The Wrong Brother's Temptation novel Chapter 31

Chapter 31

Sienna

I took a few deep breaths, squared my shoulders and headed outside

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I needed to apologize properly to him and salvage whatever this fake dating plan was before it completely fell apart.

The outdoor gym was a sprawling setup with weights, punching bags, and various training equipment spread across a covered pavilion. The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the mats where Connor was now doing push–ups.

Goddess, even his push–ups looked better than normal people’s push–ups.

Focus, Sienna.

“Hey, I called out, approaching cautiously.

He didn’t acknowledge me. Just kept going up and down.

“Connor, can we talk?”

“No.”

Wow, that was blunt.

“I really need to apologize to you…”

H

“You did. In your text. Apology accepted. We’re done.”

He moved to pull–ups, his back muscles rippling with the movement.

Such an annoying guy despite having a very sexy back.

“Stop staring at his back, focus!” I mentally scolded myself and tried again.

“I don’t think we are done,” I said, moving closer. “I was horrible to you yesterday. I said things I didn’t mean. I was confused and hungover and I shouldn’t have…”

“And you told me exactly what you think of me.” He dropped from the bar, finally turning to face me. “Message received, Speckles. You think I’m a creep who would take advantage of drunk girls. Got it.”

“That’s not what I meant”

“You also said you would never have kissed me back if you’d known it was me.” His voice was flat. “So yeah. We’re done here.”

I blinked at him in confusion for a second.

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15:10 Thu, Jul 23

Chapter 31

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“Wait, you would have kissed me back if you knew it was me?” I asked aloud and he only gave me a look before turning his attention back to his dumbbells.

“Wait, fuck you actually did. What were you even trying to prove?” I shouted, forgetting for a second that was not how an apology worked.

“Connor!!” I stomped over to him and stood facing him directly which was a bad idea because now I got a close up, high definition look at his very toned chest and abs that could have been on the cover of any fashion magazine.

“What do you want from me?” he asked, his voice tired. “An apology? Fine. I’m sorry I kissed you at the diner. I’m sorry I took you home when you were drunk. I’m sorry I covered for you with your mom. Happy?”

“No!” I groaned.

This was going spectacularly wrong.

“I don’t want you to apologize! I want you to accept my apology! I want you to..”

“What, Sienna? What do you want?”

“I want you to answer my texts!” The words burst out before I could stop them. “You said the apology was accepted very coldly and then are just ignoring me when I am still talking to you!”

He stared at me for a long moment.

“I am kinda busy right now.”

“Busy.” I laughed, but there was no humor in it. “Right. Busy with what? Figuring out which girl to flirt with at the party tonight? Moving on to the next conquest?”

His eyes flashed dangerously. “Watch it.”

“Or what?” I challenged him, stepping closer. “You’ll tell me to get out of your car again? Kick me out of your room? Oh wait, this is your house quite literally”

“You should stay away from potential rapists,” he said, his voice icy. “Isn’t that what you think I am?”

My face fell.

“Connor, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it”

“You know what?” He grabbed his towel, wiping his face roughly. “Mess with me any other day. Just not today. Leave me the fuck alone.”

“What’s so special about today?” I asked, confused by the sudden shift in his tone.

He didn’t answer, just turned and started walking away.

“Connor, wait. I am not done talking!”

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15:10 Thu, Jul 23

Chapter 31

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I ran after him and I saw Aaron approaching us from the other end.

“Tell your best friend to stay the fuck away from me.”

I froze at the way Connor said that to him and knowingly bumped into his shoulder.

“Watch it asshole” Aaron grumbled and Connor gave him the middle finger without looking back at him.

What had gotten into him today? I had expected him to see smile and gloat when I apologized because all our childhood, he had loved to torture me and when I was literally begging him, he walked away?

I stared at the retreating figure of Connor until he disappeared behind the wall and then my gaze flicked to Aaron.

He was standing at the edge of the pavilion, his expression caught between concern and… was that satisfaction?

I stood there, torn between running after Connor and staying with Aaron.

“Sia?” Aaron touched my arm gently. “You okay? Did he hurt you?”

“What? No. He didn’t”

“Good.” Aaron’s expression softened. “Come on. Let’s go inside. Sandra’s calmed down, and I hope you have too because we have a lot to do before the party starts, okay?”

I let him lead me back inside, but my mind was still on Connor my mind refusing to accept this as his normal asshole behavior. There was genuine hurt in his voice and his eyes had hardened to stone when I pushed when he usually took the bait pretty easily.

Aaron was muttering something about the cake and wine when we finally climbed the stairs and we were back near the main entrance.

My eyes widened upon seeing the hustle and activity around me. It had been merely thirty minutes at max when I walked out to talk to Connor.

And the mansion had transformed in the short time I’d been outside.

Where there had been scattered flowers and broken vases, there were now elaborate floral arrangements in crystal vases. The cheap folding tables had been replaced with elegant display pieces and strings of fairy lights crisscrossed the ceiling while expensive looking candles lined every surface.

It was beautiful in a detached sort of way.

It was also completely unrecognizable from the warm, family–focused celebrations Aaron’s mom usually preferred.

This looked like one of those pinteresty pictures which lacked warmth and the feeling of being at home. Sandra stood in the middle of it all, directing workers with sharp hand gestures and even sharper words.

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15:10 Thu, Jul 23

Chapter 31

She looked up when we entered, and to my surprise, her smile didn’t falter when she saw me.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” she asked, spreading her arms wide.

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