Chasing Fate (Dark Love 5)

“Probably doing business somewhere,” she brushes me off.

She continues to chat with Charlie and Kate for a few more minutes before she has to leave to do some press interviews.

“Can you believe that,” Kate exclaims with such awe. “She’s so beautiful. Flawless even.”

“I know,” Charlie follows. “I wouldn’t kick her out of bed.”

Lex hides his smirk behind his drink.

Haden’s quick to comment, “I believe you’ve just been invited to a threesome.”

Both Lex and I laugh, annoying the girls.

“You know what, Haden?” Presley says, annoyed. “You’re such a jerk.”

“Perhaps,” he says through a satisfied grin. “A jealous jerk.”

“Oh, sure,” she teases sarcastically. “You guys are all talk. I’d love to have a threesome… blah, blah, blah… but I bet if it came down to it, you’d freak out.”

I don’t involve myself in this conversation. I’ve had threesomes and never freaked out. Quite the opposite, actually. Lex remains tight-lipped, but Haden has to weigh in, of course, because the two of them continuously argue.

“Really? You think I’d freak out?” he challenges Presley.

She nods her head. “Uh-huh.”

“Well, then… bring it on.”

“So, you don’t mind another guy being in bed with us?” she asks with a sarcastic smirk lingering on her face.

Haden doesn’t take the joke lightly, his nostrils flaring like a wild beast. “You’re such a pain in the ass.”

We laugh as they continue to goad each other, and I only break away when Morgan’s by my side. She appears worried but quickly puts on a smile, saying hello to everyone, including Kate. I ask her for a moment in private, taking her outside and around the corner, ready to question the goddamn mood swings giving me whiplash.

There’s no one here except for a few passing by. The urge—unable to withhold—consumes me while I pull her into me and kiss her soft lips. She parts them evenly, allowing my tongue to meet with hers while they battle in a frenzy. My hands move of their own accord, sliding around to her back, which is exposed. Her skin is warm with tiny goosebumps forming the deeper I kiss her.

Out of breath and panting heavily, she whispers, “Noah, I think we need to talk.”

I place my lips on hers again, not wanting to talk but instead taste her.

She pulls back, this time with a slight force. “Noah, please listen to me.”

“I’m listening,” I half say, buried in the crook of her neck. “You’re so beautiful.”

She places her hands firmly on my chest. Her expression remains fixed, then pleads with me to stop.

I don’t know why I listen. Maybe because that’s what you’re supposed to do in a relationship. Or at least that’s what I think you should do. I know I’m not thinking straight. I’ve missed her, yet I’m angry about the way she stormed out earlier this afternoon.

“Can we talk tonight? After the party?”

I run my finger along her cheek, watching her eyes close for a brief moment only to flicker wide open seconds later.

“Noah, please stop touching me and listen to what I’m saying,” she demands, distancing herself from me.

My bruised ego has had enough.

This is fucking bullshit.

“I’m listening, Morgan, because it’s the only thing I can do,” I bellow in frustration. “I can’t fucking see you whenever I want. You won’t let me see your place. You don’t want Scarlett to know about us. For some reason, you can’t get it through your head that Kate is a good friend. What else are you going to request? That I place a fucking paper bag over my head while I’m in the same room as you?”