Chapter Four

Aiden Gets Attacked By The Green-Eyed Monster

Aiden sat on his parents' bed, watching his mom applying the final touches to her make-up. "No way do you look old enough to have a twenty-four-year-old kid."

She narrowed her gaze. "Okay, what have you done?"

He blinked. "Excuse me?"

Mom chuckled. "When you were little, any time you resorted to flattery, we knew you'd been up to something. So what is it this time? You haven't upset one of your students, have you? I remember you said some of them belonged in a zoo, but—"

"Relax, Mom. I haven't killed any of them—yet." Teaching was turning out to be different from what he'd imagined. It seemed less about inspiring young minds and more about targets. He recalled his own high school days. None of the students in his class would have dared come out with half the crap Aiden confronted on a daily basis.

"So there's nothing you want—or need—to tell me?" She gazed at him, a hopeful light in her eyes. " You haven't met someone, have you?"

"No, Mom. And before you start, please don't give me the names of some cute girls who work in the hotel, all right?"

She straightened, but he didn't buy the affronted expression for a second. "I wasn't going to give you any names. I'm sure you're perfectly capable of finding dates on your own."

Aiden laughed his ass off. "Okay, who are you, and what have you done with my mom?" She waved her hand at him. "When does Becca get here?"

She gazed at his reflection. "About four-thirty. She messaged to say they've passed Madison. Which reminds me. I need to call Lou on the front desk and make sure he knows Will's room is another one on the friends and family rate."

"And what gift is the hotel gonna leave in his room? The coasters or the tea cups?"

Another chuckle. "Neither. I thought the thermos mug was a better choice." She put down her brush. "I have to admit, this really surprised me."

"Becca getting engaged? Why? She's gorgeous. Any guy would be lucky to get her."

Mom rolled her eyes. "I know that. But this Will…" She pursed her red lips. "I don't think he sounds like her type, that's all."

Aiden put the remark down to a mom not ready for her chick to leave the nest. Then he reconsidered. "What do you know about him?"

She huffed. "Only what I told you." She peered at Aiden. "Did Becca tell you anything else about him?"

"I don't think so, apart from the Astrophysics part, the fact he's into D & D, the—"

Her mouth fell open. "I missed that piece of information. Well, at least you two will have something to talk about."

"And I don't think she wants us to know he's really a vampire," he teased. "Just be thankful it'll be dark when they arrive at the hotel. You watch. We get a sunny day tomorrow, and poof , he'll be reduced to a pile of ash."

Mom shook her head, laughing. "You're incorrigible."

He leaned back on his hands. "Gotta say, I'm curious now. What kind of guy did you think she'd pick?"

She shrugged. "Oh, I don't know. Someone… different."

"You haven't even met him yet. Wait and see. After five minutes, you'll probably love him." He glanced at the clock on the nightstand. "I guess I'd better get ready. What time do the guests arrive at the hotel?"

"A lot already have. Lou messaged me. They're serving drinks at six, and the buffet starts at seven. After that there's dancing, and—"

Aiden stared at her in mock horror. "Oh my God. Is there gonna be music from when you and Dad got married? What was trending in 1997? I'm afraid to Google it."

That earned him a glare. "No one said you have to dance to it."

"When do they close down the party?"

"Midnight. Will you take a taxi home? You can come back here with us in our taxi, if you want. Becca too."

Aiden grinned. "And what if she wants to spend the night at the hotel with her fiancé?"

They have to have sex sometime , right? And a swanky hotel room seemed as good a location as any.

And speaking of sex, his chances of finding a guy to share his bed for the night would increase dramatically if that bed was not under his parent's roof.

"I think I'll go home. Don't wanna leave Midnight too long with Carol next door. He might decide he prefers her company to mine." He chuckled. "He's already got the hots for her Maine Coon, Candy."

Mom snickered. "Candy. Stupid name for a cat."

"It's better than calling a gerbil Snuffles." Another glance at the clock. "I'm gonna go get ready." He stood. "Gotta look my best to meet my prospective brother-in- law, right?" Aiden flashed his mom another grin. "You got any garlic in the house? I thought I'd better take some protection. Hey, maybe Dad can rustle up a wooden stake before we leave."

If looks could kill.

Mom rose and turned to stare at him. "I don't care if Will has fangs, hair down to his waist, claws… You will be nice to him, do you hear me? Because this is your sister's choice, and I don't want her upset."

"I'll play nice," Aiden assured her. "I'll make him welcome, I promise." He paused. "But I will take your make-up mirror with me, just to check if he has a reflection."

He scooted out of the bedroom before she could throw a hairbrush at him.

