Just One Scandal (The Kingston Family 2)

Clearing his throat, he said, “I’m sure it’s difficult to work for family or anyone who doesn’t agree with your vision.” He walked across the room, sat down beside her, placing a hand on her knee. “Sometimes you have to reach for what you want. Go out, grab the world by the balls, and go after it.”

She met his gaze, those blue eyes focused on him. “What if you’re afraid?”

He shrugged. “All the more reason to do it.”

She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and released it again, making him think about it being his mouth pressed to hers, his teeth taking that bite. Their bodies coming together in a clash of…

“So … show me to my room?” she asked.

He shook his head hard, reminding himself he should not be thinking about fucking his new roommate. And she clearly didn’t want to talk about taking chances, so it was time to act like a good host.

He rose and extended his hand. She placed her palm in his, and damned if electricity didn’t spark between them as he pulled her to her feet. “Come on.”

“Wait.” Her gaze was on their hands. “You suggested I put this somewhere safe.” She pulled her hand out of his and eased the engagement ring off her finger. “I assume you have a safe in this apartment?”

He nodded and accepted the heavy ring in his hand. “Are you sure you trust me with it?” he asked, trying to lighten the moment.

And the way she rolled her eyes and grinned, he knew he’d accomplished his goal. He curled his hand around the ring, which he’d put in the safe in his bedroom until she was ready to deal with it.

“Bedroom’s this way,” he said, tilting his head. He led her to the spare guest room, grabbing her suitcase on the way.

His cell buzzed from his pocket. He ignored the call for now, guiding her down the hall and into the room across from his.

Something he hadn’t given thought to until now.

The most gorgeous woman he’d ever laid eyes on, his ex-best friend’s sister, and someone who needed his friendship more than anything else, was now living with him.

Keeping his hands to himself while giving her the shoulder she needed to lean on would be a challenge when all he wanted was to sweep her off her feet and take her to bed.

* * *

Beck walked Chloe into the room, set her suitcase on the bed so she could unpack, and excused himself to return a phone call, as if he couldn’t get away from her fast enough. Whatever. She didn’t have the strength to worry about another man’s moods. She had her own emotional state and life to fix.

With a sigh, Chloe sat down on the bed and took in her surroundings. The room was large and pretty, with white crown moldings and a light linen color on the walls. Windows let in a good amount of sunlight, giving the space a cheery feel, and the chic ruched taupe-colored comforter set was gorgeous, as were the decorative accents, lamps, and ultramodern fixture hanging from the ceiling. All reminders of the direction she wanted her career to go in.

She shook off that thought and decided to tackle one thing at a time, starting with unpacking. She rose, unzipped her suitcase, and put away her undergarments first, falling in love with the gorgeous white oak chest of drawers with nickel-finished hardware.

She placed the sexy bra and panty sets she’d bought for her honeymoon in the drawers, including the lingerie, and did her best to ignore the gut punch at the reminder of what might have been. Despite having realized that she and Owen were a mistake, she couldn’t deny wanting the family life he would have given her.

After putting her toiletries in the private bathroom attached to the room, she went to deal with the clothes she’d hang in the closet … and realized all she had packed were Hawaii-appropriate items. Long sarong skirts, bikini bathing suits, sandals, and sundresses. Everything to remind her of being dumped and nothing helpful for living in New York in the spring.

All her clothes were in boxes at her mom’s house, waiting for her to bring them to the place she’d planned to live with Owen. Thank God he’d signed the lease and not her. The rent wouldn’t be her problem, but the lack of clothing was. She couldn’t have those huge boxes sent to Beck’s, and she definitely wasn’t ready to go to her mom’s and face her disappointment and worry.

She wasn’t sure what to do as she zipped up her suitcase and placed it on the floor in the corner of the room. Her cell rang, and she picked it up from where she’d placed it on the nightstand.

Jordan’s name flashed on the screen, and Chloe answered, happy to talk to someone who would be rational about her situation.