Chapter 17 Asher #2
“And you and I both know that money only goes so far. Yeah, that money will change her life for the better, but being in the spotlight might fuck up her life far worse on the other end of the spectrum than the money can make up for. Why are you so defensive about it? You’re not rude to Ella, but you’re not exactly welcoming, either. ”
Declan is quiet for a moment, and then I do feel like an asshole.
I know exactly why he’s defensive. He’s had the worst luck with women out of all of us, and it’s scarred him.
Twice now, he’s fallen in love with women who had promised they loved him, but who had led him on for months before he found out that they were just using him.
One wanted the publicity and the luxurious life of dating a Langford, and another was an heiress who was dating both him and another rich, connected man, while she played both of them, trying to figure out which match would be the most beneficial for her.
Both of the relationships left Declan crushed and jaded toward women and dating in general.
He’s been even more anti-relationship than I have been in the last five years.
“I get why you’re hesitant about the situation,” I say, “but you saw the contract being signed. You know that we’re both very aware this is fake. Neither of us asked for this, and neither of us is trying to use the other.”
“Just be careful.”
Don’t end up like me, his expression says. Like my parents, he’s still holding out hope that I’ll find the one and live happily ever after, even if he’s sworn himself away from that path.
“I always am.”
Declan bursts out laughing. “That’s a fucking joke. You wouldn’t be in this mess if you were always careful.”
“Fuck you,” I return his earlier words, tearing into another bite of pizza.
The basketball game is a blowout. Our team is losing so badly because of injuries that the game is now mostly being played by the second string.
It’s halfway through the third quarter, and Declan and I have decided that we can’t watch anymore; we’re going to get a quick workout in to calm our nerves instead.
“Nice look,” Declan laughs at me as we finish up with weights. “Why the hell do you have gray workout shirts?”
I turn and look at my reflection in the wall of mirrors near the weight equipment and grimace. The sweat stains on my shirt look like they’re being highlighted. Nasty.
I tear my shirt off, wiping the rest of my sweaty face and body on the shirt, as Declan and I head to the kitchen for water.
Just as I raise the glass to my lips, Ella makes her way downstairs with the massage therapist following her.
Ella is wearing a tiny, silky white robe, and her long olive legs glisten with oil from her massage.
Declan splutters into his water and turns away, looking anywhere but at Ella.
Ella looks up and sees me, and her eyes widen.
Oh right, I’m shirtless. The female massage therapist behind her notices too.
And then a moment later, we’re all in the kitchen in various states of undress, with skin glistening with oil and sweat.
“How was your massage?” I ask Ella, trying for nonchalant.
“Amazing. Thank you for arranging it.”
She makes her way to the counter near the foyer, and I can’t seem to tear my eyes away from her. She’s not wearing a bra under the robe, and her nipples are pressing against the silky white fabric. Fuck.
She rifles through her purse, taking out her wallet.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m grabbing a tip,” she says, as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world.
“No you’re not. Wait here,” I tell the massage therapist.
I grab my wallet out of my suit coat in my bedroom, then hurry back to the kitchen. Ella is holding out cash, and I playfully bat her hand away and give the massage therapist a generous tip. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” the massage therapist says, seductively, eyeing me up and down.
She reaches into her pocket and holds out her card for me.
“If you need my services again, don’t hesitate to call.
I offer a—wide—range of services.” She gives me a wink before sauntering to the foyer, carrying her massage table.
Declan looks over at me with a cheeky grin. “I’ll just help her out, then.” He trots after her to the foyer.
“Wow. I liked her until right now,” Ella says, brows lifted as she looks from the retreating massage therapist back to me. “Subtle much?”
“Jealous?” I chuckle.
“Offended. As far as she knows, we’re together, and she basically offered you sexual favors right in front of me.”
“Unfortunately, it’s probably not the last time something like that will happen.” I shift on my feet, uncomfortable. “I don’t mean to sound like a total tool, but I’m propositioned all the time.”
She snorts. “Why am I not surprised? Especially when you look like that under your suit. God, you’re like a Greek statue.” She holds out her hand toward me, waving it at my shirtless torso.
“Like what you see?”
“Of course I do, I have eyes.”
Those eyes take me in, and I notice Ella’s breathing quicken.
I grin, feeling feral. The air between us charges as I take two slow steps toward her, unable to stop myself.
Hearing her admit that she thinks I’m attractive makes me feel bold and reckless.
I look her up and down, my mouth watering at her perfect cleavage peeking out between the opening in her robe, her perky nipples pressing against the fabric, and her flushed face, glowing after her massage.
And her legs. God, her legs. Before I can stop myself, all I can picture is those long legs wrapped around me as I peel open that robe and see for myself what’s beneath it.
What I would give to have my head buried between those legs. To taste her. To be inside her . . .
“Crisis averted,” Declan says, trouncing back into the kitchen. “The horny massage therapist is gone.”
The spell between us vanishes, and my brain snaps back to reality. Ella and I both stand frozen. Declan slows his steps, noticing how close we’re standing to one another.
He clears his throat loudly. “Well, I better be going. I have a lot to do tonight. And the first thing on my list is to find a new gym. You know how I’ve been meaning to find a new place to work out, Asher,” he says pointedly, smirking and trying not to laugh.
“Get out of here, prick.”
Declan makes a show of going up to Ella and giving her a kiss on the cheek. “I meant to say this yesterday morning, Ella dear, but I didn’t get a chance. Welcome to the Langford gang. It’s going to be a hell of a ride, and we’re all grateful you’re doing this for Asher.”
Ella blushes and mutters, “Thank you?” like a question.
“Alright, out,” I snap, grabbing him by the arm and leading him to the foyer.
“What?” he says, holding up his hands, innocently. But his face is anything but innocent as he fails to hold back a devilish grin once we’re out of Ella’s sight. “You said I wasn’t friendly enough. So I was being friendly.”
“Yeah. And you’re not at all trying to stir up trouble.” I punch the elevator button.
“I never said I wasn’t trying to stir up any trouble. You know how much I adore trouble. Especially when it’s yours.”
I knock him upside the head and shove him into the elevator as soon as the doors open.
“Good luck on your no sex statute,” he says with a salute. “It looks like it’s going really well, so far. I’m not one to read fortunes, but I would hazard a guess that there are a lot of cold showers in your future.”
“Goodbye, asshole,” I say as the doors begin to close.
“Sweet wet dreams,” he says with a wave.
I groan as I make my way back into the kitchen. Damn Declan and his interfering ways.
“What was that all about?” Ella asks, sipping a glass of water.
“Nothing. Declan can just be an idiot sometimes. No matter how old we get, we’ll always be brothers who like to give each other shit.”
“That’s sweet. You’re lucky to have that.”
“Lucky?” I snort. “Most days I want to pummel his face.”
The tension in the air starts to spark again, and Ella hurriedly sets her glass in the sink. “I’d better get upstairs. I’m tired. Thanks again for arranging the massage. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight,” I say, watching her make her way upstairs. I should tear my eyes away; I’m openly leering at her like a perv. But god, she’s so beautiful. And that little robe is killing me. My cock twitches for the thousandth time since Monday.
I head into my bathroom and turn my shower on, then crank the faucet all the way to cold, cursing under my breath. Declan may be an obnoxious prick. But he is right.
Cold showers look to be my new norm.