Perfection of Suffering (The Shadows of Wildberry Lane Book 1)

by M. Sinclair

  I sat with my legs tucked underneath me, Sterling and Lincoln relaxed on either side of me in a yummy, delicious twin sandwich. My eyes widened at that thought. Well, now… now all I was thinking about was being between them in a different sense. As if you had never thought about that before.

  “What are you thinking about, sugar?” Sterling’s voice against my ear had me biting my lip as I turned my head, my nose almost brushing his as my breath caught.

  “Who said I’m thinking?” I nearly blurted out in response to his teasing question. “I don’t think.”

  Wow. I was so smooth.

  Sterling let out a soft hum in amusement, gripping my chin lightly as he searched my expression. “Dahlia, I know exactly what you look like when you’re overthinking, and more so when you’re thinking about shit that’s going to get you in trouble.”

  “What type of trouble?” I asked curiously as Sterling released my chin, smirking.

  “Linc, any interest in explaining the type of trouble she’s asking for?” he drew out lazily as a chuckle sounded from right behind me. I tilted up my head, finding Lincoln comfortably lounged so that my back was practically against his chest. This was a bad place to be, between them.

  “I think she knows,” Lincoln mused, his fingers running over my neck and jaw as my pulse and breath hitched.

  I really didn’t know, but I wanted to.

  “Linc,” Yates’s voice snapped. I moved my gaze over to where he was pinning the man behind me with a look I didn’t fully understand. King and Yates had been playing a game of catch with some of the guys from our graduating class, who were all watching the twins and I. Oh. Oh snap, we were sort of making a scene, weren’t we?

  I shrunk down on myself, blushing as King barked something out at the guys, everyone looking away. I swallowed nervously and focused on Dermot, who laid out on a blanket in front of us, his gaze moving from the fire to my expression.

  “Dahlia.” Lincoln kissed my shoulder, his voice concerned. I looked back at him, feeling awkward even though nothing had even happened.

  “Why don’t you grab another beer,” Sterling suggested, offering his brother a quick glance before returning his gaze to mine. “Sugar, you want another drink?”

  “Sure.” I nodded as Lincoln examined my expression for another moment before he sighed, standing up and taking my drink. Nibbling my lip, I looked back over to Sterling, his eyes on the game of catch still going on as his long fingers gently massaged my scalp. Honestly, it felt really good, because my head was still sore from the incident with Abby… I just had to avoid wincing when he hit a particularly tender spot so that he didn’t realize I was slightly in pain. It wouldn’t be any good if he caught onto that. I’d already had to cover up the nail imprint she’d left on my neck. I didn’t need to stress them out with that mess.

  Dermot began to hum along with the music as a woman walking past caught my attention, noticing the bright orange drink she was carrying that had a pineapple sticking out of it. I snapped my head around to see that Linc had yet to make it to the bar.

  I jumped up and followed after, deciding to change my drink order. The space quieted slightly as I walked towards the lake. My smile grew, wondering if I could sneak up on Lincoln or not… but before I could do that, I was intercepted by someone.

  My nose twitched, instantly overwhelmed by the saturation of overpowering cologne mixed with beer. I looked up from the polo-covered chest in front of me to a face that nearly had me rolling my eyes. Gregory.

  “Hey Greg.” I offered a small, tight smile, wishing that he would screw off. He was one of Max’s ‘friends,’ and this wasn’t the first time I had to deal with him appearing out of nowhere to bother me. Before the Brooks twins even moved here, the guy had always taken any opportunity to make me feel uncomfortable.

  At first I had thought it was just a terrible attempt at flirting, but then I realized the darker reason. Greg was the type of man that got satisfaction from intimidating women, and he was unfortunately good at it. He was a large man, and while I didn’t find him particularly attractive, he was handsome enough that he got away with pressuring women into a myriad of uncomfortable situations.

