Page 15 of Filthy Hot Billionaire
I sucked in air and hoped to disguise the shiver that raced over my body as I stared deep into Knox’s eyes and tried to read his mind. The riot of sensation that surged in my body made me feel dirty because, despite being uncomfortable from his forwardness, I found that I enjoyed this man’s touch far more than I should.
I was losing it. That was the only explanation because this was not just any man. He was my stepbrother. Not a blood relation, no, but in the eyes of the law, he was related to me. Didn’t that mean anything to him? Didn’t he find it wildly inappropriate to be touching me like that?
More importantly, why was I wondering if he would do it again?
I took a step back and lowered my gaze. “I need to get dressed.”
When he didn’t comment, I dared a look at his face, noticing he was once again staring at my breasts, and I wished I’d opted for one of those boxy, unflattering suits Kitty usually forced me to wear.
Knox nodded, as though giving me permission. “I’ll come find you in a little while.”
That sounded more like a threat than a statement.
I nodded, turning away as I tried to keep myself from running and screaming.
3
Knox
I didn’t bother to hide my interestas I stared after Emily, watching as she hurried toward the pool house, her toned legs beating a prompt retreat.
Admiring her was the easy part. What took effort was not following her. That required tremendous willpower considering my desire to help her change, to test her boundaries a little further, to see if her initial reaction to me had been all in my head or if she’d sincerely been turned on.
Don’t get me wrong, I probably would have if I wasn’t already convinced she’d felt it, too, that overwhelming chemistry between us, the way the blood pumped a little faster, the breath grew labored just from the proximity. The way her eyes had dilated when I brushed my fingers against her nipple was proof enough.
Emily disappeared from view when she slipped into the pool house, the object of my obsession effectively out of sight.
For a moment, I tried to reconcile the woman who’d stood before me moments ago with the young girl I remembered from years ago, but it was impossible.
I’d always thought of Emily Campbell as… Now that I thought about it, I tended to wax poetic about virtue when I thought about her. A few words came to mind: pure, angelic, untouched. Not to mention, mind-numbinglybeautiful.
But the woman wearing that dick-teasing bikini, the one who had leaned into my touch as I traced my fingertips over her soft, smooth skin, didn’t seem nearly as innocent and virginal as I remembered.
Looked like Kieran was right. My sweet, innocent stepsister was all grown up.
And it was official, my obsession for her had reached maximum capacity the second she’d strolled out of that swimming pool wearing the tiny scraps of fabric that had revealed the dark outline of her nipples and the thatch of dark hair between her legs. It was a fucking wonder I had been able to let her walk away.
Yes, it was safe to say, sweet little Emily Campbell was no longer that young, off-limits girl I’d seen on the balcony. She was most certainly a woman. One with needs and desires that had been suppressed for far too long, which, for me, was not a complication in the least. As for how Emily saw it, well… Based on her quick retreat, I doubted she was too pleased by my forwardness, but I’d known it was pointless to pretend otherwise. After all, I had been obsessed with her for so long, it only seemed right that things progressed from here.
However, there was a time and place for everything, and right now, chasing her down and rutting against her was not how I intended to introduce her to my world. Rather than go after her and get acquainted in a way that would no doubt make Emily panic more than she already had, I strolled in the opposite direction, back into the house, where I noticed the help was already looming, gearing up to make my life miserable.
“Mr. Montgomery, it’s a pleasure to have you in residence,” Daniel greeted as I made my way toward the den.
“Did that lie burn your tongue?” I countered, not bothering to pretend I liked Daniel or that he liked me. I’d never been fond of the man or his methods, but I knew Rhett and Kitty appreciated Daniel’s all-seeing, all-knowing ways.
As usual, he ignored my snide remark. “Would you like me to summon Stewart to bring you something to drink?”
The help summoning the help. What an interesting concept.
I kept walking, enjoying the fact Daniel detested having to follow anyone, yet, ever dutiful, he did.
“I do not. But you can find Hannah for me. Have her meet me in the formal living room.”
“Of course, Mr. Montgomery.”
I didn’t bother looking back to acknowledge him, something else Daniel despised. I simply kept walking, grabbing the satchel I’d left on the foyer table upon my arrival. I carried it into the formal living room, poured myself two fingers of the bourbon Rhett kept on hand, then retrieved my iPad and took a seat in one of the leather armchairs.
My gaze skimmed the room, taking in the decor. Unlike much of the house, this room had color, if muddy brown and drab burgundy could be considered color. The papered walls were camouflaged by a variety of oil paintings in a mishmash of frames, the furniture dark wood, the hardwood floors stained to match. The floor-to-ceiling windows were covered in thick tapestry, the sunshine blocked out so only artificial light highlighted the areas Kitty wished to highlight. It was quite hideous, if I did say so myself, but my mother had always considered this room regal and stately—her words.
