Total pages in book: 159
Estimated words: 150546 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 753(@200wpm)___ 602(@250wpm)___ 502(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 150546 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 753(@200wpm)___ 602(@250wpm)___ 502(@300wpm)
I turn back to the puppy, finding him already tracing the lines of my jaw and face. Why is it the longer I look at him, the hotter he gets? It doesn’t help that he’s exactly my type. I happen to fall for the pretty damaged ones.
Whether that damage is self-inflicted or not.
“What do you say?” I wiggle the bag in front of his face, catching movement in my periphery. Both River and Stella drop to the log he’s leaning on. Goosebumps shiver down my spine.
I’m cold. I need another jacket.
I pop open the little bag, keeping my eyes on his as I tap the powder onto the crease where my thumb and finger connects. Bringing it up to his nose, he holds my stare as he leans down and takes the hit, clearing his nostril on his way back.
“Stella…” Vaden growls from somewhere behind me.
Stella finishes taking her hair out of her braid, winking at me and flicking it over her shoulder as her eyes sway up to her brother. They both have heterochromia, only flipped opposite.
With a wide smile, she snatches the bag off me.
The guy grabs my wrist and I watch as his tongue laps up the residue on my hand, keeping his eyes on mine. My breathing hitches and I lean down, catching his chin with my fingers and moving slightly to the side so War can see the movement.
Hovering my lips over his, I whisper, “Kiss me.”
I accentuate the ‘me’ on purpose. I’m sure War doesn’t remember shit about that night years ago, but just in case he does, and because I’m feeling petty as hell, I climb on his lap.
His hand lands on the back of my ass as he pulls me into him. His lips are on mine in an instant and my mouth parts for him enough for me to be able to smirk.
He moves his hand from my ass to his stomach and I feel him twitch against my lips. I rest my hand over his, lifting it from his wound. It’s not as bad as I thought. More a deep graze.
I arch a brow at him. “A little dramatic, don’t you think?”
“Halen.” The agitation in War’s tone isn’t missed. By anyone, I’m sure, which makes no sense since he has always made it very clear—all two times—that in no way ever do I affect him the way he does me.
I roll my eyes, glaring at him from over my shoulder. “What?”
“Get off the fucking ground.”
“He’s cute, though…” I bat my lashes between War and Priest. I leave Vaden out of it because for the most part, he isn’t as bad as the other two. Vaden somewhat allows Stella to do what she wants. He just makes sure to keep a close eye on her. Why I couldn’t get him as a brother, I will never know. “Can I keep him?” If they want to see me as a problem, I’ll be a fucking problem.
Orange hues from the fire cast shadows over War’s jaw. A very clenched jaw.
With his lip curled in a snarl, my stomach coils like hot wire when his eyes darken on mine.
What the fuck is his problem?
He flips the hoodie of his jersey over his head to shade his scowl.
I still remember the day Dad sat down with me and told me about boys. Well, he tried. And I loved him for it because his message was a lot different than Mom’s. Where she was the stricter parent, Dad was chill. He was good. He told me to stay away from boys until I was twenty-five because if Priest turned out to be a flop, I’d get to take the gavel. Obviously, my brother didn’t turn into a flop. If anything, he will yield the gavel the same way Pop did. I was only eight or nine at the time, so the thought of boys was a major ick, but as time went on… War changed. I can’t remember ever not having a crush on him. Would I ever tell him? Hell no. Did I get drunk one night and try to fuck him? Yes. Thankfully, he kept that to himself. Most likely to protect their little brotherhood.
I try not to think about when exactly War turned from being a friend, someone I could always rely on, to this. Probably around the time I asked him to fuck me.
“Jesus…” Evie hands me a drink over my shoulder. “You really just left the kiddie pool and dove headfirst into the adult section.”
I take the Solo cup from her, pushing up from the wounded puppy’s chest while bringing the rim to my lips.
“I did.” I stay near the girls. “Because I’m over it and I know Dad will be on my side when it comes to this—Mom too. They just don’t know how bad it has been, and also, if he continues to make it an issue, I’ll let our parents know about his little game that they play on the weekends.” I take a sip of the alcohol, letting the cheap vodka slide down my throat. “Maybe give an insight as to why some people go missing.”