Aiden stood in the hotel lobby, gazing at his surroundings. He'd lost count of how many times he'd visited the Pfister, but it never ceased to impress him. From its rich carpet to its curved painted ceiling, it always had an air of opulence about it. Somewhere, someone played a piano, low, tasteful, unobtrusive music that seemed to blend in with the chatter of guests sitting on the couches and chairs. The front desk faced the revolving main door, and bellhops went to and fro, pushing luggage carts, carrying suitcases and bags, most of them with a smile.

He'd already recognized a few faces among the guests, exchanging nods with relatives and friends of his parents, some more familiar than others. Mom and Dad were up on the seventh floor in the ballroom, checking on the arrangements, and Mom had asked him to be in the lobby when Becca and Will arrived. Aiden had tried not to laugh—and failed miserably—when his mom asked him not to make any vampire cracks to Will.

"Hey, Aiden!"

He turned and grinned when he saw Mikey Pointer. "Looking good there, Mikey. Haven't seen you since your folks moved to Maine." They hugged, and when Aiden stepped back, he gave Mikey the once-over. "God, you got tall ." The Pointers had lived next door to the Taylors until Mr. Pointer's company transferred him when Mikey was fifteen. Aiden had fond memories of both he and Becca messing around in the pool with Mikey. "Where are your mom and dad?"

"They've gone to find your parents." Mikey scanned the lobby. "Where's Becca? I'm dying to see her." He grinned. "How did she turn out?"

Aiden chuckled. "I thought you'd have grown out of that crush by now. You always did follow her around like a lovesick puppy."

"Man, remember that time I was looking out my bedroom window and I saw her getting out of the pool after her midnight skinny dip? Her skin was so pale. Not that I could see her clearly—it was a dark night—but my mind sure filled in the details. I couldn't stop looking." He leaned in and whispered, "And as for what I did after that…."

It wasn't the first time Aiden had heard that story, but he'd never had the heart to break it to Mikey that the person he'd spied climbing out of the pool naked hadn't been Becca, but Aiden. Their hair had been a similar length back then, so he could understand the confusion. Lord, he'd so wanted to tell Mikey he'd been jacking off to Aiden's body, not his sister's.

"I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but… she's engaged."

Mikey seemed so disappointed Aiden wanted to give him another hug.

"Really? I suppose someone had to snatch her up sooner or later. What's he like?"

Aiden gave a wry smile. "No idea. We haven't met him yet. Becca's bringing him to the party. The engagement only happened a week ago." He pulled his phone from his pocket. "Stick around. They should be here any minute."

Right on cue, the main door revolved, and Becca walked into the lobby, accompanied by—

You have got to be kidding me.

Will Bryant was freaking gorgeous .

He was tall, but not intimidatingly so. He wore a dark suit and his white shirt was open at the collar, a bag slung over his shoulder. Black hair, short at the sides and longer on top, and dark brown eyes. No pale skin, though—Will had the remains of a decent tan, and it looked perfect against the white of his shirt.

Aiden loved his sister, but right then he wanted to scratch her eyes out.

Then he realized Mikey was no longer at his side—he was striding toward Becca, who let out a whoop when she spied him, dropping her luggage to the floor. She and Will stood with their backs to Aiden, and fuck, that was even worse. The lower hem of Will's jacket rested against what appeared to be a gloriously firm ass.

Is there no part of him that doesn't make my mouth water?

Aiden stood rooted to the spot, watching as Will nodded while Becca performed introductions, talking animatedly.

This is so unfair.

It wasn't just the fact he was a beautiful man. Noooo . Because why would that be it? As Aiden watched, Will laced their fingers together, pulling her close. Aiden had dated a few guys in the last six years, once he'd gotten out of sight of his parents, but not one of them had done that for him. They were more the split-the-check types who were uncomfortable—at best—with displays of affection.

Will leaned in and spoke into Becca's ear, and her unmistakable laughter drifted over to where Aiden stood.

Why couldn't he find someone who whispered things in his ear that made him chuckle? Someone who'd brush a stray hair out of his face?

Why do I get frogs while she gets the prince?

Because his sister's fiancé was looking every inch a Prince Charming.

His sister who still stood with her back to him, a perfect target.

Where's a handy spear or rifle when you need one? He knew such feelings of jealousy were petty and out of place, but he couldn't help himself.

Then he saw it. An empty bell cart.

It would have to do. Not that he intended inflicting bodily harm—he wasn't that much of a bastard—but he could send it flying into her luggage, and probably scare the crap out of her the way he used to when they were kids.

Before he had time to change his mind, Aiden grabbed the cart, aimed for Becca's luggage, and gave it a shove, sending it rolling across the lobby.

Then Will moved and stepped into the path of the oncoming weaponized cart.

Oh shit.