Fragile: A Bully, Enemies to Lovers, Alpha Male, Mafia Romance - Book One (Love in London 1)

One

Fragile

adjective

easily broken or damaged

Gabe

There was no doubt about it, Leonie Smith had the power to ruin me.

My body’s immediate reaction to the way she looked pissed me off at first; a sexual pull unlike anything I had ever experienced. Her expression suggested she felt it too, that instant connection, a spark of chemistry that couldn’t be denied.

What the hell? Loss of control equalled weakness, and I was anything but weak. I had never lost control of a situation so quickly, but when I opened the main door of my building, that’s exactly what I did.

Clichéd as fuck I know, but Leonie was one of the most attractive girls I had ever seen. Beautiful, strike that stunning, with pale flawless skin, and a tight little body; every gentle curve crying out to be traced by my fingertips. She possessed a fragile quality that suggested she would bruise if you breathed too heavily over her. The beast within me roared as my darker side kicked in.

Leonie was standing on the doorstep of my father’s apartment complex, a recent acquisition of his; looking up at me with the bluest eyes. They were wide and looked huge in her face; watching me as if I had all the answers. Her white blonde hair fell all around her, like a curtain of silk. Leonie possessed a ripe mouth, a delicate jaw, and a long slender neck. Her nose was small and straight with a smattering of freckles across the surface. Adorable.

She must have noticed my appraisal of her body which was deliciously encased in a tight white top and skinny jeans. I watched her knowingly as she drew the open raincoat around herself and belted it. Looking the way she did, Leonie would be used to male attention and I was surprised she felt the need to cover herself. Her actions suggested I made her nervous and I liked that, it fed the monster in me.

God knows how long I stood there gawking at her like a teenager who had just seen his first pair of tits. Thankfully she spoke, which dragged me back to earth.

“Sorry to bother you, but—is Asher in?” Leonie’s voice was soft and sweet, a dulcet melody which I felt hum across my skin.

From the effect her presence was having on me, I was surprised I could remember my name, let alone my brothers.

“No sorry, he isn’t here,” I replied as my eyes flickered over her. Fuck me, the things I could do to that body.

I didn’t believe in fairytales but that’s what she was, a walking talking one. An ethereal apparition from all your dreams and fantasies rolled into one. Perfect.

Come on Gabe, get a fucking grip and speak instead of staring at her like a dirty old letch.

“Leonie, right?” I said, pointing a finger. It was more of a statement than a question and it encouraged a slight smile. God, she was sweet. Her cat-like eyes were narrowed but she was more like a kitten, one who would purr when you stroked her. My dick twitched.

“Right,” she said in agreement, her face highlighted at the fact that I knew who she was. “And you must be Asher’s brother, Gabriel?”

“The very same, but I prefer, Gabe.” My tone was firmer than I intended but my little brother’s name on her lips annoyed me. Irrational I know.

It was nuts; the level of attraction I felt toward her when we had literally just met was senseless, a head-fuck I had never experienced before. I just hoped she didn’t notice the tent I was now sporting in my jeans.

Managing to put my tongue in gear, I said, “He shouldn’t be long. Do you want to come in and wait?” My offer caused Leonie to glance behind her as if my brother would suddenly materialise.

She took her time to answer which I found intriguing. Those pretty eyes roamed over my frame, taking in my build. She was weighing up whether I was a threat. And I was, she just didn’t know it yet.

“You’ll be quite safe. I don’t bite on Sundays,” I tagged on for reassurance. Leonie shot me a shy look of amusement. She was blatantly uneasy at the thought of us being alone together. Why I gave a shit was beyond me.

Because you want her to come inside.

Leonie worried her lip a moment before answering, “Well—if you don’t mind?”

“Of course not, kitten. Come in,” I replied with a swooping arm gesture, stepping aside to give her space to pass me. Leonie didn’t comment on the nickname which had unintentionally fallen from my mouth.

Her scent as she walked into the lobby of my building was also arousing; it reminded me of strawberries. I noted how small she was, the top of her head sat well beneath my shoulders.

