Hell, I could just get high on her. I wanted to let her hair down and undress her and have her melt under my hands. Now I knew why she was wound so tightly. She was wrapped in steel armor to protect her from arseholes. Her trust issues were a problem, which meant I’d have to tread carefully. Take things slowly.
Aye, I knew I had major life problems at the moment, and my sexual attraction to a Hollywood princess should not take priority. But why not? Whether she knew it, Aria Howard needed me. If it was the last thing I did, I’d help that woman get her confidence back. Preferably by giving her many, many orgasms.
Groaning as I hardened at the thought, I turned on my side and tried to switch my tired brain off. The decision was made. As much as I’d love to explore something real with Aria, she couldn’t handle that.
So I’d give her whatever little piece of me she would take.
Now I just had to convince her that an unforgettable night in my bed was exactly what she needed.
Ten
ARIA
Having to work on very little sleep and with the worst hangover I’d had in ages was less than preferable. Going home to shower to find Allegra passed out on the couch had made me so furious that I had to ignore her or I’d lose my shit. She was still asleep when I left to return to the castle.
Her barging into my office a few hours later was the last thing I needed.
“Oh my gosh, Ari, I am so sorry I fell asleep. How did you get out?” she asked without preamble, all cute and wide-eyed.
I glowered, wanting to blame her for my fragility this morning. And not just the fragility brought on by my hangover, but because I felt stripped naked now that I’d confessed all that stuff to North. Private feelings I had not shared with anyone.
All because Allegra was bored? “You should leave until I’ve had some sleep and don’t want to skin you alive,” I told her calmly.
She winced. “I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to leave you guys in there.”
“Well, you did. All night. Wakefield, a member of staff that I respect and who, until this morning, respected me, came in to dust the library and found us locked in there. Christ knows what he thinks we were up to, but the two empty bottles of expensive whisky probably have him putting things together I don’t want him putting together.”
Her eyes rounded, a slight smile curling her mouth. “Did something happen between you and North? I knew it! I knew there was a spark there.”
Fury shot me to my feet, and Allegra’s expression instantly changed. “You locked me in a room with one of my members. There was no fire escape, no restroom, and neither of us knew North very well. You locked me in a room with a strange man who you are lucky turned out to be a gentleman. Do you understand?”
My sister suddenly looked so very young as tears brightened her eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think. I just didn’t want you to be alone here.”
“Whether I am alone is entirely up to me. Not you. And what you did last night proves to me you are not mature enough to venture out into the world doing whatever the hell you want.” My stomach knotted with my coming words. “I will not help you convince our parents to let you drop out of college. I don’t think you’re ready.” She was still way too impulsive and irresponsible for my peace of mind.
Her lips trembled as she lowered her gaze.
I felt like a giant bully. Guilt crushed in on me, but I forced myself to stay firm. “You were accepted into several excellent art schools around the country. I think if LA is the problem, then the better solution is to transfer schools your junior year.”
“Are you going to tell Mamma and Dad what I did?” She met my eyes, anger, disappointment, guilt all there for me to see.
“No, of course not.”
She relaxed marginally. “I really am sorry, Ari.”
I sighed heavily and sat back down in my chair, feeling light-headed. “I know.”
A few hours later, a knock sounded on my door and I braced myself, knowing who it was. “Come in.”
My boss and owner of the estate, Lachlan Adair, strode inside. The Adair siblings were all tall, blond, and blue-eyed, suggesting a line of Viking blood in their ancestry. Lachlan, the eldest, was also one of the tallest among them, and his impressive height and good looks had helped him on his path to stardom. For about fifteen years, he’d played the game in Hollywood, making a name for himself as an action star. However, he’d retired early from the movies to return home to Scotland and open Ardnoch.
Smart man.
Straightforward, fair, honorable, even, Lachlan was a good boss, and I appreciated he entrusted me with his club. When his wife Robyn gave birth to their daughter, Lachlan wanted to be home more. I made it possible for him to do that. Especially now that he’d gone into business with two of his brothers in separate ventures.
It irked me to no end that I had to have this conversation with him.
“Are you all right?” Lachlan asked as he sat down. I leaned against my desk, my hands curling tightly around the edges. “You look a bit pale.”
“I’ve barely slept.” I exhaled shakily. “An incident occurred last night.”
He straightened in his chair. “Is anyone hurt?”
I gave him a tight-lipped smile. “Just my reputation.”
“What?”
At his confusion, I sat down in the chair next to him. “My younger sister has come for a visit, and unfortunately, last night she played a prank on me and a member.”
“Prank?”
“I was working late, and she lied to me and to North Hunter to get us in the library together after the staff had been dismissed. Then she locked us in. All night.”
“Why?”
This was the embarrassing part. Well, another embarrassing part. “She was trying to play matchmaker.”
“With you and North?”
“Nothing is going on between us,” I reassured him. “I wouldn’t cross the line with a member.”
Lachlan grimaced. “Aria, not that I’m encouraging you to sleep with our members, but I’d be a bloody hypocrite if I enforced a no-fraternization rule between you and them. I married my head of security’s daughter. And before that, I’d had relationships with club members. It’s different for us than for other staff members. We run in the same circles as our members. Attraction happens.”
“Nothing is happening between me and North Hunter,” I insisted. “But we drank some whisky that I will replace, I promise.”
Lachlan’s lips twitched in amusement.
“And, um, Wakefield discovered us this morning and let us out, and I haven’t explained to him what happened.”
“No need.” My boss waved off the suggestion. “Wakefield is the soul of discretion. He won’t mention it to anyone.”
“You’re not mad?”
“That depends on North Hunter’s response.”
“He is …” I felt a pang of emotion I didn’t quite understand. “An easygoing guy. He didn’t seem to be put out by the situation.”
Lachlan grinned. “Oh, I bet not.”
I could feel my cheeks heating and was glad my olive skin didn’t blush. “Well, I was thinking we should compensate Mr. Hunter for his night. Maybe even a few nights.”