Page 43 of Charming Cruel Boys

I straighten up and wave, feeling my cheeks heat with how damn good he looks. When he reaches me, he pulls me into his sweaty body and slams his mouth down on mine, devouring my entire soul with a heated kiss. I moan into his mouth and clutch his shirt in my fists, pulling him impossibly closer.

Duke backs me up until I hit my car, never breaking away from my lips. I bring a leg up and hook it around his waist, groaning when I feel his hard dick against my desperate center.

There’s some loud cheers and clapping as a group of guys walk by and I startle, breaking away as Duke turns slightly to shield me from them. When our eyes meet, I laugh and cover my flaming face.“What was that for?” I ask, parting my fingers to look at his smug expression.

Duke shrugs, deliberately swiping his thumb along his bottom lip to catch the evidence of our kiss. “Knight had a few things to say to me during P.E. aboutus.“He gestures between the two of us and then hooks his thumb toward the gymnasium where Knight is walking out with a glare aimed right at me. “Told me to move on from my ‘v-card girl’ and find someone better. But I think he can fuck off and pout from the sidelines. It’s his choice to miss out on everything that is the beautiful Remi Williams.”

I blink through the fog of lust surrounding me, and my heart stutters in my chest. “I don’t know what his problem is,” I mumble, absently tracing the collar of Duke’s shirt with my fingers and smothering a smile when he shudders.

Duke grips my jaw, tilting my head back to meet his intense gaze. “I don’t really give a fuck. I have you either way, so I’m not worried about the shit he talks. Knight can be a part of this just as soon as he apologizes and stops treating you so badly. If he keeps hurting you, then I might have to step in and send him a violent message.”

I quirk a brow, tilting my head a little to the side. “Duke, you’re brothers. Twins. I think you’ve fought each other over me enough by now. I don’t want you to do anything that will ruin your relationship for good. I’m not worth all of that.“ I don’t tell him that throwing punches in my honor gets me really hot. That just seems like an unnecessary tidbit of information.

Duke leans his forehead against mine, a soft smile pulling at his lips. “You are so selfless, baby. So forgiving. After all that Knight’s done, you have every right to ask me to pummel him, but instead, you tell me not to fight him the next time he insults you?” Duke shakes his head, taking my waist in his hands. “That’s why I love you so damn much,” he whispers, his lips ghosting over mine.

“Is that the only reason?” I tease with a wide smile.I won’t let thoughts of Knight ruin my moments with Duke. Right now, I’m happy to soak in his presence.

“Mmm, no. I’ll show you the other reasons in the backseat of this car later,” Duke says, desire thick in his voice.He nips my lip, subtly grinding against me and I blush like a freaking schoolgirl.

“Let’s go, then. I’m ready to find out all about your love for me,” I tell him seductively.

29

Duke

Musicswirlsaroundusin the retro-style diner, and I drum my fingers on my thigh along with the beat. Remi tips her head back with a laugh, her gray eyes crinkling in the corners and her nose scrunched up in the most adorable fucking way. I can’t even tell you what I said that got this reaction out of her. As soon as her face lit up with joy, my mind went blank.

I crack a smile as she settles down, reaching across the table and stealing a couple of fries from my plate. I pretend to swat her hand away, even though I’d never be able to deny her a single thing. “You have your own fries, you thief,” I scold her, but my smile ruins it.

She shrugs and stuffs them into her mouth. “Yeah, but I’m famished, and they look way better on your plate.” I give her a flat expression. “Look! Mine are soggy.” Remi points at the fries on her plate, which admittedly look like they’re oozing excess grease, and sticks her bottom lip out in a pout.

I chuckle and push my plate to the middle of the table. Remi smiles brightly and dives in. After a few handfuls, she slows down, looking up at me through her lashes.

“I remember you mentioning the senior concert with the top kids in the music program. Do you still plan on auditioning? Because I saw a flyer today and time is running out if you want a spot,” Remi says, watching me carefully.

