Chapter Six

“It’s Landon. Again.” Reece held up Amelie’s buzzing phone. “Want to tell me what’s been going on? Or should I assume you two had a secret fling and now you’re pregnant?”

The horrified expression that passed over her best friend’s face told Reece the truth. Maybe because Reece anticipated her own secret fling, her radar had been fine tuned. Amelie’s weird mood swings, her more-than-usual texting, her less-than-usual posting on social media. All signs she had a new side piece. And she still hadn’t shared with Reece the identity of the last hottie. Unless he was one and the same.

Amelie stormed into the kitchen, grabbed the first bottle of red on the shelf, and poured a generous glass. In between gulps four and five, she said, “I’m not pregnant.”

“So that leaves the secret fling.” Reece took a glass for herself and waited while Amelie poured.

As the liquid swooshed out of the bottle, she thought about Vin’s last text asking about allergies. She hadn’t seen him in over a week, but every time he texted, her pulse sped up. His messages held an implied undertone.

Good morning. Hope your dreams were as vivid as mine. Hints designed with vague details. It’s too bad you’re not here right now.

Juicy text messages promising steamy sex.

I found a great place to get to know all of you.

He was a master sexter, and the anticipation nearly blinded her to anything else.

Quick question: are you allergic to anything sweet?

She wasn’t sure she’d make it through Amelie’s birthday celebration at the botanical gardens. The image of him naked crossed her mind more than once, and she felt her cheeks heat at the idea of the two of them having sex. She pictured him rough and ready, all hard passion and panting for release. Most of her bedmates had been satisfactory, but it alarmed her how eager she was to be with Vin. All her girlie parts ached to start their secret fling. And speaking of flings… “Landon was your wicked hottie that night at the fundraiser, wasn’t he?”

“Hmmmm?” Amelie continued to chug the wine. “Oh. Yes.”

“Amelie!” Reece couldn’t believe it. Her best friend had hooked up with her brother and had kept it a secret from her, and she wasn’t sure how she felt about that.

“Don’t be mad, okay? But he’s, like, super hot.”

“How could you keep it a secret from me?” And yes, she heard the irony in her tone, but Reece didn’t blurt out every little thing happening in her life like Amelie did.

Amelie twirled the end of her blonde ponytail, an annoyed expression on her face. “I didn’t want to tell anyone. I wanted to keep it private. This isn’t some huge romance. It was a one-time hookup. But then he asked to meet me in his office, and you know why? To iron out the details of our relationship! How ridiculous is that? So I stormed out, and then he showed up at Lacey’s that night and asked to take me to dinner, and— I can’t date Landon. It would be too…predictable.”

Even as Reece processed her friend’s words, she couldn’t quite believe them. Landon had contracts with some of the women he dated, but he couldn’t be such an ass to propose Amelie sign a confidentiality agreement, could he? Amelie had to be the only woman on the planet who didn’t want to date her wealthy, stunningly handsome oldest brother. “You think dating Landon would look bad?”

Her friend’s mouth opened, and a tiny gasp escaped, right before the tears. Damn it. Reece hadn’t meant to make her cry.

Amelie shook her head, wiping at her tears with the back of her hand in a very unladylike, un-Amelie way. “It’s exactly what everyone would want. My life would turn into a nightmare. Ugh. And don’t you dare say anything to him!”

Reece got it. She was the girl trying to prove she deserved to be part of the Rowe family, while Amelie was the poster child for rebellion. While Reece longed to show how much she fit in, Amelie always, always found ways to push the boundaries of what her family found acceptable. Dating Landon would be exactly what her overbearing mother would want.

Reece nodded. “Got it. No dating Landon.”

Her friend sniffled again, but at least the tears stopped. “No dating Landon. I don’t want a relationship. I can’t do commitment. Can’t get distracted right now. But damn it, Reece, he’s just so…charming.”

Ironic. Neither of them wanted to go through another public relationship that would make the tabloids when things went south. But having her loyalties tugged in two different directions didn’t make her feel good, and after all, Landon was her brother in almost every sense of the word.

