The King (Gentlemen Rogues 2)

“I didn’t know that. She's stunning, of course."

He frowned at the door she’d just slipped through. “Yes, of course she's stunning. You know, sometimes I wonder, how people get married."

I shifted in his hold.

"Um, I suppose they just do? You find someone you love and off you get."

“Yes, but how do you know? I always feel like you have to sample all the goods."

I tried not to purse my lips at his use of the word goods. "Well, when you find the right person, maybe you feel like you need to stop sampling."

“I hate to think people get married and lose themselves entirely. You can't even recognize them for who they once were," he said.

“I'm sure that happens more often than not." Once again, I tried to escape his hold. The way he was holding me was too close. Too familiar.

"Don't you worry that Lock will be unfaithful?"

I swallowed hard. "That’s not even a question.” I had a strong conviction when I said it. I just knew him. When Lock was in, he was in. He’d made that clear the night we spent together, and that was it.

"Ah, Graciella always worries that I’ll be unfaithful, so she's even agreed that we're open, did you know that?"

My brows lifted slightly. "Well, for some people that works."

"Would it work for you?"

I blinked slowly. "No. I'm far too jealous. And Lock is quite demanding. He almost extinguishes all the oxygen in the room. He's all I can see."

He leaned in close to me. "He's a lucky man."

I swallowed hard. "I’m lucky too. After all, he chose me, didn't he?"

"What that means is that he's smart."

“I suppose that's true."

“Do you think being open is a mistake?"

“I think whatever works for the parties involved is what's important. And good communication." This conversation was making me more and more uncomfortable.

“Do you think you would ever consider being open?"

The moment he asked that question, Lock's growl was audible through the balcony door. "No, she wouldn't. If you don't mind, Massimo, I’d like your hands off my fucking wife." His voice was all gravel, and there was a hint of ice in it that sent a shiver down my spine.

I purposefully turned with a smile. "Oh, sweetheart, there you are. Massimo was just asking me questions about—"

“I know what he's fucking asking about. I can hear. He was putting moves on my wife."

I gave him a tremulous smile. “It's not like that. Tell him, Massimo."

Massimo gave me a sheepish smile. "He wouldn't be entirely incorrect. Graciella and I, we're looking for a third."

I swallowed hard. I knew what he was doing, but I deliberately shifted my stance and stepped out of his hold.

Lock took my hand and tucked me into his side harshly. His hand wrapped around my waist and hip, his fingers imprinting on my flesh. "Mine."

Massimo's brows lifted. "Oh, I didn't know it was like that. Possessive. If you hold on too tight to your toys, sometimes you break them."

"Let me be clear. I will break anyone who touches what’s mine.” He glowered down at me. “Looks like you need to be reminded who you belong with.”