Mae snorts into her hand. “Not likely.”
At the front of the room, a man stands and clinks his spoon against his glass, drawing everyone’s attention. The crowd quiets and I realize I’m the only person standing.
Not wanting to be impolite, I slide into the seat next to Mae. “Guess I’m sitting here.”
“It’s about time we stood up to Margaret London, overlord of none.” Mae’s eyes dance with mischief. In her black outfit, she’s a beautiful, dark flower.
Landon laughs a little too loud at something the speaker says. “Man, I wish I could see Twyla’s face right now. I bet she’s shitting herself.”
Mae twists to face him. “Why? What did I miss?”
“Apparently, that’s Topher’s father and he just mentioned their prenup. Way to ruin the romance of the evening.” Landon chuckles into his water glass. “So much for true love.”
“Doesn’t seem unreasonable, given the family fortunes at play and the young age of the couple.” I think it’s a good idea.
“I agree,” Sage says.
Lee’s eyes dart to her. “Would you want me to sign one?”
“No, never.” Her eyes crinkle when she touches his cheek. Clearly, they’re deeply in love.
“What about you?” Mae asks, tucking her napkin on her lap.
“Sign a prenup?” I ask, turning my back to Landon.
“Require your future wife to sign one,” she says quietly. “Given you’re worth millions.”
“Who’s got millions in the bank?” Landon interrupts us, leaning forward with his arm draped around Mae’s shoulder. “Aiden? Yeah right.”
Her eyes widen and she mouths, “He doesn’t know?”
I flatten my lips together. “We’ll talk about it later.”
“I love the pool here,” Sage changes the subject.
“Do you use the sun deck?” Grateful, I take the bait.
Mae giggles and Zoe bites her lip before saying, “Um, we prefer to swim at night.”
My conversation with Landon and Easley pops into my head. Images of Mae naked and wet in the jacuzzi play like a slideshow. I’ve seen her in a bathing suit. It isn’t that difficult to make the jump between that and her fully nude. A few mysteries remain and I plan to solve them as soon as possible.
We manage to avoid all talk of me and money for the three-course meal and endless speeches. If it weren’t for the concert at nine, I suspect we’d be in this room all night—or eternity, whichever comes first.
“I’m going to hit the head,” Landon declares as we leave the banquet room. “Wait for me, Mae.”
“I need to say hello to my parents. If we miss each other, I’ll see you tomorrow.” She stands on her toes, searching the people milling around the hotel.
“Want me to wait with you?” I ask her, reluctant to leave her side.
“I’ll just be a minute. Oh, there they are, talking with your parents. We can both play dutiful children together.” She rolls her eyes. “Let’s get this over with.”
“Aiden,” Mom greets me with a hug. “It’s so good to see you. And Mae, how lovely you look in all black.”
I chuckle, my shoulders shaking at the compliment. Gwendolyn does love funeral appropriate attire.
“What’s so funny?” Mae asks with her head cocked to the side.
“Later. I’m going to go find Landon. Be right back.” Wanting to kiss her or squeeze her hand and knowing I can’t break the charade of the evening, I give her a small wave before walking away.
Public restrooms are located down a long hall off of the main lobby, opposite the entrance. The hall is empty as is the men’s room when I open the door. I even call out Landon’s name and check the stalls. Strange. Doubting he’d ditch Mae after all of his posturing this evening, I exit and loiter in the narrow hall to pull out my phone. I’ll text him to meet us at the concert. Pausing in the quiet space, I hear voices and a woman’s laughter coming from behind the door to the family bathroom next to me. Like a creeper, I step closer and confirm the man’s voice sounds like Landon.
That little shit.
I bet he’s in there with the bartender he was flirting with earlier. Pissed on Mae’s behalf, I shove the door, surprised it’s unlocked and swings open.
Twyla screams and jumps away from my brother, who is sporting a lovely shade of rose lipstick now.
“Don’t you knock?” He straightens to his full height and broadness.
