Page 175 of Just Wait

“Do I know this special lady?”

“Shit, sorry, baby doll. I didn’t know what else to say.”

“Well, we officially know telling people you’re taken won’t help,” I say, following my nose to where his scent is strongest. “You smell so damn good. Okay, I don’t want to get off topic. I realize we haven’t talked about it, but we’re not using condoms. I think it’s important we all have a conversation about exclusivity.”

Mal kisses the top of my head. “That’s not a problem for me. The only person I’m interested in is you.”

The limo drops us off by the buses, and I stay tucked close to Malcolm’s side. He’s been crazy affectionate since the incident with the lady in the club, and I can’t tell if he’s overcompensating to reassure me or if he really liked the conversation about being exclusive.

Wren files onto the bus, but Mal and I wait for Riser and Kincaid to make it out of the vehicle.

I’m going to ask to talk to all three of them. It’s a little intimidating, but it’ll be better to make it a group conversation. That way, they can get out anything they need to say.

Tennyson and Parish climb from the vehicle, but they don’t head for the bus.

Mal chuckles. “Ahh, yes. It’s time for the world-famous fistfight in a parking lot. They really must be trying to live up to the Liminal name.”

“I have no idea what that means,” I say as Kincaid and Riser file from the back of the limo.

Riser looks over at Ten and Parish. “It’s better if they get that disagreement out of the way. We should let the bus driver know that it might be a few minutes. Do we still have ice packs in the freezer?” He takes off toward the bus. “If not, I’ll pull them out of the first-aid kit and get them cooling.”

“Or they could just talk it out like normal human beings,” I say, trying not to laugh.

“You’re not dealing with normal people anymore, baby doll,” Malcolm says, laughing. “You’re dealing with rock stars, and we’re a whole different breed.”

Kincaid grins, shrugging.

Well, I guess I’d better get comfortable with the differences because I’m having more fun and enjoying life more than I have…possibly ever.

I plan on sticking around indefinitely.

Having three sexy rock stars staring at me is a lot, but I’m not going to let myself back down.

I stretch against the pillows, wishing I’d had a drink before we left the club.

No.

I shouldn’t be drinking when I’m stressed or sad.

Actually, I probably shouldn’t drink at all.

Alcoholism runs in my dad’s family too heavily for me to do more than drink two or three times a year, and even that is playing a dangerous game with fate.

“Okay, this is awkward,” I say, bringing a hand to my face.

“Aww, baby doll.” Malcolm stretches out across the bed and pats my thigh. “Don’t stress. It’s just us.”

Riser has been sitting on the end of the mattress, but he climbs up the bed, sitting next to me against the pillows. “I didn’t like how it physically felt like it was you versus us. Now it’s a little more even.” He tosses his arm over my shoulder, and I snuggle against his chest.

“Thank you,” I tell him, marveling at how emotionally aware he is. I’ve never had that in a sexual partner, and I love it. “Okay, so, I just wanted to have a quick talk about exclusivity. I kinda feel like it was implied when we went and got tested, but we’re not using condoms, and that makes everything more serious.”

“It does.” Kincaid nods. “And I agree.”

“We’re fluid bonded as a quad for the time being, and I think we should keep it that way,” Riser chimes in. “Anyone can obviously change their mind at any time, but if that comes up, said person should have a clear conversation with the rest of the group to announce their departure.”

I nod, following his line of sight.

I don’t love that he looks at Mal like he’s trying to make a point, but I also understand the three of them know each other way better than I do.