The Iris Boys Series

by Smoke, Lucy

  “It happened here?” I had no clue who this girl was, but my heart broke for her. I thought about Knix and Bellamy and Marv and strangely...Grayson and Texas too. None of them knew about the three I had kissed. I had kissed Marv twice. What would they all say if they knew? How would they look at me?

  I didn’t realize Delilah had kept talking until she put her hand on my knee, jerking me out of my mind. “Please,” she said earnestly. “You can’t tell anyone about this. It’s embarrassing for Mr. Wallace.”

  “Why?” I asked. “Wouldn’t Mr. Wallace be happy that the guy is gone? She can move on.”

  Isador and Delilah were both silent for several moments. Long enough that my eyes darted up and around to see if anyone was paying us any attention. No one was. Natalia was standing off to the side now, across the room with another couple of girls that I vaguely recognized from the past few days, but none that I could name. Mr. Giovanni was with another girl, who was struggling just as much as I had. He grimaced as she stomped on his foot. I turned back to Isador and Delilah.

  Delilah shook her head and Isador stood up and moved off towards her sister. I watched her go, surprised. Delilah’s next words rooted me to the spot. “She committed suicide.” I felt like my chest had been punched in. I stared down at the shining floor and half expected my organs to be scattered at my feet. They weren’t. I struggled to breathe, not just because I was shocked, but because ideas were starting to form in my head.

  “I’m sorry,” I said, standing. “Will you excuse me.” Delilah nodded. She seemed surprised, but also… not by my reaction. I didn’t stop to think about it because I was already heading for the hallway. I slipped through the doors, looked both ways, and quickly pulled my phone from my pocket.

  Marv answered on the first ring. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine,” I said, striding down the hall. “Hold on, let me get outside.” I held the phone to my chest and when I came to the end of the grand hall, I looked around once more, before opening the front door and stepping outside. There were gardeners snipping the bushes on the far side of the property. They were far enough away that I knew they wouldn’t be able to hear me. I put the phone back to my ear.

  “–she’s moving,” I heard. “No, give me a moment with her. You can talk to her after.”

  “Marv?” I descended the front steps and made my way around the villa, watching the windows.

  “I’m here,” he said. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing – well, it’s…” Suicide wasn’t nothing, but it wasn’t.... God, how did I explain to them? “What about Mr. Wallace?” I asked, just jumping into the deep end and hoping Marv would understand.

  “The PA?” he asked.

  “He’s not just a personal assistant,” I said. “He has his own etiquette courses or camp thing. Did you know that?”

  Marv hummed for a moment before saying something I couldn’t make out to someone in the background. “Yeah,” he answered. “Why? What have you learned?”

  “His daughter – her name was Kayla – she used to come to Ms. Enders’ camp.” I quickly relayed everything Delilah and Isador had revealed.

  Marv was quiet for several moments and I heard typing in the background, and then not in the background, as if it was right next to my ear. Had Marv put me on speaker phone? That was answered with a definite yes in the next moment when Texas spoke.

  “He hasn’t had any unusual spikes in his accounts,” Texas said, “but he is hurting for money. At least, he is for a business owner. You said his camp takes place in the Fall and Spring?”

  “Yeah.”

  More typing ensued.

  “That correlates,” Texas replied.

  “So, what?” I asked.

  “The accounts could be off shore,” I heard Marv murmur. “I want to call Knix and Bell and let them know.”

  “Where are they?” I asked as I found a stone bench under a large tree along the side of the villa. When I sat, I could see both the back and front lawns at an angle. I would see if anyone approached.

  I frowned when Marv didn't answer right away. "They're...out right now."

  "Out where?" I pressed.

  Texas stopped typing and answered this time, his voice clear over the line. "We can't tell you, Princess. I'm sorry."

  "Why not?" I snapped. "I'm part of the team, aren't I? Why can't you tell me?"

  "It's not about you being a part of the team or not," he said, keeping his tone even. "It's just...we have to follow our orders."

  "Knix told you not to tell me," I realized. "Fine, if you don't want to tell me. That's fine." It was so anything but fine. "I have to go."

  "Wait, Harlow," Marv called. "Don't be mad. We're sorry."

