Page 299 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 11
“Okay, that’s enough of that,” Jacob said with a laugh. “We’re escaping.” He helped me to my feet as Nerf darts started flying through the living room.
We both laughed as we ran to the stairs. But I definitely took a few Nerf darts to the face.
I somehow managed to run up the stairs with my hands tied behind my back. That kid was seriously good at knots.
“What did the little demons do to you?” asked Nova as we passed by Chloe’s room. She barely even looked up at me. As if these things happened all the time.
The two of them were sitting on Chloe’s bed, somehow managing to ignore the chaos downstairs. Chloe and Nova were both spitting images of their mothers, Nova a mini version of Aunt Bee and Chloe a mini version of Aunt Brooklyn. Although I was pretty sure Nova had a devious streak like her brother Onyx. Chloe and Nova would both be going to high school next year. And they already looked the part.
“It was Onyx,” I said. “I lost tag.”
She shook her head.
Chloe laughed. “Scarlett, do you want to make bracelets with us?”
I glanced at Jacob. What I wanted was to be alone with him so he’d kiss me. But I didn’t dare say any of that out loud.
“Maybe in a bit, Chloe,” Jacob said. “We have to study for a test.”
I smiled. We did not. But I loved the excuse.
“We’ll make one for you,” Chloe said.
I smiled. “Thanks, guys.” I followed Jacob to his room. He closed the door behind us.
It felt like forever since I’d been in Jacob’s bedroom. But it looked exactly like I remembered. He even still had the little stars on his ceiling that would probably still glow when all the lights were off at night. I remembered having slumber parties in this room and falling asleep looking at the stars. They were brighter than any stars in the city.
Jacob’s fingers trailed down the inside of my forearms.
I turned to look at him over my shoulder as he started to untie the ropes around my wrists.
Jacob laughed as he struggled with one of the knots. “Why is that kid so good at tying rope?”
“I have no idea.”
We were both quiet as Jacob kept untying the knots.
I took a few seconds to just stare at him. Really stare. I wasn’t sure why I hadn’t noticed how handsome he was before. His skin was tan from being outside after school every day. And each time he untied a knot, the muscles in his arm bulged slightly. He looked good in his school uniform. But I liked him just like this. In a black t-shirt and jeans.
It took a while, but Jacob finally freed me.
“Thank you for saving me from being tied to the fireplace.” I rubbed my wrists.
“Is that what Onyx said he was going to do to you?” Jacob chuckled and shook his head. “It makes you wonder what kind of things Uncle Mason is teaching him.”
“Maybe they’re going on a camping trip or something.”
Jacob laughed. “I can’t picture them on a camping trip.”
I shrugged. Well, I wasn’t sure why else Uncle Mason would teach Onyx to tie rope. I looked around Jacob’s room. There was a picture on his nightstand of him, Aunt Brooklyn, and his father. I picked it up. “You look so much like your dad.”
“That’s what everyone tells me.”
I swallowed hard. I couldn’t imagine how hard it would be to be told I looked like my mom if she wasn’t here. And it would be even worse if I didn’t remember her very well. I put the picture back down and turned to him.
Jacob had sat down on the edge of his bed.
I sat down next to him and looked up at the stars again. A part of my wished that Jacob and I were nine again like his little sister Alora. And then I’d probably be spending the night under these stars without any consequences.
