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Sebastian. He left his wing. He left the house.
“I’m sorry,” I said softly, meaning it. I hugged myself, feeling the urge to hug him, but he would recoil if I did. “I meant to say goodbye. It was all very sudden…”
“After everything Ollie did to you, these petty parlor tricks aren’t big enough revenge. Your payback’s not done.”
Seb gritted his teeth. “You need the closure.”
He’d finally found someone else to speak to other than Oliver, and he didn’t want me gone. Even if it meant tossing his brother under the bus.
“You have an opportunity to change him.” Seb paused. “To change me.”
“I’ve been alone for so long, I don’t remember what it feels like to look forward to anything. In the few days you were here, you made me feel…well, normal. I’ve missed normal.”
“That would make it so much sweeter.” Sebastian already had his keys in his hands, swinging them by the loop around his finger.
“You’ll drive him nuts, but he won’t have the guts to get rid of you.”
Sebastian opened his arms. “Any of the seventeen guestrooms available.”
“I’m not going to change, Briar. I’d just like a little company for a few weeks. That’s all.”
“Daddy’s a fuck up. Hey, at least you’re rich and have money for therapy.”
How drunk was I, by the way? Had I stooped so low that I now got boners for hallucinations? Did I need an intervention?
“As long as I can watch you in the changing room.”
“Breweries are God’s worship place.”
“Where do you see people having more fun: there or in breweries?”
And oh, did I want to do some pulling. And kissing. And biting. And things that would probably make a porn star blush.
“Sweetheart, you’re not scaring me. I put the cum in commitment.”
I wouldn’t kick this woman out of my bed even if she was on fucking fire. She was threatening me with a good time.
“No. But I don’t let facts stand in the way of a good joke.”
“How about we start consummating our marriage?”
“Hell is not a place. It’s a state of mind. And let me assure you, sweetheart, I’m already there.”
“True story. But I do adhere to safe words, so there’s that.”
A lock of hair fell across her eyes. I reached to tuck it behind her ear. Because this was real life and not a book, the lock slipped right back to where it was.
“Don’t kink-shame me, missy.”
“Au contraire. You are always welcome. We have lots of catching up to do.”
“…and I cannot wait for you to attend one of my orgies.”
The most persistent rumor—a media favorite, really—was that I hosted sex parties. Wild, illicit, dangerous sex parties.
It all started when I hired a car detailing service. They came on the same day of every month like clockwork, taking with them all twelve of my...
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“On an hourly basis, actually.” I plucked a rose from a vase mid-step, tucking it above the shell of her ear. It somersaulted to the tiles when she swatted it away.
I’d take you straight to the altar if it were up to me—but I want to hear the reason behind your change of heart.”
if Briar gave me any indication that we had something left to salvage, that I could win her back, I wouldn’t waste the opportunity.
I’d fucking ace it. I would never let her go.
“No need to use your imagination, baby. I can give you a demonstration.”
“Right on brand.” She stopped in front of one of my many guest rooms, pointing at the door. “Well, this is me.”
“And this is me.” I pointed to a painting of a sad clown in the hallway. “Seriously, I’m sorry I brought your parents up. I know it’s a sensitive subje—”
“I owe you shit. You are still the same person, and so am I. What I did to you was horrible. Inexcusable. But I had my reasons. You were my first love.” My only love. “And the truth is, deep down, you know I’m your safe place.”
She gave me the middle finger. I pretended to catch it and put it in my pocket, like it was a kiss, a smug grin hiking up my cheeks.
“Love you, too,” I called out to her through the wood. “Goodnight, roomie.”
I’d returned to help Sebastian. That’s all.
This had nothing to do with Oliver. Oliver was dead to me.
Ollie vB: All of it? You chose to stay here. This is huge. We’re going to become best friends.
Ollie vB: Best friends who occasionally have sex with each other.
Briar Auer: Speaking of walls, it doesn’t look like you’ve ever had a steady girlfriend…
Ollie vB: I actually did.
Ollie vB: You.
Ollie vB: Okay. Anything else you want me to do to it? I’m open to suggestions…
Ollie vB: I would love to take you on a date. To try again.
Ollie vB: In all seriousness, I’m not joking. I couldn’t find anyone I felt half as much for as I felt for you, so I didn’t try.
I went through something very bad and traumatic that summer, almost as soon as I got home from Paris. I was ashamed, and I panicked. I did something horrible. I agreed to something I shouldn’t have.
