Chapter Two
~Summer~
“ A re you sure this dress is okay?” I assess the simple white sun dress I’m in, then scan the outfit my cousin is wearing. It’s a flowy pink, silk jumpsuit, with a silver belt, silver sandals, and more sparkling diamond jewelry than I’d ever seen.
“I promise, you look amazing.” Serena disappears inside her walk-in closet for a moment, reappearing with several items. “Here, try these shoes, put this jewelry on, and you’ll be fabulous.”
I don’t argue, because I honestly don’t know any better, and at this point have to believe whatever she tells me. Serena, my older cousin, by only a year, has lived in New York City her entire life. Her family has never been ashamed of their wealth, and in fact, loves to flaunt it. With a huge apartment in the city, and what can only be called a small mansion in the Hamptons, her life is the opposite of mine. My parents, who have the same wealth as my cousin, chose to live in a much different way, raising my brother and I in the very quiet mountains of Vermont. We live in a lovely country house, on about thirty acres of land, which boasts a pond with ducks, and a barn with four horses, one cow and three goats.
We visited my cousin’s family a total of four times in my twenty-three years. My parents were quite satisfied with the quaint lifestyle they led in the country and had no desire to leave it. I, on the other hand, was thrilled to be out of college and on my way to grad school, allowing me to finally have some freedom. I was spending the summer in the Hamptons with my cousin before starting school in the fall.
I finish lacing up the gold gladiator sandals, and then add gold hoops and a long matching chain. I check my reflection and agree the small touches change the mood of the outfit. I twirl in a circle, flashing a bright smile at my cousin. “Thank you! That definitely did the trick.”
“Anytime.” She grabs my hand and pulls me toward the hallway. “Now let’s get down to the party!”
An hour later we’re sitting at a table not far from the bar, sipping our third glass of champagne. My cousin’s best friend, Allison, and another friend I just met tonight, Lily, are sitting with us. My cousin is busy pointing out who all the guests at the party are to me since I’m a complete fish out of water.
“Oh! There are the Sapphires; Drew and his wife Hannah.” She discreetly points to a gorgeous couple speaking to my Aunt Sophia, Serena’s mother, on the upper deck. “They own Sapphire Resorts. I think they might be richer than us.” She giggles, then continues. “Mom and Hannah are friends, so if you ever need a place to stay that isn’t my parents’, they can hook us up with some killer rooms at one of their hotels.”
“Sweet.” I take a drink, admiring the couple.
“Too bad Drew’s brother isn’t here.” She bumps her shoulder to mine while fanning her face dramatically. “Want to talk about tall, dark and oh so fuckable? He has tattoo’s that will make your panties fall off.”
“Benjamin?” Allison’s brow arches, a mischevious smile lighting up her face in wonder.
“Yep, that’s the one.” Serena confirms.
“How come he wasn’t invited?” I ask, my attention still on the Sapphires.
“He got married not that long ago.” She snorts. “Some lucky bitch snagged him up, so I never see him out and about anymore.” She smirks. “It’s too bad cause I heard he was quite the player before he met her. Would have liked to have given that one a whirl.”
“Down girl.” I laugh, but stop abruptly when my eyes land on what may be the sexiest man I’ve ever seen appear on the large deck. “Speaking of hot, who the hell is that?”
“Who?” She follows the direction of my gaze. “Oh, him. Yum. He’s definitely one fine specimen. Only one problem.”
“Someone that good looking can not possibly have a relevant problem.” Lily chides, puckering her lips as she openly assesses him up and down.
I twist to face Serena. “What? Is he gay?”
“Maybe.” She shrugs, draining her glass as she stares at him. “My mom hired him in attempt to make my dad jealous.”
“What the hell does that mean?” My nose scrunches as I try to put one and one together.
“Mother Dearest is pretty sure that Daddy Dearest is having an affair with Natasha.” She signals the bartender to bring us another round, but keeps talking. “See that red head that Mr. Sexy has his arm around?”
I nod, secretly wishing it was my back his hand was on.
“That is dad’s secretary.”
“Uncle Nick is sleeping with his secretary?” My eyes widen as my hand moves to cover my mouth, now hanging open in a very unladylike way.
“It wouldn’t be the first time.” One side of her mouth curving down. “Daddy seems to have a bit of a wandering eye.”
“I’m sorry, Serena.” I grab her fingers in mine to squeeze gently.
She sighs, looking back up at the stunning couple. “It is the first time I’ve actually see mother do something to try to fight back. Hiring someone that hot to keep Natasha away from daddy is pretty ballsy.”
“So, wait?” I wave my hands in the air. “What do you mean, she hired him? Is he like, a gigolo?”
She snorts. “You’re so damn cute with your country lingo.” She takes a long swig of the newly delivered champagne. “More like a prostitute I think.”
“He’s an escort.” Allison states confidently. Three pairs of eyes swing in her direction as she continues. “It’s true. He works for Temptations. It’s a service in the city.”
