Forbidden Lust

Connor threw back his whiskey. “No party. She’s still livid with you for dragging her away. Who needs to hire muscle when your bestie can do it for you?”

The steak was bloody and delicious. The boys sank back a few top-shelf whiskeys and were discussing Magnus’ impending decision with his cheating wife taking half his fortune. Yes, the dickwad’s prenup was rather generous.

It was after ten o’clock when I’d decided I should head back to the Hamptons. I had an early meeting, and the last whiskey had me feeling rather relaxed.

“Hey, I'll walk you out. I’m heading off too,” Ari said. “I’ve got Estella, my late-night fuck waiting back at my apartment.

“Christ, about time you got more pussy than me.” Heads turned, but I didn’t give a fuck as we walked past late-night diners toward the exit.

“Don't I always?” Ari winked.

“Keep dreaming, Ari.”

“There will be no sleeping tonight. Estella’s a goddamn nymph!”

My car waited for me out front, but Ari pulled me to the side before I got in.

“What’s the main reason you're following me out? Let me guess…”

“Don’t fuck her,” he said, a warning in his tone.

“Guessed right.”

“You want to, don’t you?” Ari's eyes were wide.

Maybe.“No.”

“Fuck, why do I feel I’m already too late, Barrett?”

“Ari, you’ve had too much to drink. Go home, get laid.”

He narrowed his eyes at his best attempt at another warning. But fuck him, fuck all of them. I’d never listened to anyone before, and I wouldn’t start now. I wasn’t touching Lourde, but that was because she deserved better. As damn hard as she made it around me, I knew my limits. I was in control, and she was my best friend’s little sister.

Besides, she deserved way better than a monster like me.