Page 97 of Mark

“For once, I agree with your brother,” Jaxon replies. “Angel, I told you she isn’t a good person.”

“I feel kind of bad for her,” she admits.

My eyes bug out. “Are you serious?”

“Yes. She tries to act like she’s the favourite, and that the world revolves around her, but I think deep down, she knows she isn’t. It’s probably why she’s so mean to Freya. It must suck to fight for attention and not get it.”

I didn’t expect her to say that, and I’m not the only one who is shocked. Mum and Dad are watching her with open mouths, and so are Faith and Beau. The only one who doesn’t seem surprised is Jaxon.

I never thought of it that way. But now Lily has pointed it out, that is probably the reason. Esther could never measure up to Freya, no matter how hard she tried. I might not have known Freya long, but you didn’t need to know her long to get a feel for who she is. She’s too sharp and opinionated to be weighed down by acting fake. If you don’t agree with something, she doesn’t bother arguing her point. She will just dismiss you and go on with her day. Unless it’s facts that she knows she’s one-hundred-percent right about. Then she’ll probably stab you with a pencil. I wish I was joking about the last part, but I saw her hand grip the pen last night when we were arguing about the largest desert.

“You are so much nicer than I am,” Faith declares. “I wanted to gauge her eyes out with a spoon.”

Lily giggles, shaking her head. “But you wouldn’t.”

“No, I wouldn’t, but I can fantasise,” she replies, before turning to me. “I don’t think she’s coming.”

“She will,” I promise.

“My, my, my,” Maya greets, stepping onto the ramp. “Am I being escorted by you group of hunks?”

“Nanna,” Freya groans, right before she steps out behind her.

My eyes drop to the shorts she’s wearing, and the rips in them. I can see a glimpse of the bright pink bikini bottoms she has on underneath. Her top is cropped and slips off one shoulder. She has a sandy-coloured straw hat on, which has a black ribbon around the crown. Her big, black sunglasses cover half of her face. I can’t stop my reaction to her. She’s stunning on a normal day. Even when I’ve seen her take the rubbish out in her pyjamas, she looked hot. But this… she has me wanting to skip the snorkelling to go back to her room.

“Sorry I’m late,” Freya greets. “Summer called me.”

“No need to apologise. I didn’t mind waiting.”

Jaxon snorts. “He was two seconds away from going back inside to carry you out.”

Freya’s lips twist into a smirk. “I told you I would be here.”

I tag her hand and pull her close. “You can’t blame me. You keep sneaking off in the morning so forgive me for having trust issues.”

“Aww,” she coos, patting my chest. “Does someone need to be spooned in the morning?”

I sniff. “Men have feelings too.”

“So needy,” she teases quietly. “Three days ago, you couldn’t stand me. Now I can’t get rid of you.”

“No, you can’t,” I reply. Tugging her closer, I lean down, needing her. Her lips are warm, soft, and her lip balm tastes like strawberries. The kiss is brief, light, yet still makes my dick hard.

Flicking her lashes open, she gazes up at me. “You kissed me in front of your family,” she teases.

My lips tug up into a smile. “You’re making me feel like a dirty secret,” I whisper, pressing my lips lightly along hers.

“You are,” she whispers, glancing around with mischief. “I don’t want my husband to find out about you. I mean, what will I tell the kids.”

I chuckle, smacking her arse. “You’re nuts.”

She rolls her eyes. “I’ve been saying the same thing since I first woke up with you next to me.”

Shaking my head, I pull back, and remember we aren’t alone. Everyone is watching us with amusement. Well, everyone aside from Jaxon, who is checking on Rose. “What?” I ask, my eyebrows pinching together.

“Can we go now?” Mum asks, struggling not to laugh. “Or do you two need another moment alone?”

I roll my eyes. “We’re ready,” I reply, linking my fingers through hers. I follow as they begin to walk, but my attention is drawn back to Freya when she begins to laugh under her breath. “Why are you laughing?”

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