“No,” Brandon replied. “We dressed up like this and went trick-or-treating. We ran outside. Got some fresh air. Ate some candy…” He put his fist to his mouth and let out a belch. “Probably too much candy.”
I was bitter. Worse than bitter! Maybe Claudia’s perspective I could somewhat understand, but Brandon had betrayed our trust. He’d broken the pact. He’d—
And you wouldn’t?
The question dropped straight into my head, slapping me in the face with reality. It forced me to stop and think. Would I?
I thought about the night I’d shattered my phone. The night Claudia had come in to comfort me, and sat on my bed. Weren’t the same feelings there? The same chemistry between us, as between her and Brandon?
You had an opportunity then. A shot. You never took it.
I gulped hard, trying to get past the sour taste in my mouth. Was this really the case? I’d missed my chance, and Brandon had taken his? And how many shots had Hunter had? Did he miss any… or just never take them?
“The three of you are like brothers,” Claudia went on. “Tighter and closer than some of the real brothers I know. I’d never, ever want to come between you. And that’s the only part of this that I regret.”
Hunter had relaxed a bit. I could tell because the big vein in his neck was no longer visible. He was still angry though.
“We ditched a very cool party for the two of you,” he said sharply. “We came home because we felt bad.”
Claudia shrugged. “That only shows me the bond you have together. How close you’ve all becom—”
“No,” Hunter jumped in. “Not just Brandon.” He looked her straight in the eye. “We came home for you too.”
Claudia’s face softened. I watched as she removed the red bandana and slowly ran a hand through her hair. Pushing it back over one shoulder, she looked stunningly beautiful.
“You guys did more than just take me in,” she said. “This place… it’s a home to me now. You’ve made me feel wanted here, even loved.” She inhaled, then let out a wistful sigh. “More so than anywhere else.”
It was crazy, how much I wanted her. How much I hated Brandon for possessing her… even for the briefest of moments. I could still picture his hands on her body. His mouth, locked against hers…
“You took me in,” Claudia went on. “Gave me something wonderful. Something like a family…”
We stood in a rough semi-circle, while Claudia walked between us. Her legs looked magnificent with every step. She went to me, then Brandon, then Hunter again. I could feel their eyes, resting heavily on her every movement. I knew she could too.
“I don’t think you’re mad that Brandon kissed me,” she said suddenly. “I think you’re mad because it’s not even.”
She approached Hunter, and I saw him stiffen. Unfortunately for him Claudia saw it too. She smiled wickedly.
“You want things even,” she said, her voice going soft and feminine.
She stood on her toes. Placed her hand on his chest…
“You want things equal.”
She leaned in and kissed him.
I watched it unfold slowly, like some sort of dream sequence. Something that couldn’t be controlled, only watched and admired. Claudia’s lips pressed against Hunter’s, her jaw rotating sensuously as she took great personal pleasure in drinking him in. And Hunter…
Hunter kissed her back.
I couldn’t believe it. Neither could Brandon. We gaped at each other as Hunter’s arms slid around her, pulling her in, bringing her body against his as they continued kissing and touching.
Holy shit…
His hands were on Claudia’s hips, his fingers flexing. And through it all, their long, slow, sensual kiss… mouths fully locked together as they breathed each other in.
When it was finished she stepped back, almost stumbling in her boots. Her expression was trance-like. Very far away.
“God, I wanted that.”