Page 10 of Her Filthy Mistake

That’s how he does it. He sings in the dirtiest, sweetest voice while looking like sin wrapped in chocolate and topped with sprinkles, causing panties to combust, ovaries to pop, and women to feel like they’re the only person in the room.

And then they don’t care whether he can perform or not. They want to be the one he serenades. His face softens as he tickles Zorya’s belly. I shake my head and stab a piece of fried plantain. I’m no different than the rest.

Chapter Five

Two Hours Later

Jace

The meal was delicious. We’ve finished the fish, assorted vegetables, and fruit; now, we’re on to the dessert. The waitress smiles as she deposits the chocolate cake onto the table in front of me.

“This is pure perfection,” my sister-in-law groans as the scent of chocolate fills the area around us.

“It’s compliments of the chef.”

“Please tell him thank you.”

Once the waitress leaves, Carly clutches her stomach. “But I can’t eat another bite.”

“Now, dear.” My brother pats her hand. “You’ve sacrificed for two months to enjoy this trip. I expect you to overindulge.”

“Fine. You’re on.” Her eyes twinkle as she grabs the fancy blue and white dessert plate and serves herself a heaping slice of cake. “Help yourselves.”

My sister-in-law is gorgeous, an older version of her daughter. My gaze drifts to Zoe and just as quickly darts away. She’s like staring into the sun. Too bright. Too fucking bright. I don’t know how to live in that much light.

“We were interrupted earlier.” Carly pats her lips with the black linen napkin. “Tell us about your latest dating adventures.”

“I already told you; I’m not dating anyone.” My shoulders stiffen as I prepare for the 20 questions.

“How is it even possible that you’re not dating anyone? You’re in Vegas and working at a nightclub. There can’t be a lack of available women with long legs, dark tans, and blonde hair.” My brother pins me with an exasperated expression on his face. The man is clearly irritated that I haven’t moved in the settling down direction. Not that he’s wrong. There are plenty of women that fit that description. “Surely you can find one woman that interests you enough to date.”

“Do we have to hear about this?” Zoe taps her fingernails on the table. “Zayden has already grilled Jace tonight about his sex life, and I don’t want to hear about it while I’m eating dessert. It’s going to make me ill.” Thankfully, Zorya has headed off to play with some other children, so she’s not subjected to this conversation.

“Fine.” Her mom arches her eyebrows, leaving a crease in the middle of her forehead. “Are you still seeing Micah?”

Who the fuck is Micah? My teeth grind together as red, hot anger flows through me.

I’m well aware that there’s zero chance of a relationship between me and Zoe for more reasons than I can count. But Micah? That’s a stupid name. He sounds like a pussy.

“No. I’m not dating Micah. That was over months ago.”

I’m going to stab someone. I drop my fork so that no one notices the death grip I had on it.

“Good.” Carly stabs her fork into the cake. “It looks like neither you nor Jace are seeing anyone, which will make it easier for us to pair you up together for the activities we have planned for this week.”

“Planned activities?” Jesus. My brother has lost his mind. I can’t spend a week hanging out with Zoe without losing my mind. It’s bad enough that we’re sharing a bungalow together.

Zayden. I can hang out with Zayden. I glance over at him as he furiously stabs his index finger on his phone screen with a worried expression.

Before I can say anything, Zoe pipes up., “I’ll go with Zayden.” She sets down her napkin as if she’s the queen and everyone should listen to her edict.

Shit, we can’t both hang out with Zayden. That defeats the whole purpose of staying away from her.

“No.” Her mother shakes her head. “Zayden is paired with Violet.”

“Where is Violet?” Zoe glances around the table with a furrowed brow. Violet is the daughter of one of Landon and Carly’s friends.

“She headed out to check out the bar scene,” Landon says.

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