My Uncle-in-law Is Too Tempting

enne

quiet sitting room. I stood up from the couch, my heart pounding. "Right now? After everythi

s delivering a weather report. I blinked. She was calm. To

added, brushing at her skirt like the conversation

adn't even closed his case. His killer was still walking free. And she was planning a wedding? I turned away, needing distance before I said s

understand," she said behin

hot back. I didn't stop. She

voice was l

t expect me to smile about it." S

I forgot how he laughed? How did he hold your hand when you were scared?"

I said, "why are you acti

. I loved him. You know I did. But he's not coming back." Her voice cracked. And for

this guy?" I asked. She hesita

aughed. Short. H

. I know it's fast. But it feels right. Please. Just meet him." S

n everything. You think before you

ith it, even if I waited five years. You

you to b

one else." Before I could reply, the doorbell rang. She changed instantly.

She headed toward the hallway like this was the best day of her life. Meanwhile, mine was falling apa

he dress, is it too short? Maybe I should

Dad's house? Are you serious?" I pulled

ashamed?" She froze, jaw

the chance to say anything more. The doorbell rang again. Of course, saved by the bell. She didn't glance at me, not even o

he thought hit harder than I expected. Even through the anger coiling in my chest, I couldn't ignore how beautiful she looked. She was glowing

he whispered, voice soft and frag

know what I was expecting, but it certainly wasn't the sight of her giggling and kissing some man on the cheek like she was sixteen again. My brea

had always belonged there. I clenched my fists at my

vier. Xavier, this

ead, I folded my arms across my chest, locking myself in, just to keep from exploding

you, Vivienne," he said,

imself like him. He was older, yes, with a neatly trimmed beard and soft brown eyes that tried too

Mum said gently, though tension edged

bitter laugh. "Hard doesn't

wallowed it back. A sigh escaped her lips

o," she added after a beat. "He really

d again. Maybe I

ice low, menacing. Before she

le. Like it made sense to welcome two strangers into the house my father built with his bare

d velvet-smooth. "I've heard so much about t

gged. He held her hand like it belonged to him. Not rudely. Not even arroga

bell. But Lucian's eyes were already somewhere else. On me. Our eyes locke

ng to a chest that looked sculpted. Dark jeans. Heavy boots. A five o'clock shadow dusting his jaw. And those eyes...God. I

Mum said quickly, filling the si

t even sound like mine. I cleare

lazy, like I'd just to

Vivienne," he said, dragging ou

ctric crawled

ed, though I still

voice unnaturally bright. "But Xavi

to come along too?" I

licked toward me, flashing a qui

Lucian offered, his voice smooth as glass

nt. But the way he said it, slow,

etheart," Mum chirped. Too cheerful. Like

the last. My legs trembled. At the top, something made me glance back. Lucian was still watching me. Not my face.

, I was ashamed. Ashamed of the way my pulse raced. Ashamed of the heat blooming low in my stomach. Because I wasn'