Chapter 13
E levator doors parted in front of me with a soft swish, opening to a rooftop garden. The end of October had brought changing leaves, but the garden was a green oasis. Lights glittered around emerald plants in pots. People clustered in bright groups, talking and laughing on top of the city.
Andrea. Aunt Rose’s text had appeared like a summons yesterday. It’s been far too long. Richard and I would like to see how you’re getting on.
When she’d said “drinks in the city,” I knew it could mean the three of us, or an intimate gathering of my aunt and uncle’s fifty closest friends. Will had assured me he’d be there, and I didn’t know if he’d make the evening better or worse.
I smoothed my navy silk dress, patted the ginger waves that brushed my waist, and stepped out of the elevator in my heels, grateful that I’d dressed up. Under the dress, I was very aware of skimpy lace cupping my curves.
Will had wanted to give me presents throughout the summer, and it bewildered him when I said no. Eventually I gave in — twice. When I moved into my new apartment at the end of August, I’d unpacked a small, heavy marble chess set, and a forest green bra and matching panties, sheer with gorgeous lace.
The bra cupped my small breasts, lifting them proudly to display the soft flesh and creamy freckled skin. The panties hugged my mound with lace, riding low on my slim hips. In back, the exquisitely detailed waistband narrowed to a silky thong that exposed the soft cheeks of my ass.
I really didn't want to know how much the underwear cost. In the summer, Will had removed it very carefully after I modeled it for him in his room, wet and tingling under his hungry gaze. Fingers had stroked along the edge of my bra, pinching my nipples through the sheer green material. I'd arched my back, moaning as he gently undid the hooks and laid the flimsy material on a chair. More fingers eased the panties over my thighs.
He'd laughed softly when he saw the creamy wet spot.
“Little slut,” he whispered. “So excited in your pretty new underwear.”
“You like it too,” I breathed.
“I love it.” Lust glazed his handsome face. “On your hands and knees for me, sweet girl.”
This was new. For a second, I hesitated.
“Go on.” Will nodded encouragingly, caressing the curves of my hips. That was all it took for his command to slip past my hesitation and go straight for the place deep inside me that craved to give in to him. I dropped to my hands and knees on the plush blue rug in Will’s room.
I heard a zipper coming down. Then Will knelt behind me, parted my thighs, spread my soaked lips with sure fingers, and worked his warm cock into my tightness, going slow so I could get used to him. We hadn’t done it this way before. We’d barely touched just now, but his eyes on me as I modeled the lacy green underwear had me so ready, so slick and flushed, that I moaned and arched my back to invite him deeper. I tried to thrust back, but his hand in my hair, pulling my head up, held me in place, and his fingers were playing with my clit, and it was all so much...
When I couldn't hold back my shrieks of pleasure, then and only then did he let go of my hair to cover my mouth with one large palm. I came from his hard thrusts, hot and cold and moaning into his hand, while Will whispered in my ear, “Don't wear this underwear around me unless you want me to own your body.”
You already do, I didn't say.
I’d put the underwear on tonight.
The delicate lace clung like a second skin under the polished silk dress from Aunt Rose — the one Will hadn’t ripped to pieces in the woods. The dress had hung in the back of my closet since June, alongside the cream silk dress she’d given me that I’d worn to the ballet. I’d thought a dozen times about taking them both to the Salvation Army, but I couldn’t bring myself to give them away.
When I stepped outside the elevator, lips met my cheek. Will’s crisp shirt and slacks outlined his lean body. His silk tie was impeccably knotted. Flashing perfect teeth at me, he rested a hand on my back, guiding me into the crowd.
I glanced from one chatting group to another, trying to act normal. My cousin’s green eyes were polite and attentive. The protective hand on my back was perfectly appropriate, gentlemanly. And each brush of his fingers sent a shudder through my body that ended in a pulse between my legs.
“Andrea.” Aunt Rose, sparkling with jewels, appeared and took both my hands. Her cascading blonde waves caught the lights on the rooftop. “The city is doing wonders for you. So nice to see you put together now.” She stretched up to kiss her son’s cheek. “Will, you remember Andrea’s wardrobe over the summer. She would barely let me help her. I was ready to let you take her in hand.”
A prickling flush spread over my skin. “Thanks, Aunt Rose. I don’t think Will paid that much attention to my clothes over the summer.”
Will just flashed his dazzling smile. “I was paying attention. Andie looked nice.”
I clenched my thighs together. Will’s thumb was rubbing the small of my back in tiny motions.
Rose blinked long lashes, her glance lingering on her son’s hand at my back, then turned to greet newcomers with more kisses. Introductions followed, gushing introductions to people I might have met at the garden party back in June. Hard to tell, because the lights sparkling off their jewelry and cufflinks, their smiles and bright voices, blinded me too much to recognize them. Will’s warm palm on my back distracted me beyond belief.
“Our niece, Andrea,” Rose drawled to another person, indicating me with a sweep of her wrist. “We got her all set up. Richard got her a job and she’s very up-and-coming. We took her in for the summer until she was on her feet. She learned quite a bit over those few months, wouldn’t you say, Andrea?”
Will stiffened. Only I knew, because of his fingers on my back, and because I knew him now. I stiffened too.
Rose turned before I could answer, beckoning a manicured hand to my uncle, who stood by the bar with a laughing group of men.
“Richard, come say hello to Andrea.” Space cleared around him as he strolled over. “Would you even have recognized her after just two months on her own?”
“Wouldn’t have.” My uncle’s dark eyes assessed me before he took both my shoulders in his hands. The glance was casual, businesslike, analyzing. Richard was built like a football player. Sleek bulk, broad shoulders. When he leaned in to kiss my cheek, Will’s hand tightened on my back. I smelled expensive cologne, heavier than Will’s.
