My Best Friend's Bad boy Brother

Chapter 7

****Dylanne

We stepped into the halls of the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, a lavish five-star icon perched right on Lake Como's edge in Tremezzina, Italy. The Belle Époque glamour…pale yellow front, beautiful rooms, gold chandeliers hanging in shiny frames, sparkling under the Italian sun, gave the hotel's interior a smooth elegance.

My plan had been to say no to this trip, especially when Kim told me Kai was coming along. That meant we would see each other often, and I wanted so very much to avoid that.

But she somehow convinced me, and some part of my brain thought it wouldn't be bad to have him here. I bet it was the part that still thinks Kai and I have something left. I wheeled my bag, Kim yapping beside me, phone in hand and gum in her mouth.

“I don't think Kai would come, anyway,” she commented when we stopped, letting security take our bags to our room while we finished check-in. My heart calmed, my breaths steady this time. But something still felt off, especially with the churning in the pit of my stomach.

This was annoying.

“I called, and he said he still had something to work on in the office,” she sighed, twirling her blonde waves with a finger. “I wish he could come, though. He needs the vacation.”

Maybe I was being too hard on him. Maybe he actually didn't care about what we had shared.

“I'm sure he'll make it, Kim. I think we should just go rest and give him time.”

We followed security upstairs and into our rooms. We each had individual rooms, with mine facing Kim's, and Kai's was close to ours. Kim left to unpack her bags while I flopped onto the bed, hands splayed out. I was exhausted from the plane ride. Fortunately, Rhys had given me a break which I desperately needed. I'd worked my ass off for nine good months with no time off, so when the opportunity came, he granted it.

It was just for a few days, but definitely worth it. Thinking about it, I'd never been to Italy. Like, ever. So I would make the best of it this time. I would have as much fun as I could, and I could get some stuff for Eric here.

Exhausted, I picked myself up and walked into the bathroom to wash my face. I'd take a quick shower, then unpack later. Maybe I could check out the pool and then the lake later in the evening.

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A short nap had calmed my raging headache. While I unpacked, Kim had already sent a message to meet her down at the poolside. I felt refreshed this time, slipping into my two-piece red bikini set : a red bra-style top with straps falling down, paired with matching low-rise panty bottoms. It was a little smaller than my usual size; I'd gone up to a size 18 from 16 over spring break. My dark hair fell over my shoulders, held back by red clips on the sides.

A knock came right then, and I rushed to open the door, could be Kim reminding me I was taking too long to get ready. I'd already been struggling to tie the string on my panty bottoms by the side, so I lazily cracked the door open, eyes and hands focused on the task.

“Oh, did I come at a bad time?” Kai's voice shook me out of my concentration. I looked up to find him standing there, his scent hitting me instantly. He had on casual black shorts paired with a grey shirt that hugged his biceps as usual, his chest broader this time. Two earbuds were plugged into his ears, an expensive watch gleaming on his wrist. I swallowed hard, trying not to stutter as I stared.

“What are you doing here?” I asked immediately. “Kim's downstairs.”

“I know. I'm not here for Kim—I came to see you.”

“I'm busy,” I spat. He narrowed his eyes at me, his gaze trailing down to where I gripped the string.

“Do you need help with that?”

“Me? No! What did you need to see me for?”

He pushed through the door, letting me take steps back as I watched him shut the door behind me. I swallowed hard, not even saying a word. I was so concentrated on him coming in, so hot and bothered that I pulled my hand away from the rope, letting it slip.

His eyes caught them immediately. Moving fast, he reached where I was, his hands holding them this time. I gasped, my chest heaving as he held me in place, his other fingers touching my hip.

“What are you really doing here, Kai?” I whispered. “Kim's going to come looking for me any minute.”

“She won't. She's busy downstairs, and I told her I would call you down.”

“I didn't think you would come. I thought you were avoiding me, especially since you woke up and left the suite that day.”

“I—”

“It's fine. You don't have to explain anything right now.” His hand held my chin as he made me look at him. His grey eyes were dark, holding nothing but pure affection. It was as if he was being genuine this time.

But I can't fall for it this time. This is what he does…he promises and then he doesn't keep those promises.

Slowly, he trailed his fingers down my cheeks, to my neck, and then to my cleavage. Suddenly, I forgot how to breathe. I held onto his shirt, pulling him close.

Fuck.

I shivered under his touch, and I let him trail his hands down to my bare stomach. Eyes closed, goosebumps spread all over my skin as he hummed something in my ear.

There was no kiss. Just him close to me.

“I wasn't avoiding you.” I definitely was.

“I just… I didn't know what the date meant. What it defined.”

I looked into his eyes this time, waiting for him to say something—anything—that defined whatever this was. Somehow, I was mad at myself. Mad that I still melted just from his touch, even after I promised myself to let him go.

But here I am, writhing under my best friend's brother.

“Kim can't find out about this,” I finally said when I found the courage to pull away. “And whatever this is, it should stop. I'm glad that you're back, Kai, but we were over the moment you abandoned me.”