Dating the Duke (The Aristocrat Diaries 2)

“Stop causing trouble.”

“Absolutely not. It’s in my nature. But I hardly think this is causing trouble—trouble would be me convincing my sister Tim is the perfect guy for her, and I think he’s about as interesting as a bag of wet sand on a beach.”

“He’s a nice guy,” Gabi said slowly.

“So was Ted Bundy.”

Matt choked on his drink. “Did you just compare him to a serial killer?”

Eva looked up innocently. “I was merely making a point that people liked Ted Bundy, too. Being a nice guy doesn’t mean anything, does it?”

Gabi shook her head slowly. “I think I’m going to get another drink.”

“I just brought you one.”

“Yes, but Alex looks like his head is going to explode, so I think I’ll take him with me.” She got up and tapped me on the shoulder, so I finished the rest of the red wine I’d been drinking and left the empty glass on the table.

I was going to need something stronger right now.

I’d known all along that bringing Adelaide here would be a terrible idea. I was used to seeing her in leggings and oversized t-shirts, everyday summer dresses, and usually her pyjamas, especially first thing on a morning.

Seeing her dressed up like this… With that dress and red lips and a more carefree demeanour than usual?

No.

This had been a terrible mistake.

I didn’t need to think of her in the way that I currently was. These visions of her naked on a bed and the dress on the floor were completely unwelcome, especially since we had to share a bed tonight.

Unless she didn’t leave with me.

Shit.

Fuck, no. I wasn’t going to think that. I couldn’t think of her with Tim in that way—this night was borderline intolerable as it was.

I deliberately didn’t look for them when we reached the bar, and Gabi took one look at me before she ordered whiskey for me.

She was my cousin, but she may as well have been my sister for how well she knew me.

The whiskey and a glass of white wine were put on the bar in front of us and she handed him money and told him to keep the change.

“Drink this.” She slid the whiskey to me. “And start talking.”

“There’s nothing to talk about.” I sipped. “Truly, there isn’t.”

“Really? Because you’ve been giving her ‘fuck me’ eyes all night, and don’t think I haven’t noticed that she’s doing the same thing right back. What’s going on there?”

“Nothing.” I put the glass down and looked at her. “And I am being completely honest with you when I say that. Nothing is going on between me and Adelaide.”

Gabi stared at me.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I’m trying to figure out how stupid you think I am,” she mused. “You clearly feel something more than friendship for her.”

I grabbed her elbow and dragged her away from the bar, barely giving her enough time to pick up her glass. I found a quiet corner of the room and pulled her there, positioning myself so I could see if anyone would approach us.

“Look. It’s all irrelevant. She’s living with me right now as Olympia’s tutor. It would be completely inappropriate to pursue anything with her.” I straightened. “Besides, she’s clearly interested in Tim.”

Gabi made a noise that was halfway between a grunt and a squeal. “I’m not so sure. I only passed on his number to be polite, but she was shellshocked when I brought it up. So… no, Alexander, I’m not sure she is clearly interested in him.”

I rolled my shoulders and glanced around, catching sight of them together at a table where they were laughing. “Yes. It looks like she’s having the worst time.”

Gabi slid her gaze in their direction. “Oh, come on. Stop being like this. Yes, she’s Olympia’s tutor, but it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world if you were honest about how you feel.”

“Everyone is putting words into my mouth. First Ma did, now you.”

“Alex—”

I turned back to her with my jaw clenched. “Yes, I find her very attractive. Yes, I do find myself having feelings stronger than friendship for her, but it’s all a moot point. I won’t be acting on it, and I’d prefer if we didn’t discuss it any further.”

She rolled her eyes. “Fine. Let’s go back to the table before Eva and Matthew eat each other alive.”

I snorted. “I think that’s exactly what they both intend to happen.”

***

“I’m done.” Gabi finished her wine and grabbed her clutch. “I’m going to call Miles and see how his magpie stakeout went.”

“You know he wasn’t staking out magpies,” Adelaide said dryly.

“I know, but I’m going to play along and pretend like he was. It’s a small concession to make.” She looked around. “It was the right choice. He’d have hated this.”

I fought back a smile. He absolutely would have. I’d already texted him a photo and he’d replied that it looked bloody awful.