“Stay here,” he offers, placing his warm palms on my exposed thighs. I shiver. He releases and places his hands on either side of my legs on the leather. “This room is free, and you’ll be able to work more.”
I open my mouth to respond, then close it when I realize I can’t trust my words or my body around him. “There she is,” booms a voice from across the room.
Jesse responds immediately, stepping away from me, and angling his body toward the man who just entered the room. “My brother, Jesse, it’s been too long,” he says. “And you, you must be Melissa.” I was right. About all of it. I swallow hard, let my gaze slide past Jesse and land on the magnificent man behind him. If Jesse is dark, sexy, and mysterious, the other man is fucking sunshine incarnate. A megawatt personality wrapped in a perfect package. I read his face like a book.
I extend a hand, unsure how to greet him. “I’m very pleased to meet you.” I use the soft voice, the submissive one Johns like. It gives them an illusion of control, a tiny seed of compliance I can plant that gives me the upper hand. “I’m Melissa.”
“I’m Riley,” the man says, flashing a perfect, white smile. I notice it then, how Jesse slouches in his presence, how Riley commands the room immediately. Even if it’s just the two of us, he holds that magical quality few humans have. He takes my hand and kisses it. “Jesse has told me so much about you. I’m glad you could help us out tonight.”
He steps up to join the conversation then. “I just offered her the room,” Jesse says, but he says it like he’s asking permission. Riley’s gaze darts to Jesse and I see indecision light his face.
“Okay, then. If you’re sure. I’m sure,” Riley says, gaze lingering on my body.
“I don’t know yet,” I blurt, and I can tell it’s a mistake by the way the men look at each other. A lingering stare off where they’re trying to communicate wordlessly.
“I was just going to get her started in the kitchen,” Jesse says, wrapping a possessive hand around my waist. “We’ll talk after I introduce her to the staff.”
Riley’s smile falls as he watches Jesse’s hand tighten on my body. “I look forward to it.”
Jesse guides me through his bedroom and out into the transformed space. “What the fuck is going on, and who the hell was that?” My whisper is rushed and violent.
He spins me around to face him in a quiet corner near the kitchen. “I was told once that for a star to be born, destruction must take place. You cannot dwell on the destruction; you cannot grieve what you’re losing. This isn’t the end, Drew,” Jesse utters, lips barely brushing my ear. “This is your birth.”
He pauses for what seems like eternity. “That man in there is responsible formybirth.”
Chapter Five
Drew
I’m holding a full tray of champagne flutes when a woman approaches me. I assume she’ll pluck a glass and wander away like everyone else has been doing, but she holds eye contact. Great, I think. The waitstaff told me not to speak unless asked a direct question, and even then, merely answer it with as few words as possible.
“Where is Mr. Astor?” Her voice is sing song. It sounds fake.
This is an easy one. I nod my head toward Jesse who is standing in front of a piece of art surrounded by well-dressed people.
“No, not him,” she says. “The other one. His brother.”
Brother?
There’s no way Riley and Jesse are brothers. There’s nothing similar about them, nothing that screams family ties or sibling love. Then again, there’s never been anything about me that’s tied me with my relatives. When I don’t respond quickly enough, the woman adds, “Riley Astor. Have you seen him?” Her gaze leaves mine only so she can grab a flute from my tray. I hold it steady with my free hand.
“I believe he’s in the back, near the larger artwork,” I reply, tone monotone, yet pleasing. I nod my head to excuse myself, and head toward a group of folks who have almost empty glasses in their hands. My smile is wide as I approach, and they exchange their glasses for full ones. These are the beautiful people—the ones in magazines, and even though I’m an employee and I’m working, I feel like I fit in. No one looks the other way when I approach, and I’m greeted warmly and openly. I will gladly ensconce myself in this society when presented with my past jobs. Even as I balance the tray, I keep my gaze trained on the woman searching for Riley. She’s found him and they are deep in conversation, with only eyes for each other. Returning to the kitchen area, I set the tray down and swap out the glasses for the full ones the back bar is pouring.
“Have you worked an event here before?” I ask, keeping my gaze anywhere but at the person I’m talking to. The last thing I want is to be labeled unprofessional when I’ve been given this opportunity. “Anything else with the Astors?”
“Yes, all the time,” the guys says as he pours, and something in his voice causes me to meet his eyes. “They always run things like this. Highly organized, same circle, easy money.”
“They’re brothers?” I ask, feigning stupidity. “They look nothing alike.”
“One is adopted or something. I’m not sure, but they are definitely… in business together.” I’m so busy starting at Riley that I don’t see Jesse looking at me until it’s too late. Our gazes catch and hold. He licks his lips and the sight of him makes my knees weak.
“In business, you mean like art business?” I’m desperate for answers, and even though he’s watching my every move, I have to get what I can before another insane occurrence happens.
He chuckles under his breath, finishing the last few pours. “I suspect other business as well, but yeah, for tonight’s purposes, it’s art business.” Cryptic.
“Am I safe here? Answer yes or no.” Even though I’ve broken Jesse’s lethal stare, I feel him from across the room. The man is a complete sensation.
“It depends on how intertwined you are in their lives,” he replies quietly, as he puts the filled flutes back on my tray. He pauses to gauge my response and at my expression he amends, “I’ve never seen them hurt anyone.” I know he means physically, but after what Jesse’s put me through, I know the dirty emotional warfare they exact to obtain what they want.