Tempt Thy Neighbor (Roommate Romps)

by Teagan Hunter

  “Oh, sorry.”

  She ducks back down, tugging on my dress, and I try very hard to stand as still as a statue.

  The night Dean guilted me into agreeing to go to the gala, he and River came up to my apartment so River could riffle through the many dresses I have from all my past events.

  I know my mother won’t be happy about me showing up in something I’ve worn before, but I don’t really care. I don’t belong to that world anymore. It doesn’t matter to me if I’m spotted wearing something old and out of season. I’ll let her deal with that fallout on her own.

  The gala is tomorrow, and we’re currently in River’s boutique where her friend and designer, who also happens to live in our building, is making last-minute adjustments for us.

  “I’m not looking forward to it either, but your brother is. So let’s suffer through it for him,” River says from her perch on the front counter. “Besides, I hear the booze is free at these things.”

  “They serve the cheap crap more often than not.”

  “Free is free,” Maya, River’s best friend, says beside her.

  “But if free booze doesn’t get you excited, maybe going on a date with your hot-as-hell roommate will.” River bounces her brows up and down.

  Caroline pokes out from under my dress. “You’re dating him? He is so hot!” Her cheeks flush. “I mean…he’s cute,” she mutters, looking sheepish.

  I laugh at her reaction. “We aren’t dating.”

  “But you’re definitely banging.”

  “River!” I scold.

  “What—is it a secret or something? Oops.”

  She doesn’t look the least bit sorry.

  “Are you really sleeping with him?” Caroline asks. “Because if you are, I am incredibly jealous.”

  “Um, why? I’ve seen your boyfriend. Cooper is delectable.”

  “He really is.” She smiles dreamily, and I know in that moment she forgets all about how hot Sutton is. She shakes her head. “But that’s not the point.”

  “Yeah, we wanna know if you’re banging or not,” Maya adds.

  I guess it’s my turn to blush.

  “Ha! I knew it!” River exclaims. “You two were awfully cozy at the diner that day, and I was fairly certain I spotted your panties tucked under his bed when I went to use the bathroom in your apartment.”

  “So you were snooping?”

  “No, not snooping. Just…noticing.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  She waves her hand. “Enough about that. Let’s talk all the details on you and Sutton.”

  I know she’s not going to let up, so I give in, going through a quick rundown of everything up until this point.

  When I’m finished, they’re all three just staring at me.

  “What?” I ask, beginning to feel uncomfortable under their watchful gazes.

  “You know you’ve been smiling the entire time you’ve been talking about him, right?”

  I have?

  I shrug. “That’s just because I’ve lost count of how many orgasms he’s given me.”

  Maya shakes her head. “No. It’s not that.”

  “Definitely not,” River agrees.

  “Though I’m sure that doesn’t hurt,” Caroline says.

  River tips her head to the side, her gaze sharpening on me. Then, she gives me a Cheshire-like grin.

  “How long have you been in love with him?”

  “What? I-I’m…I’m not!”

  They all exchange a glance, then burst out laughing.

  I glare at them while they crack up at my expense.

  The worst part? My denial sounded weak even to me.

  “I’m not in love with him,” I try again.

  Nope. Still weak.

  Caroline smiles warmly at me, then bends to finish my dress. “It’s okay if you are. We all found love where we weren’t expecting it either.”

  “I was not expecting to fall for your brother, that’s for damn sure.”

  “And I wasn’t looking to fall for my best friend,” Caroline says.

  Maya nods. “Yeah, and falling for the guy who is anti-kid when I’m a mom? So not part of the plan.”

  “But I’m not in love with him.”

  “It happens,” River says like I never spoke. “And it usually sneaks up on you out of nowhere too. I didn’t think I was in love with Dean until he moved back to his apartment and I was completely miserable without him.”

  “And I had no idea how deep my love for Cooper was until we took our friendship to the next level.”

  “With Nolan, I didn’t know until I realized how whole my life felt with him in it. Now it’s hard to believe he was ever not a part of it,” Maya says.

  “But I’m not…”

  The rebuttal never comes.

  I’m too stunned by the realization.

  “Here.” River produces a bottle of whiskey from under the counter and pours a healthy bit into my Diet Coke can. “We’ve seen that look before. You need a drink.”

  I happily accept the alcohol-laced soda and chug it back, because I think they might be right.

  And worst of all, I don’t think I’m falling in love with Sutton Barnes. I think I already have.

  “I can’t believe I’m doing this.”

  Dean gives me a pointed look. “For me. You’re doing it for me, your favorite older brother. And I love you for it.”

  He’s the only person I’m doing it for.

  I’m certainly not doing it for my parents or myself.

  “If it makes you feel any better,” Sutton says lowly in my ear as he slips my coat from my shoulders, “I know of a place we can sneak off to if we get too bored.”

  I stiffen with the reminder of how many times we’ve done that in the past and just what it led to.

  This time would be different, right? We’re different, aren’t we?

  The sudden urge to ask him slams into me, but I know now isn’t the time or place.

  So I swallow it down and force a calm and collected smile.

  He tips his chin down, not buying my grin. “You okay?”

