Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 66134 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66134 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
“And here I thought I was the only one who needed a break from all the noise,” I said as I approached her.
She jumped at the sound of my voice, obviously not expecting company. But as soon as she saw that it was me, she relaxed and smiled. “Yeah, I wanted to find someplace quiet to check in with my sister.”
“She left already?” I asked, surprised. I hadn’t noticed and assumed she’d been sitting at a table while Stevie was out on the dance floor.
Stevie nodded. “Yes, a while ago.” She put her phone in her small purse, then set it on top of the wide stone wall before meeting my gaze in the shadows, caused by the reflection of the city’s lights. “She’s had a rough couple of weeks and I’m just worried about her.”
I stood next to her at the railing. “Is everything okay?” I ventured to ask.
She exhaled a soft sigh. “I hope so? I mean, she’s fine right now. She’s assured me that she’s in bed watching trashy reality TV but…well, she went through a bad breakup, one that required a restraining order against her abusive ex, and I’m just worried that the asshole isn’t going to leave her alone. Narcissistic, entitled men like Mark don’t like being put in their place.”
I winced. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
She nodded and gave me a murmured thanks. “It’s just that I keep having flashbacks of the whole Lance thing with Raven and what an unhinged psycho he was…” Her words cut off and her eyes suddenly went wide. “Oh, shit. I’m so sorry. That was inappropriate.”
I tipped my head, not the least bit offended. “Why? Because he’s my twin brother? Trust me, I know who Lance is and it’s not a solid, upstanding citizen. We were never close and we couldn’t be more different.”
“I just…” She shook her head, causing her soft blonde waves to brush across her shoulders. “I forget that he’s your twin brother. The two of you don’t look identical.”
“No, we’re fraternal, thank God.”
She nodded, then leaned against the concrete railing and glanced out over the city. “So, where is Owen tonight?” she asked, making casual conversation.
“His mother has him for the weekend.” I settled in beside her, arms braced on the top of the barrier. “I get him back tomorrow afternoon.”
She gave me a curious, sidelong glance. “Is that hard…splitting time with her?”
“Always,” I admitted. “It’s too quiet when he’s not around. I’m used to him running through the house no matter how many times I tell him not to, or playing his video games and the animated sounds he makes, or his constant inquisitive questions. Don’t get me wrong. Having a bit of silence is nice, but I definitely feel like something is missing when he’s gone.”
“He’s a great kid,” she said softly, having interacted with him many times because of Raven being Owen’s aunt. “He seems very well adjusted despite…”
Her voice trailed off again, as if she didn’t want to broach a sensitive topic. “Despite the divorce and having to divide his time between two parents?” I finished for her.
“Yes.” She smiled. “Every time I see the two of you together, he’s like your little mini-me. Not only does he look a lot like you, at the pool party Raven and Remy had last month I was laughing at how much he tried to mimic you.”
I vividly remembered that day, not because of my son’s antics, but because of the bikini Stevie had worn that had her lush breasts and curves on display.
A light breeze blew, and I saw her shiver, and there was no missing the way her nipples tightened and pushed against the thin material of her dress. She rubbed her arms with her hands, and without thinking or even asking her if she was cold, because clearly she was and there were no heat lamps on this side of the terrace, I shrugged out of my suit coat.
“Here. Take my jacket,” I said, settling the material over her shoulders, not questioning the possessive way it made me feel to see her wrapped up in my coat.
She groaned as the warmth inside of the jacket chased away her chill. “So much better. Thank you.” She grabbed the lapels and pulled them closed in front of her, and I watched as she put her nose against the expensive cashmere fabric, closed her eyes, and inhaled.
“Mmm.” Her lashes drifted back open, her eyes half-mast and flirtatious. “It smells like you.”
I cocked my head, though my dick reacted to the husky tone of her voice. “Is that a good thing?”
“A really good thing.” She breathed in the scent again, and I imagined her doing the same thing against my neck where I’d lightly sprayed the fragrance. “Whatever cologne you wear…now that’s an aphrodisiac.”
I chuckled. “Better than oysters?”