Aberration by Iris Blaire

"I know Micah. Had a few exchanges with him when I worked for your dad. The guy's a little shit. I wouldn't be surprised if he was playing you, Brit."
    I scowl. "What do you mean, playing me ?"
    "I mean luring you in with being his fake girlfriend to get into your pants."
    "But I don't want him in my pants."
    Jaime shrugs.
    "I need that house for the shoot."
    "You don't have to defend yourself." He takes a step forward, dark eyes boring into mine. He lifts his hand and brushes his thumb along my bottom lip. "Although I do plan on attending some of those dinners myself to get on your daddy's good side, and watching you on his arm won't be the easiest thing for me to do."
    His thumb is electric, and shivers race down my spine. "You won't be angry?"
    The corner of his mouth perks up, but there's a hint of sadness on his face too. "Angry? At you? Like I have that right." He takes a step closer, and even though it's warm outside, I can feel the heat radiating from his body. "First of all, I left you. And second of all, I don't own you."
    I love you . The words pass through my head like I've spoken them out loud. Do I love him? Does he deserve my love?
    Despite his cocky attitude that I must admit is attractive as all hell, he treats me and looks at me like he respects me. Maybe my luck with men has been bad, but from my experiences, young guys rarely do that shit.
    And every time Jaime's been in my bedroom this summer... while he loves to play with me, I am not his plaything. He hasn't asked for anything back.
    Wild and passionate feelings for Jaime are stirring inside of me, way more vibrant than before. Even in Boston. I want him, even though so many aspects of our lives want to demean our relationship.
    The door behind us creaks open. I jump back from Jaime and turn, expecting to find Mom or Dad coming to find where Jaime, their guest , went off to, but it's Cam. "Brit, you mind if I talk to Jaime alone for a bit?"
    I nod, and my brother steps out onto the balcony, downing the finger of scotch in his glass in one gulp.
    I leave the balcony and shut the door when I'm inside, but don't move right away. Instead, I listen closely to their voices, but all I can hear is low mumbling. At least no one is raising their voice. I hope they're making amends, no matter what happened that ended their friendship.
    I need Cam on both mine and Jaime's side if I am going to survive these next couple of weeks.

CHAPTER SIX

    The day my models show up, I'm so nervous I can't do anything. I can't focus on my agenda. Can't answer emails. Can't eat, can't sleep. Can't piss.
    I pace my room.
    Mom and Dad are having everyone over for an early dinner tonight before we all head over to Micah's beach house. The thought of my employees mingling with my parents is causing my afternoon to be filled with a year's worth of anxiety.
    I haven't seen Jaime since the dinner. I haven't confronted Cam about what happened between the two of them when Jaime got fired, and if they sorted it out on the balcony. I'm too afraid of what he'll say.
    After spending the majority of the day pacing my room and checking my watch, I decide to find Cam. The models are arriving in three hours, and I need my brother's help.
    I find him lounging by the pool drinking a Corona. When I approach, he flips open the cooler next to him and motions to the floating beers inside.
    "Jesus," I say, grabbing one. "Plan on getting hammered?"
    "I got a month off work and nothing to do except model watch."
    I sit next to him. "About that... I need you to be cool, Cam."
    "What are you talking about? I'm cool."
    "I need you to help me." I tell him about my deadline and how I have to shoot an entire storybook here in Malibu. His reaction is very similar to Jaime's... he cracks up.
    "So you need me to cover for you with Mom and Dad so you can shoot porn."
    "Essentially."
    "What do I get in return?"
    "The badge of knowing you're not an ass."
    He scoffs.
    "I'll also let you sit in on some of the shoots if