Pushing the door closed, I turned and leaned back against it, my eyes drilling into her back. Leonie moved further into the lobby before twisting to face me again, her eyes darting around the décor of the space.

“You have a lovely hallway. Asher described this place like a building site,” she announced with a cute grin.

“Part of it is. It’s only half-finished. A work in progress.”

As she continued to survey her surroundings, the light from the chandelier highlighted her face.

Bottom line; Leonie Smith was sinfully attractive. The beauty of her smile would illuminate any darkness and I wanted to taste it. To run my tongue across the seam of those plump ‘begging to be kissed’ lips.

Allegedly, Leonie was my brother Asher’s new girlfriend which was rich, considering I suspected he was gay.

‘Good things come in small packages’ Ash had bragged. As I stared across at said package, I wasn’t so sure. Yes, she was small—tiny in fact, but her presence in my brother’s life was anything but good. Especially considering my dicks reaction to her physical appearance. The girl had ‘trouble’ written all over her.

Leonie’s phone suddenly started ringing and she apologised, becoming flustered as she searched the pockets of the raincoat she wore. I watched her, feeling slightly amused as she turned away with an apologetic smile, and parted her coat. She eventually retrieved her phone from the pocket of her jeans.

“It’s Asher,” Leonie husked in a breathy voice waving her phone in the air. I noted the battered case and fuck me, what model was that?

“Do you mind if I take this?” she asked, not wanting to appear rude.

“Be my guest,” I replied, motioning towards the brick-like device she clutched. Leonie turned around and held it to her ear, her voice becoming higher like she was excited.

I felt another surge of irritation that Asher had met her first.

My brother had explained that the dance school where she was studying shared the same building as his college.

Leonie began to chat on her phone, her voice a whisper. The distraction allowed me to observe her, and catalogue everything I saw.

She was like a little doll—one you weren’t allowed to play with. The aura surrounding her was look, but do not touch. Once again, the predator within continued to prowl. Leonie was delicately put together and the fact that I would dwarf her, in and out of bed, turned me the fuck on. The need I felt for her made me furious as well as hard.

You so need to get laid.

My brother said she was training to be a professional dancer, but didn’t dancers have to be tall with long legs and a good rack? I had initially questioned what type of dancer, but as my eyes roamed over her slight frame, I seriously doubted she would have been that type. My thoughts darted back to that tight top she wore; her tits weren’t big enough for a start; a handful sure, but nothing that would sell tickets.

As Leonie paced up and down the lobby, whilst talking to my brother, her baby blues were now confused, and I dropped my gaze to her mouth again. I knew she was wary of me but with an internal savage growl, I realised that I didn’t care. I wondered fleetingly what Asher had said about me but as my eyes rested on those lips, I started to imagine all the things she could do with them.

Leonie caught me looking and blushed. She could feel the heat between us, although she tried to hide that fact. Interesting.

I was no stranger to beautiful women. I’d spent my life since puberty with them crawling all over me, but this one was different. Special, with a vulnerability I had never seen before and that darker side of me wanted to mess with that. What? I was a bastard, that’s what we do. Lovey-dovey wasn’t in my DNA.

I knew she wasn’t for me, not really. Leonie was the type of female who would need to be handled gently and let’s face it, I was anything but gentle.

I fisted my hands by my sides to stop myself from reaching out and touching her. The temptation I felt was off the fucking chart, and she belonged to my brother. Or did she?

Ash had never shown much interest in the female sex before and whenever we threw a party, his guests were always male. I thought back to that call to the house the other week; one from Mark somebody; explaining how Ash had left his watch at his apartment. A definite sign of Asher flying the flag of pride in my opinion.

Was Ash attempting to use this little piece of trouble to hide his true sexuality from our father? It wouldn’t surprise me. If Garrett found out my brother was gay, the shit would hit the fan big time. I’m talking binned from our family, cut off; the works.

Leonie ended the call and pushed her phone into the pocket of her raincoat, before giving me her full attention. Shoving off the door, I took a step towards her and she trembled, that sweet mouth parting and I felt a misguided desire to comfort her. What the hell was that about? Giving a shit made you weak.

