Too Sweet (Hayes Brothers #3)(80)

We step onto the dancefloor, giving me the perfect opportunity to nip the topic in the bud. I doubt Cody would understand if I told him I find Nico’s controlling personality ridiculously appealing. It draws me in because letting him take the lead makes me feel safe.

I’m his. And he’s mine.

I’ve never felt like I belonged anywhere before. Not at home with my absent parents, or my sister, not at school where no one would utter a word in my direction, scared to end up on the wrong side of Jake Grey. The first glimpse of belonging came with the triplets.

And now?

Now I really feel I belong. That being with Nico is where I was supposed to land. That all the years of loneliness finally paid off because they brought me to him.

“My turn,” Colt shouts twenty minutes later, snatching me from Cody’s arms.

There are at least a dozen people in the booth when we go back upstairs after another five songs. The triplets are popular, so whenever we’re out, it’s never just the four of us for long. People flock to them, expecting good times and great friends.

“There, drink that,” Johnny says, placing a lemonade on the table.

“He told you to keep her hydrated, too?” Cody huffs. “Is she allowed to pee unattended, or will you hold the door?”

“Your fight’s with your brother, man. I just work here.” He walks away, taking a stance nearby in case he’s needed.

“Just ignore him,” I tell Cody, running my fingers down his arm. “I don’t mind.”

“You should. I bet you’re not allowed to dance with anyone other than us, Mia. He doesn’t fucking trust you.”

“When have you ever seen me dance with anyone but you?”

“That’s beside the point.”

I slam my glass on the table. “Your annoyance is beside the point. I get you think it’s wrong, but I don’t. That should be enough for you to drop this. I’m not na?ve, Cody. I know this isn’t how most boyfriends act, but I also know Nico’s working hard to tone it down.”

He really is. I see the small adjustments he makes, how he checks in when he thinks he’s going overboard.

“And he does trust me,” I continue. “He’s just worried. Whatever your problem with him is, it’s your problem.” I stand up, pointing at the guy sitting beside Colt. I think his name’s Grayson. “Dance with me.”

He cocks an eyebrow, glancing between the triplets like he’s checking it’s okay.

Oh, look at that. I’m not allowed to dance with anyone else without their permission, either.

Seeing no disapproval, Grayson gets to his feet, adjusting his t-shirt in one tug. “Yeah, sure.”

Johnny moves from his post to stand beside me, but doesn’t intervene.

“See? I’m allowed,” I tell Cody, and before he can say anything else I follow Grayson downstairs.

The one thing I overlooked while proving my point is that I now have to dance with a guy I barely know. We squeeze through the crowd on the dancefloor, finding space by the stage where Six is setting up to play his set. For now, “Jungle” by Fred Again blasts through the speakers, and Grayson starts jumping, carried away by the beat.

He takes my hand, spinning me around, then pulls my back flush to his chest. Not even thirty seconds later, there’s a shift in the air, and different hands slide around my middle, holding me firmly so I can’t spin on my heel to check who’s there.

“Here, kitty, kitty,” Brandon purrs in my ear, his voice raising the hairs on my neck. “How’s my pussy... cat?”

“Not yours.” I tilt my head so he can hear me. “Aren’t you bored of getting shot down? Let me go before I get security.”

“I like this game we play.” He slowly moves side to side, disregarding the upbeat rhythm pumping around us. “Ready to give up?”

Johnny’s watching, one eyebrow raised in silent question. I could wave him over, but I’m sure he’d tell Nico I needed help and I am not involving him. He’s overlooking my age but avoids talking about college to the point that he immediately changes the subject whenever the triplets ask me about finals. While Brandon’s game remains nothing but an inconvenience, I’m not telling Nico.

“It’ll be a cold day in hell before I give up. Save your face. Your plan isn’t working.”

“Not working? So you’re saying you’re not even a little bit scared of what the guys might do?” He spins me around, his warm breath fanning my face. “I find that hard to believe since you kneed Dennis in the balls the other day.”

“He slapped my ass, and only my boyfriend gets to do that. I told you I’m no longer available.”

Brandon trails his fingers down my back, stopping an inch above my ass. “Your boyfriend, huh? How come I’ve never seen you with this guy? He’s imaginary, right?”

“God, no.” I spin around. “He’s very much real.”

Brandon smirks, looking me up and down. “I’ve not fucked you yet, kitten. You can call me God when you’re coming on my dick.” He stares at something over my shoulder. “I’ll bite. Who’s the lucky guy? It sure isn’t Conor unless you don’t mind that he’s currently sticking his tongue down Ann-Marie’s throat. That leaves Cody and Colt. Which one’s getting the money?” He leans closer, both hands on my waist as he sways to the music. “Or is it, Justin?”