  I wasn’t fooled. I saw through his crap, but he still made me super uncomfortable. Unfortunately, I think he was just pissed that I continued to put him off, so his tone had gone from ‘flirting’ to ‘aggressive’ really fast over the past year or two.

  “Dahlia.” He drew out my name, chuckling as his dark eyes ran over my frame. I felt a cold chill roll down my spine as I crossed my arms, feeling suddenly very alone despite there being people around us. That was the effect his gaze had, that cold, cruel gaze that cut to my core and made me instinctively fear him a bit. Something that he no doubt got off on. His game was a dangerous one, and while I would have loved to tell him to screw off, that could land me in more trouble.

  Panic started seeping over my skin after everything that had happened the night before. I could not do this again.

  “I haven’t seen you since school let out,” he continued.

  That had been on purpose, for the record. I stepped back to clear the distance between us and shrugged. “I’ve been busy.”

  “Yeah, I heard,” he said, offering me a sneer. “Is that still going on?”

  “Is what still going on?” I asked softly, feeling tense about his answer.

  Although, I would take his dumb line of questioning over him bringing up last night. Greg was exactly the type of man to bring up sexual assault to a victim the day after it happened, even if just to catch them in a vulnerable moment.

  Greg tilted his head, offering me an indulgent and patronizing smile. “Are you still fucking them?”

  What?

  Oh. He meant the guys. Seriously? God, this guy did not know when to stop. There had always been rumors about us, but some boys at our school had found it a bit too interesting… almost fixated on the concept.

  “That is not your business,” I responded smoothly, unable to help the coolness that invaded my tone. He didn’t deserve an answer, let alone one about my sex life. Greg deserved nothing from me, and I was honestly very disappointed to realize that he was probably not leaving for school. No, I was almost positive he would be attending Silver Oak… which was just my luck.

  I was cut off by Lincoln suddenly appearing, rounding the annoying bastard and circling my waist with one hand, his beer and my drink in the other. I took it from him, clutching it against my chest, as I realized that Greg was holding two drinks as well. I frowned, noticing that there was a tension building, and I shivered slightly, seeing a change overcoming Lincoln that I’d never experienced before.

  I should have been scared, but instead I was excited.

  Seriously, I had some problems.

  Lincoln’s voice was darker and more threatening than I’d ever heard it before. “What the fuck did you just say to her?”

  Christ. I could see his temper literally bubbling close to the surface, threatening an explosion. Honestly, if you didn’t know Lincoln, his temper would be extremely surprising because he hid it so damn well. I could always tell when he was about to lose it, though, and we were getting very close to that… I just didn’t understand why. He had dealt with Greg before, but this felt different.

  “I was asking if she still fucks you,” Greg chuckled, his antagonistic tone filling with malice, “because if not, the guys and I would fucking love—”

  The man stopped mid-sentence, his eyes wide as silver dollars and his face drained of color completely. I didn’t need to turn to see who had joined us. I could feel him there. Honestly, I could usually tell if one of my guys was in the room—it was almost instinctual.

  “No, Greg, please continue.” King’s voice was filled with a cold, rather terrifying anger that made me tense in Linc’s arms. I had the urge to turn and look to my left, but he kept me against him, his body shaking with the effort to restrain his fury.

  Greg’s mouth opened like a fish, searc
hing for words he clearly didn’t have.

  King stepped closer to him, easily dwarfing the large man. “Finish what you were going to fucking say.”

  A bit of fear, a lot of excitement, and honest awe filtered through me at seeing him like this. He looked furious, and honestly, I found it way too attractive. What did that say about me? There was something unhinged in his posture, and I momentarily wondered if he was going to hit Greg.

  I would love that.

  “Nothing,” Greg hissed. “I was saying nothing.”

  “Go. Now,” King demanded, his voice quiet and lethal. My gaze moved up to Lincoln, who was completely focused on me. That part didn’t surprise me. What did surprise me? The darkness there. For the first time in my life, I was a bit scared of these men. Not that they would hurt me, but this darkness was different than the anger from last night. This was different from hearing about it in passing. This felt more intense than anything I’d ever experienced before.

