Chapter 11
ELEVEN
JESSICA
Inever thought I’d wake up in the Heights, especially not in Kane Ravencourt’s king-sized bed. My brother would kill me if he knew where I was, but I’ve had enough taking orders from him.
For once, I want to put myself first. I deserve that much. So what if I slept with Kane? Maybe I’ll regret it later when it’s all over, but right now that’s not the priority. I have bigger problems than Kane’s huge dick and dimpled smile, like a dying mom and a home life that’s falling apart.
Kane’s bed smells like him, and I press my nose further into the pillow, inhaling in his masculine scent. I could luxuriate in his silk sheets all day, but I need to get home to my sister. She’ll wonder where I am.
I lift my head with a smile, but my expression quickly drops. The side of his bed is empty, and there’s no sign of him.
“Kane?” I sit up, clutching the sheet to my bare chest. The bathroom door is open and the light is off, so I doubt he’s in there. Did he regret last night? Is that why he’s not here? My stomach twists with unease.
Locating my scattered clothes on the floor, I wince at the soreness between my legs. The tenderness is just another reminder of what we did last night. I don’t care about the pain, but the ache in my chest is harder to ignore.
Once I’m dressed, I use my finger and a dollop of toothpaste to scrub my teeth then quickly run my fingers through my hair. It’s a rat’s nest. Need to shower when I get home.
When I exit the ensuite bathroom, Kane is still gone, so I decide to leave.
I can always call Rain once I hit the main road and ask her to pick me up.
She’ll interrogate me, sure, but she’s still a better choice than my brother.
I don’t care what it takes. I’m not calling him.
No way. I’d rather do the walk of shame through town, even if it takes me all day.
Like a fugitive from my own hormones, I exit the bedroom and tiptoe down the hallway.
I can’t believe I fucked Kane Ravencourt—the one thing I promised I wouldn’t do, and now I’m just another notch on his bedpost. Is there some kind of members’ club I should join or something?
The more I think about it, the more I want to slap myself for being so stupid.
No wonder he was gone when I woke up. He got what he wanted and now he’s moved on.
But why was he so sweet last night? He washed my hair and massaged my neck. We laughed and talked and fucked until the early hours, and then I fell asleep on his chest. Why would he bother if it didn’t mean anything?
Kane’s mansion is a maze. I walk down different hallways, wondering if I’m lost. That would be just my luck, wouldn’t it? Getting caught by the housemaid sneaking out in last night’s clothes.
I can’t imagine they’d even bat an eye. Kane and his brother probably have a revolving door of women. And now I’m one of them, trying not to let it hit me on my way out.
It takes a while, but I eventually find the sweeping curved staircase and head downstairs. The white steps shine beneath my feet, polished to a mirror finish. The handrail carries a faint scent of beeswax, and even the black iron balusters gleam in the light.
It’s just a staircase. Yet somehow it screams wealth, like everything else in this mansion. Another reminder that I’m so out of my depth it’s almost funny.
But you won’t see me laughing. I’m moments away from panicking.
The staircase splits elegantly at the bottom, and I hesitate before crossing the shiny marble floor, which looks like it’s never seen a dirty shoe print in its life.
Like a bull in a china shop, I bump into a round table holding the biggest bouquet of fresh flowers I’ve ever seen. That’s what happens when you’re too busy staring at the chandelier in the coffered ceiling.
I steady the vase before it can fall and exhale a shaky breath.
That was close. Too close. Clearly, I wasn’t paying attention to my surroundings last night.
Why would I? When you’re busy being dicked down by someone as skilled in bed as Kane, the last thing on your mind is the furniture, but now I’m gawking.
I doubt there will ever be a day when I don’t marvel at the extravagance.
A grand piano sits at the base of the staircase, adding a touch of sophistication, and I almost snicker at the idea of owning one. Where would it even go? Maybe in the front yard? The foyer here could probably fit my entire house.
“Kane is in the kitchen,” a feminine voice calls from the top of the stairs.
I step back a few paces to see a girl with long raven hair and the bluest eyes I’ve ever known leaning against the banister.
The morning sun streams through the large windows beside her, catching the strands of her black hair until they shimmer like liquid ink.
“Actually, I was looking for the front door.” I jab a thumb over my shoulder without a clue where I am. The entrance could be anywhere, but we’re in the foyer, so it must be around here somewhere. Right?
