The Truce (London Suits 1)
“Coffee, please, mate,” Ethan said, following me into the kitchen area and leaning against the sink.
“What?” I asked irritably, conscious of his probing gaze. I grabbed a mug out of the cupboard and placed it under the spout of my coffee machine.
“I guess I’m wondering what you’re doing with Olivia,” he said finally, folding his arms. “Last time we spoke, you brushed off the kiss and said you weren’t interested in taking things further. Next thing I know, Avery tells me you came storming into the party last night like a man on a mission and dragged Liv out of there, caveman
-style. Avery’s words, not mine, by the way.”
“Look, we’re just trying it out. Friends with benefits or whatever. Keeping it low-key.” I stumbled over my words, barely able to articulate it in my own head, let alone out loud.
“Is that really a good idea?” Ethan raised a brow at me.
I reached into the fridge and pulled out the bottle of milk, adding a generous splash to Ethan’s mug.
“Here you go.” I passed him the mug of steaming hot coffee. “Look, you know I can’t do relationships. We’ve agreed to try this out and see what happens. No pressure.” I met his gaze sternly.
“I never thought I’d see the day,” he muttered to himself, shaking his head, and I rolled my eyes.
“Yeah, thanks for that, mate.”
“I didn’t mean it like that.” Ethan’s tone was contrite.
He sipped his coffee, brow furrowed in thought.
“Luke, I’m proud of you taking this step. I know you. For most people, being friends with benefits is a cop-out, but for you? This is good news. I’m not going to interfere.”
I raised an eyebrow.
“Okay, I’ll try not to interfere,” he amended, his expression sheepish. “I know you and Alex always say I act like the dad in our trio, but you guys are my best mates and I’m only trying to look out for you.”
“I know,” I assured him. “But you don’t need to feel responsible for us.”
“I do, though.” He shrugged. “I know it’s my issue.”
“You like to be in control. Don’t worry, we’re used to it.” I gave him a wry smile, and he smirked at me.
Olivia and Avery piled into the room, giggling about something or other. My attention went straight to Olivia. She’d changed into the clothes Avery had brought, her body encased in tight jeans and a simple white T-shirt that clung to her curves like a second skin, highlighting her sexy figure. Her damp hair was thrown up into its usual messy bun, strands escaping and framing her face. My dick stirred in my jeans, and I turned away with an effort, busying myself with the coffee machine and scrambling to think of the most unsexy things that came to mind. I grabbed a mug out of the cupboard, one Alex had bought me as a joke.
Against a white background, huge block print proclaimed “It’s okay, unicorns don’t believe in you either.” Underneath the lettering was a garish image of a rainbow-coloured unicorn with a massive smile on its smug, glittering face.
I groaned aloud. Alex’s mind was a scary place sometimes.
Still, it did the trick.
I smirked as I passed the mug of coffee to Avery. She glanced at it and rolled her eyes.
“Alex?”
“You guessed it,” I laughed.
Olivia peered at the image. “Oh, that’s so cute,” she exclaimed, tracing the unicorn horn with a finger and immediately snatching her hand back, pouting. “Ouch, that’s hot.”
“C’mere.” I gently tugged her wrist so she was pressed up against me. Sliding one arm around her, holding her around the waist, I used my free hand to turn on the tap. When the water was nice and cold, I gripped her wrist and held her hand under the running tap.
“Better?”
Olivia turned her head to face me and nodded. “I think you should kiss it better, though, just to be on the safe side.” The corners of her mouth tipped up, and I grinned back at her.
“It’d be my pleasure.” I turned off the tap and lifted her finger to my lips, kissing it gently. She smiled and raised up on her tiptoes, capturing my mouth with hers.