  I force myself to smile wider. “Yeah. Just nerves.”

  “Worried about seeing your parents?”

  I nod because it’s true.

  I am worried about seeing them. Aside from a few quick texts to let them know I’m alive, I haven’t truly spoken to either of my parents since I quit Evans Inc., not to mention the words I’d like to have with my mother about trying to meddle with my dating life.

  I’m also nervous about being back here with Sutton, especially with how I feel about him now.

  “Will your parents be here?” I ask him.

  “I’m sure they will be. They never miss a chance to come to these things. Too many opportunities and too many pockets they want to get their hands in.”

  “Are you nervous? I’m sure after that big blowout, things are likely tense.”

  He shrugs. “I have to face them eventually.”

  “True.”

  The men drop our coats with the attendants, and I take a steadying breath.

  “You good?” River asks.

  I nod. “I’m okay. Just glad to have you here to drink with.”

  “Cheap booze and all?”

  “I plan to drink ’em dry.”

  She chuckles. “That’s my girl.”

  “My lady?” Dean says, holding his arm out to River.

  “Don’t even pretend you’re a gentleman.” She rolls her eyes, bypassing him and strutting into the room like she belongs there.

  Sutton’s hand finds the small of my back, and he guides me into the ballroom.

  The place is gorgeously decorated. Beautiful arrangements filled with pink, coral, and yellow blooms sit in the middle of every table, drawing your eye instantly. There are candles on the tables and the lights are dimmed to a muted yellow, giving the room a romantic feel. Soft music plays in the background as people talk and mingle.

  “Oh! The bar!” River says excitedly, tugg
ing Dean in that direction.

  He laughs. “Fine. One drink and then we find my parents.”

  “Boo!”

  “She is aware that it’s awful, cheap liquor, right?” Sutton asks as they walk away.

  “Free is free,” I explain. He wrinkles his nose in disgust. I laugh. “Come on, Mr. Too Good For Cheap Booze. Let’s go get drunk so we can survive this thing.”

  I grab the lapel of his jacket and drag him to the bar.

  Dean and River are grabbing their drinks as we approach.

  “Gotta go mingle,” Dean says. “Have fun.”

  River gives me a finger wave over her shoulder as my brother pulls her away.

  I lift my hand to the bartender, and he saunters my way with a flirty smile.

  “What can I get for you, gorgeous?”

  Sutton growls next to me, and I won’t deny that his jealousy presses all the right buttons.

  “Two shots of whiskey and two red wines, please.”

  The bartender nods once and walks off to retrieve our drinks.

  Sutton drops his mouth to my ear. “He wants to fuck you.” I shiver at his crass language. “And it’s because of this dress, you know. All the beautiful skin you’re showing off.”

  “I’ve worn this dress before.”

  “And like a fool, I didn’t notice you then,” he says.

  His fingers play against the exposed skin where my gown dips dangerously low in the back. He leans closer, and I can feel his breath on my neck.

  “He’s not the only one who wants you.”

  I turn my head toward him, our lips nearly brushing. “And he’s not the one I want to fuck.”

  Sutton’s eyes darken with my words. With a gulp, he takes a step back before either one of us does something crazy in a room full of people.

  The bartender delivers our shots, and we down them. For nearly forty-five minutes, we exist in our own little bubble, laughing and sharing stories about the people we spot in the crowd.

  Then, the bubble bursts.

  “Fuck,” Sutton mutters, and I look out to where he’s staring.

  His father is stalking through the ballroom, heading directly for us.

  Instead of waiting for him to approach, Sutton meets him halfway. Not wanting to leave him to deal with this on his own, I follow closely behind.

  “Hey, Dad,” he says casually.

  “Don’t give me that bullshit. What the fuck are you doing here?” His father’s voice is low and dangerous as he sneers at his son.

  I have to give Sutton credit for the smile that fills his face. It almost looks sincere and not sarcastic.

  “Donating money to low-income schools. I assume you’re here to steal donors from them?”

  “You don’t belong here anymore. You’re no longer part of this world. You’re not welcome.”

  “Trust me, I don’t want to be here any more than you want me here, but I’m here as a favor to a friend.”

  His father’s eyes flit over Sutton’s shoulder, colliding with mine, and his lip curls in disgust.

  “Oh, I see you’re back to fucking the trash, aren’t you?”

  My stomach drops at his comment, shocked by his cruelty.

  I might not be from money like his family, but I never suspected they see me as trash.

  I am not expecting what happens next.

  Sutton’s fists curl into his father’s jacket and he tugs him close, bringing their noses so close they’re nearly touching. His father’s eyes widen with surprise, and they dart around the room at the growing crowd.

  “Shut your fucking mouth about her,” Sutton seethes. “Or I’ll shut it for you.”

  “Are you going to hit me, son? Like you hit your brother?” He shakes his head. “Guess some things never change. Once an embarrassment to this family, always one.”

  Sutton laughs darkly. “My brother is a piece of shit just like you are. He deserved that punch, and if I were to hit you, you’d deserve it too. I am fucking done with you treating me like a pawn in your games because I wasn’t born first. You walk around like you’re some fucking king when all you are is a bully. And you know what? I’m done trying to win your approval. I don’t need it, and I don’t need you.”