She walks down the sweeping staircase as if she’s in no rush to get anywhere quickly. “I’m Lily,” she says as she reaches the bottom. “The annoying little sister.”
She can’t be that much younger than Kane. Maybe a year or two. She appears to be about my age.
“Come, I’ll take you to him.”
“Actually, I’m just gonna head home,” I start, but she’s already walking away, passing the grand piano, the sound of her light footsteps fading as she turns the corner.
I guess that means she wants me to follow.
This is a terrible idea, but what’s another bad decision on top of my overflowing stack of bad decisions? Common sense will have to sit this one out.
Before I realize it, I’m rushing to catch up with Lily. We pass a sitting area with plush chairs, lamps, and floral arrangements. Beyond that, large windows look out over fir trees and jagged cliffs. The display of wealth here is incredible.
“How long have you been fucking my brother?”
I trip over my own two feet. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me. How long have you been fucking my brother?”
“That’s, uh… forward.”
Lily smirks over her shoulder. “You didn’t sound like such a prude last night when you kept us all up with your screaming.”
I choke on air, wishing the ground would swallow me up. I wasn’t that loud, was I? Oh fuck, I was. Who else heard us? Cash? His parents? God, just kill me now.
“I’m messing with you.” Lily hooks her arm through mine.
“Not about the screaming part, though.” She shudders, guiding me forward.
“If only I could bleach my ears every time I hear my brothers…” She drifts off when she notices my expression.
Her head shakes, and she turns to face me.
“No, no. Cash has women over all the time, but not Kane. You’re the first.”
She pulls me forward again, and I follow silently, trying to make sense of what she said. There’s so much to analyze and process. Kane doesn’t bring women over? I’m the first? What does that mean?
Urgh, that swarm of butterflies is back. I swear, one day I’ll figure out a way to fumigate them. Call in pest control on my own hormones.
“You can imagine how intrigued I got when I saw you this morning,” Lily says, snapping me out of my thoughts. “He doesn’t bring girls back here, ever, and he never stays the night.”
“I’m sure there’s an explanation,” I mumble. I can’t let myself get my hopes up that easily. So what if I’m the first girl he’s had over? That doesn’t mean anything. Let’s not forget that Kane was gone when I woke up. He probably doesn’t want to see me.
My attention drifts again as we pass another hallway, the same one leading to their father’s office. If only I’d known I was coming here last night, I would have returned the dagger I have at home. Instead, I’ll have to do it next time… If there’s even a next time.
A few turns later, she practically pushes me into the kitchen, where Kane is cooking breakfast, it seems. Cash is also there, leaning against the marble counter, in gray joggers that sit low on his hips.
“Look who I found trying to escape,” Lily announces as she walks past to steal a pancake. Cash moves aside, and she helps herself to the one on top, ignoring the thundercloud on her other side.
I can’t help but smile at their sibling dynamic, especially when Kane slaps her hand and tells her to set the table. It’s clear they share a close bond and love each other.
Now that I’m here, hovering awkwardly like a lost sheep, I don’t know how to act, or what I’m supposed to do. Maybe they won’t notice if I slowly back out and make a run for it. It’s worth a try.
Cash smirks at me, and my cheeks burn hot under that knowing expression. “Had a good time last night?” he questions, sounding amused.
Kane whips his head up from the frying pan and glares at him, then me. If looks could kill, I’d be incinerated on the spot. What’s his deal?
Rage radiates off him in waves. At first, I almost think it’s aimed at me, but then he snaps at his brother. “Put a fucking shirt on!”
Setting the table, Lily snickers and winks at me as if I’m in on some secret. I’m not.
On his way out, Cash stops beside me and grins at his twin.
I can smell the fresh shower and spicy cologne on him, and I suddenly notice all the rippling muscles and exposed skin.
He’s not who I want, but there’s no denying he looks just like Kane, and if it weren’t for the eyes, I’d have trouble telling them apart.
Cash leans in. “If you’d left, he would have come after you.” He speaks too low for his brother to overhear, but I can tell he’s looking at him with his signature smirk while talking to me. “I don’t know why you’re here fucking with his feelings. Just don’t… hurt him.”
My heart stutters as I lift my head to meet his gaze. He looks back at me with that amused, smug expression, but there’s something darker behind it, something with a sharp edge.