Shameless (Enemies to Lovers 5)

“Shit, sorry,” the guy says. “You’re so small I didn’t see you.”

“Evie, this is Jaxson. He and Logan are twins,” Rhett says, sounding way calmer than I feel. Apparently, he’s not affected like I am by our close proximity.

“Hi, Jaxson,” I say, trying to not let my rampant emotions seep through to my voice. I’d die if Rhett ever found out how affected I am by him.

“Hey, Evie.” Another guy comes out of the same room Jaxson was just in, and for a second I can only stare. He is easily the most gorgeous man I’ve ever laid eyes on. Where Jaxson is blonde like Logan, the new guy is all dark and broody. If someone had told me that he and Rhett were brothers, I would’ve believed them.

“And that’s Marcus. His bark is worse than his bite,” Rhett says playfully.

What does he mean by Marcus’ bark is worse than his bite?

“What-the-fuck-ever,” Marcus growls. He gives me a cold look before he shoves past us.

I instinctively inch closer to Rhett, until I feel his chest against my cheek.

A slow grin spreads over Jaxson’s face as he says, “You kids have fun now.”

Suddenly we’re alone in the hallway with Rhett’s arms still around me. I pull back, putting a safe distance between us.

Clearing my throat, I say, “Interesting friends you have.”

“They’re my family. For the last ten years, it’s just been us guys, Mia, and Mr. Hayes.”

“Mr. Hayes,” I ask, glad that we’re back to talking about Rhett’s life as we walk to his room.

“Carter’s dad. He took us all in and has been taking care of us.”

“Oh,” I whisper, wondering how they all landed up together. I don’t ask, scared that it will give Rhett the idea of asking me questions in turn.

When we walk into Rhett’s room, I glance around, not sure where I should sit.

Rhett plops down on the bed, crossing his arms behind his head.

“Make yourself comfortable, Evie,” he says.

All I can do is stare at his lean, hard body, stretched out before me like a feast waiting to be devoured.

I shake my head lightly to rid myself of the stupid fantasies and carefully sit on the edge of the bed by Rhett’s feet.

He rolls his eyes at me, then darting forward, and grabbing my arm, he pulls me back with him.

I end up lying stretched out, half on the covers and half over Rhett. My face flames up as I quickly move away, and turning on my side, I stare at the bed until it feels like my face has cooled down a little.

“You’re weird,” Rhett says, making my eyes snap up to his.

The words sting, and he must see it on my face, because he quickly adds, “Not a bad weird. You’re shy, but at the same time, you have all this fight inside of you. It’s a weird mixture. I’ve never met a shy girl who could argue as much as you do.”

I’m not sure if it’s a compliment or insult, so I decide to keep quiet.

“What are you scared of?” he asks.

I frown at him, not sure what he means.

“I’m scared of…” his words trail away. I sit up and fold my legs under me. “Rats. Fuck, I hate those critters with their beady red eyes.”

I start to laugh at the expression on his face. It looks like he stepped in something nasty.

“Well, you know I’m scared of clowns,” I say.

He lets out a deep chuckle that does crazy things to my hormones.

“Yeah, I figured as much after you crawled away from me.”

“I never watch horror movies,” I admit. I don’t add that my life has had enough horror. “I like comedies.”

“I’ll remember that next time we watch a movie.” He smiles tenderly at me, and it warms the spot in my chest where my heart is.