Chapter 20
20
AGE 20
“ I sn’t it amazing?” Ash squeals as she bounces on her large new bed. “I’m still pinching myself I get to live somewhere like this for free!”
“Is it really free though?” I rake my gaze over the luxurious king bedroom with en suite bath as I try to ignore the pounding in my skull. We went at it hardcore last night, and we’re all suffering today.
“Grace says I only have to pay for my food. Everything else is already paid for.”
“Nothing in life is truly free. Bet she asks something of you.”
Ash wallops me in the arm. “When did you get so cynical and so suspicious?” She folds her arms and glares at me. “Grace is my friend, and there is no big agenda. You need to quit giving me shit about her and quit treating her like a pariah. She’s nice, Dillon. If you’d just stop acting like an overbearing oaf, you’d see that.”
“You hardly know her, Ash.”
“I know enough to know she’s a good person, Dil. This arrangement works for her too. She’s lonely living by herself. We’re both getting something out of this.”
“We’ll see,” I murmur. The jury is still very much out on the Yank.
“That’s the last of them,” Ro says, depositing a box heaving with books on the floor in front of the fitted white wardrobes. Conor trails in after him, placing his box on the desk. He drops onto the chair, straddling it backwards and staring off into space.
“Tell this one to stop raining on my parade, will ya?” Ash looks at Ro while jabbing her finger in my face. “He’s putting me in a bad mood.”
“He just needs to get laid.” Ro smirks. “It’s been a while.”
“Shut up.” Ash whacks Ro. “Dillon’s gotten laid enough to last him a lifetime. A bit of abstinence never hurt anyone.”
“Can everyone shut the fuck up about my sex life.” I glare at my siblings.
“What sex life?” Jay quips, poking his head into the room. “Nuns have more sex than Dillon O’Donoghue these days.” I flip him the bird, and he chuckles. “This place is sick, Ash,” he adds, looking around.
My sister’s expression is guarded as she glances at Jamie. Things don’t appear to be as strained between them, but they are still acting a bit off around one another. “Yeah, I lucked out.”
“So, when’s the housewarming party?” Ro rubs his hands together and waggles his brows.
All the fine hairs lift on the back of my neck, and fiery tingles skate over my skin. That’s how I know she’s close. My body is reacting instinctively just like the first time I met her. What the hell is up with that? A foreign feeling spreads across my chest as my heart beats faster, slamming against my rib cage when I turn around and my gaze snares hers where she’s leaning against the doorway.
Immediately, the room fades away, and it’s like we’re the only two people here. I’m acutely aware of every little puff that escapes her lush lips, every flutter of her eyelashes, and every subtle lift of her chest. Electricity charges the air between us and every nerve ending on my body is hyper alert as we stare at one another.
Fuck me. She’s so beautiful.
Air punches from my lungs as my breathing stutters, and I struggle to understand my visceral reaction to her. I’ve never felt like this with any girl before. Ever . The thumping behind my chest wall ramps up until my heart is thrashing about like it’s as unhinged as I appear to be.
Vivien breaks eye contact first, and my surroundings come back with a resounding slap. A low grumble builds in my chest as she smiles at my brother. Ro hasn’t shut up talking about her. That he likes her isn’t in doubt, but I won’t let him act on it. Whatever is going on with Vivien Mills, she will not be tangling my little brother up in it.
“I guess we can come up with something,” she says, shrugging.
Her dark hair is pulled up in a high ponytail, and a few wispy strands have escaped, framing her stunning face. Her face is devoid of makeup, and she’s only wearing leggings, an oversized T-shirt, and runners, yet she still steals all the air from my lungs. How is it possible for any woman to be so completely and utterly gorgeous? I cannot think of a single celebrity who outshines her.
Hanging back, I purposely keep quiet and subtly study her. There is no evidence of her meltdown from yesterday on her face. Her skin is flawless, her eyes bright and clear, her lips full and tempting. Amber flecks radiate from her eyes, which are more green than brown today. It’s hidden well, but her heartache is still there, and it’s like a punch in the gut.
It makes me uneasy.
Why do I care if she’s hurting?
She should’ve known better than to get involved with someone like Reeve Lancaster.
That selfish asshole was always destined to hurt her.
He’s incapable of thinking about anyone but himself.
Concern turns to disgust as I contemplate how weak she must be to have fallen for his shit for years. If she’s hurting, it’s her own fault for being too gullible.
Jay slings his arm around her shoulders and leers at her. “Make sure your favorite band is on the guest list, babe.”
My glare is instantaneous, my growl trapped between my teeth as I fixate on how her tight body is pressed all up against my best mate’s. My fingers twitch at my sides. He’d better remove his arm or…
Or what, fuckface?
Dragging my hands down my cheeks, I’m confused by my reaction to her. It’s been over three weeks since I shared the same room as her, and I’m annoyed my body is already highly attuned to her presence. I don’t want to be attracted to her, and I’m sick of thinking about her. Maybe Jay is right, and I just need to fuck this stupid fixation away.
The only good thing is my muse is back after a worrying hiatus, and I’m writing tons of new songs. Conor and I are going up Killiney Hill tomorrow night for a songwriting session.
“My favorite band is Coldplay, and I’m doubting they’d accept the invite.” Vivien’s breathy tone coils around my body like smoke and fire, heating my blood and sending delicious shivers cascading up and down my spine.
