26. Claire
26
CLAIRE
E ventually, I return to my body, sweaty, disgusting, out of breath.
I’m glad Keller’s still here. I’d hate if he left. It would make me feel hollow. Alone.
“I thought—” Speaking is a struggle between heavy pants. “I thought you weren’t going to do it. Today. You said you didn’t think so.”
He snorts. “Changed my mind. It’s my prerogative.”
I think he says something else. But the next thing I know, my alarm is ringing, and it’s bright outside. Shit. I didn’t shower. My sheets—brand new—are going to need a wash.
Sitting up, I blink away the last of my sleepiness. The first thing I notice is that I’m alone. My stomach contracts in distaste at that, but I don’t let myself analyze it. Of course I’m alone. This is my room, and Keller sleeps next door. It’s stupid to think he would stay with me just because he enjoys shoving his cock in my ass.
Groaning, I drag myself to the bathroom for a quick shower. I don’t start classes until later, but I want to keep my appointment with Dez this morning. She was nice. I’m glad I already have a friend in Lily—and by extension, maybe even Liv and Jack—but I still don’t know many people here. And if I’m staying in the Vesper House for the rest of the year, it won’t hurt to have a friend right next door.
Besides, mille feuille sounds delicious.
Within fifteen minutes, I’m out of my room. Surprised to see the light on, I tentatively walk into the lounge, and find Keller sprawled over his velvet sofa, a book in hand.
“Oh. You’re not sleeping?” I ask lamely.
Blue eyes meet mine. “I don’t sleep much.”
“Reading anything interesting?” I can’t see the title of the leatherbound volume in his hand.
“Not particularly. Prepping for class. You’re up early.”
“I’m going next door, to watch Daisy bake. If that’s all right?” I check.
I’m gratified by an epic eye roll. “I’m not your keeper, Claire. Do as you please. Well, so long as you don’t go around showing your perky little ass to everyone. I’m not much into sharing.”
I’m annoyed at myself for blushing, when I’m more annoyed than embarrassed. “I’m not some slut, lifting my skirt to the closest dick available.”
That makes him chuckle. “I wonder what your boyfriend would have to say about that, if he’d seen you beg for me last night.”
I stare at him, speechless, not out of shock, but because there’s nothing I can actually say to that. If Noah knew what was going on, he would be devastated.
I’ll talk to him next week. I’ll be in Michigan in a few days. It makes sense to handle it then. But in the meantime, I really can’t offer any response that’ll show me in a good light. Because Keller’s right.
“Well,” I finally manage. “Your cock is the exception, so there’s nothing to worry about.”
He smirks, amused, before returning to his book, and I head out of the Vesper House.
This morning, passing the stairs leading down to the basement, I remember vividly the club downstairs. The vibe last night was a million miles away from what I saw on Sunday. It almost felt like a big family dinner, boisterous, full of laughter. And the day before, there were masked people fucking each other on a dance floor in the basement. I really don’t understand this place.
Next door, I pass a security guy in a suit, who nods at me before continuing his rounds. At the door, I ring, and am soon greeted by someone I don’t know.
“I’m—”
“Kitchen’s last door on the left,” the long-haired blond drawls, half yawning.
“Thanks.”
He offers me his hand. “Beaufort.”
The name rings a bell. “Like Calla?”
“Exactly like Calla. She’s my wife.”
That makes me gape. His wife? Then why is he here and she’s next door? And why are they married so young?
He walks away, heading up the stairs before I can make an ass of myself by asking too many questions which are none of my business.
I find the kitchen easily enough, and a beaming Dez greets me enthusiastically. “Hey! Come in, come in. Coffee, tea? There’s some apple pie left from yesterday.”
She’s clearly a morning person.
“I can have some more of your pie?” I marvel.
“Oh, yeah. That’s the one I made for the house. Markus is only particular about his pies. You want two pumps of caramel syrup and one of vanilla, right?” she checks, already starting a latte for me.
“You know, I really get why he wants to marry you.”
Daisy chuckles. “He only wants to marry me because his two brothers are already married. He hates to be the odd one out.”
I’m seated at a breakfast bar with a coffee and pie in no time, and Dez explains the mille feuille process to me while I eat.
“We’re starting with the puff pastry, as it needs to rest for a few minutes in the fridge, and then, we can do the creme patissiere—that’s the cream that was in yesterday’s pie. Learn to do that right, and all your desserts will be next level. Whenever a recipe tells you custard, or whatever, ignore it. Make a good creme pat. The puff pastry will need to be folded again, and while it rests, we’ll handle the icing and chocolate sauce. Ready?”
I take so many notes as I watch her move around the kitchen like a baked good goddess, in awe.
“How did you learn all this?” I ask as I help decorate the second tray of mille feuille an hour and a half later.
“The internet, mostly. And trial and error. I used to feel very awkward, where I lived before and when I first arrived in this house. Having a hobby that kept me away from everyone for a while helped. Plus, the pastries made people like me.”
I think I relate to this girl a great deal. It wouldn’t be the worst thing to have a hobby in the Vesper House, but I don’t want to trample over Claudio’s turf.
“It’s one of the guys’ birthday tomorrow, and he loves iles flottante. That’s super easy—but it needs to be refrigerated for a while, so I’ll make them in the morning, for the evening. You’re welcome to come back if you’d like. It’s pretty handy to know how to make a good creme anglaise. Don’t let the name fool you: it’s absolutely not custard.”
“I’ll be there. What time?”
Dez lets me take the entire tray home—which is about a dozen mille feuilles after I cut them up—keeping the second for her own house.
It’s already ten when I make it back, and the house is a lot busier.
“Oh, goodies!” Calla chirps, eyes fixed on the food.
I grin. “I’ll cut them up, you can help yourself.” Then, because my curiosity is killing me, I say, “I met your husband next door.”
Somehow, that makes her laugh. “Husband for another few weeks, anyway. The divorce paperwork is on the way.”
Christ. She doesn’t look older than, what, twenty-three, and she’s already getting divorced?
Catching my expression, she adds, “It was arranged by our families, darling. With my grandfather out of the way, I no longer need to be married to get my hands on my inheritance, so we’re splitting up. It’s just a formality. It wasn’t even consummated, so I could even have gotten an annulment.”
Jesus. These people truly live in another universe.
I see one other vesper: the dark-haired, reserved guy with glasses. Theo? “Looks good."
I offer him a plate, and he smiles, which completely changes his face.
Is everyone in this place hot? Like, is it an entrance requirement? He was rather handsome before he smiled, but now, it’s obvious I missed how much.
“Thanks, Claire.”
Dez had a point about making friends with pastries.
I grab one of the sticky notes on the kitchen counter and write Help Yourself—Claire , placing it next to the tray, before plating two portions and making my way to the elevator.
The doors open in front of Young Thor—Richard. His expression shifts into a wolfish grin as he looks at me. “Ah, our latest housemate.” He glances at the plate. “You’re bringing that to your master?”
Something bothers me both about the way he looks at me, and the words he chose. “What if I am?” I move to enter the elevator.
He keeps grinning. “It would be smarter to be nice to everyone here, for when Keller gets tired of you.”
I’m glad the doors shut right then, before I can tell him to go fuck himself.
I don’t like him one bit. I decide it has something to do with the fact that he openly leers at me like…well, like Keller. Except I don’t mind with him. Which is its own can of worms.
Keller’s gone from the lounge, so I leave the plate and return to my room to freshen up quickly before heading out to my first class.