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I nodded.
A smirk tugged at his mouth. “You had two months with her and didn’t kiss her once?” He chuckled as we walked down the corridor. “I knew you were a pussy, Marshall. But damn, not even a kiss.” His laughter filled the silence in the house. “How could you resist her?”
“It’s called self-control. Something you lack.”
I walked past him and headed into my room, slamming the door in his face.
* * *
At breakfast, I had to watch Rhys flirt with Grace. She giggled as he brushed against her arm and whispered something into her ear. A different side of Grace came out with him.
I hated seeing them together but had to shut my mouth unless he stepped out of line. Grace was angry with me for getting involved. We’d barely spoken more than a few words since Rhys arrived at Fort Marshall.
The kitchen staff emerged from the scullery, lining the banquet table with plates of food. My younger brothers were awake at this hour and hanging out at the end of the table, staring at Knox’s cell phone.
The twins were my father’s spitting image. They had the same jaw, the same black, wavy hair, and almost the same height. But they were nothing like him. While I was the model cadet, they wasted time at the academy and didn’t take anything seriously.
It seemed like I was the only person who gave a damn. Why did my father insist I followed the rules when no one else did? The twins would become Knights the following year. They would be as lazy as Rhys, not cut from the same cloth as me.
Rhys grabbed an apple from the bowl and bit into it, eyes on me. “Forbidden fruit tastes so much sweeter,” he said low enough for me to hear. “Don’t you think, Marshall?”
“I wouldn’t know. I take my oaths seriously.”
He snickered and wiped the juice from his chin. “Yeah, you do. And that’s why this time, you’re going to lose.”
After breakfast, Rhys grabbed Grace’s hand and pulled her aside, giving her one of his boyish smirks. I hated how she looked at him because she used to look at me like that.
Like I mattered to her.
Rhys leaned against the wall outside the dining room and held her hand. “So, I thought we could go out. On a date,” he clarified when she didn’t respond.
She cleared her throat, glancing at me when she heard my shoes on the tiled floor. A second of nonverbal communication passed between us. I told her with my eyes to say no. With every ounce of my being, I wanted to stop her.
But so far, my plan to keep her away from him wasn’t working. By getting involved, I only pushed her toward him. We were growing apart, which was my fault. She deserved to be happy. I wished it was with anyone but Rhys.
Her blonde head snapped back to Rhys, a pretty smile gracing her full, pink lips. “Of course,” she beamed with delight. “I’d love to go on a date with you.”
She only had two items on her list to check off.
Fuck.
I wanted to claim all her firsts, but I had other people to consider. A higher calling other than myself. My family and The Knights expected me to follow through on my orders.
Rhys winked at me, then yanked on her hand to lead her in the opposite direction. “See ya later, Marshall. Don’t wait up.”
ChapterFifteen
GRACE
Ispent the entire day with Rhys without Cole hovering over me. Being out of the house and free from my warden was nice. Until Rhys arrived, Cole made it his mission to help me enjoy my summer. He was such a good friend, but I was dumb to think we could have more.
No matter what, I was determined to finish my bucket list by the summer’s end.
Kiss a boy
Get asked out on a date
Lose my virginity
