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Peter
My heart only stops hammering once we arrive at my penthouse. It’s the closest apartment to the location where Becky was being held, and no one protested when I suggested it.
“I guess I have some explaining to do,” I admit, slamming the door shut with my heel. Sighing, I watch as Darian leads Becky to the couch. I gotta get used to the sight of them together. “Or, rather, I think I owe you an apology. I should’ve been upfront about all this.”
“You should,” Darian says, but there’s a warmth to his voice. He had every right to be angry, since I kept him in the dark about my plans, but he isn’t. Just like me, he only cares that Becky’s safe...and now she is. The rest doesn’t really matter. “You could’ve trusted us on this, Peter. We could’ve helped you.”
“Maybe.” I cross the room and sit beside Becky, my legs brushing against hers. Just that little is enough to make my heart race. “I just wanted to make sure Max would follow through. I didn’t want to tell you about it and then…” I shrug. “Well, I didn’t want Max to bail at the last moment. That would just make me look like a fool. But had I known that he would try to hurt you…”
“Hetried.” Becky smiled, her parted lips the color of a ripe pomegranate. Someone should create the ‘Most Kissable Woman on Earth’ award, and deliver it to her doorstep. Fuck me, her lips look like God’s gift to men. “But you didn’t let it happen.” She lays her hand on top of mine, and then turns and does the same with Darian. “You came through, the two of you. When I needed you the most, you put your differences aside...and you came to me. You saved my life.”
I don’t know what to say to that.
I just look deep into her eyes, my mind drawing a blank.
For the first time since we left Max’s hideout, I realize that Becky isn’t rattled. Any other woman would be sobbing, still reeling from everything that happened...but that’s not Becky. She has hidden pools of raw strength inside her. That just makes me like her even more. I don’t even know how that’s possible, but there you go.
She’s beautiful, she’s charming, and she’sstrong.
“You’re right,” I finally say, the words coming out of my mouth so easily you’d think I had rehearsed them. “We did what needed to be done, and we stopped acting like complete assholes.” I suck in a deep breath and turn to Darian, locking my eyes on his. “And I owe you an apology, man. Not just for the last couple of weeks, but for the last couple of years as well...hell, I should even apologize for what happened back in college. That shit with Vanessa...”
I hold my breath, not sure of what he’s going to say.
Then, Darian smiles.
He fucking smiles.
“Apologies accepted,” he says, that warmth returning to his voice. “But I think I should apologize too. You weren’t the only one to blame, after all. I guess you could say I’ve been acting like an asshole too.”
“At times,” I admit, grinning. “But it doesn’t matter now.”
“It doesn’t, because…” He draws a deep breath, and then shakes his head, as if he can’t quite grasp what’s going through his head. “I can’t believe I’m going to say this, Peter, but I’ve never stopped thinking of you. We’ve spent years apart, but you’ve never left my mind.Never.”
Deep down, I already knew that, but to hear it...it still feels like I’ve been hit with a sledgehammer. How do I even begin to process this?
“Does that mean what I think it means?” I ask, even though I’m pretty sure I already know the answer for that. After all, I feel the same thing he does. Darian has never left my mind either.
“Yes,” he says. “I want you, Peter. I always have.”
“Not as much as I want you.”
“Alright, boys.” Becky laughs, the sound of it so vibrant and lively. She claps her hands together and looks from Darian to me. “Have you forgotten that I’m here in the room with you?”
Darian and I exchange a quick glance, and our smiles turn into a grin.
A grin that’s as wide as it is wicked.
“Oh, we haven’t forgotten.” I turn my hand around and squeeze hers. Darian does the same. “We’re only having this conversation because you’re here. You made this possible, Becky. You brought us together.”
“He’s right,” Darian says. “And I think he’ll agree with me on what I’m about to say.” He looks at me, as if giving me an opening, and I immediately know what he’s waiting for. I mean, shit...it couldn’t be any more fucking obvious.
“We love you,” we blurt out at the same time.
“I’ve never had anyone tell me that in a chorus,” Becky whispers, her devilish grin turning into a heart-melting smile. She throws her arms over our shoulders and pulls us together. “I love you both, more than anything.”
She brushes her lips against mine, and then does the same with Darian. Then and there, I feel our energy rushing through one body to the other, almost as if she’s the conduit that keeps us united.
“We’re lucky to have you,” I whisper, softly kissing her neck.
