6 Mountain Brothers for Christmas

“I wouldn't do that if I were you,” she said, her smirk turning to a look of pure hatred. “Because let me tell you something, if you don't listen to what I have to say, I'm going to ruin both of your pathetic little lives.”

“Like hell you will.”

“I have photos, Sebastian,” Jessica said. And the words sent chills down my spine. “Photos of the two of you kissing outside last night, and photos of you being all cuddly on the patio this morning. But better yet, you two didn't even bother to close the blinds last night, and I didn't have to try too hard to see what you were doing. Or get photographic proof of it either. And what would happen if these photos got into the wrong hands? What would happen if say, Violet's mother got hold of them?”

CHAPTER TWELVE - SEBASTIAN

Jessica wasn't lying. She had pictures, which she'd printed out just for us. She passed them through the door before leaving, shaking her ass as if to tease me as she walked away. As if I ever desired to see that ass again. Well, if she ever thought there was a chance of us getting back together, what she'd done had ruined those chances entirely. Jessica knew how to burn bridges on her way out the door.

“I'm sorry, Violet,” I said, looking down at one of the photos from last night, one that showed I was clearly between her legs, eating her out. “I'm so, so sorry.”

Violet remained quiet as she looked at the photos, but I could tell it worried her. It worried me too, to be honest. Not just because it could look bad from a business standpoint, but because Violet's mother was a close friend of mine, and I didn't want her to see me as some dirty old man who was screwing her daughter.

“What does Jessica want from us?” she finally asked. “What does she want to not release the photos?”

“She didn't say, but I'm sure she'll be in touch.”

Violet nodded, again, still not saying much. She just sat there with a shell-shocked look on her face and my hea

rt went out to her.

“We need to go soon,” I said, glancing at the clock.

Violet nodded again, dropping the photograph she was holding. “I still need to shower.”

“Me too,” I said. “But maybe it's better if I shower over in my own room.”

Violet looked up at me, her eyes filled with hurt. She didn't argue though, instead she just nodded as a look of sadness and resignation crossed her face.

“That's fine,” she murmured.

I kissed her forehead before leaving the room, making sure the door locked behind me. With a sigh, I walked along the bridge that led to my room, my mind a maelstrom of conflicting emotions. And when I looked up, I was not surprised in the least to see Jessica sitting outside of my bungalow with her feet dangling over the edge of the bridge, letting the ocean water swirl around her ankles.

A dark and abiding rage boiled inside of me when I saw her there. She sat there with her back to me, still managing to look like she owned the place; looking like she thought she deserved to be there. I knew this was her way of surprising me and in some dark, twisted part of her brain, she probably thought it was a romantic gesture. But I'd made it plain as day that I didn't want to be with her – or see her ever again. The girl had issues and this took things way too far.

“I've always wanted to see Bali,” she said, speaking without looking up at me. “I just never knew I'd be seeing it under such trying circumstances.”

“What did you expect, Jessica?” I sneered. “I told you we were through.”

She looked up at me with tears in her eyes. “Yes, but you also told me that little tramp was nothing more than your assistant. Well, guess what? I have photographic proof that you lied about that.”

“I didn't lie,” I said, clenching my jaw as I tried to control my rage. “We aren't dating. Last night was the first time anything happened. Not that I owe you an explanation. I told you that we were done. Several times.”

“No, of course you don't owe me an explanation,” she said softly. “I get now that we're over. I see it clearly now for the first time. You've moved on.”

“I moved on a long time ago, Jessica.”

She looked out at the ocean and wiped at her eyes, obviously not wanting me to see that she was crying. I felt bad for hurting her, but really, how much clearer could I have been? And the fact that she was snooping around, taking secret pictures of me and Violet, she had gone way too far.

“You know, all this time, I thought that maybe I could fix things. Maybe somehow get you to love me again,” she said softly. “But clearly, that's not going to happen. You've moved on to someone younger and prettier.”

“It's not like that,” I said.

I hated for anyone to think it was just about Violet's age or her looks. She was a lot more than that. She meant more to me than that, and to dismiss all of it and claim I was only after someone younger and prettier than she was, royally pissed me off. But I didn't want to cause a scene, and if possible, I wanted to defuse the situation entirely. Maybe make Jessica reconsider what she was doing with those pictures.

“We were no good together. Not for a long while,” I said. “Besides, it became pretty clear that you were using me for my money, Jessica. That was it.”

“No, Sebastian. Believe it or not, I loved you,” she said, her eyes filled with unshed ears. “I still love you.”