  "I'm not mad." I took a breath and tried to mean it. I knew I was being irrational, but I was here in this stupid camp because we were working a job. I was just as much a part of the team as they were, and they knew where Knix and Bellamy were. It wasn't fair. I wasn't just mad. I was furious. "Listen," I said through clenched teeth, "I have to go. They're gonna notice that I've been gone for a while."

  "Wait, Har–"

  The moment I ended the call my eyes began to water. I sniffed hard and rubbed my wrists against my cheeks. They didn't want to tell me anything they were doing, that was fine. I didn't care. Or at least, I tried to tell myself that I didn't as I made my way back into the building. I tucked my phone away as I rejoined Delilah, Isador, and Natalia in the ballroom.

  Later that night, I was lying face down on my bed with my phone in hand. The guys had continued to text me throughout the day. At first, it was mostly just Texas and Marv, but then later it was all four of them. They were inconspicuous. I knew they were being careful just in case anyone managed to snag my phone while I was here. Mostly just "I miss you's," and "can we talk soon's?" Anyone who did look through my phone would think that I was a player.

  I jerked as that thought entered my mind, and turned over, curling on my side. They wouldn't be wrong, I realized. I was a player. I had kissed three of my guys and if I was honest, I didn't think I would mind it if Texas kissed me. He was sweet and, at least some of the time, a cute sneaky trickster. He could make me laugh and cuddle me at the same time. I remembered after I had met that girl at the dance club, the one that had motivated me to come here in the first place, Texas had been so sweet. I loved hearing about his grandparents. He sounded like he cared about them a lot. I barely knew anything about any of them and I found myself wanting to know more.

  My phone buzzed again, and I leaned up to set it on my nightstand before turning away. I knew if I answered, I would only get mad again. I didn't want to say anything that I would feel bad about later. A few minutes later, though, something tapped against my window. At first, I ignored it, picturing a stray branch scraping at the glass, but then I remembered there were no trees against the villa at all. I catapulted myself out of bed and went to the window, popping it open to look around.

  A lone figure moved out from the side of the building and my eyes widened. "What are you doing here, Bellamy?!" I hissed as loud as I dared.

  "Heard you were mad and you're not answering our texts," he whispered back. "Can I come up?"

  "Are you crazy?" I snapped. "What if someone sees you?"

  But it was too late, Bellamy was already against the building, gripping the vines and scaling the rocky side of the villa. My eyes widened in shock as I watched him move. He was quick and graceful for such a broad-shouldered guy. He moved with determination as he grabbed at edges and bricks that jutted out from the side of the wall. I backed up as he neared my window, suddenly feeling grateful that I had been too lazy to change into my sleep clothes because I wondered if this meant we were sneaking out somewhere. When his hands gripped the sill and he dragged himself up, squeezing just barely through the frame, I backed up even more, watching him tumble inside. He knocked into my nightstand sending my phone clattering to the floor and the both of us froze.

  "Check the hall," he whispe
red, lying flat next to the bed. I knew he could disappear under the bed frame and mattresses and be out of sight in a second if he needed to. I did as he told me and quickly went to the bedroom door, creaking it open to check up and down the hall. It was the middle of the night, and all of the girls were likely already in bed, asleep. I would be too if it hadn't been for my mind keeping me awake. I quickly shut the door and turned back to Bellamy who took my silence to mean that all was well. He popped up from the floor and brushed off his clothes – jeans with a ripped knee and a dark toned t-shirt.

  "What do you think you're doing?" I asked. "You could be caught. You shouldn't be here. Does Knix know that you're here?" When he blanched, I narrowed my gaze at him. "He doesn't know, does he? Where does he think you are?"

  Bellamy grimaced, rubbing a wide hand down the back of his head, mussing his long dark strands. He had left it down. I was surprised it hadn't caught in the vines as he had climbed up the side of the building. "He thinks I'm out getting food and refilling the car," Bellamy admitted.

  I crossed my arms. "And what would he say if he knew you were here?" I demanded.

  Bellamy sighed and looked at the floor. "Look, I know he'd be pissed, but I had to see you." His dark chocolate eyes met mine and I felt myself melting. I tried – I really did – to keep my gaze narrowed and my stance strong. But it was hard with those puppy dog eyes of his. I sighed and moved across the room to my bed. He followed, sitting next to me as I climbed onto the mattress.

