Page 73 of Consume Me

“Everything I do is for you.”

The audacity of this guy to feed me this bullshit. My entire body stiffens to the point I might break apart.

He kisses my neck, and his hand comes to my front, caressing down my belly. Every traitorous muscle reacts, wanting more of his ministrations.

“What are you doing?”

“I don’t know. I don’t fucking know anymore, Mia.” He sounds so torn.

“Then, give me something…”

“And you’ll stop with this idiotic idea of dating?”

“It’s not an idiotic idea.”

“Be sure of what you ask of me.”

I say nothing. I am cursed to live in this purgatory of impossible dreams with him, but strangely, when he’s with me, it feels bearable.

I close my eyes, inhaling his heady scent, and with his fingers doing their magic, I fall asleep. Longing accompanies me even in my sleep, and it’s how I wake up as well. I ache for him, even when he’s near me.

When his eyes open, I say, “This was not the deal.” He can’t continue doing this to me. I know my stupid heart will go along with it and won’t care about the consequences.

“I don’t remember a deal,” he says, kissing my forehead.

A knock makes me whip my head to the door.

“Sis,” my twin calls out.

“Yeah,” I respond, and Hunter tries to come inside. “Just a moment!” I shriek, but it’s too late—he’s already inside. Blake scoots up against the headboard, crossing his arms behind his neck. I am mortified.

Hunter looks from me to Blake, who just lies there with no care in the world.

“This is not what it looks like,” I say quickly, the breath whooshing out of me.

“You don’t have to excuse yourself in front of him,” Blake grumbles.

“You motherfucking asshole,” Hunter says, his feet cutting the distance to Blake. “I told you to stay away from her.”

“Let’s get one thing straight. I don’t listen to you. And she’s a damn adult.”

The commotion wakes the entire house because everyone else comes into my room. Heat creeps up my neck and face. Surely, I am beet red.

“Everyone out,” Blake demands. That low voice laced with authority has my hormones engaging in a tango.

Hunter curls and uncurls his hands at his sides, and Celine drags him and the rest of the group out of my room.

“Why did you do that?” I ask Blake.

“What? I am so fucking done tiptoeing to your room.”

“So sorry for the inconvenience.”

“I am protecting you.”

“He’s my twin brother, Blake. And you made this awkward. Now I have to explain to him what we are.”

“Why do you have to label us? Can’t we just be?” he asks. He rolls out of bed, storms out, and leaves me with more questions than answers.

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