“That’s your issue with me walking in on you kissing the bride at her rehearsal dinner?” I shout at him.
Twyla pleads, “Please don’t say anything to Topher or my parents. Please. I had … a momentary urge to see what I might be missing. Now it’s over and I’d die if anyone finds out.”
“Not my place to tell anyone.” I glare at my brother, not for the first time wishing we didn’t share the same blood.
With another promise that the kiss was moment of bad decision making, Twyla slips through the door behind me. In case anyone is loitering in the hall, I turn the lock so we’re not discovered inside of the single bathroom she left. Talk about scandal. Caught with one of us would be terrible, but both of us? None of us would ever live it down.
“This is fucked up even for you,” I tell him, keeping my voice low enough we’re not overheard, but loud enough to convey my disgust.
“You know I’ve always had a thing for Twyla. Way before Mae. I had to take my shot before it was too late.” He checks his face in the mirror and then removes the lipstick with a paper towel.
“Do you love her?” I’m pissed off and disgusted, but if they love each other, then we’re dealing with a whole other kind of mess.
“I don’t know.” He shrugs, and I want to punch him.
“You’d know if you did. This isn’t a fucking maybe situation. Lives and reputations are at stake.” I practically spit out the words.
“You sound like Mom. Who cares about other people’s opinions? Why give a fuck what some aunt or cousin or neighbor has to say? Doesn’t fucking matter.”
“Then what are we doing here? If you don’t care, why all the shenanigans with Mae?”
“Unfinished business.” He juts his chin out.
“She doesn’t owe you anything. Didn’t when you were teenagers and doesn’t now. Is that all this was? Getting her into bed? What happened to becoming a decent man?”
“I wanted to try another tactic. Turns out I do better with women when I’m an asshole. Although, I think Mae talking me up helped push Twyla in my direction. I should thank her, and I guess you, too.” He moves to step around me, but I shift to block him.
“I’m not done yet. Did you hint to Mae I went to rehab? For what? To make yourself look better? Low, even for you.”
“Come on, Mr. CEO. Didn’t you learn this in business that sometimes to make yourself seem better, you had to knock down your competition in the eyes of your targets?” His smile is smug and unrepentant.
“Only if you don’t believe in your own product. Otherwise, it’s better to focus on the positive.” Little Shit isn’t going to turn this back on me.
“I think we’ve been in here long enough. Let’s go outside, go to the concert, and enjoy the rest of the night.” His smooth tone reminds me of the snake in The Jungle Book.
“Fuck off,” I spit.
“You don’t want me to tell Mae how it was your words in the text and how you were willing to deceive her into thinking I’m a good guy. Might ruin your own shot to fuck her.”
I don’t punch him, but I do shove him into the wall. “Leave her out of it.”
“Happy to. You don’t tell anyone about Twyla, I keep your secret. Sounds like a fair deal, don’t you think?” He pushes my arm away and stands, smoothing out the creases in his shirt.
I don’t know how Mae’s going to react when she finds out. All I know is I want her to hear it from me—not Landon’s version.
Shuttle vans and golf carts are waiting for us outside of the entrance to drive us up the slope t
o the stage. Mae waits with her parents in the lobby.
Her concerned eyes scan my face. “Everything okay? You two were gone a long time. The gang left a few minutes ago to save us a spot.”
“Having a brotherly chat, catching up on life.” Landon grins at the Londons. “Ready for some Lionel Ritchie?”
Mae’s mother claps her hands and bounces on her toes. “Can’t wait.”
Who knew Margaret was a super fan? And who knew Mr. Ritchie would play a wedding rehearsal dinner? I guess anything is possible with the right amount of money.
Acting as if nothing happened, Landon commandeers one of the carts and has Mae sit up front with him. Her parents take the middle row, and I hop on the back, facing away from the rest. I’m not sure I could stomach having to look at my brother’s face right now.
The night air is cool, hinting at future snows. Mae and her mother both have wraps around their shoulders and blankets tucked around their legs.
