Kes took my shoulders and kissed first my right cheek then my left. “Pleasure to see you this morning. How’s your tattoo?”
I pressed my thumb against my index finger, activating the remaining burn from the needle and ink. “It’s good.”
Kes held out his hand, waiting until I slipped mine in his. He ran a finger gently over Jethro’s initials. “Lucky bastard gets to live on your flawless skin.” He grinned. He also wore a t-shirt and jodhpurs. Not that the tight trousers fit him nearly as good as Jethro. Kes was too bulky—too rough for something so…refined.
“Guess it’s official now.”
“Official?”
Kes nodded. “Just between you and me, I didn’t think my brother had it in him. He’s not coping—in fact, I’d go as far to say he’s the worst I’ve ever seen him—but he’s still managing to win against Cut.”
I peered at the small tattoo. “What do you mean?”
Kes laughed, brushing away the topic as if it was nothing. “Cut has watched and re-watched the video of Jethro whipping you for the First Debt. Apart from the footage cutting off before he untied you, Cut was pleasantly surprised at how vicious Jethro delivered the punishment.”
My heart skipped a beat remembering the agony I’d been in. “He didn’t hold anything back, that’s for sure.”
“Exactly. Which was the best thing for all. He’s proven he can be trusted to carry out the remaining debts and that means he’s still in the running for inheriting it all.”
I stood gobsmacked to learn there was more than just me and debts at play. What else was Jethro fighting for behind the scenes? “Inherit what?”
Hawksridge?
A holiday house?
The diamond mines?
Kes shook his head, tucking my hand into the crook of his arm. “Nothing. We’re late. Better head out there before they send in the stable lads.”
He took off at a brisk pace. I had no choice but to trot beside him as we traversed the remaining distance and exited the Hall.
Unlike a few days ago, the sunshine was bright and determined. I squinted, raising a hand to shield my eyes in the glare.
Kes asked, “Where is he?”
“Where’s who?” I looked around at the sprawling mayhem before us. Normally the large expanse of gravel at the front of the Hall was empty. Not so this morning.
Two large horse trucks blotted out the garden with their black sides and gold-gilded hawk crest. Three 4WDs dotted around, some with doors opened, others with their boots wide and being filled with equipment by quickly moving staff.
Kes snorted. “Who do you think? That brother of mine.”
“Oh, him. I guess he had to change.”
“Change?” His eyebrows shot up. Cut and Daniel stood off a little way, both dressed in suits with a black leather jacket. They looked so similar, so removed from the normal human race.
“Why would he have to change?”
“Because I took another shower quite by accident,” a masculine voice said behind me.
I bristled, not looking over my shoulder. The hair on the back of my neck stood up having Jethro so close. I might’ve been able to push away my never-enjoyed orgasm, but I didn’t want to be too near. “There, he answered your question.”
Twisting my fingers from Kes’s hold, I said, “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go see if the staff needs any help with that picnic basket.” Without waiting for permission, I disappeared down the steps and beelined for the two women in white pinafores struggling with a hamper.
Up close, I noticed the 4WDs were the newest model Land Rovers, and the horse trucks were ridiculously glitzy. How many diamonds did the Hawks smuggle to afford all this?
I jumped as a large hand splayed on my lower back.
Jethro didn’t look down, preferring to keep his attention on a stable boy carrying saddle blankets. “Did you finish?”
I flinched, trying to move away from his touch. “That’s none of your business.”
Jethro moved with me, his fingertips digging into the tense muscles at the base of my spine. “None of my business? I think it is.” He lowered his voice, his eyes still avoiding mine. “You see, I need to know if the woman who belongs to me is wet and panting for a release. We’ll be in public today, Ms. Weaver. Having someone who’s as hungry to come as you were in that shower is a matter of public security.”
His lips twisted as he finally bowed his head to look into my eyes. “So, tell me…did you finger yourself until your cunt squeezed, all while fantasising it was my cock riding you—my cock slamming inside you? Or did you pretend you weren’t that sort of girl and stop playing with yourself?”
“Shut up,” I hissed. My eyes darted to the staff who crunched across the gravel in front of us. Jethro wasn’t exactly quiet—anyone could hear if they tried hard enough.
Hard.
God, even innocent words painted lewd pictures inside my head. Images of Jethro’s hard cock consumed me, and my heart hurled itself against my ribs. All my efforts at pushing down the ache between my legs was in vain. In a few sentences, Jethro had made me sopping wet and trembling with lust.
Again.
Damn man has super powers.
“Answer me, Ms. Weaver.”
My hands balled and I snapped, “No. I didn’t. Satisfied? I was too angry at you for saying I suck at lying. You’re the one who’s terrible.” I laughed, adding, “Congratulations on winning the hypocritical award.” I mentally patted myself on the back for using my remembered reproach.
Jethro rolled his eyes. “How long have you been waiting to use that?”
Damn him, he stole any joy I might’ve had from one-upping him. His hand moved to clutch my hip, tugging me closer. “By the way, I believe if there is an award for such a thing, it would go to you.”
Don’t ask. Do not ask why.