  It was also lighting up my entire body in a dangerous way I hadn’t expected.

  Greg was gone, my eyes following his retreating figure as I tightened my hold on the drink Lincoln had handed me. King stared at Greg for a moment before turning to look down at me. I felt my breath catch as his hand came up to cup my jaw before meeting Lincoln’s gaze over my head.

  “Princess, how about you and Lincoln head home.”

  I knew this wasn’t a suggestion in his mind.

  My finger tapped his nose in a small movement. “Only if the rest of you come with.”

  A small smile pressed onto his lips, but I could still see the dark, cold anger there, and I had a feeling there was only one person that was going to suffer because of it. I wanted my version of Kingston back. Not that I didn’t appreciate this side, but it did make me feel nervous. How the hell could he be two vastly different people at once?

  “We will be right behind you,” King promised. “I need to drive my parents’ car back anyway.”

  “Let’s go now then,” I said quietly, my pulse jumping because I had a bad feeling about them staying. I didn’t think anything would happen to them, per se, but I would much rather stay together.

  Somehow, that didn’t stop the sick thrill that ran through me as he pressed a kiss to my forehead and took off towards the others. I knew this had to do with Greg, and there was a part of me… a part of me that wanted to stay and watch.

  Had I officially lost it?

  I turned my attention to Lincoln’s tense frame as he began to gently usher me towards the golf cart, seemingly trying to distance ourselves from this place as fast as possible. I gripped the cart as he drove faster than normal, his large hand on my thigh in a firm hold. He had yet to say anything, making me worried, because if I knew Lincoln like I did, that meant the opposite of him calming down. This was probably why King had wanted me to get him out of here.

  The valet pulled up with our car, and Lincoln ushered me in as I asked quietly, “Lincoln, what is going on? What’s wrong?”

  I’d never seen him so upset. I had seen a lot of different sides to the man, but this was new, even to me.

  His jaw clenched as he shook his head, rounding the vehicle before getting into the driver’s seat. Starting up the car, he drove down the lane as I waited patiently for him to say something—anything—but instead, his anger seemed to grow. I found my own temperament spiking because I felt like I deserved somewhat of an explanation.

  “Linc?” I asked again, using his nickname.

  He didn’t say anything, his hands tightening on the steering wheel.

  “Lincoln Gates,” I growled, “what the hell is your problem right now?”

  That seemed to do it.

  His head snapped towards me as he slammed on the brakes, stopping in the middle of the road leading towards Wildberry Lane. I let out a small surprised sound as he unbuckled my seatbelt and then did something so unexpected that I found myself absolutely reeling.

  I didn’t even realize I’d been hauled across his lap, pressed between the steering wheel and his hard body, before his head dipped down and lips pressed against mine in a hard, firm kiss.

  To say I was shocked was the understatement of the century. I let out a soft almost moan as his tongue pressed against my mouth, demanding entrance. I hated my lack of experience, but he barely seemed to notice as I gripped his thick hair and eagerly kissed him back, unable to hide how much his touch affected me.

  A shiver of heat ran over my skin as his fingers gripped the back of my thighs, sliding up to my ass as he tugged me more flush against him, the feeling of his hot, rough skin against my own making my body go slack.

  I opened up to him completely as he continued to kiss me, my body melting in relief at how amazing it felt to touch him like this. Like I’d always imagined. Letting out a soft moan, I shifted on his lap, my center growing wet at how hard I could feel he was. Lord. Sterling and him kissed completely differently, but both of them seemed really, insanely big… which brought back the twin sandwich concept.

  A rumble broke from his chest, making my pulse speed up as he finally pulled away. A whimper of confusion escaped my throat at how sexy he looked, his eyes wild and hair messy. I watched him in shock as he easily shifted the car into drive, wrapping an arm around my waist and kissing my shoulder gently. Unlike me, his mood seemed to be considerably more settled. I felt confused as all get-out and just watched him from where I still sat in his lap, until we were pulling up to Dermot’s house.

