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He’d always wanted her and obviously couldn’t take no for an answer. So he decided to start making her life a living hell. I knew all along he was the one feeding the press made-up bullshit. Even though we all knew the stories were lies, the vicious media coverage had taken a huge toll on Aurora.
The first time we’d met Kingston, I got a yucky feeling. I’d told Aurora to stay away from him. She always trusted me with my ability to read people. Not that she actually needed it that time. She had no interest in Kingston. She’s never really been into anyone.
There isn’t much time to date when you’re as big of a celebrity as Aurora is. Her tour schedule has been grueling, all of us hopping from city to city and country to country. That doesn’t leave a lot of time to have any sort of relationship, and I know Aurora would never be down with only having a fling. She’s not built for that. You can hear it all in her music. She believes in soul mates and love at first sight.
I wonder what her music will sound like now after finding true love with Diego. He’s one of the men that helped save us. I’m not even sure when we’ll get new music from her. I don’t think she’ll be leaving this place anytime soon. Not with the way that she and Diego look at one another. I never would have thought she’d find the love of her life here.
We’d almost made it to Frozen Falls before a giant white cat made us take a detour. Well, it actually made us crash our car. I barely missed that damn cat, and now it’s taunting me from the window.
I’m going to be honest. I’d been scared out of my mind when I jerked the wheel so I’d take the hit and not Aurora or our friend Clover.
Aurora and I have known each other since kindergarten. I demanded she be my best friend. She agreed, and so here we are. I was the one person she knew she could trust to always have her back. My protective nature has no bounds when it comes to that girl. I love her as if she were my own sister. When her parents were doing shady shit with her money, I didn’t hesitate to step in and stop them.
The messed-up part is her parents didn't have to steal shit. Aurora is as sweet as pie. She would have cut them a check. She already paid for everything for them. They got greedy. I know that cut her deep when she found out all that they were doing. They even went as far as feeding information to the press for money. The thought of what they did makes me feel sick to my stomach, and she carried that wound for years.
Since we arrived here, though, something has changed with her. She seems relaxed and truly happy for the first time in a long time. I can see it in her eyes. The men who saved us after the crash brought us back to their lodge. From what I’ve seen so far it is crazy nice. It’s massive too. Each of the four men here pretty much have a wing to themselves and in the center is a giant living room that is wide open to the kitchen and dining room.
I haven’t been able to explore much considering I’ve been stuck in Barrow’s room under his watch. The girls have made sure to come visit me, and Aurora even made me cake. She knows I love her cake. I swear she adds in her own sweetness, because it’s the best cake I’ve ever eaten, and I’ve been all over the world.
“I don’t see anything,” Barrow mumbles, sounding irritated.
Leonard the lynx has struck again. I was a breath away from letting Barrow kiss me before the giant white beast popped up in the window. I’m not sure if that cat’s a curse because I didn't get to kiss Barrow or a lucky omen because I really don’t need to grow used to Barrow’s kisses. He is so damn handsome. He reminds me of that Thor guy in the movies, but he doesn’t have the long hair.
I lean back against the headboard, putting space between us. Even when he leaves the room, it feels as if he’s still here. I can smell him all over me. I think it’s because I’m in his bed. He’s been sleeping in the living room at night. I’m not sure how much he’s actually sleeping these days, though.
I keep trying to give him his room back by telling him I can sleep on the couch. It’s no big deal. He doesn’t agree and made it very clear itisa big deal where I sleep. He acted as if someone was going to snatch me up. Please. Aurora is the one who gets the stalkers. Not me. Most of the time people don’t notice me when I’m standing next to her. I wasn't made for Hollywood. My mouth and curves are the problems.
With Barrow, though, it seems different. He keeps calling me beautiful. My insides melt when he says it, but outwardly I roll my eyes at him. He’s always looking at my curves when he thinks I’m not paying attention. If he’s not looking at them, he’s looking at my mouth.
Thinking about it has me darting my tongue out to wet my lips. They're on the plump side, too. I’m always being asked who my doctor is because people want to get their lips done. These suckers are all mine.
“Are you hungry?”
“You know you ask me that every hour?” I retort. “If I didn't know any better I would think you’re trying to plump me up,” I tease but he doesn't laugh.
“I’m taking care of you.” When he’d asked me if I hurt anywhere, I’d told him my whole back. Which is true. I’d left out the ache between my thighs caused by him. “Will you please let me do that?” Oh, no. He pushes on the wall all around me.
Why did he have to say it like that? When was the last time someone took care of me? I was always the strong one out of our trio of girls. The one who didn't panic. Aurora's parents might have been greedy, but mine were worthless. I always came last to them. Sometimes not even last, because they went and forgot about me.
I take a deep breath and give up. “You can take care of me.” In more ways than one. I feel my face start to warm. “Yes. I need more cake.”
Barrow springs to his feet faster than he should be able to for a man his size. Then he’s out the door. I’m picking up on the fact that all the men in the lodge are far from normal. They’re pretty much retired professionals, and not the suit-and-tie sort. More like highly trained and deadly without needing a weapon. Dangerous.
I think that’s what scares me the most. Barrow could shatter my heart.
3
BARROW
“Ineed this recipe.” I push a fork under the big slice of chocolate cake I sliced for Bells.
“It’s a secret.” Aurora shakes her head.
“No, you need to tell me. Bells loves this cake.” I don’t want to seem menacing, but I definitely want to know how to make Bells happy. And if cake is the way to do it, I’m willing to lean on Aurora.
“I know she loves it. That’s why I won’t tell you the recipe. Bells lovesme, and I want it to stay that way.” She gives me a sweet smile. “So if I tell you, you’ll make it for her and steal all my love. Can’t have that.”
“It’s not like that. See, if you’d just let me—”
