Page 6 of Mine

Luke’s little girlfriend? Gah!

I sipped my champagne, if nothing else, so I didn’t have to reply.

"So that’s Nanna, as you know. Pops is over there with the whiskey,” said Luke, as a ripple of laughter broke out from the red-faced man sitting beside the whiskey cabinet.

"You’ve met Aunt Sally and Uncle Brett," he continued as his gaze swept the room. "My brother Sam and his girlfriend Nancy."

I looked up in confusion; the last time I saw Sam, he was dating a woman called Clare. He made eyes at me in desperation, warning me not to mention Clare.

"Hey guys. Good to meet you, Nancy," I said.

Nancy checked her nails and barely glanced at me in response. She was immaculate to look at. Her blonde hair was perfectly in place on top of her head in a well-styled bun, with bright red lips and a sleek black playsuit. "Hey, Greta,” she said in a bored tone.

I threw her a dark look as a small smirk played on her lips. Sam coughed to ease the tension between us. "Then there are the new guys in town." He raised his glass toward a woman in a beautiful silk dress, her caramel-coloured hair gathered with a diamante clip, dark lashes framing the greenest eyes I thought I had seen somewhere before.

"I’m Alice, lovely. Nice to meet you. Drink up, you’ll soon lose those nerves." I liked her at once, warming to her instantly. She smiled as she continued. "My sons are on their way, I’m sure they won’t be long. We moved here literally last week. It is a lot smaller than New York, but at least we’re closer to family."

“Sounds good,” I smiled as Luke guided me over to a sofa.

The drinks flowed, and I felt myself relax until I heard a commotion at the front door, and Luke squeezed my knee. "Looks like the brothers made it at long last," he said.

A man entered the room with the same green eyes as Alice, yet a mass of dark chocolate hair fell in waves around his shoulders. "Hey everyone, I’m Drake..." His voice had a slow, confident drawl to it, and I noticed Nancy perk up and flutter her eyelashes at him.

"Hey Drake, I’m Nancy."

His eyes flashed over her as he gave her a smile. Sam frowned with annoyance, but he still acknowledged Drake. "Alright bro? Finally made it then...?"

Sam put his arm around Nancy, as Drake laughed, rubbing his neck awkwardly. "Yeah, sorry about that, guys. Car trouble."

More drinks flowed, and I excused myself to go to the restroom. I climbed the stairs, trying to remember which way it was; this floor alone had two large bathrooms and three bedrooms. I strode down the mirrored corridor and found the bathroom. After using the toilet, I checked my reflection and texted Rosie to tell her I missed her and that I was getting bored. The champagne was making my head hurt—it’s not usual to get a hangover before experiencing any of the fun, right?My phone pinged back.

ROSIE:

But maybe it will be worth it later ;)

I pursed my lips when the bathroom door opened, and an intense green gaze swept over me. "Jesus!" I yelped.

It washim.

Cal.

He strode into the bathroom and closed the door behind him.

“Excuse me, I was just...” I stammered, unable to tear my eyes away from him.

He walked up to me as he stared into my eyes, searching them with intrigue. Up close, I could see swirls of faint blue drizzling into a pond of emerald green, the colour exploding beneath his full lashes.

"Why are you everywhere I go?" he murmured, my heart skipping about fifty beats.

What is it with that damn accent of his?

He was close to me now, and I couldn’t help but notice that his breath smelt of a mixture of alcohol and cigarettes, but that just attracted me more. I turned my head; anything to break eye contact with him.

"Hey— I was the one in the toilet. Luckily I had finished!" I retorted.

He doesn’t move a muscle as I leaned closer towards him, my heart pounding in my ears. My body was moving of its own accord, held prisoner as his eyes moved down to my lips. He hands rest either side of me on the sink, his body pressing against mine.

I should have told him to move, but there was no way— every part of me was screaming for this man to touch me in any way possible. Then, without saying a word, he moved back and leaned against the door. I flushed as his eyes trailed down my body, his tongue wetting his lips as he shook his head.