No Regrets, No Surrender(42)

“No, that isn’t what Logan meant to say.” His use of the third person in reference to himself might have been funny, except that his tone was anything but. “You questioned our honor and our integrity.”

“I did not.” Her own temper kindled under the heat sparking in Logan’s. “I said I didn’t know how this could work or how I could choose between you.”

“You don’t have to choose, Jazz. Ease up, Logan.” Zach’s peacemaking barely put a dent in the smoke rising from the impending conflagration.

“That’s easy to say right now. I get it. You both help me and you’ve both been amazing. But how the hell do we make this work long term? I’m still fighting a wheelchair and my brain. You two think we can just set up house until…what? You each meet a woman who only wants you? Then what happens?” Fear sank its teeth into her spine. “I fucked Logan last night, so by those terms, I should fuck Zach tonight. But taking turns only delays the inevitable.”

Had she really thought they would be a threesome? It was hardly legal, definitely not moral, and the ethics involved were so skewed, they gave her a headache.

“You don’t have to choose, woman.” Logan’s hand cracked down on the table and made the glasses jump. “We’ve all but told you that. We’re a package deal. It’s both of us or neither of us.”

Her spine stiffened at the threat in his words. Logan painted a very black and white picture. But they didn’t live in a black and white world.

“Then maybe I should move out of the apartment until we sort this out.” Her voice was eerie calm. Calmer than she was, at least, and betrayed none of the turmoil knotting in her belly. Her appetite vanished in the heat of the battle, and what little food she’d consumed sat in her stomach like a rock.

“Enough.” Zach’s voice cracked like a whip through the tension. Jazz jerked her gaze to him, and his glare seemed to encompass both her and Logan. “This was not supposed to be a fight or an accusation. It’s about resolving the issues between us, putting our cards and on the table, and deciding on a plan to get what we want—what all three of us want.”

Jazz refused to fidget, but the muscle ticking in Zach’s jaw betrayed his tension. Logan’s noisy exhale dragged her attention to him. His tight expression revealed the struggle to hold onto his temper.

“Now, Jazz. Truth or dare?”

She twisted in her seat and met the challenge rising in Zach’s blue eyes. They gleamed with focus, and if she were less a Marine, she might even have squirmed under the harsh attention.

“What?” She regulated her breathing and flexed her hands against the napkin. She wasn’t sure she could eat more at the moment, not with the agitation churning in her gut.

“Truth or dare?” Zach repeated, the corner of his mouth slipping up into a smile. “It’s a game. I’m sure you recall the rules.”

“Dare.” If he wanted to play a game, fine. She’d play.

“I dare you to kiss Logan and make up.” His lashes lowered in challenge.

“All right.” She shoved her chair back and tossed her napkin down. With a hell of a lot more control than she felt, she stood and looked down at Logan. He pushed his own chair back, staring at her. Defiance stiffened her spine and she met his glare. He wanted a kiss, by God, she’d give him a kiss.

Her right foot dragged, hitching her step, and she braced herself with a hand on his shoulder. He clamped a grip down on her hip and a thrill shivered over her nerves as she leaned down and brushed her lips against his. She intended for it to be a soft, quick peck. But his grip shifted and skated up her spine, and she all but fell into his lap. His mouth opened, and his tongue invaded her mouth.

A rush of heat stabbed at her senses, and he took possession of the kiss, demanding her response. He caught the back of her head in a gentle but immovable hold. His tongue stroked hers, twined around it. The kiss tasted of anger—but also of need and desire. He demanded her attention, her acquiescence, and her affection.

Just as quickly as the blaze consumed her, so did the gentle way he held her, steady and solid. She would never fall while he had his arms around her. His temper gave way to teasing and when he sucked on her tongue, pulling it against his teeth, pleasure rippled from her breasts to her sex. When he pulled his head back, his eyes were dark with want.

“Your turn.” The husky timbre skated across her skin like a caress. She glanced over at Zach. He watched them both with a satisfied expression, but his blue eyes were blazing hot.

She tried to clear her throat, but a lump of emotion and desire seemed to be clogging her voice. “Truth or dare?”