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Well, hell. Leave it up to Gage to get right to the point.
“I’m not sleeping with her,” I automatically say because I’m not—not really. When I get Ivy in my bed, there’s rarely any sleeping involved.
“Don’t forget the bet,” he reminds me, like I ever could. That bet is burned into my brain, making me feel like shit because if she ever finds out, especially now, she’ll probably hang me by my balls and let Gage have his way with me. Not that I could blame her. I feel like a liar. Like I’m hiding the bet, hiding our relationship as if I’m ashamed to be seen with her. And that’s definitely not the case. “And don’t forget she’s my goddamn sister.”
“I’m not involved with Ivy,” I mutter, falling into my desk chair with a thump. Shit. I do not need this sort of lecture tonight. This is going to kill my mood for sure if I let it. And I’m already letting it. “She doesn’t count, remember? You and Matt both said that.”
I hate even saying it, let alone thinking it. She counts far more than I could ever imagine.
“Yeah, I know what we said, but she’s still pretty and sweet and hell, for all I know you’ve wanted her for years. I have no clue.” Damn, Gage’s too close to the truth for comfort. He sounds worried and that makes me feel like hell.
Does he really think I’d be a ruthless jerk, going after his sister with no thought and callously hurting her? “She’s a friend. She does her job well. You already knew this was going to happen when I called you a few weeks ago, remember?” How easy Gage forgets. I swear he’s in his own little world. “Why the panic now?”
“I didn’t think you’d actually ask her to work for you.” Hepauses. “And I’ve been... distracted. Not around much. I had no idea she wasn’t even in town.”
“Well, I did hire her and she’s staying here with me. At the resort.” Lies again, but damn, I don’t want him knowing she’s staying at my house. In my bed. “And she’s doing a fantastic job.” I lean back in my chair, glancing up at the ceiling. “Don’t worry. Your sister is safe with me.”
“She’d better be. Normally I don’t trust you as far as I can throw you, but this is Ivy we’re talking about. You hurt her, I hurt you.”
I know without a doubt, Gage will make good on his promise.
Chapter 14
Archer
Opening night
So what do you think?”
I turn to find Ivy standing in front of me, wearing a dress that should be outlawed, she looks so damn good in it. Too damn good. “Uh...” I can’t find my tongue, and I nearly swallow it when she does a little twirl, the skirt flaring out to reveal her pretty knees, her slender thighs.
“I love it, but I don’t know,” she says when she’s facing me once again, a giant smile on her face. Her hair is up, her elegant neck exposed, little tendrils of dark brown hair curling against her cheeks and neck. She’s so beautiful it hurts to look at her. “Say something, Archer, before I think you hate it.”
The dress is white lace and sleeveless, the neckline dipping into a deep V that exposes all that smooth, kissable skin. A simple gold satin ribbon winds around her, just below her breasts, tied in a pretty bow at her back, and I’m tempted to slowly pull it undone. Unzip the dress, peel it off her, and kiss her everywhere.
But we have an opening party to go to for Crave. That we’re already running late to.
“I think you look amazing.” I go to her and drop a gentle kiss to her lips. She looks nervous and I grab her hands, giving them a squeeze. “What’s wrong, baby?”
“What if they hate it?” she blurts out. “The interiors? All of it? I’ll never be able to forgive myself.”
“They’re not going to hate it. Everything looks fucking amazing.” It does. She did a phenomenal job. We did a phenomenal job together. Proving to me yet again that we make a great team.
“Really?” She’s looking at me, really looking at me, and I know she needs my reassurance now more than ever.
“Really.” I kiss her again, this one a little longer, leaving her breathless when we break apart. “I wouldn’t lie to you.”
That in itself is a lie. I’m keeping something from her right now. Like that stupid bet. It’s the most juvenile thing I’ve ever participated in, and I don’t want her to hear what Matt and Gage had to say. How she didn’t count. How none of them think I could possibly be interested in her.
I need to come clean before Gage or Matt ruin it and tell her first. They’re both supposed to be attending tonight, but they won’t get a chance to talk to her alone. I’ll make sure and keep her by my side the entire evening.
“Archer...” She breathes deep, as if gathering strength, and I squeeze her closer, not wanting to break this physical or emotional connection we have. “What’s going to happen after tonight?”
“What do you mean?” I know exactly what she means. I’m just stalling for time so I can come up with a logical answer.
“Between us. I—I have to go back home. I need to go back to my job.” She drops her head, pressing her forehead into my chest, and I wrap my arms around her waist, holding her close. “I don’t want to leave you,” she whispers.
My heart constricts. This has happened so damn fast. And I let it. Enjoyed it, really. “I don’t want you to leave either,” I admit.
