Page 31 of The Pretender

He inhales and rolls his shoulders. “The lady of the house disagrees.” He steps aside and opens the door wider for me to enter, which I do, albeit slowly.

I don’t want Drew Jameson thinking I give two shits about his permission to enter. Clearly, he has as much authority as the ‘lady of the house’ allows him.

Bennett hovers in the kitchen and snaps at the blonde by the stove when the door closes behind me. “You go put some fucking clothes on too. I don’t understand why you both had to confiscate my bathroom to do your makeup.” He glares at Aspen. “You aren’t leaving.”

Wow. Bennett so needs a blow job and a beer. Dude is wound tight.

I tip my chin at Bennett as a simple hello and ignore the ‘lady of the house,’ Aspen.

“Hi, Bash!”

Fuck.

I tip my chin. “Aspen.”

Swear to God, Bennett growls.

“How’s Maverick and Ainsley?” she continues.

For a second, I think about texting Vee to hurry the hell up, but then I realize I’m ignoring Aspen and that can be just as lethal as talking to her.

“They’re good.” I tuck my hands in my pockets.

“Good,” she returns all too chipper. “Do you want a beer?”

“No, he doesn’t,” Bennett answers for me, before turning to his brother and barking, “Go see what's taking Valentina so long. She needs pants and a long-sleeved shirt. It’s doesn’t take that fucking long to throw them on.”

It’s April and an easy eighty degrees out. I think the long-sleeved shirt is a bit overkill. But I get it, I have a sister too. Not that Bennett and Drew are Vee’s brothers, but from what I know about their crew, they were all raised as family. Their parents are best friends, so essentially, they act as siblings. Except for Bennett and Aspen. The way they look at each other is anything but familial.

When Drew lumbers off in search of Vee, Fenn, Aspen’s brother, comes barreling down the hall with his pants undone. “Asp, give me your purse.”

Aspen scoffs. “I’m not giving you money, Fenn. You’ll have to call Dad.”

Fenn finally realizes he has a guest and tips his chin, as if this is just like any other night. “I don’t need cash, I need condoms. I’m out.”

Aspen’s wit rivals her brother’s. “How do you know I’m not out?”

A low rumble comes from Bennett’s direction that makes Fenn grin. “Because of that. Now cough ‘em up. You’re not using them anytime soon as long as Chastity’s Child over there keeps up the good little soldier act.”

I feel my eyes widen and Bennett doesn’t miss it. He snags a purse—presumably Aspen’s—and hurls it into Fenn’s chest. “I’m tired of guests, Von Bremen.” He eyes me in particular.

Fenn bounces on the balls of his feet. “Don’t worry, I won’t let mine stay long, big guy. Have an apple and gaze longingly at my sister. That’ll make—”

Bennett shoves him, cutting off whatever teasing word he was about to say.

I clear my throat. “I…uh…I’m going to wait outside.”

Bennett’s voice is thick with authority. “I think that’s a good—”

“Wait! Sebastian!” I freeze and turn around to see Valentina Lambros, who’s not in a long-sleeved shirt and pants or a flannel; instead, she’s in a summer tank dress that I’ve never seen. “I’m so sorry. I needed Aspen to do my hair. And well...”

She was over here like usual.

“It looks great,” I tell her, noticing it’s in loose curls that fall over her shoulder, ending nearly at her elbows. Her look is simple, understated, and my damn dick likes what he’s seeing.

“Thanks,” she says, knotting her hands together like the compliment makes her feel awkward.

“Be back by ten,” Drew grits out, glaring at me.

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