Page 35 of Ruthless Touch
As I take my seat behind my desk, I ask, “Where did he go?”
“He was hungry, so I told him to go grab something to eat. We can discuss this Angeloni situation just the two of us because you’re right. You do have to live here, and I do need you gathering intel on the goings on around here.”
Finally, some sanity coming from someone in my family.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Aria
As much as I still don’t love the fact that I have to stay in this penthouse all day, I can’t help but admit that sitting out on this terrace with the sun beaming down onto my face isn’t the worst thing in the world after last night. I expect I’ll have a much better tan after all the time I spend out here today.
Closing my eyes, I enjoy the warmth of the sun on my cheeks and take a deep breath in, letting it out slowly as the memory of my time with Gideon fills my mind. He’s quite sexy, when he isn’t doing that silent thing he so loves to do. I think we made a breakthrough in the shower. And later that night in the bedroom. Now I hope we can begin to be like normal couples.
Well, normal other than the fact that he’s still not okay with me leaving this penthouse.
I take a sip of orange juice and sit back on the chaise lounge to work on my color. I had begun to get a little ashy sitting around inside for the past few weeks. I probably shouldn’t have threatened to jump off the side of the building that first day here.
The sound of the door opening surprises me since it’s the middle of the morning and Gideon never returns this early. I quickly swing my legs off the chair and hurry inside to see what’s up, but I see a stranger instead of who I expect to see. He walks around like he belongs here, but Gideon didn’t mention there would be anyone coming in today.
“Hello? Are you in the right place?” I ask as I walk toward the man.
Nearly as big as Gideon, he has a thicker build and a darker vibe to him. But I don’t think he’s a security guy. I don’t want to feel frightened, but when he looks up at me after flipping through one of the books on the coffee table, I get chills up and down my spine.
“Hello. And who might you be?” the man asks with a wicked smile that does nothing to make me feel more at ease.
“I’m Aria. Who are you? Does Gideon know you’re up here?” I ask nervously as the man’s gaze rakes over my body.
Instinctively, I fold my arms across my chest. If I had known there would be strangers coming into the penthouse today, I wouldn’t have worn my new bikini I got at the boutique.
“Aria. Beautiful name for a beautiful lady. No need to cover up on my behalf. I’m more than happy to take in the view.”
This man scares me. I shake my head as I try to cover up even more of me. I don’t want him looking at the view if that means he’s just going to stare rudely.
“Who are you? Gideon isn’t here, but you can find him down in his office, I bet. If not, find Sasha and she’ll let you know where he is.”
That’s twice I’ve asked him for his name, and twice he’s ignored me as he gawks at my body. Suddenly, I miss Gideon’s way of being silent so much. At least I never feel like he’s ogling me as if I’m a piece of meat and he’s some kind of predator, which is exactly what this person feels like.
The man walks up to me and sticks out his hand. “I’m Alex, Gideon’s older brother. He never mentioned having a new woman in his life. You’d think he’d say something if he had a beautiful woman in his penthouse.”
Gideon’s brother? Now that I hear that, I can see the family resemblance around the eyes. Both men have that dark, smoldering stare that unnerves me. It’s just that with Gideon, I never feel like I’m in danger.
With this man, I’m sure I am.
“I didn’t realize he had a brother. It’s nice to meet you, Alex,” I say as I tug my hand away from his hold.
“Same to you, Aria. My brother certainly has a type. When I first saw you, I thought you were Gia come back from the dead. Long dark hair, great body, innocent face. Gideon definitely likes that look,” he says, his devilish grin growing bigger as he describes some woman his brother used to be with, I’m guessing.
I want to know more about this Gia woman, but I don’t dare ask Alex. In fact, I don’t want to continue this conversation at all he makes me so uncomfortable.
“Well, it was nice meeting you. As I said, Gideon is in his office, most likely, or somewhere in the hotel. Sasha, his assistant, can help you out.”
Alex shrugs and rolls his eyes. “I know exactly where my little brother is. The same place he always is. All work and no play make Gideon a very boring boy. I’m just wondering how he got a woman like you to lounge around his penthouse like some Greek goddess. How did he snag you, Aria?”
I have a feeling telling Alex that his brother paid off my boyfriend and is keeping me here as his captive, even though I don’t really mind much now, isn’t exactly what Gideon wants me to let him know. Alex doesn’t seem to be the type of older brother someone like Gideon would get along with.
So I lie.
“We met at a party. He’s very sweet and kind to let me stay here for a while. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate his hospitality.”