Broken Beast

"Every one?"

"All right, only the sex ones. He's a freak, isn't he?"

"Completely."

"Should I check you for rope burns?" He raises a brow. "Or maybe check him for rope burns?"

"A lady doesn't kiss and tell."

"Don't tell me you're a lady." He exaggerates a frown. "That won't be any fun."

A laugh spills from my lips.

His eyes perk. "A woman with fine taste in humor."

"You remind me of my brother."

"Danielle." He takes his free hand and mimes stabbing himself in the gut. "A man never wants to hear that."

"No?"

"No. The only thing worse than 'you remind me of my brother' is 'you're like a brother to me.'"

"We've only just met."

"So there's time for the mighty to fall." He shakes his head the tragedy and leads me into the dining room.

Trish appears out of nowhere. She smiles warmly at Liam. "You didn't tell me you were coming."

"It's a surprise," he says.

"You know how I feel about those," she says.

"You love them as much as you love me?" he asks.

She chuckles ah, silly boy. "I'll serve your coffee black next time."

"You'd have told Adam. And then I might not have met his overnight guest. Though…" His eyes go to my pajamas. "This is a familiar look."

"Liam, it's rude making references Danielle doesn't understand," she says.

He pouts.

"Save it for someone who buys it." She shakes her head. "Did you eat?"

"Not yet," he says.

"Coffee?" After he nods, she turns to me. "And you, Danielle?"

"Please," I say.

"Do you mind if I make pancakes?" she asks. "Liam has never been one for porridge."

He sticks his tongue out. "Tastes like paste."

She chuckles ah, what a silly boy, and moves into the kitchen.

Liam pulls out a chair for me.

I sit.

A sound upstairs calls my attention.

Adam.

Did he see the photos already?

Did he wake up, see them first thing, fuck himself to them?

Is he desperate to throw me on his desk?

Or maybe desperate to order me to cover up, keep my body hidden, keep my images for his eyes only?

If he orders me not to post, I have to comply.

My stomach churns. Not taking photos, not posting them—

I can't do it. I need the outlet or I'll find another. And exercise won't be enough.

I can't go back to bad habits.

I just can't.

"Damn. There goes our time for gossip." Liam sits across from me. "Quick. Something juicy."

I'm getting ahead of myself. Adam might not even know about my site. Or he might love it. Maybe he hired me because it gets him off, knowing his fake girlfriend is naked on the Internet.

"Danielle?" Liam nudges me. "You already thinking of Adam naked? Didn't get enough last night?"

"How did you know?" I force a smile.

He doesn't buy it, but he doesn't call me on it. "My gossip for yours."

Right. I'm the happy girlfriend. I'm playing my part, teasing Adam's brother. "You first."

"The outfit. It's what Bree buys whenever we ask her to dress a friend."

"That isn't juicy."

"All right. I lost my virginity on this table."

"Really?"

He nods really. "That side." He motions to the other side.

"Ambitious for your first."

"Older woman. She knew what she liked."

"How much older?"

"It's your turn."

Okay, this is why I'm here. But what can I actually tell Liam? Adam and I barely touched. "Your brother likes to make me wait."

"Cruel." He looks to the open side of the room.

Adam steps into frame.

He's already dressed. Grey suit. Patent shoes. Deep blue tie.

His scars are more obvious in the morning light. Jagged pink lines on pale skin. Well, not pale, exactly, but lighter than his brother.

Liam is unusually tan for a white guy in the middle of a New York winter. It's one of those signs of wealth. He can afford to fly to St. Barts for three weeks of sand and sun.

But then I can't curse people with money anymore.

I'm a billionaire's fake girlfriend.

And Liam seems like a good guy. Difficult, yes, but caring. If he came from the city, he came a long way.

His eyes are a little lighter than Adam's. A little greyer. His hair is a sandy brown whereas Adam's is dark.

They're both conventionally attractive. At least, before the accident.

Now—

God, I want to trace every line on Adam's skin. I understand his fear. I understand why he pulled away last night. God, how I understand.

But that does nothing to lessen the ache in my chest.

"Is that true, Adam?" Liam shakes his head. "It's rude to keep a lady waiting, you know."

Adam's eyes meet mine. He raises a brow really. The way he did last night. As if we both know I've said something ridiculous.

But this is true. I return the gesture.

He chuckles and turns to his brother. "She's just as bad."

Liam looks between us. "Interesting." He settles on his brother. "And you weren't going to tell me about your new… friend."

"Do you tell me every time you have an overnight guest?" he asks.