Page 37 of Don’t Hate Me (Secrets of Ravens Hollow #2)

Just like last night, we curl up around the fire after dinner.

Orlando’s staff have laid out a cheeseboard, and the boys have the whiskey out again.

Onyx sits in one of the recliners, Reef and Romeo are seated behind me on the sofa, and I’m on the plush rug watching what’s left of the storm.

The rain has died down a little, but every so often, thunder still rumbles through the sky and lightning flashes to light up the ocean.

The fireplace is lit, and there is a scattering of candles all around just in case the power goes out.

Romeo’s hand brushes over my arm, pulling my attention back to him.

He has a topped-up tumbler of whiskey for me, and I gratefully take it, having a sip of the smooth amber liquid.

He has been giving me come fuck-me eyes all evening, and I know it’s not going to be long before he pounces.

He got a small taste this afternoon, and it clearly wasn’t enough.

Reef is no different. I catch his slow sexy smile out of the corner of my eyes and feel it right down to my toes, the crazy electricity between us zapping faster than ever.

Orlando walks into the living room from his bedroom, and he’s freshly showered and smells of lavender and chamomile.

Something about it turns me on even more than I already am.

Maybe it’s the memory of showering with him or just the fact that I’m nicely buzzed right now and I have my four favorite men in the same room as me, all looking edible.

His eyes scan each of us with a cautious look, his footsteps quiet and deliberate.

Like he’s not sure if he should be here with us or not.

I smile at him. “Come join us,” I offer, hoping to bridge the gap. If he can finger-fuck me with his brother, he can share a drink with us on his last night here before he takes off for Italy.

His gaze rakes over me, and his eyes dance with something menacing as he selects a crystal tumbler from the bar, pours himself a generous measure of whiskey, and sinks into the recliner.

Romeo rolls a die out on the coffee table in front of us.

“Let’s get this party going, now that we’re all here.

” He winks at me cheekily; he’s pleasantly buzzed as well.

He and Reef haven’t said as much, but somehow, I think this last week has taken a toll on them.

I can see it in the worry lines on their faces and feel it in the way they hold me, like they never want to let me go.

They’re afraid to take their eyes off me in case I disappear again.

And I don’t blame them, I feel the same.

The drinking just takes off the edge and lightens the tense mood.

Reef looks to Orlando. “This is a bad idea, Romeo,” he warns, but even he has that damn playful gleam in his eyes.

“I’m sacrificing time with my girl to save the day, the least you can all do is play a game with me to pass the time tonight.”

“What’s the game?” I ask, playing along. If we sit here with this tension much longer, I’m going to go crazy. Or drink myself into a stupor and pass out.

He grins at all of us. “That’s the beauty, we make them up ourselves. You all give me a rule for a number that can be rolled. And if it lands on that number, we do whatever the corresponding rule is.”

“I know this game. Let’s play,” Orlando agrees, but the way he looks at his brother is as if he’s agreeing to more than a silly dice game. This is some damn competition between them that could end badly.

Romeo grins back at him with the same damn look, the two of them never looking more alike. “I’ll go first. Roll a one and choose someone to remove an item of clothing.”

“I’m going to be naked after the first round,” I complain, already seeing my future.

Reef chuckles. “Sounds like a game we all win.”

“Not me.” I slap his leg jokingly.

“What’s your rule, Sloane?” Romeo asks, curiosity in his eyes.

I think on it for a beat, knowing I need to play this smart or I’m going to be in big trouble with all the sexual tension in the air. “Role a two and answer a truth.”

“Predictable.” Romeo snickers.

“Helpful,” I snip back at him. I could have said the same about his rule, knowing all he wants to do is get me naked. I still have questions I want all of them to answer, so what better way than to make it a game.

“I’ll go three,” Reef says. “Pick someone to control your every move. You do whatever they say until your next turn, so pick carefully.”

I laugh, imagining how that’s going to go down. “Orlando?” I raise a brow, wondering what on earth he will come up with.

“Let’s go with a dare of the dealer’s choice.” A mischievous grin spreads across his face. He likes games just as much as his brother. “What’s it going to be, bodyguard?” He throws it to Onyx, the only one who doesn’t have a rule yet.

Onyx pulls a silk tie from his pocket and places it on the table, like he came prepared.

I eye him suspiciously. Did they plan this shit on their way over here or something?

