“What idea?” I swallowed hard, and then my jaw dropped. “Do you think I’m going to have anal sex with you? The day I find out you’re engaged to my sister? Are you out of your mind? Did you really think I was going to let you?—”
“Liv,” he cut me off, his lips trembling.
“What?”
“I just wanted to feel your ass to see if it was as juicy and pert as I remembered.” He winked at me. “I wasn’t asking to take your anal cherry.”
“You—wait, what?” I sputtered out, my heart racing.
How had the conversation gone to sex again? Why, oh why, was he teasing me and making me feel so hot and bothered? He was the worst kind of man possible, and yet I was incredibly turned on.
“Anyway, let’s not get sidetracked.” He shook his head at me. “I’m sorry, but I didn’t come to your room for sex.”
“Say what?” I looked at him in confusion. “I never said?—”
“I came because I wanted to explain to you that this was a delicate situation. I wasn’t engaged when we made love. And I wasn’t planning on becoming engaged either. However, your sister and I have decided to get married.” He studied my face for a few seconds. “I didn’t expect to see you again.” He shook his head, and his face softened as he looked at me. “You’ve made this all very difficult.”
“What have I made difficult?”
“This arrangement between your sister and me …” He paused. “It’s delicate. It’s not a love match.”
“Then what is it?”
Bang, bang.
“Liv?” Gabby’s voice was soft. “Can I come in?”
“Just a second,” I said, hoping my voice didn’t show how panicked I felt.
“Get under the bed.” I pushed Xander down. “Now.”
“Okay.” He frowned as he got down on his knees and slithered under the bed.
“Liv?” Gabby’s voice was louder. “Can I come in?”
“Just a second,” I shouted and looked to make sure Xander’s legs and feet were hidden. I walked to the door and opened it with a big smile. “Hey, what’s up?”
“Can I come in?”
Gabby seemed hesitant, and I stared at her in surprise. My sister was never hesitant. She was beautiful, confident, and always got what she wanted. Like my Mr. Miracle Tongue.
“Uh, what do you want?”
Oh God, I couldn’t look her in the face. I needed to make eye contact with her, but I couldn’t. I was too ashamed of myself. What, oh what, was I going to do?
“Can I come in? I don’t want anyone to hear.” She pushed into the room and closed the door behind her. “What do you think of Xander?”
“Huh?” My face was hot. “Why do you ask?” Please do not ask me if his tongue has been anywhere near me. Please do not ask me if I’m jealous. Please do not ask me if I’m the worst sister on the planet. Because it turned out that I was.
“I just want your opinion.” She sighed. “I know you can read guys well.”
“I, uh, I guess.” I stared at her in shock.
Since when did she think I could read guys well? Since when did Gabby ever want my opinion? I’m not trying to be suspicious. She is my sister and I love her, but she’s never really given me the time of day and I’m surprised that she’d come to me now. However, I am the one in the wrong here, so I am not going to question her motivations.
“I haven’t known Xander long,” she said as she plays with her hair. She looks thoughtful as she studies my face and there’s something in her eyes that I can’t read. An emotion I’m not familiar with. She looks vulnerable, but also hard at the same time. She looks like she’s trying to figure something out and I still.
“Oh?” I bit my lower lip, wanting to ask her more, but I didn’t because I didn’t want Xander to think I cared to know about their relationship.
