Relapse

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Lunch goes over smoothly and no one shames me for my brief lapse of insecurity. If anything, they reassure me it’s okay and that’s another thing that’s entirely different from my previous relationships.

“Noodles?” Nathan asks, his eyes widening and I turn my head to glare at Chase who just told him about my morning grocery shopping.

“Hey, the kids like them and honestly, I’m a fan too. They’re cheap and quick.” I defend myself as Emmet lets out a laugh.

“No, no, no.” Nathan shakes his head. “No wonder Tanner asked me if I could start coming over to cook dinner for you guys.

My mouth drops open, but I really shouldn’t be surprised since he said something similar to Chase. “That little traitor.” I shake my head, tuning my gaze to Emmet. “Did he approach you too about saving him from my cooking?” I asked him.

He lets out a laugh and pokes me on the nose. “He did, but I told him I’m only good at breakfast and he told me that doesn’t help because he eats that at school.”

The guys laugh as I think of the little traitor. I’m totally going to ask him about his colluding when he gets home from school.

“Don’t worry, I’m going to come over Thursday and we’re going to make dinner together and I’m going to show you a couple of tricks,” Nathan says with a smile.

“Fine, but you may want to take inventory of the fridge to see what you need because I’ve only got stuff for sandwiches and anything else basic,” I tell him.

“No worries, I’ll be over bright and early Thursday to see what we need and I’ll grab it all on my way back from work.” He glances down at the watch on his wrist. “Speaking of which, I need to get back to it.” He stands up. “I’ll walk you guys out to the car first.”

Chase leaves a tip for our waitress and we walk out to the parking lot. Nathan holds my hand and I lean into him slightly, taking in the smell of his woodsy cologne.

“I’ll see you guys later,” he says when we get to Chase’s car. He leans down and his lips meet mine in a kiss that’s starting to become familiar in the best ways. “Make sure you let Tanner know that I’m going to save him Thursday from noodles,” he says with a chuckle.

“Fine.” I pull him down for one more quick kiss. After it’s over, he pulls open the car door for me and closes it after I get in.

I settle into the seat as Chase turns on the air and starts to pull out of the driveway. Half way home, his hand settles around the back of my seat and when his fingers brush the back of my neck, I can’t help but to shiver slightly.

A tension starts to build in my body as he continues to do it, the touches getting lighter but still building up something inside of me. When I turn my head to look at him, his eyes are focused on the road, but I don’t miss the uptick of the corner of his lips.

He knows exactly what he’s doing.

When he pulls into their driveway, I’m almost bursting with tension and from the wolfish grin Chase gives me, I know he’s aware of it.

He turns the car off, but doesn’t make a move to get out and I lick my lips.

“Jesus, what happened while I was looking at my phone?” Emmet asks leaning between the seats and when his gaze settles on Chase’s lap, I realize what’s clued him into the tension.

“Fuck,” I mutter before pushing open the door and getting out of the car. The cool air blows across my skin, but it does nothing to cool me down.

Horny from fucking hands trailing across your neck, you ought to be ashamed.

But I’m not.

The tension between the guys and I has been building since the day we met. The two brief moments with Emmet and Chase have only made it worse, because I want more.

But am I going to really try to have sex with Chase in the middle of the day?

My eyes turn to Emmet as he gets out of the car, watching me closely and I don’t miss the slight heat in his own eyes. It’s just like when he caught Chase and I at the aquarium.

Holy fuck, I can’t really turn these two down, can I?

Before I know what I’m doing, my feet are leading me up the path to their house and I wait patiently for one of them to come open the door.

Chase brushes by me, lingering much longer than necessary and he gives me a devilish look over his shoulder before opening the door.

I barely make it over the threshold before lips are on mine and I let out a moan. I’m just barely aware of the sound of the door closing as my eyes drift close.