Free Love All Out - Part 3 (A Stepbrother Romance) by Alice Ward Page B

awful. If I have to keep going to events with those types of people, I’ll lose my mind. They were so misogynistic. I nearly bit my tongue off to keep from telling them what I really thought.”
    “Willow, you know how I’d like to handle this,” James reminded me softly.
    I crossed my arms over my chest and stared out the window. The air around us was thick with white, puffy clouds and it looked as if we were flying through a cotton ball.
    “I also know this is a big weekend for you,” he continued patiently. “So I won’t push the subject. I said you could have until after Belmont to make your decision and I intend to keep my word. All that’s important at the moment is that you enjoy your time in the spotlight. Let’s just try to relax and have fun this weekend. All of our problems will be waiting for us when we get home.”
    I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “You’re right. I’ve worked hard for this. I should get to enjoy it.”
    I hit my call button and Susan appeared almost instantly. “What can I get for you?” she cooed.
    “I’ve changed my mind. I’d like a mimosa after all,” I told her.
    “Make it two,” James said with a smile.
    Susan quickly filled our orders and James and I put our headphones back on before Matt realized we’d taken our eyes off of our good luck charm.
    ***
    “Oh my God, your room is just as gorgeous as ours,” Matt said, pushing his way into the bedroom of my suite. We had keys to each other’s rooms, but I hadn’t heard the front door open and his sudden appearance startled me. “Lucas is in the shower so I thought I’d come check out your place. Also, I need help picking out a tie.” He held up a lavender necktie and an aqua bowtie. Both were silk and either would have looked perfect with his khaki tuxedo.
    “I love them both, but I’d go with the bowtie,” I told him. “I’m glad you’re here. What do you think of my jewelry?” I pulled back my long blonde hair, revealing flashy emerald chandelier earrings.
    Matt let out a whistle. “Those are gorgeous. Where did they come from?”
    “They were my mother’s,” I said, running my fingers down their length. “I’d never seen them before. Daddy gave them to me after the Derby. He said he’d put them away for a special occasion.”
    “Stand up and let me look at you,” Matt directed.
    I pushed my chair away from the vanity and stood up. I turned in a full circle, showing off the flowing skirt of my black satin ball gown.
    “That dress is perfect, Willow,” he declared. “It hugs just the right places, but still leaves a little to the imagination.” He lowered his voice. “I don’t know how James will keep his hands off of you,” he added, a twinkle of mischief in his eyes.
    I rolled my eyes. “I think James will manage just fine. He wouldn’t even be here if our parents hadn’t guilted him into it.”
    “If you say so,” Matt sang in a tone that said he didn’t believe me for one second. “Where is the handsome bull rider anyway?”
    “He’s in the shower too,” I replied. I sat back down at the vanity and started applying my makeup while Matt tied his bowtie.
    “Have the two of you discussed your sleeping arrangements since you have to share the room?” Matt pressed.
    “If you must know,” I said as haughtily as I could manage. “James volunteered to sleep on a fold out mattress in the living room.”
    Matt raised one eyebrow, then wiggled both of them. “You know you could share the bed… for old time’s sake,” he suggested. “This is a huge weekend for you, Willow. I wish you’d just let loose and enjoy yourself.”
    “I plan on having the time of my life,” I assured him, trying to act more confident than I felt. “But that doesn’t mean James and I should sleep together. No good could come of it, Matt. He’s made his feelings clear, and I don’t want to toy with them. Not when I don’t even know what I want myself.”
    A smile flashed across Matt’s