Chapter 12 #2
Edward chuckles as he watches me cough my lungs inside out. “I gave a box of these to your brothers in Vegas. They loved them.”
They had to be faking it. Nothing else makes sense.
“They’re great,” I say as my eyes water and tears leak down my cheeks.
“I know you’re the brains behind the operation,” he says, taking long sips of his drink, deep inhales of his cigar, and doing zero coughing in the process.
“I just want you to know that your product is changing lives and making the world a better place. I loathe tattoos. All I see is future regret etched into skin. So, to have a tattoo that’s not permanent?
That will disappear like a bad memory? That is something I want to be a part of. ”
He lifts his glass again.
Oh no.
I’m forced to clink it and take another sip. It’s even worse the second time.
Edward keeps talking, but with every sip of scotch and inhale from my cigar, I get dizzier and more lightheaded. Standing up feels like an impossibility.
“I adore your product,” he continues, puffing on his cigar and making it look so easy. “But businesses aren’t just products. They’re people, and I want to invest in good people. Reliable people. People who won’t crack at the first obstacle they encounter.”
I take a small inhale and burst into violent coughs.
“I like your brothers,” Edward says when I’ve gotten myself under control for the moment. “But I know Ryan and Jason are bachelors. I need to know that at least one of the brothers has some good old-fashioned values.”
The door opens and Cassandra walks out. I turn my head too fast and the dizziness is so intense, I have to grip the armrests so I don’t tip over.
“Scotch already?” she says, tilting her head with a sly grin. “We leave you alone for five minutes and look what you boys get yourselves into.”
“We’re on vacation,” Edward says with a smile as she walks over.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” she says playfully. “But why are you drinking that? The fifty-year-old bottle that Macron gave you is inside. This is a special occasion. You should get the good stuff.”
“This stuff is pretty good,” he says, grinning as he takes a sip.
“Edward,” she says while raising her eyebrows and motioning her head toward the door. “Go on. I’ll take care of Owen while you’re gone.”
“Oh. Yes.” Edward jumps up with a grin. “You’re in for a treat, Owen. You’re about to experience the finest thing life has to offer.”
I’d hardly classify scotch as anywhere close to the finest thing life has to offer, but I don’t tell him that.
As soon as Edward disappears into the house, Cassandra turns her sharp brown eyes onto me.
She drags her fingertip along the table as she approaches, looking me over with a heated gaze. I gasp as she suddenly grabs my chair and pulls it to the side. She swings her leg over me, straddling my body and pinning me to the chair.
“Wha—?” I gasp as she leans over, her dark hair tickling my neck.
She grabs a fistful of my hair and yanks my head back.
I’m so dizzy and confused, I wonder if this is a hallucination from the cigar or the scotch or both, but it’s not. She’s sitting on my lap and holding my head back in an iron grip as she leans down next to my ear.
“You couldn’t even wait until you got here before you tried to seduce me,” she says in a husky, throaty tone as she stares at my mouth. “You’re a dirty boy, aren’t you?”
“I showered this morning,” I say, hoping my body odor isn’t too unsavory.
“You know exactly what I’m talking about,” she growls.
“Actually, I’m kind of lost.”
“Oh yeah?” she says, leaning back and thrusting her breasts into my face. “Maybe these will spark your memory.”
I squeeze my eyes shut and turn my head, but she yanks my head back.
“Open your eyes.”
“I’d rather keep them clos—”
“Open them,” she hisses, tightening her fist in my hair.
“Ow, okay!”
I open them and yup, her cleavage is right there, taking up my entire field of vision.
“This is why you came up here, isn’t it?” she says as she drags her fingertip down her cleavage. “To take all my husband’s money and to seduce his hot wife.”
“Actually, I’m here as a favor to my brothers,” I say, factually.
“Oh, your naughty brothers,” she says with a moan. “I remember them. Did your dirty brothers tell you all about me?”
“They said you were very nice.”
“Well, they lied,” she says, grinding her behind on my legs. My hands tighten on the armrests. When is Edward returning? I’d happily drink scotch and smoke cigars all day if it meant this disconcerting encounter would be over with.
I look over her shoulder at the door, hoping to see Edward returning, but unfortunately, I’m still alone with this bizarre woman.
“I’m over here,” she says, yanking my head back. I really wish she would release my hair, but I’m afraid asking will only tighten her grip. “I should have known the hottest Lavoie brother would be the hardest to snag. Luckily, I have all weekend to break you.”
She gives my head one last yank and then stands up, slowly removing her leg as she stares down at me with a look that is equal parts seductive and terrifying.
“It’s going to be fun.”
My stunned eyes are locked on her as she struts back to the house, swaying her hips from side to side. She doesn’t look back.
I’m still in a confused state when Edward returns, carrying a large bottle of scotch and two new glasses.
I’m too stunned to protest as he pours them both up to the rim.
“To a weekend we’ll never forget,” he says, lifting his glass.
Oh man. Here we go again.
I clink his glass and take another long sip, trying not to gag as I swallow it down.