Page 4 of Dirty Hot Valentine
Maybe that was not such a bad idea after all.
I grabbed my purse and ran to the front door before the snow started collecting in my hair, ruining the waves I’d spent fifteen minutes making. I stared at the wood, my finger shaking at the bell. My mind wouldn’t let me touch it, yet the cold urged me to ring the damn thing. I tried to take a deep breath. As the freezing air tightened my chest instead of soothing my nerves, I had no choice but to ring the bell.
The sound of the door opening almost stopped my heart. And when I saw the face behind the door, my heart did skip a beat.
Brandon.His name clogged my throat. I just stood there, blinking, my heart now banging my chest.
“Miss Gibson?” He looked equally shocked. “Are you…?”
The virgin you’re supposed to fuck? Yes.I didn’t know how I should feel at the moment. Lucky or embarrassed? How was that even possible? Brandon Beastly wasn’t some caveman who couldn’t get a date on his own. Something was off.
I managed to cock a brow. “Are you…?”
“Uh…no. No.”
My breath shivered on my lips. “That’s what I thought.”
He gestured for me to come in and pointed a thumb over his shoulder. “It’s my brother, Zach.”
I stepped in, avoiding his eyes. “Okay. I’m a little less ashamed now.” And if Zach—cute name—looked anything like his brother, I’d say my luck had just started to change.
“Oh, please. There’s nothing to be…ashamed of.”
A parent, whom I happened to have a gigantic crush on, knowing I was a desperate, lonely virgin? Yeah, that wasn’t humiliating at all.
“Zach and Kyle are in the living room. May I take your coat?” he asked.
“Sure.” I unbuttoned it, wondering why Zach wasn’t the one doing all this. Was he being coerced into this meeting? Or was he simply rude?
Brandon took my coat, his eyes flickering for a moment at my dress. Then he cleared his throat and placed the red thing on the hanger next to the door.
I was probably too underdressed. He was wearing a cashmere sweater that cost more than my entire outfit, and he wasn’t even the one meeting me. The place was dazzling, and I’d only seen a glimpse of it. The entrance entirely white marble. A glittering rectangular chandelier hanging from the ceiling. I had to stop and stare upward, admiring its beauty.
Brandon led me down the hall. Then we reached the living room. A big fireplace met me. A huge TV screen on the wall above it. Brown couches arranged in a U-shape on the opposite side, where two men sat.
The click of my heels on the hardwood loud as I followed Brandon in. the two guys rose and spun to look at me.
I blinked in surprise. For a moment I thought I’d falter. Zach wasn’t just Brandon’s brother. He was his twin.
“Keera, you’ve made it,” Kyle said. “You look great.”
“Thank you.” I gave him a small smile, but my attention was with the eyes holding my stare. Zach’s.
His hair black. Thick brows hooked together. Dark brown eyes with honey strings. Crooked nose. Mouth that made me want to lick my lips. His suit fit him perfectly. I could tell he didn’t skimp on gym time.
He was really handsome, even though he looked like he was about to murder someone. If Melissa thought Brandon was grumpy, she should have seen his twin.
“Please come in. Zach, Keera. Keera, Zach,” Kyle introduced us. “Not too bad, huh?” he asked me.
My lips twitched with a smile as I walked up to my potential date and pretended I was confident. The little surprise that bolted in his gaze as I stood closer flattered and worried me at the same time.
Brandon and Kyle were whispering, while Zach remained silent, piercing me with his stare. He didn’t even offer me a seat.
Someone cleared his throat. “Please sit down. Would you like something to drink?”
I sighed and sank into the soft couch. “Sure. Thanks.”
“Juice? Hot chocolate? Something strong—”
