Page 47 of Obsessions of the Heart

Having just enough strength to turn around, I gave him a kiss on his nose before my eyes dropped and my limbs grew weak.

His breath hitched, and he rested his head on my back, gripping me tightly. “I got you, Rin. You’re not alone anymore. Never again.”

I sighed into him, closing my eyes, unable to tell him just how important and soul-feeding his words were to me. He was more than enough to keep my fears and insecurities away for the night.

Chapter 17

Stretching out, I expected to hit Rion, but all I felt was sheets and air. I sat up, one eye cracked open to look for him, but it was just me in the room. His computer was all geared up, the only indication that he had been in the room. Nothing else was out of place.

Glancing down at the floor, I saw my sweatshirt and bit my lip as butterflies filled my belly. Flashes of what we'd done last night flew through my head. Closing my eyes, I focused on the feel of his mouth on me, the raw sounds he’d made while he took control of my body.

Truth be told, I liked it. I was surprised to wake up and see him down there, even a little embarrassed at first, but when he asked me if he could continue, there was no way I was going to tell him no. I had been dreaming about him and his brothers for weeks, but I’d overthought everything and didn't want to make the first move. Didn’t want to be the one at fault if it didn't work out or if they didn’t think of me like that. When he asked me, relief and excitement had coiled together, giving me the freedom to just feel without thinking about it.

Arching down, I scooped up my sweater and pulled it on. I glanced around, trying to find my underwear, but it was nowhere to be found. I thought back, remembering that he’d ripped them off me and thrown them on the bed. A few minutes passed while I checked the blanket and pillows, even under the bed, but the white fabric was nowhere to be found.

Climbing out of bed, I went to find some of his boxers, which got me thinking. Rion and I hadn’t had a moment to talk about how we wanted to handle everything, but maybe he felt there was plenty of time for that?

Searching his drawers, my fingers grazed over a smooth, round surface, so I moved the clothing aside. Beneath it was a small painted rock. My breath stopped, eyes pinched in disbelief. I traced a finger over the smooth surface, making sure this was even real. I couldn't believe he had this. Picking it up, I set the rock in my palm, shocked that the lion painted on top hadn’t cracked or chipped.

I remembered giving him this for Christmas when we were kids. We had no money at nine years old, even less so being an orphan, but I didn't want their Christmas to go without presents. That year, I went to the creek and scoured the area for three perfect rocks of different colors and shapes. They just needed to have smooth, flat surfaces. I gave them the best present a nine-year-old could think of, a pet rock. Rion got the lion, Roux got the dragon, and Ravi got the fox. Each represented an animal they reminded me of.

Setting the rock down, I grew even more curious, wondering if he had anything else hidden like this. I checked the rest of the clothing drawers and found nothing. Turning around, I leaned against the dresser, trying to think of places that he would keep cute little secrets, and my eyes snagged on his computer desk.

Yanking the top left drawer open, I was disappointed. Pads of paper, pens rolling around, and a few haphazardly placed cables. When I tried to open the bottom one, I felt resistance. I tried again, but it wouldn't budge. A small lock had been secured to it. Glancing to the other side of the desk, the big drawer at the bottom also had a lock on it. What did he keep inside those?

A grumble came from my stomach, followed by an achy feeling, and I knew I needed to figure out breakfast soon. Food had to come before curiosity, so I put my super sleuthing on hold.

Coming downstairs, my stomach turned, tangled up in knots. I took a breath, smoothing my skirt when I got to the ground floor. I didn't know how I was going to face Ravi or Roux, knowing what I had done with Rion, but I hoped they wouldn’t be too mad.

Once I rounded the corner, hushed whispers came to a sudden stop. All three brothers were at the table. Ravi was the first to see me, his face shining so brightly that I didn't understand how he could be that chipper first thing in the morning. “Hey, beautiful. Did you have a good night's sleep?”

My eyes flicked to Rion, who covered his smile with his mug, taking a sip of whatever was inside. Oh, so we were going to play the innocent card? Okay, I could do that. I turned to Ravi. “I slept good, but I could use a cup of…” I peeked at his cup, seeing the dark, bitter goodness I liked, and smiled at him, blinking a few times for extra effect. “Coffee. I could use a nice cup to wake up.”

Rion and Ravi got up at the same time. Ravi glared at Rion, who backed down, then moved around the kitchen, grabbing me a mug that said, “Don’t fuck with crazy.” While Ravi was working, I switched my attention to the other brothers. “So, Roux, do you have any fun plans today? It's Saturday after all.”

Roux shrugged, staring down into his cup. “Work out, then work on research for a project.” It was a vague answer, but that was on brand for Roux.

A mug appeared in front of me, along with the smell of those bitter beans doused in sugar and milk, with a hint of caramel. Raising it to my lips, I tested it out. Exactly the way I prefer it. It was so perfect that I was forced to do a double take between Ravi, who’d settled down next to me with a smirk, and the cup. “How did you know how I liked my coffee?”

Ravi's face froze for a second. The wheels in his eyes worked overtime, like he was rushing to think of an answer. My finger tapped my cup almost like a timer until he spat, “D-d-don't you remember?” I tilted my head, trying to figure out what he meant.

He snapped, pointing at me as his mouth went from pinched to relaxed. “When we were at The Bean House, I took a sip of your coffee when you went to the bathroom.”

Raising an eyebrow, I followed with, “Why? You could've just asked me for a drink.”

Without hesitation, he moved into my space and whispered, “I was curious what you liked.” His eyes shifted to the side toward his brothers. “I wanted an ace in the pocket.”

His boyish smile had me in a chokehold. It was kinda cute that he wanted to know more about me… and a little sneaky that he’d saved the information for the right moment. He winked, and this time I hid my smile behind the guise of taking a drink. This was exactly what I would've expected from a fox.

With my mind made up, I shrugged. “Well, my compliments to the barista. It's perfect.”

His expression was priceless, grinning from ear to ear, a flash of red rising to his cheeks. He’d always had the most adorable reactions. How could I ever suspect him of something weird?

“What about you, Rin? Any plans today?” Rion’s smooth, commanding voice asked, causing my heart to skip a beat.

I had opened my mouth when my phone buzzed with a text from Cin.

Cin: Are you awake?

---