Page 101 of Hunted

Getting to have our own little Halloween party, and playing all these games, feels like I’m gaining something back that I lost while stuck on that island.

From what they’ve told me about college parties and clubs, I don’t think I missed out on much. But the fact that my guys are trying to make up for some of the things I never got to experience means everything to me. And I’m pretty sure I’m having way more fun tonight than I ever would in a club full of strangers.

Eventually, I find myself lying on the couch, my head in Weston’s lap as he strokes my hair and tells Kingsley about the boat engine he once rebuilt from scratch.

I wiggle my toes in Bower’s lap, and he starts rubbing my feet. I try to tune into what he’s saying and realize he’s talking to Reece about his fish, Seymour.

My eyes start to grow heavy, but I’m having so much fun I don’t want to go to sleep yet. Maybe I’ll just rest my eyes for a moment…

Chapter twenty-nine

Darla

“Darla?”

“Hmm?” I open my eyes and see Weston staring down at me, a soft smile playing on his lips.

“I said it’s time for bed.”

“Oh, right.” I guess I dozed off there for a minute. Reece offers me his hand and helps me up, but when I get to my feet, he keeps hold of me and leads me upstairs. It’s normally one of the others that helps get me ready for bed and the fact that it’s Reece tonight sends a shiver of excitement through me.

It’s been over a week since we finally decided to go all in together, but we haven’t done anything other than kiss, and it’s driving me a little insane. He’s not just drop-dead gorgeous, but I’ve known him forever, and I’ve loved him just as long.

As we pass his bedroom, I pull him to a stop.

“What’s wrong?” he asks, turning back to face me, his eyebrows pinched in concern.

“Do you think I could stay with you tonight?” I bite my lip nervously as I wait for his response.

He snaps his mouth closed, then I see his throat bob up and down before he nods. “Yeah, of course. Only to sleep though, you’ve been drinking.”

He pulls me into his room, and I frown at his back.

Way to put a damper on my plans.

He leads me into the bathroom and finds a toothbrush for me. We take our time cleaning our teeth and washing our faces before he leads us back into his room and pulls out one of his t-shirts for me to sleep in. I hold it against my chest as I unabashedly watch him strip out of his fuzzy lemur costume until he’s only left wearing a pair of boxers.

When he’s finished and he sees I’m still standing there, clutching his shirt, he tries to hide his smile by rolling his eyes. He takes the shirt back from me and spins me around, so my back is to him.

“Arms up,” he commands, and I raise my arms above my head. He grabs my top and pulls it off, tossing it onto his dresser. Within seconds, his t-shirt is being pulled down over me. Then he spins me back around, grabs my skirt and pulls it down to the ground.

I step out of it, then look up at him, waiting to see what happens next.

He grabs my hand and leads me to the side of the bed, yanking back the covers. “Do you need Steve?”

I climb in and lay down as I nod. “Yeah, and my phone so I can play the jungle noises. Do you mind?”

“Not at all, I’ll be right back.” He kisses my forehead and leaves the room. I immediately roll over and stick my face in the pillow. Smells like him. I can’t name the scent, but it’s a mix of something very manly with a hint of citrus.

He’s back within a couple minutes and places Steve on the nightstand beside me, along with my phone, which he plugs in. He switches on my app and the sounds of the jungle fill the room.

“Can we listen to the ocean waves tonight?” I ask, wanting something a little more soothing. He switches it over, then holds out his hand to me.

“Take these, and drink this glass of water. It will help prevent you from getting a headache from the alcohol.”

“Okay.” I take the pills and sit up so I can drink the water. When I’m done, he moves to the other side of the bed and climbs in. “But I don’t think I’m drunk.”

“It won’t hurt you if you’re not.” He gets comfortable and when I realize he’s not even planning to cuddle me, I turn to face him with a frown.