Page 23 of Love Thief

I try to smile again to put him off, but as much as he says he can’t read me, I know he absolutely can when he really wants to.

“Grace, give us a minute, please.” He’s talking to her but is staring at me. He hasn’t moved, his voice devoid of emotion.

Giving him a look of appreciation, clearly checking him out, she looks him up and down before kissing me on the cheek and walking out, closing the door behind her.

I divert my attention back to my suitcase, trying to look anywhere but at him. “I’ve got this dress, do you think it will be ok? I’m not sure and I’m getting a bit nervous.” I’m holding up the black lace dress, rambling.

“Are you going to tell me what that was about?” He walks over and pulls me into a hug.

“Just nerves.”

Tilting my head up, he looks into my eyes, quirking an eyebrow at me. He doesn’t believe me.

“Don’t, Kitten. Don’t do that. I can’t sort shit out if you don’t tell me.”

I draw in a big breath, steeling myself to ensure I say the right thing. To keep flying under the radar on how I feel. Keep how she’s made me doubt myself—and him—to myself. “I’ve just got a bit emotional since the wedding. I feel a bit all over the place, that’s all. And Grace just reminded me of something, but nothing more.”

“What did she remind you of?” He persists, his fingertips brushing the hair off my face. I’ve put my head down, and didn’t even realise it.

We hear a loud bang and a cheer go up, and loud voices filter through the doors. Becky and Levi have arrived. I lift my head and smile towards the door.

“Do you want to pull out, not have the wedding here?” he asks, gently moving my face back towards him. More noises come from the living area, but he makes no move to leave.

“No. I’ve said I’ll go through with it, and I’ve already said yes to you, so…” I lift onto my toes and peck at his lips, inserting more confidence than I feel into my voice when I say, “I’m fine.”

“Xan told me you were crying with Marshall. Is this the same thing?” He looks away in irritation, his jaw set, his teeth grinding in frustration. “I wish people would just butt the fuck out. I get sick of people interfering.”

“No, Marshall was being nice and I was a bit over-emotional over it, so no. Look, it’s hard sometimes, that’s all. You’re a lot, you know.” I push at him, and he takes me in his arms and looks down at me.

“You’d say, if it was not good? I’ve not known you to be so reticent. Not be upfront...”

“I’ll say, definitely.”

He bends his head and murmurs in my ear, “The dress is amazing. Just not sure how I’ll not tear it off you before we get a chance to get to that chapel.”

The door bangs open and Xander bursts through with Levi.

“C’mon lovebirds, we need to get to dinner and out to party,” Xander exclaims.

I drop my head into his chest so Xander can’t see my face. I look like I’m cuddling into Kell and he pulls me in further and kisses my head before gently pushing me towards the bathroom away from the boys.

“Fuck off then, you two, so I can get changed. You know I don’t like to show my body off. Makes you lot feel inferior,” Kell teases them. He saunters towards the shower room, pulling his T-shirt off and dropping his jeans as he goes.

Levi wolf whistles at him, luring everyone to the door to get a look.

Kellen doesn’t move fast, in fact I’m sure he slows down so they can all get a good look.

“Fucker’s been working out again,” Levi says. “And are there whip marks on your back, Marcus?”

He half-turns, teasing them all, a whisker away from a full frontal, and points to me. “See Miss Riding Crop.”

I blush bright red.

“Woah, Evie, crack that whip baby,” Gabe snickers at me. “It was you who turned him black and blue? I did wonder that day, but he never confirmed it.”

They’re all laughing now and I don’t know what to say, so I go for broke and blurt out, “Out. The lot of you. Or I’ll crack out the whips!”

“Oh be still my heart.” Xan swoons, falling dramatically to the floor.

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