Chapter 27 #2
He nods. There isn’t a hint of bragging or performance in his expression.
“And Cecily doesn’t know,” I say.
He shakes his head. “No. I didn’t tell her because I didn’t do it to impress her. I did it to protect her. But I will tell her. I don’t want secrets between us.”
I hold his gaze for a beat.
Good answer. I smile at him.
“I’m guessing that’s not all you know about me,” he says calmly. “Cecily’s told me about you—about what you’re good at, and how much you’ve helped her. With everything. And for that, I feel like I owe you a thank-you.”
I shake my head.
“I’d do it all again. For her and for the kids,” I say without hesitation.
“And you’re right. That’s not all I know about you.
I know enough to be sure she wasn’t taking a risk when you stepped into her life.
And when she started smiling again, every time she talked about you or with you, I knew I’d done the right thing. ”
Alexander smiles, his expression smoothing.
“You know,” he says, an analytical look in his eyes, “I was jealous of you at first. Jealous in a way that makes you see red. Every conversation we had, it was ‘Mark this, Mark that.’ There was always something about you—just like there was always something about the kids. I could tell you were someone special to her from the start. And all I could think was, I really hope this isn’t one of those friends-in-love scenarios, just waiting for the right timing. ”
My tongue itches to interrupt, but I let him finish.
“But thankfully, it didn’t take long to realize she sees you like a brother,” he continues. “And from the way she talks about you, it’s the same on your end.”
“That’s right,” I say. “And before your mind wanders anywhere strange, this is strictly sibling-level affection. Not the Game of Thrones version, of course.”
“Huh?”
I slap the bar for emphasis. “For fuck’s sake! Don’t tell me you’ve never watched the show. Honestly, you and Cecily really are made for each other.”
The bastard laughs right in my face.
“It’s funny,” he says, “how I already feel like I know you. That reaction right there? It’s exactly what she told me to expect.”
I can’t help the smile that tugs at my mouth.
“Cecily’s the sister life gave me,” I say. “There’s never been so much as a flicker of chemistry between us.” Then I let the smile fade. “And if you ever even think about hurting her, whatever you imagine I’m capable of won’t come close to what I can actually do.”
Instead of bristling, he sets a hand on my shoulder. When he speaks, his tone is serious.
“I love your sister like I’ve never loved anyone in my life,” he says.
“And you’ll never know how grateful I am for what you did for her.
For always being in her corner.” His jaw tightens.
“We both know how much she needs that, especially when the people who should’ve protected her the most were the ones who hurt her instead. ”
I nod, that recurring surge of anger stirring at the memory of everything that happened a year ago.
I hold out my hand and grip his. “Welcome to the family, Alex. And just so we’re clear—my warning stands.”
He returns the squeeze, smiling. “So... can I call you brother? Or bro?”
“Don’t push it,” I say, matching his tone, fully aware he’s enjoying himself.
We order our drinks, and as we wait, we keep talking. He updates me on the move to New York, but inevitably ends up saying more about Cecily and the article she’s writing for his company’s magazine than about his actual job.
Yeah. My girl has him thoroughly whipped.
When the drinks are ready, we head back to the table, take our seats, and set the glasses in front of Cecily and Aurélie.
When the lovebirds slip back into their own bubble, I turn to Aurélie and casually, check her fingers again, looking for even the faintest ghost of a ring.
Nothing.
“So,” I say, “Cecily told me you’re a visual artist. You do exhibitions from time to time.”
She gives me a salacious smile.
“I could tell you all about my paintings,” she says. “Even the brand of brushes I favor. But we both know that’s not what you’re really interested in.” Her hand lands on my knee. “Here’s what’s going to happen. We’ve been discreetly eye-fucking each other all night, and we both know it.”
Her hand slides a little higher, dangerously close to my groin, and I shift in my chair. Christ.
“We’ll stay a bit longer,” she says easily. “Enjoy the music. Then I’ll say my goodbyes and wait by my car. You’ll follow me back to my apartment and show me how much French you picked up in New Orleans.”
