Crane

Chapter 30 Sierra

THIRTY

SIERRA

“Ican’t believe Greg cheated on Kiki.”

I pin my hair up, plucking grips from my mouth as I go.

Declan barely looks up at me from his spot in bed.

“Hello?” I whirl around, arching a brow at my boyfriend.

“Huh?”

Declan looks at me, his eyes widening like he’s just realised I’m here.

“Kiki?” I wave my hands in the air as he shrugs.

“You know what she’s like. And him.”

Unbelievable.

“So you’re sorting the bachelorette party with Kiki tonight, right?” Declan yawns.

A stab of guilt reminds me of my lies earlier.

“Yes. Girls’ night.”

“Hmm.”

Declan isn’t happy about it, but I didn’t give him much choice.

I hate lying to see Crane, but Declan would never accept me seeing Crane otherwise.

Declan frowns at me.

“You’re wearing that to school?”

I’m wearing a black and white polka dot jumpsuit, with black tights and cute boots.

I frown, glancing down at my outfit.

“What?”

Annoyance uncurls in my stomach as he makes a face.

“You look like you’re going out partying.”

“Don’t be a dick.”

“I’m not, just saying. You look sexy, but you’re going to work.” Declan shrugs, his hair falling into his eyes.

“Seriously?” I grab my purse, wondering for the millionth time why I am with someone so like his fucking father. “I’m going.”

“Hey, drop the attitude. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Declan calls after me, but I let the door slam behind me in response.

Drop the attitude?

I’m not a petulant child.

I’m fuming all day, snapping unnecessarily at my colleagues, losing my patience at every opportunity.

It’s only when I’m marking papers later that afternoon that I notice the sky darkening.

I frown, grabbing my phone to see the time.

Six-forty p.m.

Shit.

Crane is due at my house in twenty minutes!

I groan, sliding the papers into a makeshift pile, shovelling them into my bag.

The traffic is relatively light, but it still takes me a good thirty minutes to get home.

I barely have time to think about seeing Crane, so when I pull onto my drive to find him leaning against the railing of my porch, I almost crash my car.

He’s wearing a hoodie and jeans, nothing revealing, but fuck me, is he beautiful.

He looks up at me, a smile curving on his lips as I park the car.

Everything I do is like I’m a novice—I try to open the car door and slam it back on myself as Crane watches me with amusement.

“Do you need some help?”

“No,” I bite out, gripping my bag to my chest. “I’m good.”

I lock the car, blowing my hair out of my eyes as I hurry to the door.

Crane eases my bag from my hands so I can unlock the door, grimacing when he realises the weight of it.

“What the hell have you got in here?”

“Bricks,” I joke, sighing as the door opens. “I’m sorry I’m late.”

Crane follows me in, dropping my bag onto the floor beside him.

“It’s alright; I was early.”

“Oh.”

I feel even worse now.

“Do you want a drink?”

I look up at Crane, and he’s staring at me, almost like he’s trying to work something out.

“I’m good, thanks. Busy day?”

I smooth down my clothes, heading for the fridge.

I shouldn’t be drinking wine, but fuck it. I’ve had a long week.

“Are you sure you don’t want a glass?”

Crane swallows before shaking his head.

“Excuse me while I inhale the bottle then.”

I’m half kidding, but still. I pour a decent amount of red wine and take a long sip.

“Are you sure you’re alright?”

“Yeah, I’m just tired.” I force a smile and wave toward the sofa. “Shall we?”

It all feels too formal.

I sit far away from him, curling my legs up beneath me.

I haven’t even showered, Jesus.

Maybe it’s best if I do stay far away from him.

Crane settles on the sofa, his large bulk making it look smaller than it is.

“So, Miami?” Crane arches a brow at me as I gulp more wine.

“Yeah. I mean, I was thinking of a spa, drinks, and a great party scene…”

Crane nods, stroking his jaw.

“We could have a joint party. Invite everyone.”

“Everyone?” I echo.

Crane grins at me.

“What are you worried about?”

The thought of being away with you.

“Nothing,” I say hotly. “In the same hotel?”

My voice sounds like it’s cracking, and Crane picks up on it, tilting his head to the side.

“Well, I thought we could get discounted rates if we did.”

“True. Is, uh, Samara coming?”

Say yes.

I can’t bear to be around single Crane when I’m practically hitched.

His eyes meet mine, and he lets out a low chuckle.

“Why?”

It’s like he’s staring into my soul, and I can’t stand it.

“I just thought she might want to be there with you.”

Glug, glug.

Wine is helping.

Crane shakes his head, his eyes moving away from mine.

I miss their heat on me.

“No, she’s someone I was going to—never mind. No, she won’t be there if we’re doing a joint gig.”

My heart drops at his words.

Who is Samara?

Someone he’s going to get serious with? Is that what he was going to say?

My glass is dry, and I jump to my feet to refill it.

