Three's a Crowd Read Free Page A

yet somehow innocent at the same time.
    “He was probably just trying to help,” she said.
    I frowned. “It’s none of his business what we do,” I said. “Is it?”
    The truth was I was half hoping that Eve might be as annoyed by Matt as I had been. Maybe even annoyed enough to rethink her “not yet” position on sex.
    This position was something that our relationship was based on – her previous boyfriend, Ben, had pushed her hard to go all the way. When Eve and I had started going out properly, she’d explained to me that sex just wasn’t an option – yet. In fact, one of the main reasons she’d liked me was that I hadn’t been pushy about it. That I’d agreed to wait for her to tell me when she felt differently.
    I was still waiting.
    Eve grinned. My heart sank. She didn’t look the slightest bit annoyed. “Who cares what Matt says,” she said. “We’re going to have such a great time together.” She leaned over and kissed me. Her tongue flickered lightly in my mouth, sending about a zillion megahertz of lust zapping straight to my groin. She pulled back and I opened my eyes. She was giving me this big, sexy smile. I watched the strap of her top slide off her smooth, creamy shoulder.
    Oh, God. She was a drug. I was an addict. Waiting didn’t come into it. It was irrelevant. I’d take however much she gave me. As often as she’d give it.
    “D’you want a drink?” Eve pulled the strap of her top back up and peeled herself out of her seat.
    I shook my head, turning round to watch as she sauntered over to the coffee bar. The young guy who was serving leaned on the counter to talk to her. Even though I couldn’t see Eve’s face, I knew she was smiling at him. Jealousy twisted in my stomach.
    The coffee bar jerk stared at her bum the whole time she was walking back to me. Jesus. I helped her gulp down her frappucino, then suggested we went to the gate for the flight.
    “Why?” Eve looked irritated. “We’ve got loads of time.”
    Because I can’t stand being here with that guy horning after you.
    We caught sight of Ryan and Chloe snogging near the duty free shop. “Look at them,” I muttered. “Don’t they ever stop?”
    Eve laughed her gorgeous, throaty laugh. “You can talk.”
    I stared at her. What did she mean? Was she saying I was too all over her? Was she saying she didn’t want that? I looked around. Men everywhere were lusting after her. Some out of the corner of their eye. Some quite openly. When we first started seeing each other I remember liking the fact that she was so desirable. Now it just made me feel under pressure.
    Under pressure to be better than the rest of them. The other guys.
    Eve and Chloe went off to buy some magazines. I slumped into one of the airport lounge seats and listened to some music. After a few tracks I switched off my iPod and opened my eyes.
    No sign of Eve.
    “They’re buying perfume now,” Ryan said, stretching out his legs in the seat opposite. “To attract the buff Spanish pool boys.”
    I stared at him, wondering how he could possibly be thinking that and looking so relaxed.
    “Don’t you mind?” I said.
    “What? That Chloe fancies the idea of other guys?” Ryan grinned. “Be weird if she didn’t, wouldn’t it? We do. Other girls, I mean.”
    I shook my head. “That’s different.”
    “Why?” Ryan laughed at me.
    I shrugged. It was too hard to explain. Of course I noticed and fancied other girls. It was like a knee-jerk reaction that had nothing to do with how I felt about Eve. But for her it was different. If she wanted someone else, she’d get them – no question. And if she got them . . . I chewed on my lip. I’d go mad if I let myself even think about it.
    Ryan leaned forwards, his fringe flopping over his eyes. “You need to calm down, man,” he said. “Seriously. The worst thing you could do is get all clingy with her. Girls hate that.”
    He sat back. I jammed my earphones right into my ears and sank deeper into my