“Territorial,” he admits. The hum of the helicopter grows, and Colt dips his head, whispering in my ear. “I don’t share, Addie. I don’t let other men touch what’s mine, so you need to think hard whether you want me to be myself because I guarantee it’ll end in blood if Grant gets too close to you.”
My vocal cords are tied, my panties soaked, and all I can do is nod because I’m afraid I’ll moan if I open my mouth.
“I need words, baby,” he urges.
“Be yourself,” I whisper. “I’ll make sure he doesn’t get too close, okay?”
Before he can respond, my brother rounds the corner, overly excited. At least he has the decency to wipe the grin off his face and offer a sympathetic look as he notices me.
“He wasn’t supposed to be here, sis. I would’ve given you a heads-up, but last time I checked he had a week full of business deals lined up in Europe.”
“Youinvitedhim?” I shoot him a death glare, pushing Colt aside as I charge at Ben, poking his chest with my finger. “How could you? I knew I had no support from Mom, butyou?!”
“Are you kidding me? He’s my best man, Audrey. Did you seriously think I wouldn’t invite him because he makes you uncomfortable? Get over it. It was five fucking years ago!” His voice rises to compete with the deafening roar of Grant’s helicopter preparing for landing above us. “Youbroke up with him, soyouneed to suck it up!”
“You beat him up!” I yell over the surrounding noise. “You were fifteen and youbeat him up!You said he didn’t deserve me! You were on my side back then. What changed?!”
“I grew up!” his voice booms across the corridor. The helicopter lands, the roar subsiding to nothing more than a low hum as the blades slow to a halt. “He grew up, too. You’re the only one still holding a grudge, Addie. Get over it.”
I scoff, taking a step back. I have so many things I’d love to scream in his face, but the elevator dings and Amara steps out with my mother. A cunning, self-righteous smile plays on her lips when we lock eyes.
“I can’t believe he came!” Amara rushes closer, bouncing on the balls of her bare feet. “Can I go up there?”
“No need, pumpkin.”
Cold chills slither up my arms at Grant’s voice on the top of the staircase. Amara squeals. Literally fuckingsquealsthen flings herself in Grant’s arms as soon as he’s within reach.
Colt hovers behind me. His warm breath tickles my neck as he circles an arm around my waist, pulling my back against his chest. “He’s yourex?” he utters so quietly even I have a hard time hearing it over Amara’s elation.
I don’t miss the annoyance in his tone, though. It rings loud and clear. I nod once, the tendrils of a badass migraine licking my temples.
Grant sets Amara—who jumped into his arms—down and turns to my mother. A pair of overly snug, cream pants hug his ass, going perfectly with a white polo shirt straining to contain his muscles. He’s tied a pink cardigan round his neck to fall around his shoulders, dark shades tucked into his sand blond hair.
And the pièce de resistance? The dazzling Hollywood smile, brighter than the overhead spotlights as he kisses my mother’s hand. With the brown-nosing complete, he finally looks at me, Ben, and... is that afrowndenting his big forehead as he checks out Colt’s arm draped over my stomach?
Grant is usually a master at maintaining his convincing poker face, so this slip-up comes as a surprise.
“Good evening,” he rumbles in that gravelly voice I adored as a teenager. “My apologies for the dramatic entrance. I wasn’t sure until the very last minute if I’d make it here at all.”
Amara beams, throwing herself at him again, her fingers tightly clasped around his neck. “I’m so glad you came!”
“So am I, pumpkin.” He stamps a kiss on her head, gently maneuvering her into Ben’s arms before shaking his hand and passing over a large gift bag. “Part one of your engagement gift. I’m sending you on a quest. You’ll find the details inside.”
“Thanks, man. It’ll keep Amara occupied for a few hours.” He motions toward me and Colt. “You remember my sister.” He smirks, the attempted joke falling on deaf ears. “Now meet her boyfriend, Colt Hayes.”
Grant spares us a glance, unleashing his well-practiced, fake cheerfulness. “Of course. Victoria mentioned Addie brought a guest.”
He extends his hand to Colt, and my first thought is to bite Grant’s pulse point and tear out his artery. “Pleasure to meet you, Colt. I wish I could say I’ve heard a lot about you, but Addie’s kept your existence a big secret...”
If Grant hoped to strike a nerve, he’s misjudged the audience.
“Well, I heard a lot about you,” Colt replies, firmly grasping Grant’s hand. “Addie said you’re a farmer in Huddersfield. How’s that going?”
I let out a half-snort, half-laugh at the horrified look crossing Grant’s face.
“You told him I’m afarmer? Aren’t you the one living with a pig, and Jason the ostrich, Audrey?”
“It’sJasper, and he’s an emu,” Colt cuts in, the faint amusement in his tone a dead giveaway he’s having fun.
