Blackbird (A Stepbrother Romance #1)(22)

“Victor,” Karen said, dryly. “Shirt.”

He looked down. “What? It’s hot outside.”

“I’m not amused,” My father said, in an acid tone.

“It’s not your house.”

“Victor,” Karen snapped. “Get dressed.”

“Right, right. High tea with the Queen.” He shot a look at my father.

Then he looked at me. It was like he’d only just noticed me. I expected him to look at me like some particularly curious and unwelcome species of insect, but he actually flinched when she set eyes on me.

Then he walked over.

“Well, hello,” he said, smoothing his hair back with one hand while holding out the other.

“Victor!” his mother snapped.

“Aren’t you going to introduce me?”

“Stop being such a barbarian.”

He sighed.

“I’m Eve,” I blurted out.

He looked at me without missing a beat. “So where’s Adam?”

I should have said something, but all of a sudden my throat turned to sand. Everyone was looking at me.

Especially Victor. Especially.

“Get dressed,” his mother growled.

“Fine,” he sighed. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

He stopped halfway up the staircase, as Karen led us through the house.

“Hey, Eve!” he called.

“Yes?”

Father eyed me, his eyes like chips of cold blue stone.

“Want to go for a ride with me later?”

“A ride in what-“

“No,” Father said, sharply. “She does not.”

“I didn’t ask you.”

“Victor,” his mother said, in a warning tone.

I heard his feet ascend the staircase as Karen led us through the house, towards the rear grounds. The terrace was bigger than a tennis court, a broad expanse of stone covered by a roof held up by heavy columns. There were four places set at a table, and despite the May heat there was a nice breeze blowing under the shadowy roof. It made me shiver as it raked across my shoulders. Father pulled out my chair for me. Victor did not appear, even after a servant brought tea sandwiches. Father chatted with Karen. I answered questions here or there when she asked me, but didn’t dare interject. She kept eyeing me as I nibbled a very tasty tuna salad sandwich.

“May I be excused for a moment? I need to freshen up.”

Karen smiled at me. “You don’t need to be so formal, Eve. Sure, go ahead inside. If you see Victor tell him I said to get his butt out here.”

Father shot me a look. I’m sure he appeared innocent enough to Karen but it made me flinch. In no terms was I to repeat what she said in those exact words.

I quickly headed inside, slowing when I realized I had no idea where to find a powder room or guest bathroom or something like that. I thought I knew where the kitchen was. I could ask a member of the staff.

I turned the corner and almost walked into Victor. I skidded to a stop and stumbled, and rough hands closed around my arms. He steadied me, and quickly drew his hands away. It felt like my skin was burning where he touched me, and I knew I was as red as a beet.

“Oh. H-hello,” I chirped.

“You okay?” he said, raising one eyebrow. “You look lost.”

“I need to freshen up,” I said.

He laughed. “You need to what? Seriously? You can drop that, there’s nobody here but us.”

I blinked a few times and looked away from him.

“I’m sorry.”

I felt odd when he looked at me. He leaned on the wall and his gaze flicked downwards. My sun dress was modest but it stopped just below my knees and I felt an itch on my legs. It was odd, though. I’d sensed men looking at me before, and been disgusted, but when he sized me up I almost felt flattered and, well, more. I had to look away as my cheeks and ears began burning.

“Okay. I’ll show you where the bathroom is.”

“Thank you.”

“On one condition. You have to let me take you for a ride.”

“On what?”

He snorted. “In my car, Eve. Can I call you Eve?”

“Yes-“

“Good, come on.”

I wasn’t sure what I just agreed to, but he turned on his heels and led me through the house to a door, and gestured grandly to it.

“The Pisser. All yours.”

“You shouldn’t talk like that.”

“Why not?”

Oh. I didn’t actually have a reason. It had just been drilled into me.

Whipped into me.

When I was done in the bathroom, he seized my wrist as I stepped out.

“Come on. Time to meet Charlene.”





Chapter Eight





Evelyn





“I have to get back to lunch,” I said, edging past him.

His hand shot out and closed, gently, around my wrist.

“Yeah, me too. Come on. We won’t be long.”

He tugged my arm but I held my ground, for a moment. I chanced to look at his eyes. I’d avoided them before. They were a piercing slate gray, and smiled more than his mouth did. Something fluttered in my chest, like I’d swallowed a moth, and I found my feet moving before I realized I was walking. His hand slipped from my wrist to cup around my fingers before letting go. The sun was warm outside. I saw the edge of the terrace, but we were out of sight from our parents as we emerged from a side door that opened onto a narrow path over to an old stables, converted into a garage with gleaming steel doors. Victor walked down the row and opened one of the bays with a flourish. He leaned on the door, arms over his head, and stretched. I licked my lips without knowing why as my eyes roamed down over his body. He was muscle all over, from head to toe, and his jeans and black t-shirt showed it magnificently.