“Just shut up. So they’re cautious,” Roman retorts.
“Cautious. This is overkill.” Holden beats me to the punch with his own thoughts.
“Just keep your fucking mouths shut.” Roman gives each of us a stern look, but we can tell he’s just as unnerved about this as we are.
“Okay, you’re all clear. Head straight through the gate to the main house. They will meet you there.
“Thank you,” Roman tells him as we all pile into the truck. As we drive through the gate and get closer to the house, my mouth drops open. It’s not a mansion like I was expecting, but it is large. But it also looks like a place we’d love to have. Stepping out onto the porch as we pull up is a man about six foot, long brownish/blond hair, broad shoulders and a body that says he’s a fighter. If not, he should be with those guns he’s sporting.
Roman parks and we all get out.
“Sorry about that. Can’t be too careful these days. You have passed security, so you won’t have to go through that every time.”
“Good to know,” I mumble, earning myself a nudge from Roman.
“It was okay.” Roman tells him, smiling.
“Hey, I’m Tav. Come around with me, to the back then. We’re wanting to add a deck that extends from the back porch around the pool, a grilling area and firepit.”
“Sounds doable. Shouldn’t take us much time.”
As we move around to the back of the house, I glance upward, catching sight of the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, peeking through the curtains in the window above the garage. I can only see part of her face, but her hair is a beautiful blonde. She’s not smiling, her lips pressed together into a thin line as she gazes down at us.
“I wonder who that is?” I whisper to Holden.
“She is none of your concern.” Tav barks at us. “As long as you are here, it is work only. Do not try to speak to her or see her. Do you understand? I’m paying well for this job, I’d hate to fire you before you even start.”
“No, they understand, Sir. And it will not be a problem.” Roman assures him while giving me the evil eye. I gaze back up, but she’s gone, as if she was never there in the first place.
Chapter 22
River
Iwatch them through my window. Torin told me they were coming today and to make sure to stay in my room, especially since I stopped taking my suppressants and blockers. When they told me who the contractors were last night, I quickly did a search on them. Surprised wasn’t the word when I found out it was Holden’s pack. But I can’t deny the slightest bit of excitement that poured through me knowing I’d get to see him. In the flesh. Not that he knows who I am.
I know who they all are. Digging into their lives was the only thing that made me feel safe talking to Holden. Talking to him the past few days almost makes it feel like the last two years never existed. Behind the screen I feel at home. I can be whoever I want to be without the repercussions of something happening that I don’t want.
I did not expect them to be more handsome in person than their pictures. I stand there at the window entranced by them, my breath fogging the glass as my gaze stays locked on them. Each of them unaware of my presence—that I’m watching them.
Roman, the oldest, moves with a quiet strength, each movement fluid as if he’s gliding through air. Every shift of muscle beneath his shirt draws my eyes to his chest. I can’t help but imagine what it would feel like if he were walking toward me, ready to make me his. A shiver slides down my spine. My sweet mid of cherry and vanilla perfume fills the air, as I press my legs together.
I don’t know why just looking at them makes me feel this way. It has to be that I’m no longer taking the suppressants. I’ve always thought it would take longer for the effects of them to leave my body, but suddenly I think I’m the one percent where it’s almost instantaneous.
My eyes shift to Holden, my project partner. He’s leaner than Roman, but no less attractive. I only got to see his face briefly before he turned, facing Tav. He stands there still, his attention directed on his self-proclaimed brother as he speaks. But there’s something about him that tugs at my center, whispering promises of a pull I’ll never be able to resist.
Then there’s Nash, the final brother. He stands there causally, hands in the pocket of his pants as he gazes around with curiosity. Something tells me he’s the mischievous one, always finding his way into some kind of sticky situation. He stands there casually, something magnetic about him.
I catch myself biting my lip, restless with the thought of being nestled amidst the three of them. A soft moan escapes me as I press my lips tighter together, already feeling my slick dampen my panties.
I press my palm flat against the cool windowpane, my heart pounding. They aren’t touching me: they aren’t even looking my way, yet my body is alive—heat pooling low in my belly, every single nerve awake for the first time feels natural.
My breath hitches when Nash turns, and his eyes drift up to me. He doesn’t look away; he stares right back at me. For aheartbeat, I think I’m imagining it. That he just made a lazy sweep of the house and just happened to stop at my window, staring aimlessly but not seeing me.
He says something, but I don’t know what it is. I can see his lips moving before Tav says something that has all their attention snapping to him.
I move quickly, closing the curtain and stepping to the side, pressing my body firmly against the wall. My breathing is ragged, and my heart is racing. Did he see me? Is he going to come up here? I start to panic.
Breathe in. Breathe out. Slow and steady.
