by Amy Brent
“New boyfriend?” Scott said, his brow pinched, and for a moment I wondered if his fatherly instincts were about to kick in. “Who is this new fella?”
“Aiden Prince. It seems our sweet Ella stole all of his attention last night.” It seemed like Nola wanted to rub it in her girl’s faces.
“Isn’t he a bit older?” Now Scott really did seem like he was a concerned father.
“He’s four years older.” I glared at the twins and smiled knowing their father wouldn’t want them with him.
Millie cleared her throat. “Four years isn’t so bad. Not like six.” She smiled sweetly at her granddaughters who exchanged a look before rolling their eyes. “Besides, Ella has always been a mature young woman, and I have no doubt she’ll make Aiden very happy.”
“I’m sure she made him happy all night,” said Halle with a giggle, but Scott cleared his throat and changed the subject.
All things considered, family breakfast with the Blue’s could have been much worse.
Chapter 20
Aiden
I had just stepped out of the shower and put on a robe when Zep strolled into my room wearing a frown.
“I hope you had a good night,” he said as he lowered himself into my favorite chair and stared at the ceiling as I dug through my closet for something to wear.
“I did, the best in a long while.” I found a white cotton shirt and slipped it over my head and then dropped the towel to pull on a pair of sweatpants. “From what you told me, it sounded like you got your fantasy fulfilled.”
“Until your mother stormed in waving her hands like a lunatic and scaring the girls half to death, barely.”
“What do you mean barely?” That didn’t sound good.
“Well, it turns out that while they don’t mind sharing men, they do mind hooking up with each other and other than touching, they didn’t do anything remotely sexy with each other, which was half of my fantasy. Not only that, but Halle was in a terrible mood, especially while I was fucking Sadie, who seemed bored the entire time and kept asking me about you. The Blue Twins are not only brats. They’re boring brats. I need a new fantasy.”
“I’m sure Patricia killed what little action was happening.”
“We were almost asleep by then, but I was doing a bit of deep penetrating while in spooning position with Halle. So thankfully, I don’t think Patricia caught that I was actually dick deep in her when she barged in. Talk about losing a hard on.”
I winced thinking about it and hoped he didn’t continue to elaborate on the subject. My cock was shriveling in my pants at the thought.
“Tell me you had a better time. Did you nail Ella?” Zep turned and spun around in the chair to face me.
I had always told him everything about the women I’d been with, even the smallest details and he’d done the same, but I wasn’t sure I wanted him picturing those things about Ella. “Yes, and it was hot.” I decided to keep it vague.
“Hot? That’s all you’re going to give me? You can’t be in love with this girl already. It was one night.” He knew I kept a tight lip when I really liked someone.
“Come on, man. How was it? And hot doesn’t cut it.”
“She’s perfect.”
“Wait until she does something to piss you off, I’ll remind you that you just said that.” I didn’t care what he said, Ella was perfect. “At least be real with me.”
“Everything she did turned me on, and she made me come my head off. That’s all you get. I don’t want you gawking at her thinking about all the naughty shit I could tell you.”
“Well, now I want to know more. I’ll tell you all about the twins, every detail. They did touch each other. That was kind of hot.”
“Please, spare me.” It seemed even worse knowing that they were Ella’s little sisters. As if I didn’t already think they were too young. “They’re kids.”
“Ella’s only two years older, man. Halle told me that. You usually don’t even like them her age.” I hadn’t even thought to ask Ella her age, but it wouldn’t have mattered as long as she was legal. I knew she was older than the twins based on maturity alone.
“She acts much older and isn’t an immature brat like some women her age. She’s perfect like I said.”
Zep laughed at that again and then suddenly we heard the door open in the other room and my mother’s voice ringing out a warning.
“I’m coming in and there better not be a matching pair of girls in my son’s bedroom.” Patricia walked in and glared at Zep, then she turned to me and met my stare. “Where have you been all night?”
