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But it wasn’t supposed to be.
Garrick dragged his hand over his face. He’d never been jealous before. He’d been possessive, like a kid not wanting to share his toys, but never jealous. It was a new feeling.
“No. It’s not an issue.” He shook his head.
“Doesn’t look like it.” Bastian pushed.
“It’s not,” Garrick said firmly. “It’s never been before and shouldn’t be now.”
“But it is because Ariella’s different from the girls before.” Bastian stepped closer and came toe to toe with Garrick. “You think I don’t get that?”
Garrick rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s not a problem.”
Bastian narrowed his eyes. “She’s got a hold on you, which is fine because she’s got a hold on me too. If having her alone is going to cause trouble, we need to work that out. I won’t have her become the rope in some sort of tug of war.”
“I won’t either.” Garrick tensed. “It’s up to her, Bastian. We don’t make these decisions without her. She wanted you, obviously. It’s fine. I’m sure there will be a time when it’s just the two of us.” Then Bastian could have a turn wishing he’d been home watching that beautiful girl find her release instead of wherever the fuck he’d been.
“Yeah. You’re right. It’s up to her.” Bastian nodded.
“If you two are done talking about our sex life, can we please go? I’m starving.” Ariella’s voice cut through the tension in the room.
Garrick cocked a brow. “You were eavesdropping?” He accused.
“I was standing right here. It’s not my fault if you didn’t notice me.” She crossed her arms over her chest.
“Obviously, Bastian didn’t take care of your attitude while I was gone.” Garrick headed toward the doorway. “We’ll remedy that.” He took the dress from her hand and put it in the garment bag.
“I don’t have an attitude,” she argued when he handed her her coat.
“Well, now you’re talking back,” Garrick fought the grin tugging at his lips. He was teasing her. And it felt amazing, this sweet banter.
She rolled her eyes while buttoning up her coat.
Bastian laughed. “I warned you about the eye roll.”
She looked up at Garrick with wide eyes. The little siren had no idea the power she had over them.
“Let’s go.” Garrick opened the door and gestured for her to get walking. He planted a hard smack to her ass as soon as she passed him. With her coat on, she probably didn’t even feel it, but she shot him a glare over her shoulder anyway.
“Keep it up, Princess.” He linked his hand through hers on the right side, and Bastian held her hand on the left. “Just keep it up.”
CHAPTER23
Ariella
* * *
Rubbingthe back of her neck, Ariella made her way down the stairs to the first floor. It wasn’t only her neck that felt tight and sore, but her entire body. Who would have thought being sandwiched between two mammoth men would lead to such stiffness in the morning?
“You all right, dear?” Mrs. Antoinette asked as Ariella wandered into the kitchen, rolling her head from one side to the other, trying to untie the stubborn knot she’d woken up with.
“I’m fine. Just stiff.” She plopped onto a stool at the kitchen island. “I wish I’d brought my yoga mat with me; I need to stretch out my back.” She hadn’t thought to bring it. When she’d packed for the quick move, she’d only taken most of her clothing and a few trinkets that reminded her of her mother.
“Oh, you don’t need that.” Mrs. Antoinette pulled a loaf of fresh banana bread from the oven and slid it on the stove. “Mr. Titon has an exercise room on the other side of the house. Everything you can find at a gym, you can find in there.”
“Even a yoga mat?” The imagery of Garrick going into a downward dog pose pushed a grin onto her lips.
“I know there are mats. Maybe not exactly what you’re looking for, but better than moving around on these hardwood floors.” Mrs. Antoinette tugged off the oven mitts and placed them back in a drawer. “If you go down that little hallway behind the main stairs, it takes you to the west wing of the house. Mr. Titon’s office is that way, and his exercise room. The media room is on the other side of the wall of it.”
