The next morning, I hung back, waiting for Ari, Magnus, and Connor to wake, then leave. But really, I was waiting for her.
I pushed my meeting to later in the day.
“What a night,” Magnus stated, satisfied he’d gotten his dick wet.
You disappeared early,” Ari said, sipping his espresso and staring at me.
“Well, you know me.” I grinned.
‘Where’s Lourde? We have to go now, and she’s still not up,” Connor inquired.
“Maybe she had a busy night!” Ari grinned. “That guy seemed nice.”
A vein throbbed in my neck. Connor shot me a look. “What?”
“We have that family dinner on Friday, where Mom and Dad have Senator Connolly coming over with his son, who’s more suitable.”
“Why is he more suitable than Michael?” I asked.
Connor’s phone rang, so I wasn’t sure how much he took in my question, which was probably a good thing seeing it was none of my damn business anyway.
“Oh, no,” Ari said, staring at me.
“Oh, he did,” Magnus added.
Shit.
“Tell me you were fucking the woman on your lap and not Lourde.”
“I was fucking the woman on my lap.” I deadpanned.
“Barrett, are you fucking crazy? Lourde is their princess. If Connor finds out, he’ll crucify you.”
“She is eight years younger than you,” Magnus added.
“Yeah, well, so fucking what.”
“Don’t pretend you don’t care. She’s not someone you just fuck,” Ari spat.
“Yes, she is.” I shrugged. “She wanted a taste of freedom, so I gave it to her. Now I’m going back to Manhattan, and she’s got a suitor to charm and fall in love with. It was a one-time thing.”
“You’re so fucked, my friend, I can’t even…” Magnus added. “And here I was thinking I had fucking problems with my cheating wife. Ha! You're in a world of more pain than me.”
You don’t know the half of it.
“No, I’m not, and I don’t give a fuck what Connor says. But it would be best for you two to keep your mouths shut unless you want this to come between us.”
“Fuck, I’m not saying a word,” Magnus said.
“Yeah, are you crazy?” Ari agreed.
Connor snapped off his phone call, and I watched him walk back inside from the balcony. “Right, we have to go,” he said.
I sucked back the rest of my coffee. “Well, boys, I’ll see you back in Manhattan soon. My work is done here.” I glared at Magnus and Ari.
“Well, come to dinner on Friday if you’re around. Meet the guy we want Lourde to fall in love with and live happily ever after.”
Both Magnus and Ari laughed. Ari spilled the rest of his coffee on his arm.
I glared at them. “Am I missing something?” Connor asked, picking up his overnight bag.
“No,” Magnus said.
“Don’t think I’ll make it this week, but thanks,” I replied. One night was enough seeing Lourde on someone’s arm. Another whole evening would be torture. Plus, she said she didn’t want to see me anymore. My skin crawled at the thought.
“Tell Lourde I said goodbye,” Connor said.
“Sure thing.”
* * *