Chapter 11
SIENNA
“So basically the Summer Olympics, but the family version?” I ask, popping a grape into my mouth that I took from the charcuterie board Leo had made.
The design of fruits, cheeses, crackers, and various proteins is stunning. I never knew snack food could be presented so well. If this is any indication of how good a chef Leo is, then at least I know I have one thing to look forward to on this trip.
I’m sitting at the kitchen island when I ask Theo and Alex the question. I check on Beth by stealing a glance her way from where she sits at the dining table with Leo. They both checked out after the basics of the summer games were explained and are now talking about some actor they both love.
When I turn my attention back to the two men standing next to the island, I can’t help but notice I’m not the only one stealing glances at Beth. Alex looks completely lost in what Beth is saying, an expression on his face that I can’t quite make out.
Deciding to ignore Alex for now, I turn my attention to Theo, whose smile grows wider when our eyes meet.
“Something like that. We’ve always called it the Kane Family Games.” I chuckle at the name, and he responds, “Laugh all you want, but we thought it was pretty clever when we were kids.”
I throw my hands up to feign innocence, as Theo laughs. “I didn’t say anything. Who’s won the most times?”
“Me, obviously,” Alex claims as he shifts his attention to me, though he can’t help but steal another glance in Beth’s direction.
Alex continues, “Roman started taking us here after our parents died. A couple of years into the tradition, we came up with the Kane Family Games. Nothing like a little summer fun to drown out the fact you’re orphans,” he says with a sarcastic smile.
I look at Theo, my eyes widening slightly at Alex’s response to my question.
He waves Alex off. “Don’t mind him, he tends to have a dark sense of humor compared to the rest of us.
We’ve fine-tuned the games over the years, but you’ll be happy to know I’ve won plenty of times.
I even plan on winning this year.” He places his fists on his hips and puffs out his chest as though he’s some kind of superhero.
My giggle dies off when I notice just how muscular and defined he is.
His loose-fitting shirt isn’t doing much to hide the dips and grooves of his triceps when he flexes.
I’m the one who set the rules, so I really shouldn’t be thinking about whether he’s strong enough to lift me, what he looks like naked, or how he might taste…
Busying myself in hopes of getting rid of the distracting thoughts, I look around the house. The wood floors flow throughout the open concept downstairs. They have that classic orange tint to them that was popular twenty years ago.
Alex moves to grab a glass from one of the brown wood cabinets to the right of the stove. I watch as he fills it with water from the fridge and comes back to join Theo and me as he sets the glass down on the white stone countertop.
He’s still stealing glances at Beth, who sits in the dining space to the left of the kitchen.
The evening summer sun shines through the large window just behind the dining table that seats six.
Looking past Leo and Beth, I catch a glimpse of the lake, wondering how long it’ll be before I can dip my toes into the cold water.
The large deck is furnished with plush outdoor seating. Accessible through a door just to the left of the dining space, I have no doubt that’s where Beth will be spending the majority of her time. Curled up with a book, of course.
To my right is the living room, complete with a sectional so large it takes up most of the room. The dark brown linen couch complements the large brick fireplace. In true bachelor pad fashion, there is, what I would guess, a seventy-five-inch TV hanging above the mantel.
With the warm features, dark furniture, and black accents, there’s barely any touch of a woman here.
Except for the photo wall near the entryway to the right of the fireplace.
The photos cascade all the way up the staircase wall.
I’m trying to make out what the pictures are of when the front door swings open.
“Whose fucking blue Mustang is that?” I see the man standing in the entryway before his low-timbre voice registers in my mind.
It wouldn’t be an inaccuracy to say this man is attractive.
Many would probably call him so, but I’d describe him as intimidating upon first glance.
He’s about as tall as Theo and seems to get bigger the closer he approaches the kitchen.
His biceps flex against the fabric of his shirt as the many grocery bags he’s lined on his arms swing with each step.
His jawline looks as though it could cut diamonds in half, and his sheer presence has me inadvertently holding my breath.
