Two
Gabe
“So, when were you going to tell me you shop in the men’s department?” I questioned Asher bluntly.
My brother had been fidgeting in the kitchen for the last ten minutes, clearly trying to get my attention. I snapped my laptop closed before joining him, resting my hip against the counter.
Sheepish was the way I would describe his expression and his sigh was elongated. He answered my question without even speaking, not anytime soon then? If ever.
“The kiss was that obvious then?” he said, turning to face me and losing the dishcloth.
“Yep. I’ve seen more enthusiasm when you’re playing Fortnite. Fuck all passion.”
“And the lack of passion automatically made you think I’m gay? Maybe I just don’t like Leonie that way?” Was he really trying to back-peddle now? I found the thought annoying as it suggested my brother didn’t trust me.
I folded my arms across my chest and shot him an are you for real expression. “For starters, I’ve had my suspicions for ages and you have seen the girl. Any guy with a pulse is going to want to tap that.”
“OK. Good point, if not slightly on the crude side.” Even my brother wasn’t blind enough to realise that most men would find Leonie physically attractive.
“So how long have you had your suspicions?” my brother questioned softly, his shoulders slumped in defeat.
I shrugged, taking a beer out of the fridge, before turning back to face him. “A while— and then you confirmed them when you kissed Leonie like a lump of wood. Fuck me, you made it look painful.” Almost as painful as I’d found it to watch. That jealous urge to drag my brother off her had thumped through me.
I kicked the fridge door shut with my foot; recalling how it had provoked my inner green-eyed monster. Something I rarely saw, considering I was jealous of no one; and had no reason to be.
“Well, it was painful—for me. Plus, we’re friends. It isn’t easy to kiss a friend that way, believe me, even with your sexual prowess, you’d struggle.”
“I should hope so, my friend being Max, who’s built like a brick shit house and smokes like a fucking chimney.”
Asher grinned awkwardly. “Plus, the fact that you’re both straight.”
“Exactly and they don’t come straighter than Max.” My closest friend was the biggest man-whore on this side of London.
I twisted the cap off the bottle of Bud I was holding and threw it into the sink. Ash had moved to straddle one of the chairs around the dining table on the other side of the counter. After taking a long, refreshing drink, I sauntered over and leaned on the kitchen cornerstone, watching him with curiosity. I didn’t sit on one of the high stools pushed under there, I was too het up and thought faster on my feet.
“I take it the ruse was to hide your sexuality from Garrett,” I said, placing my beer in front of me. I rarely called the man dad.
Ash lowered his head and stared down at the crystal tumbler he now clutched. My brother was a whisky man but took his liquor like a bitch. The amber liquid swirled around the glass as he circled his hand.
“Well?”
He raised his chin and placed the glass on the table, saying in a miserable voice. “Yes. You know what he’s like. I guess I’m not ready to be disowned.”
And of course, he was right. Garrett would not like any member of his family to deviate from what he considered to be normal. “So, fuck him. You are who you are. Stand up to him.”
My brother’s eyes roamed over my face as he said feebly, “I can’t Gabe. I’m not strong like you, the guy terrifies the shit out of me.”
“And he feeds off that weakness.”
I had attempted to point this out to my brother on numerous occasions but he wouldn’t listen. I knew there was a backbone in there somewhere, and one day, I would unearth it. Asher was my brother, my blood and had my protection, but I wouldn’t always be there and that thought worried me.
My mind swung to our father as I eyed the sad case in front of me. He so needed to grow a pair but what could you do? He was right, in respect of strength, we were opposites. I was a mountain. Asher barely had enough substance to make a molehill.
To a certain extent, my father and I were cut from the same cloth. I too exploited weakness and used it to my advantage, but not where my brother was concerned. Yes, he was a pussy when it came to our father, but I loved him and would do anything for him. Even take on Garrett Knight, which was no easy feat.
My father worked for some dangerous people. He was a powerhouse in his legal profession and deeply respected by criminals spawned from the harsher part of London’s underbelly. Garrett was a high-profile criminal lawyer; in a nutshell, he was the man who got the bad guys off. He had deep pockets and people from various crime syndicates took shelter in them.
