Page 82 of Arranged Scars
“What I wouldn’t give for some whiskey right about now.”
“We agreed to go easy on the drinking for at least another week.”
“Yeah, I know. That’s why I’m not drowning myself.”
“You’re so dramatic. I thought you were a big, strong, tough guy?”
“It’s not the pain that gets me. I’mbored.”
She flips her sunglasses up as my eyes stray to her chest. “Don’t expect me to entertain you.”
“Why not? There are certain positions?—”
“Hard no.”
“I bet I could convince you.” I move closer and put my hand on her thigh. She licks her lips but lightly bats me away.
“Hands to yourself.” She sits up, spreading her legs to either side of the chair. Fuck, I love her body. It makes my heart race just seeing her in a bathing suit. “Actually, I had an idea I wanted to run by you. Since you’re bored, maybe now’s a good time.”
“When you have an idea, that means trouble’s coming.”
She glances at my shoulder and I can tell I said the wrong thing. She struggles to mask the guilt but I can see it flash across her face. “It won’t involve you getting hurt,” she says very softly.
“Caroline, I don’t blame you.”
“It was my idea. I pushed you into it.” She looks down at her hands. “You said we should wait, but I convinced you anyway.”
“I let you convince me. I practically begged you to. This isn’t on you.”
She doesn’t look convinced. “Yeah. Maybe.”
“What’s your idea?”
“No, forget it.”
“Don’t make me drag it from you.” I lean forward, good hand snaking into her hair. She gasps lightly as I shuffle closer and pull her into me. I kiss her neck and sink my teeth into her shoulder. “Talk or I bite harder.”
“That’s… not really fair…”
“Good. Talk.”
“Ah—” she says, whimpering as I kiss her. “Mmmm, okay, hard to think but, uh—” She takes a breath and sighs. “You know I met with my dad and my brothers. They’re falling apart. Like seriously losing their minds.”
“That’s good.” I pause, kissing her throat. I can already see where this is going, but I’m curious what she’s thinking. “Tell me more.”
“Well, we don’t have to do anything right now… except encourage them. I think Mal’s paranoid as hell. Dermot’sdefinitely on edge. Dad’s a total mess. What if we just… kept nudging them?”
“Keep talking.” I kiss her chin and tighten my grip on her hair. Fuck, if my other hand weren’t useless, I’d already be stroking it down her breasts and between her legs.
“We make sure they suspect each other… seed them with rumors… bad information… it would be low risk… oh, god.”
I bite her lower lip. “Low risk,” I repeat, staring into her eyes. I release her hair and reach down to untie her top. She doesn’t stop me.
“Nobody gets hurt.”
“And if we’re lucky—” Her top comes loose. I cup one breast tightly, teasing her nipple. “They do it for us.”
“Yes,” she whispers, and I’m not sure what she’s responding to as I bury her mouth with mine.
