Page 4 of Scandalous

“Well said, brother,” Santi adds, slapping my shoulder.

I glance around him to see Ezra on his other side, looking smug.

Fucker is going to say something stupid. I can just tell.

Then he opens his mouth.

Two

Aurora Blake is a pain in my ass. She has somehow weaved a spell on all of my friends, making them worship the ground she walks on. Well, virtually at least.

I hate to admit it, but she has even caught my attention, much to my dismay.

She’s fucking gorgeous, but it’s more than that. She has this way of speaking that both turns me on and makes me want to spank her ass.

She’s not a brat per se, but she has a sassy mouth I’d love to explore.

Not that I would ever let myself. Not with the way the others feel about her. I know they want to meet her. I’m scared if they do, she won’t meet their expectations. She won’t meet mine.

She’s this fantasy that I allow to live in my head. I let myself have my fill of her.

If she were anything different than what I have built up, it would not only annoy me, but it would hurt the men I have come to call my brothers. They might hate when I take the reins to keep us safe, but I do so because I care. She has the potential to pull our group apart one by one and she doesn’t even know it.

“Well said, brother.” Santi slaps Drake’s shoulder, ending whatever thoughts I was lost in.

I can feel myself smirk.

“What about you, Miss Aurora Blake? What is your love language? What lies do you tell to make men like you?”

She scoffs as she rolls her eyes. “There is no dating for me. Between spending quality time with my fans and going to school full time, I don’t have time to date. To answer your other question, my love language is words of affirmation. I like to hear how someone feels about me. While I also enjoy the others, this is the one I identify with most.”

My gut clenches. I knew she wasn’t the one for me, but hearing it put so clearly is painful.

She’s a fantasy.

I try to remind myself as I keep my face calm.

“Aw, so the pretty princess has to be told she’s beautiful to feel good?” I spit back, letting my anger cloud my words.

“Ezra, fuck, man,” Drake hisses.

“No, it’s okay, Drake. Ignorance can’t be corrected if it’s not brought to light. Words of affirmation aren’t about being told you’re pretty. It’s not superficial. While sometimes, yes, I enjoy hearing when someone thinks I look good, I don’t believe that’s out of the norm. Most people like it when someone notices that they look good. Words of affirmation are about more than looks. It can be something as simple as saying ‘I love you’ daily or as complicated as getting praise for a job well done on something specific. It could be that you know I’ve had a bad day, so you tell me something about me you love, whether it be my sense of humor or the way I make the mashed potatoes you love. Big or small, it’s about positive words feeding the soul.”

I swallow hard. I get what she is saying, but I don’t want to give in to her. I’m about to respond when Santi speaks up.

“Ezra here is an ‘acts of service’ guy. So if you make the food he likes, I’m sure he’d be happy to compliment you on it. Isn’t that right, E?”

I sigh, crossing my arms.

“All right, no arguing. This is supposed to be fun and informative. Let’s read some comments,” Liam calls from the other end.

I don’t look his way. I can’t take my eyes off the woman on the screen. I’ve minimized all the guys so only she shows as I glance down.

“Ah, here’s one for our resident British dick. Mirana Jugs wants you to explain what acts of service are,” Liam says.

“Easy. Acts of service are when someone does things to help make your life easier. For example, knowing that you have a huge presentation coming up, your partner might do the dishes even though it’s your agreed-upon night. Maybe they go out of their way to pick up your dry cleaning. Things like that. I don’t really like the attention myself, but I do enjoy showing my love with the acts of service I bestow upon those I care about. These guys get a lot of it.” I nudge Santi next to me who chuckles.

“I enjoy acts of service as well. That would probably be my secondary love language, as it can often go hand in hand with words of affirmation,” Aurora adds.

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