Total pages in book: 167
Estimated words: 164557 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 823(@200wpm)___ 658(@250wpm)___ 549(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164557 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 823(@200wpm)___ 658(@250wpm)___ 549(@300wpm)
“Damn,” Beckett murmurs. “That is some dangerous lipstick, sugar puff.”
I opted for a bloodred lip for the night’s festivities, pairing it with a smoky eye, and the appreciation on both their faces is confirmation I achieved the desired result.
Will grins at me. “You’re not gonna make it easy on us tonight, are you?”
“Why would I? I like it when you’re hard.”
That summons a low groan from Beckett. “You’re such a cocktease.”
“You love it.” I laugh before my expression sobers. “How is your friend doing?”
They’d both gone to Vermont last weekend for a funeral—one of their teammates lost his father to cancer last week, which is devastating enough as it is. But for it to happen right before the holidays? Brutal.
“Not great,” Beckett admits. “Shane’s spending the holidays helping his mom sell their house. It’s fucking sad.”
“Sorry, I shouldn’t have brought it up,” I say with a sigh.
“It’s fine,” Will says. “But yeah, probably not the best topic of conversation right before a rave.”
Nodding, I unzip my coat and slip it off my shoulders. “I think I’ll leave this in the car. Don’t want to lose it inside.”
The moment my coat is off, the heat of their stares sizzles into me. The mint-green dress I chose hugs my limited curves, with a plunging neckline that reveals just enough upper boob to make their jaws slack. It’s tight in all the right places, the hem stopping midthigh, showing off my legs.
Beckett eyes me up and down. “Jesus, Charlie. You look fucking unreal.”
Before I can respond, he tugs me toward him, capturing my lips in a deep kiss. His hands slide around my waist, gripping me tight, and static electricity sparks between us, prickling across my flesh. When he finally pulls back, Will is already there, his hand slipping around my neck as he leans in to kiss me too—rougher, hungrier, making me moan into his mouth.
For a moment, I forget where we are. All I feel is the heat of their bodies pressing against mine, the way their hands move like they know every inch of me, claiming me in a way that weakens my knees. Will’s fingers trail down to my hip, and Beckett’s breath is hot against my ear.
“We should probably—” he begins, then clears the lust from his throat. “Stop,” he finishes hoarsely.
“Yeah,” Will agrees. “We need to talk business.”
I blink up at them, still breathless from their kisses. “Did you guys already pay the cover?”
Will nods. “Yeah, that’s all taken care of. Also booked a hotel room nearby, as promised. We got you, babe.”
“And…” Beckett reaches into his pocket. His hand emerges with a tiny clear baggie, which he grasps between his fingers. “We took care of this part too.”
I stare at the teeny ecstasy pill, and suddenly the night feels even more charged.
They actually did it. I’m not even going to ask how they procured the drug. Plausible deniability, obviously. But my heart races at the sight of it. It’s part nerves, part anticipation, but mostly excitement for what’s about to happen.
I glance between them. “I can’t believe you made this happen.”
When I reach for the baggie, Beckett closes his fist around it. “No, baby girl.”
I frown.
“Not until we talk about the rules,” he clarifies, his voice firm.
I raise an eyebrow. “I thought the whole point of tonight was throwing away the rule book.”
Will’s tone is equally uncompromising. “Not yet. Before you take this, we need to get a few things straight.”
He’s trying to be the stern, protective guy—and he’s pulling it off. I love it when Will gets like this. Leaning into his commanding alpha side. I can’t help but smirk a little, knowing how much he cares but also knowing I’m going to push back, just a bit.
“Fine. Let’s discuss.”
Beckett crosses his arms, backing Will up. “Oh, this isn’t a discussion. The rules are nonnegotiable.”
Will’s gaze locks on to mine. “Rule number one: You stay with us the entire time. No wandering off, no going anywhere alone. Got it?”
I nod, trying to ignore the warm flutter in my chest at how seriously they’re taking this. On one hand, I feel like a little kid being told not to run with scissors. On the other hand, this overprotective dominant thing they’re doing is turning me on.
“Got it,” I say.
“Rule number two,” Beckett says. “If you start feeling weird—like, at all—you tell us immediately. Doesn’t matter if you think it’s nothing, you say something.”
I roll my eyes but can’t stop the smile that surfaces.
“Say it,” he insists, leaving no room for teasing.
I bite my lip to suppress a laugh. “If I start feeling weird, I’ll tell you guys immediately. I promise.”
He gives a satisfied nod.
“Rule number three,” Will says. “Hydration. You drink plenty of water, and I mean it. No getting dehydrated on us. Steady sips, no chugging.”