Page 77 of Thin Ice

“I think it’s time we all got to know each other better,” she states.

“That’s not part of the exercise,” I remind her.

“It is now.”

My eyebrows jump up at Quinn’s authoritative tone. I didn’t expect that from her.

Noah stands, and to my surprise, he appears proud of her, like those three words are the best thing she’s ever said. My curiosity over what happened between them last night—beyond just sex—grows.

I stand so I’m on an even playing field with them, matching Quinn’s confidence in my stance. “And what would you like to do instead?”

“I’m done being in the dark when it comes to the two of you. If we’re going to explore the attraction between the three of us, that includes getting to know each other.”

I stare at her, not knowing what to say.

She huffs, blowing a piece of hair from her eyes. “What did you think, Beck? That we were just going to fuck you and that’s that?”

“I didn’t know that fucking was on the table, so no.”

Noah cracks a wily smile, and Quinn groans, muttering what sounds like “Stupid men” under her breath before she says, “Maybe it won’t be, but no matter what happens between the three of us, I want to know you better, Beck.”

She turns to Noah. “And I want to know more about the things I’m learning. I don’t think it’s fair you two have so much history I don’t know about—history that overlaps with ours.”

Noah presses his lips together like maybe he wants to argue but thinks better of it. “You’re right,” he says eventually. “It’s not fair to you.”

Quinn bobs her head stiffly. “I think Noah and I have had enough of the affirmations exercise. Come to our bungalow tonight after dinner; we’ll get to know each other then. I know this type of thing is not exactly what we all agreed to yesterday, but I think it needs to happen. Does that work for you?”

Her shoulders are back, and her chin is held high. Everything about her screams I’m in control right now, and while I’m a dominant man by nature, I have no problem letting her take charge. And by the way Noah is practically mooning over her with hearts in his eyes, I know he’s loving this new version of his wife.

“If you’re sure that’s what you both want.”

Noah steps next to Quinn and takes her hand. “I think it’s a good idea.”

I raise a brow at him. Because while Noah and I have had our moments—and there’s still a lot left unresolved between us—it occurs to me that this might also be the reason Quinn wants a get-to-know-you session, and I can’t fault her for that.

“Alright,” I say.

Quinn’s eyes light up alongside Noah’s.

“Really?” she asks.

“I don’t say things I don’t mean.”

“He doesn’t,” Noah affirms.

I meet his gaze and find his lips turned up in a small smile that says he’s thinking of all the times he’s found that to be true.

“We’ll see you tonight then. At eight?” Quinn asks.

“I’ll be there.”

The couple leaves hand in hand, and I’m left alone once again. I lean back against the closed door, questioning my sanity for the millionth time since Quinn and Noah arrived. I should listen to the parts of me that say everything about this is a bad idea, yet every time I’m around them, I can’t help myself.

Already, I’m itching to see them again, to be in Quinn’s glowing presence that’s growing larger by the day and under Noah’s burning stare.

A knock startles me, but I open it without looking to see who it is. Quinn and Noah stand there, and I raise a confused brow, stomach flipping with unease.

“Change your mind already?”