His most valued Client was Gerard Kinlan, Head of the Kinlan Cartel out of Ireland. The Kinlan’s were one of the oldest organised crime families in the world and reached as far as Ireland, the UK, the USA and Spain. Supposedly, they now ran their businesses legitimately. Legitimate my arse; why the fuck did they need access to the best defence lawyer in Britain then? I raised my hand to the scar on my head, a token his son Kai had given me at school, the fucking nutter. Not that I hadn’t returned the favour, only my mark was less visible.
On autopilot, I appeared to be gradually rotating towards my father’s way of life. His plans for me were that I become his protégé, someone he could show off, and follow in his footsteps. Once he’d recognised that my brain was as sharp as his, he’d attempted to drag me under his wing and keep me there. I, however, had plans of my own.
Unfortunately for my brother, where Asher was concerned, the man didn’t give a shit. As long as his youngest son didn’t cause the family any headaches.
The Knights were well known in the city and if Asher were to come out, Garrett would see this as a disgrace to our name. He had strong, old-fashioned opinions; in a nutshell, he was a bigoted prick.
Did people really have a problem if you were gay, straight, or bi these days or if you wanted to identify yourself differently? I certainly didn’t. You get one chance at this shitty life, do it your way, be who you feel you’re supposed to be and fuck everyone else! I was many things but judgemental was not on my radar where shit like that was concerned. Fuck me, I was straight, but I had some fairly messed up preferences when it came to sex; some people may even see them as depraved. Nothing was off limits, and I had a high sex drive. Angry sex got me off the most, hard, and rough. As long as it was consensual, I didn’t go for the heavy stuff and physical abuse of women made me sick to my stomach.
Sexual appetites to one side, I certainly couldn’t be considered sane, bearing in mind I was the son of a sick, controlling fucker like Garrett Knight. But how could I escape it, my family had expectations and if I reneged on the deal, their focus would fall on Asher. And that wasn’t going to happen, ever. They’d have to kill me first.
To sum it up in one sentence. The Knights were involved in some pretty heavy shit with some rather nasty people. There was no way of prettying that up. It was what it was. Unsavoury at its best.
I redirected my thoughts back to my brother, who had just necked the rest of his drink. “What do you intend to do, carry on sneaking around and engage the services of fake girlfriends?” I said, my throat feeling constricted. I hated the fact that Asher felt he’d had to keep such a secret from me. I had mates that were gay for fucks sake. Did he think I would have reacted like Garrett?
When he said nothing, I answered for him. “So, you’re going to live a lie because of Garrett and his seriously out-of-date opinions?”
His fingers clutched the base of the chair, his knuckles turning white. “Why not, it’s a word most of our family are familiar with.” And he was right.
“So, what did you think of Leo—of Leonie?” Ash suddenly questioned, changing the subject, and, unfortunately waking my dick up. Great. She wasn’t even there, and that important part of my anatomy started to stand to attention. I readjusted myself in my jeans and then downed the rest of my beer. His version of her name didn’t suit her, she was way too feminine to be a Leo.
I thought back to that last lingering look she had given me, full of appreciation. The image of those thankful, innocent blue eyes were now carved into my memory. The girl had the power to get under my skin and that thought worried me. I couldn’t afford to get sidetracked; especially by someone so fucking sweet; the girl probably shat rainbows.
Yep, little Leonie Smith was lost and needed a saviour. I just hoped she didn’t think that man would be me.
Eyeballing my brother with a look that said it all, I pointed out, “I think it’s insane inviting a girl that looks like that to live with us. Do you know me at all?” What? I was being honest.
“I know you’d never touch her. You wouldn’t shit on your own doorstep. Besides, having Leonie here will be fun. You’ve been studying so much that I’ve been as bored as hell. Being ignored sucks dick big time.”
I bit off my ‘well, you’d know’ comeback and went with, “I haven’t been ignoring you, Asher, my finals are in two weeks. We can party once I’m done.”
“And thank God for that. You’ve been so tense and moody, that I’ve felt like I’m walking on eggshells. Leonie will add a chilled-out, floaty vibe to our crib.
“She’ll add more than that,” I said, partly to myself as I waded through my lust-induced haze.
“You know you could have been a bit more welcoming,” Asher suddenly grumbled.
“I thought I was being nice—for me,” I pointed out with a lip curl.
“You were a bit abrupt. She said you’d shown her the room though. Anyways, you’ll get used to her. She’ll feel like one of the family in no time.” The way Ash said the word family was like he thought we were part of some dodgy Mafia flick. The movies are full of shit, the real-life version was so much worse.
