Chapter 38
Willow
The last few days with Elijah have been really nice.
We spent the entire afternoon Christmas shopping, wandering through crowded stores and arguing over what to buy for everyone. Somehow, he seemed to enjoy it more than I did.
He told me he has planned something special for my birthday, a weekend getaway together before Christmas, which is tomorrow.
I've tried guessing where he's taking me, but that man refuses to even give me a hint.
River will be staying with Elijah's parents for Christmas, like he usually does, with the rest of the family. Rose hasn't tried planning anything with him. She's not even shown her face lately, but I’m not complaining.
I told him I’m visiting my dad's grave this weekend
Total lie, I know, and he did want to come with me, but I told him just to enjoy himself till I get back.
Elijah's excuse was that he had taken on a big job this weekend at a trucking company just outside of Manchester.
We both hate lying to him, and we will tell him soon.
I don't think either of us can keep sneaking around like this for much longer. It's exhausting pretending nothing is going on when every look, every touch between us says the opposite.
I want the world to know he's mine.
But we agreed it would be better to wait until after Christmas. Neither of us wants to ruin it for him.
Luckily, he hasn't questioned why Elijah and I both happen to be gone at the same weekend.
Although I’m starting to suspect that might have something to do with the girl currently sitting in the front room.
A girl I've never met in my life.
She's stretched out on the sofa like she owns the place, eating her way through my sweets while wearing an oversized top that looks suspiciously like it belongs to River.
I knew River had company over the second they started keeping me awake half the night.
Honestly, I've never wanted to remove my own ears before. Nobody should have to listen to their brother having sex. Ever.
It's traumatic.
The only upside was that I managed to sneak into Elijah's room at some point during the night so we could suffer through it together.
My eye has been twitching all morning.
Partly from lack of sleep.
Mostly because this random girl is demolishing my strawberry Twizzlers.
The audacity.
Sassy sits on the chair opposite the sofa, tail swishing back and forth, her expression radiating pure judgment. Looks like someone else woke up grumpy today.
And it's not just me.
I’m rehearsing all day for the show, so I’m already dressed for the studio—black leotard, oversized off-the-shoulder sweatshirt slipping down one arm, legs bare except for warm-up socks and trainers.
My hair is slicked straight back into a tight bun because, honestly…
who has the energy to wash their hair every single day?
Definitely not me. Even if Elijah did offer, whenever he has his hands on me, I always end up on my knees for him.
“What are you staring at?” Elijah's voice comes first before I feel him, giving my backside a quick pinch.
I immediately elbow him in the ribs, jerking my head slightly toward the living room to remind him we are not alone.
“Look what she's eating,” I hissed.
He leans over my shoulder, glancing at the girl before quickly stifling a laugh.
I poke his arm. “Not funny. Imagine if it were your chocolate she was gobbling up?”
He doesn't even look remotely bothered. Instead, he just keeps smiling at me like I’m the most entertaining thing he's seen.
“I’ll buy you more,” he replies easily, his eyes brightening.
It's not the point, but I won't say no to him buying me more sweets.
“I fancy some too,” he adds, voice dropping lower as he brushes past me. “Especially when they've been in your pussy.”
The low tone of his voice sends a hot wave straight through me because he knows exactly what he does to me. He knows, and he's very clearly enjoying it.
I glare at his back as he walks toward the kitchen like he hasn't just completely undone my ability to function for the next ten minutes. I briefly consider marching over and taking my sweets back from the girl, but I’m too tired to start a war over strawberry Twizzlers.
She's very lucky.
Huffing, I trail after Elijah, leaning against the counter as he stands by the kettle, filling my coffee into a to-go cup while he makes himself a steaming hot chocolate. He's busy with work today before our trip tomorrow, and apparently, we are leaving absurdly early, so he wants an early night.
Old man.
I watch him as he moves, the way his muscles flex and shift beneath his t-shirt, making it impossible not to notice. My lips part slightly, and I can't stop imagining every little thing we’ll get up to this weekend. My stomach jumps with a mix of anticipation and need.
It's so unfair how ridiculously handsome he is. The messy hair, the overgrown stubble, the effortless pull he has on me.
He's totally ruined me for anyone else.
“You're drooling,” he teases, and I smack my hand over my mouth.
“Am not,” I argue, cheeks heating. “Just admiring the view.”
Doesn't stop me from wiping my mouth, just in case.
He chuckles, moving closer to press a soft kiss to my cheek. “I’ve got the best view,” he murmurs with a wink.
Just as I pull him in for a proper kiss, footsteps echo outside the doorway. He straightens, handing me my coffee just as River walks in, freshly showered, pausing to give us a questioning look. My mind races, and I fire off a quip before he can piece together why we’re pressed together.
“Next time you have a girl over, warn me so I can buy some earplugs.”
He ruffles the top of my hair, and I push him off. “You never warned me when you were fucking other guys, and I had to listen. Consider this payback, sis.”
Elijah stiffens, and I can help but bite my tongue. To be fair, my moans were all an act, unlike with him. Part of me wishes I could tell him, but not with my brother and his son in the room.
“Yeah, well, at least they didn't eat your favourite food,” I add, glancing toward the front room, “unlike your little lady friend in there.”
River looks between us, clearly confused. “What do you mean? She's still here?”
“What exactly did you tell her?” Elijah asks.
River begins to look uncomfortable, rubbing the back of his neck. “Uh… I kind of just said thanks for a good time and that I’d see her around.”
Silence.
“And then?” Elijah presses.
“I went and got in the shower and left her in my bed.”
He exhales slowly through his nose and shakes his head. “Did you make it clear it was a one-time thing?”
River grimaces. “Not exactly.”
“Seriously, you're spending way too much time with Ez,” Elijah grumbles tiredly, snatching his cap off the side, and I don't miss the way he side-eyes me.
“Well, you're old enough to bring random women into my home and fuck them, so I think you can make sure she leaves.
And make sure she stops eating all of Willow's sweets.”
Ugh, he can be so sweet.
River groans, pouting. “Come on, Dad, please, can you tell her? You must have done the same thing at my age.”
I stiffen this time, not wanting to hear where this is going.
“Doesn't matter what I did or didn't do. Put on your big boy pants and get her out of here. I’ll see you both later.”
As he walks past, his fingers brush mine ever so slightly. Well, no goodbye kiss today.
When he leaves, I can't help but grin at River, who looks sheepish and defeated.
“Any chance you could tell her?”
I raise an unimpressed brow at him. “Seriously?”
“I… kind of don't know her name,” he confesses, and I can't resist smacking his shoulder.
“River! How could you not know her name, you idiot?” I hit him again, harder this time, and he yelped, " Ouch, " way too loud.
“I was drunk.”
“Yeah, a drunk idiot.”
That's when his lady friend appears in the doorway, grinning at him with my fucking sweet hanging from her mouth. My eye twitches.
Nope. Not today. I love my brother, but if he wants to get his dick wet, he can bloody well learn to clean up after himself. I force a tight, fake smile at her.
“Hope you choke on that.”
Her grin falters, twisting into a scowl, and I hear River laughing behind me. I don't look back as I stride out.
Damn it, Quinn's influence is definitely rubbing off on me.
She would be proud.