Page 113 of Hide and Keep

I release Ever’s neck like it caught fire and jump back.

“No. It’s… I’m almost done.”

I poke at her hair and jostle the bow until my hard-on’s gone down enough not to show through my pants.

Okay, it was Ever’s rock at first, but now…yeah, it’s me, too.

Another step back to take it all in and…

Uh.

“Turn around. Let me see it from the front.”

Standing, Ever spins to face me. I have to work hard not to meet her eyes. She might see it there—the need.

Her hair… It’s…

The corners of my lips sink. I knew this was a bad idea.

“What did you do?”

“I don’t know,” I confess. I couldn’t replicate what I just did if someone held a gun to my head. I thought I was doing a decent job…until I grabbed her from behind and fantasy overtook reality. It felt so real. Too real. The fact that it wasn’t makes me feel at a loss. Like I’m mourning,grievingsomething I won’t ever get. I want that to be real. Bad. I want to have Ever Munreaux, my protectee, not only stretched out around my cock but at my fucking mercy.

She examines herself in the passenger-side window before shooting me a flat expression, flatter than the bow drooping forward, threatening to cover her forehead.

“I warned you.”

One at a time, she puts her earbuds in, and says, “I’ll get someone else to fix it,” then presses Play on her phone.

“Why did you ask me to then?”

Shaking her head, she points at her ear. Using that same hand, she motions at my dick.

“I need it!” she says ten decibels too loud, gaining attention—and scrutiny—from more than one passerby.

“Miss?” I say with my hands out, glancing around at the judgmental stares. “Now’s not really the time…” Five minutes ago was, but right now, we’ve got a crowd of families observing us.

Ever’s gaze narrows on my mouth.

“My jade! I need it for good luck!”

Disappointment washes over me at the realization jade isn’t my dick’s name, and I hand over the rock.

Lucky stone in hand, Ever takes off without me.

It’s funny because normally, she obsesses over having a perfect appearance at all times, but here, she doesn’t seembothered at all walking around looking like she got launched out of a tornado.

“Do you need your bag?” I call out before remembering her earbuds are in.

Without turning around, she sticks a thumb up in answer.

If she heard that, she heard everything else I said, proving exactly why I can’t let my guard down around her. Because she’s always playing me.

I tug my hat back on, pulling the bill low.

Walking side by side through the festival, she says, “Silas?” and I shake my head, not even needing to clarify.

“Xerxes?”

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