Chapter 3
This kind wealth is like nothing I’ve ever been exposed to before. On our way back to the front of the house, I keep having to remind myself to shut my mouth. At every turn, though, it drops right back open as I gawk at the rooms we pass by. Carissa allows me a peek into several, including a library, a sunroom, and a study.
Finally back in the entryway, I can’t help but be distracted by the sparkle of the crystals dripping from the chandelier overhead. The wide, graceful stairwell has a beautifully carved wooden bannister that curls at the end. I run my hand over the smooth wood, wondering if anyone has ever dared slide down for fun.
Upstairs, Carissa points down the hallway to one side and mentions the rooms on that end of the house are her husband’s office, her office, the master suite, and her yoga room.
She has an entire room in her home just for yoga. What?
We turn in the other direction and head down the opposite hallway. The house feels so big, I’m beginning to think maybe I’ll need a map to find my way around.
“This is Griffin’s room on the right, Beau’s on the left, and yours is the one on the end. I had it prepared for you a few weeks ago in anticipation of your arrival. It has an en suite, so you won’t have to worry about leaving your room to use a shared bathroom or anything like that, but will you be okay with this room?” She nudges the door open and motions me inside.
I’m blown away by what I see.
There’s a huge king-size bed on one wall with a dark wood headboard under a bank of windows. The fluffy comforter on top of the bed is a plush velvet in a dark gray, and thick white pillows are piled high at the top of the bed. I blink a few times in an attempt to take it all in. Realizing I haven’t looked at anything else, I slowly pivot, my gaze drifting from the tall dresser to a desk and chair, a small couch, and then to the other side of the room where there are two doors on either side of a large bookcase. Carissa opens the closest door, showing me a walk-in closet, then the next, which hides a full bath.
A full bath. All for my use. I’m feeling a little overwhelmed but try not to let on. The smooth granite counters, sleek copper fixtures, and dark tile floor draw my gaze first. Rather quickly, I’m entranced by the glass-encased shower that looks like it’s lined with gray wood—but I suspect it’s actually tile—and a huge soaking tub. I whimper a little just thinking about climbing in there with a whole bunch of bubbles and relaxing my muscles after a hard practice.
Carissa grimaces a bit, gently resting her fingers on my bicep. “Is this going to work for you? I hadn’t intended this room for a girl.”
I stutter, “Th-this is fine.” I’m trying hard to play it cool, but holy fuck. Who the hell lives like this? And this isn’t even a room that the family uses. It sits vacant most of the time.
This is such a dramatic change from the little closet of a room in the tiny run-down trailer I’ve shared with my mother. I hardly know how to handle it or what to say to this woman.
“It’s beautiful. I—” My breath hitches, and Carissa pats my back.
She smiles. “How about we let you get unpacked and settled in? Come on down when you’re done. You’ve got about an hour before dinner.” She glances out the window over my bed. “Looks like the boys are hanging out on the back patio. I swear, they all run hot. November is too cold for me to be hanging around outside. You’ll have to check out the backyard later. I’m sure the boys will show you around after dinner, of course.”
“I’d like that. Thank you.”
“We’ll see you in a little bit, then.” She gives me a reassuring smile and leaves me alone in the spacious room.
Slowly, I turn, looking at everything again. I’m dumbstruck. Completely mesmerized. I walk over to the window and peek out. Sure enough, there are a couple of guys about my age down on the patio in some lounge chairs next to the pool, just chilling.
I’ve never had brothers—or any siblings, for that matter—so I’m curious as hell about these guys I’ll be living with. Not to mention, I’m dying to see if all of the rooms are decorated as nicely, or if mine is fancy because it’s for guests. Surely, it can’t hurt to take a tiny peek.
Slowly, as if my body is operating separately from my brain, I duck back out of my room and stride quickly to the room on my left, which, if I’ve kept things straight, should be Griffin’s room. I hesitate as my hand touches the doorknob. It feels wrong as I do it, but curiosity wins out. I twist the knob and push the door open a fraction. Satisfied that no one is here, I step inside. Hands on my hips, I look around. It’s very similar to the room I’m in, only it actually looks lived in. Not messy, though. There are football shoulder pads and a duffel bag on the bench at the end of the bed. The room is fairly clean. A pair of socks missed the laundry basket, but otherwise, Griffin keeps his shit in order. I glance up at the framed posters on the walls. Batman. Well, I like Batman, too. Good to know.
On silent feet, I cross the room, looking inside his closet and feeling like a total creeper. I should not be doing this. Ugh. Yet, I can’t seem to stop myself. I’ve never been in a home like this, and I’m curious about how the other half lives. It’s jam-packed with clothing. I expected no less, honestly. His bathroom reveals nothing out of the ordinary either, so I make my way to the door and scoot directly across the hallway to the other room.
I snicker. Beau’s room is a bit of a disaster. The bed is unmade and there are clothes littering the floor. Nothing crazy catches my eye. But Beau must like comic books—there’s a huge stack on the nightstand, and the top one lays open to what I assume is the page he’d been on when he’d stopped reading. Intrigued, I pick it up and scan the artwork and word balloons. Before long, I’m engrossed in the story.
A deep voice startles me from the pages of the comic. “Do you always walk into people’s rooms uninvited and unannounced?”
My eyes flick up, widening at the sight in front of me just as my heart jumps into my throat. I can only assume this deliciously chiseled guy in all his naked perfection is Beau. He doesn’t have an ounce of fat on his solid frame. His torso is ripped; his muscular pecs turn into well-defined abs; and a cutV-line leads my eyes to a seriously impressive dick between thick, powerful thighs. “Holy shit,” I breathe out.
He snorts with laughter at my slack-jawed response. “What the fuck are you doing in my room?”
I finally remember to breathe and, without taking my eyes off of him, I think fast, my brain scrambling. “I knew dinner wasn’t for a while, so I was looking for something to read. I didn’t think you’d mind, and didn’t think anyone was up here to ask. But, clearly… you are.” My lips curve into a beguiling smile. “Sorry about that.” I purposely eye his dick again before returning his questioning gaze.
His mouth morphs into a cocky-as-hell smirk and he winks at me. “Take a photo, Seven. It’ll last longer.”
“It’s Lyla.”
“Whatever you say.” His full lips twitch with amusement.
Oh, hell no. “Ew, creep.” I toss his comic book on the bed, sneer at him, and walk out the door.
Dammit.I thought for a split second I had the upper hand there. What did he call me? Seven? What the hell is that?
I can’t believe he caught me in his room. I can’t believe he was naked. And I definitely can’t believe he held an entire conversation with me in the nude without a blink of his eye or a twitch to his dick.
That’s a guy who knows—and expects—people will fall at his feet and worship him. I should have been more on guard, especially given all the photos I’d seen of him on Instagram with one chick after another. It’s clear they fawn over him. I’ll have to do some in-depth social media stalking to find out more.
I’m pissed at myself. I should have been more careful. Because if I’m not mistaken, the glint in his eye means I’ve set up what he’ll recognize as a challenge—and I’m the prize.
Little does he know what a rotten, horrible win I’d be. I’m no trophy, that’s for sure. I’m the daughter of a stripper, glorified trailer trash, all prettied up to attend Rosehaven Academy.