Page 233 of Hide and Keep

Over one stiletto at a time, he carefully gets the boxer briefs I picked out for him onto my legs, then pulls them up.

I glare at him the whole time, knowing he’s probably going to hold me down and brush my teeth with his toothbrush now. And he’ll like it because he’s the real creep.

Just before my pussy’s covered, Crue presses a firm kiss to my clit, whispering, “Until next time.”

When he stands, he puts his thumb in its usual place on my lips, kisses it, then says, “That goes for you, too.”

Every frigid molecule in my body thaws at once.

I know he’s dying to kiss me, yet he never crosses that line.

After putting his own shoes on, he leads me toward the door, saying, “Let’s find you a bathroom before the clock chimes.”

Using both hands, I tug on his hand and wrist, making him stop and turn to me.

“What?”

From the top of his head to the bottom of his chin, my gaze touches every inch of his face, even that scar he spends so much time trying to hide.

“What’s wrong?”

I shake my head. “Nothing. I just wanted to memorize you like this.”

A single crooked eyebrow matches the uncertainty in his tone as he asks, “Like what?”

“Mine.”

He smiles as those green eyes give my face the same appraisal I just gave his.

“You got plenty of time to memorize me like this.”

No, I don’t,I think as my throat threatens to shut.

Buzzing prickles my subconscious, and I know without a shadow of a doubt Ever followed through on her threat of putting a wasp’s nest in my room.

I flex the arm I fell asleep holding my tormentor with, surprisingly finding her still there.

Fuck. She’s gonna get stung.

I instantly fling my body over hers.

Ever gives a sleepy chuckle but doesn’t say anything as I tuck my elbows against her sides, trying to cover as much of her as possible.

Another buzz has me hunkering down, the side of my face pressed to Ever’s. This is gonna hurt so fucking bad. She said you can die from yellow jacket stings but she didn’t say how many. Guess I’m about to find out.

“What is that?”

“Bees,” I grumble, anticipating the first of hundreds of stings.

Ever’s head pops off the bed, nailing me right in my fucking temple.

I say, “Shit,” at the same time she moans, “Ow.”

My pain quickly recedes as I focus on hers.

“Are you okay?”

“Kind of.” Her body wiggles beneath mine, coming out of its slumber. “Why are you on me?” She shoves me off.

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