I reached up and clasped his face in my hands, stroking him the way I’d imagined I wanted to. “Hello, handsome.”
My voice was nothing more than a whisper, and Jameson’s hands were growing bolder as he clutched me tighter.
He seemed a little surprised by my move, and I wondered if I’d done the right thing. Did he want more? Less? I didn’t know. But then he was leaning closer, his lips only an inch from mine. His breath skated across my cheek, and I closed my eyes as I shivered.
My hands ran through his hair of their own accord, pulling him closer. And then his lips were on mine.
Everything else around us ceased to exist. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew Lleyton was still there, watching this little show. But I didn’t care. I was burning up with desire like I’d never known. Silently praying that Jameson would never take his hands off me. That he would want more than what he said.
Lleyton cleared his throat, and the moment was gone.
Jameson pulled away reluctantly, brushing his thumb over my lips before meeting his brother’s gaze.
“That was a nice little display,” Lleyton said in an odd tone. “But there’s no need to perform on my account, Jameson. I have no desire to lose you twice.”
I tried to make sense of his words, but I couldn’t. After another moment of silence on Jameson’s part, his brother just stood up and walked out of the room. I was left with a pensive fake boyfriend, who seemed to have forgotten all about the kiss we shared. His body was tense, his eyes cold as they fell on my face.
“For future reference,” he snapped. “I want you to stay the hell away from my brother.”
I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. It was just as well because he turned and left me sitting there alone anyway.
Chapter Nine
Jameson was up and out of the room before I even woke the next morning.
I took my time getting ready, trying to remember my role as I slipped into another sexy dress and heels. It was ridiculous to be parading around like this twenty-four-seven, but this was what Jameson wanted. I did my makeup just like Franco had shown me and spent extra time on my hair before wandering downstairs.
To my surprise, none of the men were anywhere in sight. I found Julia and her daughters in the kitchen, chatting over coffee.
“Good morning.” Julia pulled me in for a hug as soon as I came into the room.
It was warm and genuine, and for a moment I remembered the way my aunt used to hug me.
“Where’s Jameson?” I asked, tugging on the hem of my dress. It was too short, and I felt way underdressed.
“Oh, his father took him and Lleyton to the office to discuss some business,” she explained. “They’ll be gone for the day.”
“Yes,” Lily cut in. “Which means he’ll be coming back extra crabby tonight. So you better make him a damn good cookie.”
“Sorry?” I blinked in confusion? “A cookie?”
“She could just give him some nookie.” Amelia laughed. “I’m sure that’s the only way to calm someone as high strung as Jameson.”
“Ugh, I do not want to know these things about my brother,” Lacey grumbled.
“Just ignore them.” Julie grinned, gesturing to a stool by the island. “I tried to raise them to be ladies, but I got a bunch of dirty talking debutants instead.”
I grinned as I watched her pour me a cup of coffee and set a muffin in front of me before she pulled it away.
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” she said. “You’re probably one of those low-carbers, aren’t you?”
“No.” I laughed. “Definitely not.”
“Oh thank God,” Lily said. “I could not handle another one of those.”
“Jameson,” Amelia whined in a nasally voice. “There are like sixteen carbs in that cheese, do you seriously expect me to eat it?”
They all laughed before Julia scolded them, and I was beginning to realize exactly why they weren’t so welcoming to Jameson’s girlfriends.
“I’m sorry,” Lily explained. “Please don’t feel like we’re laughing at your expense, Harper. You are such a nice change of pace, believe me. We are thrilled to have you here.”