Page 61 of Enthrall Shadows
Until Lotte walked away.
It hurt, even as there was no reason for it. We were friends and, as she’d pointed out, that could be enough.
At the other end of the lawn, she knelt down and petted Dex. My dog always drew the best kind of attention.
Avoiding me was probably a wise move on her part.
She was running away from the sexual tension because I was a Class-A asshole.
Cameron stood before the linen-covered table stacking an ungodly amount of Beluga caviar onto crackers.
“Hungry much?” I asked, amused.
“Eating becomes a spectator sport if you have a baby.”
“You need a nanny.”
“Babysitters do just fine for now.”
“You are inspiring,” I admitted.
We had rarely seen our parents during our childhood, having been raised by nannies. Most of my memories consisted of boisterous days with the staff. We’d stayed in touch with many of them. They were our surrogate family within a family.
“Have you recovered from the shock?” He popped a loaded cracker into his mouth and chewed.
“The house?” I glanced back at it. “Why does it have to be so fucking big?”
“Because you’re a Cole.”
“Did Lotte say anything about me?”
Cameron’s quizzical stare burned through me.
“What?” I snapped.
He glanced over at Lotte. “You like each other. A lot.”
“She’s—”
“Don’t bother denying it. You have lipstick on your collar.”
I dipped my chin, trying to see it. Of course, I saw nothing there. And that was how my brother set a trap for the truth to spill.
“Fuck you,” I said.
“I approve. If you need to hear that.”
I bristled at my annoying brother. “I don’t.”
“Caviar?”
“Sure.”
He used a ridiculously small spoon to scoop fish eggs on top of crackers.
My mouth watered at the saltiness I was about to enjoy. “Thanks.”
He handed me the plate. “Lotte’s a good person. Don’t hurt her.”
