4. Paisley

4

PAISLEY

I t's been the longest day of my life. Thank God Chloe and the other girls decided to take a night off from working on the makeup line. I'm not so sure it was their choice. I have a feeling their men have put restrictions on how long they're allowed to work. It's sweet how the guys pay attention to them, always making sure they're getting enough sleep and food and whatever else they need.

My feet are killing me. All I want to do is soak in the tub and then flop into bed. A bath might take too much energy, actually. Maybe I'll change right into my pajamas and eat a pint of ice cream under the covers while I watch a movie.

I try not to glance over at Kieran's house when I get out of my car, but I can't help it. The guy is a mystery. Such an asshole, but he does nice things in an assholish kind of way. It's annoying. How am I supposed to continue to loathe him if he's not a total jerk all the time?

Since I've lived with Bash and Chloe, I've never seen any other cars in his driveway. He also never goes out unless it's to one of the other guys' houses on the estate. It's surprising. A guy like Kieran probably has women begging for his attention, but I've never heard him mention one or seen one around him. Then again, I think Grady and Ronan are single too. I'm not totally sure. I don't notice them as much. Maybe it's because they don't irritate the shit out of me.

Bash and Chloe are in the kitchen when I get home. Chloe's perched on Bash's lap while he feeds her at the kitchen island.

"Hey! You're home. Another long day?" Chloe asks.

I nod and sigh. "Yeah. A really long day. I don't even want to go into it."

Chloe bobs her head and nibbles on her bottom lip as though she's trying to suppress a smile. "Oh, well… Maybe you should take a bath. Baths are good after a crappy day. Mmhmm, I would take a bath."

Even though I'm exhausted, I can tell she's acting weird. Shit. Maybe I interrupted some marital time between them. They were probably just about to fuck on the counter because it's their house, and I'm a guest who's intruding on them. Moving in was probably a bad idea.

She lets out a squeal when Bash pinches her thigh, then shoots her a stern look. Then he turns to me and smiles. "Ignore her. She's had too much sugar today. Are you hungry, Pais? I made plenty for you, too."

A lump forms in my throat at the silly nickname. The only person who has ever called me Pais is Chloe. Most of the time, my parents only ever referred to me as "Hey, you." I might be intruding in Bash and Chloe's space, but Bash has been nothing but kind to me, and he's made me feel welcome. I'm so happy Chloe married him. She deserves the best.

"I'm actually not super hungry. I think I have a pint of ice cream in the freezer. I may dive into it before I go to bed."

Bash raises an eyebrow. "It's not my place to scold you, but I'm going to anyway. Ice cream isn't a proper meal, Little girl. Eat some pasta first."

Chloe giggles and rolls her eyes. "Ignore his bossiness. He and the rest of the men have issues with control."

I've noticed. Especially one man in particular. But I'm not going to admit that in front of Bash. The last thing I want to do is to piss him off when I'm living under his roof, so I smile at both of them.

"Thank you. I'm going to take a bath, and then maybe I'll feel like eating."

The corner of Bash's mouth twitches. "That or you'll feel like murdering someone," he murmurs.

My best friend cackles and quickly covers her mouth, her eyes wide. "He's silly. Go! Enjoy your bath."

Narrowing my gaze, I look around the kitchen. "Did you guys eat some brownies or something? Or are you drunk?"

Bash's shoulders shake as he chuckles. "No. We're fine, Pais. Promise. Go relax."

Maybe I'm so tired that I'm imagining their strange behavior. Whatever it is, I'm not going to stay here and analyze it.

"Okay, well, goodnight," I say as I turn around, then glance back at them. "Oh, also, I'll be out tomorrow night for a work event. Just wanted to let you know because I'll probably get home late."

"Okay. Night!" Chloe calls out in a chipper voice.

I shake my head as I leave them in the kitchen. When I walk into my bedroom, the air feels different. A faint scent that I recognize lingers around me, but I can't put my finger on what it is. My shoulders relax, though, and I can breathe for the first time today. There's something about my room that always makes me feel safe. Maybe it's because I never had one of my own until I was an adult.

