Her Wanton Ways [Notorious Nephilim 4] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) by Carolyn Rosewood

Cristian’s voice reverberated through the tiny space.
    “I’m going to order breakfast for me and Joelle. I’ll tell her you came by, and she can find you later so you can explain whatever it is you want to explain.”
    “You can’t keep her all to yourself.” Cristian followed him into the sitting room. “You know the rules.”
    Blade cut his gaze to the hallway again. “Lower your damn voice. We aren’t talking about that, Cristian. At least, I’m not. I’m talking about breakfast.”
    “Right. I saw the way you looked at her all through dinner the first night she was here. Don’t tell me you haven’t got it bad for her, buddy boy.”
    Anger bubbled up inside Blade. Cristian had struck a nerve, and Blade didn’t like it. Joelle had crawled so far under in his skin in a few short days it must show if Cristian could see it. But that was no reason to go on talking about it, and certainly not where Joelle could overhear. They were on dangerous ground.
    “She’s a guest, Cristian. I won’t forget that, and I suggest you do the same.”
    Cristian planted his feet and crossed his arms. “I don’t have any issues with remembering that, but you’re changing the subject.”
    “Cristian, don’t be an ass. I haven’t been hogging Joelle’s time.”
    “Yes, you have.”
    Blade sighed. “It’s not my fault you left her suite the other night then didn’t stay with her yesterday afternoon.”
    “She got upset and stormed out of the billiards room.”
    Blade resisted the urge to smile. “You should have gone after her.”
    Cristian pouted and sunk onto the sofa, crossing his arms. “Well, I’m here now.”
    “And she’s sleeping.”
    “Not anymore I’m not.”
    Blade whirled around at the sound of Joelle’s voice. She stood in the archway, frowning, wearing nothing but one of his shirts. His dick jumped to attention. Even when she looked pissed off, she was irresistible.
    She looked at Cristian. “What did you mean when you told Blade he knows the rules?”
    Blade nearly dropped the coffee cup he was holding. How long had she been listening? Cristian averted his gaze, but Joelle couldn’t have missed the way his skin paled. Was that the first thing she’d heard either of them say? If it wasn’t, they’d have to tell her the truth. This time they’d both fucked up in a big way.
    “I didn’t know how you took your coffee.” Blade walked over to where she stood and handed her the cup. She gave it a cursory glance then turned her gaze on Cristian again.
    “I’m waiting, Cristian.” Her voice was soft, but her tone left no doubt that she wouldn’t be pacified this time by a half-assed explanation.
    “Business talk,” said Cristian. “I got your note, by the way, and I came to tell you that you don’t owe me an apology.”
    She took a sip of the coffee and grimaced. “Do you have any sugar?”
    Blade took the cup. “Coming right up.”
    “Thank you, Cristian, but I still would like to know what you meant by rules. I’m assuming you mean rules about me and the other guests?”
    Blade handed the cup back to her and forced a smile he hoped would look sincere. “That’s right. We don’t want anyone hogging the time of any one guest.”
    “Yeah,” said Cristian. “I guess I got a little jealous that you spent the night with Blade again.”
    Joelle didn’t look entirely convinced, but at least the frown was gone. “You could have stayed with me the other night as well, Cristian.”
    “I know.” He rose and walked over to stand in front of her, his boyish grin firmly in place. Blade leaned against the wall and crossed his arms, resisting the urge to punch that grin off Cristian’s face. Joelle would melt like butter, just like they all did.
    “Joelle, I’m sorry about yesterday afternoon. I shouldn’t have let you walk away while angry. Forgive me?” He lifted her free hand to his lips and kissed the back of it.
    Blade shook his head as a bright smile broke out over Joelle’s