TEASE ( A Stepbrother Romance ) By Caitlin Daire

15

Chapter 15

Rayna

"So," Liana said, polishing off the last of her cocktail. "Now that you've heard everything about Rick, you have to tell me everything about your love life."

We were still standing near the bar, and she'd just spent the last few minutes updating me on every detail of her fledgling romance with the guy from her office building whom she'd hooked up with at the masquerade party. I shrugged at her statement and put down my own empty glass. I'd had to take my Cylon headpiece off earlier, so it was currently dangling from my other hand.

"Nothing much to tell. I've been so busy the last few weeks with all the wedding stuff, not to mention I've still been settling in here."

She regarded me with a suspicious gaze, then looked past me at Jace, who was chatting to a group of people near the spot where we'd left him.

"You know what? That drink went right through me. Join me in the bathroom?" she said in a sweet, sing-song voice which I knew meant only one thing: 'I know you have a secret, and we're going to have a little private chat.'

We headed upstairs and found the first bathroom where we could have a private conversation, and she cornered me near the door and stared at me with a gleeful expression on her face. "I know there's still something going on with you and Jace."

"Hmm?" I managed to choke out, affecting my most innocent expression and wishing I could put my Cylon helmet back on so that she couldn't see the guilt in my eyes. What she was saying wasn't true-Jace and I had been nothing more than friends for a week or so now. Still, it felt like a lie to say it, because I knew I still wanted him.

Liana put her hands on her hips. "Oh, come on. You could've come to the party with me, but you came with him instead."

"It just made more sense. I live with him, so it made sense for us to share a car to get here, and I also knew you'd be coming with Rick, so I figured you'd want some alone time with him."

I completely left out the part where I still had strong feelings for Jace, because what was the point in discussing it? He'd made it quite clear to me that he thought we should stick to being friendly and nothing else, and I was trying to move past that. It was damn hard, considering how sexy he was, but I knew I'd get there eventually.

At least I hoped so.

Liana was silent for a moment, and then her shoulders slumped. "Damn. I was totally hoping for some gossip about you and Jace sneaking around and doing the dirty."

"Well, there were the times when we almost...you know...but that's it. Since the wedding, nothing's happened."

She sighed. "I guess it couldn't happen anyway, now that your parents are actually married."

"Exactly. Anyway, in the last week or so, he's just been like a brother to me. And it's great. We get along really well, so I'm happy with it," I replied. "I don't want anything more from him."

"Okay, well, if that's really the case, then you have to meet my friend Eric. Hot blond guy, lots of muscles, and has an awesome job at..."

Her voice trailed off as she saw the look on my face, and she practically crowed in triumph. "A-ha! I knew it!"

"Knew what?"

"You don't want any other guys. You might just be 'friends' with Jace, but you still totally want him, you liar!"

I felt my cheeks turning hot, and I knew I was caught. "Okay, fine," I admitted. "I still like him."

"Tell him!"