  “What the heck was that?” I finally demanded, my face feeling flushed.

  “You didn’t seem to mind.” His smile was cocky, and I felt my center tightening, wanting more of his touch. I wanted far more than a kiss.

  “This isn’t about me minding.” I swallowed, feeling my panic jump. “I am so confused. You just kissed the hell out of me, and you haven’t even told me why you are so freakin’ worked up right now—”

  “Please, don’t,” he warned.

  “Please don’t what?” I pulled back as he parked in the driveway.

  He met my gaze, his hands sliding onto my thighs again as his face flashed with anger. “Why am I angry, Dahlia? I’m f-furious because of Greg.” His voice caught on his stutter as I realized just how agitated he really was.

  “He was being a jerk! Like always. This is nothing new—”

  “Did you see what he had in his hand?” Lincoln demanded, his hand smoothing over my neck as he seemed to decide something.

  “What?” I frowned. “A drink?” To be fair, I’d had a few, so my memory was sketchy.

  “Yes, one for you,” he snarled.

  Okay… so…

  “I would never accept a drink from him. I don’t get why this is a big deal.”

  “Greg sells roofies,” Lincoln drew out slowly. “Sells a lot of different shit, but mainly that.”

  Okay, I was starting to understand the anger now.

  “I would have never accepted a drink from him,” I reiterated. Lincoln shook his head, tugging me further against him, his forehead pressing to my own. I could feel his temperament surging, but I wasn’t scared despite how close we were right now. That toxic excitement flared again.

  “It. Doesn’t. Matter.”

  “That I wouldn’t drink it?” I offered him an incredulous expression.

  “He should have never even f-fucking thought about doing that!” he snarled, trying to calm himself and failing terribly.

  “Okay,” I drew out, frowning. “Well, let’s not talk about Greg. How about let’s talk about when you—”

  My thoughts went fuzzy as Lincoln’s lips melded to mine, making me let out a soft moan as my fingers dug into his shirt. I pressed against him fully, loving the way he gripped me almost possessively. His hand came up to the back of my neck so that he could kiss me exactly like he wanted, making everything inside of me explode with heat. Holy moly. Who knew the Gates twins could be so goddamn dominant?

  I loved it.

  Maybe if I kept asking him q
uestions he would keep kissing me.

  “Nothing to talk about.” He pulled away, flashing me a smile. “Yet.”

  “Yet?” I asked as he opened the car door, turning off the vehicle and lifting me out of his lap.

  “Want to watch a movie till the others get back?” His change of direction gave me whiplash as I nodded. Maybe I was losing it. Did I need to tell him I’d also kissed his brother today? Oh crap, he already knew… and he kissed me anyway? A woman could get used to this… which was exactly the problem.

  “Why Dermot’s house?” I asked curiously as he led me through the elegant garden out front, my chest warming. I’d always loved this house. It had massive rooms for styling, and there were always a million ideas running through my head on how to change it.

  “I like it better,” he admitted. “Plus, don’t you love this house?”

  “You know I do.” I offered a small smile.

  “We do know,” he mused, making me arch a brow. We?

  Shaking my head, I momentarily gave into the craziness, figuring I wasn’t about to get the answer to the only question that wasn’t going to go away. What the hell was going on here?

  Chapter Thirteen

  Lincoln Gates

  I could still taste her on my lips nearly two hours later, and I found myself hoping that her sweet taste never disappeared. Unfortunately, that wasn’t likely, so I would just have to continue to steal kisses from her. My arm was wrapped around her waist, and I stared a bit obsessively at her relaxed expression as her soft body pressed against mine in sleep.

  She fit perfectly against me, like she was meant to. Because she was. She was made for me, without a doubt in my goddamn mind.