  "I'm still a new to this," I said, "but even I know that you shouldn't be here."

  "I parked in the woods. They don't have security guards or a system on the upper windows," he replied.

  "And if someone heard you?" I raised my eyebrows.

  He shrugged. "They'd think you got lucky." I rolled my eyes as he reached for me, pulling me into his chest. I sighed as his arms wrapped around me. "I missed you, Sweetheart," he said, his breath tickling my hair.

  "I'm mad at you." My words had no heat and were muffled against his shirt. He smelled like cinnamon and something else. I wrinkled my nose because the second smell was starchier, and coffee infused. Coffee smelled good on Marv – but this smelled like burnt coffee. It wasn’t like Bellamy’s scent at all. I wondered, briefly, where he had been before climbing through my window.

  Bellamy pulled away slightly. "Why are you mad? Tex and Marv said that you called."

  "They wouldn't tell me where you were." I meant to say where he and Knix were, but somehow only he had slipped out.

  Bellamy moved back against the pillows and pulled me with him until we were both on our sides, facing each other. "They weren't allowed to tell anyone," he said quietly. "We didn't expect you to call. Alex has been checking in regularly, though, and Knix wanted to keep it from him."

  "So..." I said, looking up at him through my lashes. "Will you tell me?"

  Bellamy was quiet for another moment as he reached up and brushed my hair back, tucking it behind my ear. I shivered as his fingertips brushed the top of my ear and then my cheek, down to my chin and then my neck. "Knix was setting up a meeting with Ms. Enders," he admitted. "And I was meeting with some people in the local town."

  "Knix was here?" I asked, shocked. "When? Is he–"

  "No, he's not here anymore. He's back at the hotel with the others. He was just asking about how you are adjusting and doing some subtle questioning."

  "He was getting her side?" I asked.

  "Knix was seeing how she would react to the rumors." Bellamy’s eyes dipped down to mine again and he smiled. He was so beautiful when he smiled. I knew most guys wouldn't like to be called that, but he was. His eyes sparkled and crinkled, and it lit up his whole face. I loved it when he smiled. I sighed, relaxing further into the bedding. Even though I knew it was wrong that he was there and that he was probably going to get into trouble when Knix found out – because there were no secrets, Bellamy would tell him – I was still happy he was there. I curled closer to him, soaking in his warmth in the cold glimmering room.

  There were no secrets between the guys...I thought. My eyes blinked open and I looked up at Bellamy again. His eyes were on mine immediately. I wanted to ask if he had told them. If he had told Knix or Texas or Marv about what had happened between us in the BMW. The words dried up in my mouth. Bellamy dipped his head, leaning close. His breath brushed over my lips.

  He whispered, "Tell me to stop." I blinked. I opened my mouth. I tried. Nothing came out. "Please, Sweetheart," he begged, shifting closer. My hand touched his chest and he groaned. "If you don't tell me to stop..." he let the sentence drift. I couldn't, I realized. I couldn't tell him to stop because I didn't want him to. I wanted him to kiss me so much that I couldn't even wait for him to do it himself.

  I leaned forward and pressed my lips to his. He groaned under their ministrations. I licked the seam of his mouth and gently pressed in. His mouth opened, and he kissed me back. Strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me close until I was lying on top of him. I gasped as my legs lowered on either side of his hips to straddle him. He sat up, one hand coming up to grip the back of my head and hold me to him. Both of my hands were tangled in his t-shirt. I had to let go, I knew.

  One of my hands slid up, wrapping around his neck. I wanted to touch his hair. To grip it. Not many guys had long hair. His shoulder length, dark locks were like a present for me. My other hand drifted up to it and I ran my fingertips through the strands. They were silky, like he had recently showered. I shuddered as Bellamy bit down lightly on my bottom lip. His tongue snaked its way into my mouth and I moaned.

  Bellamy rolled, spreading me out on the comforter. He pulled back and grinned wickedly. "Shhh," he cautioned, "we don't want anyone to hear."

  I nodded, dazed and he grinned again, descending back towards my mouth.

