Emma
Trent loves me.
I’ve heard stories of women whose boyfriends blurt out all kinds of lies during sex—I love you, baby; I want to marry you; I want to put a baby in you—only to take it back or deny they even said it later.
But that’s not what happened last night. For one thing, he told me he loves me before we even started having sex. And for another, Trent’s the kind of guy who becomes more honest during sex, not less.
And he loves me.
It shocked the hell out of me when he said it, and I’m glad he kissed me before I had to figure out what to say back. Because if he hadn’t kissed me, I might’ve told him I love him too… and that scares the shit out of me.
Not in a bad way.
In a riding-a-roller-coaster-in-the-dark kind of way. The way I’m falling for all three of the Icons is terrifying and exhilarating all at once.
It’s not new, really. I started falling for them when we were all in high school, barely old enough to really understand what those feelings meant. Everything that happened between us slowed my descent for a while, but now? Now I’m free falling. There’s no bottom to this love that I can see, and it’s overwhelming and shocking to realize the depth of my feelings for these men.
My mind is a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, but I struggle to focus—or at least look like I’m focusing—as I sit through a meeting at work. It’s almost lunchtime, and I had planned to spend the hour working on untangling the mess Leslie has made of my Facebook profile.
But as I twirl my pen back and forth between my fingers, a new thought takes root. And I know what I have to do.
The meeting wraps up, and as everyone files out of the room, I step toward Devon.
“I need to take a half-day. I’m sorry. There’s something I really need to do.”
His eyes narrow a little, one eyebrow quirking up. I’m not sure exactly what I’ve done to deserve it, but I know Devon likes me. He respects me. I hope that will give me a little leeway right now.
“Is this about that girl who’s been harassing you?” he asks.
I nod.
His lips press into a thin line, and he dips his chin. “Then stop wasting time talking to me and go get her.”
I can’t hide the grin that spreads across my face. “Yes, sir. Thank you.”
Grabbing my bag, I slip out of the office and onto the street, already looking up directions on my phone. It’ll be a long bike ride, but I don’t want to wait and ask one of the guys for a ride. They’d probably try to talk me out of going or want to come with me, and I can’t let either of those things happen.
I need to do this.
Alone.
Because Trent loves me, and whether I was prepared for it or not, I think I love him back. I love West. I love Reese.
And you fight for what you love.
The day is unseasonably warm, and I break a bit of a sweat as I ride my bike out to Sun Valley Rehab Center. My ass is still a little sore from yesterday, and a blush warms my cheeks at the memory of why. I know it wasn’t a coincidence that Trent fucked me while I had the plug in my ass. He was testing the waters, helping me prepare for what he knows I want.
All three of them inside me at once.
Just like in my dream.
My body temperature rises for an entirely different reason than the exertion of biking, and I work to clear my thoughts as I pull to a stop outside the rehab facility where Leslie is staying. I’m about to venture into the belly of the beast, and I need to stay sharp.
I lock up my bike, then smooth down my hair and straighten my shirt. My heart is beating hard and fast in my chest, but whatever I do, I can’t let Leslie know I’m nervous. She’s a shark, and fear is like blood in the water.
Everything inside Sun Valley Rehab Center is clean and orderly. They’ve gone with a minimalist design, maybe as a way to try to soothe their inpatients or something, and large windows let in the bright sunshine from outside.
“Can I help you?” A woman looks up from behind the front desk. She’s wearing the kind of floral blouse my grandma used to wear, and her curly hair frames her face.