Third Time's a Charm (Holland Springs #3)(49)

Taking Ivy from him, she gave him the smallest smile he’d ever seen. “I fixed a plate for you. It’s on the second shelf of the fridge.”

He rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. “I’m sorry, love.”

“For not being here when I cooked?” she asked, tilting her head to the side in an attempt at guilelessness, but he wasn’t fooled. “It’s not required in your lease.”

Lowering his chin, he looked at her from under his brows and crossed his arms. “That, too. But actually, I was referring to Friday night—the whole damn weekend—”

“Rose, honey,” Gabriel called out, “the previews are almost over and the movie’s getting ready to start.”

Sasha clenched his jaw tight to keep from telling Gabriel to shut it.

“Coming,” Rose said, her voice perfectly sweet.

Sasha didn’t think he could be more jealous, but as usual he was wrong. “What’s Edwards doing here?”

“Gabriel brought over a movie for us to watch.”

“And what does he have planned for later?”

Fury flashed in her eyes. “He’s a gentlemen.”

“He’s bloody boring.” And everything a woman like Rose needed. Everything she deserved. Everything Sasha would never be.

She pressed a kiss to Ivy’s head before saying, “Grow up, Sasha.” She turned to walk away.

Catching her arm, he prevented her from leaving, but she wouldn’t face him. “Is this a real date?”

“Jealous?”

A part of him demanded he lie, but he was done playing games. “Yes.”

“You had your chance,” she whispered.

So he had. Reluctantly he let go of her, but he sure as hell wasn’t leaving. He lived here.

***

Rose glanced out of the corner of her eyes at Sasha and then at Gabriel. She was sandwiched between the two of them as they watched the DVD Gabriel had brought over. Their broad shoulders and muscular thighs took up most of the couch.

Wriggling didn’t help. It only served to remind her of the one man who made her hot. The one who made her body tense in anticipation as his fingers brushed her arm. As he leaned over and whispered the most ridiculous rumors about the people they were watching.

“Hates Gummy Bears, that one. Can’t abide a man who doesn’t like sweets.” Sasha brushed her hair away from her neck. Her skin began to tingle so sharply that it hurt.

“I don’t like them either,” she said, turning slightly to face him. Maybe that would make him leave her alone. Maybe she should join Ivy upstairs in her crib.

A slow grin tilted his lips at the corner and she became really thankful she was sitting down, because her knees were non-existent. “That’s because you’re already sweet enough.”

“I am not sweet.”

“Is that so?” He leaned closer, his lips grazing her neck. “Mmm—delicious.”

“Did you just lick me?” she hissed, furtively glancing at Gabriel. He rested his chin in his hand as he leaned to one side, thoroughly engrossed in the movie.

“I’ll taste you again, shall I,” Sasha said, his golden head titling to the side. “Just to be sure.” This time his lips didn’t brush against her skin. He actually sucked on her neck and nipped at the spot with his teeth.

Oh God! She clenched her thighs together and tried focusing on the movie, but her vision was too foggy. Everything was blurred and she was having a hot flash. The fire in the fireplace leapt higher and a log snapped. “Behave yourself.”

“Oh, believe me, love, I am.” Sasha eased an arm behind her shoulders.

“You okay, Rose?” Gabriel asked, thankfully paying more attention to the bowl of popcorn in his lap than anything else.

No, she was not okay. She needed to leave. She wanted to run away. Away from her traitorous body so she could focus on the pain Sasha had caused.

“Er, Rose?” Gabriel repeated.

“Aren’t you going to answer him?” Sasha murmured, his sexy voice purring in her ear. He bit down gently on the lobe and she elbowed him, relishing his grunt of pain.

Why was she allowing this? This was so not her. This was something Summer would do. Suddenly, someone—she really didn’t want to know who—grabbed her hand and she shot to her feet. “I have to go to bed.”

Gabriel copied her, his tall and lean form blocking her view of the movie’s ending. Which was fine with her because she couldn’t remember the name of the darn thing—much less the plot or major characters.

“Thanks for having me over. You’re a great cook, Rose,” Gabriel said.

Sasha rolled his eyes, not bothering to stand. He sprawled on the sofa with a lazy grace that made her want to throw a pillow at him. “Ass-kisser,” he mumbled.

Stop it, she mouthed.

Make me, he mouthed in answer and clasped his hands behind his head.

She shook her head at Sasha before grabbing Gabriel by the arm and dragging him out of the room. “Let me walk you out.”

“Don’t be too long, dear. I need you to tuck me in,” Sasha called out as Rose and Gabriel entered the foyer.

She glanced up at Gabriel and fiddled with the door handle. “He’s joking.”

A wry smile played on his lips. “Is he always like that?”