Page 108 of One Little Lie
He roars a violent sound as he locks my hips against his with strong hands, holding me to him until I feel his dick twitch and warm jets of his love paint my insides. He pushes my pubic bone into his, and my second orgasm causes my world to go dark.
Seconds or maybe minutes later, I slump forward on Hatty’s chest. He’s running gentle fingers up and down my spine while whispering words of love beside my temple.
He may not have drawn our forever, but he showed me with his body, and I’ll settle for that. For now, anyway. Our future will take work, but sitting here, joined together as one, I know it will be worth the fight.
Chapter 36
Halton
“And I’m telling you, I ran those numbers myself. There’s no fucking way we were outbid without help. Whoever is selling out The WB, is on your staff.”
“Mason? What are your thoughts?” Easton looks sick as he defers to the man who has taken over his position at our head office. “Everyone on our team that would have access to this information I’ve hired personally. We’ve always had a loyal team. Is something happening that I’ve missed?”
Preston flew back to North Carolina a few days ago, but the rest of us have been lingering in Vermont, tying up loose ends. East has decided not to return at all, for now.
“I really don’t know,” Mason announces via speakerphone. “It doesn’t make any sense. Everyone in this office has been here for years. We know their families. We treat them like family.”
“Listen, I know this is hard, but Ashton had me put out those numbers to see who bites. It is coming from your office, and it’s only a matter of time before we figure out who. All I want you to do is keep an eye on everyone. If they get spooked, they’ll run. Keep moving forward with the numbers I sent you. Ashton will find the mole; we just have to be patient.”
“And what do I say to anyone wondering if we’ve lost our damn minds? Bidding this much on a rundown block in the suburbs is professional suicide.” Mason isn’t wrong, but it’s our only chance at catching this guy.
“You smile and tell them they’ll see in time. If other companies think we know something they don’t, so will the mole. It’s not ideal, but it’s what we have to work with. Can you do that?” Easton asks through the screen.
“Yeah, I can do that,” Mason grumbles. “Anything else? I have a staff meeting in five.”
I glance up at Easton, who shakes his head.
“No, that’s it, Mas. Thanks.”
“Talk to you soon.”
I end the call and scan Easton’s face. “What are you thinking?”
“It’s not him, Halt. I know it’s not. He loves this company, and he loved Dad. He wouldn’t do this to us.”
I blow out a harsh breath. “Yeah, I didn’t think it was him either, but it’s definitely coming from someone close to him. I’m going to have to head back soon. We can’t run this company with all of us holed up on this mountain.”
Easton grimaces. “Are you sure that’s what you want? I can’t help but notice your hands. You’re sketching again?”
My gaze automatically shifts to stained fingers. It’s funny how quickly that happens.
“Yeah, it’s … it’s not very good yet. I can’t get the faces right,” I admit.
Rylan tasked me with our forever. In my head, that looks like the picture Ash texted me. The one with all my brothers smiling at the camera, but me smiling at Rylan. I’ve sketched it a dozen times, but we’re always faceless.
“I saw something in the rec center. I knew it had to be yours. It’s fucking amazing, Halt. It looks like the photograph of us all as kids.”
“Yeah, it’s all of us without faces.”
“It’ll come. Just give it time. You can’t force it. How are things with Rylan? Have you taken her on your epic date yet?”
Now it’s my turn to cringe.
“You haven’t taken her on a date? Jesus Christ, Halton. What the hell? Summer’s almost over.”
“We’ve gone on dates. She always has a plan.” It sounds lame even as I say it.
“You have to put in the effort, Halt.”
