Truth.” She’s smiling now, bright and warm.

“Have you ever had a crush on two people at the same time?”

Griff stills. Subtle, but I see it. Olivia’s gaze flicks between us. Not subtle at all.

“Yeah,” she admits, voice softer.

Silence stretches, thick, in the best way. I could push it further right now. God, I want to. But I don’t. Not yet.

“Griff,” I say, turning to him. “Truth or dare?”

“Dare.”

Perfect. I lean back on my palms, pretending to think about what to say, dragging it out just enough to make Olivia shift a little on the couch, open curiosity in her expression.

Then I look at her. “Actually, Pixie, you’re gonna take this one.”

Her eyes widen slightly. “That’s not how the game works.”

“I’m improvising. Griff did it when it was your turn, so turnabout’s fair play.” I deepen my voice just a fraction. “I dare you to kiss Griff.”

The air goes tight, like a string pulled too far.

Olivia blinks, her gaze snapping to me, then to Griff, then back. “You’re serious?”

I nod. She searches my face, like she’s trying to figure out if this is a joke, or a test of some kind. But it’s definitely no joke. Still, I want her to know she has an out if she wants it. My heart is pounding loudly in my ears. This moment in time feels crucial somehow.

Leaning forward, I keep my expression open. “Hey,” I say, quieter now. “It’s just a game. No pressure. We’re just having a good time.”

Her lips part slightly and her tongue darts out to moisten them. She’s not saying no. Not backing down. So I play my final card. Tilting my head, I curve my lips upward and meet her gaze.

“And just so it’s perfectly clear.” I glance at Griff, then back at her. “Don’t worry about it being awkward for one of us. We’re…open to the idea of sharing.”

That lands exactly as I hoped it would. I see it in the way her breath catches. The way Griff’s shoulders go a fraction tighter, like he’s holding himself in check.

She looks between us again, longer this time. Slower. Like she’s actually letting herself consider it.

The fire crackles. The rain continues to fall outside. The whole world shrinks down to this room, this moment, the three of us caught in it.

Then she moves.

17

OLIVIA

Am I doing this? Am I about to kiss Griffin while Denver watches?

I don’t even realize my eyes are closed until I meet a pair of warm lips with mine. Then a large, rough hand cradles the back of my head and I lean into the kiss.

Oh.

Griffin’s kiss is exactly as I imagined it would be. Confident, strong, yet somehow soft and gentle. My body melts into his touch and my hands find their way to his chest, where I feel his heartbeat thrumming beneath my palms. As his lips continue to press against mine, my mouth opens and I feel his tongue slide against my own. A sound escapes me. A whimper? I’ve never whimpered before…

I tilt my head to the side and Griffin’s lips trail down my neck. When he nips my skin lightly, my eyes fly open as I gasp. And my gaze lands right on Denver.

He’s staring at us so intently, with such fire in his deep brown eyes. When I shiver, I don’t know if it’s from Griffin’s lips on my skin or Denver’s heated gaze.

“Does that feel good, Pixie?”