I walk over to the window and look out at the storm. I know Orlando suffered at the hands of his papa, I have seen the scars, both physical and mental. Romeo was just a kid when he was sent away. He wouldn’t know the half of what Orlando went through in his absence. But it’s also not my place to tell his stories. Maybe when the two of them are away this week, they can catch up properly.
Strong arms wrap around my body, and I smell Onyx’s scent. I close my eyes and let him hold me. He doesn’t say anything, he doesn’t have to, he’s just here with me when I need him. Navigating this new situation isn’t going to be easy. There is so much hate between Romeo and Orlando, history I can’t begin to understand. But somehow, I have to make it work and bring us all together, because I’m in too deep to give any of them up.
Chapter 23
Onyxtalkedmeintogoing to bed after our dessert and hot chocolate. I was emotionally exhausted. And it didn’t matter if I talked to Romeo all night, the two of us weren’t going to see eye to eye about his brother. Eventually I curled up with Onyx’s strong arms wrapped around me and drifted off to sleep in the guest room I spent my first night here in. When I woke up to a surprisingly loud clap of thunder, he was gone. I feel the bed beside me, and it’s still warm, so he hasn’t been gone for long.
When I glance out the window, the pale gray light of morning illuminates the dark water below, even though the sky remains overcast, the storm from yesterday still raging on outside. I check the time and find it’s close to eight in the morning. With a yawn and a stretch, I hop out of bed and move into the bathroom. I have a quick shower, do my hair and makeup, then search the walk-in for something to wear. Luckily Orlando left a lot of my clothes still in this room. I find a plaid skirt and a pale blue knitted sweater and pop them on.
Not sure what I’ll find waiting for me downstairs, I tiptoe down each step, wondering who else is already up. Onyxobviously, but I’m not even sure where the others slept last night. They were still down in the living room by the fire when we left. I make out the light murmur of voices in the adjoining hallway and stop dead, trying to make out what they’re saying.
“You need to tell her. She’s invested. You’re going to break her heart,” Romeo growls, sounding angry as all fuck.
My heart starts to race. Whoever he’s talking to doesn’t respond, but I hear the two of them moving out of the room. I wonder what he was talking about, who needs to tell me what? What will break my heart? My stomach is already twisted in knots, having them all in the same house. I don’t need more questions to add to my list.
As I go to peer around the corner, strong arms wrap around my waist, pulling me back against Reef’s solid chest. His lips find mine in a swift, hungry kiss, his fresh scent filling my nose. His fingers thread through my hair, his touch gentle and firm, holding me so close I feel like he’s never going to let me go. “Least I know it’s notyoukeeping shit from me,” I mutter when he breaks our kiss.
His eyes search my face, I think trying to work out what I’m talking about. He looks so damn hot this morning, his long surfy hair all messed up, his eyes bright and sparkling with a hint of mischief that always seems to do it for me. “You shouldn’t be eavesdropping, wildcat.”
A heavy sigh escapes my lips, accompanied by a dramatic roll of my eyes. “Yeah, I know.” I kiss him quickly again, hoping to distract him. “How did you sleep?” I ask, changing the subject before I get myself in more trouble.
He smiles cheekily, then in one quick move, he scoops me up at the waist and presses my back into the solid wall. My legs wrap around him, and I stare up at him, wondering what exactly he’s up to so early in the morning. “Would have slept better ifyou were in the bed with us.” He tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear.
I let out a breathless, shaky laugh. “I’m sure. Or we wouldn’t have slept at all.” A naughty smirk plays on my lips as I gaze back at him. He’s way too fun to flirt with, even if it’s dangerous in the hall of this place.
His brow rises, making him look even sexier than he already did. “That would have been more fun.”
“Maybe tonight,” I tease, not able to help myself. Last night was just what I needed, to catch up with the three of them, but tonight, I’m hoping for more. My body is craving it.
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep, wildcat. You will break my heart.”
“That’s the last thing I want to do, Detective Hot Stuff.” I run my fingers through his hair; it’s surprisingly soft, and I can’t help but get lost in his pretty green eyes as I gaze back at him.
“Detective Hot Stuff.” He chuckles, and it’s the best sound ever.
“It’s the most appropriate nickname I have given anyone.” I press my lips to his again, not able to get enough of him this morning.
Someone clears their throat, and my eyes pop open to find Orlando and Romeo behind us. The way Orlando looks at me makes me feel like a naughty schoolgirl caught with her boyfriend. Disappointment, that’s the look. My cheeks heat instantly, but Reef doesn’t seem to care as much. He lets me down to the ground, taking my hand instead.
“Did you two get lost on your way to breakfast?” Romeo chuckles. “Next time text me and I’ll help you out.” I’m not sure if he means with directions or more that he doesn’t want to miss out on the fun, but the look in his eyes says the latter.
“Something like that.” Reef’s lips twist at the sides, and a silent message passes between him and Romeo, one that canonly mean trouble. Yeah, today is going to be more tense than yesterday, I already know it.
I offer Orlando a half smile, not sure what to say or do. This is more awkward than it should be, but he caused that tension, taking me from right under their eyes, keeping me away from them for a week and sending them all the videos of us fucking. “Morning,” I offer, not sure what else to say.
“Morning, treasure,” he says, with more warmth than I expected. His eyes roam over me, and I see the heat flare in them. A night apart has him just as wound up as the boys are. “Breakfast is ready.” He turns and shows the boys through to the main dining table. I’m surprised by his hospitality; he’s gone above and beyond, ensuring their comfort with gourmet food made by his cook, warm beds for the night, and whatever else they need. He could have just as easily been an ass about it.
We all take our seats. Onyx is already waiting for us and hands me a plate of food. My bitchy-as-fuck grimace tells him to fuck off with his control issues, but I take it anyway. There is already enough tension in this place, I don’t need to add to it.
I take a bite of the mushroom, feta, and spinach omelet, and my eyes roll back in my head. It’s so damn good. I add a little pepper and take another bite.
A mountain of eggs, bacon, toast, and sauteed veggies sits on large platters down the center of the table for the boys, along with jugs of fresh roasted coffee and pitchers of milk. I watch as they pile up their plates and devour the food like they haven’t eaten in days. Silence falls over the table as we all eat the food, giving us a welcome distraction.
When I have had a couple of mouthfuls, I collect the black coffee Onyx has placed in front of me and have a sip, letting the caffeinated goodness kick me back to the land of the living. I lean back in my chair, watching Romeo. I feel like he’s up to something, and after that little snippet of conversation I heardthis morning, I reckon my suspicions are right. But who was he talking to, Onyx or Orlando? Both of them could be keeping shit from me, they both have in the past.
Noticing my suspicious gaze, he smirks, a playful, almost arrogant charm radiating from him, a look that only Romeo could pull off. “Something on your mind, doll face?”
Onyx looks back at me, worried, searching my face in a way I don’t like. Is it him?
