3. Ariel - Hide and seek

Half an hour later, Khai parks his sports car in front of a huge skyscraper and helps me get out. A few seconds later, Asher parks behind us, and he, Killian, and Elijah get out.

Asher’s car is even more expensive than Khai’s car. They must be drowning in money.

I look up at the skyscraper.

“You live here?” I ask, which is dumb because why bring me here if not?

Khai puts his arm around my shoulders. “The top floor.”

I look up at the penthouse, but it’s too dark to see anything.

“You’re going to like the view,” Khai says as he leads me to the entrance. The others follow us.

Once inside, we take the elevator to the top floor. All four men take most of the space in the elevator forcing me into a corner, with Khai next to me and Elijah facing me.

It’s funny how I don’t feel intimidated by any of them when they look so…broody. Yummy too. They are tall and muscular, yet I’m not nervous around them; I'm just relaxed. Maybe that’s why I accepted their crazy proposal in the first place.

Elijah pushes a strand of my hair behind my ear. “My offer still stands. We can go out and have some real fun.” He leans forward and whispers into my ear, “Just the two of us.”

Khain pulls me to him. “Now, now, Elijah, stop trying to whisk her away.”

“Just because you don’t like having fun, it doesn’t mean Ariel doesn’t. Besides, she loves to dance,” Elijah says with confidence.

I frown. “How do you know that I like to dance?”

Everyone looks at Elijah, who rubs the back of his neck. A few strands of his shoulder-lenght curly black hair fall into his eyes, and he shakes his head left and right. “From your shoes, obviously,” he replies, pointing at my feet.

My gaze goes to my shoes, and they don’t seem special for dancing, but I’ll take Elijah’s word on it.

The elevator reaches the penthouse, and we get out.

“Let me show you around,” Asher says and takes my hand into his.

I let him guide me around the penthouse but my mind is a thousand miles away from here. Something lingers at the back of my mind and I wish I could remember who and what I was before tonight. I try to force myself to remember, but a sharp pain threatens to crush my skull under an invisible force, and I give up.

“Well?” Asher asks.

His voice brings me back to the present, and I look at the room we are in—the living room. There’s a feminine touch to the decor, and I wonder if a woman lives with them. I don’t ask, as it’s not my business, but the idea that a woman could live here makes me angry. My feelings are irrational, and I don’t know why I feel like this.

Looking at the pink pillows on the black sofa, I say, “I love what you did to the place.”

Asher’s gaze goes to the sofa. His throat bobs. “I didn’t pick out the decor. It was…the person I mentioned earlier.”

There’s so much pain in his voice that I want to wrap my arms around him and tell him that everything is going to be alright, which is a big fat lie because I know nothing about his life. Or mine.

“Do you love her?” The words slip out of my mouth before I register what I’ve asked.

Asher stiffens for a moment. “I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t pry.”

“It wasn’t my intention. It won’t happen again.”

Asher nods. “Good. Do you want something to eat or drink?”

While I’m hungry, I don’t want to bother them more than I already am.

“I’m good. Maybe you could show me to the guest room so I can get some rest?” I suggest.

A soft chuckle leaves him. “There’s no guest room.”

I blink. “Okay. But then, where am I supposed to sleep?”

Khai enters the living room and says, “You can pick any of us you want to sleep with.”

My eyebrows shoot up. “Excuse me! You gotta be kidding. Right…!? I’m not sharing a bed with anyone!” I huff while I fold my arms across my chest.

Khai grins.  “Funny because I’d share anything with you.”

I roll my eyes. “I’ll take the couch.”

“Trust me, you don’t want the couch,” Asher says.

“And why is that?” I inquire.

“It’s bad for your back,” Elijah’s voice comes from the hallway. “But I can give you a massage in the morning when you’ll wake up with your back stiff. I’m good with my hands.”

I’m sure he is.

I let out a long breath. “Fine. I’ll share a bed.”

Killian appears in the doorframe. “With me, right?”

“Don’t make me pick! Anyone,” I say quickly.

“How about we play a game, and the one to win will have you sleep in his room,” Khai proposes.

“What a bad idea,” I mutter.

“I think it’s a great idea,” Elijah contradicts me.

“Whatever. What are we playing?” I ask.

Killian grins. “Hide and seek. You hide, and we’ll look for you.”

“Hide!?” I squeak. My eyes dark around the room. “Where?”

The left side of Elijah’s mouth curves up. “Sugar, you are in a penthouse. There’s plenty of space to hide in. Now—one, two…” he starts to count.

I look at the others, and I know they are serious about this.

I kick off my shoes and bolt out of the living room.

When I reach the end of the hallway, I turn left and enter the first room I stumble upon. My mouth falls open when I realize it’s a ballet studio. Mirrors cover the far-end wall, and I see my reflection in all of them.

“Ready or not, here we come!” Killian’s voice booms through the penthouse. The man has powerful lungs.

Shit! I’m out of time.

Panicked, I rush out of the ballet studio and hide in a closet full of winter clothes. I push my way through the heavy coats, all the way to the darkest corner, and press my hands to my mouth so my heavy breathing won’t give me away.

I must say, playing hide and seek is rather…thrilling.