“Honestly, there’s nothing not to like,” Ash carried on, pushing to his feet and taking his glass over to the sink.
I know. That’s what worries me dickhead.I couldn’t get distracted by pussy no matter how appealing the package was, I had to concentrate on work.
I watched Ash’s broad back as his muscles shifted and he retrieved the bottle top I’d chucked in the sink. My thoughts darted back to Leonie and how she had offered to clean for us; the image of her on her hands and knees wasn’t doing my libido any favours.
Without further ado, Asher threw the bottle top into the bin, washed his glass, and then turned back towards me. His expression was now deadly serious.
“I mean it, Gabe. I need you to look out for her. She’s so soft and gentle, grew up in a small village. She isn’t used to city life and has only been in London for six months. The girl doesn’t know the meaning of the word streetwise.”
I snorted at that one. “Neither do you.”
“But I’m getting better. You must admit it?”
“I suppose so. Leaving you to your own devices has probably done you good.”
“Do you promise, you’ll look out for her?”
When his eyes met mine, I replied in a firm voice, “And why the fuck would I do that?”
“Because you value beautiful things,” he said. I almost threw my head back and laughed like an insane person.
“I certainly like to fuck beautiful things.” My reply astonishingly brought a smile to my brother”s lips.
“Not going to happen. Leonie is way too sweet for you. She’s the real deal Gabe, kind, funny and sweet. Wife material, for some lucky guy anyway. She isn’t the type you could shag and walk away from. Fuck me, I’m already in love with her. She’s addictive. Most of the guys in my class have the bug; everyone knows who she is and they all clamber to get her attention. She’s like a man magnet. Plus, her dance partner Dimitri is well fit.”
Hmm, I took an instant dislike to Dimitri.
I rolled my eyes and deposited my empty bottle into the recycling bin. So, Asher thought I’d protect his beard?
It was at that moment that I knew what had to be done. If it took being a cock to her to keep her at arm”s length, then so be it. And yes. I could have protected Leonie from the scum of the city if I was so inclined. But the main question was, who would protect her from me?
Leonie
The rest of the week whizzed by and there was so much to do in such a short amount of time. As I started packing, my eyes drifted to the closed door of my apartment. I knew Simon was in his office and the thought of him being so close, caused a pang of dread to beat through me. I hadn’t even told him I was leaving yet. How would he react? Who cared right? I was out of there, at last. No more looking over my shoulder as I came home, praying Simon didn’t show and perv all over me.
I carried on stuffing my second suitcase with clothing; not that I had much. A few pairs of jeans and T-shirts and one dress. Most of my stuff was dance gear; a variety of athletic clothing, expensive pointe shoes and various pairs of ballet slippers. All of which had seen better days.
I was training to become a ballet dancer (or ballerina as my foster mother would say in her old-fashioned way). I was currently a student at a small ballet company located in Soho, having joined them after several vigorous auditions six months ago. I hadn’t made it into the company yet and was still in training, but it was a step forward from my last school. The one back home when I’d still lived with my foster parents.
My dream was to one day perform on stage with the Royal Ballet at the Opera House in Covent Garden. I had my sights set on being part of their corps de ballet and maybe I’d eventually perform as a demi-soloist or even a soloist. I wasn’t conceited enough to think I would ever make it to the title of principal dancer, but ‘you have to have goals’ my foster dad would say.
As I pushed another pair of dance skins into my case, I leaned over the bed and picked up the picture of my parents; my real parents.
I encouraged the numbness to wash over me. Lorraine and Michael Smith had died in the car accident we were in when I was ten; a pile-up on the motorway caused by poor visibility. It had been bonfire night and the smoke from a nearby fire had swept across the road making it difficult to see.
That familiar lump appeared in my throat as I stared down at their image. My mother had died in front of me; I could remember the colour of her skin and the way her eyes had remained open, almost watching me. I had survived with minimal injuries but it had taken years to recover from the emotional damage. If I was honest, I wasn’t quite there yet. Time was the healer I had been told, but I would never forget that fateful night. How could I? The fifth of November, that one day that I desperately dreaded which reappeared each year. A constant reminder.
My insides cramped painfully as I carefully pushed the picture into my case, ensuring it was well-covered by clothing so it didn’t get damaged. I then placed the picture of my foster parents gently on top of it.
