Page 15 of Wicked Little Thoughts

“Because you really like him,” Kara murmurs, the penny finally dropping.

I don’t answer, instead, I stretch out my legs and stand up, then wander over to my suitcase to pick out an outfit.

“I better go,” I say. “Apparently, we're having breakfast with Noah's grandfather.”

“Okay, have fun. Call me if you need to talk.”

I end the call, then I get dressed and make myself a coffee. I take it out onto the cute little balcony to drink it. It's so pretty up here, overlooking the ocean. I could sit here for hours and not get sick of it. I listen as the balcony door of the room next door slides open and then two very familiar voices start talking. It's Noah and my brother.

Shit. Luke is in the room next door? Memories of last night filter through my mind and my cheeks heat. God, I hope he didn’t hear us having sex.

“Is everything's going along to plan?”

“It sure is,” Noah assures my brother. “After breakfast, I'll talk to my grandfather about our business idea, and then hopefully I can convince him to release enough of my inheritance to fund the first step.”

“Sweet. So, you think he's buying it the whole relationship thing?”

“Sure. Why wouldn't he? I'm pretty convincing when I want to be,” Noah boasts. I can hear the gloating in his voice, and it makes me sick. Is he talking about fooling his grandfather right now, or is he talking about me?

“So, you and my sister…this is all just for show, right?” Luke prompts in a low voice. “I can trust you not to get involved with her?”

“Of course, you can trust me, man. What do you take me for?” Noah actually sounds hurt.

“Because if you hurt her, I'd have to kill you,” Luke continues. “You know that, right?”

Noah laughs. “Dude, I promise this is all business. I’m not even into her like that. She's a nice kid and all but she's totally not my type. Besides, she's way too young for me. She's like the little sister I never had.”

“Okay, good,” my brother mutters, sounding relieved.

Tears prick my eyes and I quickly dab them away. I shouldn't be surprised, because this is exactly what Noah is like. It's what he's known for. He treats women like toys and when he gets sick of one, he moves on to the next. For some reason, I thought I was different. Last night he made me believe that we actually had a connection. I thought he felt something for me, but it was obviously all just for show.

I feel like such a fool.

Sneaking back inside the room, I close the balcony door and look around. My head is a mess and I am in danger of losing my shit. The only thing I can think about is getting out of here. I can't face Noah, not like this. Not until I get my thoughts together. The last thing I want is for him to see how much he's hurt me, because then he would pity me, and that Idefinitelycan't handle.

I throw my things into my bags and then I check the bus timetable on my phone, relieved to see there is one leaving shortly. If I hurry, I can make it. Quickly, I pick up my suitcase and my handbag and walk out of the room.

I never should have agreed to do this in the first place.

7

NOAH

Ihave never lied to my best friend.

Never had to.

Until now.

The truth is, I do like his sister, more than I want to admit to myself, but I know Luke thinks I am not good enough for her. So I said what I had to in order to get him off my back. I was damn convincing too, so I am pretty sure he bought it.

I leave Luke in his room and head back next door to my own room to get ready for breakfast. I am tired, thanks to a lack of sleep, but I am feeling good about everything working out. Once I have my trust fund back and our business is on the go, I can work on making Lucy mine for good.

God, she’s all I can think about. Even more after having her—many times—last night. She’s such a beautiful, sassy, intelligent girl and when I am with her, I lose sight of everything else.

Swiping the room key against the lock, I push open the door, expecting to be welcomed by Lucy, but the room is empty. I’m not worried, until I notice her bags are gone too.

Shit. Where did she go?

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