I lean back in the blue leather booth and clench my jaw. “I want to. It’s the next big step in my career, having that concert recorded and everything. Showing people my original songs and gaining a following.” I shake my head, feeling a lead weight sink into my stomach. “But I don’t know if I can. My dad was always my biggest supporter... and he’s not around anymore. I’ve only been able to play for you since he passed. Playing for a crowd is a completely different thing.”

“Duke,” Remi sighs, her eyes welling with tears.

I reach out and take her hand, rubbing my thumb across her skin. “Don’t cry for me, Remi. It’s okay. I’ll be alright one day, and I know I’ll make him proud. I just don’t know if I’m quite ready to get up on the stage and know that he’s not in the crowd. For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a passion for music, just like Knight has with football. Being twins, everybody always expected us to like the same things, to participate in the same activities. But not Dad. He encouraged us to be different, to chase whatever made us happy every single day.” I stop to take a breath, struggling to keep my emotions locked up. “My dad was the first person who convinced me that I could actually make it in the music industry, and he was always so excited to watch me climb the ladder and chase my dreams. Mom and Knight are supportive too, but they aren’t him. My dad was on a whole other level. It just hurts to push myself right now and keep moving forward without him.”

Remi frowns, lacing her fingers through mine and bringing my hand up to her mouth, kissing the back of it. It makes me pause for a second, watching as her lips brush against my skin. It’s something she used to do all the time when we dated before. Anytime we held hands, she’d kiss mine.Fuck, I almost lost this feeling forever.This weightlessness and ecstasy that only Remi gives me. I thought after losing Dad, I’d never be happy again, but she’s been slowly putting my pieces back together without even realizing it. I give her hand a loving squeeze and she continues.

“I wish I could tell you I understand how that feels. But no matter how much it hurts, you’re so lucky to have had the time with him that you did. To feel his love and support every day. And he’ll be there every step of the way for you both. I truly believe that, Duke. So don’t let your pain and grief hold you back from something your dad would have been so proud of you for, okay?” She gives me a sad smile.

A weight lifts from my shoulders as I look at her. I haven’t been able to talk to anyone about my dad in a long time. Knight shuts down every time I bring it up, and Mom cries and then I feel guilty. It’s nice talking with Remi, thinking back on the good things my dad gave me, all the belief he had in me.

We finish our meal, and I lead Remi out to the car with a new warmth surrounding me, and my motivation for the concert renewed. I was always going to do it, but saying my worries out loud to someone who cares makes the decision to move forward easier. I’m going to have to spend all of my free time writing and practicing if I want to be ready for the concert. That means less time with her, but I know she understands. “I love you,” I whisper against her temple, my arm slung over her shoulders.

She meets my eyes and smiles. “I love you too.”

***

Remi leans her head against the window, looking out at the darkening sky as I drive us to Lover’s Lane. I’ve got one hand on the steering wheel and the other rubbing soft, mindless patterns on her thigh. She hums softly when I park, and suddenly, I’m nervous.

I know this is supposed to be a spot for us to have sex where Knight can’t interrupt and we don’t have to worry about Charles or Mom catching us. But the back seat of a car? In a run-down part of town?It’s too much like all the times I took other girls out. When I was drowning in immeasurable pain and trying to dull it however I could. I’d flirt in class, get a girl’s number, take her out to dinner, and then find a dark street like this to fuck away my feelings.

I take a breath and lean forward, gently nudging her chin with my fingers to make her look at me. Remi turns with a smile, leaning into my touch like it’s second nature to seek me out.“My sweet girl,” I breathe, our lips inches apart. “You mean so much to me, Remi. You’re so kind and selfless and perfect.” I pause, looking out the window as a rusty car drives by. We’re tucked off the side of the street, under a streetlamp that doesn’t work, but if a cop drove by, it wouldn’t take much imagination to know what we were up to. “You’re far too good for a quick fuck on the side of the road. How about we get a hotel for the night instead? Let me treat you the way you deserve, worship your body the right way.”

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