Page 44 of Dichotomy

“No worries, we’ll take care of it,” Marcus said, guiding me to the couch in front of the gas fireplace.

He switched on the fireplace and moved to the thermostat, fiddling with it for a few seconds before grabbing a soft throw from the basket in the corner and offering it to me.

I shrugged off my jacket, throwing it over the back of the couch, then accepted the blanket and snuggled under it. Marcus took a seat next to me, and I shifted closer to take advantage of his warmth. Or at least that’s what I told myself. Glasses clinked behind me as Adrian approached the couch. He offered me a glass of wine and handed an open beer to Marcus. He settled on the couch next to me, leaning against the arm as he settled in.

“How was axe throwing?” Adrian asked.

“It was a lot of fun.” I beamed. I had always wanted to try it and never had the time, so it was a perfect first date. “Thank you for taking me.” I looked over at Marcus, giving him a soft smile.

“It was,” Marcus agreed, smiling back. “They had more than axes, though. They also had knives and throwing stars.”

Adrian’s eyebrows rose. “Really? That’s cool. We’ll have to go as a group sometime.”

I grinned. “That would be nice.”

It would be fun to go on a group date. Once we could openly admit we were in a relationship, that is. I pushed thoughts of acertain handsome FIA agent out of my head and focused on the handsome men in the room with me.

I took my shoes off and tucked my feet under the blanket, trying to find a comfortable position.

“Here,” Adrian offered, patting his lap.

He wanted me to put my feet in his lap? I slowly moved my feet as he set his beer on the coffee table. His warm hands wrapped around my ankles, guiding them onto his lap. Marcus leaned forward to set his beer down as well and shifted next to me.

I squeaked as he lifted me slightly, adjusting us until he was leaning against the arm of the couch with my back to his chest so I could stretch out comfortably with my feet on Adrian’s lap.

“This okay?” Marcus’s murmured voice sent a shiver down my spine and straight into my core.

I couldn’t draw a complete breath, and the words stuck in my throat, so I just nodded. Slowly, I leaned backwards, resting my head on Marcus’s chest. Adrian asked Marcus about the Kenton contract as he rubbed my feet. My wineglass hung loosely in my fingers as I settled into the couch, letting them both hold me. I didn’t think I had ever had a foot rub before, but I already wanted another. His fingers stroked gently but firmly enough that I wasn’t ticklish. The sensation made me want to fall asleep on Marcus’s chest but also jump them both. My body couldn’t decide which option I wanted more.

Adrian’s fingers worked against a particularly sore spot at the bottom of my arch, and a low moan slipped out of my lips. Adrian’s gaze ensnared me, and Marcus stiffened under me. His arm, which had been wrapped loosely around my waist, tightened across my lower stomach, and I fought not to wriggle. Marcus rescued my wineglass, which had been dangerously close to tipping, as Adrian’s fingers rubbed over that spot again.

“Has Marcus kissed you yet?” Adrian rumbled. The low tenor of his voice sent heat rolling through me. “After your date?”

“No,” I breathed out, glancing up at Marcus. My breath caught in my throat. His warm green eyes looked like they were set aflame.

“Kiss her,” Adrian ordered.

Marcus lowered his head but paused. “Is this okay?” he asked, and my heart melted. He wanted me, but he was waiting for my permission.

I reached up and pulled his head down until our lips were a breath apart. “Yes,” I breathed out.

That was all the permission Marcus needed to crush his lips to mine, and my mind spun in a million different directions; however, each and every one of them landed on the man whose lips covered mine. Mr. Strategy himself, always focused, always fierce, and always so impressive. Even in this moment, I could feel his concentration as if it were an extension of my own. I shifted in place so I was facing him, barely separating for even a second but needing him closer to my heart.

I straddled him and pulled away, looking up at him and then over at Adrian as I panted like a fool and tried to catch up with the time I lost in the mindless spiral of Marcus.

“Wondering why it took so long?” he said with a small laugh.

“Wondering when he will do that again.”

The smile on Marcus’s face was all I needed. I wrapped my arms around his neck.

“Touch her, Marcus. Make her come.”

He leaned forward and kissed the side of my neck before whispering sweetly, “Tell me to stop if you need to, Eveyln; otherwise I will have no choice but to do what he tells me.”

“To enact his desires?”

“No, to enact mine.”