Page 7 of Fragile

“OK, that sounds great. Where do I sign?” I said in a bright voice.

It was brief but I was sure I saw a hint of triumph on his face at my reply.

We then settled on the sofa, I kept myself a reasonable distance away and he asked me questions. Loads of them. Why I had moved to London, how my course was going, my aspirations. Just bits and bobs. Nothing too personal. I batted a few back here and there to appear interested which was rich, considering I was, or at least my body was. That didn’t matter though as I couldn’t allow myself to fall for this one. He was Mr Wrong in every way, shape, and form.

Whilst I was in mid-sentence, the lift pinged and the doors slid open, reminding me of a scene from Star Trek, a show my foster dad was obsessed with. I pushed to my feet as Asher walked out of the lift. His face lit up as he saw me. “Sorry, babe, totally lost track of time.”

We moved towards each other and it felt forced I’m not going to lie. I could feel Gabriel’s shrewd eyes on us as Asher put his hands on my waist and pulled me in for a kiss.

His lips touched mine and I attempted to go with it; tried to play the part, but his mouth was stiff. Shit, I knew we should have rehearsed it. As he drew away, Gabriel was standing next to the sofa with a semi-amused expression, both his eyebrows sky-high.

“What?” Ash said into the silence, setting me away from him; his eyes on Gabriel.

His brother unfolded his arms and rolled his shoulders with an expression that said it all.

“I’m training to be a lawyer brother, where it’s all about getting to the truth. How stupid do you think I am?”

The hairs on the back of my neck prickled, as we both stood in front of the tower of strength that was Gabriel Knight. He knew. He didn’t buy our lie and who could blame him? Our kiss hadn’t been the most passionate.

“I don’t know what you mean?” Ash said, almost tripping over his own words. His cheeks were bright pink.

“There’s about as much chemistry between you, as there is between me and a stick of fucking celery.”

I looked down at the carpet, suddenly embarrassed, my cheeks flaming hot.

Gabriel approached us, coming quite close and I felt like we were being told off by the headmaster. He looked down his sharp blade of a nose at us, thoroughly unimpressed.

Ash blew out a breath and then danced from one foot to the other. “Well, that didn’t last long. Sorry Leo, I should have known he’d see right through us.”

“It wasn’t difficult.”

I wished the floor would open and swallow me whole. I also didn’t appreciate that Asher chose that precise moment to shorten my name.

“Where do you get the guts to lie to me?” Gabriel barked with a penetrative glare.

I watched Ash’s shoulders slump. He suddenly looked like a kicked puppy and I felt the need to protect him. He was my friend and I wasn’t about to let his brother bully him.

“It was my idea. I didn’t think you’d let me live here if I wasn’t with Asher. He explained how private you are,” I whispered, swallowing a lump the size of London.

Those dark eyes shifted to look down at me.

“Bullshit,” Gabriel said, a muscle ticking in his jaw.

As he looked between us with an unfathomable expression he exhaled slowly.

Gabriel then shrugged and said, “Well at least I won’t have to play the third wheel, listening to your bedroom antics.”

Mortification swept up my spine. Was he saying that because I wouldn’t be there or because Ash and I were not together?

I found my tongue, stepping forward, I put my hand on his arm. “Look, if you don’t want to give me the room now, I’ll understand.”

Gabriel glanced down, looking at the spot where I’d touched him and I dropped my hand.

“Gabe, please,” Ash begged, snatching Gabriel’s attention, his expression pained.

His eyes roamed over my features as I stared at him with a hopeful look. After what felt like forever, the lord and master spoke, delivering his decision.

“It’s fine, but if either of you lie to me again, you can both pack your bags.”

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