My blurry eyes blink away sle ep as I stare up at the plain white ceiling. I only had a few beers,
but I feel gross, heavy. I think that had more to do with allowing Kelly to grind herself all over
my lap than the alcohol, though. I don’t know what it is. I used to think she was the most
attractive woman on the planet, but the rose colored glasses were ripped away when I found
her with another man’s cock inside her. Funny how that works. Pushing myself to stand, I open
the door and walk across the hall to th e upstairs bathroom. Soon, I’m climbing into the hot
water, scrubbing every inch of her off my body. I don’t know why I let her close to me. Maybe it
was because I felt I had to, or maybe it was to distract me from Arianna going into that
treehouse with my little fucking brother. For a while, I just sat there, my gaze burning a hole into
the side of the thing like if I stared hard enough, I’d be able to see what was going on inside.
Then the moaning began, and I lost my shit. I damn near threw Kelly off my lap before taking
two large st eps towards the treehouse until I stopped. What was I going to do? Barge in and
beat the piss out of my brother for something that, as irritating as it was, is consensual? Fuming,
I stormed back to the house, Kelly quickly fol lowing behind, asking what was wrong. I told her
that I was tired, which she didn’t believe. Then I made some bullshit about having a hard time
forgetting what happened between us. That shut her up quickly, a look of shame passing across
her face as I stomped inside the house and to my room. Surprisingly, Kelly didn’t try to come in
to talk or anything else, and I was grateful because, for the hundredth time, I’m wondering what
the fuck
I’m even doing here. Lusting after a woman who is twenty - five years younger than me, a woman
who has made it abundantly clear she wants nothing to do with me. So, why the fuck am I still
here? Because what we shared in that club was something special, rare , and I’ll torture myself
for years if that’s what it takes to convince her of it. After my shower, I quickly get dressed and
head downstairs to get some coffee. I’m taking my first sip when I look out the large bay
window and see Tyson climbing out of the treehouse, pulling a shirt on over his head. Son of a
fucking bitch. I slam my mug against the countertop as I stand in place, watching as my brother
swaggers up to the house wearing the biggest shit eating grin. When he st eps inside, I’m on him
instantly , yanking him all the way through the door and pinning him against the wall with my
forearm to his throat. His eyes bug out at me in surprise as he rasps. “What are you doing?”
“What are you doing?” I snap, lowering my voice as my forehead presses against his. “What the
hell do you think you’re doing with Arianna?” Tyson’s eyes narrow before he lifts an eyebrow.
“I’m not sure how that’s any of your business.” “Goddamnit, Tyson. If you’re playing with her
feelings, I swear to fuck I’ll — ” “ You ’ ll what? What are you gonna do, Logan? You haven ’ t seen
this girl in years. Why does she get all of your loyalty so easily, and I ’ m just the bad guy? ” he
asks. I waver at his comment for a moment. “ I know you. You leave a trail of broken hearts
everywhere you go. You do whatever it takes to get women into bed and then — ” “ Seems like
that runs in the family, bro, ” Tyson says, leveling me with a hard look. My eyes widen in surprise
as I slowly lower my forearm from his throat, making sure to ke ep my tone quiet. “She told you,”
I say. He nods. “She told me.” “And?” I grit out, waiting for whatever comes next. To my surprise,
Tyson just shrugs.
“And nothing. She just wants to forget the night ever happened.” “I can’t,” I admit, breaking our
eye contact as I look at the far wall. “Well, you should. She’s not interested in you, that much
was abundantly clear to me last night.” Rage ignites my entir e body, and I look back to see that
shit eating grin from before firmly in place. “You’re gonna stay away from her,” I threaten. “Fat
fucking chance.” I narrow my eyes. “Why?” “Because I like her. She’s fun and beautiful. We have
a good time together. Why would I throw that away because you accidentally fucked your
st epdaughter.”
“Ex - st epdaughter,” I correct. Tyson looks at me with intrigue as he tilts his head to the side.
“Maybe not an accident then,” he guesses. “It was!” The first time. The second time, I don’t
know what the fuck I was doing. It was like I had been possessed, l ike a carnal beast had taken
over my body and was acting out of lust and desire instead of logic and reason. “Uh huh, well, I
think that it’s best if you forget it ever happened, move on. With Kelly or someone else,
whatever. Just leave her alone.” I’m rendered speechless as my little brother stalks off towards
the bathroom. How the fuck did this go from me warning him away to him warning me away?
