The door clicks closed behind her, and I walk to her bed, taking a seat and rest my elbows on my knees, cradling my head in my hands. Fuck.
I feel fucking unhinged. I listen to Marly showering beyond the door, the guilt for taking her bare eating at me. I didn’t fucking ask, I just took.
This is getting out of control.I’m getting out of control.
I know I should leave but I can’t bring myself to even entertain the idea, she wants me to stay and damn, I want to stay too even with her brother down the hall.
He’s so close, the closest he’s been to me since he murdered my brother, and he doesn’t even know it.
Marly returns from the bathroom in just a towel ten minutes later and gives me a soft smile before she changes into my Sinclair Motors tee, her favorite thing to wear to bed and comes toward me.
She steps between my legs and takes my chin in her dainty palm, tilting my face until she can look down at me.
And then she kisses me. Softly, sweetly but it’s more intense than anything I have ever experienced. My heart stops within my chest and then starts beating so fucking fast it feels as if it’s about to break through my ribcage.
Then she pulls away, runs her hand through my hair and climbs into bed, leaving me to sit there with the phantom feel of her lips still on mine.
And it’s in the quiet that follows, when the only noise to fill the room is her soft breathing that I realize that I’m fucked.
I’m so fucked.
Chapter Thirty-three
River left before I woke up and considering I was awake before the sun, it was early.
I’m not even sure I really blame him, yesterday was intense, with the kiss at the track and then him overhearing my brother and everything that came after that. I know he stayed with me for a while, his hand had been stroking up and down my arm until I’d fallen asleep but after that… who knows what time he decided to leave.
I thought about texting him after I woke but decided he probably needed space and it’s a good idea for me to have some too.
Especially since I have no idea how I feel right now. I want to say I know that I’m falling for him, but how am I supposed to be sure when I’ve never felt like it before?
At a reasonable hour, I head downstairs to get something for breakfast and a coffee, only to freeze in the door to the kitchen when I spot my brother sitting at the table, scrolling on his phone.
He flicks his eyes to me and then dismisses me.
“Why are you still here?” I ask, heading for the coffee cups.
“To make sure you remember to be ready by seven tonight. I’ll have a car pick you up.”
“You can’t make me do this, Liam.” I growl, my heart racing inside my chest. I’ve never said no, I’ve never told them I won’t do something for them and honestly, I’m terrified.
A cruel grin pulls up my brother’s mouth as he lays his cell down on the table and gives me his full attention.
“I can and I will,” He warns, “Even if I have to drag you there myself. Do not underestimate me, Marly. I will do whatever it takes to secure this deal.”
I tilt my chin up, hoping it shows I’m not scared of him even though I can feel my blood running cold and my hands shaking.
“Where have you been running off to these past three weeks, hm?” He changes the subject, but he knows he’s got me by just asking that question. I endanger River and everyone else if they find out I’ve been spending time down there. I don’t know what they’ll do but it won’t be pretty. They’d be punished for my actions.
“That’s none of your concern.” I snap at him, “I’m an adult, I’m able to do whatever I like.”
“I’m sure I can make it my concern,” He continues, nonchalant and laid back.
“Don’t,” My voice trembles.
“I’ll let it go, I’ll even keep it to myself, god forbid mom and dad find out their precious baby girl has been doing less than savory activities but you come tonight, and you do what you have to do to win this deal.”
“I’ll go,” My eyes burn.