Run sweetheart, I’m one of the bad guys. My inner demon chanted.

In my world, she would be a weakness I couldn’t afford. As I said, trouble.

At that point, there was no doubt in my mind. I had just come face to face with the girl who had the power to become the biggest mistake of my life…

Leonie

After I ended the call with Asher, I hurriedly put my phone away, my hands still shaking as I turned back to meet his brother’s intense stare.

I knew as soon as he opened the door who he was. He was the type of guy that made girls speechless; as I was at that very moment.

Asher’s brother, Gabriel aka Gabe Knight was ridiculously handsome with a tall, broad frame and an intensity that snarled I’m in charge. He had probably been breaking hearts from his cot. His jaw was now clenched and I couldn’t help but admire his superb bone structure.

Ash spoke about his older brother like he was some type of God. And now I knew why. He had that leadership quality and he was huge—big and imposing, his massive chest and athletic body suggesting he spent a huge amount of his time at the gym. When he wasn’t studying, of course. Ash said that his brother was at Law School and worked like a maniac.

Drop-dead gorgeous is how you would describe him. With a chiselled handsome face; the only flaw, if you could call it that, was a thin white scar which ran through his eyebrow. He looked more like a male model than a student. I so hoped my mouth wasn’t hanging open. The way he had leaned against the door as I had spoken to Ash looked like he was posing for a photo shoot.

“I take it he’s on his way back,” he said, speaking at last. His voice was a deep, rich rumble that vibrated across my skin like a caress. He sounded nothing like his younger brother.

My body continued to tremble. I wasn’t sure if it was due to the coldness of the lobby or the nervous knots that twisted in my belly.

Pursing my lips, I nodded. “Yes, he’ll be around ten minutes?” My reply was initially fine until I ruined it by muttering, “I must say you don’t look anything like I thought you would.” Where the heck did that come from?

He frowned, those jet-black brows of his coming together as he stared down at me with an unreadable expression. “And what did you think I’d look like?”

I swallowed, cursing my rudeness but I replied honestly. “I don’t know—Angelic—I suppose?”

The furrow left his brow and his mouth twisted into a lopsided smile; those deep dark pools of his eyes glittering at me.

“I can assure you there’s nothing angelic about me, kitten. In looks or temperament.” His voice had taken on a sharpness, his amusement at my description fading with his reply.

I ignored the pet name he delivered with such smoothness, shivering as his eyes roamed over me. Gabriel opened his mouth to speak but I cut in with, “Asher said to meet him upstairs?”

He shrugged his massive shoulders. “Let’s head up then,” he replied, motioning towards the lift before shoving his hands into the pockets of his well-worn jeans.

“Thank you.”

I turned and walked over to the large silver doors, pressing the call button. I was in the grandest lobby I had ever been in. My ballet flats made no sound against the polished tiles which were printed with a grey and white damask design. The walls were neutral and a large posh light fitting hung above us. It appeared there were two lifts and a door to access the stairs. I wondered what floor their property was on. The penthouse no doubt.

My breath caught in my throat as Gabriel came to stand beside me.

“Asher has told me all about the apartment. It sounds amazing,” I said, wanting to fill the silence. Complimenting him was also tactical. I was there to view their spare room in the hope of renting it from them. I didn’t say that though, as I wasn’t sure if Asher had asked his brother about me staying with them yet.

“It’s not bad,” Gabriel replied in a bland voice. Not bad? The lobby was grander than anywhere I had ever stepped. No doubt he’d be used to luxury, coming from a wealthy family.

“I take it you’re here to see our spare room?”

I tilted my head as he came to stand beside me. So, Asher had told him.

Our eyes tangled briefly as the small screen to state which floor the lift was on counted down. Gabriel looked every bit like the lord and master he was, irrespective of the building being his father’s. I was aware from Ash that his dad owned the entire block and the Knight brothers were currently the only occupants.

“He says you need somewhere to stay temporarily?”

