Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood Page 0,69

let Carter’s mom throw one.”

He arches an eyebrow. I catch myself looking at his chest again, at the random smattering of dark freckles on his skin. Dragging my eyes back to his face, I see him giving me the very same once over.

Blushing, I feel a little better about how impressed I still am by his body. You’d think I would’ve gotten enough, but apparently not.

“When?” he asks.

I’m distracted. “What?”

He narrows his eyes. “When is this costume ball supposed to be?”

“I… I don't think I found out. Soon, I think.” My cheeks are sure to catch fire here in a second.

“Hmm.” He looks at me thoughtfully. “Are you… you know, doing okay?”

My brows rise a bit. It’s too little and too late, but I guess I am glad that he has some kind of empathy. After all, he did take my virginity less than a week ago.

Shifting uncomfortably, I look down. “I’m fine.”

He rubs his neck. “I should have… I mean… I wish I could take back what I said. I would say it differently if given the chance.”

When I look up, I find myself speared by his dark gaze. I’m a little short of breath suddenly. “You would still say it, though.”

“And mean it too. I mean… you are my best friend’s little sister. And I really fucked up this time. I shouldn’t have ever touched you.” He pauses, just in time for my heart to falter. He still sees me as Grayson’s sister, not as my own separate person with my own needs and desires.

I thought that he saw me. Actually me, not his friend’s sister.

How stupid was that?

I draw in a ragged breath. “I’m more than what you’re giving me credit for. You know that, right?”

His lips twist in a humorless smile. “I’m sorry, Olivia. I really am.”

I want to hit him. I want to yell that I am not interested in his apologies. But I don't.

Instead, I walk up to him, pressing myself against his chest. I look up at him for a heartbeat, then push onto my tiptoes. My lips meet his, hot and quick.

Then I pull away, looking him in the eye. “I just want you to realize what you’re giving up.”

Heart hammering in my chest, I turn and walk away, not even able to believe that I just did that.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Aiden

I am a bad man.

Petty, jealous, deceitful.

But every time I look at Olivia, I forget that for a second. Instead of focusing on the lifetime of bullshit I’ve done, all I can remember is how she made me feel when we were together.

Her soft moans of pleasure.

The look in her eyes when I finally stripped her completely bare.

The way I felt when I was inside her. Like I could do anything and be anyone, as long as she stayed by my side.

Of course I immediately fucked up everything between us. I opened my fucking mouth and basically spit on Olivia. That wasn’t my intention, of course. But it came out that way none the same.

This whole week has been insane. I’ve been running around, instructing the staff that have been hired on to help me temporarily. Paint the ballroom, deep clean all the floors in the main house, make the lawn look better, add gravel to the driveway.

But every time I catch a glimpse of Olivia, my heart stutters. I lose focus on whatever I’m supposed to be working on. I think it’s fair to say that I have become a little bit obsessed.

Who knew that fucking her one time would render me so… useless? It’s never happened before. Then again, I usually don't even know the first name of the girl I’m sleeping with.

Is that the only difference?

I’d try to replicate it, but Olivia is literally the only girl I’ve known for a long time. Well… I guess I’ve known Grayson’s ex Rachel for years, but she isn’t even approachable. The only way that I could make Grayson hate me more than fucking Olivia would be to try to fuck Rachel.

I shake my head. I really screwed up this time, both with the girl I’m obsessing about and my own best friend. Grayson can’t find out, that much is obvious.

But that doesn’t stop me from craving more of Olivia. I’m not sure that anything could.

Lost in my thoughts, trying to keep up with the hectic pace of work, the masquerade ball sort of sneaks up on me. One minute I am up on a ladder, painting a high spot on the ballroom’s