“About us coming to fists because of some unforeseen jealousy or complication?”
She bit her lip again and seemed almost reluctant to answer. “Yes, I guess so. I don’t mean to offend either of you. You’re mature adults. I’ve just seen plenty of territorial, possessive, jealous men in the last ten years. And they all seem to want to settle things with their fists. I don’t want to see anyone get hurt. Especially since you live and work together.”
“I always imagined that if I was involved in a ménage like Angel, Joaquin, and Teresa’s that I’d need to know the man for a good long time. The amount of time I’ve known Chris is a nanosecond compared to a lifetime getting to know a guy. But I know Chris well and I trust him and respect him. Don’t tell him I said that because he’d get a big head about it, but he’s a stand-up guy. You can trust him, Gwen. He fronts with all that bullshit and bluster and kidding but he’s one hundred percent solid. Besides that, this was my idea. I brought it up to him.”
“Really? He didn’t ask to become a part of…”
“A part of our ménage?” At her blushing nod, he continued. “No. I could see how he felt about you. He couldn’t help it. He was ready to get his ass kicked or at the very least to avoid us completely for the duration of your stay. I could see the possibilities and just needed to see the two of you together for myself to confirm it. If he hadn’t been so shy and quiet toward you last evening, that gal last night never would’ve been an issue.”
“I was jealous.”
Julián grinned. “I know.”
“Grace and Teresa had to practically hit me over the head with the idea that this might be what the two of you wanted because I just couldn’t see it. When I finally opened up to the possibility, it was just as that girl settled into Chris’s lap.”
Julián wanted to grit his teeth just thinking about that. The girl had seemed incapable of taking no for an answer, making herself comfortable in Chris’s lap as the big guy had done his best to disengage her without hurting her feelings. Then Gwen had started dancing and the rest of the room had receded for both of them.
If the gal hadn’t gotten pissed off and flounced away, Chris probably would’ve dropped her from his lap when he got up and marched across the room as Gwen finished her dance. Trying to stop him would’ve been like attempting to stop a locomotive, and by that point Julián was frankly satisfied that he’d finally declared himself.
“No more worrying that this is a one-night stand, okay? I don’t know where we’ll end up, Gwen. I really don’t want to dwell on it right now. I just want to enjoy the time we have and see what happens. No matter what…you were worth the wait. More than worth it.”
She smiled up at him and stroked his cheek. “Have you been waiting long?”
“Since the first time I laid eyes on you five years ago.”
She looked off to the right and a soft, secret smile crossed her lips. “Laramie.”
“Yes. The first time I saw you, mounted on Zephyr for the opening ceremonies, waiting to enter the arena. You were so damned beautiful I couldn’t speak. I probably sounded like an idiot when I introduced myself to you.”
Gwen shook her head. “No. I could barely form intelligible words as I looked into your eyes. You could’ve said just about anything and I’d have smiled and nodded.”
“My eyes did it, huh?” he whispered as he leaned down and kissed her nipple, startling a gasp from her as he sucked the tightened peak.
“Y–Yes!”
“And as I recall, your boyfriend picked that moment to show up looking pissed.”
“He wasn’t my boyfriend,” she murmured and her cheeks went red.
“No? He acted like it.”
She looked up at him and shrugged and said nothing more on the subject. “I’ve been waiting for you since then too. There’s just something about your eyes that…pulls me in.”
He spread kisses over her breasts and her upper chest, enjoying the way she squirmed and sighed at his touch. Her skin felt like satin under his palms as he stroked her hip and thigh. He gazed at her face, seeing the vulnerability she tried to hide. “What do you see in my eyes right now?”
“I see all the things you make me want, that I shouldn’t want.”
Stroking her cheekbone, he kissed her and then whispered, “I won’t do anything to make you feel guilty or manipulate you into staying.”
“I didn’t think you would. It’s myself I’m worried about.”
“Don’t. Let’s just take each day as it comes. We don’t want to hurt you or cause you pain.”