Decision made, I leave my workbag on my bed and start stripping out of my clothes on the way to the bathroom, gathering them in my arms as I go. But as soon as I step onto the heated tile floor and flip on the light, I come to a halt.

Set up on the edge of the enormous tub, large enough for at least two people, is a bottle of wine in an ice bucket, complete with a glass and about a dozen Hershey Kisses. And right next to that is a yellow rubber duckie that instantly makes me smile.

What the hell? There's a note attached to the bottle. I drop my clothes on the floor and move closer, recognizing the chicken-scratch writing.

Paisley-

Since you won't give me the names of who bothered you so I can make them go away, maybe this will help you forget about them.

-K

Rolling my lips in, I stare at the small piece of paper, unable to decide whether I want to kill him for coming into my space or hug him for being so thoughtful.

Ah. That's why Chloe and Bash were acting weird. They knew. Oh, God. How awkward. How does that look with Kieran coming here and going up to my room? Fuck, he was in my room. Did I leave any panties out? Or worse, my vibrator?

I rush out of the bathroom and drop my shoulders. Thank goodness. That scent surrounds me again. It's Kieran's cologne. I've loved it since the first night I met him when he lectured me in an alley behind a bar. It was the same night we decided we hated each other. But damn, he smelled edible, and I've tried to avoid sniffing him ever since.

Before I go back into the bathroom, I grab my phone from my bag. I might kill the man for coming into my bedroom, but for the moment, I'm going to enjoy a good soak with some wine, chocolate, and music. And a rubber duckie.

I f my dress gets any tighter, my tits are going to spill out of the top. I really need to stop eating so many damn cookies. But chocolate, coconut, and caramel? They're like crack. I'll probably have to go to Cookies Anonymous to get off those things, but I'm not quite sure it's worth it. Maybe going a size up on my dresses would be a better option. Yeah, I like that idea. Besides, as long as I don't lean forward too much, my boobs look pretty great. It might be worth not being able to breathe. Oxygen is overrated anyway.

I pull my favorite red lipstick from my clutch and carefully swipe it over my lips, touching up where it's faded slightly. There's just something about a vampy red lipstick that makes a woman feel sexy. And I need to feel that way more than ever right now. Why is every woman at this party so much prettier than me?

I'm not a classic beauty. My natural gothic appearance has always been how I look. Black hair, dark eyes, and pasty skin are what I was blessed with. Usually, I love my look, but on nights like this, when every other woman around is gorgeous with glowing golden skin, highlighted hair, and is perfectly put together, I doubt myself a little more than usual.

I didn't really want to come tonight in the first place. Why did the CEO of my firm think he should invite everyone to his anniversary party? It's weird if you ask me, but I wasn't going to be the only employee who didn't show. Especially with a promotion on the line.

Letting out another sigh, I fiddle with my hair, adjusting a bobby-pin here and there to keep my updo nice and secure. I don't know how Chloe did it, but it looks gorgeous. I'm definitely going to make her do my hair more often.

"Okay. You can do this. Stay for an hour, make sure the CEO sees you, then get the hell out of here so you can go home and watch Frozen while eating ice cream in bed."

Right. Talking to myself in the mirror about going home and watching a Disney movie isn't strange. Good thing there's only a towel attendant in here, and I spoke quietly enough that I'm hoping she didn't hear. The counters are decorated with an array of fancy soaps, feminine products, makeup products still in the packaging, and miniature sewing kits. I've never seen such a fancy place to pee. Might be more fun to hang out in here with the towel lady. Wishful thinking.

I ignore the pain shooting through my feet from my heels, square my shoulders, and head out to the party. I should have dragged Chloe here with me tonight, but getting her away from Bash for more than five minutes is like pulling teeth. Besides, if she came with me, we'd be escorted by an army of guards, and the less attention I draw to myself, the better.

