Page 152 of Scandalous

“Yes, how dare you have a life,” Ezra deadpans.

“It is what it is.” I shrug. “If she had her way, I would live here full time and I would join them all for weekly family dinners.”

“I’ve never asked, but how did you end up going to boarding school with that type of family dynamic?”

“My father never cared for me much. Decided to send me to boarding school to get me out of his hair. He thinks I’m a disappointment.”

Ezra chuckles. “Honestly, our families had no idea what they were doing when they sent us all there.”

I laugh. “No kidding. I’m thankful though. If it wasn’t for him, I never would have met you guys.”

“Or Aurora,” Ezra points out.

“Or Aurora.”

Ezra’s phone rings and he picks it up. “I have to take this. Give your mother a kiss for me.”

“Later,” I say as he stands and walks away.

I stare out at the view and finish my coffee. This summer feels as if it’s speeding by. I wish I could slow it down because before I know it, it’s going to be over. Aurora will be back in New York and the guys and I will be back in London.

Will we withstand the distance after spending the entire summer together?

Only time will tell.

Finishing my coffee, I walk into the kitchen and rinse my cup out. After setting it down on the drying rack, I head back down the hall toward the bedrooms. I pause in the doorway and stare at the sleeping trio.

They look so fucking peaceful. Like they don’t have a care in the world or anywhere else to be.

Shaking my head, I force myself to my bedroom and get ready for the day. The sooner I visit with my family, the faster I can get back here.

Thirty-Four

Taking my phone off the stand, I start taking photos of the plate of food I made. Today it was a simple frittata with ham, asparagus and Gruyère cheese. Scrolling through the photos I’m pleased with how they look.

Drake’s house here in Las Vegas is the most humble home out of all of them I’ve been to. The outside looks like a normal house that you would find in any suburban neighborhood. It’s on the edge of town, away from everyone. There’s another house about a half mile down the road, but that’s it.

While the outside is basic the inside screams luxury. All the counters are marble, and the kitchen island has a waterfall edge, taking the stone all the way down to the floor. I never would have thought to have so much white in a home located in a desert, but it works.

As soon as we arrived the other night, the guys stripped down and jumped into the pool. The four of them watched me with greedy eyes, resting their arms on the edge of the pool while I took off my clothes.

I don’t know how they do it, but they always make me feel beautiful. Desired. Wanted. The way they touch me, love me, is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. They make me feel seen.

“That smells delicious, love,” Ezra says as he walks in.

I smile as my cheeks heat. “Glad you think so.”

Ezra pulls me into his arms and runs his thumb over the apple of my cheek.

“Tell me, what were you just thinking about?”

“Why do you want to know?” I tease.

“Because I want to know what memory made you blush so I can make it happen again.”

Bouncing up onto the tips of my toes, I kiss his chin. “That’s for me to know and you to find out. I’m sure you’re up for the challenge.”

Ezra’s hand works its way up my back and into the back of my hair. He pulls my head back, making me gasp from the slight sting.

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