“Yes, that’s right?” I replied, smoothing my hair back over my shoulders. I needed something to do with my hands and so I pushed them into the pockets of my coat. Gabriel was only wearing faded jeans and a black ACDC tee, but he looked as fit as hell without one hair out of place. I felt shabby in comparison, in my ripped skinny jeans and belted raincoat. I had bought it from a charity shop the other week and the coat was well worn, it probably wasn’t even waterproof anymore.

Gabriel cleared his throat, making me jump as he said, “Surely you could just stay in my brother’s room with him?”

My heart leapt in my chest at such a personal comment. He thought Asher and I were sleeping together which was so not the case; would never be the case bearing in mind his brother”s sexual orientation. But of course, Gabriel didn’t know that. And was not to know, that was why my friend had created the ploy of us being together. The guilt of that lie sat heavier in my stomach now that I had met this man in person. If he questioned me about my relationship with Asher, he’d probably see straight through me. I wasn’t well practised with deceit.

When I didn’t reply immediately, he prompted, “Well?”

I found my tongue which had cemented itself to the roof of my mouth. “No, definitely not. It’s not like that—,” I stuttered, my cheeks stinging as my stunned eyes locked with his penetrative ones. It was like he was trying to see inside me, take over my thoughts and steal my secrets.

The lift appeared and he waited for me to enter the space first. So, there was a gentleman in there somewhere. I watched as he entered a code into a number panel above the buttons for all floors. There were eight in total.

“What does that mean, it’s not like that?” Gabriel questioned, slightly mimicking my voice.

“I mean, we’re not at thatstage yet.” The words felt uncomfortable as they left my mouth.

The lift doors slid closed, trapping us together in that tight area. My pulse took off as he turned to face me, forcing me to do the same. What he said next, was even more shocking.

“So, you’re saying, you and Asher are not at the fucking stage yet?” he commented with a smirk.

My mouth dropped open in horror. Did the man have no filter? How could he speak to me in such a manner when we had only just met? OMG, I almost died inside as mortification swamped my senses.

Withdrawing my hands from my pockets, I dropped them by my sides and shot him my best haughty look. “That’s not really any of your business.”

Gabriel was marginally amused by my outburst and he leaned against the wall of the mirrored lift with an arched eyebrow. The reflection showed several of him; like I could cope with more than one. His stance forced me to move back slightly. His presence was suddenly suffocating. “None of my business?” he challenged.

“Of course not. Stuff like that is private,” I whispered towards the lift floor, suddenly feeling afraid to face him.

His tone became firmer. “It is my business if you think you’re going to make this place into your little love nest,” Gabriel pointed out tartly.

Lifting my gaze, I managed to level him a look but I was so out of my comfort zone. I hated conflict and moody waves now rolled off him. Unprovoked ones in my opinion. “As I said. No. I just need a place to crash. Have my own space. I don’t have much cash right now and Ash said that you’d make it affordable for me to live here. It would only be until I got back on my feet.” I felt so pathetic and his next words made me feel worse.

He pushed his shoulder off the wall and dashed a hand across the stubble on his chin. “So, you’re a proper charity case?” I hated the fact that he was right. I was a broke dance student who spent most of her funding on tuition fees and headshots.

Gabriel couldn’t have been more insulting if he had tried. The atmosphere between us had suddenly nosedived.

The lift pinged to say we had arrived at his floor and the doors slowly opened.

“After you,” he said with a wave of his hand.

I walked out directly into what appeared to be a living room. Thankful to be free of that enclosed space. The sound of the lift doors sliding shut echoed into the quiet. I could hear the TV softly in the background.

Clearing my throat, I felt the need to answer his earlier comment. “I wouldn’t say I’m a charity case. I’m just a bit down on my luck right now.” My defensive words reeked of desperation. I imagined this was what those poor people who sat on the streets felt like.

Gabriel smiled and his eyes creased at the corners as he followed me out of the lift and into his apartment. It wasn’t a nice smile; slightly cruel I would say. “Can’t you ask your parents for help?” His words hurt. But of course, he wouldn’t get that. My mother and father were both dead. That fact was very private to me and I had asked Ash to keep it to himself.

“No, that’s not possible,” I replied as I broke eye contact and looked around the room.