As if I need it? As if I’m no good for her, like I could hurt her or — The back door swings open,
and a sle ep - tousled Arianna st eps through. She ’ s wearing the same clothes from last night,
though they look rumpled and her eyes sle
Ep d eprived. I tighten my jaw, attempting not to
speak when she notices me. “ Morning, ” she says. “ Morning, ” I grit through clenched teeth. She
looks at me for a moment, like she’s not sure what to say. I’m doing everything I can to ke ep my
mouth shut because I’m about two seconds away from losing my shit on her. I don’t give a fuck
who she is related to, who we are, or more importantly, were to each other, and I don’t give a
goddamn shit about our age difference. She feels like mine, and I don’t
share what’s mine, ever. I’m trying to ignore the fact that someone who feels so undoubtedly
mine just got fucked by my little brother in a treehouse not two hundred feet from me... Yeah,
I’m on the verge of losing my fucking shit. Those bright blue eyes mee t mine, sending my heart
racing despite the boiling of my blood before she gives me a tight, awkward smile and heads
upstairs to her room. I don’t realize I’m still standing at the bottom of the stairs, staring at where
she disappeared, until Tyson comes b ack into the room, his hair wet from the shower and
somehow in a new set of clothes. I look him over with a scrunched look, and he shrugs as he
pours himself a cup of coffee. “I left my duffel down here,” he explains. I don’t say anything as I
just stare a t him. What is there to say? I’ve been told I’m an intimidating man. In business, in my
personal life. I’m not overly warm or funny. I take my job seriously, and I take my life pretty
seriously as well. I don’t give a shit about everyone liking me, and I n ever take no for an answer.
The exact opposite of Tyson. So, when I stare at him like I want him to be incinerated right here
and now, and he doesn’t even bat an eye, it takes me by surprise. And not in a good way. In fact,
he matches my stare with a lifte d eyebrow, like he’s baiting me. Little fucking shit. Breaking up
the intense moment, Marissa and Tom wander down sle epily, greeting us with a good morning
before Kelly quickly follows. Her eyes land on me instantly, though she isn’t throwing herself at
me like she has been. Instead, she approaches me meekly, quietly. “Morning,” she says softly.
“Morning.” She rolls her lips together as she glances around the room. “Do you think we could
talk?” More than
anything, I want to say no, but I also need to be away from my brother for now, so I agree.
Inclining my head, I gesture for her to lead the way to the living room. It’s not too far away, but
it’s enough to talk privately. Folding my arms over my chest, I look down at her before waiting
for her to begin. She looks as if she’s trying to search for her words before she blows out a
heavy breath. “I’m sorry,” she says, catching me off guard.
I don’t let my reaction show, instead, ke eping my gaze impassive as I let her continue. Her
brown eyes look up at me, filled with watery tears as her lip wobbles. “I made such a mess of
things. I ruined everything. I was so in love with you... I still am. I was stupid and lonely, and I
hurt you. I’ll never forgive myself.” Her apology seems genuine, but it’s missing some d epth. She
knew who I was when she met me. I’m a workaholic, but I trie d to make things work. We took
trips together, I tried to make it home as many nights as humanly possible, no matter how late it
would be. So, as heartfelt as her apology seems, it falls on deaf ears. Still, her regret does make
her a little more bearable. Though I’ve long gotten over her, groveling is something I’ll never
turn down. Doesn’t mean they’ll get shit in return. Does that make me a cold son of a bitch?
Maybe. Her glossy eyes stare up at me like she’s desperate for me to forgive her, like she nee ds
more than anything for me to say... something. I don’t really have anything to say, though.
Instead, I’m entranced as I stare at her, but not for the reason you’d assume. I’m absolutely
baffled how two women could look virtually identical, with the exc epti on of their age and eye
color, yet also look so different. Arianna and Kelly have the same jet - black hair, the same pert
nose, and full lips. They are almost carbon copies of each other, and yet... the feeling is
completely different. There is a purity to Ari anna, a warmth. She can be standoffish at times, but
I also know that her heart is huge. She cares about others and always seems to be self -
sacrificing. These are traits that make it easy for others to walk over her in life but also make her
so goddamn adm irable and desirable. Kelly is selfish, greedy, and forever self - serving. Her pretty
packaging is tainted by what I’ve seen on the inside, both from what happened between us and
how she treats those around her. It’s amazing what inner beauty, or lack there of, can do to
outer beauty. “I appreciate that,” I say, knowing that I have to acknowledge her apology in some
way, shape, or form. “Would you ever... could we ever try starting over? Fresh?” she asks with a
wavering voice. My impassive mask doesn’t slip as I look down at her. “I’m not sure. Maybe.”