Janet and Mark Fox had given me love and stability when I needed it most; unlike some of the other kids in foster care, I hadn’t been rotated around the system like an unwanted smell. They had been my rock, my anchor.
I released a sigh and pushed those thoughts to the back of my mind, as I reminded myself I was on the clock. I didn’t have time to grieve just then.
After stripping the duvet off my bed and placing it in a bin sack, I stared down at my stuff. Two cases, a rucksack and two bin bags. That was it, my entire life since coming to London.
A fist on my door made me jump, the thought of it being Simon causing me to bite my lip.
“Yes?” I said with a startled croak.
Relief pooled into me at the reply. “It’s Asher. Get a shift on, I’ve got Gabe’s driver downstairs and he’s parked on double yellows.”
The boy I saw as my best friend since I’d moved to London had come to help me with my stuff. I had thought we’d split the burden between us and take the Tube, but the use of a car was so much better.
Moving over to the door, I drew back the bolt and unlocked it, dragging it open; the loud shrill noise it made wouldn’t be missed.
Ash was standing there looking boyishly handsome. “Your ride awaits my lady,” he said with a theatrical sweep of his arm.
“You’re such a charmer,” I smiled as he moved past me.
His nose scrunched as he saw my stuff. “Is that it?”
I moved to stand by his side and looked down at my paltry worldly goods. “Yep, that’s it.”
“Well, at least we can do it in one trip. I see that fricking lift is still out; thought I was going to have a stroke walking up all those stairs. I don’t know how you do it.”
My grin widened, “Me too. Especially after training for ten hours.”
He returned my smile and then looked around. “Do you have everything?”
I scanned the room and checked my rucksack where I’d placed my essential paperwork and dance certificates. I must have packed everything as the small room was now empty.
On that note, we both grabbed my bags and made our way out into the hallway.
After I had pulled the door closed and locked it, I explained that I needed to leave my key with Simon. I was so pleased Ash had come early and would be with me when I saw him. After Simon’s last attempt to grope me, I was well and truly done with it.
Simon seemed flustered when I handed my key over and Ash loomed beside me, protecting me without knowing it. I hadn’t told anyone of the harassment I had suffered at Simon’s hands. I didn’t believe in bringing other people into my drama. Well, not if I could help it.
Simon was disappointed when I told him I was leaving and asked me to wait so he could check I didn’t owe any rent. The type of place I had lived for the last six months was not the kind that required a security deposit and so I wasn’t expecting any money back.
When he asked for my forwarding address, I explained that he didn’t need it. I had already registered with the post office for their re-routing service. The last thing I wanted was for Simon to know where I’d moved to. No, thank you. His was a small chapter in my life, one that I would be scrunching up so tightly that I would never have to read it again.
As we made it down the stairs and out into the clear blue London sky, we were approached by a large stocky man. I would put him around the thirty-something mark and he had stern eyes. He had been standing next to a large Range Rover with blacked-out windows. It looked like something a gangster would drive.
He nodded to Asher and took the stuff he was holding before turning to me.
“This is Marco. Marco, Leonie, or Leo if you prefer. She’s coming to live with us for a while,” Ash introduced and I waved a ‘hi there’, managing to hold back my giggle, he even had a gangster’s name. Funny.
Once my stuff was safely in the boot of the car, we slid into the backseat together and I glanced up at the building I was leaving behind, feeling so happy and excited about pastures new. No more coming back to an empty building and a pervert. I would have Asher and would never feel unsafe again. The fact that my dance company shared the same building as the place where Ash was studying Fine Art meant we could travel home together too when our schedules matched; another plus. Travelling on the Tube when it was dark had never been my cup of tea; not really. My looks and body had always encouraged the wrong type of attention. I was looking forward to having some roommates; even if one of them was large and moody and extremely good-looking.
Even after that brief awkward first impression, all would be good, I was sure of it. Determination to make it work pumped through my veins.
The car pulled out into the traffic and I turned to Ash. “So, how did the coming out talk go with Gabriel? I take it he already knew?”
Ash shuffled against the seat, the cream leather creaking against his legs. The interior of the car was top of the range. “Yeah, the bastard had his suspicions. Probably didn’t help that the guy I shagged the other week called the house to say I’d left my watch at his place. I only found out when he texted me this morning. If he’d had any doubt that would have done it. Plus, our kiss of course.”
