Page 55 of Wreck Me

He stands, making prolonged eye contact with each of us in turn before striding away.

Killian’s men block the door preventing his exit. Killian gives them the nod. As much as I’d like to physically remove Declan’s cruel grin along with his too-white teeth, too many people have seen us together tonight.

Declan turns back to face us and lifts his hands in a patronising wiggle of his fingers that saystoodle-ooandfuck youin the same arrogant gesture.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

SCARLETT

The memory of James’s hands trailing over my body is seared into my soul. Unfortunately, so is the memory of seeing my former stepbrother, which is why I’ve been burying my head in my books all week.

The timing was freakish. It was like a badly needed reminder of why James and I shouldn't get involved, even if we had the time. James works ridiculously long hours, even when he’s in the country. He’s gone in the morning before I even drag myself downstairs and doesn’t arrive home until after I go to bed.

He hasn’t sought me out and I haven't gone looking for him. Though, I’m not entirely sure our reasoning is the same.

I’ve passed him briefly in the corridors several times, but he always appears to be distracted. Part of me wants to ask him about the other night, about Declan and whatever threat he and his brothers were discussing, but the other part of me thinks I’m better off not knowing.

Footsteps approach across the marble flooring. I lift my gaze from the dining room table in anticipation.

It’s probably Tim coming to see if I’m ready for college. He’s a stickler for punctuality.

But it’s not. It’s James in a tight white vest that clings to his sculpted torso. His bare arms are ripped with muscles. A smattering of dark hair peeps from the top of his vest. Grey sweatpants hang from his hips low enough to flash a hint of the V leading straight to heaven.

Oh, sweet Jesus. The man looks mouth-watering in a suit – but this… it’s a unique type of torture. I drag my eyes from his crotch to his face.

Sweat clings to his skin, glistens on his forehead, and dots his upper lip, which is stretching into a mile-wide smile. How many times has he caught me staring at his crotch now? Two? Three? I’m dying to find out what he’s packing down there.

Crimson heat colours my cheeks. ‘Oh.’ I fluff my hair and smooth my clammy palms across the slim-fitting dress I selected this morning. The soft cotton material is casual but the lacy hold-ups I’m wearing beneath it are anything but. Since James expressed such an interest in my lingerie, I’ve been upping my game—just in case. ‘I didn't realise you were still here.’

Amusement crinkles the corners of his eyes as he slides into the seat next to me, despite the fact there are nineteen other free chairs around the table. He’s already testing my willpower and he’s only just walked in.

‘I work from home on Fridays when I can.’ He motions to his sweat-drenched vest. ‘Tim likes to batter me with boxing gloves in the gym. It’s a great way to let off steam.’ He shoots me a wink.

I squeeze my thighs together and suck in a breath, picking up my coffee mug just for something to do.

Those long dark eyelashes should be illegal on a man. ‘I hope you’re well settled in at this stage.’

‘Yes, thank you. You have a beautiful home.’ I place themug down again. This is a far safer topic than how to let off steam.

‘It’s your home now too, for the next few months at least. Enjoy it. Use the pool or gym or anything else you like. Sorry I haven't been here.’ His pupils dart over my lips. ‘There’ve been a few…’ he pauses while he searches for the right word, ‘complications this week.’

‘Everything okay?’ My fingers automatically reach for the cross around my neck.

James blows out a breath. ‘This acquisition isn't going to be as straightforward as I’d hoped, but I’ll make it work. The O’Connors, our biggest rivals, and frankly the spawn of Satan, have been sniffing around. Killian is monitoring things on the ground while I’ve been crunching the numbers.’ His lips lift in a wry smile.

Rosa stalks into the dining room carrying a tray with a fresh pot of steaming coffee, fresh buttery toast, and today's papers. She places the tray in front of James and he grabs a piece of toast.

I watch as his lips close around his food and a hot jolt of lust strikes my core. I never realised it was possible to be jealous of a carbohydrate until now.

‘You two made it into Friday’s Fashion Fix.’ Rosa opens the paper and pulls out the glossy magazine tucked inside.

A sense of dread sinks into my stomach as she flicks through the pages until she finds a selection of pictures from Rian’s opening night. I spot the Rebecca Vallance dress right away, its intricate cut so stunning, it’s easy to pick out even in a crowd of opulent outfits. While you can clearly see my dark hair and James’s arms draped possessively over my shoulder, my face has thankfully been pixelated out.

A heavy sigh of relief slips from my lips.

‘What does it say?’ I lean closer to James to peer at theglossy pages and I’m immediately enveloped by the raw scent of his sweat.

Oh my fucking God.

---