Apparently she thought we were close enough to insult each other in good humor.

I cocked an eyebrow. “Just because I don’t bounce around like I’m in a Skittles commercial doesn’t mean I’m difficult.”

And I walked off, hearing their snorts behind me as they followed.

I almost went for the side door, next to the covered driveway, but I caught myself just in time, remembering I had to keep up the pretense that I’d never been here and most guests wouldn’t use that door. Of course, my brother was informed about how close Marek and I had gotten, but that didn’t mean I could be careless.

Before we even reached the front door, though, it opened, a butler I hadn’t seen before greeting us.

“Good afternoon.”

“Hello.” I nodded, taking a few steps into the entryway and stopping.

Kristen and Jack strolled in behind me, and the sunlight fanning across the floor slowly fell away as the door closed.

I inhaled and instantly dipped my head, trying to hide the smile caused by the flutters in my stomach. I loved his smell, and I suddenly realized my new favorite place was being curled up in his sheets, where that scent covered me.

“Ms. Bradbury,” I heard a voice say from above.

I looked up, seeing Christian descend the dark hardwood stairs with one hand on the cast-iron railing, and I immediately felt a light layer of sweat break out on my forehead.

Yes, this was definitely inappropriate. I shouldn’t have come.

“I didn’t know you’d be here.” He looked at me quizzically as he reached the bottom of the stairs.

Yeah, I shouldn’t be, should I?

I forced a smile, taking him in. I was glad to see I hadn’t over- or underdressed.

He wore black slacks with black shoes, and while he hadn’t put on a tie, he still looked dressy in a light blue oxford with his sleeves rolled up. I’d decided to take advantage of the warm October weather and wore a sleeveless dress that fell just above my knees, but while it was mostly white, it was filled with a spatter of pink and blue flowers in the middle that looked a lot like a watercolor painting. It was vintage, and I loved it.

“Hi, Christian,” I greeted in a light voice. The pleasant-teacher one I used for the students. “Yes, your father invited me. This is my brother, Jack.” I waved my hand, joking, “He’s nicer than me. I promise.”

He nodded but didn’t smile.

“And you know Ms. Meyer.” I gestured to Kristen.

Christian gave her a half smile, but there was something that still wasn’t right. I didn’t know if he’d already been put off before we got here, or if it was my overactive sense of guilt that he might not want me here, but he seemed displeased about something.

We’d made some progress in class, and his work outside of the classroom was excellent. Whatever was bothering him wasn’t getting in the way of his performance, so I could only hope it had nothing to do with me.

The quiet butler in his white jacket and black tie approached us. “Everyone’s out back,” he told us. “Down the hall and you’ll see the glass doors.”

“Yeah,” Christian spoke up. “Follow me.”

And he turned around, leading us to the back of the house. The echo of mine and Kristen’s heels drowned out any other sound as Christian took us across the white marble floors of the entryway to the slate tiles of the kitchen toward the French doors leading out to the patio.

“Wow. Look at this place.” Kristen’s whisper was filled with awe.

But I refused to look around. If I did, I’d see the door leading to the study where he’d mauled me four days ago or the stove where I’d made breakfast wearing only his shirt.

“It’s a large house,” I commented to Christian ahead of me. “I mean for just you and your dad.”

We all walked through the doors, and Christian turned around, regarding us casually.

“He’s my father, not my dad,” he pointed out, looking around. “And this is his house, not mine.”

Reaching over, he grabbed a bottle of water from the neatly lined-up beverages on the refreshments table and offered a cocky smirk. “Have fun,” he said, and then spun around, walking away.

My brother appeared at my side, shaking his head and watching Christian stroll away to his friends. “Pretty cold for a fourteen-year-old.”

Yes, he was.

However, I couldn’t help but envy him. Maybe if I’d known my own mind at that age as well as he did, I wouldn’t have behaved so stupidly. He stood his ground, he knew who he was, and he held everyone to a standard. Christian wasn’t denying himself good things because he was damaged. Rather, he was shielding himself against harmful things because he’d been disappointed.

Sometimes second chances were too much to ask. Or maybe he’d realize that his dad was still learning.

“Ms. Bradbury.”

Speak of the devil…

Elation swept through my chest, and I couldn’t keep the smile at bay this time.

Turning around, I held out my hand, keeping up appearances. “Mr. Marek,” I greeted as he took my hand, a mischievous look crossing his face.

He was dressed in a black suit, cut to flow with the shape of his body.

And even though the suit was dark-colored, his white shirt and light blue tie gave off a casual and bright appearance for a luncheon set outside.

He took longer than necessary, holding my eyes just enough to tell me I was on his mind, and then he turned to my brother, holding out his hand.