by Toni Aleo
“He didn’t want to seem unprofessional.”
Shea nods. “James is all about being professional. He’s actually a great guy.”
“Very sweet and thoughtful.”
“Way different from the asshats you usually date,” Shea volunteers.
“I don’t know,” I say, because I know the asshats I date. I know the way they do things, and I like that. We have great sex, we have some fun, and I always know when they’re about to cheat, so it doesn’t hurt so bad. Being with someone different from my usual wouldn’t work. I wouldn’t know what to do.
“He told me, ‘Someone that stunning is someone I need to know.’”
Well, that’s very nice.
Shea glances back at me, his eyes dancing with mischief. “Well then, I think you might have to call him.”
I shake my head. “I’m not calling him. I don’t even know him.”
“More of a reason to call him.” Shea moves Jackie out of his lap and pulls out his phone.
“Don’t you dare, Shea Ryan!”
“Oh, I’m doing it,” he says, moving through his contacts.
“Shea, seriously. He can ask me out if he wants.”
“Or I can call him,” he suggests. “Since I know you won’t.”
“I will if it happens…organically.”
He shoots me a deadpan expression. “I’m gonna organically call him about getting together, and then I’m gonna organically put you in my car to meet him.”
God, he gets on my damn nerves. “No!”
“Yes.”
I fly out of my seat, but Shea is already moving, up and over the couch, much to Jackie’s shock. His laughter trails back to me as I chase him through the kitchen. I reach for an apple and chuck it at him, but he dodges it with no problem. When he trips over a basket, I reach for his phone. I almost have it, but he’s too agile and protects it with ease. He then runs into the bathroom, locking the door behind him.
It’s like we’re twelve all over again.
“You’re such a dick!”
“Hey, dude. How’s it going?”
“Ugh! I hate you, Shea!”
I roll my eyes as I go into the living room.
Jackie’s gaze is cautious. “Wow, you two are crazy.”
“Just a bit,” I say, falling back into my chair, irritated. “He’s such a jerk.”
“But oh so hot,” Jackie adds, but I roll my eyes.
She’s blinded by his package and doesn’t see how much of a dick he is. I, on the other hand, find my brother to be aggravating as hell. I don’t want to be set up. If James wants to ask me out, he can do it himself.
When Shea comes out of the bathroom, he’s grinning from ear to ear.
“Jerk face,” I call to him.
He laughs at my comment before sitting on the side of my chair. “So, James is showing some properties tonight, but he is free tomorrow. Which means, we are all going out.” I glare up at him, and he taps my nose. “You’re welcome.”
“You can stick that welcome straight up your ass.”
He taps my nose once more, his stupid face full of enthusiasm and mischief. “He’s very excited to get to know you.”
I continue to glare, but I have to admit, I’m kind of excited too.
Kind of.
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. He’ll probably be a shallow jackass who wants to put his dick in my ass.
April 2nd
James is very quiet.
All through dinner, neither of us said much. I was starving since I’d spent the afternoon getting ready and so skipped lunch. I am happy with the way I look, though. I’m in a tight black skirt and pink tank, and my boobs look great. My hair is bone straight over my shoulders. My makeup is dramatic, in shades of pink with bright-pink lips. I might look like I belong in an eighties music video, but I’m digging it. I think James is too. But I haven’t really been paying attention because I’m dying of hunger. That’s why my ribeye had no chance, and I almost asked Shea if I could have his potatoes. Since all Jackie ate was a Cobb salad with no cheese, bacon, eggs, or dressing—I could say so much—I decided against asking for my brother’s potato full of cheese, bacon, sour cream, and butter.
Instead, I listened as Shea and Jackie went on and on with each other. They never stopped, both sharing stores about James and me but never allowing us to comment. They just kept talking, almost as if it was a contest. It was so stupid, and while I stuffed my face, James didn’t say much, but he listened intently and smiled. A nice smile. Not overly large like Shea’s or even Jackie’s but a nice one. It makes his eyes shine. And in a nice blue suit, he looks even dreamier than he did the last time I saw him.
