Free Tempted by Two Angels [Notorious Nephilim 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) by Carolyn Rosewood

arguing. You don’t have to tell me, but I’m fairly certain you spent that night with Hugh. I’m not upset with you. I have no claim on you, and you’re free to do what you please, but I don’t want to see you hurt.”
    The minute the words were out of his mouth he wished he could take them back. They sounded false and pretentious.
    Her face flushed, and she wiped her palms on her skirt. “Hurt? Do you mean to say you think Hugh would physically harm me?”
    “No, I don’t mean he’d hit you or anything, I meant that he’d…use you for sex. Without caring about you.”
    She frowned, blinked a few times, then held his gaze firmly. “And why did you seduce me, Sterling, if not because you wanted sex?”
    She whispered the question, but he heard the words clearly. He leaned back as if she’d struck him. Could she really be so unaffected that she didn’t care if both men had seduced her for their own pleasure? It was one thing to expect the guests to take that attitude—they came here knowing what to expect. But Caleigh didn’t know that. Had someone told her what they were, what this resort actually was?
    “Caleigh, I told you it wasn’t like that. I don’t use women only for my own pleasure.”
    “But Hugh does?”
    “Yes.”
    “So what should I do about it, Sterling? Should I refuse to sleep with either of you again? I wouldn’t want to violate any unwritten rules, after all.”
    “No, it’s not like that.” He couldn’t fault her for sounding sarcastic right now. He was making a total mess of this.
    She leaned forward, her eyes dark and intense. “Then stop beating around the bush and be straight with me, Sterling.”
    He had to look away from her eyes for a few seconds. His thoughts were all jumbled. What had this mere mortal woman done to him? He’d never admitted a weakness like jealousy to any woman, and he wasn’t about to do so now. But what other explanation could he offer for not speaking to her that she would accept? Would she think him weak and pathetic, or would she understand?
    “The thought of you in his bed made me jealous.” There. He’d said it. It was out. To hell with the consequences. All she could do now was laugh or be sympathetic. Neither reaction would change a thing. This woman was so far under his skin he’d never get her out.
    “Really?” The look on her face nearly made him come in his pants. She was both surprised and delighted. He hadn’t considered how not speaking to her might have affected her, not until he’d seen her crying in the lobby as she headed for the elevators. He was an insensitive asshole. He never should have avoided her. His beef was with Hugh, not this perfect creature sitting in front of him.
    “Really. I was torn apart by it. Caleigh, will you have dinner with me? Not in the staff dining room. I have a more romantic spot in mind.”
    She grinned. “Your bed, perhaps?”
    Oh Lord. He was so close to losing what little self-control he still possessed. “No, not that it’s a terrible idea, but I was thinking more along the lines of a picnic across the lake, where we’d have complete privacy.”
    “Will you speak to me afterward?”
    “Yes, of course I will. I’m sorry, Caleigh. Avoiding you was the wrong thing to do. Please forgive me.”
    She shook her head, as if embarrassed by his words. “I understand now. And a picnic across the lake is a wonderful idea, Sterling. I’d love to.”

Chapter Nine
     
    Hugh knew he was being a complete dick following Sterling and Caleigh to the other side of Deer Lake, but he didn’t care. Two days of not speaking to her had made him surly and hornier than hell. Niko stopping him in the lobby an hour ago had been the icing on the cake. That fuck Niko had the nerve to lecture him on the rules!
    It was no one’s fucking business if he and Sterling were both banging Caleigh. But he’d be damned if he’d spend an evening in his suite, imagining what Sterling was doing with her. Before the