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Frustrated, I shook my head "You knohat I mean"

I almost jumped at the hisper of his breath on my ear as he leaned down to et out of you"

I pulled back So I was a challenge? Right I got it now "Just stop You’re Ellie’s brother and we’re probably going to have to see one another, so I’d prefer it if you wouldn’t try to make me uncomfortable around you"

A scowl foraze was searching again but this tih, Braden nodded "Fine Look, I’ I like you Ellie likes you And I’d like us to be friends Fro with you and I’ll try really hard to forget what you look like naked"

He put the drinks on the bar and held out his hand for me to shake The look in his eyes was a new one It was pleading, boyish and totally endearing I didn’t trust that look at all, but I founddespite ers slid along his palht that spark that people apparently felt when they touched someone they were attracted to was a myth reserved for chick-lit and Hollywood

But no

Our eyes collided as heat rushed up s intensified, the need in ut moaned ant All I could see was Braden, all I could sined I could alht then I wanted nothing more than to pull hiainst the wall

Braden’s hand tightened around mine, his pale eyes darkened, and I knew… he wantedhis expression as he leaned down, his words puffing against my mouth he was so close "I can do this If you can pretend, I can pretend"

I jerkednot to tremble as I reached to collect the rest of the drinks Braden picked up the ones he’d laid dohen he’d reached for that godforsaken handshake I hated that he was right Our attraction was nuclear I had never known anything like it

It erous to me

And I had to disse" I walked away before he could say anything, glad for the wall that had obscured our table’s view from us I’d have been mortified if anyone had borne witness to our interlude

Braden sat down next to Holly, handing her a drink and Adaavehis arirlfriend s to rest inti Ellie about this Gucci dress I saw online I was thinking you could take ow to try it on You’ll like it It’ll be worth the money" She fluttered her fake lashes at him

No one needed to tell usted, I threw back nore theorgeous flat with Ellie?"

All eyes fell onand a narrowed-eyed sht the looks between me and Braden

Shit

"So?" she insisted, a little cattily

Yeah She’d seen ‘eht

"My parents" I threw back another drink and turned to Jenna to ask about her part-time job with the Scottish tourist industry

Holly’s voice cut through my question "What do you mean ‘your parents’?"

Stick a sock in it, lady! I looked at her with veiled annoyance "Their h she suddenly s off your parent’s e?"

Oh no she didn’t I took another drink and then same with"So they pay for everything? Doesn’t thatday "Was it your ht those Louboutin’s… or Braden’s?"

Ellie choked on her laughter, sulp of her drink I patted her on the back, aiding her in her pretense When I looked back at Holly she was glaring at me, her face flushed red to her hairline

Point made Question deflected Spoiled bitch put in her place

"So people can getCastle, huh?" I turned back to Jenna and our earlier conversation "I’ve only visited it once, but it’s a beautiful venue…"

~5~

Two nights later I was soaking in the tub after a strenuous workout at the gy an eyebrow at the door, I wasn’t surprised by the knock that sounded on it two seconds later