27. A Filthy Challenge

Rhys

I turn away from Briar, huffing out a sharp breath as small flames of envy crackle inside me.

Last night, they hooked up. Last night, she was with him. Last night, he touched her.

Dragging a hand through my hair, I try to get a better handle on this jealousy. I have no right to feel it, and yet I can't help it as I think about Hollis and Briar.

What did they do? Did she wish I were there too? How did it happen? I've been wanting her for months, and he touched her first simply because he was here?

Then I replay my own thoughts.

Get a fucking grip, man.

This is foolish. I'd have scaled walls to get a chance to touch her too. A small laugh gusts past my lips.

Well, Hollis did scale a wall. He climbed up on the balcony to save her cat that very first night.

Perhaps he deserves the first touch. Better yet, maybe it isn't about what we deserve, but what she wants. Right now, that's both of us, and that's what matters. She's game to share. Hoarding her pleasure like a dragon with his gold won't make Briar feel incredible. I take one deep breath then another, letting go of these selfish wishes to plant a flag and instead focus on her.

I imagine last night. Her arching, moaning, panting.

Then, tonight.

Her begging, pleading…for both of us.

The fire burns higher in me, but this time it's stoked by lust.

"Rhys. Are you okay?" Her worried voice breaks my incendiary thoughts.

Fucking hell. She thinks I'm pissed.

Of course she does, you wanker.

I spin around, stalk over to her, and cup her face but with tender hands. "I only walked away so I could get a handle on this." Like that one word encompasses all manner of emotions—envy, lust, this little obsession. "It's hard to catch my breath around you."

Her shoulders relax. "I thought you were angry."

"Yeah, dude, me fucking too," Hollis says, borderline annoyed.

"Sorry, love," I say to her, then to him. "Sorry, mate. Just…jealous at first."

"I'd have been too," Hollis says, not quite back to his usual easygoing self.

Briar tilts her head, intrigued. "Why were you jealous?"

Of course she'd ask. She doesn't know exactly how front and center she's been in my mind. I drag my hand down the side of her neck, a tease of a touch. "Every time I see you, every time we talk, you've been in my head. And I'm dying to know what you like. What you crave. So we can give it to you."

A soft smile tips her lips and we're back in business. "That you're asking that question—that's what I like." She steals a glance at my friend, who's running a hand down her arm seductively, sensually. "I liked the way Hollis listened. I liked how he teased me. I liked how he paid attention." She stops, pauses, then like it costs her something, she says, "And it was fun. But I've never…well, I've never completely gotten there with a man. Only alone, with toys. But not while letting someone else take care of my pleasure completely. I would love you both to help me get over the cliff." Her voice is straightforward as she adds, "And I don't think it'll be easy."

Ah. I get it now. She needs both of us. "You came to the right teammates," I say, ready for the filthy challenge.

"Did I now?"

"You sure did," Hollis says, leaning closer to her, maybe to catch the scent of her hair since that's where he pauses, next to those blonde locks. "We're here for you. Just you, baby."

I meet her eager gaze, and serve up a sliver of my obsession. "You're so fucking gorgeous it's hard to be near you without…devouring you."

Hollis moves behind her, dragging his hands down both her arms now. Goose bumps rise across her skin. She melts into his touch. He brushes a kiss to her hair, but then says to me, "Devour her. I bet she'd like it."

Briar shudders.

That's the answer to a question between Hollis and me from before we came into her room—will she like it if we talk about her?

Just to be sure though…

"You think so?" I ask him so I can test her reaction.

Hollis sweeps her hair off the back of her neck then kisses her there, eliciting a tremble. "Pretty sure, but you won't know till you try it, man." He kisses up her neck to her ear, nips on the lobe. "Want him to kiss you hard, baby? Make you forget the day?"

She swallows and breathes out a needy, "Yes."

Hollis's tone shifts. Firm. A command. "Then say please to my friend."

Briar looks up at me with lips parted, cheeks flushed, and hands bound. Hollis has clasped her wrists behind her back, like he's offering her to me.

Such a good fucking mate.

But she doesn't say please. Her eyes are glossy with desire, but there's a hint of skepticism etched in her irises. "You sure you're not mad we were together last night? I don't want this to be weird."

There's a toughness to her tone. Self-protection, I think. Makes sense, given the ways she's been screwed over recently. I know the feeling too, having been there myself. I run the back of my knuckles down her cheek, feeling terrible for my frustration moments ago. "I'm not at all mad," I assure her. "Not only have we shared before, we fucking love it. Let me show you how much I love it."

Her eyes float closed, and she tips up her chin, whispering, "Please."

I slide a thumb over her bottom lip. She gasps. I coast along her jaw. She moves with me, turning into my touch like she's in a trance.

I travel my hand over her throat. Touching her is such a privilege. "Can you feel how much I want you?"

She nods, soft breath escaping her lips.

I dust my lips along her cheek, inhaling her fresh, summer breeze scent. "Can you tell I only want to make you feel good?"

"Yes."

I can't wait any longer to taste her again. I crush my lips to hers.

I kiss her hard, thoroughly, covering her mouth with mine. Our tongues skate together. Her breath is soft, her lips lush. And her need—her hunger—is a beautiful thing.

I travel a hand down her loose T-shirt, along the wide neckline. I kiss her collarbone, roam across her soft flesh, tease at her with my teeth.

She moans and gasps, arching into me. Hollis reads her cues, asking, "You want to touch him now, baby?"

"I do," she murmurs to him, then he lets go of her wrists. The second they're free her hands fly up my stomach over my torso, grabbing at the neck of my shirt to tug me against her.

My chest molds to hers. She feels spectacular in my arms.

Hollis moves somewhere else. Makes himself scarce perhaps so we can have a moment to kiss like this.

Frenzied. Needy. Tangled up together. It's a wild kind of kiss. I pull on her lower lip. She bites mine. My fingers curl around her head, roping into her hair. I make a ponytail of it in my fist, then pull.

Her breath hitches against my lips, then she kisses back hard. She grabs at the waistband of my jeans, jerks me closer to her, no doubt so she can feel the outline of my cock.

Then she's grinding, seeking.

And I'm wanting…

She wrenches apart, lips shiny, eyes glittering. Wheeling away from me, she crosses the room to Hollis, who's lounging on the bed, feet crossed at the ankles.

The second she reaches him, he's sitting up and she's grabbing his face. Then kissing him.

But slower than she kissed me. More sensually. She takes her time, savoring the kiss in a different way.

She even sounds different, teasing me with softer sighs and murmurs until she breaks that kiss. Then, she says to both of us: "Can I please show you guys what I like?"