I sort of feel as if he didn’t want to get to know me. Which is fine, I guess. I got a free ribeye, and I get to be over-the-top pretty for a night. Plus, even though Shea and Jackie are annoying, I still find myself laughing. They’re a good time, but I can’t help but feel like Shea is holding back. Jackie is basically humping him and begging him to love her, but she has no chance. She isn’t his soul mate. Nor is James for me.
Which is okay. It isn’t the first time one of my dates has been a bust.
I wasn’t too keen on going to a nightclub. I figured dinner was enough, but when everyone decided to take the party elsewhere, I went with it. Mostly because I figured I’d sleep better with some alcohol in my system. Plus, maybe James will talk to me. I don’t know why I care or if I even want him to talk to me. I’m getting mixed signals because, while he doesn’t talk, his eyes always find mine and trap me in a heated embrace. It’s weird but also intriguing. Maybe this is all in my head. Maybe I’ve decided this guy doesn’t like me and I’m jumping on the defense. Seems like something I’d do.
When we enter the club, Shea disappears on the dance floor with Jackie.
James looks to me shyly, almost in a boyish way, and the side of his mouth quirks. “Do you wanna dance? Or get a drink?”
I shrug, noncommittal. “I think I want to drink.”
“Me too. I want to get to know each other, since dinner was the Shea and Jackie Show.” When he takes my hand, his fingers lock with mine, and a slow grin moves over his face. “And let’s be honest, I give that another week or two before Shea gets bored.”
I grin. “You think?”
“I know,” he says with a wink. My stomach clenches, but before I can even enjoy the feeling, he is pulling me with him. We reach the VIP area before I even realize it, and I fully expect James to flash the guy some money. He doesn’t, yet the rope opens. He guides me in with a nod to the bouncer before taking me to a spot in the corner. I sit down as he takes out his phone, typing on it vigorously. “I’m texting Shea so he knows I’m in my spot.”
“Your spot?”
“I sold this place and got the owner one hell of a deal, so he takes good care of me.” Oh. I watch as he orders wine for us from a waitress who has appeared before tucking his phone back into his pocket. He then takes his coat off, laying it across the back of the couch before sitting down beside me. “So.”
I give him a small smile as I lean back in the couch, my eyes on his. “So.”
“So…” he draws out, though his eyes are playful. “Jackie is exhausting, huh?”
I snort. “A bit.”
“That’s why they won’t last. She’s too in his face. He needs someone who will complement him, someone he can protect, someone kind and sweet. Not someone over the top.”
My mouth parts a bit in surprise. “That’s what I think.”
“Well, you’re his twin. You know him better than I do, but I take pride in our friendship.”
“How long have you known him?”
James smiles. “Just about six months. I sold him his place, and we became fast friends. He sucks at golf.”
My face breaks into a grin. “He says he’s good.”
“He’s a liar.”
“He is,” I agree, recrossing my legs, my black high heel dangling off my foot. I see his eyes sho
ot to where my shoe is hanging before he looks back up at me. I should take in my surroundings, the vibrating music, the lights, and all the people, but when it’s just James and me, I don’t want to look at anything else but him.
“I have a confession.”
My grin grows. I love his eyes. They’re so playful but serious. “Do you?”
“I do,” he says and then leans in, his eyes dancing. “When Shea and I became friends, I remember seeing a picture he kept in his wallet of the two of you. I said you were the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. And if I ever got the chance to meet you, I would take you out.”
I raise a brow at that. “Yet my brother had to set this up.”
His grin grows. “You do realize you’re sort of intimidating?”
“Me? No!”
“Yes. And I thought telling you the truth, that you were way more qualified than chain-smoking Mandy, would tickle your pickle, but you looked at me stone-faced. You make me nervous.”
I snort with laughter. “You’re insane. Me?”
