Page 55 of Deadly Secrets

Whenever Zayn touched me, I had this urge to squeeze my thighs, and my heart would race to a dangerously fast beat. Knowing that he would be sleeping just a few steps away from me every night made my head spin.

“Are you hungry?” Zayn asked, pulling me out of my daydreaming state.

“Do you want us to order something? Is Ander coming for dinner?”

“Yes, he’ll be home soon. I was actually thinking about cooking one of my favorite homemade pasta dishes.”

Did I hear that correctly? This man who looked like a fallen angel with the ability to bring you to your knees knew how to cook?

“Are you telling me that you cook?” I asked, my expression a mix of surprise and curiosity.

He started laughing like it was a ridiculous idea to think otherwise.

Taking a seat on one of the barstools thoughtfully arranged in front of the small kitchen peninsula, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement. Zayn poured two glasses of velvety red wine, placing one of them before me with a captivating smile. As I sipped the wine, he retrieved a few fresh ingredients from the fridge. He skillfully sliced the onions with precision and chopped the basil leaves and garlic, then finished by cutting cherry tomatoes in half. I was so captivated watching him work in the kitchen that I didn’t even notice Ander entering the room.

“If I catch you fucking in the kitchen, I won’t be such a good sport like Noah. I’m warning you,” he yelled from the door.

Zayn laughed, but Ander’s comment made me feel a bit uneasy. Neither Zayn nor Noah had told me he knew. I tried brushing the awkwardness aside and concentrating on how effortlessly Zayn moved around in the kitchen.

“Don’t be an asshole, Ander. We’re just cooking dinner,” Zayn responded.

“Well, Zayn’s cooking. I’m just sampling the wine and cheering him on.”

Zayn grabbed a baking tray and started tossing in all the ingredients. He drenched everything with extra virgin olive oil and gave it a nice dusting of salt and black pepper before popping the tray into the oven and setting the timer.

Ander had gone to take a shower, so while Zayn finished preparing dinner, I made my way to the bedroom and tackled the task of unpacking my luggage. The room was tastefully decorated, adorned with varying shades of whites and grays. Positioned at the center was a comfortable queen-size bed flanked by two nightstands and a closet on the opposite side of the room. Several abstract paintings decorated the walls. The entire apartment screamed interior designer paid by the parents, and yes, we have a maid.

“Do you like your room?”

When I turned around, my eyes widened at the unexpected sight. Ander casually leaned on the doorframe, wearing just a white towel around his waist. His dark blond hair was wet. Water droplets cascaded down his tattooed chest and abs, highlighting his muscular frame. My gaze hungrily traced every curve of his body. Only a few tattoos adorned his defined arms. Among them, I identified a snake, an angel with outstretched wings, and two koi fish, but my stomach suddenly dropped as I caught sight of the Aquarius symbol inked above his heart. My steps were slow and deliberate as I made my way toward Ander, my gaze fixated on that tattoo.

“You’re not Aquarius; you’re Taurus,” I said while I traced my fingers over the lines.

Ander gently took hold of my chin, lifting it so that our eyes met.

“Ask me the question, Sienna.”

My heart raced, and the world around me seemed to fade away. I nervously bit my lower lip, and Ander’s gaze instinctively dropped to my mouth. I was afraid to ask if that tattoo meant my zodiac sign.

I wasn’t ready for any of the two possibilities. It would hurt to know that it wasn’t because of me, and he was just fooling around with my head, but I wasn’t sure I was ready to hear the alternative answer. That I was the reason he had gotten it in the first place. I took a step back and put some distance between us.

“I need to finish unpacking. And yes, I like my room. Thanks for letting me stay here.”

Ander’s expression became somber, yet he managed to force a smile and replied, “Of course.” Without saying another word, he turned on his heels and left to get dressed.

* * *

“I think we should start discussing how we’re going to unmask this stalker,” Ander suggested.

We sat in the dining room, eating the lovely dinner Zayn had cooked.

“What can you tell us about the notes?” Zayn asked.

I took a deep breath and explained everything between the first note I received and the last event before Thanksgiving.

“Do you think they might attend the same classes as you?” Ander asked.

“It would make sense, but they could be anyone.” I shrugged, expressing my uncertainty. “They must have been following me to figure out my schedule.” The notes exuded jealousy, and it got me thinking—maybe some girl wasn’t too happy about me getting cozy with these guys. “Do you think it could be a girl obsessed with any of you? Maybe she doesn’t like that I’m hanging out with you three?”

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