Pushing that painful thought of my non-existent family to one side, I found my backbone. “Have I said something to offend you?” The words left my mouth like a whip and I saw him flinch slightly.

Gabriel recovered quickly and went in all guns blazing for round two. “Not at all. It was just a suggestion. I just hope you’re with Asher for the right reasons. I won’t allow anyone to use my brother as a meal ticket.”

It took me a minute to translate his point, his brain was certainly functioning quicker than mine. My nose wrinkled in disgust. “No of course not. He’s my friend and I would never use anyone. I’m not like that,” I assured him, my eyes flashing angrily. How dared he?

He took another step in my direction which forced me to crick my neck so I could retain eye contact, he was so much taller than me. I was desperate to study the space I was in, but I didn’t dare look away.

“I thought he was your boyfriend?” he batted back, clearly suspicious. Drat, had I blown our cover already?

Gabriel’s expression then switched as he looked me up and down.

“Give me your coat.” The commanding thread of his voice had me automatically shrugging out of it.

He took it from me and walked away, with long lazy steps and hung it up on a hook with other coats beside where the lift doors were supposed to be. You almost couldn’t see them. They were decorated to match the décor of the living space which was clever.

Gabriel came back to stand in front of me and I felt like folding my arms across my chest. The way he was watching me made my blood heat in my veins. I wasn’t stupid, I knew I was reacting like a woman does to an attractive man. But how I could feel that way when he was being so off was beyond me. My body and my head were in two very different corners.

I started to regret my decision to take Asher up on the offer of viewing the room. Gabriel was so direct; how could I live with someone who said whatever came into their head? A man who didn’t care about hurting a person’s feelings.

My shoulders slumped. “Maybe I should go?”

He didn’t move from my path, if anything he appeared to grow taller. “You just got here.”

“I’m just wondering if there is any point in seeing the place,” I mumbled.

“Why? He questioned sharply with a threaded brow.

“Well, I get the feeling that you don’t like me much.”

Gabriel exhaled sharply, his nostrils flaring. “What can I say? I’m training to be a lawyer, it’s in my nature to be suspicious. I just want to make sure you’re being truthful about your intentions.” The man was unshakable, his face now adopting a hardness and there had been no hint of sympathy when I’d given him a slice of my sob story.

I worried my lip, toying with how to answer. “Maybe I should come back when Asher’s here?”

“Nonsense. I can show you the apartment.”

I moved forward and he stepped in front of me, blocking my escape. My breath caught in my throat as awareness pooled into me, making me hot all over. His shoulders were so broad as he towered over me like a silent threat.

“You really are as intimidating as they say,” I admitted before I could stop myself.

Gabriel then tilted his head and regarded me with a mocking expression. “And who pray tell are they?”

My head was spinning, the man’s mood changed as fast as the British weather.

Rolling my shoulders, I replied, “Most people that know you I would say.”

I watched dumbfounded as he interlocked his fingers and cracked his knuckles. The gesture appeared aggressive and should have scared me but for some reason a thrill shot through my core. Gabriel then lowered his hands, exhaled noisily, and shoved them into the pockets of his jeans before shooting me a boyish look.

“Fuck. Look, I apologise. Put it down to Big Brother”s protective mode or some shit like that. Please stay and see the room.”

I chewed the inside of my lip whilst I watched him warily. Did I honestly want to stay alone with him in his apartment, surrounded by his angsty testosterone?

The correct answer was yes. Why? Because I was desperate and that was the only reason why. I was screwed. “Maybe we should start again. Wipe the slate clean?” I suggested hopefully.

Gabriel delivered what I would describe as a genuine smile and my God! It was a look that knocked me for six, like a blast of charm, hitting you in the face.

“Why not? We can chalk it up as our first fight.”

“OK,” I said in a small voice, fidgeting with the strap of my camisole, aware that my bra strap was showing. “I’m sorry we got off on the wrong foot.”

Gabriel raised an eyebrow. “It’s fine. Come on, I’ll show you the room first and then you can have a look around,” he said, his hand grazing my elbow as he motioned towards the other end of the living room.

I followed his lead, aware that my skin fizzled where his fingers had been.

