Twenty-Eight
KARISSA
They took me from all sides, guiding me back toward the nightclub’s exit. Roderick produced my shoes and I stepped into them. Arm in arm, with me in the middle, the four of us made our way outside.
“My GOD that feels amazing!”
The ocean breeze was near-orgasmic, as we made our way along the sidewalk. A small path led down to the water. We walked it together, cooling down, catching our breath. Moving away from anyone else, until we were leaning against an old wooden railing, looking out over the bay.
“So…” I purred, turning into the wind. I pinned my hair back over both ears and smiled. “Let’s talk.”
The guys were adorably awkward for a moment, glancing at each other to see who’d take the lead. I expected it to be Roderick. This one time however, he took a step back.
“Well we had our own talk,” said Camden. “Just as you asked.”
I arched a mischievous eyebrow. “And?”
“And we all decided the same thing,” said Bryce. “We all loved what we did with you. None of us would’ve changed a thing.”
“I see.”
“Maybe we’d have been more transparent about it with each other,” Camden added quickly. “But that’s water under the bridge now. None of us blame the others for… for…”
“Breaking your vow?”
They nodded in tandem.
“And what exactly was your vow?”
“To collectively leave you alone.”
I turned my face into the wind and laughed. “I guess we can all see how that worked out.”
“Yeah…” Bryce said sheepishly. “It’s just that, well—”
“We hired you on instinct,” Roderick finally interjected, “and we kept you on for your abilities. When it became clear you were exactly what we needed, you became even more attractive to us.” He paused for a beat, his dark, penetrating eyes burning into mine. “And you were pretty damned attractive to begin with.”
“So were you,” I noted. With a smirk, I added: “Still are.”
“Maybe,” shrugged Camden. “We weren’t considering that part, though. We were more focused on trying to not want you.”
“Not want me?”
“Yes.”
I chuckled. “I don’t know whether to be flattered or disappointed in that.”
“Be flattered,” replied Bryce. “And trust us it wasn’t easy. Obviously we didn’t want to scare you off, or mess up a good thing. But you’re beautiful, Karissa. Every single day you stomped around our worksite looking amazing and breaking our hearts, all because we couldn’t have you.”
“But you could,” I mused. “And you did.”
“Yeah, well… we went about it the wrong way,” said Camden. “We were weak. We gave in to temptation. For that we’re sorry.”
“No apologies necess—”
“But what we’re not sorry for,” interjected Roderick, “is how we feel about you. All of us.”
A ships horn rang out, somewhere out on the distant horizon. For a few long seconds, no one spoke.