38. Gulliver
GULLIVER
Glancing between my friends, we all look at each other, none of us wanting to be the one to tell Izzy that her sister is manipulating her and toying with her emotions, that she’s acting, but it’s the truth. Penelope Rhodes is almost as ruthless and conniving as her parents, and I’m pretty confident that she’ll stop at nothing to get that money and the power that will come with it.
Izzy’s begging us with her eyes to believe her, to believe that there’s something beneath all of the bad in her twin, and for her sake, I wish it were true, but it just isn’t.
“I don’t want you to get hurt, Little Ghost. Your sister…” I trail off, reaching for her hand and entwining it with mine while I try to think of the best way to tell her the truth.
“This isn’t wishful thinking or me being na?ve. I saw it. I saw the way she looked. She wants out just as badly as I did,” Izzy insists, imploring me with her eyes to believe her, to trust her.
“Then she can get out. This is much easier for her than it was for you. All she has to do is refuse to play the game, and it’s over. I hope you’re right and that she makes the right choice, but until she does, our plan needs to stay the same. We force their hand, we make sure everyone knows who you are, we make you untouchable,” I say soothingly, rubbing my thumb in a circle on the pulse point on her wrist.
She nods, her eyes sad and resigned. “Okay.”
The rest of the week passes in a blur of school, dinners, and parties. We go to every single social engagement we can find and make sure that every single person in our school, including the teachers, knows exactly who Izzy is and that we’re engaged.
Penelope doesn’t go to school for the rest of the week, and with each day her sister is absent, Izzy gets a little more determined. She’s got it in her head that Penelope is as manipulated and blackmailed as she was. That she wants out, that she would rather walk away from the inheritance than live the rest of her life controlled by a dead man’s wishes, but I’m not convinced.
On Saturday night, Izzy and I climb into my town car and let the driver ferry us to Peter Colesworthy’s annual “Let’s Get Fucked Up” party in his parents’ penthouse. One weekend a year, his parents go out of town and give him free rein to throw a ridiculous party, which usually ends with everyone crashing at his place.
Fitzy pulled it out of the bag when he dropped off tiny denim shorts, a black lace bralette, and yet another soft leather jacket for Izzy to wear. Most of the girls tonight will be in similar tight designer dresses, but my girl will shine in her more casual, yet sexier outfit.
I even fucking love the heeled Doc Martens boots she decided to wear instead of the sky-high pumps Fitzy left for her. She looks sexy and tempting, and if we were in a limo instead of the town car, I’d be fucking her already.
The guys are all coming tonight too, but as we’ve been a united front all week, I didn’t think we needed the impact of arriving as a group. Glancing to the girl on my right, I rest my hand on her thigh and lean in for a kiss. Without a thought, she presses her lips against mine, and I fucking preen at how easy this all feels.
How is it possible that three weeks ago I didn’t know she existed, when now I don’t know how I’ll survive if she tries to walk away when all of this is over? Fuck, the idea that this might be over soon guts me. I don’t know how long Penelope will be able to go on maintaining her grades without Izzy’s help. If she slips up on the first test, I could lose my Ghost in the next few weeks, or maybe her parents will bribe the school and I could keep her until graduation.
Or maybe forever, a small voice inside of me whispers.
How did this happen? How did I go from being so repulsed by the idea of being engaged to wanting all the lies we’ve told to be true with my Little Ghost?
When she lets out a quiet sigh beside me, I know why I’m considering forever. Izzy is so different from the vultures that are part of our circle. She’s strong and resilient and so fucking sexy I can barely keep my hands off her. I want her more than I’ve ever wanted anything else, and even though we’ve had more sex in the last week than I’ve had in months, I’m always craving more: more of her attention, more of her.
When the driver slows to a stop at the curb outside Peter’s house, I’m not ready to share her. She’s the first person I’ve ever felt selfish with, and that feeling is so alien, it’s unnerving. Even as the door is opening, I want to pull her back and keep her to myself. She’s mine, and an overwhelming sense of possessiveness is demanding that I keep her close, that I protect her.
Her smile is sweet as she glances back at me, her feet already out of the door. “Come on, let’s get this over with.”
