Drats! It really was him.
“Excuse me, miss. Do you mind closing the door? You’re letting the AC out,” the bartender called over the crowd.
Gladly!
I gave him a quick nod and ran through the door. My fingertips released the wood, letting the hinges close it silently.
“Let’s get out of here.”
But it was too late. The door pushed open, and Lily’s huge grin turned to one of complete adoration as the male calling my name came into her view.
“Hey, Brandy,” Aaron said, his voice calm.
My body completely betrayed me as I turned to face him, but not before I realized he had someone with him. The excitement in my belly was quickly replaced with disappointment and jealousy. The tall blonde next to him was definitely the exact opposite of what I had to offer. Every hair was in place, and her tan couldn’t get any more golden if she rubbed it in hourly. My skin was olive, not orange. Her features were harsh. No. That was mean. They were dramatic and certainly hinted of not wanting to get on her bad side.
He tilted his head slightly, and his eyes grew curious as he waited for my reaction. He slid his right hand into his jean pocket and just waited. Was this a test? Did he want to see what I thought about him being with someone? Or did he only want to size up how to approach me about his sister?
“What’s up, Aaron?”
Aaron hooked his thumbs through his belt loops and watched me closely while my agitation level grew. I was sure a hint of a smile was threatening to take over his lips as he toyed with me.
Lily stood next to me, and I could tell she was giving the once-over to the blond. I wasn’t sure if that made the situation better or worse.
“Didn’t I make myself clear the other day?” I pressed. My brows pulled together as my arms folded in front of me.
“The other day?” blondie asked, looking up at Aaron.
Ignoring her, he took a step forward. “I was hoping you’d reconsidered.”
“Nope. Still feel the same way. Listen, my friend and I haven’t seen each other in a while so we’re gonna take off.”
Aaron followed my gaze to the slobbering and very possessive female by his side as I took a step back. The blonde nodded in victory and grabbed his hand, staking her claim. He paid as much attention to her as he would a scarf wrapped around his neck and shook her hand from his. Normally, I would have been delighted, but in this instance, I actually felt sorry for her. Rather than the blonde say something to him, she turned around and walked back into the pub.
He took a step closer, and his voice dropped, sending electricity through me. “Would you at least give me your contact information?”
Lily patted my shoulder and walked down the sidewalk, which was exactly what I didn’t want her to do. Privacy wasn’t something I needed to have around this guy.
“You know where I work, which is the same place your sister works. That should be enough. Besides, wouldn’t your parents just give you the information for your sister?”
He cocked his head and grinned. His brown eyes piercing as he caught my wrist in his hand, allowing me to feel his restrained strength as my feeble attempt to flee failed. A flurry of excitement ran through me, but I shook my head in protest.
“I wasn’t asking for her information. I was asking for yours.”
He released my wrist, his eyes raking over my body as I crossed my arms.
“And get in between you and the blonde? I don’t think so.”
Aaron smiled and smirked. “I get it.”
“Get what?”
This wasn’t what I was in the mood for. This guy had some nerve. Gabby and he couldn’t be more different. Watching how he treated his date was bad enough, but asking for my information while she scurried off? No thanks.
“You’re worried.”
“Worried? Please. I just have more respect for myself than apparently the poor souls you choose to lead on.”
I watched as a couple went into the pub, and Aaron’s fingers touched my chin softly bringing my attention back to him. Unfortunately, his touch produced a flutter in my stomach, and my cheeks warmed instantly.
“I only met her tonight,” he mumbled.
“Is that supposed to make me feel better? Because it doesn’t. Besides it’s of no concern to me. I could honestly care less.”
His eyes narrowed on mine, and I watched as he twisted his lips, contemplating what to say next.
“Listen, I wish nothing but the best between you and Gabby, but that’s all I’ve got for you.” As I stood staring at him, I realized the duck fart and half a pitcher had completely caught up with me. I wanted to find a tree to lean up against or maybe…
“So you are worried about that,” his voice low. There was a tenderness behind it that caught me off guard.
“Yeah. And you should be too, especially if you’re trying to repair anything with her.” I snapped out of the fog.
There was silence between us. The warm summer air began to feel unbearable, or maybe it was his gaze that produced the heat through my body. I had nothing else to say to this guy, and I just hoped he wouldn’t make it any more difficult than it already was to shove him out of my mind.
And then he did.
“That night at Chateau Marx I spotted you across the room and my world stopped. I’m not that kind of man, but you took my breath away, and I damned near spilled my wine all over when you glanced in my direction.” He took a deep breath in and continued. “And then you stepped to the side as you grabbed something off a tray and my sister came into view…I was in shock. I knew she was going to be there that night, but I still wasn’t ready for it. And seeing that you two were together... That just seems to be my luck.” He stopped himself.
Realizing my balance was completely off-kilter, I shifted my weight slowly from one foot to the other as I debated what to say. The woozy me was willing to soften the seriousness of the situation, but thankfully a wave of clarity appeared.
