“I wanted to make sure you were okay after last night. You sort of ran off this morning before I could say anything.”
“You mean after you ignored me when the boys mentioned the shit that went down between us.”
“I didn’t think you’d want to discuss our situation in front of them. Not exactly something you want to send out in a newsletter, now is it?”
“Not the stuff that happened with Byron or everything that happened in your bedroom.” I raise an eyebrow. “Which reminds me, how did they know?”
“We have video surveillance in the house.” He grins, knowing fully well what’s been seen on those cameras.
“In each of your bedrooms? Don’t you think that’s a violation of others’ privacy, especially if we don’t consent to it?”
“It doesn’t record,”— he reaches across the table and grabs my hand— “if that makes you feel better.”
“Not really.”
“What do you want me to say? We don’t keep secrets, Palmer. The minute you walk through the front door, you consent to be an open book. That’s how we work. It’s how we stay loyal.” He squeezes his hand around mine, gently begging me to understand.
“You’re asking me to comprehend the inner workings of you boys’ minds, and I don’t think I’ll ever understand what it is you four mean to each other.”
“Would you like to?” Marek grabs my wrist, lifting my open hand to his mouth and nibbling on the ends of each of my fingers. Every bite is a little more intense than the one before.
“I’m not into the things my sister was, Marek,” I explain. “Last night was a lapse in judgment. Byron found me in a moment of weakness after you told me to live life, and then you showed up in the room, and I couldn’t . . .”
“Couldn’t what, Palmer?” He stands, reaching out to me. I trustingly place my hand in his and let him pull me to my feet. He twirls my back to his chest, pinning my thighs against the table, practically bending me over. His fingers wrap around my ponytail and yank tight enough to pull at the hair on my scalp. The burn is a sensation I never believed I’d enjoy. “What was it you couldn’t do, huh?”
“Resist you.” I’ve handed my body over to him without question, and now, he holds onto my mind.
“What was it you liked about it?” His other hand slides down to explore the back of my leg.
“You watching him touch me, knowing it was killing you. That’s the part I liked.” At my confession, I’m spun back around, bringing my chest flush against Marek’s.
“You and I, Palmer Weston, might not be that different after all.” His hands find their home in my hair while his lips lower to mine, offering me a slow and steady kiss that has my knees buckling. Marek’s movements are quick. He holds me up, offering me a sly smile as I pull my lips away from his. “Don’t ever show your weakness around us. We’ll use it against you. Even if we’re the ones that force it out of its hiding spot.”
Chapter Six
Marek
Palmer lifts her chin, giving me a glimpse of her soul through her eyes. The soft lighting reveals icy blues with flecks of silver around the pupils, deep like the ocean and as alluring as the sea. Why does this girl have me all twisted up? Seeing her is easy. I’m not afraid of what she’ll discover inside of me.
“Okay,” she whispers, leaning into my hand on her cheek.
One simple word seemingly hands her over to me. Okay.
“Let’s get you back home,” I offer, turning towards the back doors I know Breaker snuck them in through.
Palmer’s warm hand wraps around my wrist, stopping me in my tracks. I skim from where she’s connected us up to her face. Like I said, the girl is easy to see.
“What if I say I don’t want to go home?” Her tone is unapologetic.
Well, fuck. Her question is very much unexpected.
She leads me through the darkened building. Once outside, she releases my hand, and I follow her down the sidewalk.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, but it’s easy to ignore. Nothing can distract me from a smile like Palmer’s as she glances back at me. She’s clearly up to something. What that is, I intend to find out.
“Not that much farther,” Palmer calls over her shoulder.
“Don’t worry about me. I’m enjoying the view.” I appreciate the perfect curve of her back