sure what to believe, but she knew for a fact that Luke wasn’t far off in his assessment. Rich men never respected women who needed their money. Caleb would never be faithful to someone like Kris. That much was obvious.
“I think that’s enough,” Mike said, his voice calm as he stepped between them. “I think we can all agree that this could have gone down much better than it did.” He turned to Luke. “You know I hate him, too, man. I’m calling this a bout of temporary insanity.”
“Damn right,” Luke said under his breath.
Mike turned to his sister. “And seriously, sis, I can’t un-see your bra either and I have no reason to knock when I head over to mom and dad’s. I’d have thrown Caleb out, too, if I’d have gotten there first. If you’re going to be gross, go to his place, okay?”
“Fine.”
“So how about we all call it a night and finish this conversation after we’ve had a chance to sleep on it?” Mike suggested. “It’s late. We’ve all had long days.”
“Sounds great,” Luke said, moving down the stairs without another word. After a moment of debate, Rori started after him only to have Mike snag her arm.
“Not tonight,” he said softly, and in spite of everything she felt her heart kick at his touch. The human body truly was ridiculous sometimes. “Let him sleep it off. He won’t be making any good impressions right now.”
Rori looked down to Mike’s hand on her arm, then looked up. To his mouth. Then his eyes. Then she had the presence of mind to scowl. “I think that’s my call to make, don’t you?”
He didn’t let go, but his grip lessened. “Let me put it this way, how much sleep have you two had in the past few days?”
Rori glanced at the empty stairway. “Not much.”
“He’s jetlagged,” Mike said releasing her. “Sleep will help him more than talking will right now. Trust me.”
Kris stepped to his side. “He’s right. This is my mess. No need for you to clean it up. I’ll take care of it tomorrow, I promise.”
Rori had a choice in front of her. She could brazenly push through the two of them and follow Luke, or she could follow their sound logic.
“Let me say good night to him,” she said. “I won’t be a minute.”
Mike and Kris looked at each other, but it wasn’t like Rori actually needed their permission so she pushed past without another word.
“I’ll wait here for you so we can walk back together,” Kris said and Rori gave her a brief nod before heading down the stairs.
From the railing the siblings watched her until she disappeared, then Kris dragged Mike into the living room.
“Did you see that?” she hissed.
“I’m afraid you’re going to have to be a little more specific, sis.”
Kris rolled her eyes. “She was staring at your lips! Did you see that?”
“I don’t think so.”
“She’s into you!” she whispered.
“No, she’s not,” he whispered back.
“When have I ever been wrong?”
“Uh, how about five minutes ago when you told me to text you when they pulled up,” he said, making sure the stairs were clear. “If I would have known you were going to take your top off, maybe I wouldn’t have been so obliging. This is a mess, Kris!”
“I don’t regret it,” she said with confidence.
“Yeah, well I do. I wasn’t kidding when I said I couldn’t un-see the little scene you set up in there. Since when do you wear Victoria Secret shit?”
“Since I stopped being fourteen,” Kris snapped. “Now stay focused. The point here is that Luke’s fiancée likes you.”
“You’re seeing things, baby sis.”
“You think so? Fine. But all I’m saying is that the two of them together is a stain that’s only going to get bigger.”
“Agreed, but I’m pretty sure those are her footsteps on the stairs, so maybe we should bench this for now. Good?”
“Good,” Kris agreed, walking back to the stairs just as Rori came into view.
“He locked himself in his room,” Rori said looking a little confused.
“Yeah, well, you’ll get used to that,” Kris said heading for the door. “I don’t know about you, but I’m excited for this night to be over. Shall we?”
Rori nodded and Mike watched as she walked out the door with his sister.
Chapter 20
For once, Rori slept. The fatigue of riding horses and spending the day under the sun added to the evening’s fireworks was a perfect sleep cocktail that had her grudgingly opening her eyes the next day when