And deep down, I know James and I could never have a meaningless fling.
With him, it’s different.He’sdifferent.
If I let this happen, there’s no turning back.
Oh, for fuck’s sake, who am I kidding?
“I’m going over there,” I state with as much confidence as I can muster.
Gemma hollers and hoots. “Yeah, you are, you dirty slag!” She pauses, then waves her hand in front of me. “But first, you need to sort outthissituation. Go shower, freshen up, clean the minge and—oh!—don’t forget to wear sexy underwear.” She winks.
“Right.” I nod. Before I know it, I’m on my feet, heading to the bathroom. I remove my make-up and jump in the shower for a quick rinse and shave before slipping into something casual and comfortable—a cute, grey lounge set made of soft fabric that drapes over my figure. I pull on a pair of trainers, and sweep my hair into a high ponytail, keeping it neatly out of my face. Underneath, I wear my most seductive black lace bra and thong set.
Before heading out, I spritz some perfume. The rich, sultry scent wraps around me with hints of vanilla and amber. I head downstairs to check on Gemma, ensuring she’s settled before I leave.
As I expected, she’s already fast asleep on the couch.
I gently drape a soft blanket over her, then lean down to plant a tender kiss on Basil’s head.
With a final glance, I pull up the Uber app.
This is happening.
I’m going to sleep with the other brother.
Chapter 25
James
I’m wrecked by the time I’ve hauled my gear inside. My muscles scream at me. I’ve been working on a large-scale development in Canary Wharf, and the days have been gruelling.
I manage a weary wave to the lads as they head off down the street, the music from the speakers fading into the night. Regardless of how exhausted I am after a gig, I always have a difficult time sleeping. My ears ring and adrenaline continues to course through my veins long after we finish playing. I’m also fucking ravenous. My stomach gurgles loudly at the mere thought of food, but I decide to freshen up before settling in for the night.
I head straight for the shower, stripping my sweaty top as I go.
As I step under the warm spray and lather up, my mind drifts to the auburn-haired beauty who’s invaded my thoughts for months.
I close my eyes, letting the water beat down on me, and think about the way her body pressed against mine as she pulled up on her tiptoes to kiss me. Her sweet perfume lingers in my senses, I can almost taste it. I think of her plump, glossy lips and the waythey barely brushed against mine, her sweet taste leaving me wanting more. God,this woman.I can’t help but ache to finish what we started.
The way Tom barged in made my blood boil—I could’ve throttled him right then and there. The urge to pull her back in and claim her lips was almost unbearable the moment she stepped away. She was going to kiss me. And God help me, I would’ve met her halfway without hesitation. Was she as disappointed as I was?
I have to know what was going through her head. Or am I the only one who can’t seem to let it go?
I reach for a towel, scrubbing myself dry with exaggerated force. I pull on a pair of joggers and a black jumper before heading to the lounge, grabbing my phone and flopping onto the sofa. Opening our text thread, I start typing before I have time to overthink it, my thumbs tapping quickly over the screen. I keep it simple and honest, reading the message back once before hitting send.
Me:I can’t stop thinking about how badly I want that kiss.
I drop the phone beside me and lean back, running my fingers through my damp hair.
There.
It’s sent.
I’ve put it out there, now it’s her move.
I haven’t felt this uneasy about a woman since Abigail.
I don’t usually send messages at this hour, especially not over a simple almost-kiss. My usual approach is straightforward—quick texts for a quick fuck. No strings attached—we each take our pleasure, then go our separate ways. So, what the hell is going on with me? April isn’t someone you treat like a casual hookup. Iknowthis. She’s the kind of woman you take seriously, the kind of woman you date and build something lasting with.She’s smart, interesting, loving, kind, and loyal. She’s got a depth that goes way beyond casual.
