Wild Side (Rose Hill, #3)

by Elsie Silver

I hold my pinky up with a deep chuckle. “You know these aren’t legally binding, right?” Her finger curls around mine as her eyes point like arrows in my direction. “I know, but only a total asshole breaks a pinky promise.”

I definitely have not been thinking about his head between my legs. Though, if I was, I could argue that’s a great place for it, because at least I wouldn’t have to listen to him talk or look at his grumpy fucking face.

“I don’t know why you’re so obsessed with me being a porn star. If you want to see me fuck someone, the bathroom is right there. Drag me in there right now, and you can watch in the mirror while I bend you over.”

“I hope he has a huge dick. It makes the dumb shit men do a lot more forgivable.”

I lift my pinky finger between us as I stare back at him. “I pinky promise that no matter what happens, I will never take anything that’s yours.” His eyes bounce between mine, a nervous glint to them. “You know these aren’t legally binding, right?” I swallow, transported back to the day he told me that exact thing. “Yeah, but only a total asshole breaks a pinky promise.”

“Hi, cat,” I grumble, before stepping around her and reaching for the back door. She follows me outside, and I don’t stop her. Tabitha turns. “Rhys! Don’t let Cleo out!” “Why?” “She could run away.” “That’s the dream,” I mumble.

“That’s not why I’m hiding.” His fingers wrap around my wrist and pull my hand away from my face. “You’re not hiding. Even if you can’t see me, I can still see you.”

With one hand still holding him, I point up to the sky. “That cloud looks like Cleocatra.” Rhys groans, but I detect humor in the sound. “And if you squint, that one looks like you petting her.” “Weird. Because I would never pet her.” I snort. Liar. “Plus, that strip of cloud is way too long to be my arm. It looks all stretched out.” “You’re right. Maybe that’s Terence petting Cleocatra.” His head snaps to the side, and our gazes collide. “Who?” “Stretch. From bowling.” Violence flashes in Rhys’s eyes, and it makes my stomach flip. That he goes from soft to feral so effortlessly shouldn’t be this exciting for me. But here I am. Lusting. Like the fucking mess I am. “If that guy pets my cat, I’ll tie a knot in his scrawny arm to match the one in his neck.” I grin. “Did you just say your cat?” Now I get an eye roll and a small head shake. “Whatever.”

“Anyway, girls. This is Gwen.” She shoves the blond woman forward and smiles brightly. “She’s new in town, working at the yoga studio I go to. Helps me stay limber for the bedroom. But she’s been sitting up at the bar like I’m her only friend, and she doesn’t realize how old I am, which is just sad. So I’m pawning her off on you.”

“Her name is Tabitha, not that you need to know. Because you? You’re going to keep my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth.”

Does love start off as obsession? Because that’s what I am. Obsessed with my wife.

“Ah, look at you two! You’ve got that newlywed glow. The sacral chakras are flowing.” My head tilts in question, and Rhys groans. I feel like I missed something, but his firm grip keeps pulling me toward the room at the back. “What’s the sacral chakra?” I whisper-shout to his back. “According to Gwen, it’s the energy center responsible for emotional well-being and sexuality. Apparently, mine was blocked.” I snort as I toe off my boots. “Don’t say I never did anything nice for you.”

“Let me guess, you hate me? And that’s why you’re fucking soaked for me.” I’m smiling when I say it, but the sincerity in her voice wipes that smile away. “No, I don’t hate you at all. And that’s why I’m fucking soaked for you.”

“Is someone going to tell me what’s going on?” Rhys is still bewildered. “Cora is a huge WPW fan,” Rosie says carefully. “Okay and?” West asks, also confused. Because… men. His sister glares back at him. “More specifically, a huge Wild Side fan.” “And?” Skylar lets out a little snort before turning to him. “Seriously? You, of all people? My number one fan doesn’t recognize someone who has a crush on someone famous?” West’s mouth turns into a round O shape as realization dawns on him, and Rhys sits up straight, staring back at our friends and looking like he’s in trouble. “But I’m… old?” “You do wear a mask, so it’s hard to tell,” Rosie says with a light laugh. “Honestly, who hasn’t had a crush on an older man in their life, ya know? Totally normal. This too shall pass. I’ll go find my little storm cloud and show her some other good options for crushes, so it doesn’t have to be on our friend’s husband.” “Rosalie.” Ford sighs. But she’s already walking away. “Don’t Rosalie me, bossman. We’re not at work.” She’s to the stairs when he shouts, “Can you at least give her some age-appropriate options?”

Rhys: I have a confession to make. It’s been stressing me out and I could use your input. Tabby: No. I have not been faking the orgasms. Rhys: Funny. Tabby: If you send an ominous text like that then you should 100% expect me to get weird.

“You all right, hon?” the nurse from earlier asks me. I give her a feeble nod and a watery smile. “Needed a second to compose myself, that’s all.” She nods back, looking at me like she just knows. “There is something very vulnerable about being stuck in a hospital bed. Makes people do and say things they usually might not. I see it all the time.” “What about people who aren’t in the hospital bed who desperately want to bludgeon their husband for being stupid and stubborn as hell? Is that something you see very often?” She chuckles. “Actually, it is.” I nod quickly and glance away, feeling mildly embarrassed as I reach up to swipe a tear from my cheek. “Perfect, I’ll have company in prison.” “Well, if you need an alibi, you just let me know.” The woman winks at me, and it reminds me of Rhys.

“Rhys, I know you want me to leave, but that is just too fucking bad. Because I refuse. But I’ll go get a coffee to give you a minute for processing purposes, and then I’m coming back and I’m going to sit in that corner. Feel free to pretend I’m not here if you need to. I don’t care.” She points across the room. “And when you’re done stewing in whatever feelings you’re feeling right now, I will be there. Just like you were there for me. This is who we are now.” Her eyes are so fierce, she pierces me with them. “This is what you do when you love somebody. And I have every intention of loving you just as thoroughly as I know you love me. You just have to let me.” Her voice cracks, and my chest shatters. Tears well in my eyes, and one slips out, rolling toward my hairline. She reaches forward, wiping it away with a gentle finger. “Because even at your worst, I still love you, Rhys. Just try not to be an asshole when I get back, ’kay? Because I am coming back, and this tantrum is annoying.”

I finally break the silence. “Why are you mean-mugging me?” She flattens her lips but doesn’t look up. “Sorry, I’ll try to gaze at you lovingly from where I’ve been exiled.” My tongue presses against my cheek. Okay, I deserved that. She just grunts, then smiles as her eyes zero in on her phone. I try again. “What are you watching?” “Raccoon videos that Gwen sent me.” “Raccoons?” “Yeah. My next pet, I think. Hopefully, you’re allergic.” My lips twitch because this feels… familiar. Normal in a not-normal situation. “You can’t be mean to someone with a broken back.” Her eyes roll. “Your back isn’t broken. At this point, I’m more concerned about the concussion, because you’re acting a fool.”