Page 92 of The Oath We Give

I can’t put that on them, and I don’t have to—at least not right now.

Because peering in from the kitchen entry is my wife.

The ring is an adjustment, but calling Coraline mine? Easy.

All five foot nothing of her, brown locks cascading past her shoulders, framing her sharp features, curiosity glinting in her eyes, almost like she was waiting to hear my answer as well.

Hunger pools in my gut.

The leather jacket that’s made several appearances hangs across her shoulders. It reminds me of Alistair and his obsession with the jacket he’s had since high school.

A tiny white tank top that shows off her stomach makes me think about how easy it would be to shred the material with my teeth.

Coraline takes me in, too busy checking me out to realize I’ve noticed her presence, soft brown eyes tracing the lines of my shirtless body. If my kid brother wasn’t in the room with us, I’d let her keep going.

“Coraline.” My gruff voice makes her eyes snap to mine, a blush on her cheeks at knowing she got caught.

Levi spins his head around so quickly it gives me whiplash. I withhold my annoyance as he behaves as if he’s never seen a girl before.

She gives him a toothless smile, waving awkwardly. Her hips sway as she comes further into the kitchen, teasing me with the prospect of flipping it up just to see what color her panties are.

“Hi,” she breathes quietly, strangling the strap of her purse.

“Damn,” Levi mutters under his breath like we can’t hear him.

I instantly reach out and swat the back of his head. “Manners.”

Coraline has to bite down on her lower lip to keep from grinning, and I find myself unreasonably angry at her teeth for gatekeeping it, hiding away one of the rare and beautiful things she does.

I like her smile. I like her laugh.I likeher.

It’s an odd place to be in for me, liking someone. I haven’t had a crush since middle school, and this feels much more intense than I remember.

“Levi, the most attractive brother.” He stretches out his hand to shake hers. “How the hell did this asshole land you?”

Fucking siblings.

They’re created to constantly work your nerves. It’s why Rook gets along with my family so well.

“Aren’t you the younger twin? Can you be the most attractive if there is an older copy of you?” She tilts her head, blinking as she feigns confusion, taking his hand and shaking it. “And I’ve got a thing for silent and brooding type.”

He scoffs. “Caleb wishes he had this jawline.”

Like the rubber band he is, he snaps right back to his goofy self. Our earlier conversation melts away, all his fear hidden behind one blinding smile.

I watch her bust his balls for a few more minutes, listening to them banter back and forth before he heads to the bathroom, leaving the two of us alone.

“What’s the emergency?” she asks, leaning to make sure Levi isn’t within earshot of our conversation.

“My mother and father are on their way over here.”

Her eyes widen before she looks down at her outfit and back up at me. “You didn’t think to mention that before? I would’ve worn something, I don’t know…” She tosses her hands in the air. “More fucking bridal? I look like Jackie the Ripper.”

“You look hot,” I mutter. “And my parents won’t care what you’re wearing, Hex. As long as they get to meet you.”

She scoffs. “Doubtful. How did they even find out? I thought you were going to buy us time?”

I simply slide the newspaper Levi gave me across the island in her direction, then pick up my coffee and take a sip while she reads. Her nose scrunches while she scans the page.