“Don’t catastrophize,” chided Nori.
Nori was right. He loved her. He did. This was just his control-freak side coming out again, like it had when she’d threatened to leave him behind. Her chin lifted, and finally, she spoke. “Whatever you think is best,” she said in a level voice. It was the best she could do. “Now, come see the mirror from my side. You can put your things in my bureau.” She took his hand and led the way.
Inside the dressing room, Brayden set his bag aside and peered through the gilded mirror. “This is surreal.”
“I had the same reaction in your dad’s office.” Scarlett wondered how often she and Manon could continue to use this mirror—then she caught sight of the door to Manon’s room.Which was now Beni’s room. “I’m going to check on Beni. His room is on the other side of this door. The bathroom’s through there, if you want to freshen up or anything.”
He stared at her, concern written all over his face. But all he said was “Thanks.”
She rapped on Beni’s door.
“Come in!”
Manon’s peony scent hit her as she walked into her grandmother’s old room. Beni was at the desk plugging in his laptop. Manon’s floral duvet and sheets lay on the floor in a heap, and Beni’s bedding was wadded up on top of the mattress.
Scarlett went to the closest window and opened it, letting in fresh air. “We can fix this room up so it’s more you. I’ll phone a shipping company tomorrow and have them come get Manon’s stuff out of here, and then we can go shopping for some new stuff, if you like.”
“Sounds good,” he said, not turning toward her.
Scarlett picked up the sheets and started making his bed. After his duvet was spread smoothly over his sheets, she went to stand next to him at his desk. “Are you okay?”
“Like I said on the train, it’sstrangeto be back here after everything that happened. I’m afraid of her, and I’m afraid for you. I don’t want to pretend everything is fine.”
“You and I don’t have to pretend anything between us,” said Scarlett. “Brayden too. This won’t last forever. We just need to keep things calm until we’re more in control.” She looked him up and down. He’d grown taller this summer. Had it been while she was in bed, asleep? Or was it that Clair de Lune had changed him as much as it had changed her?
He stared up at her, looking reproachful. “I hope she’s out of here soon.”
“She will be.” Scarlett tried to sound confident, but she was remembering how Laylani had watched Beni walk into the housewith that calculating look on her face. That expression had made her fear for her brother in a new way, and she couldn’t unsee it. “And we’ll get live-in security soon. Like, tomorrow, if possible. Is there anything else I can do to put you at ease?”
“Can’t we go stay somewhere else?” His breathing quickened.
Scarlett leaned down and gave him a hug, trying to soothe him before he got any more anxious. “If we leave, it’ll be harder to take back our home. Plus, Laylani will probably start rumors to try to discredit us if we do anything unusual.” She let her hands fall to her sides and straightened.
He studied the desk. “You’re probably right.” But he clearly didn’t agree.
Scarlett continued. “She can’t say anything if we’re pretending everything’s fine. You’re my heir and my baby brother—I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t think it was for the best. Soon we’ll kick Laylani out and live here by ourselves.” She reached down and patted his back. “I love you, Beni.”
“I love you too,” he said. But he still looked worried.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-FIVE
The next morning Scarlett woke up to Brayden’s muscular form sprawled in an armchair near her bed. The dim light filling her room told her it was early morning, but his brown eyes were alert and fixed on her. Her bed was so empty, and she ached for his body to be curled around hers. Why was he so far away?
Last night, as they’d been getting ready for bed, she’d expressed her exasperation when he’d taken a pillow to the couch. She’d hoped he’d change his mind about sleeping separately, but he hadn’t.
“Get in the bed, you idiot” were the exact words she’d uttered. With a wicked smile, he’d obeyed and immediately peppered her with kisses. She’d thought she’d won when he slid her pajama bottoms off, but after giving her a soul-shattering orgasm with his mouth, he’d gone right back to the couch before she could even begin to return the favor.
“That should help you sleep,” he’d said smugly. And as she’d closed her eyes, he’d stayed awake, watching her.
Now, in the morning light, she looked at him longingly while he stared back, and the corners of his mouth turned up.
“Youdidsleep, didn’t you?” she asked, her voice raspy.
He chuckled. “I got enough. My valor helps me regenerate with less sleep than the average person, so I don’t need as much as you.”
Interesting.Scarlett was jealous ofthatperk. “Were you watching me sleep?”
