Without Warning: A Billionaire Romance (Playboys of New York Book 5) by JA Low (the best novels to read .TXT) 📕

I know Ariana is right, but I’m just so angry and disappointed in my friend.

“Why didn’t they tell me?”

“Because they probably knew you would act like this, or it could also be they don’t know what they are yet. It could have just been a bit of fun. Maybe your sister used him, and maybe Stirling used your sister.” That last point makes my hands turn into fists.

“If he’s fucking hurt my sister—”

Ariana lets out a heavy sigh, effectively interrupting my rant. “Would you stop it,” she chastises me. “She’s a grown woman, and you’re acting like some overbearing big brother, and that shit is not turning me on.” She folds her arms across her chest.

“But…”

She waggles her finger in front of my face. “No buts,” she tells me. “If you want me to suck your cock, then you will not make a big deal about this information.”

“Hey, now—”

“I’m serious, Rhys.” She looks damn serious. “Do not embarrass your sister.”

“I would never—”

“And that means having a go at Stirling,” she explains.

Urgh, but I want to have a go at him.

“Fine. I like your lips more, anyway.” I give in to her charms.

26

Rhys

I know I promised Ariana that I wouldn’t embarrass my sister, but come Monday morning, I’m still seething as I make my way into the office.

“Hey, how was LA?” Stirling comes in chipper with a grin on his face. Why the hell is he so happy? Is it because he spent the weekend with Audrey? While the cat is away, the mice will play.

“Close the door.” The words come out chipped as I’m unable to hide my emotions. Stirling gives me a strange look but does as he’s told. He is probably assuming I have something sensitive to talk to him about what happened in LA.

“Has something happened?” he questions while taking a seat on the seat opposite me.

“You could say that.” My eyes narrow on him as I telepathically curse him. An alarm on my phone goes off, making us both jump as it buzzes away in my suit pocket. A frown forms on my face as I grab it from my pocket and pull it out.

In big flashing text are the words…

DO NOT YELL AT STIRLING

… as my phone continues to beep.

A small smile forms on my lips as I switch off the alarm when I realize what Ariana did last night when she asked to borrow my phone. I suck in a deep breath and count to five then let it out.

“Are you okay?” Stirling looks at me as if I’ve lost my mind.

“I will be.” Grinning at him like a damn Cheshire cat, I continue, “I’m just going to come right out and ask. Are you seeing my sister?”

Stirling stills, and I can see the thoughts running through his mind as he tries to work out how much I know.

“No,” he answers hesitantly.

“You sure?” I ask him again.

“Yes.” His voice is shaky.

“Why won’t you tell me?” I ignore his lies. “Audrey spilled to the girls.”

Stirling sags in his seat, his shoulders roll in, and he looks a little deflated. “I’m sorry, Rhys.” My best friend can’t even look at me.

“Hey…” trying to gain his attention back to me, “… you’re both adults. I get it.”

Stirling’s eyes widen at my words. He’s surprised I haven’t punched him in the face.

“I don’t need to know the details of what’s happened, but if you hurt her, I will punch you where the sun don’t shine.” Pointing my finger at him, I give him a warning.

“You don’t have to worry about Audrey getting hurt,” he says ever so quietly.

Oh, now I’m the one who is surprised.

“You’ve fallen for her?” I can’t believe these words are falling from my lips.

“Yes.” He finally looks at me. “I’m sorry.”

“Why are you sorry?” Tilting my head, I look at him.

“Before you left for London, you asked me to look after her. I did so as your friend,” he explains. “She missed you so much, and I guess I was the closest thing to you that she had in her life.”

Doesn’t explain why he took things further, but I let him continue to talk.

“Audrey is beyond beautiful inside and out, and I guess we always had you as a buffer between us.” Oh, I see. “We started hanging out more and more. She needed someone to go the opening of some art exhibition at the Met, or some fundraiser your mother was dragging her to, all the things she would call on you for.” This is true. “The more time we spent together, the more I guess the lines started to blur and, well, here we are.” Thank goodness he didn’t go into any more details than that.

“What’s going to happen now?” I am curious as to where this leaves my sister and us.

“She told me we’re just friends.”

I’m a little relieved at hearing that, but the hurt on my friend’s face is a little shocking. “And how do you feel about that?” Stepping into some weird-ass territory here, but I need to know the answers.

“She’s young and has her whole life ahead of her. I’m happy with just being friends.”

I’ve known Stirling my entire life, and I can tell when he’s lying. He isn’t happy in the slightest about the outcome, but I’m going to take Ariana’s advice and not meddle as they are both grown adults.

“Well, right…” Clearing my throat over this rather awkward conversation, I swallow hard.

“I’m genuinely surprised you haven’t punched me yet.” Stirling chuckles.

“The day is still young,” I joke.

“Ariana is mellowing you out,” Stirling observes. “I like this new Rhys.”

“She’s pretty great. That’s what the alarm was. She had set it on my phone, reminding me not to yell at you.”

Stirling cracks up in hysterics. “She did what?” He clutches onto his stomach.

“I know. She warned me not to embarrass Audrey by having words with you.”

“Well, tell her I’m very happy she did. Otherwise, I would be probably making a trip to the ER.”

“I’m