“I was at the beach house, Patricia, and I’m hardly a child. You can keep the third degree to yourself.”
“You were with that maid?” She crossed her arms in front of her and looked down her nose at me.
I shook my head and sat on the end of my bed to put on a pair of socks. “No, I was with Ella. She’s not the twin’s maid. They might treat her like one, but she’s not.”
“She’s their employee, so it really doesn’t matter. I’m not going to have you going around with this nobody, whose probably only after you because of your bank account!” Her voice was ringing off the walls and my last nerve.
I hated that she was so worried about common people and our reputation and even though I hated to let her get to me, I wasn’t going to let her sit around and make assumptions about Ella. My anger got the best of me, and I lashed out. “She’s not their fucking employee. She’s their sister!”
“What?” Zep’s eyes widened.
“That’s ridiculous, Scott Blue doesn’t have but two daughters, and it’s those spoiled brats that Zep was in bed with last night.” Mother glared in his direction and looked as if she wanted to spit on him. “Don’t be fooled, dear.”
“It’s true, but I’m not supposed to say anything.” Shit, I wished I’d kept my big mouth shut. “She’s Layla Ford’s daughter, and Nola Blue doesn’t know, so what I said can’t leave this room!” I was certain the two of them could keep an urgent secret like that, and my mother put me at further ease.
“Layla’s child? How interesting. Your secret is safe with me. I never did like that uppity Nola Blue or those awful girls of hers. Zep, I do hope you wore protection. Those sluts are probably full of diseases or are liable to trap you for your money.”
“What do you know about Nola Blue, anyway, mother?”
“Oh, now you call me mother?” She sat on the end of my bed next to me and leaned back on one elbow. “Well, for one, she’s been known to skim from the musicians that worked for her husband and even slept with a few. She’s a hard-nosed business woman and a real pain in my ass back in the day. She’s the sole reason that Scott didn’t want to work with my team on his last album, but she’d never admit it.”
“So, the two of you hate each other?” I wondered what my mother would think about Layla Ford’s fortune being dwindled to nothing, but I didn’t want her to hate Ella or think her unworthy.
“Not that we act like it. This is a small town, you keep your friends close and your enemies closer. We pretend, like everyone else.”
“Well, then you won’t mind pretending a little longer for my sake. She can’t find out about Ella. Ella only found out, and I’m pissed I even shared the news. She’s heartbroken.”
“I’d be heartbroken too if I had those people as my family. Layla Ford’s daughter, huh? You know, her mother was my friend. We weren’t too close, but we always got along.” She reached up and stroked my hair, and I let her. “Do you like this girl?”
“I really do. So far, anyway. It’s still new, and I don’t want to jinx it.” I gave her a wink, and she shook her head.
“I want to meet her.” Patricia met my eyes and gave me a look that told me that wasn’t negotiable.
“Fine, I’ll ask her to lunch. I’m sure she’d love to meet you. She has her own jewelry line she’s trying to start up. She's very talented like her mother.”
“Then I can’t wait to meet her.” She turned and lo
oked at Zep who looked away. “And you, do you think we’ll ever be able to look each other in the eye again?”
Zep looked at my mother and shrugged. “I’m sorry about last night.”
“I should have knocked. I suppose it’s what I get for barging in, but promise me you’ll leave those dreadful girls alone.”
Zep shook his head. “I can’t promise that. I’ve kind of got a date with Halle.”
Patricia got to her feet and headed for the door. “Please tell me she’s the one who at least has the personality.”
Zep and I exchanged a glance as she left the room, not quite certain which twin she thought had a personality, and knowing full well neither of them really did.”
“You’re seeing Halle again?” I gave him a look of disapproval.
“The sex is good, and she lets me do whatever I want.” He wagged his brows and I knew what he was meaning was she lets him put it wherever he wants.
“Don’t tell her about Ella being her sister.”
