Page 22 of Seductive Hearts

“Hell, man. If you’re that hard up for an invite, just show up. Offer him a few million. You’d get right in.”

“No, I’ll let you be my representative,” he announced with another laugh. “I’m trusting you tonight.”

“Trusting me with what?”

“With my sister. I heard she’s got her eye on that walking toothpaste commercial, Landon.” I could practically hear him roll his eyes. “Do me a solid and make sure she doesn’t end up going too far. You know how she is when she sets her mind on something.”

He had no idea how well I knew. “Don’t worry about it,” I assured him, checking my pockets after sliding into my jacket. “I’ll keep her busy enough that she won’t be able to do that.”

“Okay, don’t keep her too busy.” His knowing chuckle made me pause. “This isn’t an excuse to get her drunk and fuck around. She’s not one of those girls.”

I wasn’t sure what made me grind my teeth. That he needed to remind me or that he thought I would take advantage of her. “She’s a big girl. She doesn’t need to be babysat. I’ll try not to get any of my stench on her,” I concluded, teeth clenched.

“Fuck.” He groaned louder than before. “Work is turning you into a bitch. You know I didn’t mean it that way.”

I wasn’t so sure as we ended the call. The problem with having a friend who knew everything about me was having a friend who knew everything about me. It was all fun and games when we were out looking for pussy, but as soon as life got real, I was a piece of shit who wasn’t good enough to touch his sister.

I was still grinding my teeth when I pulled away from my family’s Hamptons home and headed out to the far end of the island where the Goldsmith estate sat. Rose told me she would be getting ready there when I offered to pick her up. We had to make this couple thing look real, which meant arriving together.

I flexed my hands as I drove, taking turns between them. The truth was, I had done a lot more than banging on a keyboard since Monday. One of the crewmembers’ wives went into labor on Tuesday, and his absence meant needing to redistribute some of the day’s tasks. I’d ended up working on a table saw for the first time in years, measuring and cutting. It was remarkable how quickly time passed and how much I’d enjoyed getting into the flow of the work. By the time I’d finished, my clothes were covered in sawdust, and my eyes were tired from squinting at the tape measure countless times, but there was something to show for it.

Dad would’ve been so proud if only he were capable.

My cynical laughter filled the car as I steered it onto the driveway leading up to the main house. Olivia and Ari were married here when I was only a couple of years old. Naturally, I had no memory of that, but countless events had taken place there in the years since.

It was unusual to see it in its normal state. It was still breathtaking, with dramatic lighting and a marble fountain in the center of a circular front courtyard, but without the presence of countless guests and valets.

I sent Rose a text telling her I was waiting, then stepped out of the car to get a breath of air. I’d expected her to be waiting on the front stairs, tapping her foot and pointing at her watch, but then it was just as likely she was anxious and stressed over how she looked. She was wasting her time on him, but I couldn’t tell her that. She was too damn stubborn to listen.

After a minute or two of pacing beside the car, I was prepared to head up and ring the doorbell until she came out. One look up the wide staircase told me I didn’t have to. She was standing there, waiting at the top, looking down at me.

I forgot how to breathe as her eyes fixed on mine.

This is it. This is how I die. Killed by the sheer presence of a woman.

Not just any woman. A tall, regal blonde whose body was perfectly encased in an elegant red dress that moved softly around her as she began her graceful descent. I would have sworn there was a spotlight trained on her. She seemed to glow.

Her hair shone in its upswept curls. Diamonds sparkled at her ears and throat. I damn near rocked back on my heels when she reached the landing and came to a stop a few feet from me.

“Do I look okay?” With her arms held out to the sides, she turned slowly. It was a wonder I didn’t swallow my tongue when I caught sight of her back. The dress was cut damn near down to her ass, exposing an expanse of creamy skin, begging for my hands to touch.

“It’s a real shame,” I murmured, shaking my head.

“Oh, my God. What? What’s wrong?” She nearly shrieked, and I almost laughed when she started examining herself.

A smart girl but damn gullible.

“It’s a shame you would go to all this trouble for the Crown Prince of mediocrity.” I opened the passenger door and reached for her hand. “But then again, what am I saying? You got all dressed up for your boyfriend because you wanted to look nice for me tonight.”

“You look nice, too, by the way.” Her crimson lips pursed like she tasted something sour before she placed her hand in mine. I allowed my thumb to run over her knuckles, guiding her into the vehicle. A breeze brought the scent of something floral and sweet my way, and I closed my eyes, concentrating on the scent before closing the door.

Get it together. Get it the fuck together.

It was a relief, turning my focus toward getting us to the black-tie event in one piece, though the drive was a short one. The Jones family had pulled out all the stops to impress Landon’s potential donors. I could see the house from half a mile away, gleaming in the dark.

We waited in a short line of cars until it was our turn. Rather than let the staff member help Rose from the car once I stepped out, I handed him my keys and opened her door myself.

A nervous young woman had slid into the car. A queen stepped out of it. She carried herself in a way that commanded attention, holding her head high. Her smile was easy and natural, nothing nervous or forced. When I tucked her hand in my elbow, she turned that smile on me and forced me to remind myself this was an act. She was putting on a show.

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