Page 117 of Stolen Summer

“Such a shame,” I mumbled, tilting my head as I scanned the spines.

Cole watched me stroll from shelf to shelf as he leaned against the unlit fireplace. “I thought you might like it. I remember how much time you spent at the one in my house.”

I flinched, my spine stiffening. Lifting the plastic cup to my lips, I took a long drink before putting my back to the books and forcing my body to chill. “Lately, all I have time to read are textbooks.”

He could see how much I didn’t like remembering those days. “But you like it. The schoolwork and learning.”

I shrugged, crossing the room to sit on the couch. “I like what it will do for my future.”

Cole pushed off the stone hearth, his gaze never leaving mine as he took a seat beside me. “College isn’t the only path to make money.”

The couch dipped under his weight, settling in a way that had me leaning toward him. “I know that. Trust me, and I thought long and hard about what I wanted to do with my life. It came down to being absolutely certain I wasn’t destined to work at the diner or in the food industry. I don’t even like cooking.”

“But you like picking at people’s brains?” he stated like it was the most outrageous idea ever.

“I want to help people, and yes, I like knowing why people think or act the way they do. I’m sure this all bores you.” I finished my drink and set the cup on a small side table.

“You don’t bore me, Quinn. You’ve always fascinated me.”

I angled my body toward him, lifting my legs to the side on the couch and tucking them underneath me. “And I don’t get why. It doesn’t make sense. Is it because I’m the girl you left shaken on the side of the road? Curiosity stemmed from guilt I can sort of understand.”

“So, you’re saying you sympathize with my brother and his motives?”

“Are you trying to piss me off?”

Cole brushed a strand of hair behind my ear, and I blinked. When did we get so close?

“On the contrary. Selfishly, I want you to keep hating Crew.” His gaze dropped to my lips, and I got the unmistakable sense he was going to kiss me.

I didn’t move. I couldn’t seem to think around the idea of Cole touching his lips to mine. Was it something I wanted? Hell, we might have already locked lips. It was difficult to discern between the two of them before learning they were twins. Some memories were clearer. In others, Cole and Crew blended seamlessly together.

He leaned in, and again I did nothing. Perhaps I tested my reaction, to see if my body or heart felt anything, as Cole drew nearer. He went in for the kiss, and until that moment, I hadn’t been sure what I would do. My hand came up to his chest, fingers splaying over his shirt, as I turned my head to the side, and his lips brushed my cheek instead of my mouth. “Cole,” I whispered, guilt gnawing at my belly. He’d been nothing but nice to me these last weeks, and we’d gotten to a good place, a friendly place. I didn’t want to ruin or complicate it with sex or emotions, especially since I hadn’t fully gotten over his brother.

A throat cleared, and I sprang away from Cole like I’d been burned by the closeness of his mouth. I lifted my head, glancing over his shoulder.

Crew hovered in the doorway.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Iblacked out. Or something close to it. My mind went utterly blank before leaping to oh shit. Crew wore an expression so dark it could have made Satan squirm. Danger always edged just under the surface with Crew, but right now, he exploded with it, and I wasn’t sure if I feared Crew or feared for Cole. I swore the party behind the door hushed for a heartbeat as if everyone held their breath, waiting to see what would happen next. Or perhaps that was only me.

I couldn’t do anything but stare at Crew in frozen shock. I’d been able to avoid him for nearly six weeks, and I think I’d convinced myself he wasn’t here. But seeing him now made it very real—so fucking real that the organ pumping blood into my body thundered against my chest. I worried it would burst out and fly across the room, landing at his feet.

Our eyes locked, and I swooned a fraction but enough that Cole noticed and moved, putting a stable arm around me. Probably not the smartest move.

Crew’s eyes went darker, reading into the situation, his jaw tightening.

God, why did he have to look so amazing? With no self-control, my gaze drank in every inch of him, finally landing on the corner of his mouth where the silver hoop winked. My body wanted to shudder at the memory of what the cool metal could do to me, but I rejected the response.

“Whoa, there, Quinn. How much have you had to drink—” Cole’s words died as he finally caught sight of what captured my gaze. A rush of air left his lungs as he shoved a hand into his hair, scowling at Crew. “You’re timing is impeccable.”

“You were supposed to bring her here not seduce her,” Crew hissed, the lines around his mouth taut, violence simmering off every inch of him.

Then what he said registered. What the fuck? Bring me here?

I dragged my gaze from Crew with difficulty and glared at Cole. “You did this?” I whispered, and yet the accusation held a punch, packed with the beginnings of temper.

Cole shifted, sinking into the back of the couch, yet kept an arm draped behind me. “The silent treatment has gone on long enough. You guys need to stop torturing each other and talk.”

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