“I promise. If you tell me at least one, juicy detail.” His blackmailing skills had always been pretty good.
“How about you don’t say anything, and I won’t kick you out on your ass after I kick it?” We both shared a laugh, and I knew he would see things my way.
“Okay, okay, fine. But I do think it’s kind of hot we’re seeing sisters, even if they aren’t a matching pair.”
“I agree with what you said earlier.” I waited knowing he’d ask.
“What did I say?” He narrowed his eyes as if thinking about it.
“That part about you needing to find a new fantasy.” I picked up a pillow from my bed and hurled it at him. “Preferably one that doesn’t include sisters. You know, since it was so terrible.”
A slow, sly smile spread his lips. “It wasn’t that bad.”
I shook my head as laughter filled the room. “Asshole.”
Chapter 21
Ella
I tried to put aside my differences with the twins so that I’d be able to continue working for them without a grudge making things more difficult. If I had known what a challenge it would be for them to civil themselves, I might have reconsidered.
I was up in their room with them as they waited for word from their mother who was busy negotiating their latest contract for the reality show. It seems the renewal depended on the girls taking a cut because of their bad behavior, but Nola wasn’t having it.
Halle’s phone rang, and she and her sister huddled close to listen to Nola on speaker phone. “We’re going to be busy doing promos, so you two should be ready to work and in prime condition. I don’t want anything getting in the way of your work this season.”
“So, we’re in? And with the same contract amount as before?” I’d never seen Halle or Sadie nervous, but it seemed that the two were capable of human emotions. Who knew?
“Yes, and I fought tooth and nail for that, so don’t ruin it. Keep your noses clean, and we’ll be good for another two years at least.” Nola’s voice was stern, and I could imagine the look on her face was much the same. She’d worked hard for her girls, and even though I didn’t care for her, I couldn’t deny that she loved her children and would walk through fire for them.
Sadie’s chest swelled up as she huffed. “We should have gotten more this contract.”
“Yeah, well that little stunt of yours didn’t do us any favors.” Halle gave her sister a wide-eyed look, and from the look on Sadie’s face, she didn’t appreciate it.
Neither did her words. “You’re the one to talk! Why don’t you try keeping your legs together this season and maybe we won’t have as much scandal following us around.” It was almost comical when the two went after each other, and as long as I was out of the line of fire, I didn’t mind their constant bickering.
“You two stop it. I’d like you both to settle down this season, which leads me to my next request. I’ve promised the producers that we’ll see a different side of you. They’ve wanted to see romance with Halle and a love interest and for you, Sadie, they’d like you to either settle in a relationship or focus on a talent. The audience is turning on you, and they don’t know how long they can survive with your bullshit.” Both girls rolled their eyes at their mother’s voice, but I knew if she was in the room with them, they wouldn’t be.
Minutes later, Nola ended her call. Halle and Sadie were left to discuss the details alone.
“Well, at least one of us will have fun this season,” snapped Sadie. “Why is it that you get to have a relationship while I have to focus on being professional?”
“At least you get to do whatever you want. Mother will have me dating some loser I don’t even like just to get good ratings.”
“It won’t be the first time you dated a loser. I’m sure Zep Stewart wouldn’t mind being a part of the show.” Sadie cut me a glare. “You’ll have to make sure you keep a clear schedule, Ella. We’ll need you to be on call for our appointments. Things are about to get hectic while we do promos. You’ve been getting off easy lately.”
This was getting off easy? I wanted to roll my eyes, but I knew better. Instead, I nodded and went back to looking through my new planner that Nola had left on my dresser that very morning.
My phone rang, and I thought it might be Nola ready to relay a few of the promo dates and appointments to me, but one glance at the tiny screen revealed Aiden’s smile. He’d taken the selfie and added it to my contacts, a sleepy-eyed image of him with a smoldering, lazy grin from the morning we woke up at the beach house.
