Chapter 4

Rhett's POV

Astrid didn't remember me last night. But I did.

Every fucking second.

How in the hell did you expect me to forget the taste of her?

The feel of her thighs clenching around my hips. The wild look in her eyes when she moaned my name like it meant something.

It was good she didn't remember me even though I thought it was the most dangerous thing I'd ever wanted.

But I couldn't let myself obsess over it. Not now. Not when Micah was back in town, and I was crashing under his roof like nothing happened.

I kept it cool that morning, and played along through breakfast Micah had prepared.

Later that afternoon, Micah dragged me to the gym downtown, and insisted we needed to spend time together.

Micah was a busy man. It's been months since I last saw him, and when he told me to come stay at his place with Astrid, I didn't expect he'd return sooner.

I had woken up to see the bed empty with no sign of Astrid. That was when I got a text from Micah about reaching the airport and wanting me to come pick him up.

I snapped myself back to reality, my gaze focused on Micah who punched a bag like it had disputes to settle with him.

"Are you still thinking about the contract project with...um...what did you call it again?" I rubbed my temple and tossed him a bottle of water.

"Halverton Group." Micah rolled his eyes.

"Right. Yeah. That's the one." I muttered.

He grunted, wiping his forehead. "Yeah. They keep screwing up, but they need us more than we need them. I'm just waiting them out."

"Smart." My lips curled into a grin.

Micah nodded and gave me a look. "What about you? You've not spoken about Layla."

Dammit.

I shot Micah a glare and hissed beneath my breath. "I don't want to talk about it."

He chuckled softly. "She blew up your phone again?"

I scoffed. "She tried to. But I ignored her."

That did it.

Micah laughed out, swinging the towel around his neck. "Still not interested? She was eyeing you hard at Nico's rooftop last time I checked."

"Let her keep looking. I don't care." I ignored Micah's laughter again and moved toward the treadmill.

"Cold. You always like this?" Micah chuckled as he finished punching a bag and came to stand beside me.

"Only when I'm thinking." I replied as I gave the treadmill the fourth lift and placed it down.

I trudged to the mirror and took a selfie of my abs.

'Yes, I know I look too fucking irresistible.' I started to type as a caption.

"Thinking about what?" Micah's voice made me shift my gaze back to him and didn't know when I hit the send button.

I turned to him, and shrugged. "Life. Work."

And your sister's lips on mine.

Shit. Why did I even thought of that?

He clapped my shoulder and winked. "Still, I'm going to pair you up with Layla. You can't stay single forever."

"I can promise you right here that if you try to ever pair me with anyone, I'm going to make sure they lose their legs."

"Dude!" Micah snickered.

I glared at him again and moved toward the dumbbells.

~

By the time we left the gym, the sun was already dipping low. I drove back alone. Micah had to meet someone, a real estate guy he'd been negotiating with for days .

I entered the house quietly, keys jangling as I shut the door behind me. The living room smelled like lemon cleaner and fresh laundry. I guessed Astrid had finally decided to work for once.

I dropped the gym back near the stairs, and headed to the kitchen for water.

Everywhere seemed silent.

I assumed Astrid wasn't around–probably out with that friend of hers, Talia. But when I passed the hallway toward Micah's room, I paused. Her door was slightly open.

And I heard something.

Soft. A whimper.

I froze.

It came again.

Another sound. And a low, broken sigh.

I trudged forward without thinking. The door creaked lightly as I leaned in.

My breath stopped.

Astrid was on her bed, eyes shut, one hand beneath the waistband of her shorts, the other clutching her phone like she was staring at something. Her thighs tensed, rising slightly. Her bottom lip was between her teeth.

"Rhett," she whispered.

Fuck.

I stood there, nailed to the floor. My blood ran cold. She didn't see me. She didn't know I was there.

She arched slightly, her breath hitching as she pressed deeper. Her back curved, her body trembling softly. Her hair spilled around her face, the tank top she wore riding up just enough to tease the swell of her breasts.

My cock hardened instantly.

I should look away. I should leave.

But I didn't.

Her hips jerked, and her head tilted back. I watched Astrid Cole break before me–silently, beautifully. Her body shuddered, breath caught in her throat.

"Rhett," she called like a confession, her gaze still pinned on the screen of her phone.

What the heck? Was it what I was thinking?

I couldn't take it anymore.

I walked in, slow and deliberate.