I chuckled. “Yes, it wasn’t really one that would sweep a girl off her feet.”
Asher held up his hand in a halting motion. “Please don’t judge, I’ve been told I’m a maniac with my tongue,” he bragged with a wiggle of his eyebrows.
“I’ll take your word for it,” I replied.
“You going straight to the apartment Mr Asher?” Marco suddenly said as he negotiated the bad traffic.
“Yes, please.”
Marco’s eyes met mine briefly in the rearview mirror and I turned away to stare out of the window. I felt hot and smoothed back my hair with my hands. I had left it loose and it fell across my shoulders in chaos. When I wasn’t at practice, I would leave it down. It spent too much time scraped up into a bun which usually resulted in a headache. On a normal day, it was nice to leave it loose but as I’d been packing, part of it was sticking to my back with sweat, even in the air-conditioned space.
“What did you think of Gabriel then?” Asher questioned, sliding in the seat and recatching my attention.
How did I answer that?
I released a puff of air. “Well, not much really. As in, I don’t know yet. I try not to judge people until I get to know them better.”
Asher snorted. “What about first impressions?”
Hmm. That was a tough one. My first impression of him had been, big, mean, and moody.
Pursing my lips, I then muttered honestly, “Well he did suggest I’d orchestrated a friendship with you due to your net worth.”
Asher barked out a cough at that one, “Really? He said that?”
“Yep, something about a meal ticket,” I replied with raised eyebrows.
There was a three-beat silence.
“Fuck me, Leo, if only he knew. You haven’t taken a bean from me. You didn’t even accept my offer to pay for your last headshots. You should you know, that’s what friends do.”
Patting his knee I said, “I know and you’re kind Ash, but I want to make it on my own. That’s why I moved here.”
Asher’s boyish locks bounced as he nodded. “I get it.” There wasn’t much similarity between him and his brother; Ash wasn’t nearly as chiselled or as mean-looking.
My grin then widened and I wrinkled my nose at him. “And to be honest, you dress so scruffily, that at first; I thought you were worse off than me.”
Ash put on an affronted expression, but I knew he wasn’t really bothered. He was an artist and so was usually covered in paint or something.
“Oy, that’s my style,” he chuntered, jabbing me gently on the leg.
I rubbed my sticky neck, attempting to pull my hair off my back. I probably looked scruffy as heck too just then, pot calling the kettle black and all that. “I know, and it suits you.”
A thought then occurred to me as my eyes roamed over his features. “You don’t look alike; you and your brother I mean.” Gabriel was larger than life, with olive skin, black hair, and brown/hazel eyes. Ash was tall, with an athletic build, light brown mop-like hair, and green eyes.
“I look like our dad and Gabe looks like our mother; she’s half Greek.” Ah, that would explain his Mediterranean skin.
“But Gabe has both our parents’ temperaments; fiery and argumentative. I’m not sure where I get my nature. A distant aunt maybe?”
I nudged his arm playfully, as the car crawled forward in the rush hour, afternoon traffic. “Or the Postman?”
“Maybe,” he laughed.
We eventually pulled up in front of his building. There was a pull-in for the car to park temporarily.
“Do you need help with the bags Mr Asher?” Marco said respectfully.
“No, we’ll take it from here.”
We then climbed out of the car and Ash went around the back and started taking my bags out. I already had my purse and phone tucked in my jeans so I grabbed the bin bags and rucksack and he picked up my cases.
Thanking Marco, the big man then nodded and started the car, pulling back out into traffic. I wondered where he was going.
After Asher punched in the special access code, we rode the lift to the eighth floor, nervous knots and excitement twisted together in my belly.
A new adventure awaited and I couldn’t wait to see where that went.
I just hoped I managed to mesh with Gabriel, he held all the cards and I had the feeling that he wouldn’t be easy to live with. I sensed he got off on conflicting situations. He was training to be a criminal lawyer like his father and that’s what they thrived on—the thrill of the fight.
After that first meeting between us, I decided I would be on my best behaviour and wouldn’t do anything to antagonise him. I was shy and the most unargumentative person I knew so how hard could it be?
I was also kind and courteous and put others before myself, I couldn’t imagine that I would do anything to annoy him, not really. I had never had fallouts with friends or my foster parents; I wasn’t that type of person. I was accommodating; bossy just wasn’t in my nature, whereas Gabriel Knight was probably the opposite.
