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“Asshole,” I muttered. “Is this my room, or is there another sibling I’m unaware of?”
“Dante, my older brother, lives in Singapore. If he visits, he’ll stay in the main house.”
I took in the space. My bedroom could only be described as opulent and was large enough to house two or three people.
It had the same dark wood flooring as the main living space, with a dark plush green rug. A massive king-size bed with dove gray sheets and a matching duvet took up prominent space. The same type of entertainment center occupied a narrow wall and there was a desk in the corner. Starting Monday, that’s where I’d sit and log in to my old school’s network to finish the rest of the year virtually. I was not looking forward to video calls with my teachers, but there might be opportunity to talk to Drew…if he picked up.
I didn’t care much for the nautical-themed artwork on the bedroom walls, but it wasn’t like I could be picky about paintings that were probably valued at hundreds or thousands of dollars. The space didn’t feel like me. I don’t know if it—or this place—ever would.
Just like in Matthias’s room, the exterior wall contained floor-to-ceiling windows, with a sliding door that led to the deck.
“Good to know I won’t be evicted the second my being here is inconvenient for you.” A huge welcome basket sat on the coffee table. Through the cellophane I saw snacks, fruits, and gifts. I pointed at the basket. “Did your Dad do that?”
He shook his head. “No. Miss Paulina. She’s our housekeeper. Just let her know if you need anything. You can tell Franky, too.”
“Franky?”
“My assistant.”
Ah, right, servants. I’d have to get used to servants being everywhere when I just wanted to be alone with my thoughts and my books. My cellphone burned in my back pocket, begging to be picked up, to see if Mr. Jones—Drew—replied to my text after Mom and I had landed. I resisted the urge while Matthias was around.
I made my way out onto the deck and gripped the metal railing that overlooked the ocean. It was, hands down, a magnificent view.
A strong breeze smacked me in the face. The gray-blue ocean spread out for as far as the eye could see. The day was turning overcast, with gray clouds blocking the sun. With the palm trees and foliage at the edge of the property, I couldn’t see straight down, so I couldn’t tell if the beach was sandy or rocky.
Looking down, I spotted a trail that trekked along the edge.
“Is that a footpath to the beach below?” I asked.
“It might be,” Matthias said as he came to stand beside me. “Jumping is always an option. It’s a good two hundred feet down. I dare you.”
I studied him. Up close, he almost took my breath away, so I quickly turned my attention back to the cliff.
“I don’t do dares, Matthias.”
He seemed to take a minute to process my statement. “We’ll see about that.”
I was about to respond when I heard a murmur of voices behind us. Beside me, Matthias stiffened.
Looking into the bedroom, two men came in to deliver my luggage and boxes from the plane. I turned back to Matthias. I could tell he’d rather be somewhere else. Plus, I wasn’t interested in his company, even if he was, hands down, one of the most gorgeous men I’d ever seen.
“Look,” I said. “I’ll figure my own way around. I’m not interested in a big brother or whatever you think this is, so you can tell your dad that you did your duty.”
Matthias’s face closed off and his gaze split between me and the men in the bedroom. I had the niggling sense that he didn’t like being overheard.
“Believe it or not,” he said in a low voice, “I have better things to do than to wait on you, and I’m late meeting my friends to go surfing before the party tonight.”
“You’re right, I don’t believe you,” I said to his parting backside.
He swung around at the doorway. “That I have better things to do?”
“That you have friends.”
Matthias’s jaw worked before he let his shoulders relax. He’d powered through whatever he’d been about to say.
“Welcome to the Vaulteneau estate, Ciaran.” His gaze flicked to the luggage and boxes. “Hope you packed formal attire for tonight,” he bit out.
With that, he stalked from the room. He didn’t even have the decency to close my door.
