Page 43 of My Brother's Best Men
Eli’s words reverberate in my head. The ones he said to me when I was drunk after my ex left me to stay with her husband. I think back to that moment, how low I’d been. I opened up to fucking Eli of all people…
“If you want to be someone’s good idea, Benny, you need to see yourself as a good idea.”
I’m not sure if I can see myself that way, but I wish Sophie could, even if I know it’s crazy.
“You look stunning,” I tell her, because it’s true. The pink and purple floral print mini dress she’s wearing hugs her curves perfectly.
“Thanks,” she says with a soft smile which turns to a smirk rather quickly as she roves her gaze over me slowly. Appraising me. Judging me.
The way she’s looking at me right now makes me feel more on the spot than I’ve ever felt before. And when she gets to my waist, I don’t miss the quick flash as she dips her gaze to my groin or the flush of scarlet in her cheeks.
“See something you like, princess?” I tease her, knowing the reason.
“No, sorry, I just uh—” She squeezes her eyes shut as she shakes her head. “Can I ask you a personal question?”
I laugh, knowing what she’s going to ask, because it’s the same question most women ask if they know my name.
“The answer to your question is yes,” I say, sliding my hands into my pockets. I smirk at her.
“You don’t know what I was going to—” She opens her eyes and I shrug.
“You were going to ask if the rumors are true.” I clear my throat, holding her gaze. “They are.”
Her chest rises and falls as she purses her lips, keeping her gaze trained on me. “What rumors?” she says, flashing her eyelashes at me.
My lips curve into a devilish smile. “I think you know.”
“Maybe the rumors I heard and the rumors youthinkI heard are two different things. You shouldn’t assume things, Benny.”
I take a step closer to her. “It’s not an assumption. It’s fact.” I push some hair behind her ear without thinking. “Just like the fact that you look perfect like this.”
She looks away, or tries to, but I can’t resist touching her. I grasp her chin with my hand, turning her to look at me, and she follows my touch without question.
Fuck, that’s dangerous.
I could get used to obedience like that…
“I mean it,” I say, dropping my hand. Though I’m not sure if it’s for my sake or hers. Maybe both.
“So how about that drink?” I ask, my voice strangely darker than it should be.
Sophie nods. “Yeah, I could use a drink,” she says with a smirk. “Or two. Since you know, you do owe me.”
“That I do.”
“And another round of shots…” the bartender says as he doles them out to us.
Matthew and Sophie dive for the shots first as Eli stares at the ceiling, murmuring about howsomeonehas to be the adult in the room, as if we’re not all fucking adults. Seriously, the guy really needs to let loose once in a while…
Sophie’s hand collides with mine as I grab my shot and she pouts. “Hey, that was mine!”
“Mine now, princess,” I taunt her as Lucy and Natalie pose for a selfie. Raegan and Sam have been trying to lick the remainder of their toasted marshmallow off each other’s mouths for the last hour.
“On that note, I think it’s time we turned in,” Mrs. Martin says as she passes us.
Dinner was amazing, as I knew it would be, but our night’s far from over. After dinner, cocktails by the fire was only the start. I meant what I said about buying Sophie a drink or two, as well as Matt and Eli. Though Eli has barely touched his beer and I’m about to chug it if he doesn’t.
“Good night, Mrs. Martin. Mr. Martin,” I say, trying to sound as polite as possible, but I can feel my control slipping.