Fuck. She’s bold. Exactly my type.
And right on cue, my mind flashes to the last time I thought that... and how spectacularly it blew up in my face. I shove the thought aside and smile at her.
“Just show me the way, ma belle[LXXIV].”
Her smile turns dangerous. “Oh, I’ll guide more than just the way, mon chéri[LXXV].”
The four of us talk for a while longer, until Aurélie finally stands and says she needs to head out.
When her brother gets up to walk her to the car, I slide into the seat beside Cecily and ask, keeping my tone neutral, “So... Aurélie. She really is single?”
She frowns. “Yeah. Alexander says she doesn’t date. She’s never introduced a boyfriend to him.”
The last traces of doubt dissipate, but I keep the relief to myself.
“But why—” She cuts herself off, her eyes drifting toward the door where Alex and his sister just disappeared. They widen just a touch. “You—You two?”
I laugh.
“Cecily, my dear,” I say lightly, “the same way I have no interest in the details of that part of your life, I’m pretty sure you don’t want a breakdown of mine.”
She shakes her head, smiling at me. “Just be careful, okay?”
“Always.” I hold her gaze for a second longer. “By the way—your hot Italian stallion earned my seal of approval. Let’s see if he keeps it.”
Cecily smiles. I kiss her cheek and slide back to my side of the booth. Alexander returns a few minutes later, and we exchange a few more words. Not long after, I stand up and tell the happy couple I’m officially done third-wheeling them.
We say our goodbyes, and just before I step out, I glance back once more. I catch him pulling Cecily to her feet and against his chest, the two of them joining the few couples swaying to the mellow jazz drifting from the corner stage.
“You deserve this, Cecily,” I murmur, a smile tugging at my lips. “This... and everything I see in his eyes when he looks at you. Everything he wants to give.”
I head out of the bar, knowing the night is going to be good. And nowhere near over.
Alexander
“Keep your eyes closed. I’m opening the door now,” I whisper into her ear, my hands tightening at her waist.
I trace my nose along the graceful line of her neck, breathing her in. Her back arches instinctively, pressing closer to my chest, and it takes real effort to pull away.
I step back, enter the code, and the lock clicks open. Taking her hand, I guide her inside and close the door behind us.
“You can open them now,” I murmur, my body close enough for her to feel me at her back.
Cecilia blinks, her long lashes fluttering as her eyes adjust to the light. I retreat only a single step, giving her space to take it in while staying close enough to catch every subtle shift in her expression.
We’re standing in the center of the living room.
The Victorian ceiling reaches high, the original plaster moldings restored to a vivid white.
Against it, the modern glass-globe chandelier appears suspended—a clean intersection between the history of the house and the modern energy of the restoration.
She takes a tentative step onto the pale rug, and I see the exact moment her attention is caught by the couch.
“It’s beautiful...” she whispers, her hand tracing the deep emerald green velvet upholstery.
“I heard it’s your favorite color,” I say, moving to stand beside her. “And it became one of mine, too. After seeing you wear it, anyway.”
Cecilia looks at me, a mischievous smile lighting up her face. Then her eyes move to the mirrors propped by the wall to our right. The ornate frames hold our reflection, catching the late afternoon light pouring in from the floor-to-ceiling window.
“I wanted this place to feel like it’s a part of you, too,” I say. “Even when you’re not here.”
Before she can answer, I guide her gaze toward the floor-to-ceiling window.
“But my favorite part is the view,” I add, almost too casually.
Through the glass, across the street, her house stands in a direct line of sight.
“Do you think your neighbor would lend you a cup of coffee if you needed one?” she asks, a smile curving her lips.
“Not just lend it,” I murmur, leaning in, brushing my nose just behind her ear before reaching for her hand again. “I think she’d bring it herself... before I even realized I needed it.”
Cecilia laughs and I lace my fingers with hers.
“Come see the kitchen,” I say, my tone teasing. “I’m afraid I was even more obvious there.”
