Page 26 of My Bestie's Billionaire Brother

She is my “date” so it wouldn’t be weird to anyone else around us. But I’m still not sure if she’s just kidding with me. I decide to call her bluff.

“That’s a great idea. Give ‘em all a little show,” I say.

The music ends and I move my face closer to hers, fully expecting her to push me away. Instead, she tips her face up to me and closes her eyes. As soon as my lips find hers, I feel a jolt of electricity. I think she feels it too because I hear an almost inaudible moan escape from her throat. I kiss her longer than I intended to—it just feels too good to stop. Her lips are warm and soft, and I could kiss her for hours. I finally tear myself away from her.

She’s flushed but doesn’t look away from me. She looks right into my eyes and says, “I always wondered what that would feel like.”

“So what do you think?”

“I think I’d like to do it again,” she says in a breathy voice.

My heart thuds and I wink at her.

“That can definitely be arranged.”

She looks deeply into my eyes and gives me a small smile. “I look forward to it.”

And, with that, I need to move away from her before my half-hard cock turns fully erect. Thank God for my suit coat, which is covering up the evidence.

I’m not sure what’s going on with her. Is it the wine talking? Or something else?

“Grab another drink?” I ask, taking her hand, needing to move away from this spot and get my mind on something else.

“Yes, please,” she responds, squeezing my hand.

Jane and Trey are near the bar, and I drop Tess off with them before I get in the drink line. By the looks on their faces, they definitely witnessed the kiss. I can’t tell if Jane is pissed off or amused. Trey, on the other hand, looks like he’d give me a high five if I got close enough.

My dad is at the bar getting another glass of wine for my mom. I’m sure he’s already had his allotted two drinks today. Dad always says he can’t afford to lose a day of work to a hangover, so I’ve never actually seen him drunk or even tipsy. It doesn’t matter that today is Saturday and he doesn’t have to work tomorrow.

“So when exactly are you and Tess going to come to the house for dinner? I’d like to see more of her.” His questions feel more like a business transaction than a dad wanting to get reacquainted with his daughter’s best friend turned son’s “girlfriend.”

“Let’s find a time soon that works.” I’m as noncommittal as I can get away with. I don’t want my parents becoming too attached to the idea that Tess and I are a couple. Plus, dinners with my parents are not included in our contract. Not that there is any kind of formal contract…just our word to each other.

However, I don’t want to take advantage of what she’s agreed to.

Dad gives me a curt nod and I head back with the drinks to find the others. Jane and Tess are deep in conversation when I find them. The look on Jane’s face is not one of anger but rather concern. They abruptly end their conversation when they see me.

Stratton and Ariel have joined them and are chatting with Trey. I hug them both and take a little time catching up on what new things their baby Chloe is doing.

I give Tess her wine and sidle up next to her. “You doing okay?”

“Never been better.”

“So, how long have the two of you been dating?” Ariel asks.

Tess and I look at each other and smile before answering. “It’s been around three months now,” I reply.

“How wonderful. I had no idea,” Ariel says.

“Yeah, you and Stratton know how it is. Sometimes you’re not ready to share it with the rest of the world.”

Stratton and Ariel’s story started out with a lot of secrecy. Ariel dated Stratton’s son, Trevor, before falling in love with Stratton. Then she got pregnant. It was a rough time for all of them, but things are much better now.

Stratton gives me a questioning look as if he might not be buying all of this. It’s been a while since we spent any time together. With a little one, he hasn’t been able to make our regular poker games in quite a while. I silently tell him with my eyes that we’ll talk about it later. I haven’t decided who else I’mgoing to let in on our secret, but I know I can’t lie to Stratton. He’s been through too much with me. But the fewer people that know the truth, the better.

Chapter 9

Tess

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