My body glows at his mention of the future.
“When I met Parker, my world grew even more. His parents spend most of the year at their home in Kensington if they aren’t working in London, so he flies out for major holidays. I alternate between his family and Jackson’s, depending on what’s going on.”
“That sounds like so much fun.”
He grins, “They’re my brothers. Their families have basically adopted me at this point. Although Jackson’s mom still thinks I’m a delinquent teenager.”
“Aren’t you?”
He tickles me, and I squeal, rolling off the couch and onto the rug. He continues his assault, and I attempt to crawl away.
We are basically wrestling in the middle of the floor when Sydney steps out of the elevator again, phone to ear, chattering away with someone. She’s holding a garment bag and pauses, staring at us on the ground. We pause before falling into another fit of laughter.
“Yeah, Paige, hold on one second, I’ll get her.” She taps her phone and then proceeds to kick Aleks with her heel. “Alright, lovebirds, I need you to sober up on your drunk love for a minute. I have Paige on the phone for the NDA.”
I scramble to my feet, accepting the phone from Sydney. I hit the unmute button. “Hi, this is Stevie.”
“Stevie! Hi, how are you?” Paige’s soft British accent fills my ear.
“Good, thanks! You?”
“I’m well. Sorry, I didn’t get a chance to introduce myself at the party last night. My brother whisked you off before I was able to.”
I cringe at the memory. Whisked is definitely not the term neither Parker nor myself would use to explain the absolute shitshow we created. My mother had been pissed at the commotion I’d caused until she’d learned I’d left with the elusive Covington heir. Then her tone shifted, merely asking that I use a little more decorum in the future. Chase only left me one text, wishing me well with my new beau. I couldn’t tell if it was sarcastic or not. But I wasn’t going to correct anyone, not while it benefited me.
“Right, yes. I’m sure we will have more opportunities in the future.” I don’t know what else to say.
“I looked over the NDA. It’s not dissimilar to the ones we all signed. Just with a few more clauses pertaining to the nature of your romantic relationship. I made a few small alterations there, just so you’d have a little more freedom, but otherwise you’re in good shape to sign away.”
“Wait, you signed an NDA? You’re his sister.” The idea sounds ridiculous.
“Oh, Stevie, if you knew the number of NDAs our family has signed and had people sign over the years, your head would spin,” she laughs.
“Alright, well, thank you, Paige. I really appreciate it.”
“No worries. You can just sign the NDA digitally; I sent the link to Sydney’s phone. Give everyone my love, and I hope to see you soon.”
“Of course, me too.” She hangs up, and I see the message pop up with the NDA. I give it a scroll, but I trust Paige. I sign my name at the bottom and confirm everything, sending a copy to my own email.
“All done,” I announce.
“Fab!” Sydney claps her hands. I look up and notice Aleks has left the room. “Here, let’s trade.” She holds out her palm for her phone, and I pass it over. She gives me the garment bag in return.
“What’s this?”
“You have a date in an hour, don’t you?”
“What?”
An hour?
I snatch her hand back, tapping on the screen of her phone. It’s already six. I didn’t even realize how late it had gotten. I don’t have anything with me. My heart drops.
“Yeah, I had a feeling you’d spaced on the time. Come on, let’s go get ready.”
“But I don’t have any clothes.”
“Which is why Aleksander sent me to pick up a dress for you. I might be their publicist, but I’m also basically their glorified PA from time to time. Now, go grab your heels and purse from last night. We only have,” she pauses, “fifty-five minutes now.”
“Wait, where are we going?”
“My place. I live on the fourteenth floor. Come on.”
She snaps her fingers, and I jump into motion, rushing around the apartment, picking up my loose belongings.
I dip into Aleks’ room and hear the shower running. I pick up my heels off the floor before stopping to take a quick peek at the dress in the bag. Unzipping it halfway, I stare at the soft red fabric. The temptation is too strong. I lay it on the bed and unzip it fully. Before me lies a beautiful red viscose dress, with a side slit and thick black straps holding it all together up top. I tug at the label, eyes widening at the Dolce & Gabbana branding.
“Stephanie!” Sydney yells.
My back stiffens like a kid being caught with their hand in the candy jar. I quickly zip the dress back up. “Coming! I’m coming!”
“Not yet, but later.” Aleks winks at me from the bathroom door frame, naked body dripping with water. He didn’t even bother putting on a towel.
I stare at him, hunger clawing deep in my core. Sydney yells again, and Aleks laughs at me as I stumble out of the room, but excitement bubbles in my chest.
I couldn’t be happier.
TWENTY-SIX
* * *
ALEKS
Stevie bats my hand away for the twentieth time.
“Aleksander, I’m serious. Stop trying to feel me up. I won’t have you ruining this dress by putting your hand up it.”
“But the slit is so accessible.”
“Yeah, and I’m sure that’s why you picked it.”
I grin at her.
Not only that, but I made sure it was a dress that Stevie would struggle wearing underwear with. The material is soft and clings to her body. She looks killer in red, like the Queen of Hearts. Plus, I love seeing her in my color.
I trickle my fingers along her thigh again, and she grabs my hands.
“I’m going to move seats in a second. Then you won’t be able to touch any part of me.”
We are huddled in the back row of seats of the Tesla, but if she moves to the second row, she’ll be in her own seat. Not completely unreachable, but I won’t be able to sit next to her.
“Fine. But you’ll pay for this later.”
“I like a good punishment,” she smirks.
My dick twitches, and I rearrange it quickly.
“We’re here, sir.” Francis announces, tapping the button on the touchpad to open the falcon doors. They lift, and I push out of my seat, crouching to walk to the doors and stepping out. I turn back, holding out a hand for Stevie to help her down.
“Thanks, Francis. I’ll text you when we’re ready to leave.”
“Sounds good, sir.” The doors descend, and he takes off.
I hold out my elbow for Stevie, but she bypasses it, grasping my hand and threading our fingers together. I lead her inside the restaurant, giving the hostess my name. The woman taps a few buttons, confirming the reservation before leading us to our table. I pull out Stevie’s chair, and she quirks an eyebrow, the corner of her lip pulling up in a small smile before sitting down.
“That was awfully gentlemanlike of you,” she teases.
“You’re forgetting that I tried to have a quickie in the car ride over” I muse, moving my seat from the opposite side of the table so I’m next to her. If the servers have an issue with me reconfiguring their placements, I don’t care. This way, I can rest my hand on her bare knee.