Page 26 of Kingston
What happened in that room has definitely flustered me and made me aware of things about myself that I’ve never considered before. I liked the spankings. I liked the three of them watching me.
It’s a lot to take in for a girl who couldn’t seem to ever please her previous boyfriend.
One thing’s for certain. They might be playing with me like cats do with a scared little mouse, but I have every intention of using what I learn about them to help me probe deeper into what really goes on in this house. Little do they know, I’m not scared, and I’ll do anything if it means I get what I came here for.
With a deep sigh, I rub my hands over my face. I can reassess the mess I’ve put myself in later. There’s way too much to process, and I need a shower and coffee.
* * *
An hour later, I make my way downstairs and poke my head around the corner to find there’s a good bit of action happening in the kitchen and dining area. The juniors and their initiate are milling around, getting themselves breakfast. I don’t see the sophomores yet, but the seniors have taken up residence on the stools at the island, like they had yesterday.
The guys—I keep catching myself thinking of them asmy guys, actually, but I’d never tell them that—haven’t spotted me yet because their backs are to me. My head swims with humiliation and guilt and about a dozen other fragile emotions. Have they already told everyone what went on last night? My chest squeezes, I’m so anxious about it. Kingston and Archer converse in quiet tones with Cannon listening in. I scoot a little closer, not quite ready to make my presence known yet.
Archer’s voice is low, but I hear him. “Are you surprised things went… like that?”
Sitting between his two friends, Kingston side-eyes Archer from his plate of scrambled eggs and bacon. “Yeah, I actually thought she’d react like a hellcat.”
On the other side of him, Cannon’s broad back bounces with his silent laughter.
“Ditto.” Archer shakes his head, allowing me a glimpse of the shit-eating grin on his face. “I saw something last night, by the way. I’ll show you later.”
The look the three of them exchange sends a shiver down my spine. I don’t have a clue what they’re referring to, and that makes me very, very nervous. At the same time, though, I’m a tiny bit relieved they’re keeping things—the dirty things they did to me—to themselves for now.
But I can’t worry about something so out of my control, or I’ll drive myself insane. Instead, I focus on each of the guys, one at a time. On the left, Archer’s artfully messy hair snags my attention first. Or maybe it’s the smooth expanse of skin he’s showing off from the waist up. I draw in a breath, letting my eyes roam over the tattoos which run from his left shoulder all the way to his wrist. An entire sleeve. I had no idea he had any ink until now, as it’d been hidden under the button-downs he’s been wearing the last two days. But I like the tats. A lot. More than I knew I would.
He’s wearing what may as well be the official uniform of the house—joggers. More than half of the brothers are shirtless this morning. I’m probably lucky they aren’t wearing less. For all I know, Kingston rolled out a no-walking-around-in-your-underwearrule to the rest of the brotherhood. Maybe he should have issued the same decree to me. Could be an interesting strategy to mess with them. They’re already toying withme.I tuck the idea away for future consideration.
I give Archer one last look.Damn him, though.He’d been nice to me, or so I thought, helping me pick out my outfit for the party last night. I assumed we were bonding in a way. And the way he’d watched me had been so fucking hot. But then his words ring in my ears—You were moaning like a porn star, Elliot—and with them, he’d crushed me. Before that happened, I saw him being the one I’d get along with, thought he’d be my “in.” He’s really smart. Witty.But no.It’s obvious now his kind gesture had all been part of an act designed to put me at ease so they could tear me down. I don’t trust him. No more than I do the other two, anyway.
Cannon picks up his phone and taps out a quick couple of messages, then looks up at the other two expectantly.
Archer reads what Cannon sent, then chuckles, grinning at him. “I bet you wouldn’t mind.” Kingston hasn’t bothered to get his phone out of his pocket, but Archer flashes his phone screen at him.
A muscle in Kingston’s jaw twitches while he reads. “We’re fucking with her. Nothing more. Keep that in mind. It’s all about her initiation.” He finishes his breakfast and pushes his plate away. He had me fooled good last night. I liked the gruff quality of his commands, and when he wrapped his arm around me toward the end, I felt safe. Not to mention, he smelled delicious, kind of like a forest in winter. But then, a switch had flipped.Go on back to your room now.I shudder at the memory; the same feeling of shame and embarrassment washes over me, as real as if I were in Cannon’s room all over again. I groan internally, strengthening my resolve. I will bring these guys to their knees. One way or another. I’ll prove I’m not someone they can manipulate and play with because they think I’m a fun new pastime. Somehow, I’ll set them straight. And the more I learn about them, the better off I’ll be.
Cannon meets Kingston’s gaze, silent communication moving between them. Cannon shrugs with a shake of his head and digs back into his breakfast.
I wish I knew what Cannon texted them. He didn’t seem to like it when Kingston said they were fucking with me. Figuring out how to communicate better with him will be key. I have no clear answer as to whether his lack of speech is a physical issue, a deliberate choice, or something else entirely. He hasn’t been forthcoming with that information, and I haven’t been brave enough to ask either of the other two.
My phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out, scanning the notification before I open Kington’s texts.
Stop hiding.
We’d like to talk to you before we get on with our day.
Hiding? I’m not hiding. I’m simply moving slowly this morning. How the fuck is his number in my contacts already? I press my lips together. Probably the first damn night when I didn’t have my phone with me. I guess I shouldn’t put it past them to do whatever high-handed thing they see fit when it comes to controlling me.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t our initiate.” Startling me from my thoughts, Archer shoots me a smirking grin.
“Hey.” For a moment, I freeze, a frown on my face, not knowing how to act, or whether I should bother attempting to sit with them. Drawing in a breath, I cautiously cross the room. I’m awkwardly stiff—or so it feels to me—and I can’t stop myself from wincing with each step. I come to a halt next to Cannon at the corner of the island so I can face all three. There’s no way I’m letting them think they have the upper hand, no matter how red my ass still is this morning or how good they’d made me feel before ripping it all away. I stare pointedly at Kingston, holding up my phone to let him know I saw his text. “I wasn’t hiding. Just tired.”
Kingston studies me, rubbing at his chin with a few fingers. “Elliot, you look a bit like you rode cross-country on a horse with no saddle.”
“To be fair, I bet her ass is a nice shade of pink this morning.” Archer’s gaze swings toward me. “Can you make out the individual handprints or what? Do you know which ones are Kingston’s and which are Cannon’s?”
I exhale harshly. Apparently, I was too quick to assume they were going to be quiet about last night. They were probably waiting until I got down here for maximum impact.
Archer’s questions have attracted attention from Dane and Zeke, who have entered the room with Taggart. Their eyes flick among us until Kingston levels a harsh look in their direction. With the nonverbal command from the head of the house, they turn around, quickly pouring cups of coffee before they head over to the expansive dining room table and take a seat. Unfortunately, the slight commotion has Alec, Joel, Stuart, and Bridger perking up and taking an interest. Unlike the younger men of the house, the juniors don’t give a fuck and have no qualms speaking their minds.
