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Bastian
She smiled. He sounded bossy, just like always, but there was an underlying gentleness to it that she could see now. Maybe he’d always been this way with her, but she hadn’t noticed. Could all those lectures and annoying glances have been a smokescreen to hide the sensitive man beneath?
On the other side in the same handwriting, another note.
Be good.
Or Else.
She shook her head at the not-so-subtle threat. Her ass still hurt from the spanking Garrick delivered. She’d inspected her ass after getting out of the shower to find three minor bruises on the curve of her asscheeks. The warm current of arousal at seeing them had been a surprise. These two were going to ruin her if she let them. As it was, she’d fucked them both. At the same time!
And then, when she’d seen them jerking each other off, everything inside her electrified. Even her toes had tingled with arousal.
She needed to keep herself together. None of this could end well. Bastian worked for her father. He’d have to return to Caspian soon, and she couldn’t keep staying with Garrick once Bastian left. A place to live, a steady income, and a solid foundation to start her new life here in Kassel, that’s what she should be focusing on. Not the hot sex she had with two of the most attractive men she’d ever met.
Dropping the note onto the piano bench, she picked up her guitar and took it to the loveseat. No matter how messed up things appeared at the moment, she could lose herself in the music. Nothing calmed her faster than the strum of her guitar.
Just as she strummed the first chord, her phone rang.
It was Ursa’s ringtone.
Dammit.
Ariella laid the guitar over her lap and dug her phone out of the back pocket of her jeans. She had no idea what to say.Fuck offfelt right, but it would tip her off that Ariella had pieced everything together.
Forcing a tight smile on her lips, she answered.
“Morning, Aunt Ursa.”
“Oh, good, you’re up. I was afraid you’d be asleep.”
Ariella glanced at the grandfather clock standing proudly in the corner of the room. “It’s eleven in the morning.”
“Well, you never know. Musicians keep late nights,” Ursa said. It was a valid point. If Ariella could get a gig, she probably would be out late. As it stood, she was stuck in Garrick’s house.
“Oh, well, it’s only been a few days. I’m sure something great is coming. You got my text that I had the meeting with Ares.” Ariella went straight for the matter at hand. She glanced toward the foyer, wishing Garrick or Bastian were there to help navigate the conversation.
“Yes, I did. But you didn’t respond when I asked about the second favor. That’s why I’m calling. The delivery location has to change. Something about staffing problems, I’m not sure. Anyway, I won’t know exactly where you’re supposed to meet them until probably the day before. Will that be all right?” She made it sound as though there was an option for Ariella to decline, but Ariella knew better.
“That should be fine. Same day though?” Ariella sorted out what information she learned from the flash drive and what she’d found out from her aunt.
“Yes, same day. I will get you the information as soon as I have it. It’s nothing, just a quick signature as they load up the cargo. Ten minutes of your time, then you’re all done. I really do appreciate it, Ariella. My assistant Joshua Jetsam made a blunder with scheduling this delivery while I’m busy with the launch.”
“He couldn’t come down here to handle it for you?”
“No, unfortunately, I needed him to handle a new fragrance recipe at one of the plants. If he isn’t there to oversee the loading of the recipe, I wouldn’t trust that it was done properly.” She was lying, but Ariella had only a sense about it. For one, she hadn’t mentioned Joshua before. Doubtful, the man even existed.
“You have a lot going on.” Ariella ran her fingers over the strings of her guitar. A creak in a floorboard sounded. When she looked up, Bastian stood beside the piano, watching her intently.
“I do, but that’s the plight of a successful businesswoman.” Ursa forced a laugh that came out more shrill than genuine. “So, it’s settled then. I’ll let you know the new location and time.”
“All right. Uh, has my father spoken to you? Has he asked about me?” Ariella asked. Her father liked to have no contact while on his yearly hunt, but he usually messaged her at least once to check-in. So far, she hadn’t heard anything.
“No. But so far, your disappearance hasn’t been an issue. Don’t worry, dear. I won’t let the big bully ruin this chance for you. You just concern yourself with your singing and the delivery.” She added the last bit with more force.
“Yeah. Okay.” Ariella flattened her fingers over her guitar. “I will.” Ursa ended the call before Ariella finished talking.
“Who was that?” Bastian leaned his hip against the piano. He’d forgone his usual suit, wearing only a button-down shirt and a pair of slacks. He kept the top button undone without the tie, exposing some of his tattoos.
