Page 46 of Jace
I’m gonna kill him.
Vivian grabs my arm. “Jace, would you? He’s right. You’d make a great model.”
There are a dozen directions I could take this conversation. Most leading to Hell Fucking No town. But I can’t say no to Vivian. Ever. And I remember last night. And minutes ago—I don’t want to be her rebound. I want to be her everything.
“Do you want me in wet, white Calvins?”
Fuck, she bites her plump bottom lip. I’m a goner. “Would you really?”
“Only for you.”
“Ahem.” Zar’s voice echoes over the marble. “Splendid idea and right on brand for The Mercier—hot bodies in a luxurious spa. You’ll need more models, though. Maybe you know a couple? Colleagues, perhaps?”
Oh, I’m definitely going to kill him.
Zar is setting us up. He knows how I feel about Vivian. All the queens and kings do. And he knows I have auniquebond with Vale and Nash.
He witnessed Vale’s initiation, and we don’t hide how I’ve spent a few nights at their home since. How I’ve stayed celibate, waiting for Vivian, while exploring outercourse with them.
That’s what Vale calls it, and I don’t argue with a doctor of sex.
Vivian tilts her head at Zar, perplexed. “You mean Vale and Nash?”
“Darlin’.” Zar smirks. “Of course, I mean Delta’s devilish manager and her Daddy Nash. They leave a lasting impression.”
Vivian grins, cutting her eyes at me. I catch it before slicing my glare at Zar.
This is cute but bordering on conniving, and I told her I’d never lie to her. Stopping in front of a steam room, I confess, “Viv, Zar and I know each otherwell.”
Her eyes dart to him, then me. “Like flogging and fuckingwell?”
Zar laughs while I rush out. “No. Like Zar is my brother-in-law well. He’s married to my brother, Nick, but we don’t tell everyone.”
Vivian gasps. “Nick Barinov is yourbrother?”
Sometimes I’m so overwhelmed by my heart for her that I forget to use my head.
Of course, Vivian knows Nick. Since Nick and Zar are in a polycule with Luca and Scarlett, they’ve had private parties, and Vivian’s been their photographer.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you the minute we got here, it’s just?—”
“It’s just that Jace loves his little brother,” Zar interrupts. “He’s so used to protecting Nick—you know Nick hasn’t been out that long. Forgive us, darlin’. I was having a little fun with him, and Jace was being a gentleman as usual.”
“Oh my god.” Vivian touches her chest, drinking me in. “I should’ve seen it, how you and Nick look a lot alike. I mean, you and Grant are practically twins, but… wow.” She marvels. “You’re three very handsome brothers.”
Three?
Try six by blood and seven by bond.
But I’m not pushing my luck right now. She just took that little deception with grace.
Zar strides over, wrapping his arm over her shoulder. “If you need to be mad, whip me, not him. Pain isn’t his kink.”
Vivian slants her eyes. “How wouldyouknow about Jace’s kinks?”
I bark, “And how the fuck did we go from colleagues to kinks?”
Not that I mind, but Vivian wants to go slow while Zar is whipping our attraction like a racehorse at a derby. He’s going to scare her away.
