Page 44 of Gluttony (Seven Deadly Sins #4)

“Right, the horror.” I roll my eyes and make sure my sarcasm is louder than the engine.

“Don’t get bratty on me, Diamond, or else I’ll put your mouth to better use.” This time, he darts his gaze to mine for a fraction of a second, a sexy, boyish grin telling more than his words.

He’s joking, relaxed. Comfortable.

“I like this side of you.” I hope I don’t regret my words later.

“Which side is that?” His right hand latches onto my thigh and the pads of his fingers press deep into my flesh. “The hungry one?”

“No, the carefree, laid-back one.”

“I haven’t been carefree a day in my life. Don’t confuse my desire for compliance.” When I look back at him, I notice the tick of his jaw and the way the muscles in his neck are tensed.

“You’re lying. Why can’t you admit that you like me?” When his hand goes back to the stick shift, I try to turn so I can look straight at him but these bucket seats are too deep.

“I did. I even said I was sorry.”

“True. So why am I here instead of Orion?” At the risk of getting car sick, I don’t take my eyes off of him, wanting to catch any and all tells.

“Because Hadley is a danger on the road and we decided not to put you in harm’s way.” I smile at that.

“You like me.” It’s not as if it’ll make a difference in the least, my contract is up in a month, give or take, and I’m guessing the fun and games end with it. Which reminds me that I need to find an apartment and a job and…a purpose.

“You’re annoying and distracting.” There’s absolutely no bite to his words, and for some reason I cannot explain, it gives me hope.

“That’s not a denial, Hayes. In fact…” I turn back to face the road, my smug smile dripping with victory.

“I think you want to protect me because you don’t like the idea of me being in danger.

Despite your little stunt the other night.

” I don’t need to explain the reference, he knows what he did and I’ll use that shit until the day we part.

“Or…” Hayes pulls the stick down toward me, and when his hand grabs onto my chin I see that it’s the fifth gear. “I like my toys in one piece, even if they lie and cheat and try to rob me.” Oh, touché, Hayes…touché.

“Technically, I was trying to rob Orion.” We’re going at break-neck speeds and this guy turns my head and stares into my eyes like they do in the movies, except for the romantic part because this is not it.

“Two can play the blame game, Diamond, and I suggest you stay on my good side.” I have one eye on the road, hoping no one slams their breaks in front of us when he pulls my chin toward him and plants a bruising kiss on my lips.

It lasts just a fraction of a second but I feel the heat of it for minutes after he’s released me.

“Okay, good side it is. How about a little road game then? The easiest way to stay on your good side is to know a bit more about you.”

Hayes raises a skeptical brow as he darts his gaze to me, then back to the road. There’s always a wall up with him but at least it’s not impenetrable right now.

“A question for a question, then? Let’s say…five.” Well, isn’t he a little sneaky sneak. He is curious about me.

“Deal.” I grin then add, “I start.”

“Why do you start?” He changes lanes, drives up beside Hadley, then rolls the window on my side down just enough to see his brother, who does the same on his side. “Slow the fuck down, Hads. You’re in a fucking truck not a Lambo.”

In true Hadley fashion, he puts his hand out the window and makes a backward peace sign. Then grins as he shoves the two fingers up like they’re going up his twin’s ass. I watch British television, I know what that sign means, so I reciprocate with my middle finger and a sweet grin on my face.

“Soon, Little Rabbit. Up both holes.” Then he hits the gas and smokes us. In a literal way.

Hayes rolls up my window as he shakes his head in amused disbelief.

“How are you two so different?”

“Is that your first question?”

I think about that and it feels relevant.

“Yes.”

“Well, when a woman’s egg is fertilized by—”

“That’s not what I meant, and you know it.” I guess he isn’t that different from his twin, after all. When I turn to look at him, his wide grin and the crinkles at the corners of his eyes make my heart swell with so much…emotion. And it’s not lust, not right now.

“Twins are different from every other type of siblings. We grow up not really needing anyone because it’s like we can speak without talking.

We’re never alone, we’re never separated.

Our parents…well, our mum, was adamant about us having our own identities so she never dressed us the same or forced the headmasters to put us in the same classes.

” Not once does he look at me as he speaks, driving at a slower speed than before but still sports car worthy.

“So, you had different sets of friends?”

He tuts with his tongue. “My turn, Diamond.” Fuck. I was so invested in his story and I interrupted him before he was even finished. Rookie move.

Hayes turns on the blinker to exit highway eighty-seven, taking us on country roads where the snow, in these parts, fell not too long ago.