“Look, Amelie, maybe you’re taking your whole date for fun, not forever mantra a little too seriously. What’s the harm in exploring a possible boyfriend?”

Her friend poured another glass of red, this one slightly more conservative than the previous pour. “It’s not like I can just turn off twenty-four—oh, god!—I’m twenty-five today. I’m a quarter of a century. I can’t just turn off twenty-five years of how I was raised.”

“You could try, if you like him enough. But if it was just one hookup, then you should tell him that. Be clear.” The last thing she needed was a rift between her best friend and her brother. Maybe Amelie was smart to not date her brother. He tended to discard women after a couple months, and what would happen then?

“Oh my god, I’m a terrible friend! How can you stand to listen to me?”

Reece shook her head. “It’s awkward, but I love you both. Just tell me what this means for you, and I’ll try to help you.”

Amelie wrapped her arms around Reece’s neck. “You’re the best.” She pulled back. “I should probably answer that.”

They both glanced down to the phone on the counter, buzzing again with Landon’s grin flashing on the screen.

“Go.” Reece headed toward her room. “I’m going to shower.”

She had an hour to decide what to wear to the birthday party that evening, and while she’d been comforting her friend, Vin’s latest text had come through.

What are you wearing?

Her skin heated at the innuendo, and she felt her face flush, despite being alone. Feeling naughty, she shed her tank top and jeans and hopped in the shower. She didn’t have to answer him right away.

Twenty minutes later, with the water still dripping from her hair, she texted back,

Just got out of the shower.

His reply was immediate.

A picture’s worth a thousand words.

After applying her favorite lotion and sliding into her bra and underwear set, she scrolled through her phone until she found the silver shower head streaming water and sent that emoji.

A peach and clapping hands appeared, and it took her a moment to figure out the meaning. When she did, her nipples tightened.

She sent him back a French flag and lips. Shouldn’t they start slow?

His reply—the French flag, lips, and a honey pot—sent heat straight between her legs. No question, sex was happening. Tonight. And now, her underwear was as wet as her hair.

She took her time with the blow-dryer and changed into a different underwear set. She hadn’t responded to his last text, but a new one came through.

Meeting almost over. See you in the garden.

The man had been sexting from his boardroom? She sent him the snowflake.

He sent back the fire emoji.

Even though she was a sure thing, she still wanted to entice him. Would he prefer the innocent angel or the exotic vixen? After tossing her phone on the bed, she picked up both dresses and wandered into Amelie’s room.

“I love your angel-demon birthday theme this year, but what do you think? I’m thinking this is my chance to play the wicked, forbidden one.” She lifted the red and black cocktail dress.

Amelie laughed as she applied glitter to the corners of her eyes. “Every girl dreams of being the sexy siren.”

Reece slid into the dress and adjusted the straps. With Vin, she didn’t have to wonder why he was around her. She’d get her chance to have fun that didn’t come with attachments and obligations, and he’d get a Rowe on his arm at six events. And because he had plenty of his own money, he’d never go after her for hers. Never use her for financial gain. Just sex.

She couldn’t wait. With a final glance in the mirror, she said, “That’s me, all right. Slutty and stupid.”

“I said sexy siren, not slutty and stupid.”

Amelie had chosen the angel theme, though her white sequined micro-dress could’ve been painted onto her lithe physique. Last Reece heard, her brother would be in white as well.

You’re late.

Reece frowned at Vin’s text.

“Who’s that from?” Amelie asked, picking up her evening bag.

Reece slid the phone into her clutch. “Friendly reminder you’re late to your own party.”

Amelie rolled her eyes. “Fashionably late never goes out of style.”

