I walk over to her and lean my head against her shoulder. “Deal. But look out in front of you. Where else can you find views like this?”

  “The internet,” she grumbles, making me laugh.

  Ella is at least enjoying herself. Or so it seems as I watch her snap a few photos, then take a video before joining us at the fence. “This is pretty awesome.”

  I nod in agreement. “Even better because we’re all together.”

  Kenzie sighs. “I want to disagree with that, but I really can’t.”

  “Good because we need to take some pictures of the three of us, and I won’t put any of them on the wall if you’re glaring in every one,” I say, only mildly joking.

  Kenzie takes Ella’s phone. “My arms are longer. Let me take it.”

  We take a few good ones, then some goofy ones, and some just of each of us so that they’re not all selfies. By the time we’re done, my stomach is growling and I’m ready to head back, but I don’t say anything because the views really are inspirational.

  I think about Colin and work and my friends and hell, even my book. Colin thanked me via text for the chapters, but he didn’t say whether he’d read them or not. I almost asked him when he’d read them, but I’m okay with being surprised. I wouldn’t have thought that would be the case.

  Ella nudges me. “What are you smiling for?”

  “I was just thinking about the book I’ve been working on,” I answer and embrace the flutters in my stomach instead of dreading them.

  Kenzie leans forward and waggles her brows at me. “Is there dirty sex in it yet?”

  My eyes roll, and I shake my head even though I’m smiling. “No, but there’s romance as I already told you. The main character gets saved by an alpha wolf shifter and learns she’s his fated mate.”

  Kenzie’s eyes glaze over. “Fated what?”

  “Soulmate in paranormal romance terms,” I answer with a chuckle. “I didn’t do sex on the page so all ages could read it.”

  Ella’s mouth pops open and she grabs my forearm. “Does that mean you’re going to publish it?”

  Her shock isn’t one-sided. I can’t even believe I said those words. “I don’t know. I guess I just wanted the option. I sent Colin the first few chapters this morning as a thank you for putting up with the two of you last night.”

  Ella scoffs. “Rude. I was an angel, but also not fair. I want to read them, too. And more than Colin got. He can’t get everything first just because you’re sleeping with him.”

  “Fine. Just don’t tell me what you think. Not even good stuff. I won’t believe you anyway. And just remember, it’s not done.” Okay, maybe now I’m nervous. I should have only agreed to the three chapters like I sent Colin.

  Kenzie laughs. “Easy there, Pipe. Nobody wants to see what you ate for lunch earlier.”

  “Yeah, neither do I,” I groan.

  They both hug me, and Ella says, “It’s going to be okay. There’s no need to be nervous. I already know I’m going to love it and will be demanding the end from you when I get through whatever you send me.”

  “We’ll see. I’ve yet to finish a full book. Just because I’ve been working on this one more, doesn’t mean I’ll be able to write the ending it deserves. I could lose my motivation at any point. Hell, you might not even want to read what I have because of that and that would be okay.”

  That’s a lie. It would be great if Ella just didn’t want to read any part of the book.

  Ella gives me a smile I don’t like. “I think thanks to the new man in your life, you’re going to have all the motivation you need to finish. I’m not worried about a thing.”

  “Or, more specifically, his British dick is the influencer,” Kenzie adds, oh-so tactfully.

  This time, I don’t even bother to refute their statements.

  “Maybe it is.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  DESSERT BEFORE DINNER

  Colin

  After my meeting with Steve, I tried not to let my day be ruined, but without Piper here to give me a reason to smile, staying positive was hard. It wasn’t until she sent me a picture of her in front of the Hollywood sign, plus a selfie of all three of them, that my day was brightened.

  I wanted to tell her about what I’d done, but I didn’t want to ruin the fun she’s having with Ella and Kenzie. Before leaving work, I regretfully sent the chapters to Steve after having read them several times myself.

  I asked him for a week, but he hasn’t responded yet. My hope is that the longer he takes to respond, the more time I’ll have, but I force those thoughts from my mind and ready myself for a night with Piper and her friends.

