10. Meredith
MEREDITH
It might not have been my brightest idea, getting drunk again with this hot, crazy kidnapper, but we’re playing strip poker, and I can’t remember the last time I had such a good night. There’s music playing, drinks flowing, and I feel so relaxed.
“You’re a card shark!” Nate laughs, slamming his cards down on the table. He’s wearing nothing but a pair of black boxer shorts, looking like he walked straight out of an underwear advertisement.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.
” I grin, taking a sip of my wine. I’ve only lost my socks and pants, but I’m still wearing a T-shirt, so it covers everything.
I had to take my bra off, but still, I’m fully covered.
Meanwhile, I’m enjoying the view, watching his ripped abs flex and tense every time he moves.
His blond hair is down, his arms now crossed back behind his head.
He’s fucking sexy.
He knows it, too, if the smirk that plays on his lips every time he catches me looking at him is anything to go by.
“You sick of losing yet?” I tease, dealing the last hand. I’m not sure what I’m doing because my focus is on him and not the cards.
“I don’t mind losing to you, Doc,” he says, studying me with those intelligent blue eyes of his. “You know, your receptionist asked for my number that day I came in.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m not surprised. Beatrice is only there because her father owns the practice. Most days, she calls in sick, and when she does show up, she’s flirting with all the hot men.”
“I knew you thought I was hot.”
“What gave it away?” I laugh, my gaze roaming down his abs. “The fact that you kidnapped me, and I chose to stay here? Or the fact that I can’t look away from that body of yours?”
“I don’t know. I just wanted to hear you say it,” he rasps, putting his beer on the counter and leaning forward, his elbows on his knees. “You look so beautiful when you laugh. I never want to stop hearing that sound.”
“You’re drunk.”
“Not that drunk. I’d never let myself lose control completely. What if something happens, and I need to protect you? I’m always in control. The only time I would ever let go is if my brother was here to watch my back.”
Oh, boy. Why do I like that?
I’ve never felt protected before. I can’t decide if he’s a green or red flag. Maybe a mix of both.
We both stare at each other for a long moment. “Tell me something about you. I feel like all we’ve done is talk about me. I want to know everything about you.”
“Okay, well… I’ll tell you something I don’t talk about much. I’m actually adopted. I’m not very close to my family. I’ve never truly fit in with them. I’ve always felt like an outsider, and I think that’s why I like hearing about your twin and the bond you two have. I don’t have that with anyone.”
His throat works as he swallows. “That doesn’t mean you won’t have that. You definitely will.”
I shrug, playing it off. “I’m used to being pretty independent. I don’t need much. But yeah, I guess one day I’d like to be someone’s first choice. I’d like to belong somewhere. I think that’s why I became a psychologist. I always just wanted someone to understand me, you know?”
He reaches over and runs his thumb across my cheek. “I have a feeling you’re going to get all that and more.”
“Yeah, and why is that?”
His lip twitches.
“If I weren’t adopted, I would have just been put in foster care too,” I say quietly, and we both share a look.
“I hate that we have that in common,” he replies, eyes softening.
We’re about to play the last hand when there’s loud banging on the door. Followed by a, “Bones, let me in, right the fuck now.”
“Who is that?” I ask, standing up and facing the door.
Nate comes up behind me, hands on my hips. “That’s my brother.”
He kisses the top of my head and then walks to the door, unlocking it. “Speaking of the devil.”
Nate steps back, and his twin steps in—his very identical twin. The two of them are the exact same height and build, and their facial features are mirror images of each other. “I’ve been calling you nonstop. And you’re here…” He gestures to Nate’s half-naked body. “…having a fucking party.”
Blue eyes turn to me, and then widen slightly. He takes me in from head to toe, and then scrubs his hand down his face. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I was worried about my brother.”
“Pyro came in and checked on me,” Nate grumbles, closing the door and pushing his brother inside. “Where’s Isla and Natalia?”
“I left them to come and find your ass. And why the fuck did Pyro know where you are before me? What’s going on with you, Bones? This isn’t like you.” His voice turns almost pleading.
My eyes go between the two of them, trying to figure out their dynamic.
“He found out from Blade and came. I didn’t fucking invite him,” Bones replies, then turns to me, his eyes softening.
“Doc, this is my brother, Skull. Brother, this is Meredith,” Nate introduces, winking at me.
“Doc?” Skull asks, confusion flickering in his eyes.
“Yeah, she’s my shrink,” Nate replies, smirking.
Skull’s head snaps back to his brother. “You’re fucking your shrink? And since when do you even see a shrink? What the fuck is going on here?”
“Yeah, I needed to talk to someone,” Nate admits, clearing his throat. “Xanthe recommended her. She said she was a good listener.”
I did have a client named Xanthe once, a few years ago. She only came in a few times to see me and talk through some things.
I step forward and offer Skull my hand. He studies it for a moment before taking it.
“Your brother came and saw me one time. And then he kidnapped me and brought me here, and then Pyro came and asked me if I wanted to get out of here. But I said I’d stay.
So here I am. Lovely to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you. ”
Skull lets go of my hand and scowls at his brother. The two of them have a silent conversation for a few moments before he speaks.
“Let me get this straight… you bailed on our family trip, saying you were busy. But what you were busy with was kidnapping your therapist, who is now standing here in your T-shirt with some kind of Stockholm syndrome? What were you thinking? Kidnapping? Even Ghost didn’t pull that shit.”
Skull looks angry. He’s wearing a leather cut over a tight white T-shirt, jeans, and boots. I’m not going to lie, the idea of seeing Nate in his biker getup has me a little excited. Skull looks hot as hell, which means Nate is going to look even hotter.
“I don’t know,” Nate admits, wincing sheepishly. “I just wanted some time alone with Doc. And when I went to her office, I knew there was something there between us. I wanted to see what that was, and whether I could trust her. If we could trust her.”
“And can you?” I ask, and both of their heads turn back to me in unison.
Wow.
They are both a sight to see.
Perfectly sculptured mirror images of each other.
“Yes, I think I can trust you,” Nate admits quietly, taking my hand into his and squeezing it reassuringly.
“What the fuck, Bones? What if she calls the cops?” He looks at me with suspicion, his jaw tightening. “My brother is not going to fucking prison.”
“I’m not going to call the cops,” I promise, my brow furrowing. “I swear. He hasn’t done anything to hurt me. You don’t need to worry. Nate, you don’t need to worry.”
“Nate?” Skull chokes, a look of surprise etched on his face. “She calls you Nate?”
Bones shrugs, pulling me closer to him.
“What about—” Skull starts, but Nate cuts him off.
“We are only just getting to know each other.”
The two of them share a look, one filled with meaning and understanding.
They don’t even need the words.
“Okay, brother.” Skull nods slowly. “I don’t know what the fuck is going on here, but I hope you know what you are doing. And it really fucking hurts me that you’d rather be here with someone you just met than with your own family.”
“I needed to talk to her,” is all Nate replies.
Skull then turns to me. He opens his mouth like he wants to say something, but then shakes his head. He finally settles on, “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
I don’t, but it’s not like I came here of my own accord.
“I’m going to get back to my woman then. I’ll see you soon,” Skull all but growls. He claps Nate on the back as he passes him on the way out, but says nothing else.
He’s clearly unhappy with what Nate has done, bringing me here, but I think he’s more unhappy that Nate didn’t want to be with him.
He seemed hurt.
And confused.
“Didn’t think I’d be meeting the family so soon,” I tease, trying to lighten the mood.
Nate sighs and rubs the back of his neck. “I’m going to go walk him out. I’ll be back, and then we have a game of poker to finish.”