Page 118 of Charming Deception

“Okay. I can do that.” She plays with her new ring self-consciously, flashing me a look that suggests I keep the spanking talk to a minimum if I want her to behave.

“Just be yourself,” I tell her, more gently, at war with myself. My instincts are to flirt with her, arouse that fire in her, and of course, fuck her. None of that is going to get me what I really need out of this situation. “We already know you made a good first impression on my brother. The only way you could ruin that tonight is if you mention anything about your life that sounds remotely scandalous.”

“Like telling your family that I ran out on my whole life in Crooks Creek in the night.” She swears savagely, which is incredibly cute on her. “I hate that I did that. I mean, I needed to leave. To end it. But the way I did it, it sounds like I have something to hide.”

“It doesn’t. You left a bad relationship. That’s understandable. But you should know, my family will run a check on you. For security.”

She considers that, but she doesn’t seem offended. “You won’t?”

I would’ve, in the past. If she were anyone other than Cole’s sister.

“I won’t. But they’ll insist upon it, as will our chief of security. And they’ll do it whether I agree to it or not. And they’ll probably find out about your books, and maybe other things you’d prefer to keep private. They’ll find out about Troy, too. About how you left him. So, it’s probably better if you just tell them.”

“Right. Okay.”

“Is there anything else you want me to know, before this dinner? It would be better if we both know going in.”

So I can defend you, I don’t say.

I don’t want her to worry that my family will be that ferocious in protecting me. But they will be.

It’s not just me they’re protecting, it’s all of us. And our grandparents’ legacy. None of us want to see what Granddad built go to shit on our watch.

“Well… I guess they’ll find out that my pen name is my real name, then. Jessica, I mean. That’s my actual first name. Megan is my middle name, but everyone’s always called me Megan, even my family.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know. I guess I was always more of a Megan? Jessica is more like… my alter ego.” She shrugs. “She’s the badass I want to become. Like, she has the courage to publish my books, even when I don’t.”

“But you do.”

She smiles a little. “That’s just my inner Jessica. But like I told you, I use the pen name Jessica Rivers for privacy, because at the end of the day, there is no Jessica Rivers.”

I’m not sure I agree with that. I’m looking at her right now, and she is badass, in her own way.

Her smile fades, and I realize I’m staring at her again. It’s weirdly impossible not to. “I have nothing to hide, Jameson.”

“Good. People can be merciless.” My family included.

“I’m aware.”

“Also… If my brother Harlan says anything horrifying please don’t hold it against me. We’re just related. I can’t control him.”

“He’s rude?”

“He’s an abomination. Actually, he might not even show up.” One can hope.

Megan studies me for a moment. “I have an older brother,” she says simply. “I understand.”

She doesn’t have a brother like any of mine, though.

* * *

Harlan does show up, and so does everyone else.

I’m not sure if this means Graysen called them all to tell them who I’d be bringing and they didn’t want to miss it or if he threatened them or what, but they’re all gathered in his living room in the owner’s suite at the resort when we arrive.

I can feel the conversation die the split second we walk in.

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