Page 95 of Secrets & Lies

I mentally shook myself and recalled her answer to my earlier question. “And you want to be one of his girls? I don’t think a single one of them is the monogamous type, Sarah.”

I waited as a heavy silence settled between us. Her expression shifted; a kaleidoscope of emotions filtered across her face. She went to speak and then paused. In her hesitation, I knew she was weighing her words. If she was anything like me, it was a column of risks and rewards.

Finally, she spoke. “I know. It’s a chance I’m willing to take.”

I heaved a sigh. A part of me admired her courage. The other part was jealous. To embrace something uncertain and to venture into the unknown with an open heart and no baggage.

Once more, the stark differences between us stood out. I wrapped my arms around her and held on tight. No sense in being a shrew like Jenna. If he preferred it slow, then maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing.

“Come on, then. I hope I don’t end up regretting this,” I said, releasing her and pulling the shorts down a bit to cover more of my ass.

“You won’t, I promise. What did you think about Alek’s answer to your question?” She wiggled her eyebrows.

We stepped out into the hall and made our way back to the living room area. Her teasing question hung in the air, and the heat rose in my cheeks. My stupid telltale sign of my embarrassment had her chuckling.

My initial reaction was to shy away, to make some joke, but she’d seen Alek in action. No way was I going to make like he wasn’t capable of everything he said. She’d see right through me.

With a small smile, I admitted, “Well, um, I suppose…he certainly was confident…but raw? I’m not sure that sounds fun,” I lied.

“Is she serious right now?”Autumn would scream at the other girls and then drag me back home by my hair.

It was too bad they weren’t really here to do so because clearly, I needed someone to step in and save me from myself.

“True, but coming over and over and over. I swear Ivan could make me come just by staring at me long enough,” Sarah teased.

As we walked into the living room, she stopped and picked up the deck of cards, looking at them. The scent of cologne and leather hit me. I’d taken off my heels, and the softness of the thick carpet under my bare feet felt amazing.

I paused a moment and watched the King brothers. They were quite a sight to behold, powerful, masculine, and at the same time, the camaraderie of their group spoke to me.

They were seated at the bar, their voices low and conspiratorial as they talked about something I couldn’t quite make out. That devious smile Nik seemed to always have at the ready made my heart catch.

Ivan shook his head at whatever Nik had said and sipped his drink. Alek’s gaze was focused on his phone until he sensed my presence. He lifted his eyes and cocked his head to the side, taking me in with a slow, appreciative smile, and I crossed my arms over my breasts as my nipples hardened.

The room was completely alive with energy, the clinking of ice in glasses and the soft hum of conversation filling the air. I felt a sense of anticipation unlike anything I’d experienced before. I gulped as he stood and spoke to Nik.

Chapter 35

Aleksandr

One For All

“Maybe you should have told her that her voice isn’t going to be the only thing that’s raw, big brother?” Nik joked, slapping me on the back.

There were still some unanswered questions I needed to clear up. Knowing the cards in the specialty deck were intense, I was on edge. A sweet scent of honeysuckle hit me, and I looked up.

Leaning against the bar, I stared at her in awe. “Fuck, where did she get that outfit?” I murmured before answering myself, “Marcus. I swear he knows me too well.”

“Look at her, all shy, trying to cover her breasts when all of us have seen them. She’s so adorable,” Nik said as Ivan turned to watch her walk toward us.

Once she reached the bar, she notched her head toward an empty seat. I waved my hand at her, and she sat gracefully next to Ivan. Probably thought he was safer than Nik.

“You have so many issues. Remind me to stage an intervention when we get home and to include our parents, Ivan,” I responded before speaking directly to Kinsley. “Would you like a drink, kitten?”

“Yes, please. Vodka,” she murmured, her eyes sparkling mischievously with a bit of shyness as well. It was such a fucking intoxicating blend.

I poured her a shot. “You going to pour some for the boys?” she asked innocently.

Grabbing two more glasses, I poured one for each of my brothers. The overhead light glared off the glass as she lifted it in the air and toasted them both, then slammed hers back with a beautiful shudder.

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