Bailey pauses, grabbing my arm. “Wait! We need some pre-drinks.” She dips into the kitchen and I laugh, shaking my head.
“Bays! Hurry up! I’m scared right now that he’s going to come home, take one look at Saint, and ruin our night!” Tillie calls out loudly, fixing her hair in the large Victorian-style antique mirror that hangs on the wall.
“Too late!” Brantley slams the front door closed just as Bailey is rounding the corner, the cheesy smile she had on her face sliding off like makeup on a rainy day. She lowers the two bottles of vodka as we all jump in place, turning to face a furious—no, livid, looking Brantley. “Where in the fuck do you think you’re all going? Hmmm?”
Bishop and Nate step through the front door and pause, their eyes flying around the group of us.
Bishop’s eyes turn to slits on Madison before going back to Nate. “See? The fuck did I just say?”
Nate’s brows are raised at Tillie, but he doesn’t do anything to hide the tiny smirk on the corner of his mouth. “And where the fuck do you think you’re going pregnant that doesn’t involve riding on my dick?”
“And, we’re caught,” Madison whispers.
Brantley’s dark eyes hit me and I swear I feel the reverberations throughout my bones. He doesn’t need to say anything, because I already know he’s pissed.
“We were going to the movies…” Bailey lies effortlessly, attempting to save us.
“Yeah?” Brantley’s eyes remain painfully focused on me, but he’s still talking to Bailey. “You’re a shit liar, Bailey. I suggest you work on that so you don’t disgrace our family name.”
Bailey flicks off the cap with her finger and raises the bottle to her lips. “Oh well, my bitches. I tried.”
Brantley points to the back patio. “Outside. Now.”
“Wait—shit!” Tillie calls out just as I turn around, but it’s too late. I forgot all about the massive slit in my jeans beneath my ass cheek.
Hands are at the back of my neck. “Out-fucking-side.” He shoves me forward and I turn to look over my shoulder to see him pointing at Tillie. “You better beat her ass tonight, Nate, or I swear to God…”
Tillie blows Brantley a kiss. “Then don’t try to take her away from her family again!”
I hit the back doors and the cool air whips me across the face. “What’s your problem?” I turn to face him, but it’s too late. His hand is already on my mouth.
“Shut the fuck up and listen to me, because I’ve been real patient with you so far, but that ends now.”
My breathing hitches, my chest swelling against his when he smashes me against the wall. His other hand dips into the slit in my jeans and he squeezes the fat on my ass. And there is a decent amount of fat on my ass.
“You cannot walk around like this without me near you. If someone touches you while I’m not there.” He leans down and forces my body closer to his. “How the fuck am I supposed to kill him?” He closes his eyes and I almost think he’s counting in his head. “Give me a fucking minute to calm down.”
I stay in this position, his hand over my mouth and his other tight on my ass. Slowly, I feel the tension release and his thumb work circles over the curve. “
“There are people who want to hurt me, Saint, and the only way they can do that is through you. Do you understand?”
I nod.
“Good.” He releases my mouth, moving his arm around my neck to pull me in farther. I need to crank my head to look up to his full height.
“Is that it?” I brave. “That’s all the trouble I’m in?”
He laughs. “Oh, for now.” His dimples sink into either side of his face. “This will be finished in bed later, but for right now—” His mouth is on my earlobe as he nibbles on the thin skin. He whispers breathless words into my ear and I smirk, bringing my arm up to hook around his back. I win.
“Yo, we’ve got a problem.” Nate opens the door wide. He looks at Brantley. “Your mom is here.”
“What?” Brantley tugs me under his arm and moves us farther inside, his footsteps far too wide for me to catch up fast enough.
There, standing at the threshold of the front door, in all her dark-haired beauty is Veronica—I don’t even know her last name.
“Well,” she says, looking around at us all. “I’m glad you’re all here because I’ve got something to say.” I squeeze into Brantley, staggering closer to his protection. My hand ducks beneath his hoodie until my palm is pressed flat against his abs. I relax.
“What the fuck do you want?” Brantley moves me behind his body slightly, ever my crazed monster. “You really need to call before making appearances.” The room is still, the silence almost unbearable. My heart rate quickens and a bead of sweat falls down my temple. I never sweat.