Page 54 of Savage Temptation

I laughed and let Alison drag me through the house, straight to where they’d set up a bar.

“You didn’t tell me you had one of those houses fit for a luxury design magazine.”

“That’s because I don’t. It’s my parents’. Well, actually, my mom’s, to be more accurate. She got it in the divorce settlement. The mention of it still rubs my father the wrong way, so just leave it out of the conversation.”

“Got it.”

It was clear there was a lot about Alison I didn’t know, but there was one thing I did. Right now she was all I had, and I was grateful to have met her that day. I looked around us, noticing the elegance of each guest. The men wore fine suits, dark and somber, while the women looked primed to the nines. Haute couture, I was sure, and the contrast with my little green dress was blinding.

“You mentioned a dinner party, Alison, not a gala.”

“You look stunning, J.” She said, noticing my sudden embarrassment towards my skimpy dress as I took in the finesse around me. “Perfect enough that maybe I can pin one of my mom’s setups on you.” She teased, trying to lighten the mood.

“Don’t hold your breath on that one. You know I’m not exactly looking to mess up my life any further.”

“I know, just promise me you’ll try to have a nice time? Maybe take your head off of things, you know…” Alison’s voice trailed off as she craned her neck before almost shouting in my ear. “MATT!” She called out, waving her hand above the crowd, “I want you to meet my brother.”

Oh God, here we go!

When I turned toward the person she was calling, my eyes were immediately stuck. I couldn’t get in a blink if I tried.

This perfect specimen of a man was walking towards us; tall, dark, and my God was he handsome. I swallowed dryly, gripping Alison’s hand tighter in anticipation.

I had a feeling I’d seen him before, only I couldn’t picture where. He was strikingly similar to Alison’s grandfather, whom we’d met on our way to the bar. Maybe that was where I was finding the similarities. No, I decided after staring a little longer.

After the first impact of his perfect face, I noticed the regal posture of his walk, as if he owned the room and every single soul in it. People scurried to make way for him to pass, the unobstructed view allowing me to take all of him in. Broad muscles hid under the fine fabric of the bespoke suit he wore, adding power to his already undeniable mystique. His dark hair and perfectly trimmed beard contrasted with eyes the color of cold steel.

I couldn’t help but shiver once they set on me. Dark despite their lightness, calculating and bone-chilling, if I was to be kind.

“Happy Birthday, Principessa.” He reached over to Alison, pulling her into a deep but tender hug that spoke volumes about their connection. Alison’s pride in her brother was unmasked as I watched them exchange affection and a couple of private jokes before his attention came to settle on me.

“Aren’t you going to introduce us?” He asked, his eyes deeply buried in mine.

“Of course. Matt, this is my friend Jamie Harden. Jamie, this is my oldest brother Matt.” Alison beamed.

Matt nodded, narrowing his eyes for some reason before his features changed, and he placed his hand on the small of my back, his fingers brushing against my bare skin as he placed a kiss on my flushed cheek. The intensity of him made me shiver. His presence alone was overbearing yet so alluring it was scary.

“Nice to meet you, Miss Harden.” His voice was low and sultry, his lips grazing my ear as he said those words.

Holy shit!

I swallowed the lump in my throat, noticing the innuendo in his voice that hadn’t rendered me indifferent. What was it with the ‘Miss Harden’ crap that made me tremble right down to my core?

Liam’s intentions were always wicked when he called me that, and somehow, Matt’s tone was dripping in just as much mischief.

“N…Nice to meet you, too, Matt.” I steadied my voice as much as possible before replying. His Lord and Commander vibe rattled me right to my bones.

“Give me a sec, Mom’s calling. Matt, can you keep Jamie company for a minute, please?”

“It would be my pleasure.” He smiled with a cocked eyebrow directed my way.

Alison left me standing there alone with her brother, at a loss for words. I was still too caught up in his magnificence to be coherent. He was definitely ripped and toned in all the right places, the buttons of his shirt struggling to remain fastened under the force of his muscles.

I couldn’t stop staring, not only because he was damn attractive but because of the sense that I knew this man from somewhere.

“Alison never told me she had such a beautiful friend.” I blushed and tried my best to seem composed and not totally bewitched. His gray eyes were like shards of steel slashing through me.

“Thank you. She never mentioned that she had a brother.”

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