A Brother's Love

Red and White Roses

My body felt sluggish, my heart beating fast while my chest heaved up and down. My eyes trailed to Easton’s ensuite, hearing the water run. He was getting ready to head to the office while I was trying to find my brain, laying in his bed without any clothes on while his sheets barely covered me. My body was sweaty, not feeling great being covered up. My eyes trailed lazily to the door to Easton’s ensuite, watching him walk out with a towel hanging loosely around his waist. His eyes gleamed amusingly as he looked at me.

“You doing okay, Miss Miller?”

“Hm.”

He walked into his walk-in closet, “You are free to use the bathroom, you know.”

I knew that but I couldn’t get up, my body didn’t react to me at all. All I could manage was making some sort of agreeing sound. Easton’s chuckle trailed out of his closet.

“You’re not going to open your shop today?” He asked.

I rolled to my side, leaning over the bed to grab Easton’s shirt which he carelessly tossed aside. The shirt felt soft to the touch, it would feel great on my body. I sat on my knees and shrugged his shirt on, buttoning up.

“I am going to work today.”

I didn't want to sit around his mansion like a good little girl. There were things I could do, for now, my shop was still doing well enough so I wanted to make sure I wouldn't abandon it. I needed to keep up a regular schedule again, but I knew it would become quite difficult since Easton walked into my life. There was never a dull day that was for sure. The man walked out of his closet, tucking his white shirt in his light grey suit pants and zipping it up. His eyes found mine, the skin around his eyes softening due to the warm smile that spread across his handsome face. He looked more relaxed, softer. s*x definitely gentled him out.

“That shirt swallows you whole.” A breathy chuckle left his lips, “But you look cute.” He brushed his fingers through my messy hair, “Let Jake know when you are ready to leave.” He leaned in, kissing me on the lips, he pulled away when I tried to deepen it, “Ah, I really do need to leave. You’re too tempting right now.” He whispered.

Getting to my feet I walked up to him, wrapping my arms around his waist. He hugged me back, his lips brushing against my hair.

"I'll take a shower in my own bathroom, my stuff is there," I explained quietly.

He tightened his hold on me, “You could always move your things to my room.” He pointed out casually.

“W-What?”

He pulled away, keeping me on arm’s length while his look became more serious, “We established that you’re here to stay. So why should we keep our separate rooms? You’re already living with me.”

That was true, we did agree that I was here to stay. That meant that we were living together. It suddenly dawned on me that we were in a serious relationship. People didn't just decide on a whim to live together. It was a big decision.

“I’ll move a few things here tonight.”

Easton let go of me and reached for his tie which he had tossed on his messy bed, “Leave it, the staff will take care of it. Just focus on your own things.”

I still needed to get used to having people clean up after me. Easton had a team which kept his household together though. They were always on top of things. No doubt the minute we left this room they’d start cleaning it. It was almost scary how efficient they were.

"Then I'll go take a shower," I said awkwardly standing by the door.

Easton smirked, looking put together once again despite what we had done minutes ago, “I’ll see you tonight, Miss Miller.”

Leaving his room I headed to mine, making sure to practically dash to it so I wouldn’t run into anyone while wearing only a shirt. I stopped in my tracks when I realized my panties and bra were still somewhere in Easton’s room. I didn’t want to head back and embarrass myself even more so I just headed to my room, my face heated with embarrassment as I locked myself in the bathroom to freshen up again. I just had to remind myself that these people dealt with worse things than a pair of panties and a bra.

***

Jake was driving me to the flower shop, both of us silent while the unspoken question was lingering between us. It caused for some tension, it made me want to hide behind my hair. I washed it and dried it quickly, it was still damp so it would probably become a frizzy mess by the end of the day. At least I didn’t smell like sweat and s*x. Considering what time we were leaving the mansion didn’t leave much to anyone’s imagination though. So I knew Jake wanted to say something about it.

“We’re dating now, I suppose.”

“I didn’t ask.” Jake quietly reminded me.

“Just to let you know.”

“I was there when you made out in the car before.”

I forgot about that, but then we weren't actually dating. Just attracted to each other. Things were different now. I was going to stay at the mansion so I knew I needed to make things clear between Jake and me so it wouldn't become even more awkward.

“I’m sorry you had to witness that.” I muttered, “Easton told me I should stay in the mansion from now on and I accepted his offer. Well, it wasn’t really an offer, more like him stating it and me agreeing to it.”

Jake sounded amused as he responded to me, “You don’t have to explain things to me. Mr. Dehn is my employer and I just need to make sure to follow orders and ask no questions.”

I pouted my lips, “You might be Easton’s employee but you’re my friend.”

He chuckled, “Okay, so you’re going to live together with him now?”

He was humoring me, he might feel bad for me since I lost my friend and Alex was being a pain in the ass. Jake was a good guy and I loved having him around. I was also glad he wasn't the type of person to judge.

***

It was nearing six in the evening and Jake and I were ready to close up the shop. He was in the back putting away some of the supplies I used to freshen up the potted plants when a fabulous looking woman strolled in on the most beautiful pair of heels I had ever seen. Her shiny black heels clicked away on the dark wood floorboards as she approached me. She wore a red colored coat which reached her ankles and a flimsy black dress beneath it. I hadn't seen her before, she might be someone who needed a last minute bouquet. She flicked her dark hair back, her red colored lips curling up to a smile.

“I need a large bouquet.” She didn’t make small talk, just getting straight to the point. I didn’t mind that. I wanted to close up anyway, “Some white and red flowers.”

“Roses okay?” I asked.

“That will do.” She nodded.

I put together a medium-sized bouquet with greens to break up the color. She paid for the flowers but left it on the counter. I held it up, offering her the bouquet she just paid for.

She leaned forward, “You give that to Easton.” She told me in a quiet tone.

With a smile, she turned on her heels and left the shop with confident strides. The bouquet still in my hand Jake walked into the shop, looking at me as if I lost my mind.

“What happened?” He asked, taking the bouquet from me and placing it back on the counter.

“A woman just asked me to give these to Easton.”

Jake didn’t wait for details and headed out, standing before the door while he scanned the area. He walked back in when he didn’t find what he was looking for. He locked the door behind him, giving me a stern look.

“I’m asking for back-up. We’ll head to the mansion when the team gets here to escort us.”

She might have been the woman who was causing problems for Easton. I stumbled back realizing how easily she strolled in to make a point. Jake caught me and steadied me.

“It’s okay, Poppy.” He assured me, “We will keep you safe.”

It wasn't me I was worried about. Obviously, the woman had no intention to hurt me. She was playing games with Easton. It made me wonder if she actually wanted him dead or she liked playing games with him. I was thinking the latter came close to what her intentions were.