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Making quick work of packing our things, we’re all about to get back on our horses when Gage approaches me asking if he could ride back with me.
I forgot he lost his damn horse.
Fuck!
Nodding, he saddles up and then helps me get on, forcing me to wrap my arms around him to keep from falling off. All seems like it will be fine until he lets out a satisfied groan.
Aww hell.
I can feel Jace and Lennon’s eyes on me the entire ride back as Gage took the lead. On purpose, I’m sure. To get a rise out of one or both of them. Not that he makes the trip last longer than necessary. In fact, it feels like time flies by, and then I’m dismounting and grabbing my things.
“Thanks for the ride,” Gage says as he places his hand on my shoulder, standing closer than I want him.
Pulling it away quickly and turning to face him, I’m prepared to tell him to fuck off when he slides his arm around my waist and pulls my body against his. Caught off guard, I open my mouth in surprise and he takes advantage, capturing my mouth in the least graceful kiss I’ve ever had.
Wet, slopping. Too much tongue, not enough pressure. Not to mention, his kiss was unwelcome.
Still, when he pulls away a few seconds after he pounced, he’s smiling and thanking me, then walks away before I have the chance to say anything. And there is a camera in my face, capturing it all for the world to see.
Closing my eyes, I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand and let out a huff of irritation. My headache is back in full force, and all I want is a moment to myself. To breathe. To think. To not have to deal with cameras and people bitching.
But let’s be honest. That’s never going to stop.
Brushing past the cameraman, I storm off to my villa, locking myself away from everyone and everything. After taking two aspirin, I decide to lie down in bed under the ceiling fan. I was still heated with anger from Gage’s kiss, annoyed at how Jace and Lennon were acting possessive over me, and my head was throbbing.
Deep breath in, then out, I remind myself.
Closing my eyes, I focus on the sound of the fan. The dull click that sounds louder and louder the more I concentrate on it. And then his voice.
“Are you okay?”
I’m going to kill someone before the day is over, and it’s going to be caught on camera. I’ll go away for life without the chance of parole and no real defense except I was angry and flew off the handle. I won’t even be able to claim insanity.
“Fine. What are you doing here?” I ask without opening my eyes, even when I feel a dip in the bed beside me.
“I wanted to check on you. You looked ready to murder Gage.”
“You could say my thoughts have been less than kind toward him the last hour or so.”
Lennon laughs. A deep, hearty laugh. I feel it from my head to my toes.
“What do you really want, Lennon?” I’m tired. I’m not in the mood to fight with or for him right now. I want to be alone.
“Honestly, I just wanted to apologize for this afternoon. I know you and Jace—”
“Let me stop you there,” I say, opening my eyes and pushing up on my elbows. Lennon is sitting next to me, his eyes apologetic. “There is nothing going on with me and Jace. Nothing going on with me and anyone here. Not yet. But this is a game. The reason we’re all here is to get to know each other so something might happen. Maybe not tomorrow or next week, but you never know.”
“I know. That’s why I’m sorry.” Lennon stands, moving to leave, but stops in the doorway to the bedroom. “It’s not a game to me, Presley. I hope you realize that, but I won’t stand in your way. I promise.”
The soft click of my front door closing is all I can hear. Not the fan. Not my headache pounding in my ears. Nope. All I hear is that click, and I know I’m in for a world of hurt because that man cares more about me than he does himself and we barely know each other.
He’s going to let me play the game and pray I choose him in the end. All I can hope is that he plays as well or else he won’t be there for me to pick.
