AS SILLY AS it might be, I’m disappointed when the car starts to move and I realize Leo won’t be joining us in the back. Corie’s described him to me before, of course. Until the engagement, when the paparazzi started getting more intense, Leo was the only security that Ashley allowed. Now they have Frank—also hot—as if life has seen fit to ensure that Corie is only surrounded by attractive men. But even with his smooth, light brown skin, his neatly cropped haircut, and his perfectly shaped beard, Frank’s not comparable to Leo.
If I remember correctly, Corie told me he was huge and good looking, but those are not adjectives that do him justice. Not at all. He is exceptional. Gigantically tall, definitely. Hugely built, yes. But he’s also frighteningly beautiful. I almost tripped coming down those stairs when I caught sight of him waiting for me outside of the plane. Then, as I stood in front of him, looking up into his eyes, I could barely get my words out of my mouth.
He’s the kind of man you could look at all day. Perfect, olive tone skin, head full of black hair—cut shorter on the sides and a bit longer on top—and amazing blue-green eyes. His square jaw, covered in a thin layer of stubble, makes him look regal; and the small scar that cuts through his right eyebrow is sexy as hell. While I know I’m only here for the long weekend, and it’s ridiculous for me to even contemplate any interest I might feel in regards to getting to talk with him a bit more, there’s nothing wrong with simply admiring him every chance I get.
I shove aside all thoughts of Leo when Corie speaks to get my attention. We fall into conversation just as easily as we always do, and before I know it, we’re pulling onto Ashley’s private property. When we come to a stop, he’s quick to get out, and Corie and I follow after him. He offers his hand, and I accept, my eyes scanning my surroundings. The sun is all but gone, however, it’s not hard to notice his well-kept grounds and his respectfully modest ranch style home.
“We’ll get your bags from the trunk, then we’ll take you down to the guest house and get you set up in a room,” he tells me.
Leo walks by us, headed for our luggage, and I can’t stop my eyes from following him.
Ashley’s voice brings me back to our unfinished conversation as he explains, “You’ll be stayin’ with the guys, but there’s plenty o’room for all y’all, so you don’t have to worry about sharin’ your space. I’d keep you here at the main house, but I’ve only got the one room. I figured you’d prefer a bed over the couch.”
“It’s really nice down there,” Corie says, reaching for Ashley’s hand. Lacing her fingers with his, she assures me, “You’ll love it. And you’ll only really be down there to sleep. I’m a phone call and a short ride away if you need anything.”
“Yeah, sure,” I reply with a shrug, trying not to think about the fact that I’ll be sharing a roof with Leo for the next few nights. “I’m happy to sleep wherever you put me.”
“I’ve got her bags,” says Leo, earning all of our attention. He doesn’t look at me, but focuses on Ashley as he tells him, “Frank and I will take the golf cart down.”
“Al’right. See y’all in a minute.”
While Ashley takes his and Corie’s bags inside, Corie and I discuss our menu for the evening.
“Are you sure you don’t mind staying in tonight?” she asks me. Again. “I feel like it’s bad manners to keep you in the house your first night here—or any night here, for that matter. This is supposed to be an adventure for you.”
“Babe, I flew here in a private jet. I’m now standing in the middle of fifteen acres of property that belongs to Ashley Hicks. I’m going to be sleeping in his guest house tonight. This is your life now—but just being here, it’s an adventure in and of itself for me.”
She stares at me, worry etched onto her brow as she murmurs, “Are you sure?”
“Corie!” I laugh, wrapping my arms around her in a playfully awkward side hug. “Have I ever lied to you?”
“No,” she admits with an eye roll.
“Exactly! I know how much you need this.”
“I do,” she sighs, tilting her head to rest her cheek on top of my head.
Over the past several weeks, I’ve come to learn how much of a to-do it is when the two of them go anywhere. Ashley might be the star between the two of them, but his fame means all eyes are on her, too. The world doesn’t really know who Corie is, and they’re curious. That being said, I also know how much she was looking forward to relaxing this weekend. With the wedding next month, Ashley’s first world tour starting the month after, and all the work she has on her plate as she manages the business behind his name—these days, she could use a break. So, we’ve opted for pizza and some of Corie’s delicious, homemade cupcakes—treats I haven’t had in ages—along with a couple of movies for entertainment.
