He tipped his head as he ran a hand over his thick hair. He was a bit full of himself, but I couldn’t say it was a bad look. His confidence was partly what got to me that night. I wanted every bit of it, and I still did, sitting there talking to him only inches away. I could smell that same cologne from the other night, and from the wedding. God, was it intoxicating! “You and I are stepsiblings. I know it’s taboo, but it isn’t illegal.”
I rolled my eyes. “Well, that depends on where you live.”
He stared back at me arrogantly. “Right. In some places, it’s probably encouraged.”
I couldn’t win with him. I faced forward with a sigh, and I pulled out my phone to text Laci, my friend and co-worker. I hadn’t seen her as much lately with the wedding taking up my time and all. Still, I knew I could count on her to give me advice when I most needed it. As soon as I started to text Laci, I felt Damien watching me from over my shoulder. I shut off the phone screen and shot around to catch him.
“Can’t you do something somewhere else?”
“Oh, but the view here is great,” he teased. Don’t look at the dimples.
I shook my head, then got up and went down a few seats. Thankfully, he just sat there and watched me from afar. I don’t know how I got his full attention so easily, but I must admit, not enjoying it would have been a crime. A man as hot and sexy as Damien giving me every second of his gaze felt incredible.
“Can I stay here and watch you?” he asked as he set his chin on his extended arm.
It was like he was reading my mind. “It’s fine.”
Damien chuckled, but he didn’t budge. Those deep blue eyes kept steady over me as I texted Laci. After a few exchanges, notably paragraphs long, of course, I had spilled it all. I felt so embarrassed for everything, but Laci was amused.
This trip is turning into a nightmare, I sent. A moment later, she came back with a crying, laughing emoji.
Already spoiled, huh?
Spoiled? Why, because I didn’t want to go to Hawaii with my new stepbrother because he had fingered me at a bar? Sheesh, I did sound spoiled. I was complaining about a luxury trip while awaiting our second flight out of the continental United States. I was even more embarrassed. I’d never act so entitled if my dad were here. In fact, I’d probably never have met Damien. Although, if I did, we would have actually hooked up. Many times.
As I thought about this, my eyes trailed upward to find Sir Dimples staring over at me.
“Yes?”
“You look like you need a back rub.”
“A what?”
“Foot massage?”
I let out a sigh, smiling at his attempts.
“No thanks. I’m just texting a friend.”
“And?” he asked, tilting his head as he awaited my answer. No cheap grin, just patience. Seriously, how could he be so gorgeous and caring? Men like him didn’t exist in the real world, not unless they were up to something.
I put my phone down even though it had just vibrated with a new message from Laci. “And she and I are seeing things differently.”
Damien nodded. He sat up and adjusted in his seat, then he looked out the enormous window where a few planes were circling. “Wanna talk about it?” He waited a breath before looking my way.
Not really.
I gave him a smile, then lowered my head.
He nodded back at me, then shifted forward again.
I could talk to him, sure. I could also ask him to meet me in the bathroom before the plane boarded. Focus, girl.
“So, Dax and Daniel?”
Damien looked at me. “They took the morning flight.”
“Oh.” I glanced down and finally read over Laci’s text.
These guys are nothing. You can handle them.
Right. I could. Dax and his sweet and kind eyes. Daniel and that distant mind of his always out of reach. And Damien. That charming grin popping up randomly like he could read my thoughts. I could handle it.
The overhead speaker announced our plane was boarding. My mom and Danforth got up, then I did. Damien glanced at me over his shoulder, winking as he pursed his lips. Right. I was handling him so well.
5
PARVATI
I was so glad to be back on solid earth by the time we landed. It was one of those kiss the ground moments, even if I didn’t actually kiss the ground.
We arrived in Hawaii late in the evening, and my mom was quick to make a point of how tired she was.
“Ohh, I cannot wait to get to the hotel and unwind.” She looked up at Danforth with a loving smile, and it made me feel good knowing that she was truly happy.