He could push as much as he liked but I would make it work.
The attraction I had felt towards him had been instant, but that was an appearance thing. His personality and that brooding aggressive bubble that surrounded him was certainly not something I looked for in a man. I was also too focused on my studies; boys just screwed things up. That’s why I hadn’t been on many dates since arriving in the city. Most of the males I partnered with at the company were gay and so no issues there. There were a couple of boys on Ash’s course who had asked me out and I’d gone for coffee with one of them, but it hadn’t amounted to anything. He spent most of our conversation talking to my breasts.
Nope. I wasn’t comfortable being surrounded by heterosexual guys who usually looked at me like a piece of meat.
Men could do one for now. My life wasn’t overly complicated and that’s the way I intended it to remain; for now, anyway.
As the lift pinged to say we had arrived, the doors opened and Asher and I walked out right into the middle of something.
That something appeared to be a boy”s night in and as the lift doors slid shut behind us, my eyes clashed with the stormy gaze of Gabriel Knight. My pulse twitched.
There were six of them, including him. All large burly-looking guys, drinking beer, slouched in leather chairs. They were facing the large TV screen, watching a football match, all in the process of shouting at the screen. Their loud voices booming over the chants coming from the fans in the stadium. And what was I saying earlier about my life being free from boys?
I was faced with a jungle of men and as they noticed me one by one; that hungry look I experienced daily from members of the opposite sex; crawled its way across the room toward me.
All five pairs of eyes roamed over me; it was like they’d never seen a woman; talk about testosterone city.
There was just that one pair of eyes that stood out from the rest. The message in them, pissed off. Gabriel was looking at me like he hadn’t been expecting my arrival. The opposite of welcoming.
My spirits sank as I plastered a smile on my face and gave the boys a finger-tipped wave.
“Come on Leonie, I’ll introduce you to Gabriel’s pack,” Asher said, taking my bags from my numb fingers and dropping them on the floor.
My goodness, they were a good-looking bunch, it felt like I was standing before the cast of Magic Mike. All tall and broad with that aura that oozed intelligence. I felt slightly intimidated. I wasn’t used to being surrounded by so many manly men. They were all dressed casually, in jeans and T-shirts but still looked sharp and alert.
We both moved forward as the boys (strike that, men)pushed to their feet, looking like all their Christmases had come at once and I was their biggest present.
Here we go again…
Gabe
For fucks sake. Asher hadn’t explained that Leonie would be moving in so soon and on games night of all nights. I’d forgotten that she’d said she had to be out of her current place within the week.
I had the lads over to watch the match and they were already quite lairy. In passing I’d already explained that we had a new house guest but had purposefully left out the fact that she was a smoking hot female. I couldn’t be arsed with the ribbing. They would be all over her like a rash and I already knew that would piss me off.
I found it hard to stamp down the annoyance I felt at her sudden appearance and I knew she’d noticed; as her cheeks flushed at the force of my glare.
My eyes roamed over her figure; fuck me, she was sweet. Her jeans were tight with rips in the knees and she wore a pale pink strappy top that made her look extra girly. Leonie’s pale hair fell around her slight shoulders in soft waves. She was so delicately put together; reminding me of one of my mother’s porcelain dolls.
I noticed she had expressive eyes and at that moment they were full of optimism and hope. It made me want to shake her and teach her how cruel life could be.
My eyes narrowed and I couldn’t keep the scowl off my face.
I saw her swallow as she stood her ground. She was gracefully poised but I could see she was nervous, like a beautiful butterfly that would take flight at the first sign of trouble.
I combined a head shake with an eye-roll at Dale. He was the first on his feet which I’d expected, the proverbial pussy hunter; he was one of London’s biggest players. His father owned several nightclubs in the city and he was a Promotor; whatever the fuck that meant. We’d all had debates about what it was that he actually did for a living and we were still none the wiser.
A surge of jealousy forced my spine rigid as I watched them sniffing around her like panting dogs; my brother making the necessary introductions.
I fisted my hands by my sides as even Miles buzzed towards her; he was an accountant. The guy got a hard-on for tax returns and was as dull as shit, even on a good day. But no, now he was all ruthless charm, I didn’t think I’d ever seen him so fired up.
