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“Uh-huh,” I continue. “I’m in my happily ever after era. Completely and hopelessly.”
He sweeps hair off my forehead, drifting a gentle caress along my cheek. “Whoever you deem worthy as Prince Charming is a lucky bastard.”
“Now who’s talking about other men?”
“Consider me a hypocrite.”
Garrett’s smirk is relaxed and oblivious. That signature expression slams a boulder into my stomach with punishing force. He’s just fine with this arrangement, as he should be. Those are the terms we set. I can’t be upset about him sticking to them.
That doesn’t mean I don’t want to scream and cry and rage. It could be him.Shouldbe, based on the warmth his touch fills me with. But I respect his restrictions and refuse to push. He provided me with a temporary glimpse at what it feels like to be worshipped. However superficial he might claim it to be. The phantom sensations will be useful motivation while I search for a replacement that will never measure up.
Until then, I’ll wallow in my bad decisions and poor judgment for a few more minutes.
“The pink palace will always be ours.” I wave an arm at our vibrant surroundings.
Garrett’s exhale is loud in the quiet space. “Back to business as usual once we leave?”
“That’s what we agreed on.”
He squints at me. “Second thoughts?”
“Not at all. The dozen orgasms are much appreciated. Just try not to picture me naked. That would be inappropriate.” I begin to scoot off the mattress, very aware that I’m stripped bare and exposed. “And on that note, we should probably get moving.”
He turns onto his side, propping himself on an elbow. A frown pinches his casual expression. “What just happened?”
“Nothing.” Other than me whacking myself with a dose of harsh reality. An icy blast snuffs the heat I’ve been blissfully basking in. “I’ve been out of commission for two weeks. There’s a lot I need to catch up on. Plus, Doris promised freshly baked bread. We don’t want to miss that.”
Garrett accepts my answer with a nod. “Sure, I guess that makes sense. But we’re good?”
I paste on a smile that’s weaker than my confidence in this sham. “Couldn’t be better, bestie.”
“You’re an idiot, Foster.” Ridge’s glower could make a hardened criminal quake in his orange jumpsuit.
I mirror his irritation, but mine lacks the threat of bodily harm. “Takes one to know.”
“Real mature,” he grunts.
“How do you expect me to respond to yet another unexpected gang bang?”
Drake slings an arm around my neck. “As if you didn’t see us coming.”
I shove him off before he can knock on my skull. “Are we making this a regular thing? Pretty sure I’ve already asked Ridge for lube, but he has yet to deliver.”
The ex-hockey star manages to darken his expression. “Why are you sulking like a bully stole your toy? Call Grace and confess your undying devotion to her. Either that or yank the soggy coaster from your ass. Customers are complaining.”
My nostrils flare at his false claim. Even that small action is forced. “Why don’t you take your own advice and actually talk to Callie?”
Harper gasps at the mention of her friend in relation to the stoic grump. “Oh, you should. She would love that.”
Ridge’s glare softens, most likely picturing his long-standing obsession. The dreamy glint on this brute’s face is comical. “Soon.”
“You two could be super cute together.” The bubbly blonde shakes off the interruption. “But we’re not there yet. Excellent diversion attempt, boss.”
I shrug. “Worth a shot.”
She wags her finger at me. “The topic at hand isyourgrumpy mood. No one else’s.”
“I’m fine.”
