Chapter 131: Hot Tub

"She’s my baby sister. It’s different. He’s taking my baby away from me." Dorian answered.

That was not the answer she had expected.

She knew the Heathcliffes were close. It was impossible not to know that after spending any amount of time around them.

But Dorian?

Dorian with his permanently controlled expressions?

She hadn’t expected this.

And, strangely, it made jealousy twist inside her. Of everyone who had known this version of Dorian before she came along. Everyone who already had a permanent place in his life.

"I have two sisters. Alex is..." He paused, searching for the right words. "Alex is like me. Like my dad. You have to break down walls to get through."

Naomi smiled faintly. That description made perfect sense.

"And Ginny?" Dorian exhaled. "Ginny gives me a constant headache, but she has always been my baby."

There was such uncomplicated affection in the way he said it.

"And now she’s getting married?" Dorian continued, genuinely offended by the concept. "How?"

Naomi laughed softly. "Dorian, that is generally what happens when people grow up."

"All I look forward to is the day she calls me and tells me he did something to make her cry. If he is somehow the reason a mosquito lands on her, I’m knocking his teeth out."

Naomi shook her head, still chuckling. "You’re a good brother."

Completely insane, violently overprotective and probably a future nightmare for Oliver, but good.

"But I think what should matter right now is that she’s happy. And she is happy," Naomi continued. "And Oliver is actually concerned that you don’t like him. He sees how you are with Daniel, and it kind of stings. Look, you don’t have to suddenly become best friends. Just give him a chance. For Ginny."

Naomi gave him her sweetest smile. "Do you think you could send him an invite for next Saturday? Hang out with the boys?"

"He is not my friend," Dorian repeated.

Naomi gave him a patient look. "You don’t have to invite him every weekend. Just once in a while."

Dorian narrowed his eyes. "Did he complain to you?"

"No." Naomi smiled. "He just asked for tips."

"Fine! I’ll make an effort."

Naomi lit up immediately. "Thank you."

Dorian looked at her face and shook his head. "I still don’t understand the things that make you happy."

"You make me happy." She poked him in the chest with one finger.

"I do now, do I?" He caught her hand and tugged her forward until she landed against his chest.

Naomi laughed softly.

His arm circled her waist as he looked down at her. "How would you like to move to the master floor, then?"

"What?"

"You keep talking about wanting the full married-life experience." His mouth curved slightly. "Might as well give it to you."

Naomi pretended to consider it seriously. "Hmmm..." She glanced upward as if weighing the pros and cons. "Tempting. I like it."

His brows lifted. "That easy?"

"Well..." Naomi smiled. "Considering I may be needing the services of your hot tub in a couple more days."

"Mi hot tub, su hot tub."

"Not tonight, though. I’m too tired to do anything. I just want to sleep."

"You can sleep in tomorrow. The stylist will be here," he said. "I’ll wait for you at the venue."

"You called the stylist?"

"Yes."

"It’s so nice to have money."

Dorian laughed under his breath. "You would know that if you spent yours."

Naomi gave him a dry look. "Wish I could, Painfully Rich. Wish I could." She tapped him on the chest, unaware that both of them were talking about completely separate things as she moved to the dresser to begin preparing for the night.

Dorian meant she didn’t want to spend the money her father had left her.

Naomi meant she couldn’t spend her money because she was still paying debts.

Two completely different truths standing in the same bedroom, neither of them aware of just how badly they were about to collide.

Naomi, oblivious to the thoughts running through his head, slipped out of her dress and let it fall to the floor. She stood there in her underwear, facing the mirror as she began cleaning off her makeup.

Dorian watched from behind her. He genuinely tried to behave, reminding himself she was tired.

She had said she wanted to sleep. She had spent the entire day cooking, entertaining his family and somehow for reasons he couldn’t quite comprehend, she enjoyed it.

He could leave her alone. He absolutely could. Dorian managed almost a full minute.

Then Naomi bent slightly toward the mirror to wipe something beneath her eye, pushing her ass further in his direction. That was the end of that.

She barely had time to register his reflection moving before he was behind her, arms wrapping around her waist. "Dorian..." she laughed as he turned her around.

His lips met hers and his fingers rid her of the rest of the fabric on her body. He finally carried her toward the bed, deciding it was time to stop explaining things with words. He made love to her the only way she seemed willing to understand him.

*****

The following day, Dorian arrived at the Blackstone Leadership Forum alone. That had been intentional.

He had suggested Naomi meet him at the venue because, well... he had a plan.

Not necessarily a good one. But a plan.

He had hoped Lillian and Alistair would already be there. He would see them, endure the necessary courtesies and hopefully get whatever old nastiness Margot had accused him of carrying around out of his system before Naomi arrived.

Unfortunately, Lillian had not arrived.

Camille was there, of course. She was the hostess.

Someone else had arrived, though. Someone Naomi had already gone to great lengths to explain was completely inconsequential to her.

At least for now.

Callum Sterling had made an appearance. He was part of the audience.

No shock there.

His father certainly wasn’t going to let him lead anything.

Dorian spotted him earlier among several other guests and felt little to no threat from him.

At least while Naomi was still married to him.

He had just finished a conversation with one of the city’s wealthiest men and excused himself. He headed out to the lobby of the building where the forum was being held.

The lobby was packed with reporters. Cameras flashed from every direction. Camille’s production team had practically colonized one side of the space.

Blackstone was known for events like this.

Dorian had always seen it for what it was: a promotional event. Something designed to put a little spark back into the Blackstone brand.

Still, there was no denying they knew how to create noise.

He checked the entrance again.

Nothing.

Dorian exhaled slowly. He had now reached the stage where he was wondering which woman would appear first.

Naomi.

Or Lillian.

Neither did.

Camille did.

Just as Dorian was about to call Naomi again, two hands landed on his shoulders from behind and squeezed.

"Hey there..."