The place was huge and had the entire works; the living space was open plan with a living room, kitchen, and dining area. The floors were polished marble and the soft furnishings were all high-end. The walls were all painted neutral and natural light spilled into the space through large windows which boasted London’s skyline.

I noted that the dining table was littered with books and an open laptop. I had probably interrupted Gabriel’s studies. Did I feel sorry about that? Not really.

We walked toward the kitchen. It was of a contemporary design with main units, the oven, cooker and hood and then a separate breakfast counter. The counters were all granite, and the large fridge freezer and other appliances were all Smeg, no expense spared then. Gabriel gave me bits of information about housekeeping as we perused the area.

I eyed the huge flat-screen TV that was mounted on the wall in the living room section surrounded by leather sofas. It was showing a football game but the sound was turned down low. The sofas there were all extremely expensive looking. I thought about how amazing a movie would look on a screen that size. I usually watched stuff on my phone, although it wasn’t top of the range by any measure.

Two corridors led off to what I found out were bedrooms. Gabriel explained there was one main bathroom with the master room aka ‘his’ room which had an ensuite. Of course, he would have to have the best.

The views were amazing, I could even see the London Eye poking out between distant buildings. Everything about the apartment screamed wealth and quality. Gabriel pointed to his brothers’ room and his own. He didn’t take me inside those two rooms and I was thankful for that.

“How did you get here? Did you drive?” he questioned. He was standing so close now, his large, muscular body dwarfing my own.

“No, I don’t drive. I took the Tube,” I informed him. Again, I felt inferior for not having passed my driving test. As if I could afford the lessons anyway.

He shrugged his massive shoulders. “It’s the best way to travel in London. Parking is a bitch, not to mention the congestion charges,” he said, half to himself. Hypocrite, Ash said Gabriel had a car with a driver who ferried him all over London.

I batted off the thought and tried to relax, clenching my fingers together before me, feeling jittery.

He twisted his head to the side and looked down at my hands. “You’re a bit of a fidget? You don’t have to worry. I’m not about to pounce on you. As I said downstairs, I don’t bite on Sundays,” he stated with a mocking expression. Great, which alluded that he did on other days; smashing.

I shifted my head to look up at him, still unimpressed from his earlier treatment of me. I don’t bite. Whatever! I knew from Ash that he did.

Gabriel Thomas Knight was twenty-four years of age, heir to the Knight family”s millions and currently in his last year of Law School. A man soon to follow in his father’s footsteps as a shark of the courtroom. If there was one thing this man did well, it was bite and I imagined he had the sharpest of teeth.

We eventually arrived at a bedroom door at the end of a long corridor and Gabriel pushed it open and gestured for me to proceed him.

It was stunning. Like the rest of the apartment, it was decorated in neutral colours, with a large bed, dressing table and wardrobes down one wall. As I walked around the space, I went towards the large windows, my eyes feasting on a stunning view of the city.

“Well? What do you think?” Gabriel said from behind me. I hadn’t realised he’d joined me in the room and I suddenly felt nervous as I glanced at the bed over his shoulder.

“It’s amazing, lovely. But I imagine I won’t be able to afford it. I didn’t realise it would be so big, or have those views.” I said with a flick of my head towards the large windows that ran the length of one wall.

“Have you discussed rent with Asher?” Gabriel questioned, dashing a hand through his hair. The movement suggested he was uncomfortable discussing money with me.

“No, not really, but I must be out of the apartment I’m in now by the end of the week. Otherwise, I will have to sign for another six months.” That fact sat heavy in my gut.

“What are you paying?” He just fired the question at me but I wasn’t shocked by his direct approach. He was going to be a lawyer and that’s what they excelled in—getting to the point.

I told him and he looked surprised. “And this flat is in London?” His tone suggested he thought the price was low for London rents and he was right. But now I knew the reason my landlord had only charged me half of what he did the other tenants and it had nothing to do with him being nice. The total opposite, unfortunately. He expected me to work for the other half off on my back and once he realised that wasn’t going to happen. Things went pear-shaped.

“Where is it?”

