Page 113 of Destined Lovers

“Let’s just stick to the long sleepovers for now.”

He gives me a curt nod. “All right, I’m out of here, fuckers. I have lunch in Hammersmith, and then I’m working from home the rest of the day. Call me if you need anything.”

I turn toward Jackson, and he has a look on his face. “I’m not going to pry,” he says, and puts his hands up in defense when he sees my annoyance.

I lean back and cross my arms. This is the only downfall of having mates close like family. They think they can just trample over your personal space.

“I was just going to say that if you ever wanted to talk, I won’t tell him anything. I know sometimes Wills’s is a lot, and it’s too much at times. I won’t judge or comment on anything if you just need to vent. I’ll just listen.”

I hold his stare. Should I tell him about Nora? Wills is my best mate, though Jackson is similar to his sister when it comes to lending an ear. And for an immature playboy, he usually gives the best advice.

I get up, grab a bottle of water from my mini fridge, and pace the room while I think.

I am very much aware that I need to talk to someone other than Sadie. It’s not right to put her in the position of continuously lying to Wills, but I think it’s only right that I tell them all together and soon.

“Let’s all do dinner next weekend, and I’ll tell you lot everything.”

He nods, satisfied. “As long as you’re okay, I’m okay.”

Am I okay?My sanity is definitelynotokay.

My phone buzzes across my desk. “Oh, for feck’s sake,” I cry. “I’ve got to go.”

I’m out the door before he can even blink.

* * *

I swing the door open, and it smashes against the wall, but I slam it closed just as quickly.

“Hanora Riley King!” I yell. My hands are trembling, and my blood pressure is through the roof.

She’s in serious trouble.

I ask one thing, and she can’t even listen.

I walk through the house and find her in the kitchen with her hands on her hips, ready for battle. Nora may not have the red hair anymore, but she’s still fiery than ever.

She’s in baggy ripped jeans that ride low on her hips and are covered in paint. A cropped tank, no fecking bra, which we’ll be talking about later. I’ve been around the security blokes plenty of times to know how much they feck around, and there is no way they’ve kept their eyes off Nora’s perky tits. Her hair sits on her head in a messy bun, secured by a velvet ribbon, and a rogue paintbrush sticks out from the top.

She looks absolutely edible.

No! She is not distracting me right now, even though it’s harder to do than my cock growing rapidly against my jeans.

This time I’m not backing down. When it comes to her safety, I will never relent.

I let her have her way with everything else in life. She runs circles around me, and I’ll never step in her way. Her protection, though, is nonnegotiable.

“You’re being—”

“Do not say another word.” I spit, and she lifts her chin defiantly.

“Don’t tell me—”

“Hey, lads,” I call to Max, Danny, Brody, and Jameson. “We need a minute or ten.” They get it and are out of the house within seconds. Jameson sent me a message earlier, so I’m sure they were waiting on my arrival.

I turn my attention back to Nora, her mouth opens to speak, but I’m faster.

I take one purposeful step toward her. “Bend over,” I growl.

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