Page 30 of Wild and Bright

“Only five?” Her tone is incredulous. “Does that number change? What happens when you get married? Will you have six people then?”

My smile turns rueful. “I like to keep it at five. It keeps me from overcommitting. If I ever get married, someone will have to be demoted.”

Her loud cackle is followed by a snort, and it warms me everywhere. It’s so achingly familiar even after so many years away from her.

“You’re such an asshole.” Her voice is strangled with laughter.

I shake my head. “It’s all about temperament. People fall into two categories. They either like all kinds of people—you’re that kind of person—or they like a select few. I’m a misanthrope, so I like a very select few. I can’t help it. It’s just how I’m built.”

“You’re wrong about me. I don’t like all kinds of people.”

“Really? You were always so loud at parties. And it seemed you had a new best friend every week in high school. Maybe you’ve changed.”

“Oh, I still love being around people because I’m vain and I love attention, but I don’t like very many people.” She narrows her eyes. “Who are your five?”

I lift one finger. “Hunter, obviously.”

“Of course. You’re such a good big brother.”

My brow furrows. “You think so?”

“Absolutely. You’re so protective of him. Like I know you would literally commit murder to keep him safe. It used to give me mad older-brother fantasies when I was a kid.”

I nearly jerk back at that. “What do you mean?”

She smiles a bit ruefully, averting her eyes from mine, as she lifts her drink to her lips. “Logan is a wonderful brother, so don’t get me wrong. And he’s technically my older brother by eleven minutes. He is protective in his own way, but he’s so easygoing. I used to fantasize about having an older brother like you who was just a little bit of a dictator, you know?”

“No, I don’t know. I never had any brotherly feelings for you, even when we were young.”

“It was when I was really young. It was definitely a sexual fantasy, though I didn’t know it at the time.” She smiles slowly as she runs her gaze down my body and up again. “I definitely don’t have any sisterly feelings for you now.”

Heat washes over me. I swallow as I lean in closer and stare down into her heavy-lidded eyes. “What do you feel for me now?”

Abruptly, she pulls back. She grabs her drink from the bar counter and takes a small sip. “I’ll tell you later. Who are your other four?”

“Tease.” I roll my eyes. “I don’t think I’m going to tell you. You’ll have to guess.”

She smiles to herself. “Well, obviously your mom and dad—”

“Nope.”

Her gaze darts to my face. “You’re saying you don’t like your mom and dad?”

“I love them, obviously, but I don’t love hanging out with them. In fact, hanging out with them is a chore—something I do only because it needs to be done.”

“Like doing laundry.”

“Exactly. But I can be around my five people all the time, and it doesn’t bother me. I can talk when I need to, but I can also be silent. They’re people I can share a space with. I didn’t like living with my parents, which is why I moved out as soon as I turned eighteen.”

“You’re sharing a space with me…” She raises questioning brows.

My pulse starts to race, and I avert my gaze. This conversation is dangerous, and I need to change the subject fast. “Yeah, well…I won’t be hanging out with you all the time. This is a big house, and I spend most of my time in my studio. You probably won’t even see much of me when we aren’t…”

“Going to parties. Or fucking.”

The harsh word on her lips makes my already half-hard dick grow fully erect. I look at her face—that beautiful face with her big green eyes, thick dark brows, and wide expressive mouth. “Goddamn, you’re so fucking gorgeous.”

Her brow knits. “Do you really think so? Even with my big ol’ honker?” When she lifts her fingers and touches that bump on the bridge of her nose, my body grows lighter than it has in years. Like I might float away if I’m not careful.

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