Craving The Wrong Brother (Sloane and Knox) novel Chapter 173

Chapter 173

–Luke–

I think something’s wrong with me. And that something is a five-foot brunette whose heart belongs to someone else.

Julie’s standing on the deck, wide-eyed and practically glowing as she takes in the view of my yacht. The way her lips are parted, eyes slightly wide, it’s like she’s just seen a unicorn. I can’t help but follow her gaze, half expecting to see something new, something I must’ve missed after all these years of owning the damn thing. But no, it’s still the same sleek, luxurious vessel that’s been my playground for a while now. Maybe she’s seeing it with some kind of magical filter.

“You really haven’t been on a yacht before?” I ask, leaning against the railing, arms crossed.

She turns. “Do I look like the kind of person who lounges around on yachts?”

“Well, this is New York. Your husband’s a billionaire. Half the billionaires in the city own one of these, and the other half have been on one or two. I’m just surprised you’ve been missing out.”

“Yeah, well, I guess Ryan isn’t into these things. Too… pretentious for him.”

I laugh. “You know, I’m starting to think your husband might be the boring one, not you.”

“Careful, Luke. I might start believing you think I’m exciting.”

I smirk, stepping closer. “Oh, I think you’re more exciting than you let on, Julie. That’s why we’re here, after all. To stir up a little excitement in your… otherwise dull life.”

“My life’s not dull. It’s complicated.”

“Alright,” I say, inching closer. “I’m quite good at undoing complications.”

I don’t know why I do it-get under Julie’s skin. I don’t know if there’s a reason I’m obsessed with something that isn’t mine, but I can’t stop. Lord knows I can’t stop. Julie’s just another woman who will most likely break my heart. The way she looks at me, I swear I can feel my heart doing backflips. That loud bang bang thing it does right before someone damages it. Not that it matters. Hearts are meant to be broken anyway. I’ll throw mine off the top of a thirty-five-floor building a thousand

how mine off the t times over if it means getting her to look at me the way is right now.

“So,” she says, snapping me out of my thoughts. “Where’s this legendary lunch you promised?”

I grin, gesturing toward the dining area set up just for us. The staff have outdone themselves-white linens, crystal glasses, a chilled bottle of champagne, the works.

Julie walks over to the table, glancing at me with that mixture of politeness and flirtatiousness she does so well. “Seriously, Luke. This is what you call lunch?”

“Is it not enough?”

“It’s too much.”

I want to say there’s nothing too much when it comes to luxury, but it would sound weird. She’s already afraid of me at this point.

“Only the best,” I say, moving to pull out her chair for her. “And don’t act like you’re not impressed. You’re practically drooling.”

She scoffs, taking her seat. “I’m admiring the effort. There’s a difference.”

I sit across from her. “Whatever helps you sleep at night, princess.”

1/3

Chapter 173

I pour her a glass of champagne. Her eyes linger on me for a moment longer than they should, but I don’t mind. It gives me a chance to admire her too. She’s dressed simply, like she always is, but the way she’s carrying herself right now is different. There’s something lighter about her. Maybe it’s the ocean air, or maybe it’s because, for once, we’re not talking about her disaster of a marriage or the fact that we’re plotting her husband’s entrapment.

“So,” I say after a few bites of our meal, leaning back in my chair. “How’s the yacht experience treating you so far?”

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify