Page 3 of Bitter Truths

Weller steps forward and lifts the necklace from the box.

“May I?” he asks, his voice dropping to a lower register.

I nod, fingers trembling as I lift my hair. The chain glides against my skin, and goosebumps erupt. Tiny points of betrayal reveal how much they affect me even with the lightest touch.

His breath breezes past my ear, and his fingers linger against me a moment longer than necessary. Disappointment flares within me when he moves away.

The charm settles over my collarbone, and I press down on it with my fingers.

They’ve marked me.

“Perfect.” Weller’s approval resonates in a single word.

The others murmur their agreement.

It’s time to test these boundaries.

“Who is ready to go swimming?

I rise to my feet in one motion, brushing crumbs from my legs. My fingers find the hem of my cover-up, and I hesitate for only half a second before pulling it off. The fabric slides over my skin and puddles at my feet.

The silence becomes thick and charged.

Just the reaction I hoped for. The pink bikini I ordered online hardly qualifies as swimwear. It clings too snugly and reveals too much. I’ve never let them see me like this. Not even close.

Freddie chokes. His eyes roam down my body before snapping back up. His ears are bright red.

“Jesus Christ.”

Heat flares under my skin, from my face all the way down, leaving me flushed and breathless from their attention.

Owen doesn’t speak, but he doesn’t hide the raw desire darkening his eyes, sending a shiver down my spine.

Tristan lifts an eyebrow, lips curling into a smirk. “Eighteen for five minutes and already stirring up trouble,” he drawls. “How perfectly you, little bee.”

Even Weller’s mask cracks. His mouth tenses, and his hands curl and then relax. He says nothing, but his gaze moves over me with slow, thorough attention.

My body is on fire.

“Like it?”

“Definitely your color.” Tristan is the first to respond. “It suits you.”

Owen rumbles low, almost a growl. “It certainly suits... parts of you.”

Freddie elbows him with a scowl.

Weller exhales. “What our friend means to say is that you look lovely, Bianca.”

Freddie nods, flustered.

I laugh, releasing the tension.

“The last one in washes everyone’s cars for a month!” Freddie yells and launches himself off the rock.

Owen can’t resist a challenge and dives in.

Tristan peels off his shirt, sauntering to the edge. “Try to keep up, birthday girl,” he tosses it over his shoulder before slipping under.