I looked away from him, and I saw that Alice was grinning from ear to ear instead of glaring at him, like I was. Why was she being such a traitor? How could she be smiling, knowing what sort of man Xander was? Or more importantly, knowing how he had dissed me? I was still feeling the burn of his rejection.
“Who are you?” Aiden turned toward Xander with a disapproving look in his eyes, and then he looked at Alice. “Is this a friend of yours?”
“No,” Alice squeaked out.
I stared at Aiden’s face carefully. Had he smiled when she said no? My mind was racing as I gazed at my brother. Did he have a thing for Alice as well?
“Oh, okay.” He made a face. “I was about to say, you really need to stop being a bad influence on my sister.”
“Aiden,” I shouted at him, horrified at his words. I guessed I was wrong. Maybe I’d imagined the smile. “Stop being so rude.”
“It’s okay, Liv,” Xander said. “I don’t need you to fight my battles.” He smiled at me with a twinkle in his eye and turned to Aiden. “I’m Xander. Xander James. I’m your sister’s fiancé.”
“What?” It was Scott’s turn to be shocked. “Liv, you didn’t even tell me.”
“Is this true, Liv?” Aiden turned to me with a frown.
“I, uh … no.” I shook my head, my face red. “He’s not talking about me. I don’t even know him. I haven’t even, uh, kissed him, let alone, uh, slept with him,” I stammered, my face bright red as I kept rambling on. “I wouldn’t get engaged to Xander even if he paid me,” I finished, and I could see that both of my brothers were staring at me in confusion as Alice made a face at me.
“I guess I didn’t make much of an impression on you then.” Xander’s voice cut the silence, and then he laughed. “I’m Gabby’s fiancé,” he said simply and smiled. “I assume you two are her brothers?”
“Yes.” Aiden spoke up and stepped forward. “I’m Aiden, the eldest. This is Scott. That’s my sister Liv and her best friend, Alice. And our brother Chett hasn’t arrived home yet.” He looked Xander up and down and frowned slightly. “And you’re marrying Gabby?”
“Yes.” Xander nodded. “I think she’s still in bed.”
“Sounds about right.” Scott scoffed. “It isn’t noon yet.”
“Scott.” I rolled my eyes at him and giggled.
“You know Queen Gabby doesn’t arise before she has to.” Scott grinned at me, and we giggled.
We both felt the same way about Gabby, and that was just another reason why he was my favorite brother.
“Are you two still harping on about Gabby?” Aiden sighed and shook his head.
“Why shouldn’t we?” Scott squared his shoulders and confronted Aiden. “You might be the oldest, but you’re not the boss of us all, Aiden. We’re not kids anymore.”
“Then stop acting like one.” Aiden looked at Xander. “Sorry about Liv and Scott. They’re both rude, and I don’t think that will ever change.”
“That’s okay.” Xander laughed. “I have a younger brother, and I know what it’s like, dealing with impertinence.”
“Ooh, I have to go and see if Henry is up as well,” I said sweetly, my stomach churning in anger at Aiden and Xander. “I should see if there is anything I can do for him.”
Xander’s eyes narrowed as he gazed at me, and his expression changed to one of annoyance.
“Henry is fine,” he said shortly.
“I’m sure he is, but it doesn’t hurt to check and see if he needs a helping hand.” I smiled again, and I could see Alice giggling from the corner of my eye. “I want to make sure all his needs are taken care of.”
“What are you talking about, Liv?” Aiden frowned at me.
“Nothing to worry your sweet head about.” I turned and smiled at him. “Excuse me, folks. I need to go and perform one of my womanly duties.”
I brushed past Xander, and I heard his sharp intake of breath as my breasts rubbed against his upper arm. My nipples tingled at the touch, but I made sure not to react. I hurried out of the room and down the corridor with a small smile on my face.
That would teach Xander. He wanted to act like he was some hotshot and better than me. Well, forget him. I didn’t want him, need him, or care about him. He could have Gabby and deal withher crap. I didn’t care if she spent all of his money and then left him when he was broke. It would serve him right.
I was fuming by the time I reached the end of the corridor, just thinking about Xander. How dare he barge into my room and then say I was impertinent?! I could have wiped that smug smile off of his face if I’d told my brothers that I’d fucked him last weekend. I could just imagine the shock on all of their faces. Aiden would probably kill me, and Scott would laugh. I should have told them everything. That would teach him to mess around with me.