They arrived an hour late, and as they passed under the rose trellis and entered the botanical gardens, Vin’s dark silhouette stood out against the large orbs of light, tumbler in hand, looking for all the world like the kind of demon made for sex and sin. At the sight of him, her pulse slammed into awareness, and heat flushed up her neck. Relief washed over her at seeing him after so many days apart, but the feeling also confused her. A blond devil in red heels stood next to him, touching his arm and laughing into his face. Jealousy hit Reece hard, swift and unexpected. They had a deal. He’d sent those texts. How could he stand there, openly flirting with another woman, when he was supposed to be organically flirting with her?

He looked up then, and the smile that curved his mouth told her she’d chosen a brilliant costume in the formfitting black and red dress. His gaze locked on hers for a brief moment before scanning her from head to toe and back up again. Long enough that the blonde noticed, turned to look, and then did what most women did when they saw she was a little too curvy: dismissed her as competition. The blonde turned back around and continued talking, this time stepping into Vin and speaking so closely their mouths were inches apart.

But Reece had seen his desire when he’d caught sight of her. When he glanced back at her, she tilted her head in an inquisitive manner, challenging him to dismiss her.

He whispered into the blonde’s ear and moved away from her. Toward Reece. Mesmerized by the way he stalked forward, she stepped back and bumped into Amelie. Amelie hooked her hand through Reece’s arm to steady her.

“Looks like we’re about to get company,” her friend whispered.

Reece could only nod. Both Vin and Landon appeared to be walking in their direction. When the four of them faced each other, Reece hugged her brother.

“Happy birthday, Amelie,” Vin said.

Amelie hugged him. “Thanks so much for coming, Vin.” Then she looked at Landon, and Reece swore the temperature dropped by ten degrees. In Amelie’s classic icy tone, she managed to sound polite and disinterested when she asked, “Landon, how’s everything?”

Landon frowned at Reece. “Hey, sis. Did Dad see your dress yet?”

Reece scowled at his big brother act. As if she needed one more reminder of how she let down her family. But before she could protest, Vin jumped to her rescue. “I think you look amazing, Reece.” Then, to Amelie, he said, “Lovely to see you again, Amelie.”

“Always great to see you, Vin. I keep telling Reece we need to get back to Lacey’s.”

“Amelie,” Landon said, taking her arm. “May I have a word with you?”

As her brother dragged her friend away, Amelie said, “Rude much?”

Vin’s hand pressed against her lower back, and Reece jumped at the unexpected contact and warmth of his large palm on her bare skin. “Let’s go this way, Reece.”

“Who’s the blonde?” she blurted, horrified as she heard the jealousy rip through her.

He chuckled, nonplussed at her envy. “Her name is Tami Martin. Have you seen her around?”

“No.” Having been in D.C. for undergraduate and graduate school, she didn’t recognize many of the newcomers to the South Beach social scene, and since the Archers had hired an event company to organize Amelie’s birthday party, many of the attendees might not actually know Amelie personally.

“Her family is pretty wealthy. Connected.” His tone sounded matter-of-fact, but she heard the slightest respect behind the comment.

She couldn’t think with his hand searing her skin and his nearness overwhelming her senses. But what she could process was his emphasis on wealth and connections, and her heart slowed a fraction.

“That’s important to you?” She should never forget he was self-made, and a tiny part of her regretted asking the question as soon as the words slipped from her mouth. She knew the answer without him saying one word.

Hurt flared in his eyes, but he ignored her question and asked, “Have we organically connected yet? I see some people staring, and I’d rather have you all to myself.”

The comment threw her off-kilter, and she floundered for a response. If they left right now, they could pick up where his text messages left off. The force with which she wanted to grab his hand and run sent a shiver of alarm—genuine panic—down her spine. Caring Vin had walked her home. Flirty Vin had charmed her. But this Vin, intense gaze and tone thick with promise, made her forget this wasn’t a real romance. They couldn’t grab hands and run off into the night. She couldn’t succumb to his magnetism, because even with all her money, she couldn’t afford to pay the price of a broken heart. She reminded herself all those texts and all his innuendos meant nothing except physical satisfaction for them both. Fun. Not forever.

