Page 40 of A Kiss at Midnight

At least I don’t have to be alone with him right now — and maybe he planned this outing because he, too, doesn’t want to be alone with me.

I enjoy Tyler’s company. Granted, I’m not as happy being around Byron. He seems as stern and bitter as Blake, so they aren’t the best people to hang out with on a hot, sunny day at the lake.

Before I manage to have another thought, I’m going under again. Water immediately floods my open mouth and I panic for a brief moment.

When I come back up, coughing water and taking in much-needed oxygen, I decide I’m finished with this so-called sport. Aren’t sports supposed to be fun? Taking my feet out of the boots on the wakeboard, I wait for the fancy black boat to circle back to me, then swim to it.

“Are you giving up already, gorgeous?” Tyler asks as he holds out a hand to help me inside.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to walk in the morning. I’m done,” I gasp, irritated I’m so out of breath, collapsing on one of the benches in the back of the boat.

“You aren’t giving yourself enough credit. You got up and lasted a while,” Tyler tells me, beaming a proud smile my way and bringing a glow to my cheeks. “That’s great for a newbie.”

Blake approaches. “Would you quit flirting with my girl?” he gruffly says.

“Oh, come on, Blake. I like Jewel. She’s a beast,” Tyler tells him. Winking at his brother, he sits down at my feet, lifting them to his lap, and kneads the tender flesh. I moan appreciatively.

“Get your hands off of her,” Blake growls and pushes his brother away.

I want to protest the interruption of my foot rub, but with the thunderclouds in Blake’s eyes, I decide I’m better off remaining silent.

“You’re such a stick in the mud,” Tyler says with a huge grin. “All right, Byron, looks like Blake’s out for driving. You’re at the helm. Give her hell.” He grabs his board and jumps into the water.

Blake still doesn’t say anything directly to me as we race around the lake, but he also doesn’t move away, making me shift involuntarily while he sits beside me, his hand on my leg, obviously staking his claim in front of his brothers. I don’t see why he bothers. He’s made it perfectly clear he holds no particular fondness for me, and certainly no respect.

“Are you going to continue giving me the silent treatment for the rest of the day?” he finally asks.

“I’m simply minding my own business, Blake.”

“I don’t like it, Jewel, so stop.”

“Well then, what should we talk about? We’re civilized people, after all,” I remark with sarcasm dripping from my tongue.

He leans in close, his eyes narrowed into slits. “I won’t tolerate you speaking to me this way, especially in front of my brothers.”

“I’m surprised you don’t tell them I’m your personal prostitute, and our time is almost over, and they can have a turn next if they wait a little longer.” Where is this cattiness coming from? I don’t have a clue, but I suspect I’ll come to regret it. And when he leans toward me, rage burning in his eyes, I’msureI will... and soon.

“They already know,” he says, making my humiliation complete before he continues speaking. “Is that what you want, Jewel? Do you want to be bedded by all three of us? Right now? Want me to find a nice quiet alcove? No, wait, you like the public stuff, don’t you? Why don’t I find a place where all of the boats are tied together, and you can make your rounds? Don’t worry, doll — I know you expect to be paid extra for taking on multiple partners. Not a problem.”

The sneer on his face makes me want to slap him. Oh, how I’d love to wipe away his arrogance, if only for a second.

“I’m not a whore,” I say, my throat tight.

“Then quit making comments that make you seem like one,” he fires back. “You’re your ownsaleswoman, you know.”

“Why don’t we go back to not speaking? You’re so much more pleasant that way.”

Before I can say something else, he pulls me up and places me on his lap. “Don’t think for one minute because I allow you to speak your mind, I give a damn about your opinion.” I gasp, but don’t have a chance to snap at him before he crushes his mouth punishingly against mine.

When the boat stops, Tyler climbs back on board and gives a catcall. Blake immediately pulls away, and I can see rage flashing in his silver eyes. I fight the urge to cry; there’s no way I’m doing that. I’ve shed enough tears in the last six months to last a lifetime, and Blake Astor is certainly not worth wasting any of my emotions on.

He releases me and stands. “I’m done. Let’s go in,” he says to Byron, who’s now the captain of the boat.

Everyone falls silent. The boat turns, and I’m relieved when we approach the dock. The sooner this horrible day ends, the better off I’ll be. Tyler gives me a questioning look, but says nothing.

It doesn’t take long to tie off the boat, and Blake immediately leads me up the ramp and straight to his car. Our night seems destined to be less than pleasant.

When we arrive at our building, though, he sends me to my apartment without even trying to take me to his bed. I’m relieved... or I think I am. I gaze at the clock beside my bed and sleep doesn’t easily find me; I feel nothing but despair. I tell myself it’s because I’m counting the endless hours until my release from this nightmare, and my freedom from Blake Astor is so far away... but I’m lying.

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