“So, he’s going to have sex with her?” I practically shout in shock.
“Shhh, everyone will hear you.” Allison giggles, the champagne clearly affecting her. “I mean, who knows, but I sure wouldn’t kick that fine ass out of bed.”
“But, what about your mom and dad, aren’t you worried about them?” I tear my gaze away from the gorgeous gigolo, or whatever he is, to look at Serena.
“Whatever will be, will be. Nothing I do is going to change that, my sweet cousin.” She jumps up out of her chair, swaying a bit. “Oh, look! There’s Jeffrey and his friend, Colin. Let’s go say hi.”
I’m afraid my cousin won’t make it across the lawn without stumbling into someone, or something, so I hook my arm through hers, as the four of us make our way to her brother, my cousin, Jeff. We spend an hour with them, at which point Serena is pretty wasted. Lily and Allison disappeared a few minutes ago with Colin to find a bathroom, so Jeff helps me bring her up to her room to put her to bed.
After she’s settled, I decide to go down to the beach for a little quiet instead of back to the party. I follow the path on the outside perimeter of the lawn over a small wooden boardwalk. I relax into one of the Adirondack chairs positioned at the edge of the beach. The moon is almost full, it’s reflection on the white sand causing the night to look bright. The music of the party is barely audible over the lapping of the waves against the shore.
“Do you mind if I join you?” A deep voice startles me, a shriek escaping as I twist around, then freeze.
“Oh! It’s you.” I state, then realize I sound like a complete idiot.
“I’m sorry, have we met?” He steps closer, then bends down in front of me, analyzing me. “No, I think I’d remember someone as beautiful as you.”
“Nice one. They teach you that in gigolo class?” I jest.
“What?” He scowls, rising to his full height, my head tilting back to keep eye contact with him. “I think I’ll leave. Sorry if I disturbed you.”
“Wait.” I jump up from my chair, knowing what I said was not only out of line, but so out of character for me. “I’m sorry. Please, I shouldn’t have said that. It was extremely rude.”
The edges around his eyes crinkle when they narrow to look at me, one hand scrubbing his already tousled hair before one side of his mouth crooks up in a wicked smile. “Gigolo class? Want to explain what that was supposed to mean?”
“Nothing! Sorry!” I motion to one of the chairs. “Please, sit.” I plop back into the seat I was previously in, hoping it will cause him to follow suit. “It was stupid, I shouldn’t have said anything. Too much champagne.”
He stares at me for a moment, but then, to my relief, he sits, shifting his attention to the water.
“I’m Summer, by the way.” I rush out, trying to say something that won’t make me look like a complete fool.
“Xander.” He turns his face toward mine, extending his hand.
I take it, a small jolt of pleasure zinging through me when he turns it over to place a soft kiss inside my wrist. “Nice to meet you, Summer.” He releases my hand, which hangs between us for a moment until I come to my senses and drop it back to my side.
“Xander with an X or with a Z?” I cock my head to one side, examining him further.
He chuckles, but humors me. “With an X. Why?”
“No reason.” I shrug.
“No question is ever asked without a reason.” He rises and lifts the chair, shifting it so it faces me, our feet now just a few inches apart. “Tell me. I want to know.”
God, how did I get myself into these situations? I blow out a small sigh. “I was just curious.”
“Go on.” He prompts, not relenting. “Curious about what?”
“Just, well, I wondered what your mother must be like to name you Xander. It’s such a super hero kind of name, or a name that you’d hear in a circus.” Of course, now that I started, I can’t seem to stop. “You know,” I deepen my voice as I pretend to announce him. “Introducing Xander the Great!”
He stares at me, his face devoid of any emotion, and I start to squirm in my seat, fidgeting with the hem of my dress as I realize, once again, I just made an ass of myself. I start to apologize, again, but he puts his hand up, shaking his head.
“Please, stop saying sorry.” His brow furrows as he continues to peer at me. “You’re a bit of an oddity, aren’t you? Definitely not from around here.”
I wonder if it’s really that obvious. “No, I’m from Vermont. I’m visiting my aunt and uncle before I start school in the fall.”
“Ah, well, I suppose that explains some of it.” He scoots forward, his gaze intense as he scrutinizes me, murmuring his thoughts out loud. “You’re quite innocent. Almost naive. You aren’t being rude. You really just don’t know.”
I roll my eyes. “I know things. I’m not a complete moron.”
His hand darts out and lands on my knee, another jolt of electricity sparking straight up my thigh to my core. I flinch, which seems to amuse him, because he chuckles. Instead of letting go, his fingers grip a little tighter. “I didn’t say stupid. I said innocent. There’s a difference.”
I look down at his hand, and perhaps understanding he may have overstepped, his hold loosens, sliding off my leg as he leans back in his chair.
“Can I ask you another question?”
“Oh, I can hardly wait to hear what’s going to come out of your mouth next.” He chuckles. “Please, by all means, go ahead.”
“Are you a prostitute?”