Page 104 of Filthy Twisted Devil

All three Locke brothers are passed out in the barn. They were all exhausted from working today, and combined with the alcohol and the late hour, they couldn’t keep their eyes open. Wade’s lying on the ancient couch he dragged to the barn for the bachelor party. Jasper’s snoozing on the table, his last poker hand still in his fingers. Somehow, Reed managed to fall asleep on a decorative hay bale Eden left here.

I feel like a dad, grabbing blankets back at the house and draping them over the guys. At least they won’t remember it in the morning. I know at least Reed will give me shit about it, even if I was only making him more comfortable. If they wake up in the night, they can come back to their guest rooms in the main house. Once I’ve put all the empty whiskey bottles in the recycling and transferred the dirty dishes back to the house, I head up to bed myself.

I peel off my clothes and pull on a pair of pajama pants before I climb under the covers. The bed feels warm and comfortable, but I’m nowhere close to sleep. I stare at the ceiling, Reed’s words still ringing in my head.

If you marry Eden, do it here at the ranch. It’d mean a lot to Mom.

When I stare at the ceiling, I still see Eden in that goddamn white dress. There’s a ring on her finger, the prairie wild around her. Fuck. I don’t see a world where I sleep well tonight.

Eden

Are you still awake?

Luke

Yes.

Eden

Come to my room.

I hesitate. The last time I came to her room here, I did everything but take her virginity. I don’t know if I have the self-control to hold myself back tonight. If she’s just feeling impulsive, if she’d end up regretting this in the morning, I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself.

Luke

I'm not sure if we should. You have no idea how badly I've been dying to touch you, to taste you again. I don't trust myself to stay in control and not go the whole way.

Eden

Good, because I wasn't planning on stopping you. I want this, Luke. I want it to be you. I want it to be now.

Now. Now, before we end everything for good in a few days. It’s our last chance, and frankly, I don’t want to waste it. If Eden’s sure, I’m fucking sure.

I feel a little lightheaded as I jump to my feet. The whole thing feels unreal, like a fucking fantastic dream.

Of course, there are some realities to attend to. The Locke brothers were asleep the last time I saw them, but I wouldn’t put it past Wade to check up on me. I take my time, rearranging my pillows and bunching up laundry to make a convincing pillow human underneath the covers. I check it from multiple angles. It should pass a quick inspection. Hopefully, it won’t have to.

Once I’m satisfied, I creep over to the door. I open it as quietly as I can and carefully slide it shut behind me. The tiny click of the latch in the quiet night sounds impossibly loud. I take slow, long steps on my tiptoes on the way to Eden’s room.

Creakkkk.

I silently scream every curse word I know at the creaky floorboard. I only had to make it down one hallway, and it still managed to sabotage me. I freeze, listening carefully for footsteps, telling me the Lockes are onto me.

Wade, if you kill me, make it quick.

After a long moment, nobody comes. Letting out a breath, I hurry down to Eden’s door. Without bothering to knock, I ease the door open and close it behind me. I only dare to look at Eden once I’m finished.

She’s perched on the edge of the bed, smiling at me. She’s wearing a blue cotton sundress that makes me want to fall on my knees and worship whoever invented sundresses. Her dark blonde hair hangs loose around her shoulders, her bare feet skimming the hardwood floor.

“I’m glad you made it. I thought you might be too scared of getting caught,” she whispers.

“Oh, I’m terrified of that. I built a pillow guy under my blankets, just in case a Locke brother checks on me.”

Eden has to cover her mouth to keep from laughing. “Smart,” she says when she finally collects herself. “I’m pretty sure Wade has been doing rounds at night, checking up on people.”

“I’m glad my survival skills are that finely honed.”

She smiles, but she’s not focused on my face. Instead, her eyes travel over my chest, admiring my muscles. I let her look her fill and resist the urge to flex. I don’t usually sleep with a shirt, and I figured it wasn’t worth putting one on. If I got caught in the hallway, the boys would know what I’m up to, even if I was wearing a full suit.