“You,” he says slowly. “So, yes, your brother set this up. But he won’t set up our next date.”
I blink slowly, my lashes kissing my cheeks. My face hurts from grinning at him. “Who said anything about another date?”
He laughs loudly. “See? You’re busting my chops!”
Our wine comes, and just as it flows, so does our conversation.
“I’ve heard stories of your family—small but loud.”
I smile, missing my mom and dad. “My dad is loud, which makes Shea louder, and then, of course, me by default. Mom is sweet and over the top with her love. Basically, the best mom ever.”
He smiles against his wineglass.
“I miss them greatly. Boston too.”
“Will you go back?”
I shake my head. “I don’t think so. I like it here, and Shea is here.”
He smiles again. “You two are very close.”
“We are.”
“That’s nice. I wish I had that.”
My heart flutters before I swallow hard. “Your parents passed, yes?”
He doesn’t look sad as he nods. “Yes, when I was about six. My grandparents raised me.”
That sobers me up a bit. “I’m very sorry.”
He sends me a soft wink. “Thank you.”
“Any siblings?”
“Nope, my brother died in the car crash too. They were on their way to pick me up from a sleepover.”
My heart aches for the young boy he was. To carry that kind of guilt has to be suffocating.
“I’m okay. Loads of therapy, don’t worry. Don’t get me wrong, I miss them and all, but I don’t blame myself anymore.”
“That had to be tough.”
“Sucked, and I was a bad kid, lots of behavior issues.”
“Seems fair to assume that would happen.”
He shrugs, and his boyish grin makes my heart pitter-patter. “But then I turned into a good teenager. I decided I wanted to make them proud, so I followed in my grandfather’s footsteps and joined his firm. He died when I was twenty, and I inherited everything. So I knew I had to be a great adult. My grandma was very adamant about that. She wanted me to know I had a legacy to uphold. When I lost her, I decided I had no other choice than to be the adult they wanted me to be. To make them proud.”
“So you have no family?”
He shrugs, and I see a bit of sadness in his eyes. “I don’t. I have some cousins who only call when they need money. But for the most part, it’s just me and my firm.”
“Wow. I can’t imagine.”
“I don’t recommend it,” he laughs, but then he shrugs. “But I’m working hard and making sure I am building my future. I work, I try to be kind, I go to church on Sundays, and I happen to think I’m hilarious.”
I smile. “You’re all right.”
He grins. “Which means I’m basically husband material.”
I snort. “You’re insane.”
“Just saying.”
My face warms as I smile against my glass. I must be drunk because I don’t think he’s wrong. Not that I think I’ll marry this guy. That’s crazy. I’m too young for that. But he would be a good marrying type. We share a long look, my body sizzling as I gaze into his eyes.
“How old are you?”
“Twenty-nine.”
I slowly nod. “You’re six years older than me.”
“Oh? You have an age rule?”
“I don’t do more than five.”
His eyes burn into mine. “Can you make an exception?”
I take in a deep breath, my whole body catching on fire. “I think I can.”
“Well, you two look cozy.”
I glance at Shea, who has Jackie leaning into him and a huge, “I’m about to have loads of sex” smile on his face. The fact that I know his sex face should send me to therapy, but instead, I say, “We are. What’s up?”
I feel James’s eyes move over my body as Shea grins down at me. His gaze then shifts to James. “We’re gonna head out. Bro, you think you can take my sister home?”
James is nodding before Shea even finishes his sentence, but I say, “I can get a cab.”
“No way. Cabs aren’t safe,” James says with a shake of his head. “I’ll take you.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want to trouble you.”
“You’re absolutely no trouble at all.” His eyes are dark and all-consuming, leaving me breathless as Shea nods, that stupid grin still occupying his face. “Awesome. I’ll be home late—”
“You aren’t staying?” All eyes go to Jackie as she glares, hurt. “You can stay.”