We’re among the last to arrive and the band is already warming up on stage when we locate the rest of Mae’s friends. I spread out another blanket and sit next to Lee, away from the main group. Mae gives me a funny look before claiming a spot near Zoe. Of course, LS sits right next to Mae after giving me a shit-eating grin.
People scream and shout when they hear the opening notes of “All Night Long.”
“Nothing against Lionel, but anyone else think this is a little weird?” Lee asks the group.
“I heard a woman, who might be Mrs. Tierney, telling her friend the whole family are huge fans. This is their gift to Topher,” Justin explains, leaning around Zoe.
“This is a thing with wealthy people?” Zoe asks him, and then turns to Sage. “Private concerts? Because if it is, I’d like to put in a request for Ed Sheeran.”
Sage rolls her eyes while Justin laughs and tugs Zoe against his side. “Duly noted, sweetheart.”
Observing the group and how Mae’s surrounded by couples, I wonder how much that influenced her decision to agree to the date with Landon. It’s clear from her body language she wants nothing to do with him. That’s a relief.
Closer to the stage, a few couples dance or sway to the music. The small crowd cheers when the bride and groom start dancing to “Hello.”
I’ve never really listened to the lyrics, but in this moment, watching Landon watch Twyla, they seem bizarrely appropriate.
Lionel Ritchie is singing the soundtrack to our lives.
After their dance, Twyla and Topher weave through the crowd, stopping to say hello and thank you to their guests.
Mae hugs her cousin and compliments her on her dress.
Topher shakes my hand and introduces himself.
“Thanks for letting me crash the dinner and this concert,” I tell him.
“You’re welcome.” He’s polite and stoic. The opposite of my brother.
“Landon, it’s good to see you.” Twyla turns her cheek for my brother to kiss.
He rests his hand on her shoulder, and after pressing his lips to her skin, whispers something in her ear. If I weren’t standing next to them, I would probably miss the blush that spreads across her cheeks and down her neck.
“I’m going to head back to my hotel room at the Jerome for some beauty rest. Have a wonderful time. Enjoy the rest of the concert.” Twyla smiles at us.
“You leaving, too, Topher?” Landon asks the groom.
Topher shakes his head. “No, I’ll be here until the bitter end. I’m escorting Twyla to the car.”
Strange phrasing to describe one of the best nights of his life.
“You don’t want to miss your special concert.” Landon pats Topher’s shoulder. “I’m leaving too. I’d be happy to make sure Twyla makes it to the car safely.”
“That’s nice of you.” Topher flashes a small fraction of a smile.
The little shit just made his move right in front of the groom. I don’t know if I should be impressed or outraged and decide on a combination of both.
“Aiden, can you make sure Mae gets home safely?” Landon grins at me like a shark. “Mae, you don’t mind, do you? I’ll pick you up for the wedding tomorrow afternoon.”
Not aware of the larger game being played, Mae’s shoulders relax with relief at his offer. “That’s fine with me if Aiden is okay with it.”
“Of course. It would be the gentlemanly thing to do.” I shoot daggers at Landon.
Ignoring me, he holds out his elbow for Twyla to take. “I’m always a gentleman. Good night, everyone.”
Sage makes a small gagging noise in her throat.
When Landon and Twyla leave, Topher returns to his friends and family near the stage.
Bile burns the back of my throat. “I think I’m going to call it a night, too. Mae, are you ready?”
She nods and stands, dragging the blanket wrapped around her shoulders with her. “Never been more ready.”
We say our goodbyes and walk toward the drop off area.
“Didn’t you say you were staying at the Viceroy?” she asks, wrapping her arm around my bicep.
Her warmth and proximity are a balm on the burn of my anger. “I do. Want me to invite you upstairs for a nightcap?”
“I thought you’d never ask.” She leans closer and kisses the corner of my jaw.
In the grand scheme of the lies and misdeeds of tonight, mine pale in comparison. Reassuring myself my actions were done from a place of good, I decide the truth can wait for another day.
