Page 57 of Their Cruel Play
She softens like she always does with us, her lost boys.
“I’m just thinking about dinner tonight and how I’m going to keep my mom from showing us how to put a condom on a banana.”
A laugh bursts out of me. Harper narrows her eyes before she smiles.
“None of us need that demonstration.” I put the car in park and turn to look at her. She wears a black t-shirt that makes her brown eyes almost seem to glow. Her long brown hair is brushed straight.
For a second, I’m captured by her beauty. How did I miss her all these years? She had to be in my classes. She’s intelligent and works hard on her schoolwork.
“What?” she asks softly.
I slide my hand behind her neck and pull her into me. Before my lips meet hers, I whisper, “You amaze me.”
Her lips part, and I claim her mouth softly, exploring her gently, not moving to make this more than what it is. I wanted to kiss her, so I did.
She sighs into my mouth and touches my jaw. She doesn’t pull away but takes her time to slide her tongue against mine. My cock twitches. As much as I want to fuck her, we have things that need to get done, but I wanted her taste on my lips.
When I withdraw, her brown eyes are almost black with desire. Fuck.
“We need to join the others,” I whisper, more to myself than her.
She nods and I release her. When I open my door, she does too. I round the car and take her hand as we walk into my house. The temptation to bring her to my room and spend the day alone with her gnaws at me. But I can’t.
“I was wondering when you’d turn up.” My dad stands in the kitchen. His eyes drop to our hands, and I almost drop Harper’s.Instead, I draw her closer to me, almost behind me, to protect her.
He lifts his conniving gaze to mine, and the smile he gives us isn’t friendly. A chill races down my spine. He came for the game but was supposed to head out for work again. He’s not supposed to be home.
CHAPTER 17
The Agreement
Harper
Luke draws me almost behind him. His hand tightens on mine, and I cling to him like his father will tear him away from me.
“Been busy with yourfriend?” The look Mr. Foster gives me is anything but fatherly. “Send her to your room. We have business to discuss.”
Somehow his dismissal doesn’t surprise me. I’d rather be in Luke’s room than here with his father. When I begin to move, Luke holds me against him.
“Harper stays with me. You can say whatever you want in front of her.” His voice is strong, but his grip tightens on my hand again. “What are you still doing home?”
My heart races at the tension filling the room. I move more behind Luke to hide from his father. This isn’t a high school boy Luke can fight off. Last time we were prepared to deal with him. This feels like an ambush.
“Business got cut short. I thought it was time to check on my investment.” The smile he gives Luke is as cold as his eyes. “School is still good?”
“Yes, sir.” Luke straightens. Investment? Is that all Luke is to his father? No wonder he’s fucked up.
“Your friendship with the Ross boy is going well?” His father leans, deceptively casual, against the wall. Like a lion, he’s prepared to strike at a moment’s notice.
Ross kid? Caden? What the hell is happening? What does Luke’s dad want with Caden?
“Yes, sir.” Luke’s back muscles are tense. His jaw ticks.
“Any scouts coming to games?” His father raises an eyebrow. It’s like he’s faking interest. Acknowledging this is something important, but not at the same time.
“Next game.”
His father nods. His gaze catches me again.
