I slide my hands from her waist to her ass, guiding her thighs around my hips. In two strides, I’m standing at the hood of the car, lowering her onto it gently. Without breaking the kiss, I start massaging her tits through her sweater.
“God, I’m fucking obsessed with you,” I confess.
She throws her head back, exposing her throat. Like a siren, she calls to me, pulls me in. Curled over her, I put my mouth on her skin, kissing, biting, marking…I want everyone to know she’s mine.
A sound across the bay startles me. It’s just a small click, but it’s out of place.
Yanking back, I search the area near the door, and when my attention lands on a head of red hair, my heart drops.Remi. Her face is a mask of anger and pain, her brows pulled down and her chin trembling. She’s holding up her phone, aiming it at us.
“I knew it,” she mumbles. “I fucking hate you.”
Before I can even open my mouth, she’s gone.
I look down at Mia, blood whooshing in my ears.Fuck. There’s no way Remi will keep this quiet.
Stepping back, I help Mia off the hood. As she fixes her clothes and then her hair, I’m rooted to the spot, in a stupor. I wet my bottom lip then clench my jaw.Fucking Remi. The thought disappears from my mind just as quickly as it comes.
We can’t go back in time. All we can do is control the fallout.
I hold my hand out to Mia, and she takes it, entwining her fingers with mine.
“Let’s go home,” I say.
She nods, and we head out of the shop. It’s time to face reality.
The house isin chaos as we step inside. Monica rushes out of the living room, eyes blazing, Matt and Dad on her heels.
“Seriously?” Monica yells. Her voice is sharp, cutting. She shoves Matt’s phone in Mia’s face. “You’re only nineteen, and you’re sneaking around with?—”
“With whom, Mom?” Mia snaps, crossing her arms. “With the guy who’s lived in your home for years? A guy you’ve known forever? Why is it so bad? Why does it even matter?”
“Why does it even matter? Do you hear yourself?” She glares at Mia with such ferocity, it makes me ball my fists. “He is yourstepbrother! We are a family! Do you have any idea what people would think if they knew? They’d think we’re sick!”
“I don’t give a flying fuck what people think about me. My life is not their concern.”
Heart pounding, I try to chime in, to back Mia up, but they don’t let me get a word in. Matt stops in front of me, his face a mask of fury.
“How could you?” he grits out, his tone full of malice. “She’s my little sister, you asshole!”
“Fuck this.” I grit my teeth and step up to him. “How could I? Because I care about her. Do you really think I’d risk your friendship and our family’s happiness if she didn’t mean everything to me?”
Matt frowns, jaw tight. “You should’ve told me.”
“And what would you have done if I did? Would you have approved if I’d talked to you beforehand?”
I’m met with silence. Yeah, that’s what I thought. We both know he would’ve lost his shit.
“I can’t do this right now,” Mia mutters.
Our eyes lock, and a wave of tenderness I’ve never felt before washes over me. It kills me to see her so upset. I hate that I’m the reason for Monica’s anger. Mia stands on her tiptoes and presses her lips to my cheek.
“Thank you for today,” she says quietly. “Talk later?”
I nod, and with a small smile, she’s gone, darting up the stairs.
Monica follows, hot on her heels.Fuck. Matt hesitates, glancing at me and then at his mom.
“I’m not done with you,” he finally says, stepping into me. “We need to talk, but right now…Mia needs me more. Mom’s not going to let this go.”
