Page 16 of Tempted

“You weren’t in there long enough to do the deed, even for you, so what did she say to you?”

“None of your fucking business, loser.”

He raises his hands. “Fine. I just thought I’d pass the time.”

“I’m glad that my life is just filler for you, fuck head.”

He rolls his eyes, and that’s when the pastor makes us bow our heads in prayer. I nearly nod off again, but I’m pleasantly relieved when he says that this service has now come to a close. “Thank fucking Christ.” Declan states.

“I’ll tell Moira you said that.”

Another eye roll. “You do and I’ll tell her that you and Steph were alone in the closet together.”

I smirk, unimpressed. “Fine. We’re even.”

We stay put, while the guests ahead of us file out first. “We’re not going to the fucking burial, are we?” I check.

“There isn’t one. She’s being cremated and Moira is sending her ashes back to Scotland.” Declan explains.

I’m facetious. “Great. There’s another trip home that we’ll all get to enjoy.”

As guests file out of the chapel, I watch Steph bid each of them adieu, and her eyes scan over to mine, but she manages to keep the ire out of her glance in between being hospitable to her granny’s friends and family. When it’s our turn to approach, Declan gives me a teasing look, almost daring me to lean down and kiss her on the cheek, as everyone else has done. Indulging him, I do, and Steph is mature enough to allow me to do so. I’m not sure if it’s because her mama is standing right there or not, but I’ll soon find out.

We drive back to work, with Rory in the driver’s seat, and Declan looks at me. “So, she pulled you into the coat closet, you say?” He’s playing a game. One where he hopes to catch me off guard, acting like I already told him what happened. It’s his sharpest tactic, and he uses it a lot in the office. It’s clever, but, fortunately, I’m on the ball more than most.

“I told you it’s none of your fucking business, asshole.” I say on exhale, unimpressed.

Rory looks at me through the rear view mirror. “I didn’t see any signs of the dipshit there.”

“Good. He’d be stupid to show up.” Declan states amicably. Then he looks at me. “You’re lucky he wasn’t hiding out in the closet.”

I chuckle, smiling. “Fuckoff.”

“He’s right, you know.” Rory agrees, but he’s a little troublemaker, too, and he often likes to jump on dogpiles whenUncle Dougall isn’t around, when he can let down his guard slightly.

“Aye. I’d be ready for him.” I tell them with a wink.

“So, what did she do? Did she give you shit for coming? I could tell by her face that she was pissed.”

“That among other things.” I tell them, throwing them a bone.

Declan glares at me. Evidently, it’s painful for him to not be in the know. “Whatever happened, I’m going to find out about it, anyway, through Moira, so you might as well tell me.”

“God, you are such a fucking zygote, idiot.” I chuckle mirthlessly. “If you really want to know, she stuck her tongue down my throat and tried to fuck me, but I pushed her off me, told her it was fucking sick to do it there...that’s why she’s pissed.”

“Why didn’t you just do the deed, man? That decrepit old pastor would have waited for her to return before going off on his religious tirade.” Declan states.

“Because I don’t want to do that...with her...there.” I say carefully, feeling like they’re both staring me down. All that’s missing is the goddamn hundred-watt bulb lamp like they have in an interrogation room.

Rory lifts a brow at me. “Is it just because it’s sick and twisted to fuck at a funeral, or is it because you really have something for this lass?”

Declan speaks for me, pissing me off. “Both.”

I look at my cousin, and I want so badly to tell him that he’s wrong.

...but he’s not.

Chapter 6

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