“Should I go?” Winter directed her question at my dad, but it was me she was really asking. My dad and I both nodded, and she slipped out of the room. I watched her go, admiring her sexy ass swaying in her tight jeans as she disappeared, then turned back to my dad to find him studying me with a frown.
“While I can’t say I miss the days of blatant hostility between the two of you, I’m not sure I like the way you were looking at Winter just then, Caiden. Please try to remember, she’s your stepsister and not one of your bimbos. Anything you say or do reflects on myself and your stepmother.” He levelled me with a severe look. “Need I remind you, I’m in the process of negotiating a huge contract for Alstone Holdings, and we can’t afford even a whiff of scandal.”
I rolled my eyes. “I know. You remind me every fucking time I speak to you.”
“Language.” His sharp tone reprimanded me.
“Sorry.” I made an effort to calm down, leaning back in the seat, trying to appear relaxed. “How are the negotiations coming on, anyway?”
The frown left his face, replaced with an almost pleased look, and he placed his tablet down, giving me his full attention. “They’re going well. After the Christmas break, I’m confident we should be able to wrap things up fairly quickly, all being well. By the end of January, at the very latest, I’d say. The De Witts are responding favourably to our negotiations, and as long as all goes to plan, this deal will mean we’ll not only be able to expand internationally, but we’ll be able to source high quality construction materials directly from the De Witts estates in the Netherlands, which will mean a huge decrease in the costs that eat into our profit margins.”
“Great. Let me know if there’s anything I can help with,” I said, mostly to be polite. Then added, “But no more setting me up on dates with Jessa De Witt, whatever you do.”
He smirked at me, the bastard. “Not a fan? I seem to remember you being all over each other last summer.”
“That was before.”
“Before what?”
Before Winter came along and showed me what it was to care about a girl as more than just another hole to fuck. “Before I realised how fu—how irritating she is.”
He chuckled, shaking his head and picking up his tablet. “Keep that opinion to yourself, but I can’t say I’m surprised. The De Witts aren’t my favourite people, but we’ve got to keep them sweet for now. I’ll do my best to keep you apart, but if you could at least stay civil—that would be appreciated. I’m sure her father has told her the same. This deal will benefit us all greatly.”
I wondered what he’d think if he knew my girl had come after Jessa, pulling her hair and practically spitting fire. Best keep that little piece of information quiet. I smiled to myself. I fucking loved Snowflake’s jealous moments. It reminded me she cared—not that I encouraged the attention, but hey, I couldn’t help who I was. And she knew I wasn’t interested in any other women. How could I be, when she owned every part of me?
“Yeah, I’ll stay civil. Don’t worry, Dad, I won’t purposely fuck things up for you.”
“Language,” he reminded me, and then he looked at me. Really looked at me, like he was seeing me for the first time. “You’ve…grown up lately, son. Ever since Winter came into our lives, you and Weston are getting on better, and I’m actually seeing you more frequently than a five-minute visit every couple of months. I’m proud of you.”
I stared at him, momentarily shocked into silence, then said the first sentence that flew into my head. “It wasn’t that infrequent,” I muttered. “But thanks.”
We looked at each other a bit awkwardly for a minute. This wasn’t us; we didn’t talk like this. In fact, I couldn’t remember him ever telling me he was proud of me before. Maybe when I was a kid, but not that I could remember. That was always do
wn to my mum. She was the one who encouraged me and showed me love.
Fuck. Would the pain of losing her ever go away?
Before I could let my thoughts go down a really dark fucking path, I stood, crossing to the silver tray that held the whiskey. “Drink?”
Of course, with the arrival of Christine, things inevitably went downhill. Snowflake came strolling in with her, chatting easily about fabrics or some shit, playing her part well, and maybe it was the fact we couldn’t show that we were together, but all I wanted to do was get her home and bury my dick inside her. She was so fucking gorgeous, but so unaware of it, or of the effect she had on me. Except for the times I was grinding my hard-on into her. I laughed to myself, and she raised a brow at me, amused, which in turn made me laugh more. What the fuck was I doing, sitting here laughing to myself like some lunatic? It wasn’t even funny.
I rolled my eyes at myself internally and focused back on the present. “Did you manage to sort the problem with Winter’s car?” I turned to my brother, who had finally reappeared and was lounging on the sofa next to me, legs kicked up on the coffee table.
He nodded, all casual. “Yeah. There were two small problems, but I sorted them both. Easy job.”
Good.
“Nice one, bro.” I held up my whiskey, and he clinked his Coke against my glass—he was driving us home, so no drinking for him. Me, even the slightest contact with Christine drove me to drink.
“Not just a pretty face, am I?” He grinned, clearly proud of himself. As he fucking should be. My brother, the genius.
“Yeah, you’re alright for some things.” I elbowed him and he elbowed me back, laughing, like we used to do as kids. When was the last time I’d felt this relaxed in my childhood home? Even Christine couldn’t ruin it.
Spoke too soon.
“Caiden, I thought I asked you to dress more appropriately for your visits here.” She looked over me, her haughty, disdainful gaze making me want to punch something. Clenching and unclenching my fists, I caught Winter’s eye. Her gaze, imploring me not to make a scene, was the only thing that kept my temper in check.
I spoke through gritted teeth. “That was for meals. This is a casual get-together.”