Chapter 3After He Graduated, His Brother Took Over

The next morning, I woke up in Rhys’s arms, our naked skin pressed together. His perfectly sculpted chest was right under my palm. I swallowed hard.

Rhys, his eyes still closed, nuzzled my cheek. "You're awake," he murmured, his voice husky with sleep. "Hungry?"

As if on cue, my stomach growled.

A smile touched Rhys's lips. He sat up, wrapped me in the duvet, and scooped me into his arms. I looped my arms around his neck. "Baby, will you love me forever?" I cooed, playing the part.

He was a natural liar, not even blinking. "Of course I will."

He carried me to the bathroom, brushed my teeth for me, and dressed me. Breakfast, a lavish spread he'd had delivered, was already waiting.

I sat at the table, watching him. "Declan, you know, you've changed a lot lately."

His fingers froze for a split second. "Oh? How so? Changed in a way you like better?" he asked, mimicking Declan's playful tone, his eyes dancing.

It was the same face, but the feeling was completely different.

"You were never this gentle before."

His long eyelashes fluttered. He brought my hand to his lips and kissed my wrist. "Baby, I just want to make things better for you."

You can't provoke a man, especially by comparing him to another. The moment I put my fork down, he swept me up and carried me back to the bedroom. If it weren't for the fact that his hand was already sliding under my shirt, his serious expression might have convinced me he had business to attend to.

"Is this better, or was it better before?" he asked, his voice strained.

I closed my eyes, feigning concentration. "Now is better, definitely better."

His hand tightened on my waist, a drop of sweat falling from his forehead onto my cheek.

When it was over, I lay in bed, scrolling on my phone. Rhys went to take a shower.

His phone, left on the nightstand, buzzed. A message from Declan popped up on the screen.

[Bro, how are things with Aria? Has she suspected anything?]

[Bro, I'll try to be back soon. I got you a gift.]

Below it was a picture. Two hands, Declan's and Sloane's, pressed together, holding a pink crystal rose.

[Bro, isn't this crystal gorgeous? If you like it, I'll bring one back for you.]

Declan's hands were identical to Rhys's, right down to the lines on his palm.

A wicked smile spread across my face. I tapped out a reply.

[Who's this? My boyfriend's in the shower.]

There was a long pause from the other end.

A second later, the bathroom door flew open. Rhys emerged, a towel wrapped around his waist. He saw me with his phone and rushed over.

"Someone keeps calling you 'bro'," I said innocently. "Who is he?"

Rhys masked the complex emotions in his eyes. "He's the neighbor's kid."

I suppressed a laugh. I wondered how Declan would feel knowing his own brother had demoted him to the kid next door.

"He said he's bringing you a gift. That crystal is really pretty."

Rhys pulled me into a hug, kissing my cheek. "I'll buy you one, honey."

And as he held me, I slipped the tiny listening device I'd bought to catch Declan cheating into his pocket. The deal had been fifty grand for every time I caught him.

The phone in Rhys's hand started buzzing incessantly.

I guessed Declan was starting to panic. A few seconds later, it rang. A call.

Rhys pulled away. "I've got to take this. You get some rest."

I watched him go, the smile slowly fading from my eyes.