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Old and boring…that couldn’t be further from the truth.
What would Dad do if he knew that I lost my V-card to his best friends?
6
CONRAD
Life is full of happy little surprises.
I never would’ve guessed that I’d see Brielle again, especially here of all places. However, I’m far from unpleased. I’d hoped to see my little goddess again, and the barriers…have just made this that much more exciting.
I’ve always liked Jim’s house. Despite its size, it’s always felt homey. And now…? Well, now, nothing could make me like it more.
I’m seated between Levi and Grayson, but I’m more focused on Brielle than anything else, noting how the dim light dances in her chestnut hair and reflects off her flushed cheeks. She’s engaged in conversation with Jim, laughing softly at something he’s said, but she doesn’t notice me watching her…or maybe she does, and chooses to ignore it.
“This roast is wonderful,” I compliment, breaking up their conversation. “Don’t tell me you made this, Jim. You’re a horrible cook.”
I’m sure I already know the answer. By the way Brielle’s eyes dart up, I can tell that I’m right.
“Of course not.” Jim laughs. “If it were me, it’d be black. Brielle here is actually a great cook. It’s one of the things she got from her mother.”
The second the attention is on her, she’s like a deer in the headlights, terrified that one of us is going to tell Jim the truth.
I like this game.
“More wine, anyone?” she asks instead, changing the topic. She grabs the bottles and begins to tip off everyone’s drink, but I raise my hand before she can get to mine.
“I’ll pass. I’m not usually a drinker, and I’d hate to do anything out of character.” It’s a hit at Brielle, one that she seems to notice given the way she swallows. It doesn’t take a genius to guess that she’s not the kind of girl to engage in one-night stands…as if being a virgin didn’t make that plainly obvious.
“Stop it,” Grayson whispers harshly, elbowing me in the side. He sees right through my mischievousness. He’s always the nice guy, but I know he isn’t just trying to protect Brielle. He doesn’t want Jim to know that we’ve deflowered his precious little daughter.
What he doesn’t know won’t kill him. Besides, I’m just having a little bit of fun.
“You sound just like Brielle.” Jim sits back in his chair. “I try to tell her that life is about getting outside of the box and having new experiences.”
“I like to have new experiences,” I agree. “But life is too short for mediocre experiences, don’t you think, Brielle?”
She squirms, trying to figure out what she’d like to say next. “Yes, but there’s something to be said for things that happen under discretion.”
I have to stop the smirk from forming on my lips. “Discretion is just another word for anticipation, isn’t it?”
“So, Brielle—” Grayson changes the subject, much to my dismay, with a harsh look in my direction. “Jim said you’ll be transferring to Westfield. What do you study?”
“Nursing,” she answers.
“You have a passion for medicine?”
“I really like helping people.” There’s a twinkle in her eye that snags my attention.
“Her mother was like that too.” Jim grins. “I’m so proud of her. She’s not like me. She’s always been such a people person.”
“Oh, I gathered that from her.” I can’t hold the smirk back this time. “You seem like the type to get very close to someone very fast.”
Across the table, her eyes widen just a fraction, and I watch as a flush creeps up her neck, painting her cheeks with a rosy hue that betrays her composure. “Well, yes, I…”
“You seem like you’d remember every detail about an encounter with someone, every word said, every to?—”
“Excuse me,” she cuts me off, standing up quickly. “I should probably go check on dessert.” She avoids my gaze as she darts out of the dining room.
