Devious Kisses - Thandiwe Mpofu Page 0,167

to protect.”

“I know that, Julian but that doesn’t mean you have to protect him from everything, including who might break his heart.”

“I can and I will.”

“So what are you’re going to do? Find this girl and then what? Teach her the error of her ways for not wanting your brother the way he wants her?”

Although I have it under good authority that both parties feel intensely for each other, but that’s a bedtime story for another night.

“Damn you, Mia.” He growls, his green eyes heavy with emotion. “I’m not always going to be here to protect Liam and it’s killing me.”

And suddenly, it all makes sense.

He starts tickling me relentlessly, but I don’t say a word about Roxy. I keep my mouth shut.

That was almost two weeks ago. Today, Liam’s with us in the gym.

I try not to act weird around the two seeing as I have kissed one and am currently kissing, fucking and sleeping with the other.

“Well damn, aren’t you two glowing this morning.” He chirps, walking over to the treadmill. “I bet my hat I know where you got that glow.”

“You’re not wearing a damn hat, shithead.” Julian murmurs, lifting weights in the opposite corner. Occasionally he glances at me, watching me as I stretch.

“It’s a figure of speech, genius.” Liam chuckles, then he winks at me. “I guess I couldn’t do it for you like he did, huh?”

“Liam.” I sigh, my cheeks burning all over again. “Just stop.”

“What? Too early for this?” He throws his head back and starts laughing. “I mean, I knew y’all were going to fuck. Shit, I saw it the moment Julian almost chocked you to death.”

“Hardy ha, ha, Liam. I’m still bitter about that.” I shoot Julian a look, but he doesn’t react. He’s not sorry at all about what he did.

“Is that an admission? Are you fucking?”

“Drop it, Little Liam,” I tease and he grins.

“We have a surprise for you.”

“What?”

Instead of answering, Liam grabs my hand and starts leading me to only God knows where.

“Liam, if you’re going to kill me in your basement, at least let me write a will.’

“Please, when you die, we know exactly what to do with all your Tiffany pieces and Fendi prints.”

“Oh, don’t you dare waste my Fendi prints, I’ll hate you forever!”

We pass a door then at the end of the hallway, I see a set of double doors.

“Okay, are you fucking ready?” Liam questions.

An arms wraps around me from behind then Julian leans in to whisper in my ear. “Whatever’s behind that door, just promise me you’ll take a moment to take it in.”

“What’s in there?” I whisper back, my heart now flipping in my chest.

“Just promise me,” he counters.

Staring up at him, I nod, feeling like I’m agreeing to be taken to hell. This can go either way, especially of Liam’s in it.

But when he opens the double doors, I walk into a room freshly painted.

Acknowledgments

Gah, here we are! It took me a while to get this story just right, a few drafts, rewrites and reconstructions because why not? Ha! These characters have been with me for a long time, I had absolutely no chill and couldn’t wait to tell this one. It’s Just High School Series, believe it or not, came right before Westbrook Blues but had to shelf it for a time such as this!

Mia and Julian are so special to me. I feel like this book was written and released at the right time, where I know someone out there needs to know that they’re not alone. That caring and taking care of loved ones is not just an amazing thing, but in other cases, a silent sacrifice that not many see. Nobody sees the pain and suffering behind the curtain, but you’re not alone. At the end of the day, family matters. This one’s for you.

To Dani, Sammy, Eileen, Karolina K, Lyndsey, Kat and Debbie, thank you so much for falling in love with Julian and Mia at first glance.

To Christina Santos, thank you for coming to my rescue when I was down and had a sudden time-out of the game. Your heart is made of gold, you’re truly amazing.

To my awesome Baddest Queens, the street team behind every teaser post, Amanda K., Mary, Nicoletae, Kay, Catherine, Brandi, Jenifer, Reyne. Thanks Queens!

To Amanda Rash, the wonderful editor who tolerated my temporary insanity, and didn’t side eye me for long, thanks dude. You saved my life!

To Pen Douglas, a dear friend who held my slightly trembling hand through

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