Chapter 18
18
R AIN
The doorbell rings frantically.
“I got it,” I say, rushing to the entrance and glancing into the kitchen before getting to the door.
Daria sits at the table, a cappuccino in front of her. Her elbows rest on the table as she checks her freshly painted nails.
We lock eyes briefly. She gives me a disdainful look.
I forget about her as I swing the main door open, and Eve’s silhouette fills the doorway, making my frown go away.
Discreetly, I motion to the kitchen. Her enthusiasm peels off, an emotionless mask gliding over her face.
“Hi, Daria,” she says in a clear, loud voice.
My sister gives Eve a slow nod.
We turn our backs to her and stride to my room.
Quietly, I close the door behind me and motion Eve to the walk-in closet.
She starts jumping up and down the moment we get in.
“I received the invitation. Thank you... Thank you.”
Her arms loop around my neck, her lips landing on my cheek.
“Chill, woman. You’re going to kill me,” I laugh, suffocated in her embrace.
She breaks away from me, grinning.
“You should thank him,” I say. “It was his idea. A lot of people will be there, families. It’s more like a business event, and we’re all been invited. My dad can’t make it because he’s going on a business trip. And my mom is not interested in parties. But she’ll be there,” I say, motioning toward the kitchen.
“Oh. Of course, she will,” Eve mutters.
“To her dismay, her husband is invited as well.”
She breathes out a devilish laugh.
“That’s good. Keep her occupied.”
“At any rate, you’ll be my decoy,” I say.
“I’ll be whatever you want me to be. I’ve never been invited to a glamorous event like this. Ever,” she says, rubbing her hands together, expressing her happiness. “Oh, here... Before I forget.”
She slips her hand into her pocket and pulls out a piece of paper.
“My friend’s phone number. Her name is Joanna. They’ll have an opening at the bookstore soon. One of their girls is leaving in a week or two. I told her about your situation and also mentioned your upcoming book. She was thrilled. She’d like to talk to you on the phone sometime next week. A formal job interview if you wish.”
“That’s great. Thank you.”
I hug her and tuck the paper into my pocket.
“Also, she might have a place for you to stay. One of her neighbors needs a roommate. The apartment is small, but the building looks decent. It’s not far from the train station and has a doorman. The bookstore is a few blocks away.”
“That’s awesome,” I say, grinning.
She sighs.
“I thought more about it...” she murmurs. “Moving to New York may not be such a bad idea. We can get together from time to time. There are so many things we can do. It’s different than here.”
“I know...” I say, hope meekly shining in my heart.
* * *
RAIN
The cars move slowly up the road, sliding past the old trees lining the path.
The house beams with light, the summer evening bringing out the glitz and glamor of the season––shimmering gowns, shining cars, and dazzling smiles.
Wide-eyed, Eve gasps.
“It looks like a Hollywood party,” she says.
“As if you know.”
She giggles.
“How do I look?” she asks.
I give her a swift once-over.
The silver sequined gown falls perfectly over her girlish body, setting off her eyes and hair.
“Like a million bucks,” I say.
“You, too.”
Her gaze dips to my waist, her fingers brushing over the fabric, making sure the small buckle holding my black wrap gown together is fastened tightly.
“Let’s go,” I say, nudging her to the stairs.
We set ourselves in motion.
“This is a nice house,” she comments.
“It is,” I say, glancing at the master bedroom windows. “Filled with memories,” I murmur.
As big as it is, the place gets packed within the hour.
We do our best to blend in, talking with some family friends about my book and college life, in Eve’s case.
People start dancing, live music ringing in the air.
A few minutes before ten, Eve elbows me.
“Look who’s here,” she says.
I flick my eyes to the entrance and spot Daria and Nathan.
She wears a floral backless gown accessorized with golden jewelry.
They saunter straight to the backyard.
“Where are they?” Eve asks, swiveling her head and checking every car pulling in.
