Page 91 of The Lies We Tell
32
BRIAR
“Oh my God, please tell me this isn’t a mirage,” I say as we pull up onto the gravel drive of Rae’s home.
It’s dark, and I can’t make out the details, but it’s a pretty enough single-story home surrounded by trees. There is a porch light giving off a warm orange glow that reveals a cute seating area with thick cushions.
Saint yawns. “Not a mirage. We’re finally here.”
Once the engine is off, he tries to stretch his arms above his head in the cramped quarters of his truck. It’s nearly two in the morning. I feel like I’ve been awake for days, even though I managed to snatch the occasional nap in the truck.
“We’ll take what we need for tonight and leave the rest in the truck, yeah?” He puts his arm over my shoulder and kisses the top of my head.
“Sounds good.”
We do as he says, and he grabs the spare key from the mailbox. When we let ourselves in, there a sweet smell of cinnamon, and Saint smiles. “Had a feeling she wouldn’t rest until we got here. Come on.”
With our bags lined up in the hall, he takes my hand and leads me through the house to the kitchen. “Hey Rare-bear.”
A woman lifts a tray of cookies out of the oven and places it next to a second tray on racks on the counter. “Hey, Ike,” she says turning around before stepping into his arms. “God, I’m glad to see you.”
He kisses the top of her head. “Those oatmeal raisin?”
She looks up at him. “Of course they are. They’re your favorite. Figured you wouldn’t want a meal this late, but that you might be grateful for a glass of milk and a homemade cookie.”
“Sounds perfect. Rae, this is my girlfriend, Briar.”
He’s never used the wordgirlfriendfor me before. I like it. I like the way it sounds when he says it.
“Briar, this is my sister, Rae.”
The first thing I notice is how similar the siblings are. They have the same wide blue eyes, the same dark hair, but while Saint’s was a wild mess when it was longer, Rae’s is blown out into a sleek long bob.
“It’s lovely to meet you, Rae,” I say, offering my hand.
Rae ignores it and hugs me. “It’ssogood to meet you too.” She turns to Saint. “Girlfriend? I like it. We can talk in the morning. I left a container for any cookies you don’t eat. And I put you in your usual room. Made up the other bedroom in case it wasn’t a girlfriend you were bringing me. You’re adults. Sleep wherever the hell you like. I’m going to bed.”
I can’t help but grin. “I like your sister.”
Saint pulls me in and gives me a soft kiss that turns heated. “Want to role-play? You go sleep in the other room, and I’ll pretend to be a guest who can’t find their way to their own room. Maybe feel you up a little.” His hands slip beneath my T-shirt, his thumbs brushing my nipples.
I glance in the direction Rae went and raise an eyebrow. “How about you get some milk and eat a cookie like a good boy?”
“How about you let me take you to bed and fuck you like a good girl?” I’m about to respond when he looks over at the baking trays. “After we’ve had some milk and cookies.”
I can’t help but laugh. Maybe it’s a sense of relief we’re safe for now. Maybe it’s the fact we just got out of the truck. Maybe it’s because we can both be ourselves. But I’m buoyed by his mood. It’s playful. He dunks his cookies; I don’t. They’re still warm and taste delicious.
When we’re done, I rinse the dishes, and Saint moves our bags to our room.
He comes back for me and switches off all the lights before we head to a bedroom that is thankfully down the hall on the opposite side of the corridor from Rae. Saint closes the door and leans back against it.
“Take your clothes off for me, sweetheart.”
I tried to convince myself while we ate that I would refuse. That I’d feel uncomfortable having sex with him with his sister so close down the hall. But now, with our troubles momentarily halted, I want to slip into this moment with him.
He folds his arms across his chest. His biceps stretch the sleeves of his T-shirt. I like the scruff more than the beard; it suits him better. You can see the strong line of his jaw.
I pull my shirt over my head, revealing a simple nude bra. But the look in his eyes heats quickly as he watches, and I find myself becoming aroused. I kick off my sneakers, then slip my black sweatpants down my legs. My socks come off with them.
