Page 91 of The Naughty or Nice Deal

“No harm done.” Liam gives me a small smile, but then his gaze flicks up behind me as Gabriel approaches. “What are you two doing back here?”

“I thought I should check if Maeve needs soup or medication, after she got sick earlier this week,” Gabriel says smoothly, his tone casual. “But she insists she’s feeling well enough to rejoin the game.”

“It was silly of me to leave in the first place,” I add quickly. “I’m fine—I shouldn’t have panicked like that. I need to get more comfortable being around people when I’m not feeling well, that’s all.”

“Oh, well, that’s good then.” Liam glances between us with mild interest, then shrugs dismissively. “Hayden and Lydia won the game, by the way, but I’m finished for the night.”

He pushes past us to continue down the hall. Gabriel’s eyes narrow as he watches him go, a muscle ticking in his jaw. “Not a single word of concern for you? No asking how you’re feeling?”

“Leave it,” I say quietly, touching his arm. “I’m used to it from him by now.”

At least I’m not dating Liam anymore. Now he’s just the annoying man I have to tolerate for another week or so until this whole charade is over.

Gabriel doesn’t look satisfied with my answer, still glaring in the direction Liam disappeared. I change the subject before he can say anything else.

“Thank you for covering for us,” I say in a low voice. “I don’t think—I mean, I’m supposed to be Ford’s fiancée. I don’t think his family would really understand this situation.”

I don’t think most people would understand it. Three men sharing one woman? It sounds crazy even to me, and I’m living it.

“I agree completely,” Gabriel says quietly. “Americans are much more uptight about sex and relationships than the French.” He winks at me playfully. “Especially since we can’t let word get back to Silver Start. Ford told you their CEO is very traditional, right?”

“Yes.” I nod emphatically. Even if Ford’s family might eventually accept the fact that I’m sleeping with all three men—which is a big if—the way Ford described George Watterson, I know for certain he wouldn’t approve.

“Let’s go back and rejoin the others then.” Gabriel places his hand briefly at the small of my back, guiding me along the hallway.

I swallow hard and follow his lead. It does make me feel a bit melancholy, all this secrecy and sneaking around. I don’t want to have to worry about hiding my relationships—plural. Before, I was just concerned about pretending to be engaged to someone I’m not, although that’s gotten much easier now that Ford and I are actually sleeping together. Now I’m worried that I have to hide my connections with Hayden and Gabriel too.

And that weighs heavily on my heart.

We make our way back to the living room, where Lydia and Ford are now engaged in an intense chess match, while Hayden, Charles, and Elaine play what looks like a heated card game.

“Ah, Maeve! Gabriel said he was going to get you some medicine—are you feeling better now?” Elaine smiles warmly at me as she deals another round of cards.

“Deal us in for the next hand,” Gabriel says, leading me to sit down at their table.

“I’m okay now, thank you so much for asking,” I tell her sincerely. “I just got a little overheated and panicked.”

I catch Gabriel, Ford, and Hayden all trying to hide smirks as they focus intently on their chess pieces and playing cards.

“I was worried I was getting sick again,” I continue, fighting back my own smile. “But I just took some medicine and I’m feeling much better.”

“I’m so glad to hear that. We really do tend to go full speed ahead like energizer bunnies around here,” Elaine laughs good-naturedly. “If you’re ever needing to lie down or skip an activity, you can always take a break and just rest.”

“Thank you, I really appreciate that.” She has no idea that I might need to take her up on that offer, but for entirely different reasons than she’s imagining.

As much as I might still worry that it would be smarter to back out of this whole arrangement, to say we should keep everything platonic—I know deep down that I won’t really be able to resist. I’m too far down the rabbit hole now, and even though it makes my stomach swoop with nerves, I know I’ll definitely be staying on this ride until the end.

We play several rounds of cards while Lydia and Ford finish their chess game. When they’re done, Lydia announces she’s going upstairs to shower, and Elaine and Charles say they’re heading to bed.

“It’s a big day tomorrow,” Elaine says happily, although her enthusiasm sounds slightly ominous.

The men and Lydia all exchange glances that tell me this feels both entertaining and somewhat threatening. I can’t help but smile at their expressions.

That leaves just the four of us—me alone with all three men. Hayden, Gabriel, and Ford.

“I’m going to get myself a drink,” Hayden announces, standing and stretching before heading toward the kitchen. “Anyone want to join me?”

“Sure, why not.” Ford also gets to his feet with fluid grace.