Chapter 78 Three Is the Perfect Number
POV Scarlett:
My eyes sweep over each of them, and I feel the thrum of provocation vibrating inside me. Today I’m going to put Damian in his place and, as a bonus, show this partner that these men are taken. Damian narrows his eyes at me, and with an angelic smile on my lips, I sit down with Noah’s help at the far end of the table, directly across from Damian, ready to face him. I pretend my presence was expected and that, since I’m the owners’ girlfriend, I can give my opinion on any subject they’re debating. That includes the hotel bullshit.
“So, what were you talking about again?” I ask, drumming my fingers on the table.
“Is she on the board? I didn’t know she had shares, Damian,” Madison says, bringing the tip of her pen to her lips.
My eyes go automatically to the scowling man in front of me. I lean forward a little, setting my breasts on the wooden surface like a banquet offered to him. His eyes drop instantly to my neckline, and because I was in a hurry, I didn’t have time to put on a bra. His hand tightens around the pen, and a smile blooms at the corner of my mouth.
“Answer me, Damian. Am I on the board? Do I have shares?” I challenge.
No one says anything. Everyone’s eyes keep flicking back and forth between Damian and me. It’s clear to everyone that a battle is happening between the two of us, and his brothers know exactly where this clash between us will lead. Damian wets his lips with his tongue, kicking off our crazy, exciting game. In the same instant, my nipples harden. I cross my legs, already knowing his low blows.
“Scarlett is taking on our daughter’s stake in the company. Since Aria is still a child, no one is better than her mother to look after her future,” he replies, not once looking away from me. “Am I wrong, Miss Monroe?”
Am I sweating?
“No, you’re absolutely right, Mr. B.” I wet my lips, slowly dragging my tongue over them. “You always make the best decisions.” I lean even farther over the table. “Thanks to you, I found out that three is my perfect number. I don’t know where I got the idea it would be four. Thank you for that.”
“Well, getting back to the subject we were discussing—”
“No need to get back to it. When I came in, I heard a bit of the conversation,” I cut Madison off. “And you’re right… Oh, sorry, can I call you ‘you’?” I ask, playing dumb.
“But of course.”
“Then, continuing what I was saying, I agree with the meeting at the hotel.” I say, making Ethan, Liam, and Noah shift in their seats. “A dinner would be very pleasant.”
“That’s what I think too.” She smiles and turns to Damian. “Will you be my escort?”
Damian searches for my gaze, making everyone look at me again. This time—just this once—I let my eyes say everything I’m feeling. If Damian accepts being her escort, I’ll let him move on with his life. I love him, but how many more times do I have to pause my happiness and wait for him to realize we’re perfect when we’re all together?
“I…”
“Oh, Damian, you’re going to let me go alone? Your brothers are going with their girlfriend…”
“Scarlett.” I interrupt, anger bubbling inside me.
“My name is Scarlett. Please don’t reduce me to just their girlfriend.”
“Sorry, I didn’t—”
“The intention?” I challenge, sick of this bullshit. “Of course you did. And contrary to what you think, it doesn’t make me any less than what I am. I love being their girlfriend.”
“Scarlett…”
“Don’t start with ‘Scarlett,’ Damian. I’m going to be very clear now.” I stand up, bracing my hands on the table to support my weight. “I’m done with your bullshit. Decide what you want already. If you love me, if you want me in your life, you’d better do something, or you’ll lose me forever. I’m not going to sit around waiting for the water to hit your ass before you wake up. The fucking accident wasn’t your fault, but every choice you make to keep me away from you is. I can’t keep loving a man who’s trapped in guilt that doesn’t exist. It isn’t fair to me, it isn’t fair to your brothers, and it sure as hell isn’t fair to our daughter. If that’s what you want, I’ll leave your life, Damian. I’ll live somewhere else with your brothers. We’re building a family, not playing house.”
“Scarlett.” Ethan steps to my side the moment I wobble, trying to grab my crutches to leave. “Are you okay?”
“I’m tired, and in a bit of pain,” I confess. “I had to try, Ethan. Even though he’s an asshole, I love your brother,” I whisper, only for him to hear.
“Is the meeting over?” Liam asks, serious. I’ve never seen him like this before.
“Yes,” Damian answers, but I don’t have the courage to look at him anymore.
“Perfect. We’re leaving to take our woman home.” My eyes brim with tears. After everything I said, Damian didn’t move. He didn’t say anything, and it’s hurting me more than I imagined.
Liam stops in front of me and gently touches my chin, lifting my head. His eyes look disappointed. Without saying a word, he presses his mouth to mine. His kiss is chaste, but it’s enough to remind me how much I love him—how much I love Noah and Ethan—and that I can’t keep avoiding giving myself to them completely, while waiting for someone who was never mine.
“I love you, Liam,” I whisper. I didn’t plan to confess like this, especially with an audience, but I’m done depriving myself of being happy.
“I love you, Scarlett,” he replies, kissing me without restraint. My mouth pulls away from his and I turn to my side, where Ethan is still holding me by the waist.
“I love you, Ethan.”
“I love you, Scarlett.”
We kiss, and a smile blossoms on my lips. I grip his hair hard, feeling excitement wash through my body. I feel someone position himself behind me, and when I turn, Noah is waiting with a huge smile on his lips.
“I love you, Noah.”
“And I love you, Scarlett.”
I startle when Noah lifts me into his arms, his hands gripping my ass with hunger. A shiver runs through my body as I feel Ethan’s hard cock against my ass.