Page 12 of Stephan

“I hate your brother, Cassie.” The bitchlaughed. I harrumphed and crossed my arms sulking. “I thought youwere my friend.”

Cassie turned and frowned. “I am. That’s whythis is so funny and going to be so much fun.”

Groaning, because I knew if the shoe was onthe other foot I’d probably be enjoying this.

Scott parked the car and everyone got out. Igripped the seat not eager to move. Cassie got in and dragged meout.

“Don’t be like that. You look amazing. We arejust teasing you because we all know how hot you look. Stephanwon’t be able to resist you.”

“Um, that’s not what I wanted,” Imumbled.

Renee linked her arm with mine. “Sure itis.”

I dug my heels in and looked around for anescape, but with Renee on one side and Cassie on the other, I knewthere was nowhere to run. Well not like I could run in the heelsanyway. I was surprised I could even walk in them.

Feeling like a sacrificial lamb, I walked inawe to the mansion. I’d never seen anything like this up close. Icould hear the music pumping the closer we got. Entering the houseand I almost stumbled at the sight around me. A huge open entryliving area with stairs at each side, white tiles with cream walls,huge paintings hung on the walls and expensive leather sofas andother extravagant furniture decorated the home. There were peopleeverywhere and the house still looked almost empty.

Scott went and picked up some wine from thewaiters. He passed them to us. “I don’t drink. I’m not oldenough.”

“I won’t tell if you don’t.” He winked.

Glancing around, I felt so out of place.Holding the glass tighter I took a sip.

“Kitchen’s at the back along with the gamesroom. Come on.” Scott motioned for us to follow. “Most people willbe back there.”

Renee and Cassie pulled me along. I gazedaround in wonder. I was way out of my element. When we reached thekitchen I detangled myself from the girls and went into the hugespace, it was like a dream. I loved cooking and this kitchen wasamazing Black marble bench tops with dark mahogany wooden doors onall the cabinets. All the appliances were top of the line stainlesssteel. I put down my empty glass and grabbed another two glasses ofwine as a waiter came by. I gingerly touched the cabinets and benchtops. Cups, glasses, and plates marked all the surfaces but itdidn’t take away the beauty.

I gazed around and noticed I couldn’t see myfriends, and my two glasses of wine were finished. Crap. Where hadthey gone? I’d left them to see the kitchen. All of a sudden thereseemed to be a lot more people around than before. I reached foranother two wines as a waitress went by. I debated if I should goand look for Cassie, or see if I could find one of the other girlsI knew.

“Hello. I haven’t seen you before.”

I stared up into a face vaguely familiar. Theman and I was sure he was a man, and not a boy or close to, hadblond hair and ocean blue eyes. He was tall and built like most ofthe spoiled rich guys around here. He was handsome, with a fiveo’clock shadow like he forgot to shave for a day or two and highmasculine cheekbones.

“That’s because I haven’t been here.” Ileaned against the kitchen island and placed one empty wine glassdown.

“I thought so. I would have noticed a beautylike you.” He smiled showing perfect white teeth and his left cheekhad a dimple. Before I’d seen Stephan’s I probably would havesighed, but he’d ruined me.

I snorted, because really. I raised myeyebrow and took a sip. “That line usually work for you?”

He chuckled and held out his hand, I put downmy now empty wine and took his hand in mine hesitantly. His handengulfed mine and held it captive. “Obviously not. I’m Richard,Richard Silverman.

I snatched my hand out of his like it was onfire. “Shit. You guys are everywhere.” My eyes darted around theroom like I was waiting for more Silverman men to pop out.

He laughed and it was a laugh I’m sure if Iwasn’t on edge would cause me to sigh and bat my eyelashes at him.A waiter came past and I snatched a wine off his tray. “I seeyou’ve met either my brothers or cousins.”

“Holy shit, how many of you are there?” Ibacked away from Richard and I swear the arse was about to fallover with laughter.

“I like you.” He came to me and his arm camearound my waist.

I wiggled to get out of his embrace. “Gosh,what is with you Silverman men and touching without permission?” Iwas feeling really good. I seemed to have found someconfidence.

Richard was as handsie as Stephan. Richard’sarms came around my waist and he guided me out of the kitchen. Istumbled and giggled when Richard helped me. I felt great. I hadn’tfelt so light in well, I couldn’t remember.

I went to take another sip of wine butRichard took it from me. “Hey. I was enjoying that.”

“I can see, but you might have enjoyed it abit too much. You’re only an itty bitty thing.”

“Argh, what is it with you all thinking I’mtiny. I’m so not.”

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