Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 68058 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68058 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
I wondered if Rhys felt the same way or if all he felt was regret.
The only thing I regretted was not being able to spend all day in bed with him.
14
RHYS
When I realized my brother was unlocking the door, I bent back over the bucket. I’d thought my stomach was as empty as it could get, but the smell brought up more bile, so I didn’t have to fake my retching when Grant walked in on me.
I used my filthy t-shirt to wipe my mouth when I was done and turned to look at my brother.
The mix of anger and concern on his face almost made me laugh despite how horrible I felt. That last round seemed to have been enough to make my stomach feel better, but my head was still pounding, and my ass was sore as hell.
“What the fuck is going on?” Grant asked. “Are you okay?”
I frowned. “Do I look okay?”
“No.”
“I’m not. But I will be. I think.”
He frowned as he looked me over. I was sure he was noting the fact that I was wearing the same clothes I’d had on yesterday, and I didn’t need a mirror to tell me my hair was a mess and I looked like hell.
“What did you do last night?”
Images of exactly what I’d done came back, and my stomach churned again. I’d let TJ fuck me. And I hadn’t just let him; I’d begged for it. Because I remembered every fucking second of what had happened between us. If I had to be this hungover, couldn’t I have at least forgotten it all?
“Rhys?”
Grant sounded more concerned now.
“I… drank.”
“No shit. I found an empty whiskey bottle on the back porch.”
“You and Jacob are fucking loud.”
He didn’t even have the decency to blush. “We didn’t go so late you had to sleep in the barn.”
“I came out here to get some peace.”
“Alone?” I wasn’t exactly thankful I’d puked my guts up, but at least the stench ought to cover the smell of sex that would otherwise have tipped Grant off.
“Who would I be with?”
He looked at me, studying me closely again. Fuck, did I have any visible bruises? I didn’t remember TJ sucking at my neck, and if he had, I didn’t think it had been hard enough to leave a mark. I couldn’t be sure, though. My judgment had been all fucked up. Most of the time, I hadn’t been aware of anything but TJ’s dick in me and the drive to do anything in order to come. I hadn’t even thought about making him use a condom until it was way too late.
“You know exactly who I think you were with.”
I shook my head, then immediately regretted it. “I don’t.”
“You’re not really going to play this game with me, are you? You and TJ have been circling around each other since he got here.”
“Circling around? I hate that son of a bitch.”
“I didn’t say you loved him, just that you—”
“That’s enough. I feel like shit, and now I’ve got to get this place cleaned up.” I looked around the room slowly, and as I did, I saw TJ’s underwear by the edge of the blankets.
Don’t look that way. Don’t look that way.
“I was going to get these saddles repaired today.” I pointed to the opposite side of the room.
Grant frowned. “What’s wrong with them?”
“This one needs a new leather stirrup, and the other needs some reconditioning.”
“I’m not sure you’ll be able to bring that one back to life. It’s got to be the oldest one here.”
He was probably right, but I had to say something about it to divert his attention while I kicked TJ’s briefs under the blanket. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of it.”
“All right. If you’re up to it.”
“I just need some painkillers and coffee. A lot of coffee.”
“No. You need water. Don’t you dare put anything else in your system until you’ve had at least sixteen ounces of water.”
“Yes, sir.”
He scowled at me. “Can you deal with…” He gestured toward the bucket. Grant was a big strong force recon platoon commander, but he’d never been able to clean up puke without puking himself.
“Yep. I’m a big boy who can clean up after himself.”
His expression softened. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I told you I was.”
“Yeah, but I mean…”
“I’ll be fine.” That was as good an answer as he was getting because I wasn’t sure I was going to be okay, not after what I’d let happen. And even as sick as I felt, I already wanted TJ again.
15
TJ
I’d finished breakfast and was feeling mostly human when my phone started ringing again. I’d forgotten to see who’d called me earlier. When I glanced at the screen, I realized it had been my father. He wasn’t calling again, though; this time it was Aunt Van.
I moved toward the back door as I answered the call. I wanted privacy for this conversation. “Hello, Van.”