Chapter 17
Mae
Aiden hops into a golf cart and I sit next to him. If a person could peel out while driving an electric cart, he’d be doing it right now. I want to think it’s because he’s eager to get me alone, but his jaw is ticking and tension bunches his shoulders.
As we slowly drive downhill to the Viceroy, I place my hand on the back of his neck and rub. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” he grits out between his teeth.
“Is it the thought of driving me home to Aspen? I can get a car. Or text Sage to pick me up after the concert.” I fumble in my small clutch to find my phone.
“Stop. It isn’t you.”
“Are you about to give me the ‘it isn’t you, it’s me’ speech?” My stomach drops. “I’m sorry for thinking you were an addict.”
His lips curve with a smile. “A kinky sex addict.”
My cheeks flush. “I can’t believe I shared that. For the record, I never fully explored what your kink might be.”
“Hmm. That’s something we might have to discover together.” His voice dips lower, becoming rougher, and turning my insides into melted marshmallows.
A soft moan escapes my mouth as I press my thighs together. This man will ruin me for all others, of this I am certain. Unlike—
“Did something happen in the bathroom when you went to find Landon?” I ask, unable to give up my quest for the truth.
“Sometimes, you’re too perceptive for your own good. Trust me, this isn’t about you.” He blows out a long exhale. “My brother is an asshole, and for reasons I can’t share right now, I’m unable to say more.”
His smile is apologetic and his eyes hold genuine regret.
“If I’m so perceptive, maybe you can give me a clue, and then if I figure out what’s going on without you telling me, you won’t be breaking your promise to Landon.”
He releases a weak chuckle. “If I ask you to let it go, at least for tonight, would you?”
“Pretend your brother doesn’t exist? Consider it done.” I grin at him. “Tell me, what was it like growing up an only child?”
This earns a genuine laugh from him as he swings the cart through the hotel entrance and then parks it.
“What floor is your room on?” I ask as we stroll through the lobby toward the elevator bank.
“I have an apartment here.” He stops in front of an open elevator marked ‘Residences.’
He slips a keycard from his suit pocket and presses it against the scanner before hitting the button for
the fifth floor. Not the penthouse level, but one floor below.
I practice keeping my face neutral as I stare ahead at the doors closing.
“Nice,” I finally manage to say when we exit into a tastefully decorated hallway.
“It’s only temporary until I can find the right place.” He leads the way to his door.
“Because you’re now a multi-millionaire several times over?” I fail to keep the excitement out of my voice.
“How do you know that?”
“I snuck into the bathroom earlier and found the article on Google.” I don’t bother to feel sheepish. “You’re not a slacker at all. You know what this makes you?”
He laughs, opening the door and allowing me to enter in front of him. Lights flicker to life in the stylish living room. “What am I?”
“You’re a poser. A fake. A fraud.” I lean against his kitchen island.
“I’m none of those things.” He stalks toward me, all strength and reserved power. “Just me. Same Aiden, only more myself than I’ve been in years.”
Anticipation makes my skin tingle with each step he takes closer to me. “I like this Aiden.”
Caging me against the island, he braces his arms close to my sides. “Good, because I like you, too.”
My breath quivers when I try to inhale deeply.
With a swift movement, he lifts me up to the counter. I gasp in surprise. Before I can say anything, his mouth crashes against my lips, and his tongue finds mine as he claims my mouth. Losing myself in the kiss, I roam my hands over his chest, shoving his suit jacket off of his shoulders and then undoing the buttons of his shirt. His hand cups and squeezes my breast through my jumpsuit, drawing out a soft moan from me when he rolls a nipple between his fingers.
I part my legs for him and he steps closer until his hips grind against mine. Through the thin fabric of his suit pants, the ridge of his hard cock rubs against my core. On instinct, I begin rocking against him, seeking the friction I crave.
His fingers skim over my sides as he murmurs against my lips, “How do you get out of this beautiful contraption?”
“Hidden zipper on the back.” I move to undo it myself, but his hand stops me.
Up to You Page 15
