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He tugs it away, lifting an eyebrow as he stands. “What are you doing?”

“I was going to clean up.” The words come out guarded. How many times did Matt start with that question before criticizing me?

“Absolutely not.” Gage’s words are firm. “You cooked, we clean.”

“But I made a mess. Really it’s okay.” I reach for the bowl again, but he holds it above his head, completely out of my reach. The movement makes his shirt ride up slightly, exposing a strip of tanned skin that I definitely shouldn’t be looking at.

“Don’t be ridiculous.” I strain on my tiptoes to grab the damn thing. Spaghetti is always the sloppiest meal to make. I can’t stay with them, destroy their kitchen and let them clean up my mess. That’s too many favors. He holds the dish up even higher. “Gage,” I complain, reaching for it. My chest presses into his solid chest, and he makes a low sound that makes my eyes widen, realizing too late that I’m rubbing all over him.

Suddenly, Hudson’s there, large, callused hands gripping my hips and tugging me back against his chest. The warmth of him seeps through my shirt, and I like that heat far too much. Good grief. When did I get so freaking horny?

“Let us clean up, Lily.” His voice is a low murmur against my ear, sending shivers racing down my spine.

My pulse skips and stutters like a broken record. Heat floods my cheeks and, mortified by my body’s traitorous reaction to both of them, I duck my head. “Okay.”

“Good girl.” The words are practically a caress. Hudson releases me, oblivious to my inner turmoil. I turn away to catch my breath, grabbing my water glass and taking a large gulp, hoping the cool liquid will help with the fire burning under my skin.

What does it say about me that one simple touch like that affects me so deeply? All I know is I’m desperate for more when I shouldn’t be. I cast a glance at them.

The guys work together with an efficiency that speaks of years of practice. Gage rinses while Hudson loads the dishwasher. Cole wipes down the counters. I try my best not to watch them, but my attention is drawn to their movements like a magnet. The way Hudson’s shoulders flex as he bends over the dishwasher. How Gage’s forearms strain as he scrubs the skillet. Cole’s easy grace as he moves around the kitchen.

He catches my gaze when he grabs something off the table, eyes dancing with mirth, as if he knows exactly how unsteady I am and the reason why. I glance out of the window and his dark chuckle floats over to me, soft and low, a secret for the two of us.

When they’re finished, they head toward the living room, and that out-of-place feeling crashes over me again. “I’ll see you guys in the morning.” I force a smile and head toward the stairs.

“Lily, get your ass in here.” Hudson’s demand stops me with one foot on the bottom step.

I turn back to find all three of them watching me with identical expressions of disapproval.

Cole’s eyes narrow. “Don’t make me come over there and toss you over my shoulder.” The threat in his voice makes my heart race. The thought of being manhandled by any of them is far too intriguing, but they can never know how much they affect me.

“Okay, okay.” I head to join them, chewing on my bottom lip. The only open spot is between Gage and Hudson on the large sectional, which means I’ll be sandwiched between two very big, very warm men. My pulse hammers against my throat.

Being around them never felt like this before. . . but now I’m single and—stop!

The couch dips as I settle between them, hyperaware of the heat radiating from both sides. Hudson reaches for something on the coffee table and hands me a gaming controller.

“Oh no.” I shake my head immediately. “I’m not good at video games.”

“It’s okay,” Gage says gently. “We’ll take it easy on you.”

“No, no.” I hand the controller back to Hudson. “Trust me. Matt tried to teach me once. I was so terrible he gave up and never asked again.” The memory stings, yet another reason I’m glad it’s over, and I shove it to the back of my mind.

The guys exchange loaded looks that I can’t quite interpret.

Hudson pushes the controller back into my hands, his fingers brushing mine. “We’ll teach you.”

The simple words carry a weight that has nothing to do with video games, and everything to do with patience and acceptance I’ve never experienced with a man before.

The game they choose is some kind of co-op fighting game that requires teamwork. Despite all the times Matt made me feel stupid for not understanding the controls immediately, I don’t do too badly with their gentle guidance. Gage explains the mechanics without a trace of condescension. Cole cheers when I manage to duck behind a shield to recover. Hudson grins when I accidentally blow up a tree instead of the enemy hiding behind it.

No one is more surprised than me that I’m actually having fun playing a game. Their laughter isn’t at my expense—we’re simply having fun. They’re not cussing me out or screaming at me for slowing them down.

But even as I enjoy myself, that little voice in the back of my head won’t shut up. This is temporary. This warmth, this acceptance, this feeling of belonging. As soon as I sign a rental agreement, I’ll go back to my real life. They’ll go back to theirs.

Why does that thought make me sad?

Chapter Five