With a relaxed smile plastered on my face, I move through the crowd toward theopen bar. I might not be thrilled about being here, but the free top-shelf liquor will help. I can get drunk in an hour. Which is why I took a car service instead of driving.

Way to think ahead, Paisley. High-five.

Smiling to myself, I step into line and look around while I wait. It's a black-tie affair, so everyone is dressed in expensive suits and dresses. It feels more like a networking party than an anniversary party, but that seems to be how the wealthy do it. Always looking to meet new connections.

Servers mill around the room with silver platters, offering fancy finger foods that I definitely can't pronounce nor do I want to eat. Snails? Yeah, no thanks. Hard pass.

My gaze lands on someone in the crowd, and a shiver runs down my spine. The man's back is to me, but even from behind, he's intimidating. Tall and broad. He definitely had to have his suit tailored to fit his shoulders. There's no way he bought off the rack.

What would it be like to climb up a man like that? A guy with that build could manhandle the hell out of me. Not that I want to be manhandled. Well, that's a lie, but just because I want it doesn't mean I'm going to go after it. It's better to be single. No one to answer to, fight with, or worry about.

The man turns around, and my entire body goes rigid as he looks directly at me, his relaxed expression instantly turning dark and stormy.

What the hell is Kieran doing here? Fuck. I can't get away from this guy. He's everywhere. In my business, barking orders at me, saying the most maddening things. He might be my best friend's brother, but the man is a pain in my ass. And he's making his way over to me.

I don't miss the way the crowd parts for him like he's some sort of king walking through his kingdom. Although compared to most of the people in the room, Kieran is definitely one of the biggest. He might be an aggravating asshole, but he's freaking gorgeous in his head-to-toe black suit. Terrifying too.

"Paisley."

His deep voice is velvety and firm, full of dominance. And arrogance.

"Kieran." I tip my head back to look up at him.

"What are you doing here?"

Narrowing my eyes, I gesture toward the room. "I was invited. I work for the guy whose party this is. What are you doing here?"

Because he definitely doesn't work for anyone here. And I'm a little surprised anyone here would be friends with him, considering he's in the mafia. Maybe he's here with a date.

That realization has me straightening to look around. Why my stomach suddenly feels tight, I have no idea.

"I'm here because John Boldt runs my investment portfolio, and we've worked together for years."

Investment portfolio?

"You're in the mafia." Shit. I probably shouldn't have said that out loud in a room full of people. Fuck. I look around, relieved to see no one is paying any attention.

When I look up at Kieran, though, he's glaring at me. "So what, because I'm in the mafia I can't have investments? Not everything I do is illegal, Paisley."

Awesome. We've been in each other's presence for two minutes, and I've already pissed him off. I should start timing it so I can shoot for new records.

"What can I get for you?"

I glance at the bartender to find that it's my turn. Without saying anything to Kieran, I step up to the bar and smile sweetly. "Can I have a double martini, please?"

"Jesus." Kieran has moved up beside me and is shaking his head.

"What?" I demand.

He shrugs and watches the bartender mix my drink. "Nothing. A whiskey, neat."

Irritation flashes through me. "Would it kill you to say please? Or ask a little nicer?"

Our drinks are set in front of us. Kieran picks up his and smells it before he downs the entire thing and taps the bar to get another. The bartender doesn't even hesitate before he pours more of the amber-colored liquid into the glass.

"I'm not the kind of man who asks, princess. I'm also not nice. But I do reward good behavior."

Then, he smirks at me right before he slaps a hundred-dollar bill onto the bar top and walks away, leaving me staring at his backside once again.

What. A. Dick.

I grab my martini and move to an empty high-top table. Why does that man have to be so irritating? He treats his sister like she walks on water, but he seems to hate me. Well, that's not totally true. He did help me move some of my stuff from the townhouse into Chloe and Bash's place. And he told me to wear my seatbelt one day as I was leaving, so he doesn't want me to die at least.

What did he mean by he rewards good behavior? Who says that? And more importantly, why did my pussy clench when he said it? Why does my body react in ways that are totally opposite from my brain? Again, totally aggravating.