Jesus Christ, I didn’t think anyone was going to hurt me, but now I have doubts.I swallow thickly.
I want to tell him that I’ve had headaches every single day that have made working on cleaning up the farm impossible, but I just settle with “Fine.”
Roman reaches to the center console and turns the volume up until our voices are drowned out by music. He clearly doesn’t want to hear anyone talk. God, he’s such a douchebag.
After a few minutes of music playing and being on the highway heading toward the mountains, my muscles relax a bit more, and I allow myself to lean into John’s warm chest. He’s at least the kindest of the group and I trust him the most out of allof them. His blond hair smells like the ocean, hints of bergamot and salted evening waves.
His chest is warm and his breaths are steady. One arm is securely fastened around my waist while he gently brushes his fingertips through my hair. It’s been such a long time since anyone has held me like this. Since I’ve allowed it. I didn’t really have much of a choice in the matter, but it’s nice, and I find my eyes being lulled into closing as I let myself enjoy the fleeting moment.
I hate how easily I can feel his chiseled abs through his shirt. My lewd mind focuses on what his body would feel like pressed up against mine in bed. The thoughts make my thighs warm, and I can’t help but wriggle a bit in his hold.
John chuckles and slips his hand beneath my shirt, teasing my stomach with soft, languid motions. “You’re so beautiful, Briar,” he whispers against my shoulder and presses a kiss there. I let out a small whimper before turning to look at him.
I’m literally surrounded by four other guys who could catch on to what he’s doing any second. For some reason it only makes my core heat up more and my excitement grow.
John glances up at me, staring at me with gorgeous blue eyes that look right through me. My mind goes completely blank, and I barely register that his eyes dip down to my lips before he steals a kiss.
I breathe in, shocked and instantly melting into his arms. The kiss lasts maybe a tenth of a second, maybe longer, but when he pulls back, his brows knit a little, and he looks up at me and murmurs, “Wow.”
There are no words. No thoughts. Only a whimper when he kisses me again and moves his hand farther up my shirt and palms my breast over my bra.Holy shit, this is so hot.
I forget where we are and that there’s even other men in the car for a moment. It’s hard to remember anything when John’s erection is growing beneath my ass.
All of the sudden the music cuts out and Roman shouts, “Bishop, get your fucking tongue out of her mouth before I cut it off!”
We simultaneously jolt, and my eyes shoot straight to the rearview mirror. Roman’s glare is next to none. He could strike fear into a fucking bear with it.
“Damn it. Don’t stop. I caught on to what was happening too late.” Bensen laughs and gives us a sarcastic smile.
I cover my face with both of my hands, and a hot flush races across my cheeks. “Oh my God.”
John chuckles, and it’s such a smooth, calming sound. “Sorry, Briar, I couldn’t help it.”
Taylor and Gale are quiet. When I look at them, both of their faces are beet red and they’re sitting at weird angles.
How embarrassing. I want to hide, but I can’t go anywhere.
My gaze reluctantly finds Roman’s again, and he pointedly looks away. But upon closer inspection…No.Are his cheeks flushed? A small smile grows across my lips.
Not so tough, are you?
The drive only lasts another ten or fifteen minutes before Roman pulls over into a dirt parking lot. So many of the parking lots are dirt or gravel in Bane Falls, it’s ridiculous. I would’ve bought a pair of boots if I’d known how dusty and muddy everything got out here. I make a mental note to stop at the boutique on Main Street that Grahm told me about.
The guys exit the vehicle, and John lets me slide off his lap before he moves. I had a creek or river in mind, but I didn’t expect them to take me to a lake—a big one too; I didn’t even know there was one out in this area. The mountains are tall on either side of it, with snow already at their peaks. A hidden gem,one the rest of the world hasn’t quite discovered—and perhaps never should.
Roman nods at his guys and they make their way down to the beach side without us. A trail is present, and it looks like it wraps around the entire lake. I’ve given up being afraid that they’re going to kill me. They’re clearly all talk and no bite. And I doubt John would fondle someone he’s about to murder.
Whatever game they’re playing, I’m tired of playing it.
Roman shoves his hands into his jeans pockets. It’s much warmer today than it’s been; summer is truly leaving with a big send-off. So instead of his jacket, Roman’s wearing a black biker vest with patches on it. His arms are bare, and I can only assume he’s shirtless under the vest. All the scars above his collar line extend no mercy to his arms. They are covered in jagged marks, some designed, some not.
Masochist.Yet I can’t drag my eyes away. I want to memorize each one and know what they mean. I want to know why someone like him has such deep wounds that he refuses to let go of. What could be so twisted in that head of his that he has to do this to himself?
Nope.Let’s not think about Roman shirtless and humanize him when he clearly wants to be an asshole instead. I force the thoughts away.
“I caught a little snake outside your house last week,” Roman mutters as he places his hand behind my back and nudges me to walk with him. We make our way down toward the other guys.
“One, what the hell were you doing waiting outside my house after you said you left? And two, what snake?” My voice is threaded with concern. I’m not stupid. I know he’s not actually talking about a reptile. He’s talking about a person. A bad one.