  As soon as I know they are on their way back, I volunteer to bring pizza over. After stopping by the store to pick up drinks as well, I grab the food and pull up to Piper’s only a couple minutes before they do.

  “I fucking hate you both,” Kenzie says before slamming the passenger door and turning her back on the car. “You’re lucky this isn’t my house, or I’d lock you bitches out.”

  Piper gets out from behind the wheel, and Ella exits the back seat on Piper’s side. Both of them are covering their mouths, trying and obviously failing to stifle their laughter.

  “Oh, come on, Kenz. You know I didn’t mean to,” Piper says, then waves at me as I approach with pizzas in one hand and a bag of drinks in the other.

  “Food,” Ella practically growls before taking the two extra-large boxes from my hand.

  Kenzie’s head whips around. “Food? What kind of food?”

  “Pizza. Plus, I brought wine and beer,” I answer, adjusting my hold on the heavy bag.

  Kenzie points at me. “You, I like. These other two? Don’t trust them further than you can throw them.”

  Kenzie follows Ella to the front door, and I tilt my head at Piper. “Do I want to know what happened?”

  “Kenzie’s shoe was untied, and I might have stepped on the laces, which might have caused her to go tumbling down the trail while also ripping her pants, showing everyone around us that she was in fact not wearing underwear,” Piper says, and her smile grows bigger the longer she talks.

  I lean forward and give her a quick kiss. “Sounds like I missed one hell of a hike.”

  Kenzie pounds on the still-closed door. “You better unlock this stupid thing before I kick it in.”

  Piper sighs and pulls keys from her purse. “I’m coming.”

  Kenzie grunts. “You better not be.”

  Even I can’t stop the snort of laughter that escapes me, which causes Piper to cover her face. “Do you want me to leave the drinks and head home?” I ask her.

  Ella pokes me in the chest. “Don’t think you’re getting out of here so easily, mister. If you’re dating our girl, you’re dating all three of us. We’re going to have some quality family time tonight.”

  I swallow hard at that. With how feisty they seem, I’m not sure this is going to be good for me, but I do my best not to show my fear, afraid that will only fuel the interrogations I assume are coming.

  Piper opens the door, and Kenzie storms ahead. Her left arse cheek is on full display, and there’s a massive bruise forming there that looks bloody painful. I avert my eyes and understand why she’s angry.

  While Kenzie goes up to change, the rest of us head for the kitchen. I grab paper plates then glasses for everyone.

  Ella raises a brow. “You seem to know your way around this kitchen pretty well, Colin.”

  I glance at Piper, and she just shrugs. Apparently, I’m on my own here.

  “I suppose so.” I pull out the two cases of beer and the wine bottles. “What’s your beverage choice?”

  She points to the wine. “White, please.”

  I get to pouring two glasses and hand one to each Ella and Piper at the same time.

  “So, Colin. Were there no publishing companies that would hire you across the pond?” she asks after finishing a bite of pizza.

  I choke a little on the beer I just opened. “No, I quite enjoyed my work there. I’d actually turned Alliteration down on a few occasions over the last several years. My mum was sick for a while, and I couldn’t leave her alone after my brother moved to Scotland.”

  Ella downs half her glass in one go, then asks, “But you could now?”

  Piper shoves Ella’s arm. “She passed away. Maybe ease up a bit.”

  I offer Piper a small smile. “It’s okay. She’s only looking out for her friend.”

  “Best friend. Hell, my family, if we want to get specific,” Ella says, then adds, “but I am sorry about your mother.”

  I nod and get my own pizza. “Thank you.”

  Kenzie’s stomping can be heard coming downstairs, and I brace myself for more crazy, but she doesn’t say much as she walks into the kitchen, hair bundled high up on her head, and grabs a plate. “Thanks for the food, Colin.”

  “Um, you’re welcome. There’s beer and wine as well,” I say, pointing to the bottles as if she can’t see them right next to her.