“Wood Green.”

He suddenly changed the subject. “I’ll give you a minute alone in here and then we can talk money. I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”

I watched him as he walked out, closing the door softly behind him. Did that mean he would offer me the room?

I spent a good ten minutes in there and took some pictures with my phone. Excitement at the thought of living in such an amazing space thrummed through me. It was so clean and fresh, with plenty of room for me to practice without stumping my toe on something. It was also free of Simon Davids, my current lowlife landlord and his wandering hands.

After one last look, I left the room and went back in the direction of the kitchen. Gabriel was in the process of removing two glasses from the drainer. Leaning against the counter, I watched as he withdrew the cork from a half-opened bottle of wine and poured the liquid into both glasses. He didn’t even ask me if I wanted a drink. He just made that decision for me. I imagined that is exactly what he’d be like in a relationship. He would have to call all the shots. He had ‘alpha male’ stamped all over him. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that as I wasn’t the most assertive person. If I lived there, would I allow this man to walk all over me; probably. But with that came the feeling of being safe; or at least safer than I was now.

I took the glass with a soft thank you and we faced each other across the space. Gabriel leaning against the counter opposite.

“We could let you have the room on a trial basis for three months and we’ll charge you the same as your current rate. See how it goes. By then some of the other apartments may be ready and you could move into one of those. But we’d have to up the rent of course. As you said, when you get back on your feet.” Wow. He made up his mind fast. I suspiciously wondered why.

As the words left his lips, I had to replay them in my head. Was he serious? And if he was, what were the strings? After coming to London from the sweet little village I grew up in with my foster parents, I knew strings came with most arrangements in the big city.

I took a sip of wine. It tasted expensive. Gabriel did the same and watched me over the rim of his glass. He was so good-looking, his tanned skin crafted by the Gods purposefully to stir those female hormones. He had black hair and light brown eyes; almost hazel I would say and they glowed a mixture of amber and green under the lights.

“What’s the catch?” I said, attempting not to sound ungrateful.

“There isn’t one. Not really. Just the usual rules. Respect the place; pull your weight. Tidy up your shit, don’t eat other people’s food, that type of crap. Oh, and don’t hog the main bathroom. The rest is common sense.”

“And that’s it?” I questioned with wide eyes as he savoured his wine. I ran my gaze over his lips as they touched the glass, wondering what they’d feel like against my own. Shit, no! Back off lustful thoughts. I had my future career to think about and boys were not a factor in that.

“Oh, and just a couple of other things,” Gabriel whispered, his eyes hooded as he placed his glass on the counter.

I raised my chin, here it comes.

“Respect our privacy. I don’t tolerate people who gossip about my family.”

“OK—and?” I had a feeling there was something else coming.

“I’m in charge, and so you’ll have to toe the line whilst living here.”

My heart was thudding in my chest. I wanted to do cartwheels of joy around the room.

I knew from Ash that his brother was a major control freak. He’d probably been controlling Ash’s life for years, but could I let this man who was a stranger dictate to me?

I took another sip of wine before I placed the glass gently on the counter.

My mind flipped back to his charity case comment which had stung, pushing my tongue into gear I said. “How about I clean the apartment each week? As an extra thank you for the low rent?”

“If it makes you feel better, why not, but I warn you, Asher isn’t the tidiest of people,” he explained with a grimace. I didn’t care, I cleaned my apartment. Yes, this was bigger but it would make me feel less of a sponging so-and-so.

“OK, that sounds great. Where do I sign?” I said in a bright voice.

It was brief but I was sure I saw a hint of triumph on his face at my reply.

We then settled on the sofa, I kept myself a reasonable distance away and he asked me questions. Loads of them. Why I had moved to London, how my course was going, my aspirations. Just bits and bobs. Nothing too personal. I batted a few back here and there to appear interested which was rich, considering I was, or at least my body was. That didn’t matter though as I couldn’t allow myself to fall for this one. He was Mr Wrong in every way, shape, and form.

Whilst I was in mid-sentence, the lift pinged and the doors slid open, reminding me of a scene from Star Trek, a show my foster dad was obsessed with. I pushed to my feet as Asher walked out of the lift. His face lit up as he saw me. “Sorry, babe, totally lost track of time.”

