It shocked her when it hit. Like freefalling. Her heart faltered. All the air left her body on a cry, dragged out from somewhere deep inside. Somewhere she hadn’t even realized existed.

Dan’s fingers dug into her waist, pushing her down onto his c**k as he pressed up and came with a gasp.

They both lay still, slicked with sweat and silent, for a long time.

Her bones felt hollow, the whole world light and floaty. The noise had emptied her out. She pressed her forehead into his shoulder, letting the aftershocks have their way with her. Daniel’s ribs moved in and out between her knees, bringing her back to reality.

“Did I hurt your ribs?” she murmured.

Sweat slipped from his forehead, and he gave a small smile. “Forget my ribs. I can’t feel anything outside of good. My girl, I think you needed that.”

She could only nod her agreement. What she needed was him, but she wasn’t sure she could admit to it yet.

“I know I did,” he said. “And you were loud.”

She tensed. “I was?”

“Oh, yeah,” he laughed. She considered giving the strong column of his neck a nip but settled for a kiss instead. Partly to hide her face as it heated.

Dan trailed his fingers over the line of her spine, exerting pressure to hold her in place when she tried to rise. He brushed his lips against her ear, lulling her into a false sense of security as he mumbled, “Spectacularly loud. You’re a security risk. Finn had to have heard you.”

“I’ll have to be more careful. Finn’s listening to music.”

“Bullshit. He’s listening to you.”

“No. He’s not.” She frowned, carefully rolled off him and settled in against his side as he dealt with the condom. “You’re just trying to mess with me.”

Daniel smirked.

No way. Impossible. “Aren’t you?”

“Whatever you say.” He wriggled an arm beneath her neck and drew her in closer against the heat of his body. Summer nights be damned. “No teasing. That’s what I agreed to,” he said.

“Hmm.” A world of doubt filled the sound. He turned his head toward her, stared her down. “Dan. I don’t want him. I want you.

You know that, right?”

“He’s a pretty boy. Smart. Lethal as hel . And most importantly, in my humble opinion, very keen on keeping you safe.” His hand stroked over her, trailing down to the curve of her hip and back up again. “Important things, especial y these days. Well … pretty is overrated.”

Guilt bit her ample ass. Had she been flirting? Not with intent, most definitely, but still. His voice had not been accusing. It would be closer to say amused. Talk about confusing.

Ali wriggled out from her safe place against him, rose up on an elbow to better gauge the expression on his face. “Where is this coming from? Are you tired of me or something?”

“What? No. Of course not, babe.”

“Alright, so you don’t want to pass me on.” She paused, listening for movement behind the parked car. No sign of life. “That’s nice, and yet … God, Daniel. Do you think I’d cheat on you?”

“No. Ali, look at me,” he insisted, waiting her out till she did. No accusation, no judgment. So why was unease slicking over her skin?

This was dangerous territory, but his face was calm and close. “I trust you. I’m yours, babe. No matter what, okay?”

“Okay.”

“You don’t need to worry about that.” His hand cupped an ass cheek, thumb stroking the curve of her hip. Not lighting her up, but placating. “I’m just saying that the world has changed. The rules have changed. It might pay to have an open mind where this situation with the three of us is involved.”

“What are you trying to push me into now?”

He cocked his head. “My love, I would never try to push you into anything. You wound me. Relax.”

“Right.” Ali nestled back down next to him. Hiding. Maybe. A little. She was just pulling it al together in her head, what to say and how to say it, when he pre-empted her again.

“He’s attracted to you. I don’t think you see how much.”

“I get that things have changed, but …”

“But?”

She said nothing – for al of a minute. “But I'm probably the first female he's seen in a while and his alternatives aren’t great, Dan.

Sex-wise it's down to you, me or his fists. His being attracted to me doesn’t necessarily mean a whole lot.”

“Hmm.”

What the hell did he mean? Hold up. What if it wasn’t about her? “Are you attracted to him?”

“I’m very attracted to you. I’m not letting you go.” He brushed his lips over hers, reassuring, teasing. “But what, hypothetical y speaking, would you think if I was attracted to him?”

The picture hit her full frontal. Finn and Daniel na**d and sweaty, hands and mouths all over each other. Her heart raced. Her mind was a far filthier place than she ever suspected. “Ah, really?”

“No, hypothetical, remember. I love your inner kink. You always have this vaguely stunned expression when it rears its head and bites you on the ass. A dead giveaway,” Daniel chuckled, then groaned when the movement jarred his ribs. “Damn. But the fact is, you wouldn’t mind if I did want him.”

“I might get jealous. I don’t know. I’ve never been in that situation. Am I in that situation?”