The Lies We Tell (The Four #1) - Becca Steele Page 0,45
the contrast between the two ridiculous: my tiny car with the word “whore” in huge letters, next to his perfectly buffed and polished R8. I wondered if he’d notice if I swapped our car keys…I laughed to myself, thinking about him squashed into the driver’s seat of my car. “Compact” was a generous description.
Kinslee lifted her hand to the huge metal door knocker, painted matte black and shaped like a skull, and rapped it against the door. The door swung open, and we entered the house, and I noted the security camera facing us. Knowing what I knew now, it was laughable that I’d even attempted to graffiti Caiden’s car when it was parked right outside, but at the time I couldn’t have imagined the surveillance they had going on. It wasn’t like I had any experience in that—my old university apartment block had an intercom buzzer, and that was the height of technology.
“Where’s…” Kinslee’s words trailed off on a breathy sigh as we entered the foyer and looked up the curving staircase to the landing.
The Four stood, staring down at us. They hadn’t bothered dressing up—not yet, anyway. All I saw as my eyes greedily licked over them were bare torsos, muscles, and tattoos. I wondered, not for the first time, how exactly I’d ended up involved with them.
“Come on up,” Weston called, and that shook me out of my trance. I smiled up at him and led the way up the stairs, Kinslee following behind me. As I reached the landing, my entire focus turned to Caiden, helplessly.
Shorts. A sheen of sweat on his golden, tattooed skin, muscles rippling as he stretched his arms above his head. His raven hair was all tousled like he’d been running his fingers through it, a pair of headphones around his neck.
Fuck. Me.
He stared at me blankly, then turned away. “Shower,” he grunted, striding into his room and closing the door firmly behind him.
“You want a bucket of ice to cool off?” Weston smirked at me.
“What?”
“I think we all noticed the way you were looking at my brother like he was your last meal.”
“No, I wasn’t,” I said weakly. Just because the asshole was the hottest man I’d ever seen, didn’t change the fact I disliked him intensely. Then, because I had no pride: “Why was he all like that?”
“If by ‘that’ you mean a sweaty mess that badly needed a shower, he’s been in the basement. In our gym.” Cassius stepped forwards, swinging me up into a hug and planting a huge kiss on my cheek. He released me and did the same with Kinslee, grinning at her exaggerated squeal and spinning around with her in his arms.
“Have I mentioned how much I love being your friend?” Kinslee smiled and winked at me as Cassius put her down.
“Ha ha. You’re welcome.” I headed towards the guest room, assuming that was where I would be sleeping. No one stopped me or mentioned otherwise, so I opened the door and threw my bag onto the bed. The file was safely tucked away amongst my clothes, and I knew it would be safe here. I closed the door behind me and followed everyone down the stairs, into the kitchen.
“So, how many are you expecting tonight?” I directed my question to Weston, as Cassius and Zayde got beers out of the fridge and, after popping the tops, slid two across the large island towards me and Kinslee.
“Not many. We’re keeping this one small. Intimate.”
“Intimate, hmmm?” Kinslee purred, raking her eyes over him and licking her lips.
“Did you bring a bikini, Kins?” His voice dropped an octave.
“Maybe. Why?”
“Wanna go in the hot tub?”
“Mmm, yes. I’ll be right back.” She slipped off her stool, beer in hand, and headed off towards the stairs.
“West, don’t go fucking with her,” I warned.
“I’m not going to be fucking with her, I’m going to be fucking her.” He smirked at me.
“Right. I gathered that.”
“Don’t worry, sis. We both know it’s just a bit of fun.”
“Okay. Just making sure.”
He walked around the island to me and pulled me into his arms, dropping a kiss on my head, and I hugged him back. “I wish Cade was more like you,” I mumbled into his bare chest.
“No, you don’t. You and me—we’re brother and sister. You and Cade—you’re…fire. A blazing inferno, burning everything in your path.”
I drew back to look at him, raising a brow. “Uh. I’m not really sure what to say to that. It was quite poetic, actually, especially coming from you.