Page 73 of Tangled Hearts

We make our way into the house, collecting paper plates—Holden hates dishes—and the condiments we’ll need. “How are things with you and Nic?”

I almost drop the ketchup in my hand. “What do you mean?”

“It’s strange living with someone new. I wanted to make sure you guys were getting along okay.” You have no fucking idea, Dad.

I nod slowly. “Yeah, things are, um—fine. They’re all fine.” Is my voice getting a little creaky?

Dad ruffles my hair. “Good. I’m glad. If you ever need to talk, though, you know where to find us.”

And with that, he turns and leaves the kitchen. I let out a nervous laugh and follow him.

By the time we’ve got everything set out on the picnic table, the kids are running back from the woods with Holden and Julian. When I first came here to visit, I had no idea how much land they had. It was a fun surprise when Uncle Hold took me back into the woods and showed me the tree house and swing that Julian put out there for the kids.

I found myself hiding out back there more than once when things got too loud in my head.

I’m only half listening to their happy conversation, though, because my eyes are on Nic. He’s still standing by Dad, but Dad seems mostly distracted, so I quickly take out my phone to send another photo. A close-up of my dick, the head barely peeking out of the top of my panties.

As soon as I hit send, I stare at him, waiting. He nods to something Dad says, then takes his phone out of his pocket. He glances down, then up at the sky. If he’s asking for mercy, he won’t find any. This is fun, and I’m enjoying myself way too much to stop now.

With a slight headshake, he looks around, then back at his phone. His face is impassive, but the sharp rise and fall of his chest gives him away, just the littlest bit.

I watch him type, my heart pounding as I wait for the notification to come through. The telltale buzz vibrates against my hip.

Nic

You’re playing with fire, doll. Keep it up and I won’t let you come today.

I can’t help but grin. We both know he’s fucking lying. So, I send the video I took before closing out of the app and sitting down at the table.

As soon as my ass hits the seat, Nic sits down beside me. “Lovely day we’re having, huh? Beautiful weather.” His voice is soft. Pleasant, even. His eyes are burning, though.

“Go inside and wash your hands. Both of you,” Julian says, and Wren and Warren take off into the house. I’m trying to find out where everyone is when Nic’s hand landing on my leg makes me jump.

His fingers trail up the inside of my thigh, and I suck in a breath. “Nic,” I hiss. This isactuallyplaying with fire.

“Calm down, doll,” he whispers. “No one is paying any attention to us. Do you think I’d put you in a position to be caught?”

No, I guess not. I shake my head.

“Spread your legs for me.”

Oh fuck.I do, my thighs falling apart as his fingers trail higher. I bite back a moan when he drags a fingertip up my dick.

As quickly as he touches me, he stops, and I’m left gasping. He pats the side of my thigh, and I close my legs. “Good boy. Your dads are coming.”

I’m still working on calming my breathing when Roman sets down a tray filled with hamburgers and hotdogs. “I’m starving. What about you guys?”

I hope he doesn’t actually expect an answer because I can’t talk.

Maybe I really was playing with fire.

By the time everyone has gathered around the table and started making their plates, my dick has—thankfully—calmed down.

“We need a bigger table,” Holden says, glancing back and forth at how we’re all packed in like sardines.

“Nah,” Julian counters. “We’re good like this.”

“Tell that to my elbows,” Holden grumbles.