“We could just go home. I’ll get Beth to make us burgers and those waffles with the s’mores sauce you like,” I coax, tugging on her arm and pulling her back to me.
Her laugh is light and trilling. “This party was your idea,” she reminds me.
“Well, I’m an idiot.”
“Come on, the guys are waiting for us. We can leave early if you want to, or you can go home now, and I’ll hang out with the others for an hour then leave,” she suggests, her expression open and honest.
“No, fuck that. I’m not letting you go in there on your own,” I snarl, not sure why I’m being a caveman about this.
“I wouldn’t be on my own. Kip, Thorn, and Davis are all in there.”
“No. Hell fucking no,” I say, twisting around and shuffling along the seat toward her.
Rolling her eyes, she effortlessly climbs from the car and waits on the curb for me to follow her. Scrambling out, I reach for her the moment I’m upright, relieved when she easily molds against my body, letting me guide us both into the building.
The sound of the party hits us the moment the elevator doors open into the opulent apartment. A DJ is set up in the corner of the living room, and waiters are circling with champagne, followed by a girl dressed only in a bikini giving out shots in test tubes.
“Jesus, it looks like every apartment from MTV Cribs has thrown up over this place,” I hiss, scowling at the gaudy décor. “Fucking new money.”
“Wow, could you sound any more pretentious?” Izzy mocks, spotting Thorn out by the pool and waving at him.
“Yes, I absolutely could,” I say, arching my eyebrow and smirking. “Let’s get a drink.”
She nods, and I help her navigate the crowds of teenagers until we find the bar, manned by a bartender who looks to be barely older than us. “Can I get a Manhattan and…” I turn to Izzy. “What do you want, Ghost?”
“Can I just get a club soda for now, please?”
“And a club soda,” I say, turning back to the bartender.
Taking the drinks when he hands them to me, I drop a bill in his tip jar and pass Izzy her glass. “Did I tell you how hot you look tonight?” I whisper, nipping at her earlobe.
“I think you’ve mentioned it once or twice.” She smirks, blinking up at me from beneath her dark lashes.
“These shorts.” Reaching down, I palm her ass, sliding my fingertips under the hem of her indecently short shorts.
“Are the most comfortable shorts I’ve ever owned. I already texted Fitzy to see if they make them in any other colors. If they do, I’m getting them all,” she coos excitedly.
“God, please let them come in white. Fuck that. If they don’t, I’m going to contact the designer and offer them an exorbitant amount of money to make you a pair in white,” I say, dragging her body into mine and pushing my hard dick against her stomach.
“I’m not letting you fuck me at a party where anyone could walk in or record us. Becoming internet porn stars is not going to help our cause.” She laughs, pushing at my chest until I reluctantly allow her some space.
“Fine, let’s go be sociable, but you’re going to have to sit on my lap,” I groan.
Her laugh ricochets through me, filling all the bits that were bitter and angry and making them smile. I don’t know how it happened so quickly, but I’ve fallen for my Little Ghost, and I don’t think I’m even trying to fight it anymore. She’s mine, and I plan to do whatever I need to do to keep her.
The party isn’t too bad until Penelope and her minions arrive. I’m surprised to see her here; she doesn’t normally come to stuff like this where her parents aren’t shoving her at an eligible guy all night.
When she spots her sister, Izzy stiffens, watching as Penelope grabs two glasses of champagne from a tray and downs them one after the other. Dumping the glasses, she grabs another one and a shot from the shot girl. She throws the shot down, fist-pumping and woo-wooing like a sorority girl on spring break.
“Is she normally like this at parties?” Izzy asks me quietly.
“I don’t think so. She doesn’t normally come at all. She likes the more dignified events,” I say drolly.
As we watch, Penelope drinks four more glasses of champagne and three more shots before throwing her hands into the air and dancing exactly where she is while the people around her stare.
Jumping out of my lap, Izzy storms across the room to her sister before I have a chance to stop her. Approaching Penelope cautiously, she catches her when she staggers slightly to the side. Twisting her head, Izzy finds me across the room, and I stand and make my way to my girl and her drunk ass sister.
When I reach them, I put my hand on Izzy’s back, making sure not to touch Penelope. “You okay?” I ask.
“I’m fine. She can barely speak, though. She must have been drinking before she got here too.”
