London’s airport is like any in America regarding security – if you don’t have a ticket you have to wait in designated areas. When I get my baggage and have passed through customs I am free to join the rest of the world.

My breath hitches as I see Gabriel and his twin brother. He’s searching and doesn’t see me yet. When our eyes lock his light up on a grin. He holds up a handwritten sign like what chauffeurs use when they’re picking up people they don’t know.

His reads in a messy manly scrawl, all capitals:

BEAUTIFUL PAIGE .

I melt…until he flips it over to read:

LUCKIEST CONTEST WINNER EVER.

Cracking up I make him laugh, too. Elijah watches with guarded interest as Gabriel and I hug.

“You’re here,” he rasps in my ear. “I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”

Tingles spread down my body. We pull away, smiling at each other.

He laughs, “You’re supposed to say the same thing.”

“You were kind of a jerk. I’m still not sure what to think.”

His head bounces to the side and back. “That’s fair. And I bet Ben kept you busy.”

His brother warns, “Gabriel,” as they lock eyes. He offers his hand. “I’m Elijah. Nice to meet you, Paige.”

Taking in their similarities and differences I smile, “Nice to meet you, too, Elijah.”

Gabriel explains, taking my hand, “We have to get back to the hotel. I have one last show tonight in London before we head to Ireland tomorrow.”

Our fingers entwine as though it’s natural for them to be like this, but I’m nervous. And jet-lagged. Seeing that dancer again isn’t my idea of fun.

I flew out last night, but with the ten hours it took to get here, plus the time difference you can’t argue with, it will be way too soon that I’ll be forced to see them onstage, with her gyrating all over him again.

“I didn’t know you had a concert tonight.”

“I didn’t tell you that? I guess there was so much to organize I assumed you knew. It’s why I’m here.”

“Of course.”

Elijah is rolling my suitcase, one hand in his pocket, his stroll casual and confident. We meet eyes and he gives me a smile. Gabriel’s energy is more loose and wild. His brother feels cold and distant. I bet his home is immaculate and if anything is out of place he loses his temper. I wouldn’t be surprised if he confessed to firing a dozen maids, that’s how Type-A he seems.

A black luxury sedan is waiting for us and the driver takes my bag and stores it in the trunk as Gabriel helps me in and slides in next to me. Elijah climbs in with the same grace his twin has, and takes the seat opposite us. His pale green eyes don’t have the rogue splash of amber. They’re sharp and intense even as he leans back and separates his legs in a casual way. “So, Paige, you took a big leap.”

Biting my bottom lip I glance to our hands as Gabriel increases his grip. Meeting his eyes I see encouragement there and it’s baffling. What was the big change? How did this happen?

“My life is a little crazy right now so I figured why not go full gonzo?”

Elijah grins. “You’re our age right?”

“I’m twenty-three.”

“Close enough.”

“But I’m the oldest child so I’ve always been more…” I pause, feeling silly.

“Gabriel called you grounded.”

Glancing to my right I ask, “You did?”

He nods as his thumb caresses mine. “Yeah.”

“That’s a nice thing to say. But I don’t feel it lately. I feel…in control of nothing.”

They subtly nod at the same time, and Elijah glances to the window as we put the airport behind us. “That’s what the most enlightened minds of the world say is the correct way to view life. We are in control of nothing except for our reactions to what happens to us.”

I add, “And those reactions then create a ripple effect throughout.”

“It’s a lot of pressure,” he murmurs, still staring out like the world’s problems are his to solve.

Gabriel explains, “My brother is going into politics like our father. Won’t be surprised if I see him in the White House one day.”

“Really?”

Elijah meets my eyes. “That’s the goal.”

“What will you do when you get there?”

“I’ll tell you then,” he winks.

“That’s assuming we’ll still know each other.”

The twins share a mysterious look and Gabriel kisses the side of my head in the sexiest way. He holds there and whispers, “Can’t wait to get you alone.”

My lips part on a tummy clench. Subconsciously I glance to the watchful brother and clear my throat. I know he heard that. Suddenly I can imagine what I hadn’t even dreamed of before – that they’ve shared women in bed. The idea is tantalizing but there’s no way I’m made for that. I tend to bond; it’s in my nature.

Now that I’m in Gabriel’s presence again I know that’s why I couldn’t bring myself to touch Ben much less kiss him, why it felt wrong. It was because this feels so right.

But Elijah scares me a little. He feels cold.

“Wow, you want to be President.”

Gabriel asks, “You know our dad was a Senator, right?”

My stomach turns over. How did I forget all about what Justin Cocker did for my brother? My voice gets smaller as I say, “Of course. Right. I knew that.”

Gabriel presses his lips to my fingertips. “Don’t worry about him. He’s a good guy. Little stiff like Elijah is, but heart of gold.”

“Gold that’s kept locked inside Fort Knox,” Elijah dryly says, rolling his eyes to the window again. “Dad’s harder to crack than I am.”

“You trying to scare her off?” Gabriel laughs.

“I’m just prepping her for reality.”

“Well, cut it out, fucker.” He looks at me. “My mom is the one you won’t be able to live without. He married up when he chose her.”

I’m staring at Gabriel, stunned at the words he’s using, like it’s a given that I’ll meet his family.

What is going on here?

Biting my lips I just nod and give an awkward smile.

This makes the sexy jerk laugh. “Look at your face!”

Elijah chuckles, “Can you blame her? You’re laying it on thick and fast, Gabes. She just got here. You jet-lagged, Paige?” I nod and he motions, “See? She’s not in London twenty minutes and you’re saying she’s going to love Mom. You’ve lost your fucking mind.”

Gabriel shrugs, unbothered. “When I know what I want, I don’t fuck around.” He kisses my hair again and says, “I want you.”

My mouth slackens and I glance away, staring out the window and feeling like I might faint. I’ve stopped breathing. He puts gentle pressure on my hand to get me to look at him again. Swallowing both fear and hope I meet his eyes.

“I’m serious, Paige. I want you.”

Glancing to his brother for confirmation that this is real, I get no smile or hint of amusement to indicate they’re messing with me. Elijah is gazing at me like it’s just a fact.

The car turns right and Gabriel leans to peer out the windows. “We’re here.”