Their Virgin Hostage (Masters of Ménage #5)(75)

"Of course I didn't have any interest in torrid affairs. I didn't know what I was missing. And I am not his wife," she grumbled to herself. 

It turned her stomach that Greg preened for the cameras while pretending to care about her. And what the devil did he mean by "pure?" What century was he living in?

As she stepped into the room, Riley zipped his stare in her direction, his blue eyes raking her from head to toe. "Do you need something, Kinley?"

She turned on the light. "Looks like I'm not the only one who can't sleep. Sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you. I just came to make myself a sandwich and check on Gigi."

Riley stood, his face guarded. He'd taken a shower recently and now wore nothing but his low-slung jeans and a pair of socks, baring every muscle and corrugated ripple of his torso. His hair was still wet. He'd brushed it away from his face. It hung longer than Law's or Dominic's, curling around his ears. Riley was beyond masculine and so beautiful standing in shadow that Kinley had a hard time breathing.

"Uhm, I think they tired themselves out." He nodded toward a comfy-looking dog bed in the corner. Gigi's head was resting on Butch's shoulder and the bigger dog was wrapped around her.

Kinley herself had been a little like that, all cuddled up with Law and Dominic. Every time she'd turned, one of the men would wrap her up in his arms so she felt warm and safe. Until hunger and restlessness had sent her from the cozy bed.

"I guess I should get used to mutts. I can't imagine Gigi coming out of this without a litter." Butch and her Yorkie looked so cute together, she couldn't help but smile.

"Well, I guess you're used to mutts by now after a couple of hours with Law. Dominic's a thoroughbred, but you should know that my brother and I come from nothing." His handsome face was a complete blank, but he spoke the words like a taunt.

"Wow. That is a mighty big chip you have on your shoulder. Who was she?" Because no man got that cynical without a woman being involved.

He shrugged. "I'm just being honest."

Right.

The way Riley sneered at her got her back up. "Your brother is one of the kindest men I've ever met. I won't let you call him that. Besides, there's nothing wrong with mutts. I'm going to love every pup from Gigi's litter."

"Sure you will, sweetheart."

She'd had just about enough of his attitude. "Don't call me that."

His brows rode up sharply. "Why not? Law calls you 'baby' and you don't mind."

In the past she would have just taken his crap. But having sex seemed to have had a positive effect on her self-confidence. Now, she refused to put up with his snide comments, especially because he was the one standing in the way of any sort of tomorrow with Law and Dominic. It couldn't work without Riley.

If she could convince him to tone down the douchebag routine, that would be a start. But if she wanted any shot at keeping her men, she was going to have to fight for it. What had Dominic told her? She couldn't get what she wanted if she never went for it.

"I am Law's baby. And apparently I'm Dominic's pet. I wouldn't have said that 'pet' could be a sexy endearment, but I love when he says it. You don't get to call me sweetheart because you don't mean it."

"Fair enough." He took a long breath and walked to the fridge. "So you really like my brother?"

She was pretty sure she was madly in love with his brother. "I do. I like Dominic, too."

"I knew you would like Dominic." He yanked open the refrigerator and looked in. "I'll make you a sandwich. We have ham and turkey."



       
         
       
        

"Turkey, please. With mustard if you have it. And why would you automatically assume that I'd like Dominic? He was kind of scary at first. But I'll confess that my affection for him has grown since he stopped threatening me." And started kissing her. And giving her crazy-good orgasms. Just the thought of his deep voice had her shivering again.

Riley grabbed the turkey, some mustard, and veggies, then walked back to the island. "I knew you would like Dominic because you come from the same world. He's got money and all."

She was getting a little sick of Riley's attitude. "I don't care about the money."

"Bullshit. You were marrying Jansen for his bank account. You might lie, but your actions don't, sweet … Kinley." He grabbed a loaf of whole wheat bread from the nearby pantry, then slammed the door.

Just like that, the glow from her lovemaking with Dominic and Law vanished and reality crashed back in. "Because I thought my father was sick. I thought he needed treatment. And my charity was going to go under. I couldn't stand the thought of Hope House being shut down after my mother worked so hard to build it up. The homeless community depends on it. I wasn't marrying Greg for shopping sprees and trips around the world. I was doing it to help my family."