Page 59 of Tempting Fate

Chapter Twenty-Five

Jamie

We’re all quiet for a while after. I pull out and climb off the bed, legs shaking, to take care of the condom. Patch gently moves Em around so he can strip off the duvet, but it turns out Em only has the one duvet cover, so we leave the entire thing on the floor and Patch grabs a blanket out of Em’s wardrobe.

I should leave. Retreat to my room, at least, so I can take care of my already spiralling thoughts. But Em is sharply watching Patch’s and my every movement, and some of the haziness I saw earlier in Patch’s expression is already fading.

So I climb in on Em’s other side and try to ignore the warm little spark in my chest when he wraps an arm around me and pulls me in closer.

The room is dark. It’s still raining outside, and it’s warm in here, under the blanket, the three of us pressed together. I shuffle around and rest my head on Em’s shoulder. Patch puts an arm around him and when his fingers brush against my side, he moves closer until his hand rests over my ribs.

A lump rises in my throat. I bury my face in the side of Em’s neck. He runs his fingers up and down my spine.

“Tell me how you’re feeling,” he says. It’s not a sharp command, but it’s still firm. Patch presses his fingers against me a little harder.

“Good,” he says after a few silent seconds. “Really good.”

I hear them kiss. I still don’t dare look up. Why haven’t they told me to leave yet? I know plenty of couples who like to invite someone else in from time to time—the same person over and over again, even—but that’s not what this is.

They’re mates. I’ve heard enough from Vince and Dax over the last few months to understand what that means.

“Jamie?” Em asks. His voice quavers. Oh. Maybe this isn’t just about checking in with us. He needs this, too.

I lift my head and kiss him. I can’t use words. Not right now. Maybe I’m coming down from all of it, too.

Em blinks owlishly at me when I pull back. He’s still wearing his glasses. He has to take them off before he goes to sleep, right?

Patch sits up on his other side. I can hardly make him out now, the room darker than it was even a few minutes ago. The sun must have gone down.

“Jamie, I—”

“Kiss me.”

He hesitates, but only for a second, before he does as I ask. He moves in slowly, but the kiss is firm, intent. I don’t understand it. Dax, Drew, the other wolves… They all said they hardly see anyone else outside of their mates. That it’s always been that way.

But Patch—He kisses me like he wants me. Like he wants me as much as he wants Em.

Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe that’s just something I want to believe.

“I’m good,” I murmur against his mouth. “I promise. I’m good.”

I can’t see his expression, but I know he’ll be able to see mine. Still, he says nothing. Just kisses me on the cheek and then lies back down next to Em again. I lie down too, and Em lets out a little hum. He has an arm around me still and must have one around Patch because he says, “Wait, I need to take my glasses off before I pass out.”

I snort. Surprised he’s not passed out already after all that. And we really should shower, but we can take turns in the morning. Or later tonight, fuck.

“Here,” I say. I reach out carefully, remove his glasses, and set them aside. “Have a nap. We’ll eat in a bit.”

“Hmm.” He sounds half asleep already, and Patch chuckles. “Okay. I’ll cook something.”

I expect to fall asleep too, but the minutes stretch out and I remain stubbornly awake. Patch’s hand is still on me, and by the way he’s breathing, I don’t think he’s asleep either.

I roll onto my side. “Is he asleep?” I murmur.

Patch is quiet for a moment. “Yes.”

“When are you going to tell him?”

“Jamie.”