Page 45 of The Secret Stalker
“I thought you were Flynn,” exclaims Tye in horror.
“Serves you right you idiot, get some boxers on,” calls out Mack from the table, where he has his plate sitting in front of him. I take a seat next to him along with Flynn and then Rory walks in. He stops at the kitchen and looks over at us sitting to eat.
“Good morning,” he says brightly and picks up a plate. “Thanks Tye,” he says as he slaps his bum on passing. I nearly choke on my mushrooms and Mack definitely snorts on whatever he’s eating. Tye turns red faced and picks up his plate to join us. These men are adorable and being here is so much nicer than waking up alone in my apartment.
“Anyone else have a sore head, or just me?” I ask as we all tuck into our food.
“Oh no, it’s not just you,” confirms Rory who looks as dusty as I feel right now.
“Nothing this fry up won’t fix,” says Tye confidently.
“Will you pack a bag and come stay tonight?” asks Mack more seriously.
“I was planning on it if that’s still cool.”
“I’ll drive you. Want me to come with you and help?”
“It’s ok, I will pack some things and take my neighbour’s dog for a walk and then come back in the early afternoon. I need to do some washing. How long shall I pack for?”
“Pack everything. You can wash your clothes here.”
“I can’t do that,” I reply although I don’t know why I can’t. Maybe it’s my hungover brain speaking, I don’t think I’m mentally up for packing everything today.
“Yes. You can.” Mack’s eyes heat and I feel his thigh rub up against mine, the closeness of him setting off butterflies in my stomach.
I manage to pull myself together and reply, “I’d prefer to pack what I need for the week and see how it goes. I don’t want to jinx it.”
“You won’t jinx it, but that’s fine. We can help you pack up everything whenever you’re ready,” he softens.
We eat breakfast like roommates. It feels fun and communal. I’ve never lived with more than one person before, other than my parents. We all help tidy and clear up. The guys offer to watch movies with me on the sofa but I feel like I should go home, sort my shit out, get some fresh air out with Snowy. The quicker I can get all that done, the quicker I’ll be back. With them. In their arms. My heart feels like it swells in my chest at the thought of it.
Tye lends me some shorts and Mack drives me home in the blacked out BMW he usually drives me in when he takes me to my playmate jobs. It feels weird sitting in the front seat, but it doesn’t feel weird being with him. “Thank you for the lift,” I say as we pull up outside my building.
“Will you promise to come back to us tonight?” he asks and a little piece of my heart breaks.
“I’ll be back before you know it,” I reach for his hand. “Mack, thank you for doing everything you did to get me toopen my eyes to what can be. I honestly didn’t see it, but I’m not giving it up. I’m yours now, Master. I want you to have everything you promised the last time we were online. I want all of that, all of you.” My words hit someplace in him and he squeezes my hand as emotions fill his eyes.
“See you soon, Baby.” He reaches across to press his lips to mine. I will never get used to having Zee’s— Mack’s lips on me. I reach for him, holding me to him as I deepen our kiss as a promise. I want more of this man and everybody I am about to live with.
“See you soon, Mack,” I say as I open the car door and climb out. Then I bend down to blow him a kiss before closing the door and feeling a tug on my heart for leaving him behind. These men are worming their way into my heart so easily, how is that?
THIRTY-ONE
Sophie
I arrive back at the guys’ apartment five hours later. Rory opens the door and steps out to embrace me, his hands coming up around my neck to cradle the base of my head as he kisses me. I’m stunned for a second, rooted to the spot. Then I let go of my suitcases and let my handbag drop to the floor as I lean into Rory’s kiss and let my hands wrap around his slim waist. Rory kisses me with tenderness like I’m a delicate flower who just blew in with the wind. When he breaks away he whispers, “You came back.”
“Of course I did,” I breathe out as I catch my breath. “You sure know how to welcome a guest.”
“This is your home, you are not a guest. But you are ours now so let me help you get settled,” Rory’s eyes dance with his words, a possessive fire burning behind them.
“That’ll be great, thank you,” I say as he takes hold of both my suitcases and rolls them inside, holding the door so I can follow him. He leads me to the first roomon the left.
“This is our room, well, mostly your room as I am travelling out of town often. I hope that’s ok? I have made room in the wardrobe and the guys all have space in theirs for more of your clothes. I understand women need more wardrobe space than men, Mack tells us.”
“That could quite possibly be true. You’d think with two suitcases I have packed everything, but no, this is purely for this week,” I cringe as Rory looks on and smiles, amused.
“Would you like a hand getting settled and unpacking? Or I can bring you tea and cookies as you make yourself at home. Which will it be?”