  He kissed me lightly, brushing my lips softly. So softly, it left me frustrated. I curled both of my fists into his hair and held him harder to me as I kissed him. I ravaged his mouth, pressing forward. He groaned and gripped me with the same intensity. His hands on my hips, holding me tightly to him. "Harlow," he whispered against my mouth. "I didn't bring any...uh..." I kissed his neck and he moaned, trying to stifle the noise. "Sweetheart," he panted, holding me, gripping me harder. "We can't."

  Bellamy yanked away from me, his chest heaving, and I felt bereft. Cold. Alone. I stared up at him, knowing that my cheeks were flushed. Looking down, I realized that the top buttons of my blouse were undone. I blinked slowly, looking back up at Bellamy. He was staring at me as a man might stare at his last meal – there was want, hunger...need. My heart rate kicked into overdrive. "We can't," he said slowly, his shoulders rising and falling. "We can't do anything more?" Bellamy guessed.

  I nodded, so wrapped up in him that I couldn’t focus on what he was saying. All I knew was that I would agree to anything he wanted if it would just put his mouth back on me right then. He hovered over me, and I reached up, cupping his cheek. "Are you okay with this?" he asked, his voice rough, grating in his throat. When I nodded, he shook his head. "No, Sweetheart. I need to hear you say it. Tell me, are you okay with this?"

  "I'm okay, Bellamy." I spoke barely above a whisper. "It's okay."

  I knew he heard me because, in the next moment, he came over me again. He brushed his hands up my thighs, pushing my skirt up, and settled between my thighs before kissing me again. Our lips sparked something electric and I gasped as his fingers slid under my skirt. He laid out over me, pressing me into the bed. My legs wrapped around him as he ground himself into me, trying to pull me closer. I groaned, feeling the rigid zipper of his jeans between my legs. I squeezed him, wanting to feel it again. I had never felt anything like it.

  Shivering as Bellamy trailed open-mouthed kisses down my neck, he quickly undid more of the buttons that held the front of my blouse closed. "God, you're beautiful, Sweetheart," he whispered. I didn't know how to respond, but I felt beautiful. When he looked at me, I knew he wasn't lying or just trying to make me feel good.
His whole body rippled over me once more, sending another groan out of my throat.

  His mouth silenced the noises I was making, and I couldn't believe it was me making them. Bellamy made me forget where we were. He made me forget why we were there, and why we needed to be quiet. "We can't," he gasped, "fuck, we can't."

  I moaned in disbelief as he pulled away from me. His dark eyes met mine. My skin felt alive. My veins were filled with sparks. I didn't know what I was searching for, but it was there, just out of my reach. He looked at me, making my skin flush further as his eyes trailed down my chest. I realized that he had managed to get my shirt completely undone and I was stretched out under him in nothing but my skirt and a bra. His eyes darkened.

  "It's okay, Sweetheart," he said when I made another sound of protest as he pulled further away. "I'll take care of you. Don't worry."

  "What?" I sat up as Bellamy pulled his shirt over his head and whatever else I had been about to say was lost. Bellamy's naked chest was a muse that Greek artists used to create their statues. My mind puddled and turned to mush as he slowly backed down the bed and lowered himself, sliding his hands up my bare legs. My skirt was pushed up against my upper thighs and everywhere he touched sent waves of fiery heat through me.

  "Do you trust me?" he asked. I blinked at him, confused. What did he mean? Of course, I trusted him. "Do you trust me, Harlow?" he repeated, his voice harder, demanding.

  I nodded before I realized that he wanted me to speak. "Yeah – I mean, yes," I panted, "I trust you."

  One side of his mouth lifted in a half smile. "God, I hope so, Sweetheart. Because you're gonna give me blue balls by the end of the night." I gasped as he spread my legs and lowered his head.

  Bellamy pressed a soft kiss to the inside of each of my thighs before gently urging them further apart. He licked my skin, sending more shivers trailing down my spine. My vision blurred as I found my hands in his hair. But he shook them loose for a moment because his mouth reached the band of my underwear. I tensed, and he sat up slightly, his fingers trailing the edge. His eyes bored into mine. “Will you let me?” he asked.