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My cheeks burned.

He reached out, brushing the back of his knuckles down my cheek. “I like this blush.” He grabbed my hand, tugging me into his side and wrapping his arm around my shoulders. “When you talk to me and you will talk to me, Ainsley, I’m going to have so much fun getting you to say all the nasty things I can think of.”

I laughed, snuggling into him.

He kissed the top of my head. “Now, what kind of snacks do we have?”

Ainsley

Iwoke some timelater that morning and rolled onto my back.

Cyrus was lying beside me, his breaths were deep and even. His heavy arm was wrapped around my middle, holding me tightly against him.

I sighed, thinking back to earlier that morning. Cyrus’s mouth on me. His tongue deep inside of me. His words promising pleasure, only for his body to comply.

We played a few rounds ofGrand Theft Auto, drank some beers, and pigged out on Cheetos and popcorn. We did that until around five in the morning, when I had started yawning.

I pulled out from under his arm which earned me a grunt of protest, but he never opened his eyes. God, he was beautiful. The fact that he made us camp out in my living room on a Friday night, when he could have gone to a bar or hung out with his brother and friends, stirred something in me. Add to the fact that he was falling for me. My heart stuttered.

I leaned down, placing a soft peck on his cheek. “Thank you,” I whispered. I had been thanking him a lot and I would probably continue doing so for the rest of my life.

Using the bathroom, I went about my business when I heard a phone ring off in the distance. I knew it wasn’t mine since I kept it on silent.

When I was done using the facilities, I stepped out into the hall when I heard Cyrus’s gruff voice.

“I’m not home, Sammy.” Cyrus grunted. “Listen, I don’t know what you’re fucking deal—I didn’t hear my phone when you called earlier. No, you know that’s not true. Sam...yes, I know. I love you too.”

My stomach sunk. I didn’t know what Sammy’s problem was with me. It wasn’t like I had ever actually talked to the guy. Maybe he didn’t like that I was getting close with Cyrus because he was scared that I would come between them. I didn’t know. I didn’t have any siblings of my own, so I wasn’t sure if that was a reasonable response.

Bracing myself, I joined Cyrus back in the living room. He was sitting on the couch with his head bowed, his hand running through his hair.

I cleared my throat, tentatively taking a step toward him.

His head snapped up, the hard lines of his face softening when he noticed me approaching him. “Morning, pet.”

I knelt in front of him and wrapped myself around him, just hugging him.

I must have caught him off guard because his body stiffened, but after a moment he relaxed and pulled me into his arms.

“Thank you,” he murmured against the side of my throat.

Giving him a squeeze, I leaned back and straddled his lap.Everything okay?

He gave me one of his signature sexy smirks, but I noticed how the smile never reached his eyes.Everything is always okay when you’re around.

God, this man. I realized then that I could fall in love with him. Actually, I could fall deeper than that.

I heard you talking to your brother.

Cyrus’s face fell. “Yeah, he’s being an ass. He doesn’t like when he can’t get a hold of me after having a nightmare.”

It’s my fault. You’ve been focused on helping me through my own. I’m sorry.

“Don’t be.” Cyrus pulled me closer. “But I don’t want to talk about that anymore. I’ll deal with him.” He nipped my chin, a part of him growing beneath my ass.

I shivered but as much as I wanted this to continue, I needed to know something. Pushing against him, I lifted my hands to run my fingers along his face. Whatever happened between us, I thanked God for giving me him. Even if this didn’t last.

“Spend the rest of the weekend with me,” Cyrus said, kissing my fingers as they passed along his mouth. “I don’t want to see my brother because if I do, I’ll kick his ass.”