Page 7 of Scandalous

He leans against the counter before looking at my phone. I have it up on Aurora’s profile.

He groans. “What is it about her that has you all so obsessed? What makes her special?”

I shrug. “I can’t really pinpoint it. I just know that I like her.”

“You like who she pretends to be. I’m telling you now that she isn’t as perfect as she acts.”

I sigh. “I’m not going to keep arguing this with you. You have your issues with her for whatever reason. I get it. Why can’t the rest of us indulge in her a little bit?”

He takes a seat on the stool, considering my words. “You’re my best mate. I mean, Liam and Drake are too, but I’ve known you the longest. Can’t you see what I see? This is doomed to fail. This woman is eventually going to pick one of us and when it’s not you, how is that going to make you feel? You’re the eldest. I thought you would see things clearer than the others.”

I see Aurora go live. I press the button, letting her voice fill in the quiet of the background as I turn back to Ezra.

“Maybe it’s because of my age that I’m allowing myself to find joy where I can. You made a good point.” I look back to the screen, smiling when I see her face. “She might pick one of us, and it might suck. Then again, she might not choose any of us. Either way, life is short. I want to live my life while I’m alive, and if that means watching this woman ten years my junior making food once a week, then I’m going to do that. I know you want to protect us, but can’t you see that sometimes you take it too far? By denying us her, you are only exercising a level of control that you shouldn’t have over us. What happens when you hold on so tight that you are the one who ends up breaking us?” I stare him right in his eyes.

I can see my words hit. His eyes flash to my phone screen. I know I don’t imagine the heat behind them. He wants Aurora as bad as the rest of us. He’s just better at lying to himself.

“I’ll take it into consideration.” He starts to walk away before stopping at the door. “This is going to end in disaster. You know that, right?”

I swallow hard as I nod. “Yeah. I do.”

He nods once before he leaves.

As I turn back and jump into the skirt steak soft tacos Aurora is making, I let my mind wander.

I know this is going to end with hurt for me, but I can’t stop myself.

I’m already too far gone.

Three

“Come on, Li. I’m tired and want to take a nap,” Drake groans from the bed.

I roll my eyes at him. He can be so needy sometimes. I love it.

“One more, and I think it’ll be perfect,” I tell him, standing in front of the light with my phone in the middle.

He lets out a huff, but I continue my work. Getting the perfect thirst trap isn’t easy. It has to be sexy but not too much. You can show some of your body but go too low and you give too much away. Basically, you have to keep the guys and gals wanting more.

It’s tedious but worth it.

Especially lately. I haven’t missed the way Aurora always comments on my photos. I think she probably looked at them before too, but now she makes sure I know that she is looking. It gives me this heady feeling that often makes me horny as fuck.

I want the girl.

So does Drake, which only makes it better.

I snap the photo, smiling at it. I look damn good. I have my shirt off, my abs on perfect display. The towel from my shower is hung low on my hips, showing theVthat all my fans love. Even the little piece of hair falling into my face is on purpose. I stare at the photo a moment more before I draft the post. After a moment, I smirk at the caption I’ve come up with.

The.Aussie: I love getting wet. *wet emoji* Who wants to be the lucky one I get wet with?

That should get the comments rolling in. They are always funny as fuck too.

I post the photo, then make my way to the bed, setting my phone on the nightstand as I walk by.

It’s buzzing already.

Leaning over Drake as he lies on his stomach, I press against him. Then I lean in, biting his shoulder.

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