Astrid's eyes flew open–wide, and filled with shock the second she saw me standing there.

Her hand jerked away from herself like she'd been burned. She threw her phone off and scrambled to cover her body with the sheet.

"Oh my goodness," she choked out. "What the–how long have you–"

"Long enough," I rasped.

She froze, her lips parted and eyes wild. "Get out."

Instead, I moved closer till I reached the edge of the bed. Astrid held the sheet so tight, even with shaky breath.

When her eyes met mine again, she gasped like I'd passed information through our eye contract.

And then I said, "Have you been staring at my picture?"

Chapter 5

Astrid's POV

I straightened up and almost dropped my phone when I saw Rhett standing in my room.

Thank goodness he hadn't seen what I was staring at.

But then he asked, "Have you been staring at my picture?"

I froze.

My lips parted and I blinked, completely thrown off.

Rhett stepped closer–close enough for me to breathe in that familiar cedarwood scent. It filled my lungs, and somehow made my stomach flutter.

I was doomed.

Rhett Rivers had just caught me touching myself, and yes, I had been staring at his photo. A picture he'd sent not long ago, shirtless and soaked in sweat after the gym. I didn't know if he meant to send it. But I hadn't stopped thinking about it since.

"Did I just see you touch yourself, Astrid?" Rhett asked, his voice low, his tone unreadable–a mixture of shock, hunger, and something dangerous.

The closer he came, the more intense his gaze felt. Those hazel eyes locked on mine like I was a problem he couldn't figure out, and a craving he'd tried to suppress

"I-I don't know what you're talking about," I said quickly, my voice barely steady as I leaned back into the headboard.

He raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Really?"

I turned my face. "Yes."

Silence filled the space between us until I tried to break it. "And Micah? Where is he?"

Rhett sighed, walking back just a little. "He left to see a friend."

"Oh." I nodded.

I was silently praying for him to leave, to give me space, but Rhett didn't move. He stood there like a damn statue, watching me.

"Are you not going to leave?" I snapped.

A gentleman would walk away.

But Rhett Rivers? He never made anything easy.

He leaned against the wall and said, "Are you trying to erase the thought of what happened last night, Astrid?"

What the–

I blinked rapidly, my throat tightening.

No. I didn't want to talk about it. No way.

I couldn't tell Rhett I remembered it was him I'd slept with. I couldn't give him that power.

"No. I don't remember anything," I lied, forcing the words out, hating how fake they sounded.

Rhett just stared at me for a long second before nodding stiffly. Then he turned and walked out.

I collapsed back onto the bed and sighed like I'd just survived a hurricane.

After an hour, Micah came home looking exhausted, but still cheerful. Just like he always was.

"I'm leaving again tomorrow," he announced, barely five minutes into being home.

"Seriously?" I raised a brow.

Rhett, who was lounging on the couch beside Micah, added, "Are you always this busy?"

Micah laughed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Of course. Someone has to make money and give Astrid the soft life she deserves. It's important."

He reached over and pinched my cheek gently.

I glanced at Rhett from the corner of my eye but avoided meeting his gaze. Still, I felt the burn of his eyes on me.

I took a spoon of dessert to distract myself.

"Still," I murmured, "you don't have to wear yourself out. You could fall sick."

Micah looked at me and chuckled. "Are you siding with Rhett now?"

"What? No," I quickly said. "I'm just concerned for my brother."

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Rhett's smirk.

Dammit, he was infuriating.

*

The next day, Micah left early for his trip.

By evening, I returned home alone. I'd been out for hours with Talia just to avoid the awkward silence that always came when it was just Rhett and me.

The house was quiet when I walked in.

I headed upstairs, hoping Rhett was out or asleep. But as I passed Micah's room, I heard water running from the bathroom.

My brows pulled together. Had he forgotten to turn off the tap?

I pushed the door slightly open to check.

Right there, I saw Rhett Rivers.

Completely naked, stepping out of the shower, water still dripping from his toned, muscular body.

I gasped and let out a loud scream, jerking back.

"Shit!" Rhett muttered, grabbing a towel and quickly wrapping it around his waist.

"I–I didn't know you were in here!" I shouted, my face burning into embarrassment as I turned around and squeezed my eyes shut.

"Do you normally just walk into bathrooms?" he asked, clearly amused.

"I thought the tap was leaking!" I shouted back.

"Well, it wasn't," he said, voice lower now.

