Addicted After All (Addicted #3)(8)

I hesitate between siding with Lo, who I believe is right about not provoking our neighbors, or with my sisters, who need my support. “Daisy should decide,” I realize. I want to do what Daisy feels is best. She’s the one who’s frightened the most.

Daisy wavers uneasily, all eyes pinning to her. Ryke stands behind her, his arms wrapped around her chest so no one can see her nipples. That’s even cuter than the hand holding. I catch my expression in the mirror. Oh my God, my smile is so dopey looking.

“I…don’t want to upset anyone,” she finally says.

“You won’t,” Connor tells her. “Everyone has their own opinions, and we’ll respect yours. Though there is a right answer and a wrong answer here.”

Rose smacks his chest with the back of her hand. He catches it and kisses her palm.

“Can I have some time to think about it?” Daisy asks.

“Yes,” I say before Rose shoots her down. “It’s probably better if you think about it first.”

Surprisingly, Rose nods in agreement, though I bet she’s still plotting revenge scenarios in her mind. I wish I had a voodoo doll or magic where I could enact non-lethal punishment from afar. Like Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Though her spells usually backfired.

I hook my finger through the hem of Lo’s sweatpants, and I lock eyes with Daisy. “Sleepover?”

“What are you talking about?” Ryke asks.

Rose’s fingers are laced with Connor’s. “We were considering spending the night in one of the guest rooms, just us girls.”

Ryke’s features darken like an incoming thunderstorm. He obviously would rather her sleep with him, but maybe he’s afraid she’ll kick us too. And I wonder what he does at night to make her feel safe and whether she’ll even be able to fall asleep with us.

“Speak,” Rose snaps at him.

“If Daisy wants to have a sleepover with you two that’s f*cking fine,” Ryke declares. “I’m not going to tell her what to do. All I want is what she wants.”

The corners of Rose’s lips curve upwards. “You are so much better than Julian.”

Lo lets out a dry laugh. “Over half of the male population is better than Daisy’s ex-boyfriend.”

“Don’t f*cking remind me about him,” Ryke says.

Daisy clears her throat. “I do know what I want to do, about sleeping tonight.” Everyone focuses on her. She inhales strongly and says, “I think I should sleep in my own bed. I really don’t want to roll over onto one of you, and I’m afraid I’ll be so freaked about it…and other things that I won’t fall asleep.”

I nod understandingly, as does Rose.

“Thanks for telling us your feelings,” I say to Daisy with a smile.

She smiles back.

I would’ve liked either one she chose, but this one is a very good option. I’m getting Loren Hale tonight.

My most favorite thing in the world.





{ 4 }

LILY CALLOWAY



The champagne-colored comforter bunches at the bottom of the king-sized bed, and neither of us wastes energy to tug them up. A thin layer of sweat coats my body, and despite the faint exhaustion swirling around me, I crave a repeat.

My fluctuating hormones have not helped my cause. At all.

Lo tilts his head on the dark red pillow beside me, lying on his back as his chest rises and falls in a heavy rhythm. Of all the places we’ve lived together, this room is the most spacious and suits our personalities the best. A black chandelier with candles (instead of glitzy diamonds) hangs above our bed. Two black armoires sit beside a comfy suede couch and dark purple chairs, red throw pillows and a champagne rug in addition. It actually feels like home.

I squirm, clamping my thighs together, while I watch Lo’s breathing, and I ache to touch his abs.

He licks his lips and says, “Not good enough, I take it.”

“What?” I squeak out, my eyes wide. It was very good. Stellar. Worthy of rocket ships and trips to the moon.

Dimples dot his cheeks as he tries hard not to smile. “You have that look.”

“What look?” I turn to face him fully, my hip on the soft mattress.

“The one that says you want me to f*ck you again,” he tells me, so casually. But it has a way of lighting up my core with newfound eagerness and desire.

“Oh…that look.” I try to clear my face. It barely works. I’m staring too hard at his lips, the soft pink ones that beg to be kissed. “You know just because I may want to do it again, it doesn’t mean that the other time wasn’t good enough.”

“I know,” he breathes. “I’m just teasing you, Lil.” He draws me closer to his waist, and I think, maybe, his hand will descend to the very wet spot between my legs. Instead, his palm slides from my collar to my stomach.

I’m partly grateful that I’m not that big and round yet. Some positions will be harder during sex, and yeah, it’s a selfish thought, one that I have been trying really hard to overcome. Because in about five months, I’ll need to be completely selfless—or at least have a somewhat controlled sex life.

“Have you felt anything yet?” he asks softly, his fingers circling my belly.

I don’t know if he’s trying to distract me from sex or if this is a legitimate question. When he grabs the crumpled sheet by his ankles and pulls it over our waists, hiding his cock from view, I think it’s probably the former. But I answer anyway.