SARAH True to Ronan’s words, the cook arrives in less than an hour. We all sit around the kitchen island as we watch her prepare Savory Bougasta. A meal I now know is a delicate phyllo pastry stuffed with creamy semolina custard or mizithra cheese & herbs, baked golden and topped with powdered sugar or black truffle oil—depending on your taste: sweet or savory. I can feel Malachi’s gaze on me all through, but I ignore him. I know he must have spoken to Ronan, hence why Ronan spoke to me, but I’m still hurt. Of all of them, he’s the one I feel closest to, and he ripped my heart out of my chest when he dismissed me. After breakfast, we get ready to head to the beach. I pick out a bright pink crocheted two piece: bra and shorts, and m throw a white kimono on top—I packed a lot of those, if you must know. My hair is held up in a tight ponytail above my head, allowing it to flow down my shoulders to the length of my back where my bikini top starts. Very minimal makeup since I’ll be under the sun for a long time, and I sure as hell make sure my sunscreen and body oil are safely tucked in my white bag because I do not want to get sunburns. The brothers are ready by the time I step out. I’m convinced they’re fairly sick of me being the last to get ready every single time. Ronan wears a white shirt with the first three buttons popped open, exposing the skin of his chest and the dark silky hairs that form a somewhat straight line down to where the rest of his shirt covers. For the first time, his blonde hair isn’t slicked back. A pair of sky blue shorts hugs his thighs, exposing long, muscular legs that form a lump in my throat. He’s sitting on a couch, scrolling through his phone. Malachi’s clad in a matching grey shirt and shorts. His dark hair is combed to the back of his head, instead of the usual mess it is all over his face. While Jaxon is wearing…pink? I fight back the urge to laugh. It’s the brightest color I’ve seen him in, and it compliments his warm hazel eyes so well. They all turn to me when I clear my throat. I place my hand on my right hip and tilt it to the side, striking a pose. Ronan breaks into a smile, Malachi’s pupils dilate and he swallows hard as he looks at me, like I’m the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen. While Jaxon makes a playful whistling sound as he rises up and walks to me. “You look so fucking amazing.” He says, reaching for my right hand. I can’t help the heat that floods my cheeks immediately. I let him take my hands and he pulls me closer to himself. When our chests collide, he presses a kiss on the bridge of my nose. The butterflies in my belly are having a damn field day. “Thank you. I’m glad you like it.”“We all do.” Malachi cuts in, rising to his feet. He tucks his hands into his pockets. A sigh escapes my lips as I roll my eyes. Jaxon gives me a small smile before shaking his head. “No, no. We’re not going to do this. We’re not going to leave here in a foul mood.” “I’m not in a foul mood.” I retort, frowning at Malachi. “Some people just need to apologize for being assholes for no reason.” Ronan chuckles. I watch as he nudges Malachi forward. My arms are folded underneath my chest, and my right foot continues to tap the floor endlessly. I can’t stop it even when I try to. He takes a deep breath in, then walks towards me, while Jaxon lets go of me so I can talk to him. “Sarah, I’m sorry.” I raise my right brow. “For?” “Being an asshole to you. Look,” he comes closer, taking my hands in his. I can feel myself slowly melt away as I’m drawn closer to him. The scent of his cologne fills my nostrils, and I have to stop myself from sniffing him in. “I didn’t mean to. I understand that you only wanted reassurance especially after everything that’s happened with your ex-husband.” My cheeks are burning up from how hard I’m blushing. “Ex-husband? We’re not divorced yet.” We will be, of course. He’s in jail for murder right now. That should make everything a lot easier, right? Malachi leans into my right ear, his hot breath fanning my neck. I close my eyes, savoring the chills that rush down my spine. “Key word, yet. And when you are…” his fingers travel down the skin of my back. Slowly. Sensually. Leaving a tantalizing burn on every inch he passes. His right hand grabs my ass firmly, and a small moan escapes my lips. Fuck. How is he so hot and annoying at the same time? His left hand encircles the back of my neck, and I swallow hard. “…you’ll be ours. For life.” My breath hitches in my throat. For life? Did he…did he just say for life? Wait. What does that mean? “Alright.” Jaxon claps his hands, and as if on cue, Malachi pulls away from me. My cheeks are burning red when I look up at Ronan who still has a proud smile on his face. “Let’s go, shall we?” Ronan steps forward, Malachi next, and I walk hand in hand with Jaxon as we step out. A quiet tension coils in my chest, tightening with each step toward the door. These men, these brothers, are reeling me faster than I can keep up with. How can I possibly stop myself from falling? Downstairs, I spot—wait for this—not just one, but TWO black Ferrari Monza SP2s, one of my three dream cars! Like a fan girl, my jaw almost drops to the ground as my eyes widen. One of those costs about 2 million dollars, and less than 500 units are made. And somehow, someone somewhere was able to get not just one, but two! And in matching colors! Now. My Wellspring Insurance is still a baby, so I cannot afford that yet. But it doesn’t stop me from hoping and dreaming I can own one someday. I mean, a girl can only hope, right? Whoever owns them must be rich. Like…rich, rich. And I wish I could meet them and let them know how lucky they are. However, I notice Ronan continuously walks towards the cars. My neck tilts to the side as I raise a brow. Where is he going? I turn to Jaxon, but he’s walking straight ahead, his eyes are fixed on one of the black beauties in front of us. “Uhmm, where are we going?” Yes. I do it. I blurt out the question that’s been running through my mind since I laid eyes on the car. Ronan tilts his neck to look at me. “To the beach.” He replies. I swallow the lump that forms in my throat. Jaxon and I stop in front of one of the cars, while Ronan and Malachi stop in front of the other one. “You guys own these? Like, both of them?” It’s impossible to miss the amusement in Malachi’s eyes. Ronan looks almost annoyed, as though he’s been slightly insulted by my statement. While Jaxon presses an almost invisible button underneath the side mirror. The doors pivot vertically, just like they do in all the videos I’ve seen. Gosh. I know I’m coming off as a silly fan girl right now, but I can’t freaking help it! “We like our toys in pairs, kitten. It’s easier to share.” Malachi calls out. Is he serious? He is. He damn is. “Especially when the curves are this hard to resist.” Jaxon adds. I shoot him a look to find him staring at me. Not the car. Me. My mouth opens, but no sound comes out. Did he just—? Heat rushes up my neck, blooming across my cheeks like wildfire. I laugh, awkward and breathless, trying to play it off, but I can’t quite meet his eyes. “You’re impossible,” I mutter, but my voice comes out thinner than I intend.