“No, I’ll go back home.” Shea pulls his gaze from her visibly upset one and looks at me. “Text me when you get home.”
“I will,” I say, and then he holds his hand out to James.
“Take care of her.”
“Will do.”
Shea and Jackie walk away, but she is no longer leaning against him.
I groan. “Ugh. He’s already pulling away.”
James quirks his brow. “What’s wrong with that?”
“She’s gonna fire me the moment he does.”
“Ah. Yeah, I can see that.”
“And I need more time to learn so I can be more marketable.”
James’s hand slides into mine, and our gazes meet. “I think you’re more than marketable. Delectable, actually.”
I try to hold back my laughter, but it doesn’t work. His face breaks into a grin as I lean back into the couch, though my hand stays in his. “Pretty sure I can’t get hired by an event planning company just for being delectable.”
“Shit… I’ll start one just to hire you.”
We share a small smile before I finish off my wine, but when I reach for the bottle, it’s empty. I give him a sideways glance. “We’re out.”
“Blimey! This waitress is not getting a tip,” he says playfully, but he does look for the waitress. I don’t know why I find it hot that he just said blimey, but I do. I actually find a lot about him extremely hot. I move my hand to the inside of his thigh, and he snaps his gaze back to mine. Soon, every part of me is burning hot, and I want nothing more than to go home with him. By the look in his eyes, I think he feels the same.
“I have wine back at my place,” I propose in a very suggestive tone.
He swallows visibly. “Is it a fancy Cab? ’Cause I’m a classy bitch.”
I try once more to hold in my amusement, but I can’t. I snort with laughter as I fall into him. His arms gather me against him, and I inhale deeply. He smells absolutely divine. I tilt my head back to look at him, and his eyes are burning into mine. I can feel his heart pounding against his chest, and this look of adoration is shining in his eyes. That should scare me away, should tell me to get the hell out of here.
Instead, I press my lips to his, and when his mouth opens ever so slightly, I don’t stop myself. I don’t think I could if I wanted to. It’s another warning sign to ge
t the hell out of here, but instead, I grip his neck with my fingers as our kiss deepens.
I might be in a bit of trouble here.
April 3rd
I don’t know if it’s the car ride or the way James drives or what, but by the time we reach the condo, I’m nauseated as all hell.
“You ate, so I don’t understand,” James says softly as he helps me out of his fancy BMW. “My driving isn’t that bad. Oh wait… Are you a lush?”
I groan, holding my stomach as bile tickles the back of my throat. “Don’t make me laugh.”
He gives me a grimace as he takes my hand in one of his and then presses his other to the small of my back. I lean into him, closing my eyes as we slowly make it up the stairs. “I don’t know what’s wrong.”
“We did finish off three bottles of wine. You drank the last one by yourself.”
“Ugh, so I’m super drunk. You were supposed to take care of me,” I accuse. His hand tightens on mine, and I lean my face into his neck.
“I thought you could handle your wine, you lushy lush, you,” he teases, kissing my forehead. His lips are so warm, so sweet and inviting. I want more, so I go for his mouth, but then my stomach clenches and everything spins.
“Oh shit.”
I move past him, and soon I’m puking my brains out over the railing. Everything is moving, and my head is pounding. I feel James come up behind me. He gathers my hair up, wrapping it around his hand as he slowly rubs my back. He whispers something; I can’t hear him over my loud, gorilla-like puking, but I feel safe. I lean back into him, and his other arm comes around my waist as he holds me. I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand, taking a deep breath in before looking over my shoulder at him.
“James.”
“Yeah?”
“I think I am a lushy lush.”
He grins before he kisses my temple, his lips lingering as I take in deep breaths. “You’re the prettiest lushy lush I’ve ever met.”
“At least I’m winning there,” I groan as I draw in a breath through my nose, my stomach turning. “After I get this all out—and I brush my teeth—I don’t want you to leave.”
I feel his grin against my cheek. “I’m not going anywhere.”