CHAPTER7
LOUISA
This is an interesting situation I never saw coming. Alone with what could be my cousin and yet somehow, I wish things were very different.
Not because I don’t like Flynn, hell I don’t even know him, but what I’ve seen so far is favorable.
No, it’s the feeling deep inside when he looks at me with those sexy, dangerous eyes. No man has ever looked at me like that and it’s just my luck that I’m related to the first one who does.
Vivian and my father leave the room and it’s a little awkward for all of a second.
I’m surprised when Flynn flashes me a blinding smile that puts me at ease immediately.
“Sorry you’ve got to babysit. I’ll try to make it a painless experience.”
“It’s fine, really.”
I regard him with interest, but not enough to make it obvious and laugh a little awkwardly.
“So, the guided tour. I’m guessing you’re here to stay for a while, so you’ll need the extended one.”
He looks a little sad and I wonder if I’ve said anything wrong and he sighs. “I hope I can stay, but well, I have a life in LA that’s calling me back.”
He holds up his phone and shows me the number of notifications on the screen, and he sighs. “I can ignore them to a point before it gets more difficult.”
“Tell me about your life, Flynn.” I say impulsively and he replies wearily, “You wouldn’t want to know.”
“You’re wrong.”
He raises his eyes and I smile shyly. “I would. I mean, what do you do for a job? Have you a family now, a girl perhaps?”
I color up as I say it and hate how transparent I am, and he smiles with amusement. “I have no one, Louisa. Just a group of friends who care, but nobody else.”
“That’s…”
“Sad.” He sighs. “It’s not good, but I have never known any different.”
I smile nervously and nod toward the door.
“Shall we start our tour?”
“After you.”
He stands to the side, and my heart flutters at the look in his eye. I’m guessing it’s because I’m inexperienced in these things and read more into it than there is, but I could swear he is flirting with me. It’s the lazy way he drags his eyes across my body, looking as if he approves of what he sees. I’ve never had that. Nobody ever gazes at me with interest, merely disbelief that I’m Sienna’s sister. Wishing like crazy I had worn something different, part of me is shouting at me, no screaming at me that this is one forbidden obsession because he is my cousin, for Christ’s sake.
Quickly, I remind us both and say a little hesitantly, “Do you know Massimo Delauren?”
“Not personally. Do you?”
“No, but I’ve heard of him.”
“He’s your uncle. I’m sure that you have.”
“It’s not good, I’m afraid.”
“It never is when his name is mentioned.”
“How does it feel knowing he’s…”