Page 49 of Ruse
Shaking the unnerving thoughts out of my head, I take my own keys out, unlock the door, set the alarm, and follow her down the hall and up the stairs to her bedroom, not wanting to leave her alone in case she needs something.
Though when we arrive atmybedroom, she pulls out her key once again, trying to unlock the door. Austin had locks installed in every room of the house after it almost got broken into last summer. He now trusts no one, not even his own staff to come and go from the house when no one is here. The only person who has access to everyone’s rooms is Marta.
“I can’t get the door open,” she admits, struggling to fit her key into the keyhole of my bedroom door.
“The door to your room?” I ask, amused, laughing at the fact that not only is she completely missing the keyhole of the doorknob, but it’s the wrong fucking key. I expect her to realize the mistake she’s making, but I’m also in no hurry to correct her.
“Yes, asshole, I don’t know why, but my key isn’t working.” She huffs, blowing her hair out of her face and pouts, and I’ve got to say it is the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen.
I smile to myself, realizing this girl is far more wasted than she seems. No wonder she wasn’t making any sense earlier.
“Here, let me try,” I tell her, moving toward the door. Instead of taking her keys, I reach into my pocket and retrieve another set. With one quick turn of the knob, the door opens. “After you,” I say, motioning her to enter.
Phoenix walks in and puts her keys down on the “table” to her right, yet instead of landing on the invisible table, they fall straight to the floor.
“Where’s my table?” she asks, “And my light switches. I can’t see anything.” My room is pitch black thanks to the blackout curtains I had put in and even though it’s next to hers, the setup inside is much different. Moving beside her, I walk over to the wall on my left and turn on the lights, watching her squint as the bright light blinds her.
“Aaah,” she groans. “Turn it off. It's too bright.” I do as she asks, dimming the light, casting a small shadow along the room.
Her gaze travels through the room, wall to wall, floor to ceiling. “Why is everything in the wrong place?” She takes a minute, her eyes squinting as she tries to focus. “Oh my god!” she yelps, covering her mouth with her hand. “This isn’t my room!”
My grin widens as her eyes continue to flicker back and forth. “No,” I murmur, “It’s mine.” She takes a step back, tripping, and slamming her back against the wall behind her.Is she really that drunk?
“Mav I…”
“Made a mistake and walked into the wrong room? No worries, we’ve all done it. At least you didn’t fall asleep in my bed and wake up in the morning not knowing where the hell you were,” I say, trying to lighten the mood with a charming smile.
“You’ve done that?” she asks, her wide eyes innocently looking up at me and making my cock flinch in my jeans. Fuck she’s beautiful.
“Yup, a few times, actually. Lucky for me, it was only my roommate's bed.”
“I feel like an idiot. How can I forget where my room is?” she mumbles, overwhelmed by not only what’s happened but I assume what occurred earlier tonight.
I trail a finger over her cheek, once again stepping into dangerous territory. “Hey, it’s no big deal. It was a simple mistake.”Why do I feel the need to comfort her?Her heated skin cools the inside of my icy palm, but I don’t fail to notice the way she flinches away from me when I touch her.
“I’m sorry, it’s just been a long day. Can you let me out and point me toward my room please before I end up in Brooklyn’s.” Ignoring her, I don’t back away or drop my gaze from hers.
Instead, I take a step closer to her, pushing her back against the now closed door. “What is eating up that beautiful heart of yours?” I ask, shocking the hell out of the both of us.Where the fuck did that come from?Phoenix looks up at me just as stunned, her big, glossy aquamarine eyes silently pleading for me to leave it alone.
“I…”
“What did Chad do to you?”
Her body suddenly goes stiff, and her expression shifts from stunned to appalled by my question. “What makes you think he did something to me?” she blurts out, leaning back away from me. It’s no use, my hand rests at the small of her back keeping her close.
“Well, for one you guys broke up, and two, that look in your eyes, that vulnerability, can only mean one thing: heartbreak. I saw the way he was looking at you today.”
It’s true, one reason I left the party was the way Chad was staring at her, like he knew her. Like he knew what made her tick, what her body craved. I know it’s fucking bullshit, he could never be enough for her, but part of me wonders if she’s still pinning over him. I know he did her dirty, breaking up with her after her dad’s affair became public instead of sticking by her side like a real boyfriend would have. However, from what I’ve heard, they were together for two years. It had to have meant something to her.
Phoenix’s shoulders straighten, and she cocks her head to one side. “Why are you so sure he broke my heart? Maybe I broke his?” she stammers, growing defensive.
“I wouldn’t doubt it, baby,” I reply. “Losing you would surely drive any man crazy. But he must already be insane if he dared to hurt you.”
I can tell I've shocked her yet again, the way her body relaxes into my hold. A soft blush creeps along her cheeks, down her neck, and across her chest, her whole body now flushed and aroused. I inhale sharply, taking in the scent of her perfume. Fuck she’s intoxicating. She’s growing weary but the need to hold her walls up in place is much stronger than her desire to let them fall.
“What’s it to you, anyway? Why would you care? You’re my stepbrother for all of two hours and now suddenly you feel you deserve to know what goes on in my personal life.”
Well, that I wasn’t expecting. “I just...”
