Page 37 of The Triangle

“Sorry, bru. But she doesn’t belong to you.” He pauses, his eyes focused on Danny. And without dropping that challenging stare he says, “Tell him, Christine. Tell him why we’re here.”

Shit. Why are we here? Did I miss something? Are there still gaps in my memory?

“She’s here because you’re selfish,” Danny answers for me. “She’s here because once again, you got her wrapped up in some illegal bullshit.”

“Why don’t you ask her what she wants for once? Eh? I mean, I get it.” He takes another step closer. I’m in the middle now. Alec in front and Danny behind me. I can feel the heat of both men and they are on fire. “You had her first. Your claim is older. But you let her get away, Danny. You let her walk out and face the cold, hard world alone. And I never did. That should count for something.” He places his hand back on my cheek. Lets his gaze fall to me—“Right, luv?”—then rise back up to Danny.

Danny holds me tighter, the zippers of his leather jacket cold and biting against my back where my t-shirt has ridden up. God. Yes. “It counts,” I say, betraying Danny in the same moment I pledge allegiance to Alec.

And then I turn to face Danny.

He wants to be angry. He wants to glare at Alec. Probably kick his ass. But that turn changes everything. Because he forgets about Alec and only sees me.

I slowly rise up on my tiptoes. My hands slip underneath his jacket and slide along the cut muscles of his waist. He closes his eyes for half a moment, sighing inside as we fall into each other. My lips gently caressing as my tongue probes against his hard mouth.

He gives in.

Maybe it’s because he has to choose. This is a defining moment and he’s up against a hard decision. That might be why he kisses me back. That might be why his fingers thread into my hair. That might be why he presses his hips against mine. Why he lets himself get hard.

But I don’t think so. And I don’t care, either.

His surrender is the only thing that matters.

Alec must feel the same way. And he’s never one to miss an opportunity to get what he wants, I suddenly remember with stark clarity. His hips press against my back, pinning me between them. His hand brushes my hair aside, his mouth tenderly kissing my neck. Chills run up my spine and shoot out of my mouth and into Danny’s.

Danny kisses me harder. His hands gripping my hair tight. Our open mouths and twisting tongues the only thing that matters.

Until… until Alec’s hands slip inside my too-big t-shirt, slide up to find my breasts, and squeeze.

And this. This is all I’ve ever wanted from them.

To be their middle.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN - DANNY

What am I doing?

I want to push them both away—especially Alec. But her kiss. It’s our first real kiss. The first one I give in to. The first one where I know I won’t back away. There’s just no way I can stop myself.

I’ve always wanted her. She has always thought my rejection was personal. That I didn’t want her like this. That I didn’t dream of taking her whole body.

But I did. Not when she was a kid. Not then. But as she got older, as our relationship with Alec matured into a well-organized trio of pirates, we became more than just friends, but something less than lovers.

That’s why it fell apart. Lovers was always the next step. Or betrayal.

Those were the only options left.

And as much as I hate to admit it—Alec was right.

She has always wanted both of us.

It was me who forced the second option when the whole thing fell apart.

I thought I could stop the inevitable by pushing her away. Keeping it professional. Keeping my distance.

But it was never enough. Her level of determination to get what she wants has always been a lesson in fortitude. She was a master at remaking her shitty reality and turning it into something new. Something pretty. Something… blue.

The headstrong ten-year-old became the daring teenager, became what she is today.