“Hmm, but it’s still today, so we’re still technically on our date.”
I’d argue that three in the morning is very much the next day, but why would I when my whole body was fine-tuned to Adam and had very little desire to sleep?
“I suppose you have a point.”
After that, I shut down my brain and our conversation to focus solely on making sure we both got off again. Sleep be damned.
The loud noise of elephant footsteps outside the room shattered the early morning stillness, dragging me from a dreamless sleep. My heart jolted as I blinked into consciousness. Adam’s breath was a steady rhythm against my neck. His body was curled into mine in a way that was now so familiar. Who’d have known he was a cuddler?
As the racket grew louder, my brain woke the rest up.
Fuck. They’re here.
Adam, still fast asleep, remained oblivious to the impending chaos his brothers were about to unleash upon us. I hesitated for a moment, caught between the desire to wake him gently and the necessity of urgency. But time was a luxury we didn’t have. In fact, it was slipping away with each heavy footfall on the wooden floor.
“Fuck,” I muttered under my breath, a mix of fear, anticipation, and the dawning that our secret was about to come out.
Adam stirred beside me, a soft sigh escaping him as if he also sensed the turning point we teetered upon. His eyes opened slowly, and he smiled.
“River?” The word was thick with sleep, his voice a groggy babble that normally would’ve made me smile. “What’s that noise?”
I wanted nothing more than to press my lips against his in a quiet good morning, to savor the softness of his mouth and the way he’d melt against me. But the thunderous approach of his brothers denied us even that simple pleasure.
“Adam! River! Wake the fuck up.”
“What the?—”
“They’re here,” I breathed out.
I sat up abruptly, pulling the duvet over Adam’s body in a fluid motion. The door slammed open just as I managed to arrange the covers into a semblance of innocent disarray.
Noah loomed in the doorway, “Where’s Adam? Did you know he’s not in his room?” His question was less inquiry and more accusation.
“Maybe he’s out for an early run,” I said, my voice steady despite the pounding in my heart. It was a plausible lie. I hadn’t seen Adam run unless he was being chased, but it could happen, right?
Lex stepped in behind Noah. “Where’s Adam?”
I met Lex’s gaze. He was the one I couldn’t lie to. Not completely, because he’d see right through me.
“Adam’s around,” I said carefully. “Just…tied up at the moment.”
Beneath the covers, Adam lay still.
Emery followed behind, his steps halting as he saw me, as though he hadn’t expected me to be in my own bed. His dark eyes flickered to the bed, a quick, piercing glance that took in the shape beneath the duvet. His lips quirked, not quite a smile, not quite a frown, but he said nothing, only arched an eyebrow.
“Looks like you’re a man down,” I commented, trying to keep my voice light.
“Lior is in the living room,” Noah said, his eyes scanning the discarded clothes all over my bedroom floor. “He doesn’t want any part in this.”
“Part in what?” I asked, feigning ignorance while my pulse thrummed against my throat. Adam remained motionless beneath the duvet, the stillness of his form almost convincing.
“Our home invasion.” He rolled his eyes. “He’s still a little traumatized when you all did this to us. Anyway. Why do you have so many pillows under your blankets?” The question hungbetween us. I had to get rid of them because it was only a matter of time until they found out.
“Uh, bad back,” I lied smoothly, or at least I hoped it was smooth.
“Since when?” Emery finally chimed in, his voice soft but laced with a knowing undertone. He was too observant for his own good—or mine.
“Since…recently. Um…carrying boxes at the restaurant.”
