Page 32 of Perfect

Nathan rocked towards me whilst Tom looked on. The twins had broken from the group and were now play-fighting like a couple of high school kids. I internally rolled my eyes.

“Maybe to keep you safe from the wicked boys in the village?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I laughed.

He winked playfully. “To stop them trying to get in your pants to start.”

I laughed at his directness. “I’m sure I can handle myself just fine and who says they would all want to.”

Nathan wrinkled his nose, feigning distaste. “Well now I’ve seen you, I haven’t got a clue. Bit on the small side. Although I suppose you’re notthatbad looking,” he shrugged with a cheeky grin. “For a Southerner.”

Tom snorted and looked uncomfortable with Nathan’s brand of flirtation but I kept grinning. I was glad he wasn’t being overly complimentary, it felt refreshing from the pedestal Tom seemed to have placed me on.

Tom excused himself and took a call on his phone, leaving me, Nathan and the two boys, who stopped wrestling and joined us.

Kyle and Max were funny, they actuallydidfinish each other’s sentences. We’d studied twins in Psychology and I had read that they sometimes did this. Kyle was the brighter of the two I would have guessed. Max just seemed to wear a huge dumbass smile half the time.

“So, are you going to come and live up here permanently do you think?” Kyle asked after jabbing his brother in the arm.

I pondered a bit before I replied.

“Not sure. I may study here eventually, but I still have another year of exams to finish.”

Kyle looked impressed and shot his reply in his brother’s direction. “So gorgeous and has brains. You hear that Max, exams. Tell us how you did in yours?” He was blatantly goading his brother and so I imagined Max hadn’t done so well. “Sorry Harlow, but my brother is as thick as fucking shit. But he wears that badge like a boss.”

Max flipped him the finger with a shit-eating grin and they started wrestling again. The old me would have turned her nose up at such immature behaviour, but their banter and cheap shots about each other were actually quite funny.

Tom circled back towards us super-fast as he ended his call.

“What did I miss?”

Nathan winked at me. “Nothing, Harlow and I were just sharing tips on how to give the best blowjob,” he smirked, enjoying winding his friend up.

Tom looked like he’d been slapped, so I put in quickly. “He’s kidding. There was no discussion about jobs of any kind.”

My face started to ache I was smiling so widely, but it felt so much better being the centre of attention again.

“I bet you give the best blowjobs with those lips?” Nathan said suggestively. I was surprised he didn’t wiggle his eyebrows. Dirty sod. I wondered if Nathan was the boy who had made the tits comment in the pub that Connor told me about.

Tom shifted uncomfortably on his feet and shoved his hands into his pockets as the twins came to his side.

“What’s up T, Nate after your girl again?” Max chuckled, shortening his friend’s name.

Tom suddenly looked like a kicked puppy and Nathan aka Nate straightened. OMG had Nate stolen Tom’s girlfriend in the past? Awkward much?

Nate recovered first and replied. “Piss off. Anyway, I heard you two were part of triplets, but one died of laughing.”

His joke lightened the atmosphere and a bit more flirting commenced with Tom standing there like a spare part. Like he felt unequipped to join in, a proper square. I felt a bit sorry for him.

As we chatted and put the world to rights, the distinctive throaty roar of Connor’s truck sounded into the yard, drowning out my answer to Tom’s question. Kyle also tried to speak over the noise and said something about a party. I didn’t fully hear what he said as my attention was then dragged to Connor who was climbing out of the Ranger. He was filthy and looked tired and moody like he’d possibly been working flat out all day. He still lookedextremelyedible of course.

Everyone turned to acknowledge Connor like he was some type of important military leader and Clive climbed out of the passenger side.

“Missed you at the pub last night man,” Nathan boomed across the yard as Connor slammed the door of the truck and approached us. He was scowling which didn’t surprise me; it seemed to be his signature look. Clive raised a hand in greeting before going into the house.

All of the guys turned to watch Connor in awe as he approached; like they fucking worshipped the guy. I was surprised they didn’t salute.

His gaze drifted across us, assessing the group before his eyes locked on mine with an accusatory element. Great. Now, what had I done? I was starting to think the guy had major mental health issues.

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