9. Harper
CHAPTER NINE
HARPER
Felix is tossing some dumbass poker chip into the air while driving one-handed. I tried to get a ride to the beach house with Dad, but Mom said it would be nice if the two of us girls drive with Felix in his Jeep, giving us a chance to reconnect with him.
She insisted we take two cars for accessibility during our stay. We also have a lot of luggage, what with Mom’s art supplies. All of our belongings are piled in the back seat beside me, forcing me to sit right behind Felix.
I’ve refused to speak a word during this “bonding time” and have instead spent this morning’s journey staring out the rear window.
A window I can barely see through. The tinting in this car has to be illegal.
The one time my eyes wandered to the rearview mirror, I instantly looked away, burning up when I found Felix’s gaze already on me.
“Oh, Harper, look at this email I just received,” Mom calls to me from the front passenger seat.
“The gallery has gifted me two tickets to an upcoming ballet production of Sleeping Beauty . We could make a girl’s night out of it.
We’ll buy new outfits. Get our nails done beforehand. Dinner on the town.”
With Mom being a respected artist and Dad high up in Wall Street, our family is often invited to a lot of high society events.
I often love getting dressed up and attending anything we’re invited to.
Sleeping Beauty holds a precious place in both Mom’s and my heart.
It’s the first ballet we attended, when I was five, and is what made me fall in love with dance.
Every night after, Mom would sing the “Sleeping Beauty Waltz” to me at bedtime.
It became our song. Performing as Sleeping Beauty has always been one of my biggest dreams.
I’d love to attend this performance she’s been gifted tickets to, but I don’t want to be anywhere near my mother right now.
“No, thank you,” I mutter, relieved that we’re finally entering the gates to the beach house and I can get out of this car in a minute.
As the Jeep crawls up the long and winding driveway, something brushes against my leg. I look down, realizing Felix has reached back to hold my ankle.
He laughs as soon as I jerk away. “Fun drive, sis. Let me know which room you’re sleeping in. I’ll take the bedroom next to yours. We can have a bath together, like we used to as kids.”
I glare at my mother. “You see what you’ve welcomed into our home?”
“Felix, be respectful,” Mom says. “You need to start getting serious about your life. Think about your actions. I’ve lost count of the number of times you’ve gotten into trouble over the years. You only scrape through because you’re lucky. ”
He continues tossing the poker chip. “I’d rather be lucky than good.”
My nose scrunches up as I scowl, losing my patience. “What does that even mean? Every word out of your mouth is ridiculous.”
“Famous saying from the Mafia, Red.”
I roll my eyes, groaning. “Of course it is?—”
“Listen to me, Felix,” Mom cuts in with panic in her warning. “I don’t ever want to hear you talking about the Mafia again. Do you understand? Start making better decisions. If you can’t, perhaps we should let the police deal with you.”
“You wouldn’t let that happen, Clara. If I end up in jail, you’ll have failed my mother.”
She sighs, shaking her head. “I don’t know where you get this manipulative side from. Your mother was an angel. Your father… I’ll keep my opinions about him to myself, but even he has never been manipulative.”
Felix turns the engine off as we pull up in front of the house. “Are we done with the pleasantries, Mom? I need to go run that bath for me and your daughter.”
Felix’s inked hand reaches for my ankle again. This time, I’m ready, and kick him away. But he’s too fast and I miss.
To my surprise, my mother doesn’t come to my aid and instead continues the conversation with a look of nostalgia. “That’s one thing you and your mother had in common—a filthy mouth. You should have heard the way she spoke about your father. Actually, I’m glad you didn’t.”
“Clara, I’d hardly categorize what I said as filthy, but I can keep going if you like. We’ve already established that you’ve got the hots for me. ”
Now he’s flirting with my mother? I don’t know what the hell is going on in this car right now.
Instead of scolding him, Mom clicks her tongue, smiling as she reminisces. “Your sense of humor is just like Lenore’s.”
“I’m not joking right now. I think you’re hitting on me. I’m kind of into it. What should we tell Thomas?”
“Stop.” Mom laughs, then clears her throat and straightens her face, placing a firm end to the conversation. “You will behave yourself around me and my daughter. Understand?”
“Perfectly.” Felix steps out of the car and opens my door. I don’t know if he’s trying to be chivalrous. I doubt it. There’s a mound of luggage back here with me he’ll want to unpack.
Mom’s phone rings. She answers, stepping out to the opposite side of the Jeep and delving into a conversation about her upcoming exhibition.
With my mother preoccupied, Felix’s gaze rakes over my body, checking me out with no shame.
He’s wearing a black hoodie with the hood pulled up.
A few locks of blond hair fall over his forehead between his green eyes.
His gaze is harsh, filled with anger. It’s frightening, yet beautiful.
I’ve always thought the Blackwood boys were the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
For some idiotic reason, I want him to like what he sees when he looks at me. Goddammit. I want him to… love me. The real Felix who I loved from my childhood. Not whoever this version is.
The thought is ridiculous, and I don’t know where it came from. I unbuckle my seatbelt and swivel toward him for my exit. “Don’t look at me. Move out of my way.”
My pulse races when Felix steps closer and rests both arms on top of the Jeep, blocking my exit with his body. The look on his face is cruel, yet amused, like I’m a toy to be played with.
He leans in, lowering his voice for only me to hear. “Admit you liked watching and I’ll move out of your way.”
“Watching what?”
“You know what. Really want me to say it out loud with your mother so close?”
“Was the girl hurt bad?”
“She’ll live.”
His answer relieves some of the guilt I’ve been carrying. But I don’t feel like I’m in the clear of escaping consequences for throwing that dagger.
“Why haven’t you told anyone what I did to her?” I ask.
“Because I like having dirt on you. It can be our secret, you little sinner.”
I shove his chest. He’s quick and grabs my wrists, pulling me close and wedging his way between my legs. I gasp at the position we’re in. With the swift movement, my dress has ridden up. My panties are on display. His dick is right against me.
“The innocent little virgin, saving herself for marriage. Yet you’re not even trying to fight me off. I bet you’re soaking wet for me right now.”
I am and I’m disgusted with myself. What’s worse is how much I like the way he’s holding me, his inked hands tight around my wrists. I’ll be sore afterward, for sure. Yet I don’t care. I should care. I should be fighting him off.
Felix leans in with his green, hypnotizing snake eyes on my lips. The woody scent of his cologne makes my head spin. For a moment, I think he’s about to kiss me. The pulse between my legs kicks into overdrive, aching.
Instead, his hot breath brushes against my ear as he whispers, “I’m going to have so much fun with you over these next two weeks. No Tyler around to protect you.”
“All right, you two,” Mom calls to us from the opposite side of the Jeep, finished with her phone call. “Let’s unpack this car.”
Right before releasing me, Felix presses his hips to mine, and I gasp as his dick rubs against my clit. His hard dick.
I step out from the car, bewildered by what just took place between us and how much it turned me on. I’m fearful of whatever he’s implying, and appalled for liking that I have his attention, even if all he intends to do is torture me.