Romeo with the dice and him a silk tie. “Roll a five and you get the blindfold. You’ll have to rely on the rest of us to direct you until the next person rolls a five.

” His eyes meet mine as he says the last part, and I know this is his way of saying he watched Orlando fuck me with the blindfold on. Damn!

“Six will be everyone takes a shot, just to keep things interesting,” Romeo says, handing me a die. “Why don’t you go first, doll face.”

Nervous butterflies dance in my stomach. This game could bring us together or it could cause a massive blow-up between the lot of them and tear us apart. I hold my breath as I roll the die and wait. It’s a three. Probably the worst one I could get.

Reef chuckles staring down at me. “Who do you pick, Sloane?” He wiggles his eyebrows, having way too much fun already.

I can’t help but smirk back at him. He’s the less bossy one of them, and it surprised me the most that it was his rule. So I guess I want to see what fun he has planned for me. “Be nice, Reef,” I warn, my expression serious.

A cheeky grin stretches across his lips as he shakes his head. “Good choice. Come sit with me, wildcat.” He pats his lap, trying to entice me.

Oh man, this is going to go bad, I just know it.

He helps me up to standing, and I move to sit on his lap.

He pulls me into his embrace, his lips brushing my cheek, holding me close, the warmth of his body surrounding me.

“Right where you should be,” he whispers in my ear.

I can feel Orlando’s eyes on us; I can’t look at him to see his filthy glare, it’s already too dangerous.

Besides, I don’t want to ruin this moment with Reef.

“Whose turn?” I ask, needing to get this game moving and the attention off me.

Onyx takes the die and rolls a two. His attention goes straight to Orlando. “What are your real intentions with Sloane?” he goes straight for the real shit.

Orlando’s eyes come to me in a way that makes my heart race because I feel like I already know what they are—he’s never going to let me go. He thinks I’m stuck on this island forever.

Reef’s lips touch my ear. “I want you to go kiss Romeo, wildcat, make it a good one too.”

I close my eyes for just a split second.

Fuck. I stand and move closer to Romeo, take his hand, and pull him up to standing.

I pop up on my toes and my lips meet with his.

His hand wraps around my back, and he holds me close as he kisses me way too passionately for this audience.

I pull back from him a little breathless, my heart racing.

“My intention is only to keep her alive. She saved me, and I owe her everything. Much like I do you, for giving me a second chance. If she falls for me while I’m protecting her then I’m a happy man, because I have no intention of letting her go when this is all over.”

I turn back around, his answer catching me off guard a little. I didn’t expect him to be so honest with Onyx. Orlando’s eyes meet mine, and he knows it. I move back to Reef’s lap, not sure how to react.

“Roll the die for me, wildcat,” says Reef, not giving me too long to think on it.

I collect the die and roll for Reef. “Fuck.” It’s a one.

“This game is really working in my favor.” Reef chuckles playfully.

“What do you want?” I snip; this game really isn’t working in mine.

He grins so hard his dimples show, and he looks sexy as all hell. “Your panties.”

Romeo chuckles, and I feel all four sets of eyes land on me.

I shake my head. “Of course you do.” I stand and shimmy out of my panties, handing them to him. I wish I wasn’t wearing a short fucking dress, but I’m grateful the lighting is low with just the flicker of the fire and the candles.

With a grin, Romeo takes the die and rolls.

It comes up with a five. “I think you’re having just a little too much fun with your newfound power, Reef, let’s give you the blindfold to even out the game.

” He winks in my direction then leans over from his spot and places the blindfold over Reef’s eyes.

The two of them having a laugh as he does.

Shit, we probably shouldn’t have drunk so much before attempting this game. Things are about to get messy, I just know it.

“You’re going to pay for that move, Romeo.” Reef chuckles.

“I can’t wait.” They are both so damn close to me I feel the way his words rumble through his chest, even though they were growled out quietly just for Reef’s ears.

Orlando takes his roll, the die flying across the table.

Reef’s hand runs along my thigh. “Spread your legs for me, wildcat,” he instructs, something in his words making me even more wet than I already was.

“Reef,” I warn, knowing he’s getting into dangerous territory.

His lips find my neck. “My turn’s about to run out, Sloane, let’s have a little fun before it does.” His warm breath on my neck sends goosebumps up my arms and brings my entire body to life.