Which meant it was show time. If she wanted her fun, she had to uphold her side of the deal. No problem. How many times had she played this part to perfection?

She touched his arm when she suggested, “Why don’t we find a high top somewhere visible? Have a drink?”

“One drink, and then I have things I want to do to you.” The glint in his gaze returned, and her heart stuttered. Damn the man.

“Dinner first,” she scolded, wincing at the sharpness in her tone.

“One hour, Reece, and then you’re mine,” he said, his tone filled with determination.

…

Vin reveled in the way Reece’s midnight eyes widened at his blatant suggestion. She wanted him as much as he wanted her, but he appreciated the way she kept them on track. Especially since he still didn’t know her reasons for choosing him.

He noted how every guy in the gardens glanced at Reece a little too long, but he also noticed every male who approached her received the same polished smile. Polite but not too inviting. Good. Because for the rest of the summer, she was his.

He wanted to retract that thought as soon as it formed. She was not his, and he’d never be hers. This was purely a business transaction. One stepping stone closer to achieving his goal.

After guiding her to a table, he waved over a server carrying a tray of cocktails, passed a glass of white wine to Reece, and took an amber liquid for himself. Whiskey or Scotch, it didn’t matter. Everything here would be top shelf. One more reminder of the difference in their taxable income.

Reece closed her eyes as she sipped the wine, inhaling in a way that had her breasts rising and drawing his attention to her smooth skin. “Last year we celebrated Amelie’s birthday on the Potomac.”

Probably on a million-dollar yacht. He shook away the petty thought. It had been a long time since Vin had been jealous of anyone with money, but Reece reminded him of his upbringing. Not that he was ashamed. Not that she even remembered. But it was there, in between them.

She licked her upper lip, and he grinned. In one hour, nothing would be between them but air. He’d strip her naked, and neither one of them would be wearing designer anything.

“Must have been some party.”

She tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear, revealing her signature diamond studs. “It was. But nothing like your yacht parties.”

He let out a low chuckle, pushing aside his gratitude that her earrings wouldn’t be in the way when he grabbed her long hair and wrapped it around his fist. “You might be right about that.”

Her mouth opened to an adorable O. “Might be? I’ve lived next to you for a year.”

Her words implied she’d heard the rumors about his reputation, but that didn’t bother him. Wasn’t that why he’d asked her to be seen with him for six events? “And in that year, you’ve never once come to one of my parties.”

Not that he’d expected her to show up to a gathering with up-and-coming entertainers.

“Maybe we should start small. A tour of your condo. I’d love to see how you renovated it.” She bit her lower lip, as if unsure how he’d respond, and he nearly groaned.

She still had half a glass of wine left. He finished his and reached for another from the passing server.

“A nightcap sounds delicious,” he agreed. With a wink, he asked, “Has it been an hour yet? I have a surprise for you.”

The sparkle that hit her eyes when she laughed charmed him, and his cock gave a happy twitch as she glanced around, considering his proposition.

Just when their evening could turn interesting, Fred and Simon appeared at their table. “Reece, looking lovely,” Simon said.

“Thank you. Lovely to see you. And you, Fred.”

“Reece.” Fred nodded. “I apologize, but Vin, could we meet briefly in the gentlemen’s seating area?”

To Reece, Simon promised, “We’ll have him back before dinner is served.”

Disappointment at the interruption flooding him, Vin straightened. Annoyance quickly followed. If Fred and Simon wanted to speak with him, he should be interested, not irritated, and yet, that was exactly how he felt. Animosity toward the two men pulling him away from Reece. So much so that he barely appreciated the ambiance of the gentlemen’s lounge or the significance of the meeting.

Once they settled into the deep leather chairs, Fred said, “Glad to see you took Simon’s advice with Reece. About time you dated a good girl.”

If Vin hadn’t been swallowing an ounce from a twelve-hundred dollar bottle of whiskey, he might have sputtered at Fred. Reece’s original words—For the record, I don’t want to date you, but I wouldn’t say no to sex—flashed through his mind.

