Then I understood.
Once upon a time, Sean had used me to hang on to Joe. Now he would use Joe to hang on to me. Joe would not, could not tolerate my seduction. But perhaps he would tolerate his own. If he saw that his love for Sean sparked no fear in my heart. If he saw that I, too, missed our precarious balance of three. And I knew Joe missed it. That rocket in his pocket wouldn't lie, not on our wedding day.
When Sean finally turned to go, the bounce in his step did not surprise me.
'Hm.' Joe slung his arm around my shoulder and leant conspiratorially close. 'Why do I feel as if we should invite him on the honeymoon?'
His words delighted me. 'Don't be so sure he won't pop up,’ I teased.
Joe squinted at me, shocked-father-style. 'You two make a very naughty pair.'
'Yes, we do.' I reached under his tail coat to pat his cheek. 'Impossibly naughty.'
Joe licked the curl of my ear. ‘I suppose I'll have to show you and Sean who's boss.'
The prospect sent a carnal shiver through my sex. I couldn't imagine how Joe would master both of us. 'Well.' I gave my veil a saucy flip. 'You have my permission to try.'