Nodding, I curve my arm around her waist. “Her friends are here; let’s find them, and they can take her home.”
Izzy shakes her head, biting at her lip. “I don’t want to send her home like this. Take us to a hotel, and I’ll stay with her.”
“That’s not happening, Little Ghost. This could all be a scheme, and your parents could ambush you the moment I leave. I’ll rent us a suite at the Hamilton, and we’ll all stay there,” I say resignedly.
“That’s Kip’s family’s hotel?” she asks.
I nod. “Yeah, don’t worry, it’ll be fine.”
I motion to Kip, and he makes his way over to us, a drunken smile on his face. He sobers a little when he realizes Izzy is now almost completely supporting a very drunk Penelope. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah, I need a suite at the Hamilton, at least two bedrooms. Bigger if you guys want to crash there too,” I tell him.
“Sure, give me a minute,” he says, nodding as he moves toward the edge of the terrace, his cell already to his ear. Two minutes later, he strolls back over to us. “I’ve got us the penthouse—it’s huge. I’ll help you get her downstairs. The others will come later,” he says, lifting Penelope into his arms as though she weighs nothing.
Lifting my chin to Thorn and Davis, they both offer me a slight head nod, and I know it won’t be long until they’ve had their fill of pussy for the night and end up at the hotel with us.
“Are they coming?” Izzy asks as I take her hand and move to follow Kip.
“Later. They need to get laid first. They stopped staying at my place because they were sick of having permanent blue balls from listening to us fuck.”
“Gulliver!” she cries, outraged.
“What? It’s true! You’re loud, Little Ghost.” I laugh.
“I am not.”
“Ask Kip.”
“No!” she splutters, whacking me in the stomach with the back of our joined hands.
The car is waiting for us at the curb, and Kip and I manhandle Penelope into the back seat, where she promptly passes out. We check into the penthouse suite at the hotel, and luckily the hotel staff don’t give us a second glance, as Kip carries Penelope straight through the lobby to the elevator. Once we’re all inside, I slide the key card into the slot and ascend straight to the top floor.
Unlike the dreadfully decorated apartment we just left, the penthouse at the Hamilton screams class and privilege. Kip’s mom is a famous interior designer, and she designed this suite with every luxury. It has six bedrooms with attached bathrooms, a Jacuzzi, terrace, huge living area, office, kitchen, and a game room.
Kip carries Penelope straight into the first bedroom, but she scrambles from his arms and runs to the bathroom, barely making it before she vomits into the toilet.
“I’ll look after her,” Izzy tells us, ushering us from the room before turning and heading for her sister.
“Drink?” Kip asks, heading for the fully stocked bar.
“God, please,” I sigh, rubbing my aching temples as I follow him across the room.
“What do you think’s going on with Penelope? Is this all just a scheme Izzy’s family have cooked up to bring her back into line?”
Sighing, I take the glass of amber-colored whiskey from him and drop down onto the couch. “I have no idea, but Izzy’s really got it into her head that she needs to help her sister. I’m fucking worried for her,” I admit.
“You’re into her, aren’t you?” Kip asks. “Like this isn’t fake anymore. It’s not guilt; you’re really into her.”
Closing my eyes, I roll my neck back and forth to avoid his question, but when I part my lids, he’s still staring at me expectantly. “If I’m honest, I think I’ve wanted her since she came to my house pretending to be her sister. Now…well, she’s mine. I know you want her too,” I tell him, staring him down.
“Of course, I want her.” Kip laughs. “And if I thought I stood a chance, I’d have tried to take her from you already.”
A growl comes from me before he even finishes his sentence.
“Calm down. Anyone with eyes can see she’s yours,” Kip assures me, a wide grin etched across his face. “Does she feel the same way about you? Because to be honest, I have no idea what she’s thinking half the time. She’s so open, but so closed off. Unless she wants you to know something, it’s impossible to read her.”
“She’s quick to remind me that this is all fake, but I don’t think she really believes that anymore. I’ve told her I stopped pretending a while back, but I’m not sure she believes me. But she lets me touch her like she belongs to me, so that’s got to mean something, right?”
His burst of laughter is loud and full of unrestrained amusement. “Dude, you are so fucked.”