He opens a door and flicks a light switch on. We step in, then he makes sure I’m looking at him. “Jacinta Summers, you are the center of attention wherever you go. Surely having the attention of five men is no different,” he jokes, but when he sees my frown, his smile slips.
“That never means anything. This is different, very different, and I don’t know where I stand. With the paparazzi, it’s easy. I know what they want and how to act. Here, I’m at a loss.”
I can’t believe how easily I bared my soul to this man. The words just flowed out, and I see when he finally comprehends.
“I’m sorry about inviting Cole. It didn’t occur to me that you two might not be friends. Cole’s a great guy, and I thought it would be nice for us to catch up. But I also messed up because this was supposed to be about us convincing you to consider taking our friendship further. Him being here messes with that. So let’s put that aside and have a meal between friends—no pressure. I’ll give you five minutes, and if you don’t come back out, I’ll send Alex to get you,” he threatens with a smile, and I quickly agree. I like the way he takes control of the situation. Having even one less decision to make feels like so much more has been removed from my shoulders.
He comes closer and kisses me gently, like they’re trying to get me used to the affection, and I’m not going to complain. “My bathroom is just through there. Help yourself to anything you need, then come back out and join us.”
When he pulls the door closed, I look around the room. It’s a large bedroom done in gray, black, and white with a huge bed in the middle. On the wall are photographs in black frames, and it smells just like Shane. It’s neat and tidy and exactly what I thought his bedroom would look like, but the mirror on the ceiling has me pausing. I can just imagine what it looks like to see the three of them rolling around on this bed and what it might look like with me included.
Shaking off that thought, I push through a door, hoping it’s the bathroom and not a closet. Thankfully, I got it right. Much like the bedroom, this is decorated in silver, black, and white. A large shower dominates one corner with a separate toilet and a large vanity. I study myself in the mirror. I’m still not thrilled with what I see, which seems to be happening a lot these days. Guarded, tired eyes stare back at me. Just one day at the office, dealing with all the press, is enough to exhaust me. I’m so glad I’m back home again tomorrow.
“Come on, Jacinta, get your game face on. You can do this. A little flirting and conversation with some sexy men, no pressure. Just be yourself. They’re your friends first and foremost, and that is the most important thing. Real friends who want nothing from you.”
My gaze slides to my handbag with the knowledge that the little baggie of coke is in the bottom if I need it, but I don’t reach for it. Instead, I grab a face cloth out of the cabinet and run the hot water. Running it underneath, I proceed to take all of the makeup off my face. Next, I pull out my sleek pony and finger comb my long dark hair before sticking it up in a messy bun, sighing as the pressure on my skull is relieved. Bending down, I tackle the straps of my shoes, removing both of those. There’s nothing I can do about the rest of my clothes, but maybe I can find a pair of sweats in Shane’s drawers. So I leave the bathroom, my shoes hanging off a finger. Dumping them on the floor, I try the other door and step into the closet soaked in Shane’s signature fragrance. I’m not sure what it is, but it’s sexy and heady, and I sway at the smell of it, breathing deeply. I rustle around in a few drawers before I dig out a T-shirt and a pair of sweats with a tie in the front. Going back into the bedroom, I strip off my pencil skirt and top, as well as my bra, leaving me in just my panties. I quickly replace my clothes with his before adding socks as well. It’s all way too big, but I feel more comfortable than I have in weeks.
I can’t put it off anymore. I have to head back out there, so I place all of my things neatly on Shane’s bed, not wanting to forget them later. Smiling to myself, I head back out, wondering how they’re going to react. The rumbling voices of the five men roll down the corridor as I walk back to them. The sound of their laughter is actually comforting, and it brings back some of my confidence.
“Sorry I took so long. I decided to take you up on the offer of getting comfortable. Those clothes are pretty and all, but not good for relaxing,” I announce as I step back into the large living area. All sound stops as the five men turn their attention to me, and I can see some degree of heat in their eyes.
“Well, I’ve got to say Shane’s clothes look better on you than on him.” Alex breaks the silent tension and gestures to a spare seat at the table. “Come sit down and tell me what you think of my cooking. I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I made a couple of dishes. I called Mrs. Heyton to get the recipe for your favorite mac and cheese, and I made my special lasagna.”
It’s only then that I take in the smells of the room and how delicious everything looks. “You did that for me?” I ask, incredibly touched at the effort he’s gone to.
“Of course I did,” he whispers in my ear as I take a seat on the chair he’s holding out. “I’m trying to woo you.”
A shiver runs down my back, and goosebumps erupt over my skin as the noise at the table picks up again, with drinks being shared and food being passed around. I moan when the first taste of Alex’s food hits my tongue, bringing the table to silence once more, but Jace laughs and breaks the tension.
“Wow, that sounds pretty good. I can’t wait to taste it.” The words are laden with sexual innuendo, but I don’t care. I’m starving, so I dig in as the conversation flows around me.
ChapterSeventeen
Jacinta
Dinner was amazing. It was like the six of us had been friends for years instead of some of us only having known each other for hours. The conversation and wine flowed, and everything was easy. Even Cole put his asshole behavior on the back burner.
“Oh my god, that feels so good.” I groan as Jace’s thumb digs into the arch of my foot. After dinner, we adjourned to the living room, where the drinks had continued, and we talked about all sorts of things—Shane’s upcoming exhibition and Jace’s debut show as well as the renovations I’ve been assisting with at Willow Castle.
“I, for one, have no idea why you shove your feet into torture devices like that every day.” Riku has his arms stretched out on either side of him, looking relaxed. He hasn’t touched a drop of alcohol, but he reminds me of Harlow’s panther Nyx when she’s lying in the sun. Watchful and alert but enjoying his surroundings.
“Because they make her ass look amazing… Not that it’s not amazing without them,” Alex tells him, grinning.
“I certainly don’t miss them when I’m at home, that’s for sure. I can’t wait to get back into my chucks. Declan arranged for all the old Romanian books to be collected from their library, and they’re coming to get them tomorrow. I need to be there to supervise. Harlow will be working in the zoo, and the guys will be in the office, so we better get moving. I need to get some sleep if I want to be a fully functioning adult tomorrow.”
I tug my foot out of Jace’s hand, and he reluctantly lets me go, his fingertips trailing along my foot. “Why don’t you just stay here tonight?”
“Thank you, but we should get going. It’s late, and Riku still needs to drive us back to the hotel and then home in the morning.”
“I thought you and I were going to get together and talk about the appearances I have you scheduled for.” Cole leans forward in his seat, frowning, and I feel a little guilty about it now that we’ve been civil to each other all evening.
“Sorry, I must have mixed up my days when I looked at my calendar. Can we do it over the phone? I’ll call you after the book people leave.” I give the peace offering, hoping he’ll take it.
He gives me a quick nod, but he stays where he is on the sofa as the other four get up.
“I just need to grab my things from Shane’s room,” I tell Riku, who makes a move to help Alex and Jace tidy up.
I’m just gathering up my clothes, procrastinating on changing, when the door opens behind me. Alex and Shane slip in.
