Page 143 of After the Burn

“Sure, you would.” Lucas smiled, not letting Beck’s words bother him.

Beck’s gaze moved from Lucas’s face to mine. Then back again, his expression shifting to confusion.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” Lucas laughed. “What’s up with that Homer Simpson face you’re making?”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile in Taryn’s presence like that unless you’re insulting her.” Beck snatched me from Adrian and pulled me into his big body. “And since she doesn’t look like she wants to string you up by the balls, that can’t be it.”

“Well, let me see if I can clear it up for you.” Lucas strolled up, snatched me from Beck, and kissed me with such heat my legs almost gave out when he finally stopped.

Beck stood there with his arms hanging by his side, stunned into silence.

“Looks like you two finally worked out your issues,” Adrian said, a slight smile on his face.

“We did.” Lucas hugged me tight to his side.

Beck muttered something under his breath.

“What did you say?” Lucas asked, tongue-in-cheek.

We’d all heard him.

“I said, just one freaking night and everything gets fixed?” Beck stared at him.

Lucas glanced down at me and kissed my forehead. “Yep.”

I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling.

“Yesterday, you couldn’t stand her.” Beck couldn’t let it go.

Adrian smirked. “He never really hated her.”

Beck glanced at him. “On Monday, he threatened to strangle her twice, and then three times on Tuesday.”

“But it was said with love.” Lucas kissed my neck.

“Was it really?” I grinned.

Lucas smirked. “Not in the least.”

Beck’s mouth fell open. “Is Lucas Rowen cracking jokes and smiling? I must be dreaming.”

“It’s Mr. Rowen to you.” Lucas winked down at me.

“No.” I deadpanned. “Absolutely not.”

“Too soon?” He threw back his head and laughed.

Beck made a disgusted sound. “Mr. Rowen, my ass.”

“Are you jealous?” Adrian asked him, head tilted slightly.

“Of him?” Beck’s eyes narrowed. “Not likely.”

“That’s good, because for this to work, we need to communicate our feelings to each other.” Adrian slapped Beck on the back. “Not bottle everything up.”

“I’d rather let a rotter bite me in the ass.” He shrugged. I’m not even jealous, honestly. It’s just a little freaky to see Lucas smiling like that.” Beck grumbled.

I pulled away from Lucas and walked over to Beck, throwing my arms around him. “I still love you, big guy.”