The Moth and the Flame (When Rivals Play #2) - B.B. Reid Page 0,114

Jamie’s brown eyes to care what she thought. “Not for long,” he promised.

As I smiled my most flirtatious smile, Four palmed her face and shook her head. Oh, yeah. Wren was going to learn soon enough that he wasn’t the only one determined to get his way.

After eating my fill of leftover meatloaf, Four showed me to the guesthouse out by the pool before getting a call that made her swear colorfully and disappear. I was exploring the two-bedroom house that, even in all its extravagance, seemed like a hut in comparison to the mansion when I realized I didn’t have my bag or my camera.

Retracing my steps, I followed the stone path back to the main house and through the double doors leading to the family room. Four, who had grown noticeably quiet while I ate, had been too distracted by whatever was going on in her head to give me a real tour, so I stopped and looked around.

Surprisingly, it was your typical family room only twice as large. There was nothing gilded in gold or studded with diamonds. There was a large sectional that could fit an entire family and then some, a couple of comfy looking recliners, and the largest flat-screen TV I’d ever seen. Across the room, I spotted a huge fireplace. On the mantel above, framed photos sat on display. Deciding my bag could wait a few more minutes, I started across the room.

I didn’t make it two steps before I heard my name. Wren stood in one of the doorways with Ever at his side, and I frowned as I paused to study them both. The two of them together tugged at my memory strings for some reason.

“What are you doing?” Wren questioned while trying to keep the suspicion from his tone. He probably thought he’d just caught me in the middle of robbing them. Those silver picture frames had looked expensive though it never occurred to me to lift them. I’d been more interested in the memories.

“Paula has my bag.”

Wren silently lifted his hand, and I realized he had my bag and camera in both.

“Paula?” Ever inquired.

I sighed. Why couldn’t anyone just understand me so I didn’t have to explain?

“My Impala,” Wren told him, and I shrugged. I thought it was rather clever, but if Ever thought so, too, he didn’t let on. I realized then that he was a bit of a prick. What the hell Four saw in him, I’ll probably never know.

My gaze slid to Wren.

Then again, maybe I already did.

Ever told us his father left a few days ago to handle some crisis on the other side of the world and wouldn’t be back until morning. He then asked me where Four had gone, and when I lifted my shoulders, his expression became annoyed.

“Do you think there’s trouble in paradise?” I asked Wren once we were alone.

He gave me a warning look as he closed the distance between us. “Not our business.”

“But I like them,” I admitted with finality. “And by them, I mean Four. Ever’s a dick, and Jamie’s a flirt.” I peeked up at him from under my lashes. “You should know that Jamie is going to try to get in my pants. He might even succeed.”

The tick in Wren’s jaw was his only reaction.

Feigning worry, I stepped even closer to him. “You don’t have a problem with that, do you, bestie?” Of course, he didn’t respond. “You shouldn’t,” I pressed. “All three of them are hot, which means their friends probably are, too.” I smiled up at him excitedly. “We could be each other’s wingman!”

I felt his strong hand at my nape before I even realized he’d moved, and then he was kissing me. Immediately, I melted into him, excited to feel his lips again after three long weeks. His hand found my ass at the same time his tongue worked its way inside my mouth. I didn’t know there could be so much passion and heat in a single kiss, and I wanted more. I was practically climbing his body when he finally let me go. Opening my eyes, however, I wasn’t prepared for the coldness staring back at me.

“Do what you want,” he told me quietly before he dropped my bag at my feet and left me standing alone.

I WASN’T SURE HOW LONG I spent brooding on the couch, but the sun started setting a while ago, and Lou still hadn’t returned to the guesthouse. Only my bruised ego kept me from going