I peeked over my shoulder. He was still standing there, water glistening on his chest, towel low on his hips.

And God help me, he looked so good I almost lost the ability to breathe.

"Did you see something you like?" he teased.

I turned back around fast. "Stop."

"You started it. First, you touch yourself to my photo. Now, you walk in on me naked. Are you obsessed with me, Astrid?"

I turned back slowly, fire creeping up my cheeks.

He was still watching me with that damn smirk.

"You're impossible," I whispered.

"And you're turned on."

"Am not."

He took a step forward.Another step. The space between us thinned.

"Rhett, stop."

"Then say it like you mean it. Admit it. You have something for me, baby."

I didn't.

He suddenly leaned down, his lips hovering just above mine.

"You're Micah's best friend," I whispered, but my voice shook.

"And you're the girl I've been trying not to think about for too damn long. Do you even know about it? Damn no."

That was the last thing he said before he crushed his lips against mine.

Our mouths collided in an explosion of heat and frustration. His hands cupped my face while my fingers dug into his shoulders, tugging him closer. The towel slipped slightly, but I didn't care.

I should've stopped. I should've pulled away.

But I didn't want to.

His kiss was rough, urgent, like he'd been waiting for this moment since forever.

My back hit the hallway wall as he pressed into me. I felt Rhett's erection right there and I melted away.

I wanted him that instant. I didn't care. I wanted my brother's best friend.

I broke the kiss and crouched to my knees. Rhett stared down at me, speechless.

Without a second thought, I finally slipped off the towel around his waist. My eyes widened when I saw how huge he was.

"Astrid..."

"No." I cut him off. "Let me."

When he wanted to protest, I took him into my mouth.

The salty taste of his precum filled my mouth as I took him deeper till my mouth was full. A low guttural groan left Rhett's lips.

I could swear my thighs clenched. I was dripping wet and hot.

I should've felt ashamed. But I didn't.

Rhett's fingers slipped into my hair as he pumped faster into me. A groan tore from the back of my throat.

"Baby, you take me too well. Is this your first?" he asked in-between a groan.

Instead of replying, I pushed further that I choked.

His fingers tightened on my hair and he yanked me away.

"I asked you a question. Have you gone down on any man before?" he asked, his tone dripped with anger.

Rhett had a look in his eyes I'd never seen before. He suddenly felt pissed.

I gulped down his taste and nodded slowly. "Y-Yes."

That did it.

He moved away and made me stand on my feet.

"Who?"

I blinked. "Rhett-"

"Astrid, don't-"

"Dylan. My ex boyfriend."

"And did you make him feel this good? Did you let him claim that mouth of yours?" his eyes snapped to my lips, and his fingers trailed my jaw.

I shook my head. "N-No."

Then a voice echoed from downstairs.

"Astrid? Rhett? Anyone home?"

Micah.

We froze.

Micah was supposed to be on a trip.

Holy shit.

Chapter 6

Rhett's POV

Shit.

Shit.

Shit.

Micah was back. How? Didn't he make it to his trip?

I pushed away from Astrid and grabbed my towel, tying it quickly around my waist.

Footsteps echoed on the stairs. He was getting closer to his room.

"Rhett? Are you in?" Micah's voice asked, louder than before. "Don't tell me you're taking a nap, you sleeping ass."

Astrid's eyes widened.

"Rhett–"

I didn't think twice. I pulled her into the walk-in closet. She tried to protest, but I shut the door firmly–just in time before Micah strode in.

He paused at the doorway, brows furrowing. His brown eyes gleamed as they landed on me.

Dammit.

I walked away from the closet with slow, measured movements. The towel still clung to my hips, and I hoped Micah didn't suspect anything. Luckily, Astrid stayed silent. Good girl.

"Did you just shut the closet?" Micah asked, striding fully into the room.

"Yes," I replied instantly. "I couldn't find any proper clothes to wear, and I got pissed."

He stared at me for a moment before bursting into laughter. I stayed still, watching him with a blank expression. Micah was a jerk. A damn jerk.

"Does it look funny to you?" I asked, raising a brow.

He stopped laughing and straightened, though a smirk tugged at his lips.

"Why are you even here?" I pressed. "Aren't you supposed to be on your trip?"

His expression shifted with sudden seriousness.

"Ah, yes. I'm supposed to be, but apparently, I missed my flight," Micah said, perching on the edge of the bed. "I'll just have to leave early tomorrow."

