Page 14 of Theirs to Treasure
Heat rises in me, and I know it is turning my cheeks scarlet. My inability to hide my emotions has always been something that annoys my mother. How many times and ways have I tried to change who I am to suit others?
Realizing he’s waiting for an answer, I force out a breath.
When I’d escaped the future my family planned for me, I hadn’t thought much past booking a room and getting a drink.
I should have gone into a boutique and bought some suitable clothing and changed out of this gown that I now hate, especially since I have no idea how long the credit card will remain active. My actual purse is in the hotel room that I shared with my sister.
I only have a few hundred dollars of cash in my clutch, which, according to Edward, was more than I’d need. As his wife, he would provide for all my needs. And we planned to honeymoon at an all-inclusive resort.
Needing to escape, I signal for the bartender to bring me my check, and then I pick up my glass and slam down the remaining contents. “Damn.” The base of my skull seems to be on fire, and I cough.
Instantly Forrest Donnelly is there, taking the glass from me.
“You all right, ma’am?” the bartender asks.
“Fine,” I lie.
“I’ll take that,” Forrest says, accepting the bill.
“That’s not necessary.” My protest is instinctive. “I can pay for my own drinks.” At least I hope I can.
In that moment, another man, looking shockingly like Forrest joins us.
He’s equally as tall, but not quite as broad. His lean physique makes me think he’s a runner or bicyclist. “I’m Zev,” he says, and when he extends his hand, I stare at it but don’t freak out. “Forrest’s younger brother.”
The man’s eyes are bluer than those of his sibling, kinder too. There’s a calmness in the depths, rather than the turbulence in Forrest’s.
Zev has a quick smile, and it’s easy to imagine sharing my deepest secrets with him.
Aware of Forrest watching, I trustingly slide my palm against Zev’s. Why, I can’t be sure. The only thing I know is that the man is irresistible.
Breath vanishes from my lungs at my immediate, sensual reaction to his reassuring grip.
I could blindly place my trust in this man. But I dare not.
He quirks a brow, and I realize he’s waiting for me to offer my name.
I still haven’t run, and if I’m not careful, I’ll fall under the spell of the Donnelly men.
“Anna,” I say. I have no idea where the name came from.
“A pleasure…Anna.” Instead of releasing me, he raises my hand to his lips.
I’m going to swoon. I know I am.
Resisting one of the Donnellys would be difficult. Two might be impossible, and that makes me doubly determined to get out of here.
After yanking my hand back, I reach into the clutch for the credit card.
“I said I have this covered,” Forrest states, words clipped and assertive. Bossy.
“What this oaf means is that it’s our pleasure to buy you a drink.” Like Forrest, he is easygoing, seemingly not offended by my manners at all.
Because I am not entirely convinced the charge will still clear, I smile my thanks.
“We’ll close out,” Zev tells the bartender. “Add the lady’s to our bill and put it on our account.”
“Of course, Mr. Donnelly.”