Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
I love surprises.
And I love being spoiled.
I mean, hello, have you met my dad?
They don’t call us princesses for nothing.
~ Chloé
CHLOé PUSHED THROUGH the revolving door of JULIEN and hiked her bag up her shoulder. It was Tuesday night, and for once in her life she was on time for dinner service.
Actually, scratch that. Ever since she’d started seeing Ethan and Zayne, she’d been pretty punctual.
Not because of anything she was doing, but because they had driver who took her everywhere, so there was really no excuse for her to ever be late again—or to drive around her old clunker, which she’d finally decided to all but give away to some unfortunate soul.
Well, not that unfortunate. She’d had to pay a pretty penny to get it up and running, so in her estimation, they should at least get a few months out of it before they decided they’d be better off looking for other forms of transportation. But still, it was one less headache for her.
Chloé made her way through the main dining room and waved at several of the staff she’d be working with tonight, and then her eyes caught on a familiar dark head at the bar.
“Well, if it isn’t my elusive brother. I wasn’t sure I’d see you tonight. Where have you been?”
Justin turned, his easygoing smile in place, a bottle of gin in hand.
“I’ve been working.” He placed the bottle on the bar and braced his hands on the counter. “Not everyone can find themselves two sugar daddies to look after them.”
Chloé screwed her nose up as she hefted her bag onto the barstool. “I have enough ‘daddies,’ thank you very much. I also have a job that pays very well. So I don’t need anyone to look after me.” Justin arched a brow, and she added, “I just like when they do.”
He snorted as she grinned and climbed up onto one of the stools.
“Seriously, though, you’ve missed the last few pasta nights and a couple nights here at the restaurant. Are you sure you’re not avoiding me?”
A crooked grin tugged at his lips as he came around to take the seat beside her. “Like I said, I’ve been working. You know this time of the year is slammed. Between testing, grading, and graduation, the end of the school year is always insane.”
“I know.” Chloé swiveled on her seat to look at him. “It’s just… I really want you to meet Ethan and Zayne, and you’re always MIA. They’re starting to think you’re avoiding them.”
“ They’re starting to think that?”
Chloé rolled her eyes. “Nooo. I am, okay?”
“And why would I do that?”
“I don’t know, I just—”
“Just…?”
“I don’t know. I thought you might disapprove or something.”
“Of Ethan and Zayne?”
“Well, them, the relationship—I told you, I don’t know.”
“Why would I disapprove? I don’t even know them.”
He had a point, and it wasn’t like Justin was a prude. He’d grown up in the same family she had. But no matter how many times she’d told herself he was busy or on a date, she still couldn’t help but feel a little hurt by the fact that he hadn’t made time to meet the two new men in her life.
When she didn’t immediately respond, Justin scooted in a little closer to her.
“Look, why don’t I clear my schedule tomorrow? I’ll make sure to get all my work done early, and I’ll come to pasta night and meet your guys.”
Chloé immediately perked up. “Really?”
“Yeah.” Justin shrugged. “I’m sure I can swing it. After all, they aren’t truly accepted into the family until they’ve met all of the men in your life.”
“Exactly, and I think you’re going to really like them.”
“I don’t see why not. I already told you I was impressed that they were brave enough to have dinner with the parentals.”
“They were, and you know what?”
“What?”
“They even managed to win over Papa.”
Justin sat back and eyed her closely. “Really? Papa likes them?”
Like might’ve been too strong of a word. He’d definitely warmed up to Zayne—Ethan, however, Papa still seemed a little wary of. But one out of two wasn’t bad, and Justin didn’t need to know that.
“He does, and Dad and Père are the best, as always.”
“So in other words, Papa is polite, which means he may or may not like them, and Dad and Père make sure he is on his best behavior.”
When Chloé’s grin fell, Justin chuckled.
“Come on, I’m just messing with you. I’m sure our fathers like your guys a whole lot.”
“You think?”
“Well, they’re not dead yet, are they?”
“You’re so funny.” Chloé shoved him in the arm. “But no, they’re not.”
“So there you go. You don’t need my approval. You have theirs.”
“I know I don’t need it, but I want it. Well, not your approval, but I want you to come and meet them. I live with these guys—aren’t you curious?”
Justin slipped off the stool and headed back around the bar. “I am curious. Especially after your impromptu trip to Paris. That’s some courtship you’ve had there.”
