Page 79 of Cold and Broken (The Titans of Founder's Ridge 1)

“Oh, it is. Definitely.” He’s shirtless as usual and wearing a pair of basketball shorts. “I’m gonna go get a workout in downstairs. You want to come Z?”

“Yeah, let me get dressed. Be out in five.” Z sits up and rubs his eyes. “You coming, too?” He smacks my ass.

“I don’t know,” Levi says with a deviant smirk and vulgar hip thrust, “I bet she’s sore from her workout last night.”

I decide not to dignify that comment with a verbal response and instead give him the finger.

“Don’t let Connor know you’re offering now.” He ducks when I chuck a pillow at his face. “Just kidding, hood rat. Hurry up and change.”

I punch him in the abs when I pass by him in the hall. He doesn’t even flinch, just tightens his muscles and I swear my fist all but bounces off. The four guys in this place have to be some of the most attractive guys on the planet.

I walk back into Connor’s bedroom and he’s still sprawled out, sleeping facedown with his arms under his pillow. The blanket is pooled low around his hips giving the most tantalizing peek of the top of his firm ass. Part of me wants to crawl back under the covers with him and kiss him from his neck all the way down his spine.

Calm down, Lilith.

I shake my head at my lustful thoughts and go over to the closet where Connor put everything away for me last night. I throw on my work out clothes and grab my sneakers, trying to be quiet.

“Where are you going?” Connor asks.

“Working out with Z and Lev.” I dart over to give him a peck.

“Okay, don’t leave Lev and Z. No one is supposed to be alone while we’re in the city, even in the building. I’ll text security to keep an eye on you guys.” He grabs his phone and sends off a quick text. “I’ll order breakfast, too.”

“Sounds good.”

“Don’t do anything to mess up your back.” He sits up, barely covered by the sheet over one leg. “Maybe you shouldn’t work out yet.”

I barely hold back my eye roll. I know he’s just worried and trying to keep me healthy. “I know my limits, Con.”

His lips thin into a hard line and I know he’s struggling like I just was. He doesn’t say anything though, just gives a clipped nod before striding to his bathroom in all his naked glory. I can’t tear my eyes off his body, staring like a woman possessed.

“If you keep looking at me like that I’m not going to be responsible for the dirty shower fucking I give you,” he says with a gruff edge to his voice, glancing over his shoulder in the doorway.

“You coming Lil?” Z yells from the living room.

Connor lifts an eyebrow in amusement before disappearing into the bathroom.

23

Lilith

We spent the day in Central Park. It was odd but nice to see the guys acting like normal teenagers. Usually they, especially Connor and Griffin, exude an air of maturity beyond their late teens. It is easy to picture them in a boardroom leading their respective Fortune 500 companies. We spent the morning walking around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, then played a few games of chess against each other at the Chess and Checkers House. We grabbed lunch from a food truck, much to Griff’s chagrin. Then we spent the afternoon on the large open lawn in part of the park. The guys played football while Ivy and I laid out on a blanket enjoying the crisp but sunny October air. I read on my kindle app and Ivy shopped. It was an ideal day.

“You ladies ready to go back?” Levi asks as he looms over us, shirtless and sweaty as usual.

“Gross, you just dripped sweat on me!” Ivy scrambles away from him. It was the wrong move because he’s now tackled her and is rubbing himself against her like a love starved golden retriever.

“You love it, Ives.” They continue to wrestle.

“What’s the plan for tonight?” I turn to Connor who pulls me close for a kiss.

“We’re going to a club called Indigo. We know the owner, he and his brother both graduated from Founders.” He kisses me again and when we pull apart I notice Ivy was taking a picture.

Then my phone beeps with a notification from the Ridge. It’s a picture of us taken while we were smiling at each other with the meadow and city skyline in the background. She captioned it with #conlith #official #couplegoals #loveinNYC #socuteicouldpuke.

“Send me that.” Connor says to Ivy. Of course he couldn’t ask in the form of a polite request and has to command her.

“You could say please.” I roll my eyes and tug on his sweatshirt.

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