She does something to me, and not just in my pants.
ChapterNineteen
CHLOE
I’m on my second Singapore sling. The alcohol crusades deliciously through my blood, heating my skin while the easy company of my sister warms my soul. Perched at the long mahogany bar, two of Ryan’s security, Frankie and Archie, flank us. They’re close enough to smirk at our stories, but far enough not to crowd us.
Sasha fills me in on the latest from the castle. Our youngest sister, Victoria, still lives at home, for another couple of months at least.
‘So then, Vic pulls out Ryan’s underwear from beneath the cushion of the couch, pinching it between her index finger and her thumb, her face screwed into a look of pure disgust. I wanted the ground to swallow me whole, I swear!’ Sasha’s fingers rub her temples at the memory.
‘And you know what Ryan said? “Thanks Vic, I was looking for those.” Like it was totally normal she’d found the boxers I’d ripped off in a passionate rush the night before.’ Colour floods her cheeks as she sniggers.
‘Young love!’ I tease, unable to hide the envy in my voice. Sasha’s eyebrows arch in what I assume is surprise. I take another sip from my drink before anything else stupid slips out.
‘Anyway, you won’t have to worry about it soon enough. She’ll be gone to college before we know it.’ I shake my head in wonder. The time’s flown. Hard to believe our parents have been gone for so long.
Does it ever come between Sasha and Ryan? Does she blame his father’s reckless driving for the untimely death of our parents?
I don’t. Not entirely, anyway. Probably because I’m so consumed with blaming myself.
‘I know, don’t remind me. I don’t know what I’ll do with myself,’ Sasha says. ‘It’ll be so odd. First Mam and Dad are taken. Then you move country. Now Victoria’s going to Scotland.’ She sips her drink, gazing into the distance.
The atmosphere’s turned sombre in seconds.
To lighten the mood, I say, ‘Imagine, Ryan will be able to bend you over the breakfast bar anytime you feel like it. Evangeline Araceli can send her dresses directly to me. You’ll have no need for clothes at all!’
Sasha’s lips twitch and the emotional crisis is averted. Thank god. I’m no good when it comes to discussing deep and meaningful. My reticence might appear cold or reserved, but it’s just easier to pretend my parents’ death didn’t happen than to face up to the truth and process it all. If I did, I’m sure I’d crumble. I wouldn’t be able to cope, so it’s better if I bury my head in the sand and keep a stiff exterior.
‘Who’s bending who over the bar?’ Jayden appears, a vision in a white ab-hugging shirt and navy jeans. Amusement hums from the same mouth that’s oh-so-capable of committing unspeakable sins.
His familiar, enticing aftershave wafts between us and it’s a battle not to throw myself into his arms.
The man is a fucking ride. Silver eyes gleam with lust-fuelled promise. Is it any wonder I’ve spent every waking second of the last couple of weeks composing my list of fantasies I want to live out with him? To the point it’s beginning to terrify me.
It took everything I had not to run to his room the moment I landed, which is precisely why I hit the bar with my sister instead.
If I ran straight into his bed, he’d never respect me.
Although, why do I even care? It’s not as if this is going anywhere. We’re not in a relationship. It shouldn’t matter, but it does, and the urge to separate myself from the millions of other women he’s slept with gnaws at me.
‘Chloe.’ He drops a kiss on both my cheeks in his usual French greeting, deliberately lingering longer than necessary, although I don’t miss the way he inhales the scent of my hair.
‘Sasha.’ He greets her the same way, but without the lingering or sniffing, before turning his attention to Archie and Frankie. If looks could kill…. I eye him with trepidation, silently willing him to be discreet.
They’re only doing their job. It’s not as though they’re hanging out in the bar with us for fun.
Although Sasha promised to send someone up to me, so maybe that’s why he’s got the whole alpha thing going on.
Jayden signals to the barman for more drinks. ‘I asked who’s bending who over the bar?’
‘Your brother is bending my sister over the breakfast bar, if you must know,’ I say.
His steely eyes blaze into mine with a molten flame.
‘What about you Chloe? Would that be a secret fantasy of yours?’ Jayden hands over a wad of cash to the barman, winks at me, and deliberately presses his muscular chest against my back as he murmurs into my ear.
He balances an elbow on the mahogany behind mine, his hip ‘accidentally’ bumping against my bum, leaving me in no doubt exactly how pleased he is to see me.