“I don’t know,” I murmur.
I fumble through the contents of my purse, cold sweat forming on my neck.
“Oh, shit.”
“What is it?”
Her eyes glint with concern.
“I left my phone at home,” I say, seized by panic.
She ponders for a second, not grasping the seriousness of this detail.
“Don’t worry. He’ll show up. It’s his party, after all... And his damn mansion,” she murmurs, smiling.
A bad feeling falls through me, though, my pulse spasming in my throat while I try to remember where I left my phone.
“Oh, fuck. I tossed it on my bed after I talked to him.”
“And?”
“You know she likes to snoop around. What if she’s found it? It’s easy to figure out who JS is. He is the only person I have talked to these past few weeks other than you.”
“Do you think she’d be so cool and collected if she found your phone?”
We lock eyes.
She’s probably right.
Had she known about him, Daria would’ve come looking for me to grill me with her snarky remarks.
“You’re probably right,” I say, pushing out a sigh of relief.
“Take it easy, girl. You’re going to have a heart attack,” she murmurs, patting me on my shoulder.
Fanning myself, I take a few long breaths.
“That’s much better,” she adds, a smile tugging at her lips.
Her gaze swings away.
“Oh, my...” she exclaims in awe as a black Bugatti Veyron and a black Ferrari pull up in front of the house.
The doors slide open, and James slips out of the first car while Lex and Ed climb out of the second.
Damn.
We freeze, looking at them, wide-eyed.
“Why can’t they travel like most of us mortals?” she asks, craning her neck to see them better. “Is that what they look like?” she murmurs to herself. “How old are they?”
“James and Lex are twenty-five, and Ed is twenty-four,” I say, not much air rolling into my lungs.
I train my eyes on them as they saunter to the house. Their tall, hard bodies fill their tuxedos perfectly.
They flash charming smiles, drawing people’s eyes.
“The fucking Kings. Some just have it all,” Eve murmurs. “Can you imagine being stuck with them in bed for a few hours?”
“Shut up, Eve,” I say under my breath, chuckling quietly.
“Their hands and lips, and those hard bodies, not to mention their––”
“Shut up,” I say again, my chest rocking with laughter.
“Smiles… I wanted to say,” she adds with a smirk.
They turn left and vanish into the house.
She finally regains focus, her neck resuming its natural position.
“It’s hot tonight. I’m all wet, and by wet, I mean...” she murmurs.
“Enough,” I say, grinning and pulling her inside.
We cruise down the corridor through groups of people before stopping next to one of the servers and picking up fruit skewers from a platter.
“I love this house,” she comments. “Is it for sale?” she asks, so seriously, I bite my lip to push back a snicker.
Tears come to my eyes from so much laughing.
“Stop it, Eve, or I swear I’ll never take you anywhere with me again,” I say, unable to control my giggling.
“It’s called laughter therapy, Mrs. Sexton. You should try it sometimes. Especially when you’re in trouble. It mitigates the stress induced by obnoxious sisters,” she says quietly before biting into a small piece of pineapple.
Someone’s stare burns holes into the back of my neck.
I turn slowly and scan the crowd.
“Mmm... Look at those eyes,” Eve says.
I’m already lost in James’ eyes.
His head tilts down slightly, his gaze beaming with delicious promises.
“Later,” he mouths to me.
We break our stare as someone at his side claims his attention.
“Did he just say later?” Eve breathes out.
“He did,” I murmur, my eyes still on him.
“You’re a lucky girl, Rain.”
“I’m not so sure,” I say, torn.
* * *
RAIN
“He wants to see you,” a raspy voice purrs in my ear, a man’s hand sliding to the small of my back, too close to my backside not to feel the reverberations of his touch in my most intimate spot.
“Ed?”
“Yes, baby,” he murmurs.
“You can’t touch me.”
“Says who?”
“James.”
“Have you asked him?”
I turn to him.
He doesn’t move an inch, my breasts touching his chest.
