“You could have texted or called, but you just let yourself into my house?” I’m trying to build up my anger, but it’s not working. The desire I stirred grows hotter inside. “Why are you in Tom’s room?”
Mom keeps Tom’s room exactly how he left it, just in case. Personally, I think she’s delusional. Tom has an apartment and isn’t going to come home to visit when he lives a few blocks away.
“Searching for clues.” Dante steps toward me and I automatically back up. Not that I’m afraid of him. I tip my chin up at his smirk. He strokes his fingers over his jaw. “It’s strange, pipsqueak...”
I glance around the room with my brow furrowed. It looks like it always does. “What’s strange?”
“Your parents’ room is untouched and most of their luggage is missing.”
My heart clatters in my chest as he takes another step closer. This time I hold my ground though. Fuck, he knows. And if he knows, he’ll make me move in with them and that can’t happen. I can’t do what I need to do with Drew if I’m surrounded by those guys.
And seeing Finn every day at work will be bad after last night, but having to spend twenty-four seven with the guy? And watch any of them bring other women into their beds?
No, thank you.
I’d probably go apeshit on any woman Wyatt brought home.
“So?” I try to brazen it out. After all, he doesn’t know anything.
“Caitlyn’s cat is gone.”
Yeah, that’s not a usual thing. Her stuffed cat that Tom gave her is a prized possession. Mom insists she keeps it at home. The poor thing used to be white and pink but now is more brownish pink with clumped fur.
“She must have taken it to brunch.” I arch an eyebrow, daring him to challenge me more.
“Now, pip, why would she do that when that’s grown-up time for her?” He closes the distance between us a little more. His heat and the scent of sunshine flow over me.
Fuck, I hate they know as much about our family as Tom does. I tighten my lips and glare at him.
“I kept wondering why Tom would word your texts and our note that way. After all, there’s nowhere safer than under your parents’ watchful eyes.” He’s not wrong. Roger is an ex-marine. “So why insist you come to us, when we’re the last guys he’d want to tempt with you?”
My brow furrows. Tempt?
He releases a breath and it coats my bare shoulders. A shiver races down my spine.
“We have a problem, pip.”
“I don’t see a problem.” I cross my arms over my chest, thankful my towel is tucked in tight.
“We can’t protect you if you’re here all on your own, but if you come to our penthouse, other issues might...” He glances down at the swells of my breast. Awareness stirs inside me. My breasts become tight and achy. His light blue eyes are a little darker when he raises them to mine. “Arise.”
“I’m not coming to live with you, so we don’t have a problem.” Well, except the scent of my arousal filling the room. Standing this close to Dante stirs all sorts of naughty thoughts. He’s so big and strong. I bet he could lift me against the wall with one hand and fuck me.
I wet my lips.
“I don’t have a choice, pip.” Dante shakes his head. His blond hair is pulled back in a bun, showing off the sharp angles of his face.
“I appreciate your loyalty to my brother, but there’s a security system in place. We don’t even know if there really is a threat. For all we know, it’s some woman who Tom wants to get over him. Though why he doesn’t just sic Amber on her, I’ll never know.”
“It would be easier with you here.” Dante’s gaze drops to my towel. “But Tom?—”
Fuck it. I drop my arms. “Seriously, I don’t want to live with you guys. I’ll do anything, Dante.”
He rubs his finger next to his full lips. “I’ll let you stay here. Alone. Under two conditions.”
I narrow my eyes. “What conditions?”
“One, you call if you need anything. Don’t fucking hesitate. The littlest thing, you call me.” He almost seems to get larger as he says that.
