Page 77 of Sizzling

“That’s right,” he replied as he ran the tip of his nose along the side of my face.

“What changed?” I asked, fighting not to lose my concentration.

His lips brushed against the pulse in my neck. “Everything.”

• Twenty- Nine •

I was shelfing that guilt because I hadn’t actually done it.

Storm

Pacing back and forth in front of my Jeep outside Maeme’s, I fought the urge to go inside and throw Briar over my shoulder, then leave with her. I wanted her in my house. In my bed. Naked all the time.

Finding eighteen thousand dollars in cash tucked under the seat of her car had set me on edge. Sure, I’d taken it and hidden it in my safe. There was no way I was letting her have that kind of freedom to leave me.

I was itchy with the idea. I hadn’t been able to stay there and continue going through her things. I needed to take her to the car so she could get what she needed, but I had to make sure there was no more money hidden anywhere.

My inability to stay away from her had me back here though. Although I’d put two cameras in her bedroom so that I could watch her, I still wanted to be near her. Yes, I was crossing all kinds of lines, but I really did not give a fuck.

What I cared about was making sure Briar was mine. Keeping her safe. Giving her everything she ever wanted. But first, I had to stop acting like a psychopath in case she noticed.

Looking back at the road, I swore under my breath. Where the hell was Nailyah? I’d called her an hour ago. She should be here by now. I needed to make sure Dovie had something to do so that Briar would be available to go with me. To my house. For the night. Nailyah was coming to meet Dovie and make hanging out with a seventy-five-year-old woman more interesting. The more intertwined I got Dovie into the family, the easier it would be to hook Briar. Nailyah had better become Dovie’s best damn friend.

The red Porsche finally slowed and turned into the drive leading up to Maeme’s. About fucking time. I waited as Nailyah climbed out of the driver’s seat and glanced at me like I was acting unstable. Probably because I was. I had to check that shit, but it seemed every time I tried to stop, I just got worse.

“You okay?” she asked, walking over to me.

“Yeah,” I replied. “Thanks for coming over.”

She shrugged. “You didn’t exactly ask me. You told me. But you’re welcome.”

I’d been ready to blackmail her ass if needed, but thankfully, she hadn’t been difficult. Yes, I had considered blackmailing my baby sister. I was shelfing that guilt because I hadn’t actually done it.

“It’s not like you don’t owe me,” I told her, letting the things I could have blackmailed her with hang in the air.

If our parents knew half the shit I’d gotten her out of, she’d lose that expensive car of hers and one or more of her credit cards.

She rolled her eyes. “Don’t be a douche,” she said, glancing back at the house. “So, this girl is living at Maeme’s?” she asked.

“Yes. She’s not deaf, but she is mute.”

She nodded. “You explained that already. Lucky for you, I know enough sign language from my extra-credit course in high school that I can talk to her. Now, this is because of her sister? You want her alone?”

“You don’t need details. But I do want a night out with her sister. Yes.”

I hadn’t known how else to explain their relationship. I’d figured sisters was the easiest way.

I started toward the house. “Briar said that Dovie can swim if you want to take her over to the house to swim.”

“That’s good. But I was hoping I could get Maeme to make cupcakes first.”

“Fine. Whatever. Just be friendly. Keep her happy.”

“I’m always friendly.”

I could argue that, but we had reached the door, and I was ready to get inside to Briar. Leaving her earlier had been painful. She’d been watching me as if she was expecting me to turn on her at any minute. Which I deserved. I had to prove myself to her. I knew that, and I was going to pull out all the stops to do it.

Nailyah opened the door, and I followed her inside.

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