This is a terrible idea, but what’s another bad decision on top of my overflowing stack of bad decisions? Common sense will have to sit this one out.
Before I realize it, I’m rushing to catch up with Lily. We pass a sitting area with plush chairs, lamps, and floral arrangements. Beyond that, large windows look out over fir trees and jagged cliffs. The display of wealth here is incredible.
“How long have you been fucking my brother?”
I trip over my own two feet. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me. How long have you been fucking my brother?”
“That’s, uh… forward.”
Lily smirks over her shoulder. “You didn’t sound like such a prude last night when you kept us all up with your screaming.”
I choke on air, wishing the ground would swallow me up. I wasn’t that loud, was I? Oh fuck, I was. Who else heard us? Cash? His parents? God, just kill me now.
“I’m messing with you.” Lily hooks her arm through mine. “Not about the screaming part, though.” She shudders, guiding me forward. “If only I could bleach my ears every time I hear my brothers…” She drifts off when she notices my expression. Her head shakes, and she turns to face me. “No, no. Cash has women over all the time, but not Kane. You’re the first.”
She pulls me forward again, and I follow silently, trying to make sense of what she said. There’s so much to analyze and process. Kane doesn’t bring women over? I’m the first? What does that mean?
Urgh, that swarm of butterflies is back. I swear, one day I’ll figure out a way to fumigate them. Call in pest control on my own hormones.
“You can imagine how intrigued I got when I saw you this morning,” Lily says, snapping me out of my thoughts. “He doesn’t bring girls back here, ever, and he never stays the night.”
“I’m sure there’s an explanation,” I mumble. I can’t let myself get my hopes up that easily. So what if I’m the first girl he’s had over? That doesn’t mean anything. Let’s not forget that Kane was gone when I woke up. He probably doesn’t want to see me.
My attention drifts again as we pass another hallway, the same one leading to their father’s office. If only I’d known I was coming here last night, I would have returned the dagger I have at home. Instead, I’ll have to do it next time… If there’s even a next time.
A few turns later, she practically pushes me into the kitchen, where Kane is cooking breakfast, it seems. Cash is also there, leaning against the marble counter, in gray joggers that sit low on his hips.
“Look who I found trying to escape,” Lily announces as she walks past to steal a pancake. Cash moves aside, and she helps herself to the one on top, ignoring the thundercloud on her other side.
I can’t help but smile at their sibling dynamic, especially when Kane slaps her hand and tells her to set the table. It’s clear they share a close bond and love each other.
Now that I’m here, hovering awkwardly like a lost sheep, I don’t know how to act, or what I’m supposed to do. Maybe they won’t notice if I slowly back out and make a run for it. It’s worth a try.
Cash smirks at me, and my cheeks burn hot under that knowing expression. “Had a good time last night?” he questions, sounding amused.
Kane whips his head up from the frying pan and glares at him, then me. If looks could kill, I’d be incinerated on the spot. What’s his deal?
Rage radiates off him in waves. At first, I almost think it’s aimed at me, but then he snaps at his brother. “Put a fucking shirt on!”
Setting the table, Lily snickers and winks at me as if I’m in on some secret. I’m not.
On his way out, Cash stops beside me and grins at his twin. I can smell the fresh shower and spicy cologne on him, and I suddenly notice all the rippling muscles and exposed skin. He’s not who I want, but there’s no denying he looks just like Kane, and if it weren’t for the eyes, I’d have trouble telling them apart.
Cash leans in. “If you’d left, he would have come after you.” He speaks too low for his brother to overhear, but I can tell he’s looking at him with his signature smirk while talking to me. “I don’t know why you’re here fucking with his feelings. Just don’t… hurt him.”
My heart stutters as I lift my head to meet his gaze. He looks back at me with that amused, smug expression, but there’s something darker behind it, something with a sharp edge.
“You,” Kane barks, making me startle. He points at the table. “Sit! And you…” He jabs his finger at his brother. “Leave her alone and cover the fuck up. We don’t need to see your chest.”
Cash backs away, holding his arms out. “Scared she’ll want me?”
“Don’t make me punch you again.”
His response makes Cash laugh, and he turns to leave.
I still haven’t moved, so Kane turns his fury on me. “Sit the hell down.”