We moved towards each other and it felt forced I’m not going to lie. I could feel Gabriel’s shrewd eyes on us as Asher put his hands on my waist and pulled me in for a kiss.

His lips touched mine and I attempted to go with it; tried to play the part, but his mouth was stiff. Shit, I knew we should have rehearsed it. As he drew away, Gabriel was standing next to the sofa with a semi-amused expression, both his eyebrows sky-high.

“What?” Ash said into the silence, setting me away from him; his eyes on Gabriel.

His brother unfolded his arms and rolled his shoulders with an expression that said it all.

“I’m training to be a lawyer brother, where it’s all about getting to the truth. How stupid do you think I am?”

The hairs on the back of my neck prickled, as we both stood in front of the tower of strength that was Gabriel Knight. He knew. He didn’t buy our lie and who could blame him? Our kiss hadn’t been the most passionate.

“I don’t know what you mean?” Ash said, almost tripping over his own words. His cheeks were bright pink.

“There’s about as much chemistry between you, as there is between me and a stick of fucking celery.”

I looked down at the carpet, suddenly embarrassed, my cheeks flaming hot.

Gabriel approached us, coming quite close and I felt like we were being told off by the headmaster. He looked down his sharp blade of a nose at us, thoroughly unimpressed.

Ash blew out a breath and then danced from one foot to the other. “Well, that didn’t last long. Sorry Leo, I should have known he’d see right through us.”

“It wasn’t difficult.”

I wished the floor would open and swallow me whole. I also didn’t appreciate that Asher chose that precise moment to shorten my name.

“Where do you get the guts to lie to me?” Gabriel barked with a penetrative glare.

I watched Ash’s shoulders slump. He suddenly looked like a kicked puppy and I felt the need to protect him. He was my friend and I wasn’t about to let his brother bully him.

“It was my idea. I didn’t think you’d let me live here if I wasn’t with Asher. He explained how private you are,” I whispered, swallowing a lump the size of London.

Those dark eyes shifted to look down at me.

“Bullshit,” Gabriel said, a muscle ticking in his jaw.

As he looked between us with an unfathomable expression he exhaled slowly.

Gabriel then shrugged and said, “Well at least I won’t have to play the third wheel, listening to your bedroom antics.”

Mortification swept up my spine. Was he saying that because I wouldn’t be there or because Ash and I were not together?

I found my tongue, stepping forward, I put my hand on his arm. “Look, if you don’t want to give me the room now, I’ll understand.”

Gabriel glanced down, looking at the spot where I’d touched him and I dropped my hand.

“Gabe, please,” Ash begged, snatching Gabriel’s attention, his expression pained.

His eyes roamed over my features as I stared at him with a hopeful look. After what felt like forever, the lord and master spoke, delivering his decision.

“It’s fine, but if either of you lie to me again, you can both pack your bags.”

And with that, he shot a brief displeased glance at Ash before turning and walking away. “You can move in when you’re ready,” Gabriel shouted over his shoulder.

We both watched him go in silence before Ash turned to me. “Yay! So, when do you want to move in then roomie?” he said, pulling me in for a proper hug, full of warmth; this time the contact was genuine and I felt a whoosh of happiness.

As I watched Gabriel turn the TV off and then sit in front of the open laptop, our eyes locked. With just one look, he generated such a warmth in my belly and I struggled to turn away, he was the reason I was safe from Simon. Gratitude bloomed in my gut.

I scanned his beautiful face, he was like a magnet drawing me in. Gabriel was the first to look away, severing the contact and my stomach dipped. Shaking myself from my stupor, I concentrated on Asher who was babbling like an excited schoolboy. He had missed the look I had exchanged with his brother thank goodness.

If I were to live there without complications, my mind needed to have a serious word with my body. Boys were a complication I could do without, especially privileged, full of themselves forces of nature like Gabriel Knight.

From that moment forward, I worried for the entire journey home that I had just made a huge mistake. One that I was sure I would deeply regret one day.