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Shit.“I forgot to wear a rubber,” I tell Winter, unbuckling the belts from around her ankles.
“I’m on birth control.”
“Still. I’m sorry. I’m clean—we all are.”
“I didn’t doubt it,” she says, curling into a loose ball on the table, her wrists freed. Brecken drapes his jacket across her naked body, looking to me for direction. But when I ask him silently:Do you want her?his eyes flicker away. And thenhemoves away. He reaches for the unfinished champagne bottle and drinks it straight.
Threading her arms through Brecken’s jacket, Winter sits up on the table, her feet resting on the padded chair seat in front of her. “God, I ache.”
“A good ache?” I check.
“The best ache,” she confirms, grinning happily.
We raise our glasses and toast the new year. And when our drinks are finished, I carry Winter to my bed, ready for round two as Luca tells her, “Come find me in the morning.”
Someone’s going to have a busy January first.
CHAPTERFIVE
Winter
Luca tosseshis phone to the duvet. “We need to leave in forty minutes.”
Tired, ready to fall back to sleep and wallow in my post-sex glow, I mumble, “What? Why?”
“We’ve got lunch with the family. You’re invited.”
Raising my head from his shoulder, I ask, “Whatisthe time?”
“Twelve. Lunch is at one.”
Every muscle in my body aches, and I have faint ligature marks on my wrists and ankles. Reuben found that mildly amusing. Luca didn’t, apologizing because it was his idea. So far Brecken doesn’t know, and I’m going to keep it that way. For some reason, I think he’ll react badly.
“Do we have to go?”
“Don’t you want to?”
Of course, I do. “I’m just tired. And hungover. I’m not sure I’ll be great company, even though I’d like to spend more time with The Moms.”
Last night was insightful and a lot of fun. But it started off as nerve-racking, exciting, and daunting. Thankfully, I was warmly welcomed by everyone that mattered, and I enjoyed chatting with The Moms and their partners or husbands. Luca’s step-sister, Bella, through his mom’s marriage to Ethan West was there, too, and of course, his other step-sister, Sienna, who was constantly draped over her boyfriend Trey as if marking her territory.
As if I’d be interested in him.
After dinner, there was dancing, courtesy of an eight-piece jazz band. I danced with all three of my guys, and at the end of the evening, I danced with Balthazar. It’s taking me longer to work him out, and I wish I had Emily or Betsy to guide me through each interaction, helping me understand the man behind the gentle smiles and good manners. Because he’s been nothing but pleasant so far, if not occasionally asking me difficult questions.
Winter, what do you value above everything else?
Family,I answered.
Do the ends justify the means, Winter?
In business, I’d rather win on merit. In love, I’d fight dirty,I replied thinking of Luca’s confession. After all, who wants a love that isn’t hard-won? Contested?
But ultimately, I’d strive to conquer every challenge whatever the means,I added.
So, is all fair in love and war?he asked.
I thought about my answer for all of half a second, knowing a successful man, the father of my lovers would want me fully invested in everything important to him.Yes, winning is everything.
