RICH BOY BRIT (A Bad Boy Stepbrother Romance)(47)

“Well, stop writing one,” the girl grinned. “For so long you have ignored him as I forced myself onto him, and now you expect me to sit back and miss all the gossip?”

“There is nothing to tell,” Claire said as she turned the water on.

“Really?” Amy said in disbelief.

“Okay, we have dinner plans later, if you must know.”

Amy squealed and clapped her hands. “So, are you going to wear the emerald he gave you?”

“I wasn’t planning on it,” Claire said.

“Can I see it?”

“Yes, if you’ll leave me in peace. It’s somewhere on the dresser,” she told Amy. A few seconds later Claire heard a scream and Amy rushing back into the bathroom. “Is this it?”

Claire pulled the shower curtain back and looked at the emerald. “The one and only. Please hand me a towel.”

Amy handed her a towel. “You should wear it tonight.”

Claire toweled herself off and stuck her head out of the shower curtain. “Really? Are you serious?”

“Yes. It’ll show him you’re interested.” Claire grunted and walked back to the room. Amy followed closely behind. “What are you wearing?”

“Have you always been this annoying?” Claire asked as she patted her hair dry.

“Have you always gone out with a billionaire? This isn’t your everyday occurrence.”

“I don’t about his money,” Claire said. “I don’t want anyone’s money.”

“Maybe, but you have to admit it’s nice to date a really rich guy,” Amy said.

“I don’t know. I haven’t dated one,” Claire replied.

“Anyway, when you do start dating him, you’ll be in his company and certain things will be expected of you,” Amy said.

“Certain things will be expected?” Claire asked. “What is that supposed to mean? Are you saying that because I am not a billionaire I don’t have proper social etiquette?”

“No, that’s not what I am saying,” Amy said quickly.

“Well, what are you saying? That I’m not good enough for him?”

“I never said that,” Amy said.

“Whatever we’re doing is just for a few more days. In a week, Chance will be nothing more than a distant memory.”

“I guess,” Amy said. “But try to be nice to him tonight.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“See you. I have a hunk of a man waiting for me in the lobby,” she smiled and started walking away before Claire could respond.

“You what?” Claire laughed as she tried to grab her. “And here you are drilling me about a man. Tell me more!”

“No news yet,” she said as she reached the door. “But I will fill you in later.”





Claire laughed when the door abruptly closed behind Amy. Her thoughts drifted back to the suggestion she had made earlier. What was she going to wear? She went to her suitcase and started rummaging inside until she found a white spaghetti strap dress that fell to her knees. It had a low neckline which allowed just enough of her breasts to be covered and just a hint of cleavage peeking out. She glanced at the black box, thinking of the emerald stone, but decided not to wear it; she didn’t want to send the wrong signals.

Time flew faster than Claire had imagined, and before she knew it, the sun was setting. Dinner was usually at seven, so she assumed Chance would be at her door by then. She readied herself in anticipation. And right before seven, she broke down and put on the necklace.

At exactly seven, she heard a knock at the door. She skipped a few steps, then paused as she tried to still her beating heart. She took a deep breath and opened the door to a rather dashing Chance on the other side. He was sporting a pair of soft, denim pants with a white shirt that had three buttons at the top opened to reveal a rope necklace that had what looked like a shell as a pendant. He looked handsome, and his smile completed his outfit.

When he saw her, he whistled. “I didn’t know emerald would look so good against hazel and white,” he grinned and held his arm out for her. She slipped her hand into the crook of his arm and pulled the door closed behind her.

“You don’t look so bad yourself,” she said to him. She wanted to add that he looked sexy and she was sort of happy to be hanging out with him, but that was mushier than she wanted to be.

“I had no idea I’d actually get the chance to be here with you,” he told her as they sat for dinner. “Especially after Amy told me about…him.”

“Let’s not talk about that,” she murmured, looking down.

“I’m sorry,” he told her. “But I want you to tell me about it whenever you feel you can talk.”

“There is nothing to say, really. We were together for over three years, we were supposed to get married, and the day before, I caught him cheating on me. The end.”

“I’m so sorry,” he said, looking into her eyes. “Okay, no more depressing talk. Let’s drink some wine and forget about everything bad.”

Claire smiled at his words, but her heart had been reminded of the hurt. But the evening refilled her happiness, and soon she was laughing at Chance’s stories about his adventures and misdeeds. She had never imagined she would enjoy herself so much in his company, but she did. By the end of dinner, she was completely comfortable with him, and she had even started fantasizing about him.