Page 168 of Their Cruel Play
I wrap my arms around my waist. My father is a non-element in my life. I don’t remember him. Not really. Faint recollections. Sometimes the smell of gasoline will trigger some long ago longing, but overall, I don’t know him.
“According to my mom, he left us, but he left this behind. She always wondered why, since this was his prized possession.” I don’t know why I feel it necessary to spill all that. It’s like they’re looking at something my dad found valuable, but I’m not. Or maybe because he left that behind, that means I’m valuable to him too.
Luke turns on his flashlight on his phone and shines it over all the curves of the bike. Caden puts the key in the ignition and turns it. Nothing. Not even a click.
“Might not run.” Caden steps back so Luke can finish his inspection. He holds out the key to me. “I know a guy if you want it to be freshened up.”
As we watch Luke, I lean on Caden’s arm. “I don’t know what to do with it.”
Caden wraps his arm around my shoulder.
“If you want it fixed, let me fix it up for you.” He rubs my shoulder. “You’d look hot on a motorcycle, in some leather pants. With that red lipstick.”
I roll my eyes. “I probably can’t affordyour guy,and I don’t know how to ride a motorcycle.”
It’s weird watching Luke with the bike. A flash of a man squatting next to it and gesturing for me tocome herefills my mind. My brow furrows.
“I don’t see anything.” Luke straightens and when his eyes meet mine, he frowns and walks to me. He reaches up and wipes at the wetness on my cheek.
Fuck, I didn’t even know I was crying.
“What’s wrong, princess?” He cups my face in his hands and tilts it up to look at him.
“Nothing’s wrong. It’s stupid.” I try to back away, but Caden has ahold of my shoulders.
“You can tell us.” Luke brushes away a tear.
“I just remember a man next to the motorcycle.” I gesture toward it. “It probably means nothing. It might not have even been my dad.”
Luke’s gaze goes to Caden.
“It might be a memory.” Caden squeezes my shoulder. “Maybe you’ll remember more. Maybe that’s what Luke’s father meant.”
“If Harper is the key, then I’m keeping her far away from him.” Luke searches my eyes like he wants to carve a place in my soul just for him.
I step into him and wrap my arms around his waist. I don’t understand what I feel for these guys. But I know I don’t want to let them go.
Luke’s arms wrap around me as I rest my cheek over his steady heartbeat. I’m safe here. I’m safe with them.
Luke
We’re upstairs in Harper’s room, finishing homework and working on essays with the others on webcam. She’s still on her period, not that it would stop any of us if we wanted to have her, but we’ve been going at her hard since she gave into us.
She hasn’t complained, but she needs a break. Which means I need to give her a break.
Her long hair flows down her back. She changed into a camisole top and little pajama shorts, showing off her long legs and her trim little body. Caden and I sit against her headboard working. I clear my throat.
She turns, and her eyes collide with mine. Her cheeks flush with heat.
“How are the essays going?” I arch an eyebrow.
“Two down, a fuck ton to go.” She spins toward us in the chair and lifts her hair into a ponytail. She’s got great tits. When she drops her hair, I lift my gaze back to her knowing eyes.
I smirk because fuck, she knows me. I want her, and I’m not going to deny that. She wets her lips and smooths her hands over her legs.
“Are you done with your homework?” she asks.
“Of course.” I set my laptop on her nightstand.
