Sweet Little Lies (Dirty Little Lies Duet 2)

He was dangerous and out of my league—in more ways than one—and I wanted him with every sense of my being.

Yeah, it was risky. A risk that may finally push my dad over the edge with having enough of my antics. But maybe it will pan out. I’ve spent my entire summer fantasizing about his best friend. Now that I’m heading off to college in a few weeks, it’s now or never. I need to dangle the bait in front of the beast and see if he bites or move on.

But I don’t plan on making it easy for him to walk away.The afternoon heat becomes unbearable. I get up and walk inside, allowing the brisk air-conditioning to chill the sweat across my chest. My bare feet hit the marble tile as I make my way to Dad’s office. Even though I know they’re neck-deep in talking business, a text from earlier gives me a reason to bother them.

I adjust my hair, make sure my breasts are perky and right where they need to be, and enter his office, acting oblivious to his company. I don’t need to turn my head to know Gabriel’s sitting on Dad’s couch sipping his scotch, the other hand holding a Cuban cigar. “Hey, Daddy! Guess what—”

As expected, he holds up his finger, silently telling me to hold on while he finishes up his call. I count to three before slowly turning to face Gabriel, admiring him in all his divine male glory, casual and relaxed, one leg draped over the other. “Oh, hey, Gabriel.” One, two, three. I count in my head, trying to keep my composure as I admire him from head to toe—his pristine suit, expensive shoes, and clean-cut hairstyle. Everything about him screams money, but it suits him. Just like my dad, he’s filthy rich. When you have more money than you’ll ever know what to do with, I guess you spend your fortune on your good looks. He wasn’t just good looking, though. He was more comparable to a god. He may even hit the gym more than my dad—if that’s possible.

Getting lost in his aura, I nibble on my bottom lip. “I’ll be leaving for school soon. Gonna miss me?”

His full lips wrap around his cigar as his eyes penetrate through me, undressing me inch by inch. Something electric passes between us, stealing my breath and forces me to look away. My palms brush up and down my arms, trying to get rid of the buzzing sensation layering my heated skin.

Gabriel takes a deep puff of his cigar, the cloud of smoke recapturing my attention. He continues to sit in his relaxed manner and has yet to stop focusing on me. The deep blue of his eyes accentuates his wicked smile. My cheeks flush, suddenly feeling like this was a bad idea. Embarrassed that I’m folding so quickly, I start to ramble. “I…uh, just needed to speak to my dad. College stuff. Didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“Your interruption is very much welcomed.” He inhales another tug of his cigar and sits forward. “And it seems you were due for a break. You’re starting to burn.”

My eyes drop to my chest, only to realize I’m as red as an apple. “Oh, shoot. You’re right.”

Gabriel chuckles, the sound waking the nest of butterflies in my belly. “You should make sure your boyfriend applies sunblock next time.”

His suggestion is a question. One he asks regularly. He wants to know if I have a boyfriend. And he waits for the same answer he always gets. “Gabriel, you know I don’t have a boyfriend.”

I love it when he fishes for information. I feed off the satisfaction in his eyes. As if he’s glad no one has me.

I let his penetrating stare allow me to believe I belong to him. It’s been years since I started seeing him as more than just my dad’s friend. Thoughts that were once innocent have now ignited like a blazing wildfire of burning hot desire. He’s taken control of my thoughts. Captured my dreams. A man who would split me in two if my fantasies ever transpired into reality.

“So, what are you and Dad up to now? Getting into trouble as always?” I turn on my flirtation.

Again, with his stare. It’s subtle, but there’s desire behind his steely gaze. He slowly stands, walking close to me. The air in the room shifts, and my heart thunders. “Depends on what you consider trouble, little bird.”

A layer of goosebumps wrap around my body at his pet name for me. Little bird. The nickname he’s secretly called me since this strange connection between us began.

“Where are you running away to so late at night?”

I whip around at the sound of his voice. His deep baritone sends a wave of heat between my thighs. “Out. I’m going out.”