Page 7 of Between Secrets and Obsession

Lennon stalks over, pushing the bottle into my chest. “Well, my sister isn’t your barmaid, so get your own drinks, okay? In fact, stay away from her.”

“What’s your deal?” I ask, then take a sip of Maddie’s beer. “Brandon not putting out?”

Lennon scowls, cocking her hip. “Don’t be an asshole, Liam. She just got here and doesn’t need guys likeyouall over her. Besides, shouldn’t you be with one of your weekenders, anyway?”

“I gave them the weekend off.” I smirk, knowing it’ll irritate her more.

“You’re annoying.” She sighs, and as soon as Hunter walks into the kitchen, she leaves.

“What’s she going off about now?” Hunter grunts, grabbing the bottle of whiskey. “I swear, bitchin’ is her favorite pastime. If she isn’t hogging the bathroom, then she’s screaming at me for not cleaning.” He grabs the three shot glasses we used earlier and fills them full.

“Shot time!” Hunter announces, handing me one. “So, Maddie. You want the third? Or should I ask yourmotherfirst?” He chuckles, which makes Maddie glare at him.

“I can see why she hates you,” she says. Grabbing the third shot, she downs it with pure ease.

Jesus fuck. Most girls cough or choke on whiskey shots.

“I like her,” Hunter says, smirking. Then we both take ours and slam the glasses down on the counter.

“She’s off-limits,” I remind him. “Keep your dick in your pants.”

“I’m right here, dummy,” Maddie chimes in with brows raised.

Normally, I wouldn’t give two fucking shits about who he touched, but I’m weirdly possessive of Maddie. I have no rightto, but now that she’s walked back into my life, I want to protect her.

Protect her from guys like Hunter. Protect her fromme.

I wasn’t lying, though. Maddie is off-limits as fuck. Too young, too innocent, too sexy for her own good. Not to mention, she’s Lennon’s sister, and that makes her forbidden fruit. Considering I don’t date, Brandon would have my balls if I created tension between Lennon and him.

Needing to remind myself of these facts, I push off the island, and walk to the back room with my beer. People are still playing and drinking, so I head outside to the back porch because I need a second to breathe.

“So are we pretending last year didn’t happen?” Maddie asks, coming out a few minutes later.

I lock my jaw, willing myself not to look at her. Because the minute I do, I’ll want to rip off her jeans.

“Yep.” I toss back my beer, keeping my gaze off her. “Not really wanting to get my ass kicked for nearly taking your virginity.”From Lennon, but I don’t add that bit.

She winces. “I’m sorry I lied to you.”

“Had you truly lied to me, we wouldn’t have stopped.” I shrug, thinking of how that would’ve changed things. Her breath hitches as if she’s thinking the same thing. Turning toward her, I lock my eyes with hers. “And if we had, I would’ve felt like a fucking asshole about it, and I don’t feel like that very often.”

“Was it all because of my age?” she asks softly.

“Mostly, yes, but also…I’m not the guy for you. Something like that should be saved for someone special. That ain’t me.”

“And you saved yours for someone special?” she challenges, crossing her arms, which pushes up her tits.

“Nope. Definitely not, which is why you should.”

“I’ve been told what to do my entire life,” she says sharply. “What not to do, how to do things, when to do things. It’s annoying to feel like I have no control or choices. So please, save your bullshit.”

I shrug, not sure what else to say. “It’s just my advice. You can do whatever the hell you want, but it won’t be with me. Better to realize that now.”

She scoffs. “I figured that out the moment you kicked me out of that room like my ass was on fire and you were about to get burned.”

I release a ragged breath. “I’m sorry about that but?—”

“Just shut up,” she cuts me off. “I didn’t tell my sisters because I was embarrassed, but you should know that I’ll be around because of Lennon, and as long as you’re around Brandon, we’re gonna run into each other. So it’s best we pretend tonight is the first time we met. Don’t treat me like glass, Liam, unless you wanna get cut.”