3/10

"I think I need to meet the infamous woman who obviously knows how to press your angry button" Reese laughed.

Roarke glared at Reese, letting him know that he didn't find it funny. He wouldn't have narrated what transpired between him and Vanessa if not because of the bet. Reese had won by one point.

Roarke had his suspicion that it was his P.A that hinted Reese about Vanessa but didn't know everything that happened behind the closed door, which was why Reese was eager to know. He bet his P.A had become one of the ladies Reese had trapped into his web of charm.

The dick head knew how to charm lady out of their pants with his smooth talk.

"isn't it a good thing that women find you desirable?" Reese raised his eyebrows in question, "with our looks and everything, don't mind the fact that I'm still the brother with the best look, obviously" waving his hand towards his face with as much seriousness he could muster which the other brothers ignored, "wouldn't it be weird if we don't attract people?"

"It's not even something serious because we all do that as well, we all admire women that we think we find desirable and attractive, sexually most of the time" Ronald added.

"Although some women use to rate men's look, it was common among the ladies on campus back then" Reese spoke, Roarke sharp gaze at him made him narrow his eyes, "did she rate you?"

Not capable of masking his astonishment, "oh my, Roarke", he teased, not minding the tightening of Roarke jaws, "what's your score?", he deliberately moved away, to avoid losing a tooth as a result of Roarke punch.

Roarke knew the best thing to do is to ignore Reese to avoid unnecessary headache, instead he disagreed with Ronald, "No, I don't " Roarke deadpanned. Perhaps in the past, but not anymore. He had better things to do than drooling after women.

"No, you don't admire women because you're now into men or no you don't admire women because you decided to stay celibate?" Reese cut in.

Feeling uncomfortable for the long talk which shouldn't have taken place from the outset, he stood up from the floor where he and his brothers had been sitting, "it's late" he spoke, which also mean the conversation has come to an end.

"Will you be around for Miss Sloan's presentation tomorrow?" Ronald asked.

"Yes" Roarke wouldn't miss it for anything. He looked forward to seeing her performance and curious on how and who she's going to pick the next day.

A little smile played on his lips, not caring to know the source of the smile, he bid his brothers goodbye. The smile instantly turned thin when he heard Reese said, "goodbye Mr. 3/10", the asshole guess was wrong but close.

He moved silently to check on Ari, looking down at his daughter sleeping form, he sat on the bed and gently brushed her hair to the side. His eyes glanced at her drawing book, she had been doodling on blank sheets ever since she was old enough to do so.

He opened her drawing book and saw a drawing of her and him which was tagged 'me and daddy', he smiled warmly. He was glad that Ari had a mother figure around her, even if her biological mother was not there, he was grateful for his mother and his sister-in-law who have been trying as much as they can. He knew deep down Ari wished to have one, eventually she would, if not for his sake but for her.

His sister-in-law, Serena, had been spending some time with Ari and his mother. The trio had formed a somewhat book club at the gazebo and they do a lot of things together. Their new member now is little Sarah, Ryan and Serena's daughter, who automatically became a member, since she didn't have the free will at the moment to say no.

Roarke didn't want to think about the consequences his careless decision in his past brought, as grateful as he is that Ari came into this world, he never want to go into a relationship without a careful thought, Ari being a priority.

Showing up at Ari's school for event and activities had been his thing, he never allowed anybody to represent him in that, and if there was any which requires both parents, he usually ask Becca to join him.

He cherished the moment he spends with his daughter, their usual Friday game night allow him to bond with her. He made it a point of duty to tuck her in bed every time.

He dropped a kiss on her forehead and smiled when Ari snuggled the teddy bear closer to herself.

The first thing he laid his eyes on when he entered his room was the painting which suddenly reminded him of Vannesa's grey eyes.  His mood lifted when he thought of the presentation the next day. It couldn't be because he will see her tomorrow, could it?

Roarke thought of what Reese said about desiring women and he scoffed. He didn't like women swooning over him and didn't welcome it. He rarely felt the urge to bed women and when it happens, he does it discreetly, away from his home.

Vanessa's grey eyes materialised in his mind, he shook his head to brush off the image. With the intent of getting rid of the painting which he concluded to be the cause of him imagining her eyes, he closed his eyes and gave in to oblivion.