Page 95 of Nothing to No One

“To us,” she said. “I had to endure it, but it was an assault on you too.”

And almost as intimate. Although he avoided the physical act, this was his twin, a man supposed to stand up for him, to take a bullet for him. Rather than treat her with care, as Struan did with Sway, Roman had taken advantage and abused that position of trust to gain a petty, resentful advantage. Forevermore that image would be out there in the world.The masses might not understand its significance; they always would. This wasn’t something easily forgotten or shrugged off.

Pushing up, she touched her lips to his and was so pleased when his responded. This changed how he felt about his brother, but from the way he scooped her beneath him and settled himself between her thighs, he proved it hadn’t changed them, hadn’t damaged them.

Whatever he decided to do, she’d be with him one hundred percent. She didn’t blame him for his confusion. This was a lifelong fraternal relationship he’d relied on, one that underscored his identity. Now he had to figure himself out all over again. That was okay. At his core, he was still him, and him was all she wanted.

THIRTY-THREE

IN STRUAN’S BATHROOM, under the rain, surrounded by steam, she ought to be able to come up with one good reason he should join her in the shower again. Other than she couldn’t stop wanting him.

The man got up at four thirty, again, still dark, but he’d returned to their bed to be there when she woke up. After that she may have kept him in bed way longer than was polite. Wasn’t so bad when rude, in a dirty way, was kinda the theme.

“She’s gone. She’s fucking gone!”

Roman’s voice from the bedroom registered enough that she could recognize it was him. Beyond that, she didn’t care much about what he was saying. Shame her guy couldn’t be so detached.

“Who’s gone?” Struan asked. Ah, his was a voice she could listen to all day long. “What you talking about?”

“This is what they do, they get close, then they fuck you. That’s what this is. We’re getting fucked. Her shit’s in her room. She’s been here since last night, was here. Now she’s fucking gone! God knows what she’s planning. Bet Roxie’s involved. We can’t trust her. You shouldn’t trust her!”

The shaving gel wrought no reward, so she left the shower, putting the empty can on the vanity as she held a loose towel to her chest. Hugging the doorframe, she peeked into the bedroom.

“Beau…” As he looked over his shoulder, she winced. “Sorry to interrupt. Shaving gel?”

“Lower middle cabinet.”

“What the fuck?” Roman sidestepped at the bottom corner of the bed to set her in his sights. His glare cut to his brother. “You’re fucking my fiancée?”

Struan laughed. “Are you shitting me? Your fiancée? This started when me and B got together.”

“She’s my fucking fiancée! You’re fucking my fiancée in my fucking house—”

“It’s a rental,” Struan said, unimpressed.

“My fucking rental—”

“Paid for by the studio.”

What was the point of giving the guy a salary if he didn’t have any bills? Money really did go to money. What else had been laid on for him? Bet none of the crew got the same perks, Struan included. Where was his fancy mansion? Guy deserved some peace and quiet. Maybe a cabin in the woods would be better. With an open fire… faux fur rug… and nothing but time.

“For me,” Roman spat. “You don’t get to do this shit. Under my roof, you think you can fuck around on my dime in my house? Not in this house! Not here! I make the rules here! It’s my rules!”

“Okay.”

Struan went into the closet and she ran back to turn off the shower. Shaving would wait. She wrapped the towel around herself tight and entered the closet just as Roman appeared at the other door.

Struan already had a gym bag open on the central bench.

“What the fuck are you doing?” Roman demanded. “What is that?”

“You’re right. No reason this should happen under this roof. Better we provide for ourselves. We’re getting out of here, B.”

She snagged one of Struan’s tee-shirts from a nearby drawer, dropping her towel only after the garment covered her decency.

“I’ll get my purse.”

Before she could even turn around, Roman grabbed her arm. The contact startled her, but not as much as Struan.

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