Page 129 of They Break Beauty

“She made them from scratch, not from a mix,” Colt informed me.

“Praise all the more warranted then.”

That same giggle came from her again and I watched her for a moment as she dug back into her pancakes. She certainly was a beauty. Absolutely stunning.

It had taken me until last night to acknowledge it, because when somebody was my target, physical appearance or any other positive qualities didn’t register with me. In a way, they didn’t really compute as being human to me, just mere threats that needed to be dealt with swiftly and brutally. Registering them as anything else risked compromising my ability to do what needed to be done.

But now that she was no longer a target, no longer a mark of Hex, it left me free to open up to all of that, to really start seeing her.

I settled into my meal, trying to ignore the cold shoulder coming across clearly and brutally from Colt as he kept his gaze either riveted on Brianna or his food and strategically avoided connecting with mine, and didn’t actively engage me in direct conversation either.

“Is this your go-to breakfast food?” I asked Brianna, wanting to know things about her that my standard surveillance and investigative insight hadn’t allowed, such as her favorite things, personality quirks, hopes and dreams, and the like.

She swallowed a piece of pancake, then held her knife and fork in hand as she looked across the table at me and answered, “I’m a fan, for sure, but I have a sandwich fetish—at all times of the day. It would’ve normally been a breakfast sandwich.” She gestured at Colt. “But when I realized what a sweet tooth he has, I pivoted.”

“Aww, seriously?” Colt piped up. “You went this way for me?” His eyes gleamed with playful mischief—a look both Lev and I knew well from him. Sure enough, the next words out of his mouth confirmed it as he asked, “Is this you expressing your gratitude for the tonguing I gave your delicious cunt last night? No need, if it is, because, believe me, the pleasure was absolutely mutual.”

Brianna stilled.

I choked on a mouthful of pancake.

As I was thumping my chest and clearing my throat, he went on, “You thinking about this little devil?” He stuck his tongue out, flashing his stud.

“Colt,” I rumbled.

“Curb your prudish tendencies,” he bit back at me, then continued with Brianna, “No need to be shy, cutie. I’m definitely thinking about your taste on my tongue. I even considered not eating this morning so I could still taste you.” He smacked his lips in a chef’s kiss. “Mmm, and the way your thighs squeezed my head as your sexy body trembled, begging for more like that… holy shit… it’s burned into my memory.”

“Jesus,” I uttered, shaking my head.

Brianna’s cheeks heated and it took her a moment to absorb Colt’s graphic commentary. That was about right when it came to him.

But then she stunned us both as she told him, “Actually, I was thinking about the part where you and Levi both lost control and he grabbed your cock and fisted it, making you pant and moan for him, then spray all over his fingers.”

Lev had done what?

“Mmm, yeah. Good stuff,” Colt said, doing a good job of trying to absorb how much her words had gotten to him. She’d learn his cues soon enough as she grew closer. “You enjoyed eating up every last drop of our cum, didn’t you, darlin’?”

“It’s definitely worth a repeat,” she responded evenly. Her gaze flicked to mine and the corner of her mouth turned up, making her interest known in somewhat of a subdued way.

She was likely still wary of me.

That was to be expected given the way things had transpired.

Time would assist.

It wouldn’t be enough, though, so I’d have to actively work to earn her trust.

Best start now.

“By the time Monday rolls around, everything will have returned to its status quo on campus,” I informed her.

“Within just forty-eight hours?”

“It’s a guarantee. No comments, no more social media activity concerning the photos I leaked, not even any looks your way. Hex won’t come at you again.”

“I would say thank you, but rewarding bad behavior sets a bad precedence.”

“I agree. But how do you chalk up your relationship with Lev where that’s concerned?”

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