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AURORA
It doesn’t take long for Daphne to literally come knocking at my door. I get it. She came here for a story. I’d promised her one, and now she’s come to collect on that promise. The woman is determined, I’ll give her that. I know she had to climb mountains to get here. It wasn’t some quick flight and cab ride over. Daphne has a drive inside her. I can see it. I’m not sure I’ve ever had that.
My voice and looks are gifts. I was born with them. At one time I’d thought I was doing what I wanted. Now I’m not so sure. I do love to sing, but lately I don’t love everything else that comes along with it. Maybe I could release songs on my own whenever I feel like it instead of renewing my contract. My current one is done. I’m sure my agent is already looking for or working on a new one. I mean, Taylor Swift just did her own indie album and it was a hit. I could do that, too.
I crack open the door and meet Daphne’s gaze. Before I can say anything, the door is shut again. Diego’s big hand has come down on it.
“You can’t just answer doors, songbird. It might not be who you think it is.”
“She knocked and said her name,” I point out. It’s also not like it’s the front door. It’s just the door to our room.
Diego is on edge. I thought I’d worked most of it out of him. I have a high endurance. You have to when you’re on stage for hours belting your lungs out while dancing at the same time. But he’s been giving me a run for my money. The man can’t get enough of me.
“I thought everyone that was bad, you’d just...” I run my finger across my neck.
“I only need a moment of your time,” Daphne interrupts. Ah. Now that is a lie. A reporter never wants only a moment. I think their definition of the word is different from others’.
I motion to the door, silently asking if I can open it. I kiss his bare chest over his heart. We’re actually aligned perfectly when we’re standing together. I watch some of the tension drain from him as he starts to open the door.
This time it’s me that shuts it. “Go put some clothes on.” I motion at his bare chest. He smirks. An actual smirk forms on his lips, and I want to kiss it. Luckily for Daphne, my Diego does as he’s asked and ventures off to find a shirt.
I open the door again. “Aurora Davenport is in a serious relationship, and it is not with Kent Kingston,” Daphne says as she tries to get a peek inside. She slips right into reporter mode.
“That was a statement, not a question. So are we done then?”
She lets out a small laugh, then her face goes serious. “I’m far from done. Kent Kingston is going to get his due. Along with all the other people that allow him to get away with the shit he pulls. This isn’t just about him; it’s about all of them. He’s only a small man on the totem pole. I won’t rest until I take down every last one of them.”
I take a deep breath as I contemplate her words. I’m not even the one she’s investigating, and I’m scared of her. Then she gives me a bright smile. In a snap, she goes from wanting revenge to being happy. All in the blink of an eye. She’s going to fit in well with the men around here.
“Diego is mine,” I blurt out. It’s best that I clear that up for her.
“Noted.” She wiggles her brows at me while giving me a knowing smirk. I peek over my shoulder to see Diego finally has a shirt on now. I didn’t even bother to ask what happened when he’d come back covered in blood. I knew he’d taken care of whatever threat he needed to make sure I was safe. Is it terrible that I was turned on by the fact that he’d gone out to protect me and came back to claim his prize? Well, if it is, I don’t really care. Whoever was out there had the intent to hurt me, so I have a right to protection and everything that comes along with it. Especially when it includes orgasms.
“Can we do this in the kitchen?” I ask. I’m a little smitten with how much everybody enjoyed my cake. I’m going to try to make another one.
“Clearly, I would go anywhere to ask you questions.”
I laugh and pull the door open to leave. I don’t even step foot out of our bedroom before Diego grabs me and turns me around to claim my mouth.
Without a word, he turns me back around and smacks me on the ass as if giving me the approval to go now. I let out another laugh. I’m sure many would find Diego’s caveman tendencies too much, but I know he’s only teasing with those little actions. Something I don’t think he’s ever really done in his life. I’m all too happy to be a part of it. I enjoy the fact that he can let his guard down around me.
“Is the world going to be losing Aurora Davenport? This place feels like people come here to stay,” she says as we make our way toward the kitchen.
I notice she’s looking around at everything. I stop walking immediately. “This place is off the record. It’s not to be disclosed in anything you write about me. The men here are off the record, also.”
“I got the memo about that one already.”
I’m guessing one of the men told her that they’d be showing up at her doorstep if she uttered a word about this place. I’d be right there with them. I’m quickly feeling like this is my home too. That these people are becoming my family. I’ve been catching myself already calling Diego’s bedroom mine or ours.
When we make it to the kitchen, I notice she’s still looking all around and not asking me anything yet. Or maybe she’s looking forsomeonerather than taking in the lodge.
“Tiernan looks familiar, but I can’t place him.” That wasn’t a question at all. It wasn’t even a statement about me. “Is he always so on edge and growly?”
I pop back out of the pantry I just entered with my hands full of ingredients. Daphne is now sitting on the counter with her legs swinging.
“He’s actually the funny one around here.” If we’re picking titles for each of the men, he’s definitely class clown.
“I’d help, but everything I make in the kitchen usually ends up tasting terrible. I’ve even been known to ruin that noodle in a cup thing.”