Rose’s eyes flicked over the three of us before her heels clicked across the rooftop pavement to welcome another group.
“How’s your job going, Andrea?” Richard’s voice was hearty. “The position’s working out?”
“Yes.” I felt hot in the cool fall air, prickling with sudden sweat. “Very well. I have a lot on my plate. Thank you for all your help.”
“Glad to hear they’re keeping you busy. I was happy to arrange it for you.” He squeezed my shoulders. “Remember, if you need anything — anything at all — you can always ask.”
My cheeks flushed. “I appreciate it.”
“She’s doing great,” Will cut in. “We’re getting drinks now. I promised Andie wine.” A firm touch on my waist began to steer me away.
“You’re a lucky girl, Andrea.” Richard smiled at me, his hands still resting on my shoulders, keeping me in place. I’d never seen much resemblance between Richard and Will, but I knew that smile. A warm, friendly smile that didn’t reach his eyes. It had been a while since I’d seen it on Will’s face, long enough that I’d almost forgotten. “Our boy here has decided to look out for his cousin. I’m sure you understand what that means.”
Will’s fingers dug into my back. Tension ran up his arm. I swallowed. “It’s been nice to — reconnect with family after all these years.”
“I’m sure it is,” Richard said genially. “I’m sure your parents appreciate it too.”
“Okay, Dad, enough.” Will’s tone was politely bored. He glanced at his father’s hands on my shoulders, his face bland and pleasant. “Andie needs wine.”
Richard released my shoulders. As Will walked me to the bar, I tried to get my breathing under control. His grip on my back didn’t relax until we both had a glass in our hands and were standing behind a bank of potted trees.
I gulped white wine, grateful for the crisp chill. Will took a long pull of his old-fashioned and closed his eyes.
“Does your mom know I’m not a friendless orphan?” I asked, once my glass was empty.
“She’s all talk,” he muttered. “Don’t let her get to you.”
“Or you.” Clear green eyes opened, looking down into mine. “Look, my parents don’t want your family’s money,” I blurted. Not true, but I wanted it to be true. I remembered arguments from when I was a kid, whenever times were tight. My father yelling at my mother: Go to Rose. Once, just once. It can’t hurt… “I don’t want it either. If your dad thinks I’m trying—“
“It doesn’t matter what he thinks.” Will’s face went dark with sudden anger. “He’s not going to play his stupid games with you.” He took a deep breath, his beautiful features smoothing over. Then he tucked my hair behind my ears, his fingers brushing my cheeks and neck. Sparks ran down my body from his light touch. “Really, Andie. Don’t worry.”
“He knows. Your mom knows,” I whispered.
“So what if they do?” Will’s voice was as quiet as mine, barely audible above the talk and laughter. “They can’t do anything.”
Cupping my chin, he kept my face tilted towards his. We stood behind the potted plants, out of the gleam of lights, but anyone could walk by and catch sight of us.
“Will—“ I protested, catching his wrist. He touched my lower lip, then dropped his hand.
“It’s true. They don’t care, and I won’t let anything happen to you. More wine, Andie? I’ll get you some wine. And something to eat. Because I bet you’re still eating cornflakes for dinner, and we can’t have that.”
I could really use some wine. And Will was right — most nights, cornflakes were dinner. I nodded, but he was already moving gracefully towards the bar. The crowd parted for him, the way it had for Richard.
The rooftop was full now. I should go out and mingle instead of hiding behind the bank of potted trees. Stepping out, I glanced from one chattering group to another, cupping my empty wineglass.
“You’re Rose and Richard’s niece?” A well-coiffed woman was eyeing me. She was my aunt and uncle’s age, and she looked familiar…
Yes. She’d been one of the gossiping women at that luncheon my aunt had dragged me to in June, boasting about their kids’ accomplishments, hours before the night in the woods with Will. Her name clicked into place: Mrs. Platt, who’d cooed that Will should get together with her daughter Madeleine.
“That’s right. I’m Andrea. It’s nice to see you again, Mrs. Platt.”
Her eyebrows lifted. “Quite a memory.”
“Thanks. I try to remember names.”
I also remembered her comment that Will and Madeleine would make a very attractive couple. That they’d had a long talk at the garden party at the beginning of the summer.
And my aunt’s purred response: Well, he has his choice of girls. But I think he and Madeleine would enjoy each other. They’d go far together. They’re cut from the same cloth.
Mrs. Platt smiled. “You’re very fortunate that your relatives are still looking after you.”
My face burned. “I’m looking after myself.” Mrs. Platt blinked at me. I’d said the wrong thing. “Sorry— that is, yes, they helped me out over the summer. I’m very grateful. I probably wouldn’t be here without them.”
I could hear running feet in the woods now, could feel a hard arm catching me around the waist and pulling me close. Hot invasive fingers under the other dress from Rose, penetrating and taking, arousing and enraging me. I heard my own snarling hiss. Go be with Madeleine Platt. Leave me alone. And Will’s start of surprise: I don’t want Madeleine fucking Platt.
“Well, it seems that you’re still under their wing. I wouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth if I were you.” Mrs. Platt’s face broke into a beaming smile as Will strode up to us with a wineglass and a plate of food. “Will! How’s school? Still rowing? Winning everything? I’ve heard so much about all your successes from your parents. You look fantastic. Have you talked to Maddie lately?”
“No, I haven’t, Mrs. Platt.” Will gave her the same smile I’d seen on Richard’s face tonight. The October night felt chillier, the scent of burning leaves drifting on the air. “I haven’t talked to Maddie in a long time.”
“Call her. She’d love to hear from you. Take care, dear,” she added to me as she turned away.
When she disappeared into the crowd, I looked up at my cousin.
“Can we go?”