Page 69 of Must Have Been Love

This keeping our relationship secret from everybody else is getting tiring. And annoying. I said as much to Skyler this week during our date.

This time she insisted I come to the bar again, even though the renovations weren’t finished. She cooked for me, then we fucked, and she sent me home annoyed because goddamn it, I want her in a bed.

I’ve never had to work so hard in my life to get a woman to want to see me. When we’re together it’s perfect. We have fun, we talk, she makes me laugh like nobody else ever has. Mostly because she likes to tease me, which is good because nobody else does that either.

I make sure she’s satisfied. Multiple times. And yet it still feels like I’m trying to catch a cloud whenever I think of her.

“I’ll be over there at eight,” I say to my sister, remembering she’s actually standing there and asking me when I’ll be going to the opening night. Truth be told, I’m a little pissed because when I was messaging – okay sexting – with Skyler last night, she made it clear that I was going as an investor and not as her date.

“But it starts at seven.”

“I have a meeting at six, and then I have to go home to see Ayda,” I say patiently. And she pouts.

“But I want you to see the bar before everybody arrives, it’s spectacular. Honestly, Hudson, your guests are going to go crazy over it.” She beams at me, and I almost tell her I’ve already seen it, but then I remember.

Nobody can know.

Ah, fuck that.

“I’ll see it,” I tell her. “When I get there.”

“Who has meetings at six anyway?” she asks. “Are you telling the truth?”

I usually have an infinite well of patience for my sister. But it takes an act of will not to bite back at her.

“My lawyer wants to talk to me,” I say.

“What about?”

“I don’t know. I guess I will as soon as I speak to him.” I lift a brow.

“You will be at the party, right? You got a babysitter, didn’t you?”

“Yes.” One of the women who works at the hotel is looking for some extra cash to save for her wedding. Turned out she was a nanny before she came to work for us in reception. I’ve introduced her to Ayda and the two of them got along. Of course, I’ll have the nanny cams on too.

I’m not an idiot.

“I’ll be there,” I say firmly. “I wouldn’t miss your grand opening.”

“It’s not mine, it’s Skyler’s.” She tips her head to the side. “Are you sure you can’t sneak out and come with me now?”

“I’m sorry,” I tell her. “I really have to make some phone calls before this meeting if I want to make it to the party at all.”

“Okay. But be there by eight. I mean it.” She widens her eyes at me.

Since when did I let myself get bossed around by my kid sister? I’ve no idea, but it’s clearly catching, because now I’m being dragged around by my balls by a pretty little daydreamer who makes me explode every time I’m inside of her.

I’m a fucking goner and I know it. But I’m still putting up a fight anyway.

* * *

“The answer is no,” I say firmly to my lawyer. “I don’t even know why you had to ask that.”

“Well first of all because you’re the client not me, and I take my instructions from you.” He looks amused at my outburst. But he shouldn’t. I’m fuming at the presumptuousness of the letter Ayda’s grandparents have sent him.

They’re demanding that Ayda stay with them during the summer for six weeks. In England and without me.

Because they feel it’s important for her to learn about her heritage without the influence ofthe other party.Their words, not mine. Because clearly they can’t even stand to say my name.

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