Page 13 of Naughty & Nice

“Trust me, I know.” I know more than he could ever understand. “But we don’t have to let him. Not this time.”

Hendrix lets out a huge sigh before downing the rest of his wine.

Unease washes through me. I’m really not sure alcohol is the best answer in this situation.

“What time are the groceries arriving?”

“About thirty minutes,” I say after checking the time. “Are we still ordering takeout?”

We had planned all this out, but our wildcard out in the living room might not agree.

“This is our trip,” Hendrix says, stealing my words from earlier. “We do it how we want to do it. He either toes the line, or he can leave.”

I suck in a breath, shocked to hear such firm words leaving his lips.

Hendrix might often feel exasperated by his twin brother, but it’s not very often he voices it. Generally speaking, he’s happier just following along instead of being the one making the rules.

“Okay, then,” I agree, taking another sip of my wine. “Despite the obvious issue, this place is perfect.”

A small smile plays on Hendrix’s lips and butterflies take flight in my stomach. I love that smile on him, the happiness in his eyes.

Yes, this trip might have taken an unexpected turn, but we’re still going to make the best of it.

Leaning over, I press a kiss to his cheek before hopping down and announcing, “I’m going to unpack.”

“I can take the floor if you don’t want?—”

“Rix,” I snap, cutting him off. “I’d never make you sleep on the floor, and you know it.”

I shoot him a smile over my shoulder before rushing through the living room where Wilder is on his cell and shutting myself in the bedroom.

Dropping onto the end of the bed, I lower my head into my hands and let out a long sigh.

How is this happening?

I’ve done everything I can to avoid Wilder since that Halloween party. How am I now stuck here with him for the next five days?

It’s got disaster written all over it.

Hendrix can’t find out what happened. He’d never forgive me.

The delivery person knocks on the door a while later, and Hendrix calls that he’s got it. Trusting him to put the groceries away, I continue hanging my up clothes.

I’m so lost in my thoughts that I don’t realize that someone has joined me until a rush of hot air tickles over my neck.

“What the hell are you doing?” I whisper-hiss as I attempt to put some distance between us.

In doing so, I collide with the freestanding wardrobe, causing it to bang against the wall.

“You okay, Elle?” Hendrix bellows through the cabin.

My heart jumps into my throat as I glare pure death at Wilder.

All he does is smirk.

It’s like he doesn’t care about getting caught.

Maybe he doesn’t.

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