Hope fills her eyes as she blinks quickly in surprise. I dip my chin, effectively ending this
conversation as I turn and head back to the kitchen. Did I just give her false hope so she
wouldn’t ask why I came? Sure did. Would I have been willing to admit t hat I drove all the way
out to the mountains just to spend a few days with her daughter instead of her? If she pushed
enough, potentially. Speaking of the devil, Arianna comes down the stairs wearing a tight pair of
jeans and a pretty white top that someho w magnifies her blue eyes. Those sparkling gems meet
everyone’s gaze exc ept mine before coming to Tyson. She smiles as he reaches out an arm,
dragging her towards him before blowing a raspberry into her neck. She giggles, squirming in his
arms before he pl aces a quick kiss against her nose, stealing another from her lips. The kitchen
goes silent as Marissa stares open mouthed. “When did this happen?” “Last night.” Kelly laughs
like it’s hilarious. “You should have heard them moaning like teenagers in the tr eehouse.” I
frown at her as Arianna does the same. “Mom, stop.” “What? I’m just saying, if you wanted
privacy for your little vacation romance, you chose the wrong
place to do it.” “No way this is just a vacation romance. There is no getting me away from her
now,” Tyson cuts in with a smile to Kelly and a challenging side eye to me. “That’s nice. Ari, are
you sure that’s the shirt you want to wear? It looks a little tight in the stomach. Those college
pounds really caught up to you,” Kelly says, her eyes raking over Arianna coldly. My eyebrows
raise as Arianna seems to shrivel up on the spot, every set of e yes on her. I’m ready to lose my
fucking shit on her when Tyson beats me to it. “Are we looking at the same woman? She’s
fucking perfect.” “There is no such thing as perfect, Ty,” she says with a roll of her eyes. He
shakes his head, smiling at Arianna as he cups her face the way I want to. The way I’m meant to.
“She comes as close as possible.” Arianna seemingly melts into his touch, and I can physically
feel my blood begin to boil as she does. Kelly makes an irritated noise under her
breath before Tyson pulls Arianna against him, pressing her back against his chest. His hand
comes down to her hip, resting against it possessively in a way that has me seeing red. I don’t
know if he’s just trying to rile me up at this point or if he’s rea lly into her. Either way, I’m going
to kick his front fucking teeth in. I decide to sit outside for a little while and catch up on some
work. Mainly to es cape Kelly trying to grope my fucking cock under the table. I know I used to
find her sexual confidenc e appealing at one point, but now, Jesus Christ, I need her to leave me
the fuck alone. Even if I am trying to use her as a distraction of sorts. That sentence sounds
gross when I think about it, but I’m not deluded. I know very well she misses my wealth a nd my
cock, nothing else. I used to be fine with that, but after getting just the barest glimpse of a
relationship with more... it just feels bland, unappetizing, I’m slowly working through my inbox,
which is a fucking nightmare since I never take time off. I also never allow anyone into my inbox
to manage it while I’m gone... because I’m never gone. Goddamnit, this trip is going to set me
behind weeks, and for what? As if my mind somehow conjured the torturous beauty herself,
Arianna comes wandering into the bac kyard before moving to the dock. Her camera is held up
as she sits there for a while, snapping pictures. I find myself watching her more than the screen
in front of me. When she turns around to face the house, I quickly make myself busy, tapping
out next m onth’s scheduled meetings for the firm. I hear her walk towards the fire pit I’m sitting
at, expecting her to continue past me. Instead, she takes a seat on the grass four feet away from
me. I watch her out of the corner of my eye as she lies on her back a nd begins snapping pictures
of the tree that’s slightly shading her. “Why are you taking pictures looking up?” I ask, unable to
help myself. She doesn’t stop what she’s doing, adjusting the focus of the camera lens as she
speaks. “If you don’t change your perspective from time to time, you could risk missing the
most beautiful parts.”
Her words are de ep and prophetic, and yet again, I’m amazed by this woman. I want to say
more, but I know I shouldn’t. I’m putting up a wall between us, and it’s working. Kind of. I’m
trying. She made her desires clear, and I have to respect them, even if being this near to her,
unable to touch her, makes my skin crawl. A soft breeze blows by us, pushing some of her hair
into her face. She doesn’t immediately move it out of the way, and I feel my fingers twitch with
the ache to run them through her silky st rands just once more. Arianna tilts her head to me,
moving her camera out of the way so her eyes meet mine. “What are you doing out here?” “Just
catching up on some work.” She nods, her eyes moving back to her camera as she continues.
