Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 103413 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103413 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
“She’s so much braver than they give her credit for. She struggles, Liam. Every day. Today, when Ace and Keir were screaming, she tried to follow me. To help.”
Liam frowned at that. “Maybe it’s good for her to push herself.”
“Not under those circumstances. The stress can’t be good for her. Always worrying and fearful.”
Liam grunted. “I wonder if she’s still talking to a therapist.”
“I don’t know. But there’s more. She paints, but she doesn’t let anyone see it.”
“Aren’t a lot of artists like that?”
“She thinks they’re meaningless. That she’s worthless.”
“What?” Liam barked. “Why the fuck would she think that?”
“Because she doesn’t think she does anything of value. She has no purpose, Liam. She’s drifting.”
He nodded. He kind of understood that. His brother was similar. Only he was a complete bastard, and Lottie was . . . sweetness and light.
“She needs something to do,” Liam said.
“I think she needs to learn that she can do whatever she wants to. She’s not helpless. Those boys adore her. That Ace, shit, if he were a few years older, I’d be worried he’d be giving us a run for our money with her.”
“So, we help her build up her self-confidence. Teach her that she has value. Make sure that she’s talking to someone that knows their shit. Because I sure don’t. I’m likely to make things worse.”
“There’s more,” Nico told him.
“What?”
“I’m not sure exactly. When Ace grabbed her arm today, she flinched like it hurt.”
Liam frowned. “So, the kid obviously grabbed her too hard. Jardin needs to talk to him about that.”
“I don’t think that’s it.”
“Maybe she hurt it. Is that really what has you pacing?”
“She didn’t come to dinner.”
“I know. But she was exhausted. You heard what Regent said. I’m sure today was a lot for her.”
“It was. She had a panic when we attempted to have a picnic outside, then another as we left the house to go to the hospital. And another at the hospital.”
“See. It’s no wonder she’s exhausted.”
“I just . . . I need to make sure she’s all right.”
“You want to go see her?” Liam asked. “If Regent catches us . . .”
“I know. But I have to know.”
Liam looked thoughtful. “Oh, what the hell? What’s the worst he can do? Not like I’m scared of Regent Malone.”
Nico let out a deep breath. “Thank you.”
“You’re going to owe me, though.” He climbed off the bed and strode toward Nico. Lightly grabbing the other man around the neck, he walked him until his back hit the wall. Then he pushed him against the wall, leaning into him. Nico’s eyes filled with heat. He licked his lips. It might have looked like a nervous gesture on someone else, but there was hunger and need in his face.
“Owe you, huh?”
“Yep. And let’s not forget that you were disobedient today. That’s coming out of your hide.”
“What are you planning on doing?”
“I don’t have my kit here.”
“Aw, that’s too bad. Oh well, nothing to be done then, huh?”
Liam grinned. “I wouldn’t say that.” He reached down and cupped Nico’s balls through his jeans, squeezing lightly. “Were you a good boy today? You didn’t come?”
“No, you bastard, I didn’t come.” Nico groaned. “Fuck.”
“Good. Because you don’t get to come without my permission, do you?”
“Christ,” he muttered as Liam grabbed his firm dick, running his hand up and down it. Then he undid the top few buttons of his jeans, sliding his hand in to grab Nico’s cock, pumping it.
“Liam,” he moaned.
“You are hard, aren’t you? Was it hard to behave yourself today? Especially being around our girl.”
“She smells so fucking good.”
“I’m hurt,” Liam told him, nipping at his lower lip. “You never say I smell good.”
“You smell good,” Nico said with a moan as he continued to jack him off. “But she smells amazing.”
“And that made your dick hard? Smelling her all day? Having her close without being able to touch her. Or did you?”
“A few times.”
“Yeah?”
“Her skin is like fucking silk. It’s like nothing I’ve felt before.”
“You tell me I’m going to need to start a skincare regime and I’ll have to hurt you.”
“You like hurting me,” Nico pointed out.
Liam grinned. “Sometimes. And you like it when I hurt you.”
“Sometimes.”
Liam barked out a laugh then slid his hand out of Nico’s jeans. “Do them up. Time’s wasting.”
Nico groaned. “You’re such a bastard. All the fucking blood is in my cock. How am I supposed to even walk?”
Liam headed to the door. “You’ll figure it out.” He opened it and Nico walked past with a grumble, hastily doing up his jeans.
Liam smacked his ass and Nico jumped, turning with a glare. “You’re a real ass sometimes.”
“Watch it,” Liam warned. “You’re being given a reprieve. But at some stage, there will be a reckoning. At the rate you’re going, you won’t sit for a week.”
“Promises. Promises.”