Page 54 of Not So Happily Ever After (British Bad Boys)
She shakes with silent laughter and looks up at me. “Was that another compliment? It’s hard to tell.”
“Hey, don’t be like that. I’m trying.”
“That’s true. You’reverytrying.”
“Must be the company I keep.”
“Hmm.” She trails teasing kisses across my chest. “I’m going to make you pay for that.”
“I think I’m going to let you.”
“What makes you think I’m giving you any choice here?”
My phone buzzes, and I’m still grinning when I grab it off my bedside table. My good mood takes a nosedive.
“Ah, shit.” It’s Lucas. I’m inclined to let him go to voicemail, but we haven’t spoken since he asked me to go with Mac to the hospital. I didn’t get back to him, since she’d messaged him to let him know the crisis was over.
I was hoping I wouldn’t have to speak to him until she went back to Uni.
Wouldn’t change what you’ve been doing, hypocrite.
Like I don’t know that. Guilt churns like acid in my gut, but I wouldn’t change anything, even if I could.
“Your brother,” I tell her, and she scrunches up her face in mock pain. I take a deep breath. There’s no way he’s found out I’ve been seeing his sister.
There wouldn’t be a problem if all you’d been doing is “seeing her.”
“Hey, Lucas.”
“Been meaning to contact you,” my best friend says. He doesn’t sound as though he wants to punch my throat. “Did Mac tell you about Dad and Margo?”
“Uh.” I glance at Mac, who’s sitting cross-legged on the bed next to me. She’s twisted the sheet around her, but her tangled hair and naked shoulders are still way too distracting when I’m on the phone to her brother. It’s an effort, but I manage to drag my gaze from her. If I wasn’t seeing her, would I know about it? My brain can’t figure it out, but I take a chance. “Yeah. How about that?”
“I hope she’s taking it all right. She freaked out the other night.”
I slide another glance at her. I don’t think she was nearly as freaked out by it as he’s implying. “Nah, she’s fine.”
The words are out before I can stop them. Have I just dropped myself in the shit? She frowns and mouths, “What’s he saying?”
“You’ve seen her again, then?” There’s no mistaking his surprise, and I mentally kick my arse.
“Yeah. Got a problem with that?” What the fuck iswrongwith me? It’s like I’m goading him to guess my dirty little secret.
“Huh?” He sounds clueless. “No. Why would I? But I thought it was all sorted with Atomic Fire.”
Jesus. I’d forgotten that, as far as he’s concerned, it’s all about them. Lucky Lucas hadn’t.
“Don’t forget, we were roped into going to their staying alive party this weekend.” Not a bad save from my scrambled mind, considering Mac’s tracing her nails along my thigh. I thread my fingers through hers just as she reaches her target. Not because I want her to stop, but it’s hard enough to concentrate as it is.
“Sorry I can’t get away for that.” He doesn’t sound sorry in the least. “Jax will be there, though.”
“Good.” Jax set up the Foundation with Lucas, and he’s a great guy. I pull Mac’s hand up and nibble kisses across her knuckles.
“What the fuck are you doing?” He snorts with laughter, and I freeze, my lips pressed against her fingers.How the hell did he hear anything?“I thought you’d be at work. It’s not like you, skiving off midweek. Anyone I know?”
Your little sister.Guilt steamrollers through me. There’s only one possible reply.
“Fuck off.”
