The Wrong Brother's Temptation novel Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Sienna

We stood there for a moment, and I became acutely aware of how close we were standing.

Freshly showered Connor was breathtaking but the Connor who agreed with me was downright mesmerisi

I could see the faint stubble on his jaw and his shirt that was still slightly damp from his shower.

With an agonizing clarity, I realized this was the second time in two days that I’d found myself noticing thin about Connor that I absolutely should not be noticing.

I cleared my throat and took a step back.

“I should go,” I said. “My mom is probably freaking out. And I need to…” I gestured vaguely at myself. “Chang shower and possibly burn this dress.”

“No need to burn it” He said and I looked up at him again.

“It… it was the reason for the fight” I said, the initial anger washing off and guilt slowly starting to take over.

Despite everything, I was still hopelessly in love with Aaron. I didn’t even try to deny it now.

“I still stand by my opinion” He repeated and then added “I can drive you home.”

“That’s okay. I can call a cab”

“Speckles,” he interrupted, his voice firm. “I’m driving you home. End of discussion.”

I wanted to argue that I could take care of myself but the truth was that I was exhausted and emotionally wrung out.

I worried I might have lost Aaron’s friendship, might have caused a permanent damage to our bond and I wasn’t sure how to mend it.

The thought of sitting in a cab alone with my thoughts sounded unbearable.

“Fine,” I said. “But first, I need to shower and change into something else.”

Connor’s lips twitched. “I can lend you some clothes.”

I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could, I heard footsteps in the hallway

And then Aaron appeared in the doorway again but without Sandra this time.

“We need to talk,” he said, his voice tight. “Alone.”

He shot a pointed look at Connor, who just raised his eyebrows,

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Chapter 22

“This is still my room,” Connor pointed out.

“Then we’ll go somewhere else,” Aaron said. He looked at me. “Please, Sia.”

I crossed my arms. “I don’t think we have anything to talk about.”

I wasn’t even sure why I was denying it when this is what I wanted all my life- for him to prioritise me over newest fling.

“I think we have a lot to talk about,” Aaron insisted. “Starting with what the hell you think you’re doing.”

And just like that my hackles rose again.

“What I’m doing?” I repeated incredulously. “What about what you’re doing? You show up here with your girlfriend, yell at me for my life choices, call me desperate, and now you want to lecture me some more?”

“I shouldn’t have said that,” Aaron said, running a hand through his hair. “I was angry. I didn’t mean it.”

“Didn’t you?” I challenged him. “Because it sure sounded like you meant it.”

Aaron’s jaw clenched. “Look, I’m sorry, okay? But you have to understand where I’m coming from. You’re my best friend. I care about you. And seeing you with Connor, of all people…” He shook his head. “It doesn’t make

sense.”

“Why not?” I demanded. “Why doesn’t it make sense?”

“Because you hate him!” Aaron said, like it was obvious. “We both do. Remember?”

“I remember a lot of things,” I said quietly. “I remember that you weren’t there last night when I needed help. But Connor was.”

“Where were you last night?” He asked, taking a step closer.

“In a club on a date with…” I began but his voice rose again.

lost

“Have you

your goddamn mind? You went on a date with him…of all people and even then your brain didn’t realize it was a mistake? Then you proceeded to sleep with him and slap me because I stated the truth? What is wrong with you?”

He was shouting again.

“Funny how you think I owe you an explanation because I trail behind you.”

Aaron flinched. “That’s not fair.”

“Isn’t it?” I shot back. “Where were you, Aaron? When I was at that club? When things got bad? You were too busy with Sandra to even answer your phone.”

“I didn’t know-

“Exactly. You completely disappeared from my life for two whole weeks without any explanation or notice.

Chapter 22

But Connor did,” I interrupted. “So maybe you don’t know him as well as you think you do.”

Aaron stared at me for a long moment, and then his gaze flicked to Connor who was looking at him to dar say something to him.

“This isn’t about Connor,” he said finally. “This is about you making bad decisions because you’re upset with me.”

The audacity of that statement actually rendered me speechless for a second.

“You really think that little of me, don’t you?” I said, my voice shaking. “You think I’m just some emotional mess who can’t think for herself.”

“Can we please discuss this somewhere else, Sia?”

“Get out,” I said quietly.

Aaron blinked. “What?”

“Get out,” I repeated, louder this time. “I don’t want to talk to you anymore. I’m done.”

“Sienna!”

“Leave,” I said, my voice breaking. “Please.”

Aaron stood there for another moment, looking like he wanted to argue but then his shoulders slumped in defeat.

“Fine,” he said quietly. “But this conversation isn’t over. Not by a long shot. You are my best friend and I am not letting him ruin it”

He shot Connor an icy look, took a step toward me and squeezed my shoulder gently.

“I know we can sort this out” He gave me a smile and then he went back to his room again.

I stood there, staring at the empty doorway, feeling like I’d just run an emotional marathon.

“You okay?” Connor asked quietly.

I let out a shaky laugh. “Do I look okay?”

“Honestly?” He tilted his head, studying me. “You look like you’re about to either cry or punch something

“Both,” I admitted. “Definitely both.”

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