Page 52 of Unspoken Truths

“I am, and I want to tell you about something else, too,” I say. “They’re going to get more aggressive, push harder. I want to play their game against them. They’re fiercely loyal, even if it doesn’t seem like it.”

“They use sex like a weapon,” she grumbles.

“They do,” I agree. “So what if we use it against them?”

“Are you suggesting I have sex with them?” Rachelle asks, lips curving in amusement.

“Ah, only if you want to?” I squeak, blushing. “I want them to catch feelings, Rachelle, and rethink this vendetta they’ve convinced themselves is not only normal, but necessary.”

“Keep talking,” she says, brows drawn down. “We’re dating, but you want me to do exactly what with them? I need it laid out, Liliana.”

“Elijah is having a birthday party in a couple of weeks,” I say, lips pursed in thought. “I’m saying flirt with the Kings, talk to them, make them see who you are. I could tell within seconds how special you are, baby. Make them think they’re winning, and then pull the rug out from under them.”

“And this isn’t going to mess with whatever you and I have going on?” she asks tentatively.

The trail is inclining as we climb, and Rachelle’s cheeks are flushing with exertion. Maybe I need to get her to come running with me. It’s a good excuse to see her out of her school uniform.

“Nope, it doesn’t,” I say vehemently. “If I need to pee on you, I will.”

Shaking her head, I love the sound she makes as she gives a little screech.

“I’m not very experienced, but I don’t think that’s my kink,” she says.

“Do you know what are?” I ask her, interested.

“I picked up a few books on my e-reader, and I’m working my way up to more smutty books. I’m starting with a sapphic romance for now,” she says, biting her lip.

“Is this your idea of homework?” I ask, loving the way she nods. “Are you going to share what you learn, baby?”

Rachelle ducks her head, making me chuckle.

“God, you’re so cute,” I tell her. “Can we read a book together soon?”

“Really?” she asks. Unable to see her face, I push her hair over her ear.

“Mmhmm,” I say. “I want to see how cute and bothered you are when we get to a spicy scene. Why don’t you come over Friday so we can hang out and I can make you dinner.”

“You want to do that?”

“Yes. I’ve been dying to take you out on a date, but school has been ridiculously busy. The house will be quiet, I don’t have pesky siblings, and it’ll just be us,” I say. “You also don’t have to do this whole seduction of the Kings thing if you don’t feel comfortable, Rachelle. I just don’t know what else to do.”

“I’ll do it,” she says with a nod. “I’m totally outside of my comfort zone, and have no idea what I’m doing, but I’m game. I just want to make sure that it won’t mess up what we have.”

“It won’t,” I promise her. “We’re too young to say there won’t ever be anyone else that we’re attracted to, Rachelle. If we both decide that we want to add someone else, then we talk and figure it out.”

“Just like that,” Rachelle says softly.

“Yes,” I state. “Uhm, maybe we can ease you into books with more than one person involved. Rachelle, you had a really shitty thing happen to you last year. I want you to experience everything that you want. If you find yourself pulled to a guy, then we talk about it.”

“I don’t know what to say,” she whispers as I tug her toward a bench that’ll overlook the city.

“Look over there,” I demand, watching her face change as she takes in the morning light and the beauty of the mountain as it towers over everything. “You deserve everything that’s good in the world, baby. I think you can fall in love with more than one person, too. It just means open communication, figuring out what works or doesn’t, okay?”

“This wasn’t how I expected this conversation to go,” she says as I sit down and tug her over to straddle my lap.

“I like to believe I’m not boring,” I murmur with a smirk, my fingers sliding through her hair to pull her lips to mine.

Her little moan is everything as her hands move to my waist, unsure where to go. Deepening the kiss, I leave her to find her confidence by just doing what feels right. If I need to show her, I will, but as I expect, it doesn’t take long for her hands to slide up my torso slowly.

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