On the outside, she definitely wore the “good girl” label well. He’d never met anyone so happy and comfortable in her own existence. It made him wonder what it would take for him to feel that same kind of inner confidence. Oh, he knew what he projected to the world—the tough, I’ve-got-this-handled exterior worked when controlling large sums of other people’s money. But Reece—goddamn her—had that certain way of walking into a crowd.

Whatever the heck that meant.

He’d spotted her as soon as she’d entered the gardens, as if her presence made attending all that more interesting. The air had energized around her, just as it had the night of the fundraiser, and he’d been drawn toward her.

Simon chuckled. “Good God, Fred. He’s made so much money inventing gadgets. That means he’s not stupid. Of course he’d take my advice.”

Uneasiness skipped up Vin’s spine about the tiny charade between Reece and him, but he tamped it down. Whatever it took, right? Still, for the record, Vin said, “FH’s pinnacle product is an endpoint security software system, not gadgets.”

Fred shook his head.

“Whatever.” Simon tossed back his whiskey neat and poured another. “Whatever you do, stick with Reece. I saw Tami Martin practically climbing all over you tonight. Smart move going for Rowe. She’ll clean up your reputation.”

Naughty images of Reece slid through his mind as he recalled their dirty text messages. Tonight’s venue proved the ideal place to fulfill one of her requested fantasies, and if all went according to plan, he’d be the one rinsing her under the waterfall. A great first place to hide the moans he was sure she’d be making.

He held up his tumbler and studied it as if it were the most important glass in the world. “That’s the plan.”

Fred leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. “I wonder if Landon will jump onboard once he sees you’re dating his sister. Simon, you know him. Want to set up the meeting?”

Vin held up a hand. “Let’s not mix my pleasure with this business.” Beyond the deal he made with Reece, anyway.

Simon made a noncommittal shrug. “I’m happy to make the call.”

Vin let out a little laugh. “Somehow, I don’t think dating Landon’s little sister will endear me to him.” At least, it hadn’t helped Tonia’s last boyfriend wanting to pitch his baby sister every dumb idea on the planet.

“Good point,” Simon agreed.

Fred threw out more names Vin had on his wish list of investors. “And Grant Henderson of NeoQuantics is willing to look over your proposal.”

Over the years, Vin had had his share of whiskeys with men in positions to buy his software, to contract to use his technology services, but this networking game—throwing out venture capitalists as potential investors—connected him on a whole other level. “I’m interested in NeoQuantics. They recently acquired a regional bank and a small app-writing company, so they’re in a strong position to buy into FH.”

Simon clapped his hands together. “Excellent.”

Fred pulled out his cell phone and shot off a couple of quick text messages. By the time they’d polished off the bottle of whiskey, he’d not only heard back from Grant, he’d arranged several meetings.

Vin shook Fred’s hand. “I can’t thank you enough.”

“Prove me right, Vin.”

Buzzed on more than the two glasses of whiskey, Vin rejoined the party, a little too impatient to find Reece. Everything was working out—

What the hell?

Reece stood with her sexy as hell back to him, but he could read Landon’s expression with crystal clarity. The man’s narrowed eyes and crossed arms turned to aggressive hand gestures that propelled Vin across the pathway.

“You don’t want to interrupt that sibling squabble.” An arm reached out and stalled him.

“Like hell I don’t.” He spun around to face Amelie, her smirk a little too knowing. What had Reece told her about their arrangement?

Amelie’s pale blue eyes went wide. “Wow, I don’t know if I should be impressed with your protectiveness of her or pity your stupidity.”

He glanced at the siblings and back to Amelie. “Probably both,” he admitted. What had he thought? That he’d swoop in and drag her away from her older brother?

Amelie patted his arm. “Best thing to do right now is tackle the requisite Fox Trot with me.”

He extended his arm. “You’re the birthday girl.”

She surprised him when she groaned. “Ugh, don’t remind me.”