Justin tried to take that from us, tried to pit us against each other.
All the bastard’s done is push us even closer together.
Me. Parrish. Maxx. Chasm.
Even with the romantic struggles between us, I don’t think there’s any way we could be turned against one another. I don’t.
“Harder,” I breathe, and Parrish releases his breath in a rush. “Faster.”
He obeys—but only because he wants to. He’s headstrong, this one. He’s trouble with a capital T.
I brace myself against the countertop as he works hard and fast against me, coming with a loud groan that I sure as hell hope nobody outside this door can hear. When he drops his hand down to my clit, I try to protest but the words won’t come. Instead, I find myself worked just as hard, just as fast, and then it’s all over, and I’m having trouble staying upright.
We both end up on the floor again, and he’s holding me, struggling to catch his breath.
“This is what I want for my welcome home present.”
“Quickies?” I ask, and he makes a harsh scoffing sound in protest.
“Are you insane, Dakota Banks? No. I want you.”
And damn if these boys aren’t good at one-liners.
And damn them even more because they actually work on me.
I am in huge trouble here. Huge. And also, too in love to give a shit.
Night rolls in much quicker than I feel it should. I guess since we didn’t wake up until four, that makes sense. But after breakfast, studying, pizza, and more studying, it’s nearly two in the morning, and we’re all yawning like crazy.
Tess basically camps the dining room for the entire day, and we’re greeted to a rotation of Paul, Kimber, Ben, Henry, and Amelia. To sum it up: there is no more private time for me and Parrish.
He keeps sneaking glances at me from across the table, and I’ll catch his eye, but then whenever he tries to find a way to disappear with me in tow, it backfires. He says he’s going to the bathroom, giving me a look that clearly says come with me, only to have Paul follow us out so he can make a cup of coffee.
Seeing as the downstairs bathroom is in direct view of the kitchen, there’s no hope there.
Later, I try to go upstairs to use my own bathroom, and it so happens that Tess needs something from her office at that exact moment.
By the time we do make it upstairs, I can tell Parrish is getting frustrated. Not just because of the sex, but because he can’t touch me or hold me or kiss me when our family is around. Also, we have zero time to discuss Justin or his plans or to get more details on anything that happened while he was gone.
“I’m going to fucking beg the Slayer to take me back by the end of the week,” Parrish is mumbling as he sits on his bed with his head thrown back against the headboard. “Why can’t I be left alone for two seconds?”
“Because your entire family believed you were dead and that they’d never see you again?” Maxx suggests, but not unkindly. He’s cleaning GG’s cage again, but when I try to help, he gives me a soft smile and leans in to put his forehead against mine. “You relax. I’m done with my schoolwork; you’re not even close.”
Parrish lifts his head up to watch that interaction and frowns. I give Maxx a warning look, but he acts as if he had no idea what he was doing. Chasm is in the shower currently; I can hear the water running even with the door closed, and I can’t help but be curious about what he might be doing in there.
“Did you hear that my grandmother is demanding to spend the day with me on Saturday?” Parrish remarks, as if it’s a casual thing when we both know it’s not. I sit on the bed next to him and then decide, fuck it. We’re officially dating now, and I’m sick and tired of holding back. I waited too long for this and fought too hard for him to be prudish now.
I crawl up and curl against him, smiling as he shudders and sighs in pleasure, wrapping his arms tight around me. His scent sweeps over me, making my heavy lids feel like boulders have been placed on top of them. So tired.
We’re tech free for the moment, so it might be a good time to talk about Saffron’s letter or the dark web thing, but I just don’t know if I have it in me. Maxine is still safe; I got to see another live feed of her reading peacefully by the pool of whatever house she’s staying in currently. According to Chasm, that dining room I saw in the video last night wasn’t his; he doesn’t know where she is either.
