She shoots me a smug smile, and I give her a quizzical look before shaking my head. “Okay,” I sing as I turn on my heel to follow Paxton and Rory. “Just don’t blame yourself when you come back to a barren kitchen!”
He glares at me, and I grin back. “Just kidding, I’ll save you something. You’ll need something sweet after being with that sour patch. Or you could just roll in sugar, because—”
Dane clamps a hand over my mouth before pushing me forward at a breakneck speed, not before Sabrina’s eyes fill with hatred. Dane’s deep chuckle fills my ears when we’re a safe distance away from them. “You really don’t know when to call it quits, do you?”
I shrug as he slows down our pace when we catch up with the guys. “Eh. She deserved it. Even though Declan can be a bit of a hard ass, he doesn’t deserve to be with someone like that. I wouldn’t wish her on my most hated—” My words are cut off as his lips brush against mine once again, and I’m helpless to stop him. I mean, who would?
Idiots. That’s who. I may not be a good person, but I’m certainly not stupid.
A whisper of outrage escapes my lips as he pulls back too soon, and his eyes twinkle. Then he spins on his heel and whistles as he walks away, leaving me shivering with want in the moonlight.
How can someone feel so good and so bad at the same time? It’s like I’m being pulled in two different directions, and I don’t know what’s right or wrong anymore.
“Mistress, I really tried not to intrude on you tonight, and I didn’t want to butt in on your extracurricular night activities, but your emotions…” Lore trails off, and her amusement and worry flow through me. “You are in trouble.”
“Shut up.” I bite my lip and watch Dane continue his slow-paced walk, whereas I remain rooted to the ground.
I am so screwed.
Chapter 14
“So how was your night?” I ask with a wide grin as Declan pours himself a generous mug of coffee. His dry look says it all.
When we finally arrived home, we’d decided to have a slumber party in the living room. PJs, movies, and so much sugar, I’m pretty sure I’m sweating crystals out of my pores. The jokes, the laughter… It made me realize I’d never really had friends, especially ones my own age. Everything is so easy with the guys. There’s no need to try to be something I’m not. I don’t have to pretend to be good. I don’t have to hide. Well, not everything, anyway.
“Oh, it was peachy,” Declan mutters as he sips on his mug, leaning against the counter, and I can’t help but appreciate the way his muscles flex under his shirt.
Bad, Serena. Bad… Keep looking. I snicker to myself and hide my smile behind my own cup. Declan rolls his eyes and runs his hand through his unkempt hair.
“I spent the entire time being smothered to death, and when I finally come home, you’re all dead in the living room with popcorn scattered across the floor.” His eyes flick to the living room where Dane, Paxton, and Rory are still knocked out. Popcorn still litters much of the living room from our popcorn fight.
The entire night had been simple, easy fun. No one had to die. No one had to get hurt. It had been nice, and when I’d finally fallen asleep, I’d been cocooned in a sea of blankets and so many emotions, I’m surprised Dane could even sleep so close to me.
The clatter of a mug being set down on the bench draws my attention back to Declan, his eyes taking in my smile. “You look happy.”
I tilt my head to the side and digest his words. “Maybe? I guess I didn’t expect to be happy here. But I think it might be possible.” Heat floods my cheeks as he raises his eyebrow, and the memory Dane’s lips on mine fills my mind.
Warmth spreads across my back, and a familiar earthy smell swirls around me. Speak of the devil.
Dane’s arms wrap around me as he rests his cheek on my head. “Why didn’t you wake me?”
“Because you were out like a light? And I figured you’d need the sleep, seeing as it’s training day today,” I reply, my eyes lifting to Declan’s as he watches us closely.
Dane harrumphs before walking around the counter to pour himself a cup of coffee, only to pout like a stubborn child upon realizing there’s none left. After peering into Declan’s cup, he picks it up and downs the rest, earning an eye roll from Declan before he turns to the machine to make another pot.
They’re so comfortable with each other… My mouth falls open as my gaze flicks between them, and their easy-going nature. No freaking way. Dane and Declan? Is that who he’s been freaky between the sheets with?
Sensing my surprise, Dane barks out a laugh, his dark hair falling around his face. “A wise man never kisses and tells.” His smirk grows as I narrow my eyes, glancing between them every few moments. Declan watches us for a few beats, then Dane wraps his arm around Dec’s waist, dropping his head onto his shoulder.
“What are you doing?” Paxton asks through a yawn. His eyes move from Declan and Dane’s warm embrace to the pot of coffee before giving me a soft smile. “Morning, Serena.”
I grin as he turns away to get himself a mug, loving the fact that he’s becoming comfortable enough to talk to me—or it could also be the fact he doesn’t sleep with a shirt on.
Heat flares through me as Paxton peers over his shoulder, catching me ogling at his muscled back. Yep, I’m going straight to hell. I kiss one guy and appreciate the next.
A familiar snicker fills