“Well, I guess it’s just an unfortunate set of circumstances for us all,” I whispered, my pulse roaring in my ears. “Besides, something tells me you were able to keep yourself amused that night without my help.”
His eyes became incredibly intense, and I felt my body succumbing to his potent gaze. Even as my body betrayed me, I prayed that my mind would not. If there was one thing I possessed ample amounts of, it was self-discipline. But that was generally not when I’d had a few drinks.
I saw Lily leaning against the brick building, texting and chuckling to herself, and I wondered if there was more to her work-romance than she let on. Nothing would surprise me with her. I brought my attention back to Aaron, which was a mistake.
“I guess it is a very unfortunate set of circumstances,” he agreed. “But you’re not someone I’m willing to give up on. I think you’ll come around.”
I frowned as his words settled over me. The one thing I was sure of was that the longer I stood in front of him, the stronger the attraction became. He scratched his chin as his eyes danced with playfulness once again, and I imagined his fingers gliding along my flesh.
Damn my imagination!
Attempting to gather my thoughts and my balance, I took a step away from him.
“Would you at least take my number on the off chance my sister wants to get ahold of me?”
“I thought you said this wasn’t about your sister.”
“Man. You’re good,” he said, bemused.
I didn’t have any clue about how to respond. I didn’t want to betray Gabby and that wasn’t my intention, but being in his presence sent something thrumming through me that dislodged all common sense. It was as if my subconscious was begging for him to take control, and he somehow picked up on it and used it to his advantage.
His phone buzzed and he grabbed it out of his pocket.
“What’s up, Jason. Make it fast,” Aaron replied into the receiver.
A few moments of silence was followed by Aaron quickly running his hands through his hair.
“What do you mean she took off? Where’d she go?” Aaron asked.
And then it dawned on me that it must be Jason, the bike builder Jason, and they’re talking about Gabby.
“What’s going on?” I interrupted, staring at Aaron.
“Why was she angry?” he continued, and a few more moments of quiet. “You’re sure she went back?”
Aaron hung up and looked at me, his expression filled with exasperation. “Does Gabby have a habit of taking off?”
“It has happened once or twice. Seems to run in the family. Now tell me what’s going on. Was that the Jason?” I asked.
“Yeah. It was the Jason, and for some reason, Gabby got upset with something he said and took the bike out for a joyride.”
“Oh, my God. Did she say where she was going?”
“Well, Jason thinks it was more show than go because she circled around the block a few times and landed back in the parking garage.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. That was definitely Gabby.
“I hate those things,” I muttered.
“That’s not what I wanted to hear,” he said quietly.
“Listen, I’ll give you my number, but it is only for emergency use concerning Gabby.”
The moment I spoke the words I regretted them and rather than tell him my number, he reached for my hand that was tightly squeezing my phone. Teasing the phone gently out of my fingers, he slid it on and dialed his cell.
Victory flashed in his eyes as his grin widened. “See how easy that was. Now you have mine and I have yours.”
“Does it ever get old always getting what you want?” I asked, feeling the anger stir again.
“Not yet,” he murmured. “Nice seeing you again, Brandy.”
And that was it.
I watched as he turned away and walked back into the pub. The lingering sensations pulsing through my body left me on edge, and I had no idea how I was going to get through the weekend without having him visit my dreams once again.
My insides twisted into knots as I thought about him meeting back up with the blonde or anyone else for that matter. I sulked over to Lily and smiled.
“I better take off. It sounds like Gabby’s getting a little unruly with her new motorcycle. At least that’s what Jason called Aaron about. Do you know what makes me so mad?”
“Do tell...”
“He managed to weasel my number from me.”
“The nerve.”
“Come on. You know what I mean. He’s just assuming that I’ll fall down at his feet.”
“I think that’s a fair assumption,” Lily laughed.
I rolled my eyes. “Not even. I know he went right back into the pub and picked up where he left off with the blonde. He obviously has no shortage of women in his world. He won’t miss not having me, and I certainly won’t miss the trouble. He’s far too arrogant and sure of himself. And for that alone I’ll stay far away. I don’t need another player.”
“You know what I find absolutely intriguing?”
“What?” I asked.
“For someone who left home before even graduating from high school and being hidden for ten years, he certainly has fine taste in luxury items.”
“What do you mean?”
“He was wearing a Sky Dweller.”
“A what?” I asked.
“The watch he was wearing was a Rolex, a Sky Dweller Rolex. His suit is Hugo Boss and his shoes looked to be as well. He’s got money.”
“How can you tell all that just by looking at him?”
“That’s my job. I have to know who, what, when, and why just by looking. Image is everything in PR.”
I was quiet for a few minutes as we walked down the sidewalk.
“So like how much money?”
“Those watches go for $40,000, at least.”
My mouth dropped open and I stopped walking. “What the hell has he been doing for the last ten years that would provide that kind of income?”
She turned to face me, smiling. “See? Intriguing. I don’t know, but I might snoop around when I get back to the office next week.”