“Fine. Ask away, I’m an open-ish book.” I smile and sneak a peek. Hayes grabs onto my thigh and squeezes.

“Wide open, Miss Jones. That’s how I want you.” I spread open my legs and give him access. To my surprise, he only caresses me over my panties, getting me nice and wet but nothing more.

“Are you still sore?” Ha! Did I say rookie move about myself? Sucker!

“Yes. My turn.”

“You little…”

“How…no. Okay…Why are the three of you so close?” My hope is to get information on the three of them with just one question.

“We were in boarding school together and when shit went down, Orion had our backs. Simple as that.” My mind fills with images of boys in uniforms doing shady shit and getting away with it because of their parents’ money.

“Hayes?”

“Yeah, Diamond?” I reach over and place my hand on his cheek.

“Give me more, please.” Hayes leans his cheek into my hand like the warmth of it gives him some semblance of strength—or maybe it’s trust.

“It’s not my story to tell, Bowie, but I’m sure Hadley will, eventually.

All I can say is that we are more than brothers.

We stand as one and now you’re a part of that.

” He smiles my way then adds, “We’d change the company name but I don’t think H2BO has the same ring to it.

” Holy shit, did Hayes just make a joke?

“Funny guy, are you saying I stink or the company stinks?”

“I’m saying that name is shit.” His hand goes back to the stick shift as he navigates the turns and I sit back into the bucket seats.

“What the hell was it about Mickey?” Fuck, I knew this question would come up. It’s time to fess up the whole story, I guess, but I’d rather do that with all the guys.

“I feel like that’s a question I should answer in front of the three of you.” At least this way they can ask all the questions their hearts desire.

I’m met with silence as Hayes pilots the car with expert hands, turning here then there until we end up in front of an open gate, Hadley’s truck just a couple of yards ahead of us.

“And now you can. We’re here.”

The driveway up to the main house is long and winding. It feels like the beginning of a horror movie.

“Geez, are you planning on having your way with me then burying me in the back?” I’m joking…kind of.

“We like to keep our options open.” I stick my tongue out at him because I’m not sure if he’s joking or being serious. Although, I’m leaning toward the option where I don’t end up six feet under.

As soon as I step out of the car, I realize my bladder is on fire. It was only a two hour drive but I forgot to go before we left. “Where’s the loo?” I giggle at my use of their word for the toilet.

“Cheeky, I like it.” Hadley grabs me from behind and swings me around, then slams me against the truck’s bed.

“I missed you, Little Rabbit. My cock is lonely when you’re not near me.

” His mouth finds mine as he turns my head to the side and presses himself against my back.

I can’t move, all I can do is give as much as I’m getting, which means we make out like horny teenagers for what feels like hours.

“Let’s get our shit inside.” Hayes smacks his twin on the back of the head, forcing us to separate.

“I really, really need to pee.”

“Can I watch?”

“Um, no. Stop being a creeper.” I pat his cheek and follow Hayes.

“I’ll be back in a bit, keep her nice and wet for me.” When I turn around to protest, Hadley is gone and Orion is mumbling under his breath, something about getting his shit together.

The ranch-style home is gorgeous but I don’t get much visiting done until I empty out my bladder in the guest bathroom.

By the time I make it back to the guys, Orion is already prepping the food on the counter. How long was my pee break?

“I got it all ready before we left, Sweetheart.” It’s like Orion reads my mind, sometimes.

“Oh, okay.” I sit at the counter, looking around for the twins.

“Hadley’s getting some shit done and Hayes is putting the bags in the parental suite.” I grin.

“The parental suite?” It sounds so fancy.

“Yeah, this was my parents’ getaway home. We used to come here in the summers until we left for England.”

“How old were you when you left?” Hayes isn’t here to count my questions, I’m running with it.

“I was almost nine.” He turns as he answers, lighting the stove and taking out the pots and pans.

“That sounds amazing. I bet you were excited.” Orion splashes a few drops of water in the pan and when they sizzle, he drops the thick, round pieces of meat.

“I was so pissed at them. I had to give up my hockey team, my friends, my school. The night before we left, I tried to run away.” My mind conjures up images of Orion as a nine-year-old boy, being stubborn and feeling scared about his entire world being upended.

My heart breaks for him but also, I’m like a reader who already knows the ending of the story.

“Must’ve been relieved when you met the twins then, right?”

“Ha! He hated us at first. Called us the Terror Twins.” I gasp when Hayes boxes me in against the counter, forcing me to sit on the stool. “In fact, I think I want to do terrible things to you while we’re here.” I lean my head to the side to allow him better access.

“I’m all yours.”

“Hmm, famous last words, Sweetheart.”