Eye Candy

Lexington, better known as Lex, is two years older than Bancroft.

“Damn,” Lex says as he takes in the scene before him. His brow pulls down when he sees me and then shifts to Amie in her tiny red shorts and her see-through T-shirt. “If this is some kind of weird role-play shit, I want in.”

Bancroft snorts. Sometimes when Lex and Bancroft get together the conversation degrades quickly. I still haven’t quite figured him out, but I like him a lot, even though he seems a little guarded at times. He’s a bit of a cynic and I’ve gotten the impression that he has a player reputation. Whether that’s true or not, I’m unsure. Right now it looks like he’d love to play with my best friend. Too bad she’s marrying his cousin in a few months.

“Production was getting rid of a bunch of old costumes so I made Amie try some on.”

“In front of you?” The corner of Lex’s mouth curves up as he looks Amie over.

She drops her head, hiding her blush, and a smile.

Armstrong is suddenly all over Amie, which is very unusual. He’s not openly affectionate most of the time. Unless he’s goosing her or something. He wraps his arm around her waist and whispers something in her ear. Based on her expression, she doesn’t appreciate his comment.

Bancroft grabs Lex by the back of the neck. “Don’t flirt with my girlfriend unless you want your nose broken, brother.” He’s mostly kidding. Lex and I get along just fine. And I don’t think I’m his type. But then again, I’m not one hundred percent on what his type actually is.

Lex elbows Bancroft in the side. “I’m not here to steal your woman.” His gaze shifts to Armstrong, who’s busy adjusting Amie’s shirt. “I came for something else.”





Chapter 2: Hanging


Amie

I’m trying to keep my eyes on my glass of wine, but I can feel Lex looking at Armstrong. Or maybe it’s me. Which is understandable, considering I’m not wearing much of anything. Armstrong is annoyed. The way his fingers keep flexing on my side tell me this. His insistence that I change is hint number two. He’s been annoyed since he walked into the bathroom.

I’m very familiar with Armstrong’s annoyed face. His lips thin until they almost disappear. He’s also on his second scotch. Or maybe it’s his third. I kind of want to keep pushing his buttons to see if it will have the desired impact. Which is me coming back to his place tonight for some sex. It’s Monday, though. He has squash in the morning, so I typically don’t stay over on Mondays. Although, in a few months that’s going to change. When we get married I’ll sleep beside him every night of my life. Hopefully once the stress of the wedding is over and we’re occupying the same living space, we’ll go back to having the same amount of sex we did when we first started dating.

I played it safe with Armstrong, knowing his family background. We went out six times before we had very sweet, very missionary sex. It was very reminiscent of my first time, although it lasted a little longer.

“You want to stay for a drink?” Bancroft asks Lexington.

“No, thanks. I don’t want to crash your party. I just need the Beacon files and I’m off.”

“What do you need those for?” Bancroft taps the counter as he regards his brother.

They definitely look related. They’re both tall and broad. If Bancroft is Thor, Lexington is more like Captain America. Lex is a little narrower and maybe an inch or so shorter, but then Bancroft’s previous career as a professional rugby player gave him the build of a superhero. Lex is similar, but in lieu of a head of curls, his dark hair is straight; a crisp part and product keep it tamed. The sides are neatly trimmed and short. He must’ve gotten a haircut recently. It was longer the last time I saw him. Beyond that he has perfectly straight teeth to go with his perfectly straight nose and his manicured nails—yes, I noticed those. And every time I’ve ever seen him he’s been impeccably dressed.

Armstrong’s hand slides down my hip and cups my ass cheek. His lips are next to my ear. “Sweetheart, you should really consider changing out of this. It’s not appropriate for other men to see you dressed so provocatively.”

I grit my teeth and say nothing, aware that there’s some kind of tension between Armstrong and Lex. I have no idea what it’s about, but every time Lex is at an event we’re attending, Armstrong does everything he can to avoid him. Unfortunately, under these circumstances that’s not possible. I’m not sure why they don’t like each other.

Armstrong’s worry over my state of dress seems irrelevant since Bancroft finds whatever files he’s looking for right away. “Sorry for interrupting,” Lex says, then gestures to Ruby. “This is badass, by the way.”

He shifts his gaze to me and Armstrong, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “It’s always a pleasure to see you, Amalie, especially after you and Ruby have been playing dress-up.”

Bancroft coughs and gives him the elbow.

The smile becomes almost a sneer and Lexington tips his chin at Armstrong. “Later, cousin. We should schedule a round of golf before they close the course for the year.”

“We should,” Armstrong says tightly.

“I look forward to beating your ass on the green.”

Armstrong makes a displeased sound. “Unlikely. I think it’s been proven time and time again that I always come out on top.” He strokes my arm and when he reaches the hem of my shorts he drags his finger along my skin. I shiver.

What the hell is going on?

Lex’s smile drops and his eyes narrow, his cheek ticking. “That’s only because you play dirtier than me.”

Bancroft clears his throat. “You need anything else, Lex?”

Lex flashes his brother a dark smile and raises the folder before slipping it under his arm. His hands are huge. It must be a Mills man trait. One I’m not sure why exactly I’m noticing. “I got what I came for.”

As soon as Lex leaves, Armstrong goes back to being his usual self. I really don’t understand what the issue is there, but Armstrong can be very competitive, about pretty much everything. I want to ask what that whole standoff was about, but I don’t think I’m going to get any kind of answer that makes sense, and I don’t want to put a negative spin on the evening, so I leave it alone.

Twenty minutes after Lex leaves, I change back into my normal clothes and wash all the makeup off my face. Ruby on the other hand stays in her fairy outfit and eats the Italian takeout delicately so as not to mess with her glitter lips. I don’t want to be jealous of my best friend and her relationship, but sometimes I am.

I have a feeling the second we leave those two are going to get their freak on. And I doubt she’s going to change out of her costume or wash her makeup off.