Setting the bags on the counter next to the stove, across from the island, he turns and meets Theo with a scowl so intimidating that it has me wondering if he’s always this grumpy or if something happened between them in the past thirty seconds that I missed.
I lean a little closer to Theo in the presence of the man who I can only assume is Roman. With my proximity to Theo, his scent invades my senses, and I’m intoxicated by the smell of fresh laundry, citrus, and something reminiscent of a summer ocean breeze.
“It’s Theo’s,” Alex says with a mischievous smile, pointing at Theo, before taking a handful of meat from the counter and moving to the opposite side of the island.
“Where the fuck did you get the money for it?” I sit there quietly as Roman questions Theo on his choice of vehicle.
Even though I don’t think a Mustang is the most responsible of car choices for the Pacific Northwest, I still find myself wanting to defend Theo.
But I decide it’s not my place as his fake girlfriend, so I keep my mouth shut.
Theo ignores Roman’s clearly disgruntled mood and responds, “I had some money left over from my college fund. It’s secondhand, nothing like the price of what your Mustang costs.” Roman has one too? Damn, they must really love Mustangs.
Roman’s jaw ticks, and his eyes dart toward me before he responds, “We can continue this conversation later when we don’t have company.”
Turning his full attention to me, Roman holds out his right hand, smiling softly.
“Hi, I’m Roman. I hope my brothers have treated you and your friend respectfully while I’ve been away.
” He nods to Beth before side-eyeing Alex.
The gesture makes Alex slap a hand against his chest in a “why are you looking at me” gesture.
I shake Roman’s hand and respond with a smile. “Sienna. It’s nice to meet you. They’ve been perfect gentlemen.” Impressing Roman is first on my to-do list for this trip.
A familiar snort-laugh comes from my left.
“Speak for yourself. What’s with that one’s Mustang?
” Beth has joined us at the counter while Leo has begun unpacking the groceries.
Beth points in the direction of Alex across the island from her.
“It sounds like there’s an animal trapped under the hood and he’s torturing it every time he revs the engine.
” This gets a half chuckle from Roman, and for once, I’m envious of Beth for being charismatic in a way I feel I never could be.
“It would explain the color he chose, wouldn’t it?” Roman says, leaning in toward Beth as though it’s a conversation only for their ears. Great, while she’s buddying up to every single one of these men, I can’t seem to get more than a polite smile out of Roman. So much for my good impression.
“Clearly, you two don’t know what a supercharger is,” Alex says, in retaliation.
“Don’t worry, I know what one is, and I have the better one.
” Roman throws a smirk toward Alex before turning his back on the group to help Leo finish unpacking the groceries.
He gives Leo a small pat on the back as though he’s saying hello.
I can’t help but notice the stark difference in how Roman greets each of his brothers.
Once the groceries are put away, Leo kicks everyone out of the kitchen.
But not before double-checking that Beth and I don’t have any food allergies.
I appreciate his thoughtfulness as we move back toward the entryway to collect our bags.
Classical music begins to play from the kitchen when Leo turns on a portable speaker, and I take a moment to savor the peace it brings.
“So,” says that deep, grumpy voice from behind me, “why don’t I show you to your rooms? Theo has never brought a woman home before. I’m excited you’re here.” His words contradict his less-than-enthusiastic tone. If I knew any better, I’d say his voice held a hint of suspicion.
In an effort to counteract whatever I’m picking up in Roman’s tone, I grab Theo’s hand in mine.
“I’m very excited to be here as well. It was nice of you to let Beth and me tag along.
We appreciate the hospitality.” I flash a warm smile at him, hoping that I’ve convinced him that this is real.
Roman just meets me with a scowl that would burn through my eyeballs if he could wield lasers through his.
After what feels like an eternity, he finally responds, “You’re welcome. Follow me. Your rooms are just up here.”
I go to follow him and realize I’m still holding Theo’s hand.
Letting go so we can grab our bags, Theo playfully knocks my hand out of the way when I go to reach for mine.
Roman grabs Beth’s bags from her at the same time.
Beth and I follow the men upstairs as I shake my hand slightly in an effort to expel the lingering sensation of Theo’s hand in mine.