The Consequence of Seduction (Consequence 3)

That was my pep talk.

Over the next hour, I chatted with Max and Reid like there was nothing wrong. But when Reid touched me, or put his hand on my thigh, it took every ounce of strength I had not to stab him with my fork.

Or just burst into tears.

For one night.

Twelve hours.

I hadn’t been invisible anymore.

And it had been the best twelve hours of my life. The sexiest man I’d ever seen was kissing me, holding me, loving me. And I felt it—what other people probably feel on a daily basis.

Wanted.

Desired.

Visible.

He wanted my eyes open, he wanted me to be present, he said, and I was, I was so present.

The sick part? I wouldn’t take it back. Even knowing what I knew . . . because even though he was a horrible human being to use me in that way, he still gave me a gift.

It wasn’t the sex.

Or even the way he touched me.

It was the way he looked at me, for just one brief moment in my existence, like maybe I wasn’t the girl the guy passed over, but the one he searched for.

“Hey, you okay?” Reid nudged me once we found our seats on the plane. I’d just spent the last ten minutes smiling through my teeth while cameras flashed in our direction and the paparazzi asked if the wedding speculation was true.

“Yeah.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Just really tired, long night.” My smile was weak.

“You can lean on me,” Reid offered as he put an arm around my shoulder.

“Nah.” I fake yawned. “It’s okay. I’ll probably drool or something equally embarrassing. Why don’t you check your e-mails and make sure everything’s good for postproduction this next week? I think you got all your shots in last week, but hey, you never know.”

“Work,” Reid said slowly. “You want me to work?”

“I’m sleeping.” I shrugged. “What else is there to do?”

His eyes heated.

I quickly looked down and yawned again. “Well, night.”

“Jordan—”

“Dude.” Max turned around in his seat. “Dad’s thrilled his eldest finally grew up. All’s well that ends well. The ruse is up. Thank God. I’m locking Becca in the apartment tonight. P.S. Wear the earplugs I gave you.”

Becca let out a snort. “Sorry to burst your bubble.”

“No!” Max shouted. “There will be no bursting of any kind!”

“But,” Becca laughed, “I promised my mom when we got back I’d spend the night at their house and go over bridal shower ideas. And she hasn’t seen me in a few weeks because of school.”

Max was silent.

I heard them kissing, but kept my eyes closed.

“Fine,” Max grumbled. “But tomorrow night, you’re mine.”

“Deal.”

More kissing.

It was nauseating.

Sort of.

I clenched my eyes shut.

“Out like a light, huh?” Max commented.

Reid sighed. “Like I said, it was a long night, no wonder she’s tired.”

“Yeah, well,” Max sighed, “At least someone had a good night. Oh, also, I looked into that new complex that we acquired in Chelsea. There are a few openings, still want me to move her stuff out?”

My stomach sank. What the hellfire? When did Reid decide he was going to pack me up and ship me out?

“Yeah.” Reid nodded. “It’s probably for the best. Her stuff is shit anyways, you know? I can’t imagine her wanting any of it, but just in case.”

Rage pumped through every blood vessel in my body. It was like he was a completely different person.

“All right.” Max sighed. “Maybe you should tell her?”

“Nah, it will be a surprise.”

A surprise? Was he high!

The rest of the plane ride, I stewed like a woman scorned. He’d slept with me, made some sort of archaic wager with his brother over being able to stay in a relationship—and let’s be honest, a week is so not a relationship—and now he was kicking me out, and what? He’s just going to say, “Surprise!” when the guest room is packed up and my pillows are already in my new apartment?

He’s probably going to want me to thank him.

Like hell.

I kept choking on the lump in my throat as stupid tears stung the back of my eyes. I would not cry.

Not in front of him.

He didn’t deserve the tears.

Or the ego kick he’d get at seeing how hung up I really was on him. Good thing I wasn’t in love with him.

Good thing.

My heart pounded painfully against my chest.

Yup. Good thing I wasn’t in love.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

REID

As luck would have it, the minute we landed, my agent called and said I was needed on set for one last scene. The kissing scene, the same one I’d been having trouble with that I nailed last time.

The director wanted one more take, this time with it raining.

Of course.

Nothing more romantic than a kiss in the rain, or so I’ve been told.

“Hey.” I checked my watch, then nudged Jordan. “I need to run to set really quick and shoot a scene. I’m not sure how long it will take, but—”

“No worries.” Jordan flashed a completely fake smile; her eyes didn’t crinkle at the sides and her left eye started that weird twitch thing again. “I have some work to catch up on too.”

“Great.” I leaned in and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “I’ll see you later, all right?” I turned to leave, then stopped and ran back. “Help yourself to some wine while you work. Also, Max is going to need your key.”