Page 124 of Shattered Pieces

He swallowed, not seeming to look convinced. “How can you lie in bed with me while knowing I’m thinking of her?”

“She deserves to be remembered, D. Like Slash does. You can always bring her up in conversation or let me know you’re struggling. That doesn’t mean you can’t like me too,” I assured him, sliding off him to curl into his side again and burying my face in his neck, pressing a kiss there. I’d investigate the rest of his tattoos later.

“You can always talk about him too, you know?”

“I know,” I answered, feeling him pull me a little closer if that were possible. “Are you staying tonight?”

He blew out a breath, speaking carefully like he was worried of upsetting me.

“I don’t think so. I need more time before doing things like that. Not because I don’t want to sleep beside you, I really do, but I know the others will be glued to you, and I’m still trying to figure out how to be okay with it. I’m not used to sharing, and they’ll probably want to spend the night having a big orgy. I’m not okay with watching it. We’re not there yet.”

“I understand. At least stay for dinner.”

“I can do that,” he replied, giving me a kiss on the forehead before lifting my leg over his thighs and holding it there.

It was really nice to just snuggle and kiss, but I knew he’d pull away more once the guys got home from school.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

TYLER

“Hold it,” Josie said sharply as I practically ran into the house after school, Jensen and Lukas behind me. “Rory’s probably asleep, so be quiet when you go up there.”

“Diesel’s truck’s out front and so is Mark’s bike, so I doubt she’s sleeping,” Jensen grumbled, not happy about the bike.

“Diesel’s been napping with her too, but Marco’s not here. He lent it to Rory for today,” she replied, giving me a firm look. “Ease her into it. I know you’re excited, but she’s spent two months in a cell on her own. It can take some adjusting when someone’s released.”

I knew she hadn’t been locked in a cell on her own, Lexi was always glued to her, but I didn’t say that.

“I’ll be quiet,” I promised, forcing myself to walk up the stairs and not throw myself into her bedroom like a psychopath. She was curled up with Diesel like Josie had said, both of them looking peaceful as they slept. I almost didn’t want to wake them, but I was going to literally die if I didn’t get to hold her.

I scanned her, pausing when I realized both of her arms were covered in tattoos. The bright red roses with vibrant green leaves were insanely detailed. That couldn’t have been done in prison, they looked professional. And seriously fucking hot.

She stirred, her eyes opening to find me standing beside the bed like a creep.

“Hey,” she said sleepily, and I rounded the bed to shuffle against her back. Diesel might not like sharing her, but he’d have to get over it.

“You been sleeping all afternoon?” I asked, and she chuckled.

“Yeah. I missed a soft bed,” she answered, her eyes flicking to the doorway as Jensen and Lukas appeared. “You guys are here too?”

“You really thought we wouldn’t be? Damn, baby. Nice ink,” Jensen grinned, tucking Lukas under his arm as they inspected it.

“Lexi did it. I’m surprised she had time to do both, but I’m pretty sure she paid off the guard at lights out to keep their mouths shut about the buzzing. They probably thought it was a vibrator,” she joked.

“How the fuck did she hide a whole tattoo kit?” I asked, not understanding how they’d gotten away with it.

“There’s a guard all the inmates call the creep. He’ll do anything for pussy, and Lexi manipulates him all the time. Pretty sure he keeps it in his locker half the time when it’s not stashed in Lexi’s room.”

Diesel woke up and jerked slightly at seeing we’d snuck in without him knowing, and he released Rory like he’d been doing the wrong thing.

“You’re fine, man,” Jensen assured him, even though I knew they were dying to cuddle her too. Diesel wasn’t like us, he didn’t like the whole group thing very much, so I knew it would take some adjusting. Hopefully, with all of us being chill around him, he’d relax more.

That was really hard to do when all I wanted to do was bury my cock in her pussy, but I had a feeling he’d flee the room if I even hinted that I was thinking about it.

“You staying tonight?” I asked Diesel, getting a knowing look in return from him.

“No. Just dinner.”