Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
DALLAS
“No seriously,” Thea said with a laugh. “The guy was ridiculous enough to go into court and tell the judge the reason he was late was because his girlfriend threw a pizza at him. I swear, every time I think I’ve heard it all, I hear something else.”
I chuckled and took a sip of wine, idly spinning the glass stem between my fingers when I set it back on the table.
Thea and Audrey had gone to law school together. Thea was a prosecutor in New York City and often shared funny court stories. I glanced between her and Audrey. Between the three of us, we’d almost finished a bottle of wine.
I hadn't had a night like this in years. Between my family splintering apart after my father was arrested and my careful efforts to limit contact with Audrey, I’d shied away from evenings like this.
I was relieved for the table between us because it was near impossible to look at her without my cock stiffening.
When she was relaxed, she was so beautiful she took my breath away.
With her glossy dark hair falling loosely around her shoulders and her flushed cheeks, I wanted to drag her across table into my lap.
But Thea was here. Unbeknownst to her, she was an accidental chaperone.
For the entire weekend. I was going to need to keep my hands to myself.
I couldn’t have known how difficult that would be.
I viscerally burned with need for Audrey.
Not much later, Audrey declared she was going to bed.
I watched her walk upstairs with Molly shadowing her.
I couldn't help it, but my ears paid attention to what room she went into. I knew she went into her bedroom, not the guestroom where we’d been sleeping.
I heard the door close and gave myself a quick little lecture.
I could sleep just fine across the hallway from her.
It would be a good exercise in restraint.
Thea glanced over at me. “What's going on with you and Audrey?” she asked bluntly.
I stared at her, narrowing my eyes, trying to assess just what she might have picked up on. Thea was no idiot, and she knew me quite well. Just as she knew Audrey quite well.
I shrugged. “What are you talking about?”
Thea rolled her eyes and angled her head to the side.
“You can hardly stop staring at her. Meanwhile, she's trying a little too hard not to look at you.
I'm not an idiot. In fact, I'd be willing to bet something’s going on with you two.
It might be none of my business who you screw, but it's my business if it's Audrey. Don't fuck with her.”
I wasn't ready for this conversation and was even less interested in dealing with my little sister lecturing me. I also felt a twinge of guilt because I was in so deep with Audrey, I couldn’t see, much less think, past it.
“Thea, nothing’s going on,” I said firmly, lying through my teeth.
She leaned her elbows on the table and stared at me.
“I don't believe you. I'm not gonna make you talk to me about it, but don't you dare mess with Audrey.
She deserves a good man. I absolutely know you are a good man with a heart of gold.
Your work is your life though, and you've made it very clear nothing else can get in the way of it.
Audrey can't just be some fling you have.”
Irritated, I drummed my fingertips on the table before quickly draining the last of the wine in my glass. “You know, Audrey’s an adult. I think she can take care of herself.”
“Well, now I know something’s going on,” Thea retorted.
“Whatever, Thea. Think whatever you want. I know she's your friend. I understand you want to protect her, but she can take care of herself.”
More twinges of guilt stabbed at me, but I didn't want to entertain them now.
“I'm also not an asshole,” I added, promptly wondering why the hell I’d said anything else.
Thea huffed. “I know you're not an asshole, but you don't make room for anything other than work. I’m all for you changing that, but don’t you dare hurt Audrey.”
“If you're so sure something's happening between us, why haven't you asked Audrey?” I asked, if only to be contrary.
Thea shook her head and rolled her eyes again. “If she wants to talk to me, she will. I’m not worried about you. I’m worried about her. As your sister, I'm asking you to respect her. She’s already been hurt enough.”
I knew I was feeling defensive and ready to argue with her about it. I forced myself not to. “Fair enough. You have my word I won’t do anything to hurt her.”
I went to bed that night, frustrated and hard.
I ended up taking a shower in the middle of the night.
I had to make do with taking care of myself since I couldn’t get my thoughts off of Audrey.
I recalled the feel of her channel clenching around me as I spurted my release against the tile floor in the shower.
I woke the next morning still irritated and feeling like an ass.
I made the abrupt decision I'd return to Boston.
It was the best choice. With Thea here, I was doing my damnedest to get a handle on my need for Audrey.
I was quickly discovering the very act of trying to get my feelings under control only amplified them. I was nearly burning up inside for her.
Maybe putting a little distance between Audrey and me would help. I didn’t like admitting it, but I needed an escape. Badly.