I stare at the ticking clock on the wall of my room at Belmont Tower. It taps away the minutes of the evening, the second hand looping repeatedly about its face. It’s nearly eleven and this is not how I want to spend my Friday night.

My final paper for the semester is due by midnight. I’m in the home stretch. A paragraph here. A paragraph there. One last conclusion to tie everything together and I was home free for the summer. A whole summer full of no responsibilities and a whole lot of Zeke Belmont.

Ah, Zeke…

I smile to myself and my hand twitches toward my phone.

No, Rocky. You promised yourself no fun until this was all over!

I pull my hand away and sit up taller in my chair. I run my fingers through my brown hair, feeling the stiff pull of oil against my fingertips. It’s been two days since I locked myself in this room, determined to write this paper in record time. But it’s just so easy to excuse myself upstairs for a quick “break” in Zeke’s penthouse…

Would it really be so bad to take another one?

A quick glance at my mirror tells me that’s not going to happen. This is definitely not my sexiest moment. I sit at the desk, clad in an over-size sweater and shorts. I haven’t put on make-up in two days. The state of my hair pretty much seals the deal. I’m not going anywhere anytime soon.

I sigh and look down at my laptop again. The black cursor blinks repeatedly against the white page, mocking me. I crack my knuckles and lay my fingers on the keys.

Knock. Knock.

I whip my head around toward the door. A rush of adrenaline pulls me from my work.

“Zeke…” I say, raising my voice. I jump up from my chair and walk to the door. “I told you I was busy tonight—”

I open the door and pause.

“You’re not Zeke,” I say.

“No, I’m not,” Becky says. She flicks her eyes up and down, her face speaking volumes over my current state. “I need to talk to you.”

“I’m actually really busy right now, Becky,” I say. “I don’t have time—”

“It’ll only be a minute,” she says as she pushes herself inside. “I see you’ve made yourself comfortable here…”

I glance around the room. It’s been two weeks since I moved into the suite. After a few years of poverty, it feels odd to call this place home.

Of course, this doesn’t keep me from tossing my clothes in piles on the floor or taking advantage of room service.

“You could say that…” I say. I shrug my shoulders beneath the large sweater.

“I’ve always liked the suites on this floor the best…” Becky says, her heels tapping toward the windows.

I watch her move around my room. Her tight body swims inside her stunning cocktail dress. Her perfect blonde locks frame her face, making her eyes pop in just the right way. She truly is an all-American princess and she knows it.

“You get the best views of the city lights from this side.”

“I don’t mean to be rude, Becky,” I begin. “It’s nice to see you, but I really do have some homework to finish.”

“You’ve been spending a lot of time with Zeke lately,” she says as she stares out the window.

“Yeah,” I agree. “I work for him.”

“You can say that you’ve gotten pretty close, then?”

My heart beats faster in my chest. “I guess? What’s your point, Becky?”

She turns toward me, the outline of her body standing out in front of the gorgeous city skyline. “I didn’t say anything when you came back because I hoped it wouldn’t be an issue. But I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be working for Zeke.”

I force a laugh, trying to remain oblivious. “What are you talking about?”

“Cut the crap, Rocky. We both know he’s had a thing for you for years.”

I remind myself to breathe. “That’s insane,” I say. “I’m his sister.”

“Not by blood. And blood is all that matters.”

“Our relationship is professional. That’s it!”

“Then, why did he dump Madison the second you moved in here?”

I shrug my shoulders. “Who the hell knows? It wasn’t serious.”

“I’ve watched Zeke go from girl-to-girl the last few years. All of them have one thing in common,” she pauses for dramatic effect.

I take the bait. “What’s that?”

“They’re all short. Brown hair. Big eyes. Pale skin. Just like you.”

“You just described more than half the women in this city,” I say, hoping to deflect her suspicions.

Becky sighs with annoyance. “Fine. Live in denial. But know this. If something does happen between you two, and it gets out, it will destroy this family,” she says. “My father will be publicly humiliated, your mother included. Zeke will be forced out and left with absolutely nothing. And you will be thrown back onto the street where you belong.”

I keep my emotions in check, trying very hard not to show how much I’m screaming inside. “Well, Becky, thank you for the warning. But I really need—”

“I know about the pool house, Rocky. Logan told me everything.”

My cheeks feel like they’re on fire. I roll my eyes to hide my thoughts. “Becky, I really need to finish my paper.”

Becky steps toward me. Her heels keep her towering above me and she looks down on me with her judgmental blue eyes. “You should leave. It’ll be better for everyone.”

“There’s nothing going on between us,” I say unconvincingly.

“Good,” Becky says, not buying it. “I sincerely hope there isn’t. Either way, you need to ask yourself what you really want here. Do you want the man? Or the billionaire?” She opens her clutch and withdraws a golden cigarette case.

“I want to finish my paper,” I say.

“Because you can’t have both,” she continues. “Sure, you two can be together…” She does nothing to hide the look of disgust slithering across her face. “But you’ll have nothing. You’ll have no school. No fancy hotel roof over your head. No money. Zeke will lose everything. Or you can leave. I’m sure your mommy can convince step-daddy to continue letting you leech off his checkbook for rent and food.” She pops a cigarette out of the case and slides it between her lips. “Do you think you can handle that?”

“Becky,” I say, taking a deep breath. “I’m a big girl.” I pull away from her. “I can handle this.”

“I just want my brother to be happy,” she says. She shakes her head from side-to-side. “And if you take all of this away from him, he won’t be. I guarantee it.”

I say nothing as she steps around me. She pauses at the door and looks at me over her shoulder.

“Good luck with your homework.”

I let the door fall closed behind her and wait a moment before locking it. Panic sets in. She’s a horrible enemy to have. You never leave a secret on the lips of Becky Belmont.

My eyes glance at the clock. I have less than an hour to complete my paper.

I don’t have time to worry about what she said.

I don’t have the stomach to think about the possibility of losing everything I have.