“We have a few Coldplay tracks on our set list,” Ro confirms, edging closer to her. He shoots Jay some serious side-eye. “Dillon’s voice gives me chills when we play ‘God Put a Smile on Your Face.’ Invite us, and maybe we’ll play it for you.” He flashes her a flirtatious grin, and I visualize tossing my brother out the window.
“I doubt the management company would be happy with a live band blaring rock music around the building,” Ash says, grabbing my arm and trying to convey something with her eyes.
“Yeah, I don’t want to risk getting kicked out.” Vivien chews on the corner of her delectable mouth. “My mom went to a lot of trouble to get this place for me.”
Spoken like a true Hollywood brat. A pampered princess who doesn’t want for a single thing. This place must cost a fortune, and she’s hasn’t lifted a finger for it. Same as my twin. They get handed everything on a plate, and it makes me sick.
“I’m out,” I tell Ash through gritted teeth. “Call me if you need anything.” Leaning down, I kiss her cheek and pull her into a quick hug.
“Be nice, Dil,” she whispers. I draw an invisible halo over my head with my hand and purposely leave the apartment without acknowledging or speaking to Vivien Mills.
“Just let Aoife come,” I say, shrugging as I finish my beer and slam the bottle down on our regular table at Whelans. We finished our set two hours ago, and now we’re getting ready to leave for Ash and Grace’s housewarming party. I’m already pretty locked, and I have to remind myself Vivien is using her middle name here so I don’t slip up and give the game away.
“No.” Ronan shakes his head. “Ash was insistent she wasn’t invited. We can’t offend Grace by disrespecting her wishes.”
“It’s fine, Dil.” Aoife sidles up to me, preening and smiling because she thinks I’m going to bat for her. I only said it because it’s obvious Vivien— Grace —really doesn’t want her there, and I’m down to stir up some shit tonight. “I don’t want to go to that prissy bitch’s party anyway.”
“You’ve changed your tune,” Jay says quietly in my ear. “Thought you were done with Aoife?”
“I’m thinking she might still come in handy.”
Jay chuckles. “You’re an evil prick, O’Donoghue.”
“Takes one to know one.” I waggle my brows as someone wraps their arms around me from behind. Aoife instantly scowls, but that’s no surprise. She hasn’t been quick enough lately to hide her territorial ways.
“I’ll come with you, Dillon.” I have no clue who she is, though the whiny voice is vaguely familiar. From the way she’s pawing at me, it’s a safe bet she’s someone I previously fucked, so maybe she’ll do. Her hands are all over me before she ducks under my arm, pushes her body flush against my front, and smiles up at me.
Ah, fuck. Now I know why I semi-recognized her voice. Breda gives off Grade-A clinger vibes, and I already fucked her a couple of months back, and the sex was shit. I don’t go back for seconds, and I’ve been avoiding her for weeks, but she’s a catty bitch, and I think she’ll play her part perfectly, so I’ll bend my own rules this one time. “Okay, let’s go.”
Aoife opens her mouth to object, but Jay shuts her up with a hard kiss. “We’ll see ya tomorrow, babe.” He grabs her arse in both hands and devours her mouth for a few beats before pulling back. “Make sure you get a taxi home. I’ll talk to Mick outside and tell him to hold one for you.”
Aoife isn’t happy as we walk off, but she’s not following, so she got the message.
I’m fighting Breda and her grabby hands off the entire taxi ride to Ash’s new gaff, second-guessing my decision to invite her. Briefly, I consider ditching her when we get to the apartment building, but I’m not showing up without a bird on my arm, so I let her stay, hoping I don’t end up regretting it.
The crowd cheers when we enter the packed living room, and we lap up the adoration like the smug assholes we are.
“Yay! You made it!” Ash squeals, rushing towards us.
My eyes dart around the room, looking for my sister’s new roomie. Vivien is standing a few feet away, with her back to us, talking to some nerd wearing a jumper over a polo shirt and too-tight jeans. I bet his balls are constricted and sweating. Like, who the fuck wears that shit to a college party?
Slowly, Vivien turns around, and it’s a miracle I don’t fall flat on my arse. She looks incredible in a strapless lacy black and red top with ripped skinny black jeans and high heels. Fuck, her body is a work of art, and my hands are dying to explore every sinful curve. I suspect I’m being far too obvious. I’ve probably had one too many beers, and the joint we shared outside isn’t helping either. But fuck it. I don’t care if she notices I’m staring at her. She is so incredibly gorgeous, and I can’t drag my eyes from her. My lips twitch as I tilt my head to one side and blatantly stare at her. Let’s see how she reacts to my obvious attention.
Waves of lustrous dark hair tumble around her glistening bare shoulders. The golds and browns painted on her eyelids make her eyes seem bigger and wider. Her glossy red lips would look great wrapped around my dick. The instant that thought lands in my brain, all the blood in my body rushes south and my cock starts hardening. Breda has impeccable timing because she chooses that exact moment to shove her hands into my pockets from behind, her fingers brushing against my erection through my jeans.
Great. Now she’ll think I sprung a boner for her. I brought her here tonight for one purpose only—to piss Vivien off—and it seems to be working if the displeasure and disgust on Grace’s face is any clue. The challenge will be fending Breda off because I have no intention of fucking her tonight or any other night. One round of bad sex with her was enough for me. But, for now, she’s serving her purpose, and I’ll figure the rest out later.