All Chapters of Tempting My Ex’s Brother : Chapter 31 - Chapter 38

By evening, he actually kept his word and cooked dinner for all of us.The others had taken over the patio, beers on the table as karaoke music echoed through the villa. Dash and Mario were singing a song while Lana and Elizabeth laughed so hard they could barely sing along.Taking advantage of everyone being distracted, I quietly slipped away and made my way inside. The moment I stepped into the kitchen, I was greeted by the rich aroma of food cooking on the stove.Dressed in a plain white apron over a black shirt, Xerces stood there, moving effortlessly between two pans.I leaned against the countertop, admiring the view for a moment before speaking.“That smells amazing.”Without stopping what he was doing, he tilted his head slightly in my direction. When our eyes met, his cold expression barely changed. If anything, his frown deepened.“Why are you here?”I let out a small sigh. “Can’t you be nice to me for once?”I’d had enough! He’d been avoiding me all day, and I had no idea w

Wearing my two-piece swimsuit, I stretched out on a beach lounger with my shades on. The sun had already risen, but it hadn’t reached its peak yet, leaving behind a pleasant warmth instead of the scorching heat that burned against the skin.The others were still dead asleep after last night’s drinking. And since I hadn’t touched a drop of alcohol, I found myself awake long before anyone else.The sound of approaching footsteps reached my ears, and I didn’t even have to look to know who it was. His perfume gave him away long before he spoke.He lowered himself onto the lounge beside mine. For a while, neither of us said anything. We simply listened to the waves breaking against the shore, letting the silence settle comfortably between us.“Thank you,” I said at last.“For what?”“For everything.” I released a quiet sigh. “I know you’re only doing all this because you feel like you have to, but… I’m really, really grateful.”“Does this mean you’re finally done with all this bullshit?”“

It had been two weeks since we last spoke.“Hi?” I greeted, trying to sound casual.“Can I come in?”I stepped aside and opened the door wider for him. Turning my back, I walked ahead and settled onto the couch. The drowsiness I’d been fighting just moments ago had completely disappeared.He took the seat across from me, his legs spread comfortably apart. Resting his elbows on his thighs, he clasped his hands together. The tips of his fingers rubbed against each other absentmindedly.“Got something to say?” I asked, deciding to break the silence first.“Do we have a problem?” he asked hesitantly.There it was. The question I’d been dying to hear for the past two weeks.“Not that I know of. Why?” I tilted my head. “What made you think that?”Keep it cool, Rue.“You’ve been avoiding me ever since we got back from the island.” His voice was so quiet I almost didn’t catch it.“You look glo

After dinner, I headed back to my room to finally get some rest.“Ruelle?”I looked up when I heard Grandma’s voice from outside my door. Sliding off the bed, I walked over and opened it for her.“Need anything?”She gave me a small nod. “Can I come in?”I stepped aside to let her in, then closed the door behind us. We settled onto my bed, sitting side by side.“How have you been, hija?” she asked gently. “Has life been treating you well lately?”“Kind of?” I answered, not entirely sure myself.She studied me for a moment. “Why? Is something bothering you? You know you can always tell me anything, just like you did when you were little. I’m all ears.”“Even a secret?”Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly. “You didn’t commit a crime, did you?” she asked suspiciously.My eyes immediately widened. “Of course not! Oh my freaking goodness.” I let out an exasperated groan.She chuckle