  “Red, please.” Kenzie hops up onto the counter and winces as she gets settled.

  I meet Piper’s gaze, but she merely shrugs. I may not know her friends well, but even I’m confused with Kenzie’s mood.

  Still, I pour the drink and hand it over.

  “Thank you again.” She takes a sip, then adds, “Will you tell your girlfriend and her friend that I’m not talking to them anymore after seeing the purple monster growing on my ass?”

  “Sure. I can pass that along,” I say before turning to Piper, who is rolling her eyes.

  “Oh, come on, Kenz. It’s not like I intentionally set out to hurt you. It was an accident, one that happened to be incredibly entertaining. You getting hurt is just an unfortunate part of it.”

  Kenzie picks a pepperoni from her pizza and throws it.

  The greasy topping lands in the middle of Piper’s forehead with an audible slap, and Piper squeals. “Holy hell, that’s hot.”

  When she removes the pepperoni from her skin, there’s a red circle on her skin and Kenzie chuckles. “Serves you right.”

  “I have to pee. Don’t do anything funny while I’m gone,” Ella says and moves to walk away, then turns back and grabs her plate and drink before pointing at all three of us. “I don’t trust any of you.”

  When she disappears, I say, “I can see how Ella doesn’t trust the two of you, but how did I get thrown in that mix?”

  Kenzie grins, then nods at Piper. “You put your dick in that one.”

  Piper chokes on the wine she’s drinking and sputters, dribbling liquid down the front of her shirt. “Damn it. I’m going to change and put this in the laundry.”

  Before I can object, I’m left alone with Kenzie. I glance back at the hallway, wondering if Ella is almost done, then feel a heel in my spine.

  “So, Colin. What are your intentions with our Piper?” she asks hauntingly.

  I cough a little and step back so she can’t kick me again. “Intentions?”

  Kenzie nods and sighs. “Yes. As in, what are your plans with this work issue we’ve heard about? Because if you don’t have a plan and Piper gets hurt, I will come for you, and you won’t ever be able to get me out of your nightmares.”

  I’d love to tell her that I have a great plan, but since that just recently got screwed up, I flounder for words. “Whatever happens, I won’t let Piper get hurt.”

  She pats my shoulder as if I’m a child. “That’s cute you seem to believe you have any control over that, but seriously… What’s your plan?”

  “Colin, can you come up here,” Piper yells from the stairs. “I got a weird email from work.”

  I gladly take another step away from Kenzie. “Be right there.”

  She reaches for me, but misses, then I nearly run Ella over in my haste to keep Kenzie from trying to keep me in the kitchen again.

  Kenzie’s echoing laugh follows me upstairs. “You can run, but you can’t hide, Colin Adamson!”

  My shoulders shudder. I’m sure as hell going to try.

  When I get to Piper’s room, she’s standing at the edge of her bed, frowning at her phone. She turns it toward me. “Do you know what this means?”

  My stomach churns, hoping Steve hasn’t said anything to her. When I skim over the email, I see it’s to our whole department about changes coming that will impact the company as a whole.

  “Oh, this is just about the integration of the smaller publishing houses. It seems they’re wanting people to know there may be job opportunities in other states once everything is done,” I answer as the knot in my chest loosens ever so slightly.

  Piper nods and walks toward her closet, removing her shirt as she goes. Then with her back still to me, she takes off the sports bra. “Ugh, now that I took that off, I can smell myself. I’m going to take a shower.”

  My eyes watch her carefully, and I know I shouldn’t, but damn, I want her. Right now. Regardless of anyone being downstairs.

  She reaches for a new shirt, then bends over to get something out of her dresser, but my eyes don’t leave her arse in those skin-tight leggings.

  When she turns around, I’m nearly within touching distance.

  “Colin,” she warns.

  “Yes, little bird.”

  She glances at the still open door. “Kenzie and Ella are here. Did you forget?”

  “Nope.” I kick my foot out, and the door clicks closed.

  Her body trembles before me. “They’ll know what we’re doing up here.”

