Chapter 2

2.

I broke eye contact and walked away without looking back.

I headed straight to the hotel suite where Mallory Cross was waiting. The second she opened the door, she pinned me against the wall.

Wearing a silk slip dress that dipped low against her chest, she smirked: “Cyrus, you did this on purpose, didn’t you?”

“You texted me your location and deliberately left a keycard at the front desk.”

“You’ve been flirting with me for six months, yet you never make it official.”

I knew exactly what game she was playing.

Mallory was Melanie’s older half-sister.

For the past six months, I had been deliberately letting her into my orbit.

I knew she had feelings for me.

“Are you using me just because I’m Melanie’s sister? Trying to find pieces of her in me?” she murmured.

When I didn't answer, she pushed me away, her brow furrowing with annoyance.

“If that’s your game, don’t waste your breath. I have zero interest in playing with my little sister’s leftovers.”

“Liar,” I chuckled, pulling her firmly against my chest.

“You want to play with me. You want to kiss me, and you want to have my babies, don’t you?”

A deep blush rushed across her cheeks.

“Bullshit!”

“I have men lined up around the block.”

“I’m not lying. Back when I was with Melanie, you were already fantasizing about me.”

“Otherwise, why would you keep my framed photos in your bedroom? And what about that custom silicone doll made in my exact image?”

“I―”

Her face burned crimson, heat spreading all the way to the tips of her ears.

Suddenly, she stood on her tiptoes, pressing her lips hard against mine before biting down lightly.

“So what?”

“Is it a crime to want you?”

“Not at all. You can want me all you like. My bed is always open for you.”

Hearing that, she buried her face in my neck and nipped at my earlobe.

As the tension flared, she parted her lips breathlessly: “I love―”

Before she could finish, a sharp ringtone cut through the room.

It was my phone. The caller ID flashed brightly: Melanie Cross.

Mallory let out a low laugh, her fingers tracing slow circles on my chest.

“Your ex is calling. Aren’t you going to answer?”

“Of course.”

I swiped green and gently bit Mallory’s sensitive ear.

A soft, breathy moan escaped her lips.

“Ha,” came the sneering female voice on the other end.

“Moving fast, aren’t you, Cyrus? We haven’t even been apart for six months and you’ve already got another woman in bed.”

I didn't utter a single word, letting Mallory’s sultry sighs do the talking.

Melanie didn't recognize her sister’s voice, but her temper flared instantly.

“Fucking disgusting!”

The call ended with a sharp click.

Mallory burst into a soft chuckle against my chest.

“Why do I get the feeling you still care about her? Are you trying to make her jealous on purpose?”