So Crane is seeing Samara.

That makes sense, right?

She’s beautiful and perfect for someone like Crane.

I stare down at my stupid jumpsuit, and Declan’s words ring in my ears.

You look like you’re going out partying.

Does Crane think I made an effort for him?

Did I? Subconsciously?

I need to sort my head out.

“More wine already?”

His voice is much closer than it was before, and I know he’s standing behind me.

Breathe.

“As I said, it’s been a long week.” I toss over my shoulder, my breath catching when he moves closer to me.

“Why don’t you tell me about it?”

His breath is on the back of my neck, and I have to scrunch up my eyes tightly so I don’t lose my composure.

You’re with Declan.

You’re here to sort out Kai and Lorena's party.

Stop overthinking it.

“Work, you know? I feel like I don’t get a minute,” I confess, turning slowly. My back brushes against his hoodie, and he steps back slightly.

“Yeah? And what about Declan?” Crane's jaw tightens, and his eyes seem to darken, the way they used to when I was with Jaden.

“Declan?”

I move past him, but he catches my wrist, just enough pressure so I turn toward him.

“Yes. Declan. The guy none of us could stand, remember?”

I blink to buy time, but Crane’s already speaking again.

“Why him, Sierra? Kai said he doesn’t even treat you right.”

I’m going to kill my brother.

“Declan can be a dick,” I say, my teeth sinking into my lip. “But he treats me just fine. You don’t need to worry about that.”

“No?” Crane folds his arms, his gaze running over my body, leaving fireworks in its wake.

His lips purse together, and I fight the urge to slam my lips against them.

What the actual fuck am I thinking?

I need to stop drinking.

“No,” I say firmly, “I don’t know what Kai said, but Declan doesn’t mistreat me. We argue, but what couple doesn’t?”

Crane nods, still staring into my soul.

“I don’t like him.”

“You don’t have to like him.” I shrug, striding over to the sofa.

What has gotten into Crane? And Kai?!

“You know I left you because I had to. If I’d have known you’d have ended up with him, I’d have taken you with me.”

My stomach tenses into a ball, and my eyes sting with tears.

“And I probably would’ve gone if you’d have asked.”

Crane closes his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose as he exhales.

“You deserve better than him. I doubt he’s changed much.”

“You can’t blame me, Crane. That’s not fair. You left without a word, not a fucking word. I know why, but it doesn’t mean that now you’re back, I drop everything to….”

Crane stares at me, cutting off my words in my mouth.

“To what, Sierra?”

Crane smirks, and my mouth dries.

“To be your fuck buddy or whatever. I’m too old for that now.”

Crane joins me on the sofa, his fingers gripping my chin as he turns me to face him.

My heart pounds in my ears as his thumb strokes my cheek, his breath fanning my face.

Oh my God.

“How many fucking times, Sierra? You were never going to be my fuck buddy.”

I’m trembling.

He’s waiting, and I don’t know what for—for me to make a move?

I can’t.

The difference is…I want to.

“If you came back, and I was single, things would’ve been different.” My voice is stronger now, but I’m internally screaming at myself.

Crane’s fingers move down my throat, his thumb twisting my head to the side.

“Why? What would’ve happened?”

My fingers find his neck, and I massage the skin there, moaning softly.

“If I were single…” My breath quickens as he allows his finger to graze my nipple, skimming down my torso to my hip.

That’s cheating.

I’ve cheated.

This is wrong.

"I can’t,” I choke out, even as my body betrays me, leaning into his touch.

"Can't, or don't want to?" His hand stills, waiting for my real answer.

My breath catches. "Can't. Because I want to—so badly it scares me."

I need to say I don’t want to.

After three.

One, two—

“I can’t.”

Crane slips his hand up my playsuit, his fingers dancing over the mark he’d left on me years ago.

I close my eyes because then I can only feel him.

Then it’s not cheating.

“You want to, though.”

“This is stupid.”

“Yeah, you’re right.”

I open my eyes as he moves his mouth against mine, owning me.

I don’t respond at first—I’m too stunned—but then I’m climbing him like a tree, my hands wrapping around his neck as he tears a hole in my tights.

His fingers waste no time in finding my heat, and he groans when he pushes a finger into me.

“Sierra, you don’t just want it…you’re dripping for it.”

His voice is gravelly as he pushes another finger into me, my breath catching in my throat.

I should tell him to stop, but he’s commanding me to ride his fingers, and I can’t help but respond, my eyes rolling back in my head as I suck in a breath—

Suddenly, there’s a sharp knock at the door, and I leap up, his fingers caught in my shorts.

“Shit,” I hiss, yanking my tights up high to hide the hole. I straighten myself up as Crane leans back on the sofa with a scowl.

Swinging open the door, I find Kiki holding up takeout and a bottle of wine, her eyes narrowed.

“Girls’ night, hmm? Lucky for you, I’m a good liar.”

Shit. Shit.