When Rivals Love (Bayshore Rivals 3)

“God, no… this is… I feel better already,” I whisper, just before his lips descend on mine, making any discomfort I felt moments ago vanish into thin air. He kisses me with so much love like I am the earth, and he is the sun. Like I’m his first taste of water after months of drought.

When he pulls away, I whimper and grip on to his shirt, wanting to keep him close.

“That’s not what I mean, baby. I mean, me, my brothers, is all of this too much for you? All this shit with Tiffany, with our parents and yours. No one, including me, has stopped to ask how you’re handling all of this. If you’re okay?” He whispers the last part, his hot breath fanning against my lips as he pushes his forehead against mine.

This close I’m simply breathing him in, soaking him up like a sponge.

“Of course, I’m okay. I’ve wanted this, wanted each of you for so long, and I don’t want to give you guys up. You’re all I have left. You’re the only people who care about me, who don’t try and control me.”

Banks’ tongue dips out of his mouth and on to his full bottom lip, and all over again, my thoughts shift.

“If this ever becomes too much for you, I want you to tell me. Please, Harlow…” The desperation in his voice reaches inside me and sinks its claws into my heart.

“You’ll never have to worry about that because it will never be too much for me. You and your brothers are all I want. All I’ll ever need.”

Banks stares at me for a long moment, his ocean blue gaze piercing my soul, fracturing it. He looks as if he doesn’t believe me, and the thought of that kills me. It makes me want to die a slow and painful death. He has to know that I mean what I’m saying. My heartbeat thunders in my ears, drowning out every other sound around me.

“I love you. You believe me, don’t you? That this isn’t too much? That I want you and your brothers?” Air stills in my lungs while I await his response.

“I do believe you, and I love you too.” His voice is soft, softer than normal, and when he presses a kiss to my forehead, it seems like everything is going to be okay. Taking my hand into his, we walk out of the building, and I feel a little better with every step I take. I don’t know what’s going on with me lately, but I need to figure it out. The dizziness, fatigue, and vomiting. None of it is normal, but after everything we’ve already been through, the last thing I want to do is add more to our already overflowing pot.

A smile pulls at my lips when the high hanging sun meets my skin. The warmth radiates through me, leaving me feeling warm all over. I can’t wait to get home and relax with my guys, curled up on the couch, where no one can judge us or look down on us just for loving each other. When we are at home, it’s just us, and that’s the way I prefer it to be.

As we head to the car, we pass a group of people standing outside the library. Immediately, I recognize Tiffany’s annoying giggle. I try to ignore her, but still can’t help but glance over there. What I see has me stopping dead in my tracks.

Sullivan is standing with Tiffany and her friends. Even worse, he seems to be talking to them, saying something that made her giggle. What the hell?

I turn to Banks and find him staring daggers at his brother. He wraps his arm around me a little tighter than necessary, and I lean into his touch, seeking much-needed comfort. I don’t know why Sullivan would do that, talk to her, befriend her, but I know that I can’t stand here and watch this. I need to get away. I have to.

Luckily, Banks has the same idea. With his arm around me like a security blanket, he walks me to the parking lot, my legs move on their own, and when we get to the car, Banks helps me into the passenger seat.

“What the hell was he doing?” I ask when Banks gets into the driver’s seat.

“I don’t know, but he can ride home with Oliver,” he grunts angrily. “Or he can stay here, for all I care.”

We drive to the house in silence, every time I glance over to Banks, his face is set in stone, and he’s gripping onto the steering wheel so tightly, his knuckles are completely white. I almost wish he wasn’t so angry about it. I wish he would tell me that it was nothing, that Sullivan would never go behind my back. Seeing Banks so upset about this only makes this whole thing worse.