A Squall of Sedition by Sarah M. Cradit

Author:Sarah M. Cradit [Cradit, Sarah M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Storyville Press

* * *

Lauren watched Nicolas from under the covers. He was perched at the edge of the bed, bowed over in thought.

“Are you all right?” she asked.

Nicolas snickered. “You’re asking me that? After the ambush those jackasses sprang on you?”

“I don’t want to come between you and your cousin.”

“We were never close,” Nicolas said. He tilted his head toward her. “After today, he’s making damn sure it stays that way.”

Lauren turned up to look at the satin design on the bed’s tester. “How much did you hear?”

“Enough to know he wasn’t respecting you.”

“I ended it.” Lauren swallowed down a lump of emotion. “Not the way I wanted to do it, but it’s done.”

“Yeah?” Nicolas wiped his arm across his face. “You okay with it?”

Lauren nodded slowly. “It... needed to happen. I just hope...” She shook her head. It didn’t matter what she hoped. Ashley’s response was out of her control, like every other trouble consuming him. “How did it go—”

“Later.” Nicolas tried to smile. “I promise we’ll talk about it later. I just want to sit here, with you, and pretend our lives are normal for a little bit.”

“But you didn’t...”

He shook his head.

She exhaled her relief. “I have something to tell you, too, but I guess it can wait a little longer.” Lauren shifted under the covers, making room. “And if we were normal, Nicolas, you would be here, with me.”

Nicolas flicked his tongue along the back of his teeth. “That an invitation, Lauren, because today isn’t the day to put my better judgment to the test.”

She should’ve left it there but couldn’t. “When you said no strings...” She squeezed her legs closed to control the sudden throb. “Is that... can that really work?”

Nicolas’s brows furrowed. A spark danced in his eyes. “Still in need of some very specific relief?”

Lauren rolled her eyes and sighed. “God, this is so embarrassing.” Her eyes flashed wide. “But only if it won’t cause trouble with us. I like how things are.”

Nicolas planted his hands on the bed and leaned in. “I need to hear you say it. I need to know it’s what you want. Last time, you were upset. You’re upset now. When your head clears...”

Lauren pulled a hand from underneath the sheets and stretched it toward him on the blanket. “I made up my mind before they came over. My head doesn’t need clearing. Not about this.”

Nicolas’s throat ebbed. His mouth pursed tight. “If we’re going to come to an arrangement—”

“You’re making it clinical!”

He laughed. “I’m not trying to. I swear. But I also like how things are between us. We’re communicating, finally. Talking. I don’t know, enjoying each other.” He shrugged. “I don’t want to lose that.”

Lauren got quiet. “I don’t either.” She cleared her throat. “We don’t have to do this.”

“That’s not what I said,” he stated firmly. He reached for her outstretched hand and clasped it in both of his. “Let’s just promise if things get weird, or... whatever, that we talk about it.” His tongue lashed his lips.

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