Conceal (The Barker Triplets 3)

“You don’t have to worry about me, Bets.” He said softly. “I promise not to sleep with you.” He paused and she closed her eyes. “That would only complicate the situation. Don’t you think?”

She nodded, eyes now open. Could he hear the sound of her heart? God, it sounded as if a freight train was running through her body.

“But you can’t deny the chemistry.”

His hand crept up to her chin, but she refused to budge. Not even when his finger trailed a line of fire across her jaw and up to the tattoo beneath her ear.

“It’s that chemistry that will make the movie sizzle. So, no more games. Are you going take the role?”

She was aware that his breaths were falling faster. Harsher.

And dammit, was that a whimper that fell from her lips.

“Yes,” she said. “I’ll do it.”

Her eyes were on his mouth and for one scary moment she thought he was going to kiss her. Scary, because she had no idea what she would do if he did.

But then Beau moved slightly until his mouth was near her ear. His body wasn’t touching hers, save for his fingers splayed across her throat, but it felt as if every inch of him was pressed up against her.

“Good,” he whispered near her ear.

And then he was gone.

What the hell had just happened?

Betty shivered violently as she watched Beau walk away from her. She watched him until he disappeared from view and then she stepped backward until she collapsed onto the bottom step, arms still wrapped around herself, heart still beating like a goddamn drum.

“You should just bang him and get it over with.”

She glanced up and spied Matt leaning against the entrance to the front room, a bottle of Jack in his hands.

“Bite me,” she replied.

Matt strode over and she moved so that he could sit beside her. He stretched his long legs out and crossed them, leaning back as he took another swig from the bottle before letting it fall to the ground, empty.

“This whole thing is fucked, you know that right?”

With a sigh, Betty leaned her head onto Matt’s shoulder. “Yeah.”

“There’s something between you guys. I watched.”

“Perv.”

Matt slipped his arm around her and tears sprang into her eyes as her body melted into his. No longer was she thrumming with hot, fierce desire. But the need that was there was just as strong.

The need to connect. The need to matter.

“Want to spend the night?” she asked.

“Did you think I was going home?” Matt kissed the top of her head. “I’ll be whatever you need, Barker. You know that.”

“I know.”

Betty’s heart twisted because she heard the pain in his voice. She knew how conflicted he was.

“Are you going to be able to make this movie without getting your heart broken?”

Betty shoved Matt. “What the hell are you talking about?”