No kidding. Talk about wining and dining her. She’d never been more spoiled in her life. But still…
“That was mainly to avoid Zayne’s horrible father and reporters.” Chloé thought about the days walking along the river Seine and picnicking in the park under the watchful eye of the Eiffel Tower. “But it was amazing. Like a dream. There’s nowhere in the world like Paris.”
Justin smirked. “It always was your first love.”
“ Oui , and you were my second.”
Justin’s expression turned serious as he crossed his arms over his broad chest. “You’re trying to make me feel guilty now, aren’t you?”
“No.” Chloé pushed up from the stool and reached over to touch his arm. “But you know how much your opinion means to me. From the moment you walked in my life, I’ve been trying to impress you.”
Justin snorted. “More like you’ve been tying me around your little finger, and it works every time. I’ll be there tomorrow night to meet your guys.”
Chloé beamed at him. “I’m so excited. I can’t wait to tell them.”
Justin picked up the bottle of gin and pointed it at her. “That doesn’t mean I’m going to like them.”
“I know. But it’s a start. Oh, by the way, did Père tell you he is giving me a chance at my own menu?”
“No. Oh my God, Chloé. That’s amazing.”
“I know. I’m so nervous, but I’m determined to come up with something out of this world.”
“And you will. You’ve trained under Père your whole life. You can totally rock this.”
“Thank you. I think I needed that.”
“What?”
“The boost of confidence. I was getting a little up in my head about it all.”
“Well, don’t. He wouldn’t have brought it up if he didn’t think you were capable.”
“Love you,” she said as she slipped off the stool and her phone buzzed.
“Love you too, kiddo.”
As she headed for the kitchens, she pulled her phone free, and the text from Ethan had her excitement growing even more.
Ethan
Bonsoir, gorgeous. I just wanted you to know I’m thinking about you, and that I have a surprise waiting for you tonight when you get home.
Chloé stopped in the back hallway and moved aside, grinning to herself.
A surprise? I LOVE surprises.
Ethan
I know. And I think you’re going to love this one. Have a good night, petite fille. We’ll see you when you get home.
Home… Chloé brought her phone to her chest and hugged it like it was the man texting her.
She hadn’t been lying when she’d told Justin he was going to like Ethan and Zayne. If there was one thing her brother couldn’t resist, it was a kind, caring, and gorgeous man—and she just happened to have two of them.
* * *
THE LIGHTS SHIMMERED across the pool. Zayne lounged on one of the steps in the deep end, his arms propped up on the edge as he twirled a glass of scotch between his fingers.
He was enjoying a late-summer night swim, something he hadn’t done for a while, and as he relaxed in the cool water, he closed his eyes and thought about what an amazing time they’d had the last few days.
Inviting Chloé to live with them had been one of the smartest things they’d ever done. She’d settled in immediately, fitting in with the two of them as though she was always meant to be there. The final piece to their complicated puzzle.
He looked across the grounds to the main gate of the property and had to admit that he couldn’t wait to see their car appear with her in it.
She was at work tonight, back in the city, and with Ethan still finishing up some paperwork of his own down there in the cabana, Zayne had decided he’d pass the time out in the pool.
With the sun set on what had to have been one of the most perfect summer days, the night sky now showcased a splash of sparkling stars that seemed to light up the grounds all on their own. And combined with the subtle lighting of the estate, the pool at night was one of his favorite places.
As he took a sip of his scotch, he heard the sound of the cabana’s door open and turned to see Ethan step outside.
Clearly finished with work for the day, Ethan had stripped out of the linen shirt he’d worn down here and was left in only his shorts and flip-flops, and he looked fucking amazing.
“Well, you seem nice and relaxed out here.”
Zayne swirled the remainder of the alcohol around his glass. “I feel it too.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Balmy night, glistening water, and a glass of scotch. I’m about as relaxed as I could be right now.”
“You’re right, that does sound like the perfect way to unwind.”
“Then come and unwind,” he said, eyeing Ethan’s shorts. “You sitting naked beside me would make everything that much better.”
“You think so? I would think that would make you rather…tense.”
“Probably. But I’m willing to risk it. Maybe it’ll lead to extra relaxation if I play my cards right.”
Ethan chuckled. “And what cards are those?”
“Whatever you tell me they are.”
“That’s a very generous offer.”
Zayne’s cock stiffened in his tight black swim shorts as he thought of all the things he’d like to do to Ethan.
“What can I say, I’m in a very generous mood. Hell, I might even be a little drunk. I have been out here drinking alone all night.”
“I see.” Ethan looked at the half-empty bottle. “Are you feeling a little bit neglected tonight…Z?”