Sasha’s about to marry the man of her dreams. They’ve built a huge extension at the castle and are making millions catering for Ireland’s biggest celebrities. Hopefully they’ll fill the place with babies one day too. Sasha will make a fabulous mother. She’s had plenty of practice raising our kid sister, Victoria, who turns eighteen in a matter of weeks.
‘Are you planning on changing?’ Sasha gestures to my jeans.
‘Give me five minutes.’ I nod towards the enormous bathroom. ‘Is your suite the same as this?’
‘Embarrassingly, it’s even bigger.’ She struts towards the minibar and retrieves two miniature bottles of Moet and a couple of glasses. ‘We may as well have a little apéritif while you get ready.’ She shrugs with a lopsided smile.
Grateful I don’t need to wash my hair after yesterday’s blow dry, I take the quickest shower of my life before joining Sasha on the queen-sized bed for a sisterly catch up.
‘So, are things still running dry in the desert?’ She smirks, nodding at the towel wrapped around my nether regions, which I’ve waxed to within an inch of their life at Ruby’s insistence, just in case.
‘Huh! I’ve been too busy working on your fiancé’s tour for anything else.’
I normally share everything with my big sister, but I feel weird admitting to shagging her brother-in-law. Apart from the fact she warned me off him, it feels borderline incestuous. The last thing I need is a lecture on how we’re about to be family. I’m all too aware.
‘You know Ryan has about fifteen burly, hot security guards here, plenty of choice for some Aussie action over the next few days.’
From the way Jayden looked at me earlier, it’ll be a miracle if I escape without any Aussie action. It just won’t be from one of the bodyguards.
When we arrive at the restaurant, Jayden and Ryan are deep in conversation. They’re tucked away from the main restaurant in a private booth in a cosy corner overlooking the twinkling harbour lights below. Through the twilight, it’s breathtaking.
My stomach flips. The glass of champagne earlier has done nothing to ease the nervous energy thrumming through my core.
What if Sasha and Ryan guess that there’s something going on between me and Jayden?
What if he touches me inappropriately?
What if hedoesn’ttouch me inappropriately?
Shit, this is exactly what I was worried about. I ping the elastic band on my wrist, trying to snap some sense into myself.
Jayden’s head whips round as I approach. He pats the seat, encouraging me to sit next to him. As if I have any other choice.
Hungry eyes rake over the white chiffon dress that clings to every curve of my body. I bought it weeks ago, specifically with Jayden in mind. Is it so wrong that I want him to find me attractive?
Sasha orders a magnum of champagne the second the waitress approaches us.
‘Chloe, you look positively delectable.’ A wicked grin rips across Jayden’s face. Is the same scene flashing through his mind, when he went down on me alfresco by my pool?
Of course it is. Energy pulses between us. An explosive energy like a grenade ready to blow.
‘In your dreams, Cooper.’
‘No, in yours, Sexton.’ His tongue darts over his lip and I force myself to look away.
He’s not wrong.
My sister fawns all over Ryan in an embarrassing over the top public display of affection. Yuck. Jayden could probably eat me out on the table right now and they wouldn’t even notice. They’re so completely into each other, it’s sickening.
But underneath my crisp tailored dress suits, isn’t that exactly what I’ve always secretly longed for? A man who’s so smitten with me that the rest of the world could spontaneously combust and he wouldn’t even notice. That’s not something I could ever even admit to wanting until now.
One day, I want to meet someone who will love me so hard that maybe, eventually, that hole pressing against my chest will close for good.
One day. I might not be ready for it right now, but maybe it’s not as far away as I’d assumed.
Jayden’s expression transforms from sexy to serious in a millisecond. ‘You okay?’ he whispers, concern etching into those huge, astute eyes. He’s uncannily in tune with my moods.
I nod and shrug, unable to trust myself to speak.