We pass beneath the archway. The hardwood floors give way to the cool geometry of black-and-white tile. The kitchen is spacious, functional, and cozy.
Her gaze moves through the space until it stops on the cabinetry. The cabinets rise all the way to the ceiling in a pale sage green. Glass-front doors reveal their contents, illuminated beneath antique bronze pendants.
“Now I understand the last-minute detail you said they were adding,” she says, her fingers tracing the cool edge of the round marble table at the center of the room.
“Maybe you were on my mind when I was speaking with the designer,” I say, leaning back against the marble counter, arms folded, watching how naturally she belongs here.
“Though you being on my mind isn’t exactly news.
And when it came time for the final touches.
.. it became obvious I’d used your kitchen as my reference. ”
I move around the table and stop behind her, my hands holding her by the waist.
“I want this place to be ours, Cecilia. In all the ways that actually matter.”
I lean in, my mouth near her ear.
“What do you think?” I ask. “Can you imagine slipping across the street to share a glass of wine with me in this kitchen?”
She turns to face me, her smile already there.
“Much more than just one glass.”
Her hands rise to my neck, her fingers tangling in my hair as she pulls me down to her. We kiss, and it deepens as we take our time. I follow her lead, my hand firm at her waist, bringing her body right up to mine.
When we part, we’re both catching our breath. She looks at me, smiling. “Will you show me the rest?” she asks.
I take her hand, lace my fingers through hers, and lead her forward, ready to show her that she’s been present here in far more than color choices or borrowed lines of design.
“Just like that, amore,” I growl, gripping her ass and bucking my hips upward, matching her pace as she rides me.
After finishing the tour upstairs, we headed back down to the living room.
We ended up on the couch, and what started as a simple make-out session quickly turned into a need for each other that we couldn’t ignore.
Now she’s straddling me on the green cushions, her bare skin hot against my chest where my shirt hangs open, buttons undone, while my boxers and pants are pushed down to my hips.
Cecilia rides me in the way she knows drives me crazy.
It feels like a dream being inside her like this.
Just our skin connecting at every point, with nothing between us.
I lean forward to capture a nipple in my mouth, suckling it hard, biting the peak and pulling most of her breast into my mouth, sucking harder to soothe the ache.
When I glance up, I notice her attention has drifted behind us. To the mirrored wall.
My beautiful, wicked vixen. I nip at her breast again, harder, snapping her gaze back to mine.
“Do you like seeing us like this?” I ask, seizing control of the rhythm and setting a punishing pace. “Do you like seeing exactly what I do to you?”
I pull her bottom lip between my teeth, sucking hard before biting down.
“Yes, yes. I love you. All of you,” she whimpers.
Her pussy clamps down around my cock in that way that drives me fucking insane.
I keep thrusting into her, my mouth devouring one nipple, then the other.
Cecilia tangles her fingers in my hair as she comes, moaning my name right into my ear. I follow her over the edge moments later, filling her and feeling her milk me until the very last drop.
Even knowing she has an IUD, I can’t help but splay my hand over her belly, wondering if the day will come when filling her like this carries more consequence than just instant pleasure.
She collapses on my chest, and I throw my head back, catching my breath.
I look at our reflection in the mirror behind us. Her, completely naked, nestled into me with my cock buried deep inside her. Wholly mine.
“Good thing I installed soundproof glass,” I whisper, teasing her.
She lifts her head, glancing at the windows now obscured by the curtains.
Smiling, she shakes her head. “You make me forget everything. Even that we have neighbors who are probably walking down the street right now.”
I arch a brow.
“Does that excite you?” I ask, lowering my head to kiss her left breast. “Knowing that you were riding my cock while people were walking by, completely unaware?”
“Alexander...” she moans as I leave an open-mouthed kiss on her nipple.
I stand up, gripping her thighs as she wraps her legs around my waist, lifting her effortlessly with me.
“Come on. We need a shower before I feed you.”