  My heart swells with pride.

  He’s exactly right. Sutton doesn’t need his family. He’s strong on his own.

  His father stumbles back as Sutton releases him.

  Eyes wide, Reginald straightens his jacket and juts his chin out.

  “You need to leave, boy. Before I call security and have you removed.”

  “Like I’d want to stay.”

  He grabs my hand and pulls me through the crowd. I don’t dare try to pull away.

  We’re nearly to the exit when I hear someone call my name.

  “Holland!”

  I turn to find my parents standing just a few feet away.

  My father’s face is pinched in disapproval, and my mother looks like she’s about to explode.

  “What the hell was all that about, young lady? We invite you here to make amends and this is what you do? Cause a scene? Embarrassing your father like this? And in a dress from three seasons ago?”

  I open my mouth to tell her just what is on my mind, but before I can say anything, Sutton moves in front of me.

  “With all due respect, Mrs. Evans, piss off.”

  “Sutton!”

  He ignores me and levels my father with a heated stare. “While we’re on the subject of shitty parenting, you, sir, are an ass. Your daughter loves you and admires you so damn much, and all you do is treat her like she’s your slave. She told you she wanted something more out of her life than being at your beck and call, and you—what? Tell her she’s going to fail at every turn? Just because you’re afraid she’ll find something better without you?” He shakes his head. “It’s sad you didn’t give her the chance to thrive at your company, because she’s brilliant at what she does. She’s smart and innovative, and if you had just listened to your daughter for one damn minute instead of bossing her around, you’d have seen how incredibly talented she is.”

  For the second time tonight, I’m stunned into silence.

  My eyes find my father’s, and to my surprise, he isn’t upset by Sutton’s words. If anything, he looks pained, like he’s finally beginning to understand for the first time.

  “Holland, are you just going to let him talk to your father that way?” My mother lifts her chin into the air, peering down her nose at me.

  “Yes, because it’s true. And it’s everything I’ve been wanting to say for years.”

  “Holland! I am so incredibly disappointed in your behavior. This is completely unacceptable. This—”

  “No, Mom. What’s unacceptable is you trying to marry me off to the richest man in the room four years ago, lying and scheming behind my back.”

  “I…I…I was trying to do what was best for you.”

  “No. You were trying to do what was best for you and your image. You didn’t care what I wanted. You’re done sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong.”

  I grab Sutton’s hand, more than ready to leave.

  “Are…are you two together?” my mother asks, eyes lit with excitement like I didn’t just say anything to her.

  “With all due respect, Mom, piss off.” I repeat Sutton’s words to her, turning for the exit.

  We barely make it ten feet before my father calls out to me.

  “Wait,” he pleads.

  I turn back. “Dad, I really don’t have it in me to do this tonight. I—”

  My words are cut off when he pulls me into an embrace.

  “I’m sorry, Holland. I’m so sorry.”

  Tears spring to my eyes and I sink into him, hugging him back, missing his warmth. “Thank you.”

  He pulls away, wiping a tear from his eye, and clears his throat. “We’ll, uh, we’ll talk later, okay?”

  I nod because it’s all I can manage.

  He bends toward me. “He’s a good man.�
� His eyes drift to Sutton, then back to me. “Don’t let that one go.”

  I don’t want to.

  He gives me a small smile before returning to my scowling mother.

  Sutton tugs on my hand, pulling me from the room.

  When we reach the coat check, he gives the attendant our stubs and we wait.

  “You okay?” he asks when we’re alone.

  “No. Are you?”

  “No.”

  I smile and step into him, pressing my body against his. “You know what will make me feel better?”

  Lust lights his eyes, and he reaches into his pocket. He pulls out his wallet and grabs a handful of bills, then thrusts them at the attendant.

  “Give us the room for thirty minutes.”

  I laugh as he tugs me into the coat closet and more than makes up for the last time we were in here.

  16

  Sutton

  I should be elated.

  Should be walking around happy as a damn clam.

  I finally told my father to fuck off.

  Sure, my mother has been blowing up my phone nonstop for days, but I don’t care. I fucking did it.

  And on one hand, I feel like this noose that’s been wrapped around my neck for so many years has finally been loosened and I can breathe again.

  On the other, there’s this unexplainable weight sitting on my chest. It feels like something bad is going to happen, and I just can’t put my finger on what that something is.

  It’s been lingering for nearly a week now, ever since the night of the gala. We slipped away into the coat closet, and it felt as if everything that had been wrong in my life for the last four years was fixed.

  I was done with my family. I was done being a pawn in their game. And I had Holland back in my arms.

  I thought at first the weight was because I was waiting for Holland to come to her senses and be pissed at me for the way I spoke to her parents, but she’s not mad at all. In fact, I think she likes me even more for telling them everything she couldn’t bring herself to say.

  “Sutton?” Jessa calls my name, pulling me from my thoughts.

  I glance up at her from my computer screen that I’ve been staring at for the last five minutes. Just a blank cursor staring back at me.

  Tick.

  Tick.