Page 45 of Scandal
“I’m not going to let anything happen to her, Hen. If you’re worried about the press or my family, don’t be. I’ll keep her safe.”
“That’s not what I’m trying to say.” He lets out a frustrated groan before he blurts out. “Ash, I think she might be a virgin.”
I come to a complete stop right in the middle of the road. My breath puffs out in front of me as the moonlight illuminates my path. “What?”
“I’m not entirely sure,” he says in a rush. “It’s just a hunch.”
“You have a hunch…about your sister’s virginity?”
“I know how it sounds,” he groans. “It’s just…she hasn’t had a boyfriend since she was fourteen, and she barely held that dude’s hand. Since then, I don’t think I’ve even heard her mention a guy…except during that crazy phase when she had a crush on you.”
“And now you’re worried I’m going to what? Take advantage of that? Use this situation and that old crush to deflower her?” I scoff. “Come on, Hen. Give me more credit than that. And give your sister a little credit too. She’s a grown woman.”
For some reason, I choose that moment to look back toward the cottage, where his sister happens to be sleeping in the bed we’re currently sharing.
Platonically, I remind myself.
Nothing more.
“Yeah, but she’s different. Like I said, she’s shy. She’s never wanted to be in the spotlight. She doesn’t even like crowds.”
“Neither does Presley, but I’ve never gotten this kind of speech when it comes to her.”
“She’s never had a crush on you either.”
I swallow. “Mercury is merely doing me a favor,” I tell him. “That’s all that’s going on here. If we look convincing as a couple in those photos, it just means we’re doing our jobs.”
“You’re sure about that?”
“I’m sure,” I answer, staring up at the sky. “It’s me, Hen. I don’t do relationships, remember? Never have. Never will.”
“True.” He chuckles. “You just had me worried there for a second.”
“Nothing to worry about. We’re fine.”
I see a shadow move inside the cottage, and my heart stutters.See? One hundred percent fine?
Fucking hell.
“Great,” he says cheerfully. “Now let’s move on to the next subject—the band. What is this I hear about you not coming back?”
I let out a loud groan.
So much for getting any fucking sleep.
Chapter Ten
ASHER
For the next two days, Mercury and I manage to shut out the rest of the world and just exist in this little cottage. Mac brings food from the main house so we don’t go hungry, but other than that, we speak to no one but each other and do whatever we please.
For forty-eight hours, I forget about galas and titles. I forget about scandals and disappointed bandmates, and I get to know Mercury Creed.
We take long walks in the forest, and I show her all my favorite places, like the pond where I used to fish as a child and the tree where I carved my initials as a teen. She tells me about the bands she’s worked with and all the crazy stories she has because of it. She talks about her siblings, and I can’t help but notice how much love pours out of each word when she speaks about them.
We sit by the fire and read. She teases me about my “slutty little glasses,” asking if I’ve always worn them or if they’re needed because of my advanced age. I beg her to tell me what she’s reading that makes her blush so often.
She never does.