“Do you like what you do?” I think about that for a moment, setting my ph one down as I ponder
her question. “Yes and no.” “Why’s that?” she asks. “The money is good, the work is steady, and
once
you’ve defended one sleazy businessman, you’ve defended them all.” “And the bad?” Arianna
asks as she looks away from her camera. For just one moment, I hold her attention, those
piercing blue eyes on me. It sends my heart racing and my palms sweating like a goddamn
teenager. I’m not a nervous man, and I’m not nervous now. More like... off kilter. She throws me
off. I’m not able to speak freely, act freely. If I did, she’d be pinned to the ground, naked beneath
me, and we’d never come up for air. Unfortunately , that reality isn’t possible. She’s drawn a
boundary, and no matter how much I hate it, I’d never break her trust or disrespect her in that
way. “The bad,” I say, attempting to refocus my mind because, fuck me, what were we even
talking about again? “Defe nding sleazy businessmen.” Her lips tip up in the corners, the motion
barely noticeable if I wasn’t paying such close attention to her mouth. She’s amused, even if she
doesn’t want to be. Something in me likes that I can do that to her, for her. A lot. “Co uldn’t one
argue that you’re also a sleazy businessman?” she asks. My brows furrow at that. “How do you
figure?”
She shrugs. “You make a shit ton of money, you run a huge business, I’m sure you’re the type to
do whatever it takes to get your way.” Her playful expression falls away when she looks at me,
and I can’t help but lean forward, resting my forearms on my knee s as I look at her. “You’re
correct. I will undoubtedly do whatever it takes.” Her eyes widen slightly, and I swear to god, I
see her physically gulp. I hold her eye contact for several more seconds before easing back into
my seat, fixing my eyes back on m y phone screen as I deliver my next words effortlessly. “Can
you say the same, Arianna?” I see her frown out of the corner of my eye as if she were truly
thinking over my words. I expect her to get up, done with... whatever this encounter is. To my
surprise, she doesn’t. In fact, she stands, moving to take the seat beside mine. I don’t outwardly
react, but I can’t help but get eager with her this close to me. We don’t say anything to one
another. Instead, we both begin our tasks once more, enjoying the comfort able silence between
the two of us for the next hour or so. Once I’ve answered my fifth r epetitive email, I’m
completely fried and decide to pocket my phone. Looking over Arianna’s shoulder, I find her
scrolling through the pictures she took, deleting ones and saving others. She must feel my eyes
on her because she quickly turns the camera away, frowning at me as she does. “Do you mind?”
“Not at all,” I answer. She rolls her eyes at me in mock annoyance. “You don’t let others see your
pictures?” “No, not re ally.” “Why?” Arianna shrugs. “Are you afraid of someone else being too
critical, or are you being too critical of yourself?” Her uncertain blue eyes meet mine as she
pauses. She blinks a few times before slowly turning the camera to face me. I ke ep my gaz e on
hers for several seconds, showing her that I appreciate the risk she’s taking in opening herself
up, and I don’t take it lightly. Trust is the most precious
thing one person can give another, and that is something I’ll never take for granted. When my
eyes do move to the screen, I’m stunned. I just thought she was taking pictures of the underside
of a tree, but that’s not what she captured. The branches are swa ying with a gentle breeze that
is caught in perfect time. The colors are vivid and striking while still maintaining their
authenticity. Like how she put it, her perspective has taken an ordinary vantage point and
transformed it into something... “Extraordina ry,” I say lowly. She looks up at me. “You like it?” I
hear the uncertainty in her tone, and it gnaws at something in my chest. This brilliant woman
has not been given near the amount of praise and recognition that she deserves. In fact, it
seems she’s bee n given less than anyone deserves. That stops today. My eyes meet hers as I
nod sincerely, meaning every word. “It’s fantastic. May I see more?” She doesn’t say anything,
but I notice her posture perk up slightly as she begins scrolling through the images she took,
each just as unique and beautiful as the last. I’m no art major by any means, but I can admire a
beautiful picture and understand the skill and raw talent it must take to see what others can’t
and then capture it, delivering it on a silver platter for those less inclined. When she’s gone
through them all, she lowers her camera to look up at me with insecurity that doesn’t belong in
those clear blue eyes. “You’re extremely talented, Arianna.” “Thanks,” she says, her eyes
dropping to the floor like she isn’t truly acc epting the compliment. Before I can think better of it,
I catch her chin with my fingers, tilting her head up to meet my gaze. “I mean it,” I emphasize.
“Talent like yours... it’s a gift. You need to believe that.” She swallows roughly as an earnest look
touches her face. I don’t realize that my thumb is gently str oking her chin until she blinks hard,
looking away and ripping us back to reality. “I’m gonna head inside,” she says as she climbs to
her feet, tucking her camera protectively in her grasp as she makes her way towards the house.
Without an ounce of shame or remorse, I watch her go, memorizing every single st ep until a
solid wooden door cuts off my view.