  I chuckle. “Your friends were already talking about my dick. I don’t think it can get much worse.”

  She tilts her head and, before I can capture her mouth, she says, “It really can.”

  “I’m up for the challenge.” My lips press against hers, then I back up just an inch. “Unless you’re not, then I’ll head back down.”

  Piper’s mouth twitches, and she grabs my shirt before dragging me to the bathroom. “Not a chance in hell.”

  She turns on the shower, and I strip out of my clothes faster than ever before. I reach into the top drawer and grab a condom while Piper gets naked. As soon as we’re both ready, I grab her waist and lift her onto the counter.

  “No shower sex?” she asks with a grin.

  “The water better serves as a means to drown out your screams,” I answer as I spread her legs and run my fingers over her wet slit.

  A rumble builds in my chest, and I don’t waste any time before I push up onto my toes, allowing my dick to settle inside her slick heat.

  “Fuck, you feel so damn good,” I growl into her ear, thrusting harder until her nails are digging into my shoulders.

  She uses her hands to keep herself propped up, and her ass is barely touching the counter now as she rides me harder, no longer sensitive to the size of my cock.

  Her moans increase, and I capture her mouth, hoping to quiet the sound. Her friends might figure out what we’re doing up here, but they don’t need any more ammunition to taunt us with than they’ll already have.

  My tongue sweeps inside her mouth, and her cries echo inside the bathroom, regardless of my effort. “Holy hell, don’t stop,” she begs.

  I don’t intend to, but this isn’t going to last long, either. My fingers tangle with her hair, and I grip the long strands tightly, pulling taut so I can see her face.

  Her eyes are closed, and she’s biting her lip while making delicious mewling noises that have my speed increasing.

  “Look at me, little bird. Watch me while you come undone,” I demand, feeling my balls tighten and knowing I’m not far behind her.

  Piper’s eyes flutter open and lock on to me. One of my hands moves up her side and cups her breast while my fingers pinch her nipple hard.

  She gasps, the sound encouraging my movements to quicken. Her pussy tightens almost painfully around my dick, and I’m pretty sure I’m going to have bruises, or possibly gouges, where her nails are digging into my skin.

  “So close,” she mutters, still keeping her gaze on mine.

  Her hips roll under my hold, and she rubs her clit against me while I’m still rocking back and forth inside her.

  “Oh, God,” she cries and presses her forehead against mine while tremors shatter her body within my hands.

  I thrust harder, giving her all that I have and find my release as she’s still coming down from her own high.

  Her pussy clenches around my dick through the last of her aftershocks, and she lets out a shuddering breath before smiling widely. “We’re never going to hear the end of this.”

  I brush her hair behind her ear. “Only because they’re jealous.”

  “Ha, probably,” she says, wiggling to try to get back onto her feet, but I don’t release her.

  Instead, I wrap my arms around her and hold her tight against me, wanting to say so much in that moment, but knowing I should wait until we’re truly alone.

  When I finally pull back, Piper looks up at me. “Are you okay?”

  I nod and grin. “Better than I have been since the last time we had sex.”

  She gives me a light shove. “Get out of here so I can shower.”

  I grab a washcloth to clean myself up and do as she asks, but before I can leave the bathroom, she calls my name.

  When I turn around, I see a smile on her face that’s never been bigger. “Good luck out there.”

  “I can handle them. Take your time.” As I’m closing the door, I hope like hell I don’t soon regret those words.

  Quickly, I give myself a wipe down and get dressed again. Then, I head downstairs to face the firing squad with a grin on my face.

  Kenzie and Ella have moved from the kitchen to the living room. Their eyes are on me as I walk past them and toward the kitchen. I never did get to have my pizza.

  I grab my beer and a few slices of pepperoni, then go sit on the couch next to Ella.

  They’re still silent. Just as I wonder who’s going to break first, Kenzie opens her mouth.

  “I don’t know how they do things in London, but you’re not supposed to get your dessert before dinner here,” she says with a raised brow.

 

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