Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 22917 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 115(@200wpm)___ 92(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22917 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 115(@200wpm)___ 92(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
“Don’t move,” he orders again before he’s out my bedroom door. A few seconds later, I hear my front door close, and I roll over and stare up at the ceiling.
River Andora’s mouth was all over my body, and mine was all over his. That was the last thing I ever thought would happen when I found out that not only did we go to the same school but we also live in the same building.
My mind starts to tug in terrible directions as it always does. What if River found out I’m the reason Cillian has his scars? It’s partly why I don’t think his parents wanted his sister to marry him. River’s parents hold a lot of stock in image. So much so they’d rip the Andora family apart for it, and for money. I don’t know where River stands on it all.
If Cillian had a falling-out with our parents that ripped the family apart, I’d never want to think about being in the middle of that. It’s heartbreaking. Though it would never happen with my mom around.
I jerk up when I hear something from the other room. Realizing it’s my phone, I wrap the sheet around me to go in search of it. I’m not used to walking around naked, but I could if it meant River’s mouth could get to me faster.
The first thing I spot is River’s shirt, and I snag it off the floor, wanting to keep it. I glance at the front door and realize he must have left shirtless. I guess I can’t blame him because this one is covered in his release.
My phone goes off again, so I find my bag and fish it out. “Shit!” I gasp, glancing around the room to make sure the space is presentable, because half a second later there’s a knock on my door.
“Be right there!” I call, bolting toward my room. I toss the sheet back to the bed before I quickly dress.
My brother didn’t send a text saying he wanted to stop by. Nope. He’s in the area, which is actually a bit surprising since he stays in the historic Flores country estate. Why does he have to show up now?
Guilt instantly hits me at the thought, and my stomach starts to turn thinking about being torn between Cillian and River. The brother who not only was the best brother a girl would ask for but who also bares scars on his own face because he saved my life.
I smooth my hands down my hair before taking a deep breath. “Mara?” he calls through the door, sounding worried.
“Sorry!” I open the door to see both Glenda and Cillian. My sister-in-law smiles brightly at me, and her brows lift before her eyes widen. Shit. Did I forget something?
“You okay?” Cillian asks, giving me a curious look.
“Hug her,” Glenda orders as she slips out from under his arm and darts into my place. Cillian hugs me like he always does.
“I’m fine, I just wasn't expecting anyone. Come in.” I step back to let him in, and as soon as he’s inside, he starts walking around my place, seeing it for himself.
He goes to the pictures Amelia hung on the far wall just as Glenda suddenly pops up in front of me, shoving something into my hand. I look down and see the boxer briefs, and she smirks before spinning back around.
“It’s adorable,” Glenda says loudly. Oh my god. “Do you have a roommate?”
“My sister loves being alone,” Cillian says, more to himself, before he smiles at me.
“You enjoy being alone,” Glenda teases him.
“Enjoyed,” he corrects, and then I see the jagged scars on the side of his face pull tight. Cillian went years without smiling until Glenda came along. I adore the love I see between them, and I want the same.
“Food!” River calls as the front doors swings open. My stomach drops when his eyes land right on Cillian.
At least he put on a shirt when he went upstairs.
Chapter Ten
River
Mara’s eyes are the size of dinner plates as I walk in holding the food I ordered. The look she’s giving me is one of embarrassment, and it makes a little piece of my heart crack. Is she embarrassed that her brother knows I’m here, or that they might find out that we’re together? We are together, aren’t we? In my mind, after all that we shared, it was a done deal. But she’s pulling back inch by inch, and I’m beginning to see that maybe I don’t fit in her plan.
“Uh, hey,” I say, then my sister looks between Mara and me. Her eyes narrow, and then she looks back toward Mara’s bedroom.
“Thank you so much for grabbing those for me,” Mara says.
“Sure,” I answer and place them on the table next to the kitchen. The room has suddenly gone quiet, so I clear my throat and offer my hand to Cillian. “Hey, good to see you.”