I hummed in response, silently praying he would get up and go. But he didn't.

Instead, he lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling for a few moments like he was lost in thought. Then his gaze slid to me.

"Have any idea where Astrid went? She's been going out a lot lately."

I blinked. Yeah, your sister's in your closet, dude.

Rubbing my temple, I shook my head. "No idea. She probably went out with her friends or something."

"Friends? Astrid doesn't have any friends apart from Talia," Micah said, narrowing his eyes. "I'll just text her."

Oh... shit.

Micah reached into his pocket and started typing on his phone. He sent the message, but Talia wasn't online.

Thank goodness.

My silent prayer was answered when Micah rose from the bed, concern etching into his face.

"Talia isn't online. When she replies, I'll know where Astrid went. But for now, I need to eat something," he muttered, and his stomach growled right on cue.

He reached for the doorknob. "Meet me downstairs in five minutes. We need to talk."

I nodded curtly and watched him leave.

Finally.

Once I was sure he was gone, I sauntered to the closet and opened the door only to find it empty.

"Astrid?" I called, my voice low and steady.

Silence.

"Astrid?" I called again.

No response.

What the hell?

Just as I turned to leave, a small hand slid around my waist from behind, followed by a faint whimper.

Astrid.

I perceived her scent before I looked. That addictive lily scent of hers that always find a way to drive me insane for a beat.

"Astrid?" I said, meeting her eyes.

She quickly pulled her hand back and glared. "Has he gone?"

I gave a short nod. Astrid stepped out, exhaling in relief.

"Astrid–" I began, but she brushed past me with a scoff, leaving the closet.

Before I could say another word, she was out of the room.

I turned toward the floor-to-ceiling mirror, my fists tightening at my sides.

Did I just let my best friend's sister go down on me?

I stared at my reflection, but all I could see was her–those creamy thighs, those lips forming a perfect 'O' when–

Damn.

I shouldn't be doing this. I shouldn't be consumed by Micah's sister. She was still young. She still had a future. And I sure as hell shouldn't be the one to ruin it.

Right there, I vowed not to touch Astrid Cole again.

*

An hour later, Micah and I sat at the dining table, eating. Halfway through, he cleared his throat.

"You're still not up for that job offer I mentioned, Rhett?"

I paused on the fifth forklift and looked at him. "I'm not interested in moving from place to place. I told you, I love living in LA. I'll get a better job soon though."

"Really? Not interested at all?"

I set down my fork and reached for a tissue. "Yes. I'm not interested. I appreciate the help, Micah, but I'm not a fan of constant travel like you."

He chuckled softly. "Does that mean cool guys don't stress themselves?"

I smirked. "At least you called me cool."

"Dude," he laughed, tossing a tissue at me. I dodged and went back to my ramen. That's when her voice came through.

"Micah, you're back? I didn't know you were here."

Liar.

I didn't look up. I kept eating until my plate was almost clean.

"I texted Talia to ask where you were, but got no response. Where did you go?" Micah asked.

A pause.

Then, "I was at Talia's place. Phone was switched off."

Baby, you lie too much.

I kept my head down. I refused to meet Astrid Cole's eyes–she was a walking temptation.

Not until I heard her say, "Anyway, since you're here, I'll be heading out for a party tonight. I might be late."

I snapped my head to her and regretted it instantly.

Damn me.

She was wearing a short, fitted gown that clung to her curves and barely covered her thighs. Her hair was pulled into a bun, and her red lipstick gleamed under the dining light.

"Dressed like that?" Micah's protective tone cut in.

Astrid's gaze flicked to me, then back to him. "Don't stop me, please. It's a girls' thing. I promise, no men." She pressed a hand to her chest like she was taking an oath.

Micah's face shifted, but he didn't argue.

"Fine. But be home early."

"Okay." She smiled, leaning down to kiss his cheek.

My throat dried instantly. I should've looked away, but I didn't.

"I'll be back on time," she said, her voice dripping with excitement. She headed for the front door, and we heard it click shut.

For a brief moment, I kept eating in silence. I'd admit, Micah was a great cook. I could barely make tea, but he seemed to know every recipe in the world.

Typical Micah.

Then he spoke–and my fork froze mid-air.

"Rhett, you're my best friend. You'll help me with this, right?"

No.

"Yes," I said before I could stop myself.

"I want you to keep an eye on Astrid. I don't trust that she's going out with Talia, so I want you to follow them."