Page 52 of Mind Maze

Things are a mess with everything, but we connected last night. There’s no denying it or changing it. The thought of getting back into bed with him to have round five or whatever number we’re on has my skin flushing hot.

“So,” I say, turning and thrusting the coffee mug at my brother. “Talk.”

His gaze falls to my neck and his eyes narrow. I can only imagine what my skin looks like. Somewhere in the middle of the night, Caius took great joy in “marking” me as he’d said. At the time, it was hot and enjoyable. Now, I’m embarrassed.

“What?” I demand in a defensive tone.

Before he can answer, footsteps thud behind him. I catch Caius’s sleepy eyes as he makes his way over to mein nothing but his boxers.

“Did you make some for me, love?” Caius asks, pecking me on the top of my head as his palm slides under the shirt to grab a handful of my naked ass cheek. “I’m having one helluva hangover.”

I hand him my mug just to get him away from me. Not that I don’t want him because I really, really do, but not with my brother standing four feet away. Caius lets go of my ass to take the mug. He sips and moans while scratching his sculpted, tattooed ribs. A flash of heat ripples through me.

Bastian glowers at him, disgust written all over his face, before jerking his head my way. “Can we talk…alone?”

“Do you want to be alone with him?” Caius asks, barely containing his distaste for my brother. “Whatever you want, love.”

I blush at his words. It’s hard to tell if he really cares or is just riling up Bastian.

“We can speak alone,” I say breathily. “It’s fine. You should go find your family. They went to breakfast.”

Caius studies me for a beat and then nods. “I’d wanted to shower with you, but we can do that later.” He returns the half-empty mug to me and steals a wet, messy kiss that has no business ever being seen by a family member. “Call me if you need me. Don’t leave the hotel.”

I roll my eyes at the bossiness but am grateful he seems to care. I’m feeling too undressed for this conversation, but if I gointo my room with Caius, I have a feeling things will get a lot more awkward for Bastian because there’s no way we’d be able to behave.

The grin on my lips is difficult to fight into submission. I feel like I’m in middle school and the guy I like just confirmed he likes me too. It’s silly.

I pluck Kaitlyn’s blanket off the floor and settle on the love seat, pulling it over my bare legs. It makes me feel a little more put together. Bastian, dressed to the nines in slacks and peacoat over what must be a polo shirt if I know him, sits on the sofa. His gaze drifts to my neck again. Whatever he sees there makes his nostrils flare.

We make small talk and I have a feeling Bastian is stalling until Caius leaves. Fifteen minutes later, Caius emerges from the bedroom freshly showered and smelling good enough to eat. His dark eyes devour me as he saunters over to me.

“I’ll be gone an hour tops,” he says, hooking a finger under my chin and lifting my head to meet his gaze. “That should be plenty of time.”

His minty kiss is dizzying. I’m left with lips parted and panting by the time he finishes with me. I stare after him as he exits the suite. Seconds pass before I can look at my brother again.

“He’s got you under his spell.”

The words, angry and abrupt, dig into my skin. “Excuse me?”

“Whatever crazy shit they do to keep people under their thumb,” he mutters. “He’s doing it to you.”

I grit my teeth, anger rising up inside me. Rather than go off on him, I level him with a narrowed glare. “Get to the point of this visit.”

He withers at my tone, sinking back against the cushions. “Fuck. Sorry, Romy. I’m just…my head’s been a mess since the other day.”

“How do you think I feel?” I arch an eyebrow up in question. “My family has done nothing but lie to me for years.”

“I know,” he says with a wounded frown. “That’s why I’m here. To apologize and to be an open book. Whatever you want to know, I’ll tell you.”

I fidget in my seat and twist one end of the blanket in my grip. “Honestly, I’m less messed up about Megan. That’s…well, it’s frustrating to say the least, but not as hurtful as…”

“Vivienne.”

I give him a sharp nod. “Yep. The nanny who I imagined.”

He has the decency to look ashamed and winces. “That was all Dad’s idea. I was just a kid. I went along with it because he said it would help.”

As much as I want to be angry with him, I know he’s telling me the truth. Dad can be controlling and overbearing. If he says something is law, you’d better follow said law to avoid causing trouble for yourself.

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