Page 37 of Love's Hot

“Okay, not sure how long I’ll stay since I feel a bit off, but yeah, I’ll be there. Do I need to bring anything? It would have to be something bought, because I can’t be bothered to prepare anything hard on a work night. You know I don’t do domestic duties very well.”

“You are such a princess, Lil. Seriously, Mom taught you the exact same things she taught me growing up, yet I can cook a four-course meal, and you can serve up takeaway on China plates. God help your future husband.” She shakes her head as she picks up her phone to message Xavier, I’m assuming.

“Look, I can do that cooking if I really want to, I just choose not to. Plus, any future husband of mine, who by the way will not be around for a very long time yet, will be super rich and have me living in the luxury I deserve. With a cook, a maid, and my own west wing to keep my shoe collection.” For the first time today, I feel like smiling. No matter what, Alesha and I can do that to each other, pull each other out of the fog we’re sinking in. Sometimes I think the sisterly bond is as strong as the bond between twins, well, it is for us anyway.

“Lordy, that poor man!” She’s shaking her head as the phone rings on her desk and we’re both back into work. The next couple of hours fly past and we’re both rushing out of the office to have time to go home and change. I don’t know why Alesha and Xavier just don’t move in together. It’s not like they aren’t already sleeping together. No point being old-fashioned now.

What to wear to a quiet mid-week dinner in your soon-to-be brother-in-law’s home. With family and friends and your fuck-buddy. Well, maybe he’s still your fuck-buddy. So much for no awkwardness. I feel more nervous getting dressed for tonight than I did the night I turned up at his apartment in a trench coat and not much else. Not sure what that says about me, more confident as his red vixen than as his Lilly. Snap out of it, woman. Remember you are not his as per the definition of the agreement. I need to stop these thoughts before I start falling down this rabbit hole of hurt.

I don’t want to be showing too much skin, otherwise it’ll be too obvious. It’s also false advertising showing off a product, when the stock isn’t currently available. The pictures on the shelf are just to look at, but no touching. I need to feel comfortable, with a hint of sexy. I still want to give him blue balls. That’ll be his punishment for ignoring me for the last few days. That’s it, the perfect outfit has just come to mind. Operation Blue Balls is under way.

I decide to Uber over to dinner so I can have a few drinks. I might need them to keep me calm or to give me courage to sit across from the sex god who’s been completely ignoring me. Pulling up in front of the building, I’m starting to regret that decision a little. Letting me loose with champagne could mean there’s going to be too much truth being spoken. In this company, I’ll be in real trouble. Telling myself my limit is three glasses, I exit the elevator and take a big deep breath. Okay, Lilly, get your sassy, sexy pants on and go make this man miss you. So much so, he’s wriggling in his seat all night trying to relieve his hard cock that’s pressing against his zipper with no place to go. Well, there are plenty of places I would like it to go but that’s another story.

Approaching the door, I can hear loud laughing coming from inside. Trying to pick out the voices, I can tell Kane is here and I think I’m the last to arrive. Time to make the grand entrance. I knock on the door, waiting for it to open. Xavier opens it while laughing and half turned back to what is going on in the living room.

“Man, I miss having you around, Jordan. Hey, Lilly. Welcome.” Everyone stops what they’re doing and laughing about and turn to look at me. With my eyes fixed completely on Kane, I strut in, making my grand entrance.

“The life of the party has arrived, now you can really get started. I hope you’re all ‘Red’y,” I accentuate at Kane.

His eyes are blazing with the fire I’ve just ignited.

Plan executed perfectly.

I stand in the middle of the room in my black skinny jeans, knee-high leather boots—with a heel, of course—and a red off-the-shoulder sweater that hugs my boobs tightly. He knows exactly what I’m trying to say to him. If he thinks he can forget me in a hurry, think again, Wolf. Little Red is here tonight, and she means business.

“Looking hot, Lilly, those morning workouts are working. Must be the awesome personal trainer you have.” Xavier hugs me as he walks past to sit down. I’m still looking at Kane who looks like he wants to kill Xavier for his comments, and for touching me too.

Interesting.

“Get lost, when was the last time you trained Lil? It’s all me, brother dearest. You’re too busy with Alesha pretending to train/feel her up in the mornings. I think you guys should just stay home and do your workout.” Natalie giggles to herself as she sips on her drink. She already has a little glow on her face that tells me she’s well on her way to a headache in the morning. Good for her; now I need to restrain myself, otherwise I might very well be joining her.

“Spot on, Nat, you and I got this, girlfriend. We work our booties hard together and forget about the lovebirds. You’re tough on me but my butt thanks you for it.” Giving my ass a little slap.

I hear Kane mumble under his breath, “Me too.” Then he squirms for the first time tonight. This is going to be fun.

Poor Alesha looks embarrassed, but she’s getting used to us all using her and Xavier as the joke of the day. Plus, it takes the heat off me for the moment.

“Lilly, you remember Jordan, don’t you?” Xavier asks.

“Yeah and I’m glad this time we’re meeting under better circumstances. Let’s hope these two can stay out of trouble tonight so we can finish the night without running off to rescue them.” Everyone laughs although it’s still there in the back of all our minds. “How long are you in town?”

“Just a few nights. We have a week off and I needed to get out of town for a bit. This place always feels like home, somewhere I can feel normal, you know, just be regular Jordan. Well, as normal as you can be hanging around these two idiots,” Jordan says, gesturing to the two boys. He slaps Xavier on the arm as he stands to get another round of beers. “Can I get you a drink?” he asks me.

“I’ll get it,” Kane snaps before I even have a chance to answer.

Well hello there, big bad wolf.

Welcome to the party.

“Thanks, boys, champagne will be lovely.” Trying not to react to Kane at all, I walk over and sit next to Natalie, and catch her checking out Jordan’s ass as he walks away. Mind you, he does have a hot body. Pro football players need to be in shape. I have a feeling, though, that Nat likes that shape a little more than the rest of us. Could explain the tipsy glow she has going on and the already confident outspoken comments. I’ll be getting that gossip next gym session, that’s for sure.

“So, super chef Xavier, what’s for dinner? I’m starving.” I’m a little hungry but it’s more that I know I need to eat if I’m going to be drinking. Before I start doing and saying stupid things.

“Well, I’m surprised you haven’t picked it from the smell but it’s just roast beef and vegetables. Dinner was last-minute when I found out Jordan was arriving so went to the easy staple menu.”

He’s right, it does smell amazing in here now that he mentions it. I was a little distracted when I first walked in.

Kane walks towards me with my champagne and his beer in his hands. Instead of heading back to the seat he was sitting in, he sits on the arm of the sofa. Right next to me so we’re almost touching,

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