I tried to step away, but Halle shook her head. “Don’t run off.” My back tensed and I walked to the couch and sat on the end with my back turned to them trying to take what privacy I could.
“Good morning, Mr. Prince.” I kept my voice soft and glanced over my shoulder to see that I had both of the twin’s attention. Sadie was hovering like a hawk, while Halle sat on the back of the chair beside me perched like a vulture.
“Oh, so official, Ms. Ford. I’d complain, but that kind of turns me on.” My cheeks reddened at his words, and I remembered all too well how sexy he was while turned on.
“I’m at work and with my employers as we speak.” I was trying to hint that it wasn’t a good time, but at the same time, I wondered what he wanted.
“I won’t keep you, but I was wondering if you wanted to have lunch. I can come pick you up if you want?” The thought of having an intimate lunch with Aiden was enough to make me warm all over, but then Halle cleared her throat. I glanced over my shoulder and noticed she was still there, eyeballing me like I was wasting her precious time.
“Lunch sounds wonderful. What time would—
Halle stepped around into my line of sight and folded her arms. “We need you at lunchtime. We’re going to be talking about our schedules.”
“Lunch is not going to work today because the twins need me. They’ve been accepted for another season.”
“Then we’ll have dinner.”
“Dinner,” Halle stood shaking her head. “Dinner might not be a good idea either. Halle’s shaking her head.”
“Today is a bad day,” Sadie said stepping up beside her sister.
Aiden made a noise through the phone that made me worry how long his patience would hold out. “Then call me later when they set you free. I have a feeling anything we plan is going to be a bad time with those two.”
Halle leaned in close. “Have Aiden tell Zep I said hello.”
“Did you hear that?”
“Yeah, I’ll pass that right along. I’m sure he’ll be thrilled. The two of them are supposed to be dating.” The tone of his voice told me he wasn’t too impressed with his best friend’s choice of relationships.
“Well, that should be great for ratings,” I mumbled, and he laughed letting me know he caught what I’d said.
“Yeah, that would be right up his alley.” He let out a long breath and then I heard his car start. I didn’t ask where he was going because I didn’t want him to think I needed
to know his every move. “Call me. We’ll get together as soon as you’re free.”
“Sounds good.” I was glad that he was being understanding about my situation. Coming with such heavy baggage as the Blue Twins wasn’t something that most people would put up with considering their reputations.
I hung up the phone and lifted my head to meet Halle’s eyes. “He said he’d pass along your message.” I stood and closed my hands together in front of me and tried to look as relaxed as possible. I didn’t want the two to think that they’d rattled me, but I had something to say. “I understand that you don’t like the fact that Aiden and I are seeing each other, but trying to monopolize my personal time isn’t going to ruin what we have.”
Sadie smirked and stepped in front of me. “We’re not going to ruin what you have. You’ll do that all on your own. You see, we really did have a threesome with Zep Stewart, and there’s something he let us in on long before that happened. He and Aiden love to share their women.”
“Yes, Zep did admit that’s their thing when their relationships get a little stale. So, it’s only a matter of time before Aiden starts to get bored and decides to let Zep teach you a few new tricks.”
They were hoping to get a reaction from me, but I wasn’t going to let them rattle my feathers. “We should get ready for that lunch date.” I turned and picked up my bag and shoved my phone and the new planner into the outer pocket.
“We’re only trying to save the heartache, Ella.” Halle lifted her shoulders and raised her hands in a what do you do fashion. “Aiden Prince isn’t the type who settles for one woman relationships. He’s had hundreds of women and never a steady relationship. Why should it be any different with you? He’s a known playboy, a creature of habit. You’ll see.”
“I’ll just go ready for that lunch date. I’m starved.” I stepped out, leaving in the direction of my room. When I got there, I took out the phone and called Nola about lunch plans. She had only wanted to meet the girls for lunch to take them shopping, and just like that, I was excused. I decided not to say a word to the girls and hoped I could slip out before they called Nola themselves.
