Page 42 of One of Them

“Would you like me to pass warm towels too? A glass of champagne? I’m on vacation,” she shouted over her shoulder before disappearing deeper into the space. “Plus, it’s not my house.”

Her words barely finished when Luka smacked me on the shoulder. “See? I told you!”

“Told him what?” Taya’s voice carried over from the neighboring room.

We followed the sound and found her in the kitchen, the space modern and sleek with a Mediterranean touch. A wide kitchen island occupied the middle, placed as a divider between the rooms. Luka, acting right at home, immediately sat on a cushioned bar stool. He wiggled his eyebrows playfully and answered Taya’s question. “That this is Lorenzo’s playhouse.”

Confident in his guess, he slapped his palm on the perfectly polished counter, leaving a massive print.

Taya rolled her eyes at him, and it shot straight through me, igniting every nerve ending.

“Is there anyone who doesn’t know about it?” she asked, her tone tinged with annoyance.

This attitude, man. I wanted to fuck it right out of her. I’d wanted to, ever since that night. So she could crank it up again, and we’d repeat the whole process. Stuck in a cycle of destructive behavior and even sweeter punishments, that’s the way I wanted to live from now on.

“Are you kidding me? It’s the event of the year.” Reaching for an apple in the basket, Luka took a bite, clearly ignoring the fact that he’d eaten his weight in gas station snacks on the way here. With his mouth full, he smirked and said, “For sure on my calendar.”

A laugh escaped me, drawing their attention. I leaned my forearms on the counter and laughed at my brother once more. “You never received an invite.”

“But I know things.” He grinned, clearly enjoying himself. “Dirty, dirty, exciting things,” he added with a wink. Given the kind of people Luka hung out with, it didn’t surprise me.

“Why don’t you ask the host himself?” Taya suggested. “I’m sure he’d love that.”

“Easy. He and I bonded,” I pitched in.

“I was being ironic.”

I know. Did it stop me from playing along? No. Why? Because I’m bored.

And I seem to enjoy antagonizing her. A recent hobby I picked up.

“Jealous that I might take your buddy away?” I baited her.

A look of annoyance flashed my way. “Have at it.”

Sensing the tension building, Luka grabbed our belongings. “I’ll get the bags.”

While he disappeared to check out the rooms, I didn’t follow.

Taya and I shared a glance before she went back to searching the fridge, comfortable with her back turned to me. Knowing what I know now, I can see why.

The fridge door was wide open, and I got the perfect view of her round ass as she reached for a bottle of water. Intentional or not, I took the move as a sign and closed in on her.

Being tall myself, I was used to towering over people, especially women.

Yet with her, we felt equal. I might have been taller in person, but her entire presence matched mine, putting us on level ground.

My lips pressed close to her ear, her familiar scent enveloping me. I leaned in from behind, letting my frame cast a shadow. “Ilya, Malek, and Lorenzo. Is there a man you don’t have wrapped around your finger?”

She remained unmoved, standing perfectly still in that predator’s way. A skill only earned through years of practice. In her case, the years were short but effective.

Painfully slow, she turned to face me, her skin brushing mine. I knew right away she was out to play.

“Why? Do you want to be next?”

If only she could read the thoughts consuming me since our last encounter.

Standing on tiptoes, Taya leaned in, whispering against my lips. “Heard you’ve been asking about me.” Our chests moved in sync. Breathe in, breathe out. “That means you’re just about halfway there.”

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