Page 7 of Blood Moon

He lifted one shoulder in a careless shrug. “I thought you might like to get out.”

“I just went out,” I drily replied. “To a dinner party, as a matter of fact.”

He rolled his eyes. “That’s not the same. That was work.”

“And this wouldn’t be?” I huffed. “I know you, Peter. Any social event you go to is an opportunity.”

Though he tried not to, the corner of his mouth twitched before it lifted. He didn’t say anything; he simply stared at me. Refusing to rise to the bait, I remained silent—so did he.

As usual, I caved first.

“Fine. I’ll go,” I huffed.

My shithead brother grinned.

This was likely going to be a disaster. My inner thighs had been wet since the second I hurriedly re-entered the portal with the small statue. I was practically throbbing with need—which was why I’d intended to lock myself up in my condo for the night.

Alone.

I’d never told him about the reaction I had to time traveling. It was a slightly embarrassing topic to have with one’s twin brother. It would also make him ten times as protective.

Maybe I needed to invest in a chastity belt.

On the way, I was doing some online shopping.

Chapter3

Leo

“The Ghost” (Acoustic) — Bayside

“Why, thank you,” Vittorio murmured as he took the drink from my hand.

“Hey,” I grumbled. “The least you could do is let me have a fucking drink if I have to endure this stupid party.”

Gabriel was having an intimate gathering at his penthouse that I was instructed to attend. I didnotwant to go. When I tried to sneak out, I was detained by my asshole brother. They were making me feel like I was thirteen years old again.

Between Vittorio and Gabriel, they were still keeping me on that damn tight leash, and my collar was starting to chafe. I was getting pissed. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much I could do about it because Gabriel threatened to cut off my money if I didn’t do as he said.

“Ah, ah, ah,” he chastised before he upended my drink into his big, fat mouth. “This is all part of the Get-Leo-To-Pull-His-Head-Out-Of-His-Ass project.”

Kendall, Vittorio’s woman, had her hand looped inside his bent arm. As she stood by his side, she gave me a sympathetic smile.“Sorry,”she mouthed.

I huffed in disgust as I looked away from my pain-in-the-fucking-ass brother. Long, loose curls of blonde hair caught my attention from across the room. They trailed down a slender back and lightly caressed the gentle curve of her hips. The shimmering green dress hugged those slight curves like a glove.

She turned her head slightly to the side, and as if she was bored, slowly lifted her champagne flute to her plush lips. In silhouette, I could see her throat as she swallowed, and I had this insane urge to run my tongue over it. The end of her nose tipped up slightly, and a soft pink hue appeared airbrushed over her cheek. Under the crystal chandeliers, she almost seemed to have a fine glitter dusted over her that reflected as she moved.

As if she could feel the weight of my stare, she turned to face me. Her crystal blue eyes locked with mine. She tilted her head as she narrowed her gaze and swept those gorgeous eyes over me from the floor up.

Something about her seemed so familiar, but I couldn’t place her. I lifted my chin, and the corner of my mouth quirked up. She boldly held my gaze as one of her dark brows arched.

“Leo,” Vittorio said in an irritated tone, telling me he’d likely spoken it more than once.

“I’ll be back,” I absently responded as I further ignored him to approach the pixie-like beauty.

When I was a mere six to eight feet from her, the man I hadn’t noticed standing next to her put his hand on her back in a possessive manner, and I stopped in my tracks. A burning fury swept through me.

She broke our stare and gave her attention to the man who was talking to Gabriel and his wife, Alia. Funny, I hadn’t noticed any of them prior to that moment, as they had all been eclipsed by her beauty.

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