Sexy.Definitely sexy.
Wanting to quickly change the subject before I get any more worked up, I ask the first thing that comes to mind that will let me take a much-needed drink. “Never have I ever trusted the wrong person.” Thinking of my brother, I take a drink.
Everyone but Jagger takes one, surprising me a little. “I was referring to Robert, who were you all drinking for?” I ask, wanting to learn a little more about them.
“My dad,” Dex says. “I trusted he wouldn’t go too far, but he did, and it cost my mother her life.” I hug him in support. I already knew this, but I also knew how much it bothered him that he hadn’t stepped up earlier to try to stop his father. But he was only twelve at the time, and he probably would have just gotten himself killed if he had done anything sooner.
“Same. Although that trust didn’t last long, I knew from an early age what kind of man my dad was. Helping rapists and pedophiles get off on technicalities.” Sly shakes his head and takes a quick drink.
“My uncle,” Pete says without further explanation. I know that after his parents died, he was sent to live with him. And his uncle took advantage of him, turning him into a drug runner.
Elias is the last to explain. “Your brother,” he says, surprising me. “When we were younger, I believed that he was looking out for you. Even my parents said that it was normal after what he’d been through, losing his parents and being left to raise you on his own.” His face scrunches slightly in thought before he locks eyes with me. “I’m sorry I trusted him for so long.”
“I’m sorry I did, too. At least you saw it, I never did… until it was almost too late.”
He nods, and I watch him swallow heavily.
“Okay, my turn,” Dex announces loudly. “Let’s make this party a little less solemn, shall we?”
“Solemn?” Sly asks with a raised eyebrow. “I’m surprised you even know that word.”
“You think because I’m so handsome, I don’t know big words?” Dex asks, puffing out his chest with a teasing smirk on his lips.
“It’s not your looks that make me dumb down my words for you, Dex. It’s your intelligence.”
“Maybe I’m not as brainy as you,Sylvester, but at least I don’t have the emotional intelligence of a gorilla.”
“A gorilla?” I ask with a giggle.
“Yeah, they’re always grumpy, they never smile, you never know if they are about to hug you or rip you apart.”
Elias and Pete both snort. “Sounds about right,” Elias says.
“Just because I don’t wear every emotion on my face doesn’t mean I don't have them,” Sly says in defense.
“Maybe so,” Elias starts, “But it probably means you’re scared of them.”
Sly turns his narrowed gaze on Elias. “I am notafraidof my emotions.”
“No? Why don’t you show them then? When you look at Wren, do you ever let her see how you really feel in the moment?”
Sly turns his gaze to me, and the second those searching green eyes meet mine, a smile graces my lips. “Yes. He shows me.” Sly’s eyes turn from searching to happy, and I know he’s pleased with my response.
“See?” My smile widens as I point at Sly and look at Elias.
“See what? His expression didn’t change.”
“Well, I can see it. Maybe if you can’t, that says more about you than me.” He frowns, his eyes darting between the two of us before I turn to Dex. “It’s your turn.”
“Never have I ever been attracted to anyone more than I have to you.”
Nobody drinks, not even Elias, and I lower my gaze, trying to hide my blush and the happiness that they all feel that way.
“Never have I ever fantasized about tying someone up and having them submit to me,” Sly says, and my eyes widen in surprise. I mean, I knew he was more… dominant than the others, but I hadn’t been sure exactly what that would entail. What surprises me more is that Pete takes a drink, too. A huge grin covers his face when he sees me watching him, and he winks.
“Dios mio,”I whisper on an exhale.Is it hot in here, or is it just me?
“You still speak Spanish?” Elias asks, although I know he’s heard me curse in Spanish already.
