Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 49943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 250(@200wpm)___ 200(@250wpm)___ 166(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 250(@200wpm)___ 200(@250wpm)___ 166(@300wpm)
A buzz started up almost the second we arrived in the ballroom. People flowed in from outside where the movie would be screened, flashbulbs going off constantly, some of which now turned our way. The press had to know Leander was inside already, but the twins appearing together was always a special event.
“Let go of my arm,” I said, trying to push off from Janus. “We shouldn’t be pictured together.” At least not this intimately.
But Janus didn’t let go of me. If anything, he kept closer to my side. “You think I’m embarrassed to be seen with you?” He talked through his teeth as he smiled a winning smile to the cameras turning our way.
I was ready to argue with him some more, but by then we’d reached the glittering ballroom. I’d only been to the Met Gala once, last year with Mikayla. This place was equally as fancy as that, if not more.
Everything glittered in golds and creams and whites. Crystal chandeliers twinkled and mood lights were strung throughout. Women everywhere dripped with sparkling jewels that flashed in the light. Men grinned back with perfectly bleached white veneers. This wasn’t even a gala, just a movie premiere! Good Lord, these people knew how to party.
My eyes were still searching the room when I saw—
I gulped and stumbled a little. And was more grateful than ever that I was holding Janus’s arm.
Because across the room, front and center, were Leander and Lena.
Leander and his gorgeous co-star made a beautiful couple, even I had to admit that as my heart sank through my feet. Leander’s arm was wrapped comfortably around Lena’s tiny waist. She, naturally, was angled into him, her hand on his chest, leaning in flirtily.
They were surrounded by press, eating up every second of #Lender.
“I’m not my fuckwit brother.” Janus’s voice was low in my ear, but hard.
And then he turned towards me, bent me backwards, and kissed me deep.
All around us, flashbulbs went crazy.
I could’ve stabbed Janus in the face with my kitten heel… except Janus was a really good kisser. I mean, really good. And in spite of all the other craziness, I did have feelings for the big, crazy bastard.
His edges were rougher than Leander’s but he lived out loud. He’d wanted me from the beginning. Even the way he’d gone barbarian caveman protector on me the second he’d learned I was pregnant was… well, I couldn’t say I wasn’t kissing him back within moments.
Janus didn’t even know for sure the baby was his. Considering the number of times Leander had gone without a condom compared to the once or twice Janus had—it was probably a slim hope.
Then again, it only took once.
I was far from a statistics major in understanding all the probabilities. What was clear, though? Janus was being a stand-up guy. Janus knew how to make my pussy weep in pleasure, and Janus loved me.
Compared to… as soon as Janus set me back upright on my feet, my eyes drifted back towards… hashtag Lender.
At least Janus’s little trick had created the diversion he was looking for. Everyone’s heads had swung our way—even Leander’s.
And the look on his face? Well, let’s just say it was less than pleased. I gulped and clung to Janus’s hand.
“Who’s this with you tonight, Janus?” a reporter with a British accent asked, shoving a microphone towards Janus.
“This is my lovely new fiancée, Hope Robins.” Janus grinned and I tried not to choke on my own tongue.
His— His— what???
Janus wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “You are looking at the future Mrs. Hope Mavros.”
Okay, I was back to wanting to stab him with my heels again.
Or maybe throat punching him.
What the hell did you just do? Yes, I’d come back to the room last night, but that didn’t mean I— I mean, we hadn’t even had time to discuss things! We’d all blown up at each other, then Leander had tied me up and we’d slept! We hadn’t talked about the future, or expectations, or—!
But of course, we were in front of cameras, so all I could do was stand there, clutch Janus’s arm, and grin like my life depended on it. Oh, and try to tamp down the urge to hurl the sleeve of crackers I’d managed to finally eat back at the hotel right in front of these reporters’ feet!
“How long have you two known each other?” came a shouted voice.
And then another, “Does Leander approve?”
I almost choked on my tongue on that one. Janus just smiled enigmatically and responded, “I’m not my brother’s keeper and he’s not mine. Next question!”
Leander never came near, even though we were answering questions until right before the movie started.
And he was trapped during the movie, forced to sit up front with Lena and the rest of his stars, since he hadn’t planned to come with his brother. Janus sat me between Milo and himself. I was glad I’d seen the movie before, because his hand alternately was massaging my knee and curled around my shoulder. Unlike the last premiere we’d attended, even though it was dark in the theater, this time I could tell many eyes were on us. Even though theoretically we were here to celebrate Leander.