Page 24 of Seduction in Spades

“I meant what I said that night. I’m not in a position where I can handle anything serious. I have a new job, I’m starting, a new life. I’ve had... so many responsibilities, and now I only want to have to worry about myself, as selfish as that sounds.”

“That doesn’t sound selfish at all. But I don’t see why we couldn’t still see each other.”

“I’m not talking to Trey about you, and I’m asking you not to put his nose in our business. He’s never once met a guy I’ve been out with, and I don’t need him meddling now.”

“I don’t keep secrets from them.”

“Not even dirty little secrets that have no bearing on him whatsoever?” I nibble on my bottom lip trying to find a balance between being flirty and not slutty, like he’d falsely accused me of before.

Although, looking back, I was kinda slutty that night. And I don’t regret a single moment. I want to do it again, but without the pressure of something more between Nolan and me and without the pressure of Trey interfering.

“I love my brother dearly. It’s why I moved to Boston, but I don’t want to be his responsibility, and if he gets involved in my personal life, he’ll make me one. And in turn, he’ll make my life a living hell bossing me around. Hovering. Meddling.”

“I thought you were the boss of him growing up.”

“Oh, I was. And now he wants his turn. We keep our personal lives separate, and I’m asking you to honor me with that.”

Nolan runs his hand through his hair and lets out a deep sigh. “I want to see you again.”

“You know my conditions. I’m not lying to my brother but I’m not sharing my diary entries with him either, or committing to anything other than a night of... a night like we had.”

“Avery.”

A knock sounds on the door and Trey pokes his head in. “Sorry. I told Avery she could chill in here while I finished up with Drake.”

“No problem. She was just filling me in on how much of a pain in the ass you are. I told her I was already well aware. See you around.” Nolan leaves without a backward glance.

“‘Kay. Let’s get this froo-froo lunch over with.”

“Gee. Thanks. And here I thought you’d be excited to spend a few hours with your big sister.”

I tuck my hand through his elbow and follow him out into the hallway. I hope to catch a glance of Nolan’s retreating ass—because it’s a fine ass—but he’s already gone.

“Sorry about that,” Trey says as he punches the down arrow to the elevator.

“About Nolan? I was the one who intruded in his office.”

“Nolan’s fine. It’s Ryder I worry about. I trust him with my life and with our business, and he’s a good friend, although annoying at times. All the time. But he spins through women faster than the wheel on the roulette table.”

“No worries.” I pat his arm as we step into the elevator. “I’m not going out with Ryder. It’s innocent flirting. You should try it sometime. You catch more flies—or ladies—with honey than vinegar.”

“I don’t need a woman to complicate my life right now.”

“Ditto. I don’t need a man in mine either.”

Maybe Trey and I are more alike than I thought. If so, I wonder if he has a secret woman on the side he’s seeing.

“Have you at least gone out with a woman since being in Boston?” He’s been here for two years. That’s a long time to be celibate, not that I want to know about my brother’s sex life. We don’t ever talk about dating, but now we’re older and have careers. We’re not trying to figure out life and how to pay off the debt our parents left us with.

“Not really.”

We walk through the lobby, and I can’t help but notice the heads that turn in my brother’s direction. He throws off some pretty intimidating vibes, but he also has that bad boy biker vibe going on as well. “Interested in anyone in particular.”

“No.”

“Anyone interested in you?” We step out onto the sidewalk and head toward the financial district. It’s a beautiful fall afternoon, and I love the flurry of activity on the streets.

“Dunno.”

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