Page 132 of Scandalous

Aurora looks at me, silently asking if she can slip away.

“Go. We’ll be right behind you,” I tell her.

Drake’s hand moves from her hand down and takes her hand in his.

As they walk out of the room, we all watch them.

“So are you okay with your best friend holding your girl’s hand because he’s gay or because you all share her?”

“Last I checked, my sex life is none of your business.” I glare down at my sister.

Valentina rolls her eyes. “Relax. It’s not like I have much room to talk. I had a baby out of wedlock, remember?”

“How about we keep the barbs at a minimum this trip, shall we?” Ezra says as he adjusts his watch.

“But where’s the fun in that?” Val pouts as she flounces off.

I was tired when I pulled into the driveway, but now I’m exhausted. As much as I love my family, I’m ready for them to leave and go home.

“Hundred bucks say we all go to bed early and when we wake up in the morning, they will all be here, still going strong,” Liam says as he walks over to Ezra and me.

“I don’t take losing bets. You know that,” Ezra says. “Now, let’s go find Drake and Aurora before they lose their clothes. The faster we join everyone, the sooner we can make them leave.”

Wishful thinking.

* * *

Yesterday was the perfect type of lazy day.

After the day before, when Santi had to entertain his family after traveling, we decided it would be a day in. The guys and I just hung out around the house. We played in the pool and watched movies. Today though, Santi crawled out of bed early. Before he left, he kissed me and told me to stay in bed.

Walking out of the bedroom, I rub my eyes as I make my way to the kitchen.

“Hello, love,” Ezra says from his spot at the island.

“Morning,” I mumble, making my way to the coffeepot.

I pour myself a cup and doctor it up to my liking. Walking around the island, I set my cup down next to Ezra and hop up on the counter.

“Where did the guys go?” I ask as I pick my cup back up.

Ezra turns and reaches out, pulling me closer to him. Rests one hand on the side of my hip underneath my shirt and rubs his thumb back and forth.

“Scared to be alone with me?” He raises a brow.

I roll my eyes. “Please.”

“They all had errands to run. Liam and Drake are checking on some of the employees for the event. Santi didn’t say where he was going.”

My breath catches as he wraps his hand around my hip. His thumb teasing my panty line.

So close yet so far away.

“Makes sense to me.”

“Are you hungry, love?” He tilts his head, a small smile playing on his face.

I don’t know what happened when I left Sydney, but whatever it was changed the dynamic between Ezra and me. Yes, he’s still a grumpy asshole, but he’s my grumpy asshole. Honestly, I love it. I love the way I get under his skin. When he snaps and goes all growly and possessive, I don’t hate it. If he was anyone else, I would want to throat punch them, but with Ezra, it just makes my panties wet.

---