“Yeah,” I mutter, already distracted.
Melody stands near the bottom of the staircase, holding her suitcase like I might steal it again. She’s wearing tight little shorts and one of those soft cropped shirts that makes it impossible not to stare at the slice of skin above her waistband. That tiny, infuriating, perfect strip of skin that I’ve thought about biting more than I’ve thought about food today.
“Mel, you picked a room yet?” Dom turns to her.
She opens her mouth, probably to say no, but I cut in before she gets the chance.
“I’ll take her.” My voice is easy, cocky, maybe a little smug. “Show her around before the others start calling dibs.”
“Don’t put her next to Nate. He snores,” Dom throws over his shoulder as he drags his suitcase toward the hallway.
“Wouldn’t do that to my worst enemy.” I smile back at him like I’m not mentally fucking his sister six ways from Sunday.
Melody shifts on her feet, clearly trying to decide if she should accept my offer or navigate the house on her own.
“Come on, Mel,” I say, dropping the nickname with a twist of my lips. Some sick part of me is enjoying the upper hand. She doesn’t know she’s been spilling secrets to the same man whom she called ‘insufferable.’
“Fine.” She lifts her chin. “Lead the way.”
I grab her suitcase before she can argue and start leading her up the stairs, ignoring the very real problem growing in my pants just from looking at her.
“Where are you staying?” Dom calls from the bottom of the stairs.
“Downstairs,” I toss over my shoulder. “First room on the left hallway.” Choosing a room furthest away from Melody will keep him from getting suspicious.
The air shifts when we reach the top of the stairs. Still humid from the sea breeze slipping through the open balcony doors, but it’s quieter. I lead her to the room at the end of the left hallway and open the door for her.
“Your room, ma’am.” I step aside, letting her walk in first. She glares at me with suspicion before stepping into the room. Her eyes widen as she takes in the size of it all.
My room’s the biggest in the house. It has a corner view, floor-to-ceiling windows, a balcony that looks out over the water, a huge king-sized bed with a wooden canopy that I made myself. It’s one of my favorite places in the entire world.
And I’m giving it to her.
She doesn’t need to know that yet. If she’s going to moan my name in her sleep, I want her doing it in my bed.
“This house is insane,” she murmurs. “Does it come with a wine cellar in the basement?”
“Only thing aged to perfection in this house is me.” I chuckle as I cross the threshold.
“Your ego must be exhausting to carry around all day.” She raises a delicate brow, turning to face me.
“I’ve got strong shoulders,” I shoot back, glancing down at her. “You should see what else I carry.”
Her breath falters for half a second, then picks right back up. Fucking hell, I love the way she reacts to me.
She turns around to hide the pink tint of her cheeks and walks in further.
“This is… beautiful.” Her fingers brush the edge of the dresser like she’s afraid to break something.
“Consider it a perk. You’re the captain’s sister. You can get other perks as well if you behave.”
She opens her mouth but instead of throwing a comeback, she sucks in a breath. Then crosses her arms over her chest like she’s trying to hide the way her nipples are hardening against her shirt.
Useless, really. I already saw them.
“Enjoy the view,” I say, backing out slowly. “Unless you want me to show you what it looks like from the bed.”
That’s what pushes her over the edge and she launches a pillow at me.