“Have I mentioned how glad I am to see you?” she asks, pulling away to smile at me.
“I’m excited to see you, too.” Bumping my hip against hers, I add, “It’s not every day a girl turns twenty-five. Had to be sure I was here to welcome you to the club properly.”
At the sound of a door opening and closing behind us, we turn and see Ashley making his way out of the house. Pointing at the truck, he asks, “Y’all ready to head on over?”
“Definitely.”
“CORIE’S PRETTY AND all, but did you expect her cousin to be such a knock out? Damn,” mutters Frank.
I look straight ahead, navigating the cart along the dirt road to our destination. For reasons I don’t care to examine, I remind him, “You have a girlfriend.”
“Thank God. For real, man. If it wasn’t for Aubrey, I might be tempted to go there—and that shit would not be good. It’s not like she’s some one-and-done chick, you know? You’d definitely have to see her again, eventually. If shit got complicated, how awkward would that be? She and Corie are obviously close.”
I grip the steering wheel tighter. I have no desire to have this conversation. Not only is he right, but I don’t want to hear about his attraction to her. I don’t want to think about any man touching her—including me. Definitely me.
Hoping that my silence will get Frank to stop talking, I don’t speak a word.
“Wait,” he starts to say, turning his body toward me. “You weren’t thinking about going there, were you?”
Still looking straight ahead, I don’t answer him. I don’t need to. It’s none of his business what I plan on doing—or not doing—with my dick. When we reach the house, I stop the golf cart in front of the porch. I can tell that Frank is still looking at me—analyzing me—as if he could possibly get a read on me. He’s only been around for a couple of months. He’s good. Corie’s safety is his priority. If I didn’t trust him, he wouldn’t be here. However, he’s yet to learn that I’m not an easy man to dissect, and that’s not by chance.
Finally giving him my attention, I fix him with a blank stare. “Stay in the same room you did last time. Or don’t. Doesn’t matter to me. You have your pick—just not mine.” I say the last bit with a smile, and he chuckles as I climb out of the cart, headed to get our bags.
“Anyone ever tell you you’re kind of a pain in the ass?” he asks, his tone jovial.
“You’re certainly not the first.”
I sling my duffle over my shoulder, lifting Jill’s carry-on in one hand, and grabbing her backpack with the other. When I’ve reached the front door, I key in the code on the security pad, waiting for the lock to click open. After gaining entrance, I step foot inside, heading straight for the master suite.
The guest house is actually a bit bigger than Ashley’s main house. With the intention to make his home more of a sanctuary than a space for entertainment, he had this place built at the same time he was renovating his home, in the event that he’d need to play host. Seeing as I’ve been in his service for so long, he told me to take my pick of rooms and make myself at home whenever his schedule brought him this way. Over the last six years, I’ve shared this space with a few different people, but mostly it’s just been me. It’s a lot of house for one man, but it’s familiar. It’s constant. It’s quiet. While it might not be home, it’s safe, which makes it close enough.
It’s four bedrooms with five bathrooms, each set of rooms flanking a full kitchen and living space. I’m sure giving up the master bedroom for the duration of Jill’s stay would be the nice thing to do—but I don’t, which is why I feel like a dick when I set her things outside the opposite room across the hall. Regardless, it’s better this way. Every man has his limits. No way in fuck I’ll be able to get any sleep knowing she’s rolling around in my bed. This room should suit her fine.
For the entire span of the ride from the airport, I couldn’t get her out of my head. Though, I suppose, that’s the thing about forbidden fruit. It taunts you. It tempts you. It makes you fucking stupid. But she’s not so beautiful that I can forget where I come from. She’s not so tempting that I can forget what I’m capable of. Frank was right. The reasons why I should keep my distance are plenty. I need to focus on those—not the way her ass looks in those little, khaki shorts she’s got on, or how that tight, pink, long-sleeved t-shirt clung to her subtle curves—or that I even know what the hell she’s wearing at all.
Shit. I need to get laid.
Shaking my head clear, I turn and start toward my bedroom, closing the door behind me. A long shower seems in order. For now, it’s the best I can do.