Giving me a naughty smile, he dips his gaze to my breasts.
Right behind him, Lex observes us, his hands in his pockets, his eyes cold.
“You feel so good, baby,” Ed murmurs against my lips, his body oozing heat.
“Cut it out, Ed,” Lex says.
The coldness in his eyes is not a mere mood or an accident.
Something bothers him greatly.
“He said to make it look like she’s not with him,” Ed says, without turning to Lex, his eyes delving into mine.
“That’s not what he had in mind,” Lex retorts, darker by the second.
“Hmm... Sorry, baby,” he murmurs. “Maybe some other time.”
He straightens and winks at me before nudging me to the stairs. Nervously, I rake my fingers through my hair and swing my eyes to the end of the corridor, where I spot Eve.
She waves at me before heading outside.
“Is that your friend?” Lex grumps.
“Yes. Why?”
“Just asking.”
He lifts the velvet rope that blocks access to most of James’ house and waits for us to walk by.
“Why is he in a bad mood?” I ask Ed.
“Ask him.”
I cut my eyes to Lex.
“Are you mad at me?” I ask, a bad feeling coursing through me.
His blue eyes look frosted.
“I’m not,” he deadpans.
“Why are you acting like you are?”
Without giving me an answer, he places his hand on my back and leads me upstairs.
We reach the upper level and stroll to the far end of the hallway, where we stop in front of a large door.
Lex pushes it open while Ed looks at me.
“He’ll be here in a few minutes,” Lex says in a softer voice, locking my eyes.
He’s guarded. And he must be hiding something.
“What is it, Lex?”
His eyes hold mine as he brings his hand to my face and runs his thumb across my cheek.
Smoothly, he lowers his mouth… And kisses my lips softly.
His gesture takes me by surprise.
I freeze, my heart untethered in my chest.
He straightens, his eyes tangled with mine as Ed’s stare sears my face.
“You’re a stunning woman, Rain. I hope you are who he thinks you are,” Lex murmurs, Ed’s eyes still on us.
I grip the doorknob with a trembling hand, my skin burning from his touch.
His lips brush over mine again, and then… as if he's changed his mind, he kisses my cheek instead.
The air zaps with electricity between us.
“Try not to disappoint him. Okay?”
He takes his hand off me and walks away with Edward.
My gaze follows them, my stomach tied in knots.
* * *
RAIN
I walk in.
Moonlight drapes over the walls and light streams in from outside.
An antique desk sits by the window, and leather-bound books are stacked on engraved shelves.
Old paintings hang on the walls.
A wall of ceiling-height windows stretches from side to side.
One of the windows is open, a soft breeze blowing the sheer curtains.
A river of lights, colorful gowns, and pressed tuxedos brims with life outside.
The door opens behind me, the unmistakable scent of his cologne traveling to me, draping over my body, preceding his footsteps.
He curls his arms around my waist, making me melt.
“Hey,” he murmurs in my ear, instant pleasure soaring through my body.
He slides his hands inside my dress before grabbing my bare breasts, fueling the tension between my legs.
He squeezes my chest, kissing my neck, his hard-on pressing into my lower back.
“Damn it... James,” I murmur.
Smiling, I lean back against his chest, into his hands, lips, and cock, vibrating with need for him.
I clench my thighs, my flesh tingling, warm wetness lining my panties.
He flicks my dress open and lets it fall to the floor before moving his hands over me, touching me as if he owns me.
In many ways, he does.
People celebrate outside, men and women, properly dressed and well-mannered, and here I am, watching them, almost naked, feeding on the sensual pleasure he is giving me.
One hand goes to my chest and kneads my breasts, the other grabbing my sex. His fingers slide down, parting my folds and stroking my clit.
“James...”
“Yeah, baby...”
“James...”
My voice trails off as I rock my rear against his hard length.
“You’re doing it right...” he says, a smile lining his voice. “Keep doing it.”
