Page 10 of Revelation (Love Isn't What It Seems 3)

“That can’t be them already,” Livy muttered nervously. She had been a ball of nerves ever since she agreed to marry Alexander. A shitload has happened in the last two months, so I could understand her reluctance, but I really thought she had nothing to worry about. The Caldwells were richer than gods and what little I saw of Alexander, he was handsome. Uptight but handsome. Although I wasn’t proud that I met him in my drunken stupor a few months back. I may have thrown his driver’s keys into a lake. The only consolation was that Liberty was just as drunk that night, and she actually made it to the top of Alexander’s car with me.

“It might be the mailman,” I told her. “I’ll be right back.”

She continued packing some stuff for Brandon while I rushed to the door. I had stayed with her for the past two days while we frantically prepared for the wedding. Truthfully, Alexander was taking care of it all, including her dress.

All we had to ensure was that Brandon was packed to stay at Caldwell’s property while Liberty went on herhoneymoon.She didn’t know where Alexander was taking her. He made me promise not to tell Liberty. I packed her a suitcase with appropriate clothing for the honeymoon.She’s going to love it,I thought smugly to myself recalling exactly what type of clothing I packed.

While they are away, I would stay with Brandon along with Alexander’s brother and grandfather. I would have rather taken Brandon to my place but Alexander insisted this would be better. Liberty had to prove to the court she had means, emotional and financial, to support Brandon so they could appoint her his legal guardian. Hence the rushed marriage plans. Brandon staying at the Caldwell manor would show there was a connection between all of us. Just in case someone got the bright idea to contest and say those two were marrying each other to help themselves obtain something. I guess it made sense, although I couldn’t grasp why Alexander Caldwell couldn’t just demand the court appoint the custody of Brandon to Liberty. He was influential and had better connections than the queen herself.

Okay, I’m exaggerating a bit.Maybe not the queen, but close. Either way, I guess it didn’t matter as long as Liberty kept Brandon, and he was taken care of.

I swung the door open and my movement faltered. For a fraction of a second, my brain stopped and all my words left me. And that rarely happened!

This guy in front of me, holy smoking shit. My eyes roamed over his broad shoulder fitting that customer tailored suit, down to his midsection. Maybe it was my wild imagination, but I swore I saw his muscles through his white shirt and there were rock hard abs hiding there. I forced my eyes to stop right there. We could not check out his package. Wewould notcheck out his package.

Eyes up, Layla.I raised my gaze to his face. Clean shaven, strong jaw, full lips with a flirtatious, easy smile. God, how tempting his lips were, drawing me in just for a little taste.No, no, no.He was off limits. Instead, I focus on the rest of his face. Strong nose and eyes… deep, dark blue eyes.

I quickly gathered myself and stopped my staring.

“Wrong house,” I told him and went to shut the door.

“I don’t think so.” He stopped the door with the palm of his hand. “Liberty Smith lives here.”

“Huh?” Who the hell did he think he was?

Hot as hell, I’d give him that. God, I hope this wasn’t some family friend or cousin. This man was too hot to be around. Too dangerous to be around. My body instantly responded, attracted to him, causing my cheeks to warm in response to him.

What the hell!

Gosh, his eyes. They were like burning volcanoes in the depths of the sea. They were dark blue, disquieting and sinful the way he watched me. Like a hunter that spotted its prey. He’d eat me alive and then spit me out before the next meal. The easy smile playing around his lips was deceiving. I had no idea why I thought so, but I’d stake my life on it.

I waited for his response, agitation slowly replacing all my other thoughts. His sapphire stare was confident and slightly cocky, a tiny smirk on his full lips. I straightened up, rolling back my shoulders, annoyed that this guy watched my every breath. It was like he peeked into my mind, reading me like a book. My body heated under his gaze, and I hated that even more. Annoyed at him and even more at myself, I exhaled a frustrated breath, ready to tell him off when he spoke up.

“Maxim Caldwell,” he finally replied and smiled nonchalantly. “Groom’s brother at your service.”

My eyes traveled over him again. He was very pleasant on the eyes and seemingly too happy. But there was definitely darkness underneath all that easy going appearance. I didn’t know what made me think that, but I felt it. There was something intense lurking under his happy smile, luring you in like a butterfly to a flower, or more like an insect to a Venus fly trap so it’d eat you alive. A shudder shot down my spine, and I quickly pushed away any thoughts of this man. I didn’t care who he was or what lurked under his facade. He would be off limits. Besides, he wasn’t even my type. I liked my men… well, not like him. I needed something else.

This guy looked like he had his demons. For a fraction of a second, I wondered what his story was but then firmly shut down my thoughts. I didn’t need to know his story. I could recognize people with issues from miles away. That kind of darkness resonated with me because I battled with it myself.

I was damaged enough and had enough of my own darkness to fight. Besides, I had a lifetime of words to prove a man like Caldwell would never even spare me a glance.

Convincing myself it was for the best that I ignore my attraction, and any thoughts of Maxim Caldwell, I gave him my reserved smile.

“And you are Layla, right?” He offered a warm smile, the intensity of his gaze warming my skin.

“Yes,” I told him with a tight smile.He is not my type,I chanted in my head over and over again. Although, dang it. He was easy on the eyes.

“Layla, who is it?” Livy’s voice woke me from my damn mind chanting.

“Nobody important,” I yelled back, offering Maxim one of my sweetest mocking smiles. “Just your future brother-in-law.”

“Maxim.” Liberty showed up behind me. “Come on in. We are almost ready.”

I stepped aside and he strode in like he owned the place. I narrowed my eyes on him. He just flashed me a bright smile and carried on. His arm brushed against me and a current of friction shot through me, causing me to gasp at an unexpected sensation. It was barely a graze but my body temperature instantly shot up to dangerously high levels. I kept my expression blank and pulled myself further into the wall.

I don’t like him at all.

Chapter Six

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