The Wayward Sister (The Wayward Sons 5)

Baby steps.

That’s how we’ll have to approach it.

And hopefully, Smith won’t lose his shit and screw it up for all of us.

23

Holden

If I hadn’t forgotten my jacket, I never would have seen Sierra walking out of Adrian’s room before daybreak. I pause at the end of the hallway, startled, and process what I’m witnessing. She looks up, eyes lighting up at first, before fading when she sees my expression.

“Hey,” she says, sweeping her hair over her shoulder. It’s a wild nest, probably assisted by Adrian’s hands.

“Hi,” I reply quietly, heart hammering in my chest. What does this mean? Is she fucking Adrian? I almost laugh out loud. Of course, she’s fucking Adrian. We all knew this was going to happen sooner than later. I just didn’t expect this…whatever this is.

“I wanted to talk to you.” She looks down at my hoodie and shoes. “Do you have time?”

“I was going to hike the trail behind the house, catch the sunrise.”

“Can I come?”

My insides scream no. Disconnecting from this girl now is the smart move, but that’s not what I do. I nod and tell her I’ll wait on the back deck. I can’t help but want to be around her. I like her. A lot.

I slide open the back door and wait on the deck. It’s still dark out, the sun not quite ready to rise. It’s cool. The temperatures don’t rise until later in the day, making mornings the best time to get exercise.

She meets me a few minutes later wearing leggings and a baggy sweatshirt. Her hair is twisted in a messy knot on top of her head. I force myself not to stare at her lips—they’ve been taunting me since she wrapped them around my cock two days ago, rendering me helpless in the guard shack, pants around my ankles, cum spilling down her throat. She shoves her hands in her pockets, and we walk down the stairs toward the trail that leads right from her backyard and into the hills.

We don’t get far before I ask, “Are you sleeping with Adrian?”

She glances over, gray eyes clear. “Yes. Twice now.”

I grimace. “I guess I want to know why you, you know, with me.”

“Because, Holden, I like you, too. A lot.” She steps over a large rock. “I’m trying hard to not close myself off and be open to new things.” A smile tugs at those lips. “You and Adrian both just happen to be new things.”

I wait for the bloom of jealousy, the upset or the anger. But the way she talks about it, so free, and openly, it makes it hard. “So, what? You want both of us?”

We’re climbing a stretch that goes up a steep hill. Her butt is right in my line of vision, curved and perfect. I’d meant it in the guard shack. I wanted to bend her over the counter and fuck her silly. That desire hasn’t quelled. We reach a small plateau, and she pauses, waiting for me to catch up.

“I want both of you,” she repeats. “I want your friendship, and companionship, and bodies, and everything else.”

“So, you’re one of those 'wants her cake and to eat it too', type people.”

She laughs, and the sound warms my heart. She also doesn’t deny it.

I know her brother is in a relationship like this. One girl, four guys. Adr

ian? I know him well enough that he’s game. He likes Sierra, maybe more than any girl I’ve ever seen him around. I understand. I feel it, too.

“How does this work?” I ask. “We swap beds every night and hope Smith doesn’t find out?”

“I’m not sure, but I’m willing to figure it out, if you are.” She reaches for my hand. “You don’t have to say yes. If you’re not into it, that’s fine, we’ll chalk what we had up to a crazy night. A story to tell when people ask, 'where’s the craziest place you’ve had sex.' I won’t be mad. Sad, but not angry.” Her fingers squeeze mine. “You’re important to me, Holden, and I want a relationship with you, however you’re willing to give it.”

“And Adrian agrees?” I ask, already knowing the answer.

“He does.”

A sliver of golden light brightens her face, and she holds up her hand to block the glare of the rising sun. She shines like an angel, a divine gift. Only a fool says no to something—someone—like that.