Riven nodded. “You said Christmas dinner was family only.”
“But Sylvik—”is family. Luckily, I clamped my lips closed on the words and hid my embarrassment by leading them inside. “Tarkhan and Sami are out back, fiddling with the grill, and Mom?—”
“Is wrapping some last-minute presents!” my mother called from her bedroom. “Don’t come in here.”
Riven snorted. “Like I was going to go barging in there. Come on,dkaar.” She jerked her chin toward kitchen, and Abydos obediently followed.
Grateful for an excuse to escape, I hurried to the living room, where earlier I’d set up an appetizer, dessert, and drink table beside the large Christmas tree. The one I’d knocked over on top of Sylvik.
Sylvik is family.
He wasn’t going to be here for Christmas dinner, and I was surprised by how hollow that made me feel. Guilty, almost. I wanted him here, and didn’t want to think of him spending the day alone. But my mother had made it clear she wanted this dinner to be just for her babies, and she wouldn’t think Sylvik was family.
Pressing my lips together, I slid the wine into the silver ice bucket. He called medkaar. Last night, when he made me come not once, but twice. And then when he’d begun to move that deliciously ribbed cock in and out of me, I’d felt my arousal spike again and realized I was well on my way to my third orgasm…before we were interrupted.
I tipped my head back to look up at the top of the tree, not really seeing it, or the wine bottle I was arranging and rearranging in the bucket.
On the night of the solstice, I’d been the one to stop our kiss. But last night, despite the cold, despite the discomfort, I’d wanted him.Allof him.
And he’d wanted me.
He wasn’t as in control as I’d seen him in the past, no, but…he was still Sylvik, and he’d wanted me. This hadn’t been the heat of the moment, or being caught up in the chase. He’d wantedme.
Even with all my messy chaos, he’d wanted me. He’dpraisedme.
I remembered the look of ecstasy on his face as he’d drawn his fingers—the fingers which had beeninsideme—into his mouth, and I had to press my thighs together to capture that sweet throbbing.
When my phone buzzed in my pocket, I jumped and fumbled for my butt in excitement. But it wasn’t Sylvik texting me to tell me he was on his way.
It was Ethan.
I’mtired of you leaving me on read, so I’m taking action.
Check your email. I bought you a ticket back out here, the plane leaves tomorrow morning. Don’t worry about scrambling to pack because I didn’t bother paying for a checked bag. That’s right, Brooke-bear! My Christmas present to you is buying you a whole new wardrobe when you get back out here, so you can look as polished and smooth as possible in front of our new clients!
You’re welcome.
Look, I know that you know that you’re NOT going to be happy out there in that creepy little town. Your dream is out here in L.A., Brooke-bear, and I’m going to make it happen. Once you clinch this deal for this wedding, I’m willing to give you SIXTY percent of the profits. You know that’s a big fucking deal, right?
I’m sending a driver to pick you up tomorrow. I’ll see you soon, and can’t wait to kiss you again, once you’re looking the part of a successful wedding planner to the stars.
All of myearlier joy had been chased aside by the empty pit in my stomach.
Ethan…sounded sosure. Smug, yeah, but… I mean, he was right; Ididlike my job in L.A.. But not necessarily with him.
No. Frowning, I swiped the message away.Definitelynot with him. Not with a guy who thought taking me out todinner was a special treat, or who tried to manipulate me with praise, or who thought I was going to forgo my sister’s wedding to be back in California by the 31st.
But he was offering me another chance at my dream. The celebrity who wanted to hire me? He was a big shot, and if I did his wedding, I would be a guarantee for the rest of the big Hollywood weddings.
It wouldn’t be you. It would beWish Upton a Starr.It wouldn’t be Brooke Starr’s event, it would be Ethan Upton’s. Could you live with that to achieve your dream?
“Brooke, honey, come help me bring in the gifts!”
Mom’s call shook me out of my quandary. I sighed and shoved my phone back into my pocket. There was so much I loved about Eastshore, and last night—realizing Sylvikdidwant me—made this place even more appealing.
But the Brooke of a few months ago, the Brooke who had sobbed at the thought of losing the business she’d worked so hard to build…she would’ve jumped on what Ethan was offering, wouldn’t she?
“Brooke!”
