Page 73 of Wretched Lies

“No one’s going to be able to eat off here ever again,” I warn.

Reid stands between my legs and looks down. “Oh, I don’t know, I’m getting hungry just looking at it.”

I push against his chest. “Real food, Reid. Not–”

“Pussy?”

I thump him again. “I was going to say Pringles and Twinkies.” I tell him. Reid had stocked up with the same flavor Pringles I’d had back at the mansion, preparing for the day he dragged me back here. The Twinkies are his choice. “Either way, we need a proper breakfast.”

“Fine,” he says, finally stepping away. “Bacon and pancakes it is. Or you could have cereal if you’re in a hurry.”

“Bacon and pancakes. I don’t mind waiting with that view.”

Reid stands at the refrigerator in only his boxer shorts. There isn’t a part of him I haven’t touched or kissed, but my body aches for more. My face is completely readable and he arches an eyebrow. “You can look, but you can’t touch, Viper. I have work to do.”

I rest back on my arms, my legs swinging as I watch him set to work. “This is nice.”

“What’s nice?” asks Reid, setting ingredients down on the counter.

Warmth floods my chest, and I’m enjoying the moment too much to check my words. “Having my boyfriend cook me breakfast.”

Heat scorches my cheeks and I scrunch up my face as Reid looks over his shoulder at me. He has the biggest grin on his face.

“Did you just call me your boyfriend?”

I try to shrug it off. “You know what I mean.”

He nods once. “Yes, I do,” he agrees. “Because I hang on my girlfriend’s every word.”

And with that, he turns back to his cooking. He doesn’t try to overanalyze it, or me. It is what it is. We’re anusnow, and I dare to imagine a life beyond our current predicament. Where would we go on our first date? Where would we live? Would we settle down and raise a family? Or would we travel and see the world?

As my mind wanders, my eyes are drawn to Reid’s phone resting on the counter directly opposite. Reid had deliberately left it out here last night so we wouldn’t be disturbed, but there’s only so long we can keep the madness at bay. His phone keeps lighting up. And he keeps ignoring it.

“You should answer that,” I say.

Bacon sizzles on the skillet. “If it was anything important, Jake would come knocking on the door.”

The front door reverberates with the thump, thump of a heavy fist against wood.

“Like that?” I ask, my heart sinking.

“Answer the fucking phone, Reid!” Jake bellows. “We leave in thirty!”

My stomach hollows, and I immediately lose myappetite. Who’s leaving? Am I included? And where are they/we going?

“I’ve got it!” Reid hollers back, snatching up his phone.

“Good! But I still need to get in there to grab my gear!”

“Fine! Give me ten minutes!” He curses under his breath as he connects the call. His jaw tics, and I’m expecting him to berate whoever’s disturbing our peace, but he doesn’t. He listens. And when he eventually speaks, he’s interrupted each time. “But I thought… Can’t we wait until…? I know that, but…” His shoulders slump. “Understood. I’ll see you later.”

When he finishes the call, Reid turns off the burner before coming over. He stands between my legs and sweeps his hands down my back before grabbing my ass and pulling me closer.

“We have to head back to Chicago. I need to sit down with my brothers and figure out what to do next.” He glances to where I’m chewing my lip. “Don’t worry, Quinn. I’m not dragging you back to be interrogated by my brothers. They’ve arranged for you to stay at one of the Moncrief hotels. We have close links with the owners and we can combine their security with ours so you’ll be safe.”

“I’ll be safe? On my own?”

Reid cocks his head. “You think I’d leave you on your own? Fuck no. I thought I made myself clear when I was fucking you on this very table,” he says, eyes bouncing between mine. “I’m not letting you go.” He leans in and sucks the lip I’d been worrying. “We’re just getting an upgrade in accommodation.”