Grinding my teeth, I restrained myself as Miles conjured up one of his shit pick-up lines. “Are you a bank loan? Because you have my interest,” he crooned with a toothy grin. Did that fucker ever work? It appeared so as Leonie laughed girlishly behind her hand. My teeth were now clenched so tightly that I would probably grind my molars away.
Adam, Sam, and Luca, also swarmed around her like flies. Was it wrong that I wanted to break Adam’s fingers when he nudged her playfully on the arm? The way her gaze roamed over him appreciatively did my head in.
The TV was loud and they were standing in a huddle a couple of feet away. It was hard to make out what they were saying as they were all talking over each other, but that soft melodic voice of Leonie’s glided across my skin. I still did not register one word. The blood was rushing in my ears and it was almost deafening. I needed to get my shit together and fast. I had to keep the animals in line.
“Alright guys, give her some fucking space. She literally just got here,” I began, moving towards them and motioning them to back the hell away. “Ash, why don’t you take Leonie to her room? Help her unpack.” I needed her to disappear so I could get my rampant libido under control, I hadn’t been prepared for her appearance and yet again, it had knocked me for six.
There was a collective grunt of disappointment from the lads and a weird crackle of tension in the air.
“It’s nice to meet you all,” Leonie said, her smile lighting up the entire space surrounding her. “I don’t know that many people in London yet and so it’s great to see a few new faces.”
“Well, we’ll soon make that right,” Sam piped up, walking the entire way around her and blatantly checking her arse out; circling like a fucking shark. “We usually go out for drinks on a Friday night, you’re welcome to join us anytime.”
Nice try dipshit. Like I would ever let that happen. At that point, I knew I needed to keep the girl as far away from my friends as possible. For my own sanity, until I’d buried this stupid crush I appeared to be having.
“When you’ve dumped your stuff, come, and join us. I’ll get you a drink. What’s your poison?” Luca, the best-looking and most charming of us all questioned. He was your typical smooth motherfucker with the ladies.
She smiled coyly and looked confused.
“It means, what do you drink, alcohol-wise?” I translated, annoyed by her air of innocence which only added to her appeal. She had that untouched vibe down to a T.
“I don’t really drink that much, to be honest; beers OK, but I suppose I should unpack and get my bearings,” she replied, her eyes darting to mine as if she were asking my fucking permission. God knew why that suddenly pissed me off.
“Wise decision. And don’t feel you need to take dickhead here up on his offer to join us. Just get yourself settled,” I stated in a firm voice, my message clear. I don’t want you drinking with my friends. There was a further mumble from the lads as Leonie and Asher went to gather her stuff. This amounted to a couple of cases, a rucksack and some bin bags. I wondered where the rest of her shit was. She was female after all, I had yet to meet one that travelled light.
Miles moved forward and took one of the cases from her hand. “Here, let me get that for you. Lead the way, Ash.” To be fair, he was probably the only gentleman amongst us and so I let him have it. I swear to fuck, Leonie batted her lashes at him. Did girls really do that? That would be a huge fucking yes! Again, my temper shot up into the next gear. She appeared to be a natural flirt suddenly.
“Thank you, that’s so sweet.” My eyes widened like saucers as she briefly touched his arm, her smile turned up to the highest possible wattage.
As the guys settled themselves on the sofas and slowly started to refocus on the game, I watched Miles, Leonie, and my brother head towards her room. My eyes were glued to her arse and as I turned back to the lads, so were theirs. That animalistic side of me growled. I felt like a teenage boy, mesmerised by his first picture of a naked woman.
“Eyes front dicks,” I snapped, to which they responded with a chorus of boos whilst showering me with popcorn. So very juvenile.
Miles then reappeared from around the corridor and everyone whipped their heads from the screen with their eyebrows raised.
“Here let me get that for you,” Luca said, mimicking what Miles had said to Leonie. He shrugged and threw himself into an empty seat, a smug look on his face.
“What? I can’t help it if I was brought up correctly.”
The whistle went to signify the end of the first half and then all eyes were on me.
That constant niggle that I’d made a mistake by allowing a girl to live with us pushed its way to the surface once again.
Everyone was silent with their eyebrows raised, watching me with accusatory eyes.
I glanced around them. “What?”
Luca snorted, “What the fuck indeed. Where the hell did she come from?”
She’s mine, none of your businessmy territorial side growled. Reality then slapped me on the side of the head. I wanted Leonie Smith, end of. I was fucked.
Shit, now what?