I sweep the length of his erection a few more times before turning to him and meeting his fiery eyes.
A mysterious smile tugs at his lips as I move my fingers to his neckline, untie his bowtie, and take his jacket off.
He leans against the desk while I undo his buttons, tear off his shirt and toss it on a chair.
Holding his eyes, I unbuckle his belt.
His gaze rolls down, taking in the small triangle of lace covering my smooth folds.
A smile narrows his eyes as I wedge myself between his legs and lean on him, cupping and stroking his erection through his pants.
“There’s nothing like being fucked by you…” he purrs against my lips, sliding his fingers inside my panties and ripping them off.
He rolls his hands up the back of my thighs and smoothly brings his fingers between my butt cheeks, touching my entrance from behind.
Briefly closing my eyes, I indulge in that sensation before splaying my fingers over his face and locking his lips while moving my tongue with his.
He kisses me with hunger, devouring me, every stroke fueling my longing for him.
Moments later, he kicks the armchair closer, pivots away from me, and crashes on it, motioning me to his feet.
I kneel between his legs without a word.
Teasingly, he gives me a lustful smile and tilts back in his seat while I put my hands on his erection.
“As if you love it, babe…” he murmurs, winking at me.
His legs open even more.
I roll my tongue up his length, stroking the underside of his cock first and then the chiseled crown.
“I do love it,” I say, my nostrils flaring.
He pulls my hair into his fist while I promptly fill my mouth and suck on him.
His gaze moves swiftly from my lips to my eyes and back to my mouth again.
Blood pools in his cheeks, his eyes getting heavy, his smile withering away, an expression of abandon sliding over his face.
“You’re doing great, baby.”
He groans, pushing his hips up, almost choking me as I swirl my tongue around him before he unexpectedly pulls out, leaving me a heap of yearning flesh.
He rises to his feet, nudges me around, and presses me against the wall, my back to him.
I prop my stiletto on the windowsill, spreading my legs.
His hands are latched onto my hips as he slowly roots himself into me.
I shake with pleasure.
“That’s fucking right...” he rasps.
Running his fingers through my hair, he lifts it and gently blows on my neck, cooling off my sweaty skin.
He moves slowly, indulging, the heat and pleasure only growing.
“What will happen to us, James?” I murmur, my eyes hovering over the view outside.
He keeps moving––stretching me––stroking my chest and nipples, and making me shudder against him.
He doesn’t answer right away.
“Nothing,” he says, his voice not revealing much emotion.
“We don’t know…?” I suggest.
“Yeah, we probably don’t,” he admits.
Words burn my lips, begging to come to life, but if I let them out now, I will surely regret it later.
And yet...
“You mean a lot to me,” I say.
He stays silent, and that’s precisely what I feared.
A few more moments pass before he starts kissing my neck, giving me long, sensual thrusts, his hands and lips loving me passionately.
His touch is tender and caring, yet he never says the words.
A cold wind sweeps through my heart.
That’s all we’ll ever be... and probably have.
We’ll never cross that line.
Crushing my sadness, I push the thought back and let him have me.
His fiery breaths slide over my neck, my nails scraping the wall, my body arching for him.
Soon, the tension reaches the tipping point, and he pounds me harshly. The orgasm surges through me with immense power as he rams into me, holding nothing back.
Grunting and groaning, he comes.
Moments later, he leaves my body, runs his fingers through my sweaty hair, and pushes me down in front of him.
I sink to my knees and lick every drop of cum off his still-hard cock before he pulls me back up.
Tormented, we look into each other eyes, his glistening lips curved into a fiery smile.
“You’re hot as hell, Rain,” he says, and that’s the most he’s willing to admit.
I tilt my head back and narrow my eyes at him.
Playing the game, I give him a sultry grin.
“And you’re the hottest... the only man I’ve ever had,” I say.
He shakes his head, smiling.
“Don’t fucking play cute with me, Rain.”