Page 24 of Hate to Crave You
“You’ve stolen the show,” Roman murmured into her ear as they made their way inside.
“Hardly.” She was well aware that the show, as it were, hadn’t even started.
* * *
She’d been right.
Heads turned the moment they entered together and even though they’d been there nearly a half hour, they were still getting the eye.
“I don’t think I’ve gotten this much attention since I fell on my butt during a ballet recital in sixth grade,” she said ruefully as they found a table off in a corner. A few couples still glanced their way, but since they were standing still, not many stared. It was a little obvious when they were no longer mingling.
“I can’t imagine you falling on your butt. You’re so graceful,” Roman said.
“You’d be surprised. My gawky stage was legendary.” She sighed theatrically as she tipped her head back to stare at him.
“I’m not believing it.” He shook his head, a playful smile still in place.
“Maybe when we dance, I’ll step on your foot to give you an idea.”
“I won’t mind at all.” He brushed a strand of her hair back, his hand lingering longer than necessary.
Long enough to make her heart race.
“Would you like a drink?” he asked as he finally lowered his hand.
“I’d love one. I’ll take a Cosmo.”
As he left, she watched him until he was swallowed up by the crowd.
“Hello, sister of mine.”
At that familiar voice, she turned her head and smiled up into her brother’s face. “Hey!”
She hugged him, then settled back on her feet to study him. To his credit, Joseph Castle looked sober. At least so far. Unable to stop herself, she glanced at the glass he held.
The liquid in it was clear, but that didn’t tell her much. For all she knew, he was tossing back straight vodka.
There were only a few things that Joseph took seriously in life and social functions such as this wasn’t one of them. Parties were. But this wasn’t his idea of a party. Women were another thing he took seriously—allsorts of women. And he did like his drugs and booze.
Still, he was sober, or close enough at the moment, so she leaned in and kissed his cheek.
She was gratified that she didn’t smell any booze on his breath and when she pulled back, she gave him an easier smile. “How are you? I haven’t seen you for a few weeks,” she said, taking his hand and squeezing it. She adored her older brother and hated what he was doing to himself.
“I’ve been around.” His gaze strayed past her, a sardonic grin curling his lips. “I’ve got to say, you could have knocked me over with a feather when you came in here with a Montrose, Julianna. Are you trying to give our parents a heart attack?”
Making a face at him, she said, “Just stop. Neither of us had a date so we decided to come together. It’s no big deal.”
“Tell that to the press reps who were swooning over you outside. They didn’t even notice me coming in behind you.” His grin widened. “I won’t have to worry about reading any of that shit tomorrow about how I’m throwing my life down the toilet or all their bullshit prattle about why this Castle is such a waste of space. For once.”
“Joseph…”
He held up a hand. “Hey, it’s okay.” There was no bitterness in his tone and he gave her a gentle smile as he chucked her under the chin, like she was still a little girl. “Iamthrowing my life down the toilet. And I am a waste of space. I like it that way.”
“You’re not a waste of space,” she said hotly. She was furiously protective of her family, even if Joseph was determined to kill himself via booze or drugs one of these days. Maybe that was why she was so protective of him.
He laughed softly and dipped his head to kiss her cheek. “Always my cheerleader, Jules.” He backed up a step, nodding past her. “Your date is on his way back.”
He turned to go, then looked back at her, a frown replacing the smile on his face. “Listen, sweetie. Be careful, whatever it is you’re doing here. There’s a lot of bad blood between our families. Stubborn as you are, that doesn’t go away overnight.”
