Staring at the knife in her hand, whichispinned above her head as hepulls her againsthis hot, wet body, Iambombarded by questions.So many questions.Wheredidshe evenhideit?How did she get it?How long hasshe had it?How many knivesdoeshe have?Also,where?Heisdressed in nothing but boxers!And seriously,cantheir faces get any closer without kissing?
“The next knife you try to use on me,” he growls, “better well cut me.”
Holding her gaze, he clawsthe weapon from her hand.She breatheshard, her chin jutting out as she looksat him in defiance.
“The next knife, you won’t see,” she warns.
He laughs, but it soundslike a challenge.
And suddenly, Ifeellike the side character in a book.
But damn if I’m notgoing to be the best side character to my bestie.Not one of those annoying ones who always interruptsthe moment.
Slowly sneaking over to my discarded blue slip, I pick it up and head for the door behind me.I’mnotsure where it leadsto, but it’saway, so that’sgood enough for me.And them, I imagine.Unless…
Heisan exhibitionist?
Ifreezemid-sneak.Bugger.HowdoI know if I should stay or go now?
Although most brownies are exhibitionists,I’m not really into it.I always get too embarrassed.So I have no idea what Nicholas will want me to do if he is.Do I stand here with my back turned?Turn and watch?Or –
“Arienna,” Fabia hisses.“Where are you going?”
Huh.I wouldn’t have thoughtshewould be the one calling me back.Given her lack of participation in our town orgies, I always assumed she wasn’t into public displays of affection.
“I was just giving you two lovelies some privacyso you can go at it,” Isay, turning back around.“But I didn’t realise you wereinto voyeurism.”
“Intovoy–”Nicholas starts.
“We werenotgoing to ‘go at it’,”Fabia cuts in.“We are never going to ‘go at it’.Because unlike you, I have much better taste in men.”Shetugsaway from him and stomps over to herclothes.
I grin.
Thisisgoing to be so much fun.Fabia hasn’t crushed on a guy in… well, ever.
I glance at Nicholas.
Hisdarkeyesareglued on the floor.His shouldersarecurved in ever so slightly.As if he sensesmy gaze on him, he looksup.And then quickly away.“Just get dressed and meet me outside.”
Spinning on his heels, heleavesthe room.
Wasting no time,Fabiagrabsmy arm and yanksme towards the doorI was trying to sneak through earlier.“Come on.”She pullsit open, then curseswhen sheseesit’sonlya closet.Looking up, she cranesher neck side to side.“There’s a vent up there,” shesays.“If you give me a lift up, I can reach it.”
Shaking my head, I pull out of her grasp.“I don’t want to escape.”
“What?Why?”
“I’m tired, and I’ve just had a bath.I’m clean.And –” I pause, thinking everything through.“I think thismarriage canwork.”
She rolls her eyes.“You’re still drunk.Great.”
“No.Fabia.”I step away.“Listen.”
She looksat me, giving me her undivided attention despite her obvious thoughts about it.
“I just watched my mum marry the man I thought I would.And this guy isn’t looking to bang my mum.Or my sister.Sure, I’ll have to figure out a way to bringallmy w–” I stop,then cough.“My stuffover, but I’ll be a queen.That’ll most likely be a non-issue, really.”I wave a hand.
“But he’s a monster,Arienna.Heeatschildren.”
