Page 18 of One Night Seduction

Ty was pissed when everything went down with Kelly.Almost more so than me. I think a small piece of me knew before I actually found out. I was always away, and she needed constant attention. She was good for my ego, a pretty face and fairly sweet. We never quite…fit, though. I was approaching forty with a large fortune but nothing to truly show for it. I wanted a wife, a family, and Kelly offered both to me in a pretty package. It was easy to fall for the charming, beautiful woman, or at least I thought it would be.

The honeymoon phase didn’t last long. My hours at work became longer, my work trips became more frequent, and eventually, I found myself not missing her at all. That’s probably when she started fucking around, maybe even before that. I guess I don’t hate her because I don’t really blame her. We never had that spark, that connection. We were never truly in love with each other. More like we just were mutually using one another for different things in life. Things we thought we needed to feel fulfilled.

Our marriage and divorce left me with the resounding feeling of failure, something I was not accustomed to. Thanks to my iron-tight prenup and her clear violation of the infidelity clause, it financially cost me nothing. Something she was furious about, hence Tyson’s gold digger comment.

Tossing my phone onto the bed, I run my hand down my face. I hate who I’ve become. I’m restless, irritable. All I can think about is…her. It’s fucked up and irrational, but here I am, sharing a vacation home with my ex-wife, her sister, and the woman who has quickly become the entire center of my attention. What could possibly go wrong?

Chapter Nine

Arianna

I pretty much barricaded myself in my room last night. My aunt tried to get me to come downstairs and have dinner with everyone, but I told her that I was tired and going to go to bed early. You could tell she didn’t believe me, but she didn’t try to stop me either.

I just didn’t want to deal with Logan. I contemplated leaving about a thousand times. If he wasn’t going to go home, then I was. He couldn’t just follow me out here and force me to face him after what we did. But I came to the conclusion that I did nothing wrong.

From the beginning, I didn’t have a clue who he was. I mean, I won’t lie, I kinda feel dumb for not recognizing his voice. Then again, I haven’t seen him in years, and when we were in the club, he spoke deeper than his normal voice, raspier. Or maybe that was the alcohol and raging hormones inside me that made me think that. Either way, I was not the one in the wrong here, that’s on him, and I’m not going to run away scared frommyvacation withmyfamily. If he wants to stay, I guess he can, at the price of fending off my mother’sadvances. Then again, maybe he won’t fend them off. Maybe he didn’t come here for me, maybe he wants to try again with her.

That’s not the way it seemed last night when he essentially cornered you and told you that he was here for you.

Dismissing the obnoxious voice in my head, I slip out of my room and creep down the stairs in search of food because, in the mornings especially, I’m a hangry fucking bitch. I did end up actually falling asleep pretty early, so it’s no surprise that I’m up well before everyone. At least, I thought I was.

My steps falter as I enter the kitchen and see Logan sitting at the island, cup of coffee in hand as he scrolls on his phone with the other. The instant his eyes come to me, I feel it. From the top of my head to the tips of my toes, I feel his stare like a hot, heady blanket suffocating me. Instantly, I regret not getting dressed before I came down here. Granted, I’m not wearing anything risqué, just a pair of sleep shorts and an oversized Iron Maiden shirt that I’ve had for years. Still, I might as well be naked with the way he’s staring at me, watching me. I try like hell to hate it but come up short.

Pushing that thought to the side, I straighten my posture and move through the kitchen like I don’t even notice him, digging through the fridge for something to eat. Wow, Aunt Marissa really went hard with the grocery shopping. Since I skipped out on dinner, I get started on breakfast for everyone. I see everything I need to make some eggs, hashbrowns, and pancakes.

Pulling out all the ingredients and a few bowls, I start with the pancake mix when Logan speaks.

“Want some help?”

“No,” I answer simply.

I can see his reflection in the microwave, and Idon’t miss his disappointed expression as he busies himself with his phone once more. Honestly, what the fuck does he expect?

A knock comes from the door, and I turn to see Logan stand to answer it. I frown, glancing at the clock. It’s just after eight in the morning. Not sure who would be showing up, let alone at this time. A delivery, maybe?

Logan answers the door, his posture going stiff as he speaks to the person on the other side.

“What do you want?”

I peek around the corner to see Ty, Logan’s younger brother. His golden wavy hair is a stark contrast from Logan’s short black hair. Where Logan has deep brown eyes, Ty has these bright green ones that constantly shine with mirth. He has that effortlessly hot surfer thing going on. I, without shame, had a crush on him for years because, look at him, how could you not? Obviously, he was way too old for me, and I wasn’t even on his radar, but that didn’t stop me from admiring.

I smile when his eyes meet mine, a matching grin spreading across his face.

“Holy fuck! Is that little Ari?” He laughs, shoving past his big brother as he moves inside.

I set down the spatula, walking over to the doorway as he drops his bag and lifts me into his arms. I squeal in surprise as he spins me in a circle before letting me slide down to my feet. I don’t miss the way he takes his time releasing me, every hard ridge of him pressed against me as we pull apart and smile at each other.

“Fuck, girly. You got…wait, how old are you now?” he asks.

I laugh at that. “Twenty-one.”

“No shit? Okay then, sexy, you got sexy. Let me look at you,” he says, taking my hand and lifting it above my head as he forces me into a spin.

I chuckle as I comply, and the wolf whistle he lets out has me waggling my eyebrows at him.

“Well, thanks for the ego boost. You’re not looking too ugly yourself,” I tease.

“You don’t have to beat around the bush, Ari. I’m hot, it’s okay to admit,” he says with a lift of his eyebrows and a wink.

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