“Well, regardless, it only adds to my theory about him. I’m just another figurine to add to his collectibles.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure,” she whispered, catching me off guard. There was something behind her gaze. A sadness or regret possibly? “In his mind, you’re already his. You might as well not fight it.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“The possession in his eyes when he looks at you…”
“Yeah?”
“I’ve only seen that type of look once before and that’s what it meant then, and I’m certain that’s what it means now. You belong to him.”
“I don’t belong to anyone. And when?” I asked.
“It was another lifetime ago,” she muttered, dismissing my curiosity. “But God, I miss living close to you guys. Try not to have all the fun in the world. I’d like to think of you as lonely and as screwed up as me.”
We stopped in front of the hotel she was staying at and she glanced at her phone. “Perfect timing. Mike was going to meet me for a nightcap.”
“Who?”
“You remember Mike. He graduated a year before us? He’s working in the city.”
I raised a brow. What happened to the guy from the office she was interested in?
“I don’t know who you’re talking about,” I said, laughing. “Well, tomorrow you’ll make it to my brothers’ birthday party, right?”
“It’s not like that, silly. He’s bringing his wife, who’s pregnant. And of course I’ll be there. Can’t wait to see the twins. It’s hard to believe they’re turning twenty-seven.”
“Tell me about it.”
She gave me a big hug and turned into her hotel. I looked back behind me to where the pub was and fought the urge to go see exactly how Aaron would be spending his night. I didn’t care! I was not going to turn into that person. No way.
I needed to get home to Gabby and make sure her butt was anchored to a chair and not a bike seat and find out what made her so mad. And hopefully by tomorrow, Aaron would be a distant memory as I celebrated my twin brothers’ birthdays.
If only it were so easy.
Chapter Six
I pulled into my parents’ driveway, lifted the parking brake and didn’t bother rolling up the window. The street was already lined with cars, and the red, black, and silver balloons tied to the mailbox swayed in the gentle breeze. The excitement of the barbeque was already running through the air. I heard the low bass of music coming from the backyard, bringing a smile to my lips. I was truly lucky to have such a wonderful family.
I loved the house I grew up in. It was mid-century modern and had an updated Brady Bunch quality. My parents took a lot of pride in their home and our family, for that matter. Over the years, the outdated brick had been exchanged for flagstone, and shake accents were added under the eaves. My father owned a construction business, and whenever times were slow, he worked on our home. Thinking of my father brought such a warm feeling to my heart. I never really got that fuzzy feeling when I saw Gabby and her father together. It made me feel bad for her, and that was even before any of this stuff with her brother popped up. I understood that her father threw himself into his business and that certainly made for a cushy life for his family, but I wouldn’t trade what I had for the world.
My family certainly wasn’t wealthy, especially now that I knew what that really entailed, but we never went without. Or maybe I just didn’t know what I was missing in the first place. Both of my parents were hardworking and loved what they did. My mom was an attorney, practicing in a non-profit that she founded. She worked with clients who couldn’t afford legal representation. Her foundation grew tremendously, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge just how quickly it grew once Gabby’s father contributed and highlighted it in his portfolio of non-profits to watch.
As I sat in the driver’s seat, I thought back to ho
w wonderful it was growing up with my brothers, and how devastated I would have been if either of them had left me without saying goodbye or telling me where they were going. For that reason alone, Aaron needed to become a thing of the past—just a momentary lapse of daydreaming judgment.
The front door opened and my brother, Mason, popped his head out. “Hey, how long are you going to sit in the car, sis?”
He was dressed in a loose pair of shorts and a black polo. His dark blonde hair was shaggy and his blue eyes vibrant. He worked with my father in the construction business, and as a result, his olive skin was even deeper than usual.
I swung the car door open and jumped out, leaving their birthday packages in the car.
“Hey,” I squealed.
Mason jogged to the driveway and gave me a big hug. “It’s so good to see you.”
“Where does the time go?”
“Hey now! Don’t hog my little sister,” my other brother, Ayden, yelled from the doorway. He was the oldest between the two and took full advantage of those couple of minutes. Looking identical to Mason—a fact that Ayden would argue—was where their similarities ended. While Mason was conservative, Ayden was a free spirit. And not one of those lazy, I run-with-the-wind couch surfer types, but rather, he always trusted his gut and ran on instinct, while executing his plans flawlessly. He saw an opening in the energy drink market, and leaped on it. Now he was the leading manufacturer of organic energy drinks. Not bad for a twenty-seven year old. My father used to tease him about ending up a thirty-eight year old couch surfer if he didn’t start applying himself. And, boy, did that pep talk work.
Ayden shoved Mason away from me and inserted himself into a grand bear hug.
“It’s been too long, knucklehead,” Ayden teased.
I started laughing as he let go of me. “Well, maybe if you didn’t call me knucklehead you’d see me more.”
“I can’t believe the last time we were all together was at your graduation in June,” Mason said, smiling. “You must be really busy at your new job. Or maybe you have a new guy?”
“Yes to the first and definitely no to the second. Thanks for your concern.” I glared at Mason who couldn’t help but smile.
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