Chapter 326
Fuck, is she fine…
“Hmm. Then I’m glad you’re not alone out here.”
“Do you know her?” she asks curiously, now turning towards me. Her knee brushes mine and I try not to focus on it.
“I’ve met her,” I say.
We both know her, but I don’t plan to be the one to break that news to her.
She narrows her eyes, suspicion clouding them.
“Who is she?”
“It isn’t my place to tell, but if you want to know, I can tell you,” I say quietly, wondering if I shouldn’t have mentioned it.
She hesitates before a small devious smile that looks just like Xander’s crosses her lips. Now I know where he gets it from.
“Tell me. I promise I won’t tell anyone,” she says, leaning closer.
I move forward, picking up the first glass of wine and holding it out to her, she takes it and I pick up the second one as I sit back.
“Well, you know her.”
“I do… Who?” she asks, watching as I take a gulp of my wine.
It’s my favourite…
“Shelby.”
Her eyes widen, her smile vanishing as she gasps, her mouth parting. “Atticus’s Mom?!” she exclaims.
“Yup, so, if they ever get married, you two get to become step–siblings,” I smirk arrogantly.
She rolls her eyes at me, but she’s still digesting the news.
“So… Dad and Shelby Payne… whoa…” she exhales, placing her hand on my thigh as she turns to the fire, staring into it. Pleasure rushes through me and straight to my fucking cock as she keeps her hand there, clearly not realising the effect she’s having on me, and I can feel myself hardening. Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.
Fuck. Not now, please.
Focus on anything but how good this feels, Sebastian.
“Yeah, well, I’m surprised Atticus hasn’t told you,” I remark.
I’m not sure how their relationship is now, and although I acknowledge he’s done a lot for her, I also can’t deny that I am jealous of their relationship, even though I know Zaia has never considered him more than a friend. Guess he just doesn’t cut it for her.
I smirk at that, but it vanishes when she removes her hand and begins playing with a strand of her hair subconsciously. Does she realise how fucking sexy she looks doing that, a sexy pout on those kissable lips of hers.
“No, I haven’t really talked to Atticus in a couple of weeks.”
“That’s surprising,” I remark, trying not to show any emotion.
She looks up, letting go of her hair and tilts her head, observing me. “Is it? Why?”
“You two are close, right?”
“We are. But we don’t talk that much. He is and always will remain a good friend, but…” she sighs.
“But? He still has feelings for you?” I ask, unable to stop myself.
She looks back at the fire and leans back against the sofa, her head touching my arm a little and I don’t move, not wanting her to realise.
“I don’t know, but he knows I don’t feel that way and over the years he’s accepted that. I’ve just made sure there’s distance between us to help him… I guess.”
Her words resonate in my head, but despite the years… even I have not been able to let her go…
“You won’t make fun of him?” she asks, arching one of her perfect brows.
I look over at her and shake my head. “No. Because I know how it feels loving you … I don’t blame him for not being able to let go of his emotions.” My words are quiet, and the pounding of her heartbeat is loud in the silence.
I know I never will get over her and I’m fine with that, even if it means loving her from afar…
She’s silent this time, her hair curtaining her face, and I sit forward to see her face, resisting the urge to brush her hair back.