Chapter 6 #2
Cheri. She’ll talk me off the ledge. I reach for my phone and call my bestie.
“About time, Jac. I was getting ready to call the cavalry,” Cheri answers in her low-pitched, sultry voice. I’ve told her countless times that if the whole writing thing flops, she could always be a phone sex operator.
“What, no hello, even?” I snark at her.
“Not after hours of sitting here, biting my fingernails, and wondering whether you’re alive or dead. We don’t know anything about these Gallants. I was half tempted to call my brothers and beg them to look into them.”
“I’m so sorry, Cheri. I didn’t mean to make you worry, but I haven’t had a second alone to call.”
“Texting works, or were your fingers occupied?” She giggles.
“Umm, no, only when I was eating. But I swear there’s something in the air here,” I say, squeezing my eyes shut but still seeing Andrew’s ocean-blue orbs and his perpetual smirk.
“What do you mean? Tell me everything, don’t leave out anything. I’ll know,” she demands.
She’s right. Cheri can always tell if I’m holding back. I’m not going to lie, it’s nice to know there is someone on this planet who really knows me, though it took some getting used to.
“I don’t know where to start…”
“At the beginning. What happened when you hung up and got out of the car?” The distinct sound of her plopping onto the couch and popping the cap of her water bottle is clearly heard over the phone.
“Okay. Three of the Gallant brothers were waiting for me. Andrew, Aaron, and Adrian. I didn’t meet the other three until dinner.
They’re as gorgeous as their photos on the website, and tall like trees.
I don’t think one of them is under six five.
It’s crazy. I felt like a child when Andrew stood next to me.
“The house is enormous and nothing like I expected. The main house is close to some elaborate lodge that you’d see in the interior design magazines. Inside is stunning but comfy, not like your parents’ mansion.
“We went into their family room, and basically, they surrounded me and started asking questions. They wanted to know about the contract and why I didn’t go to Snyder.
Cheri, they think I’m up to something. Andrew didn’t come right out and say it, none of them did, but the suspicion is plain to see. ”
She draws in a breath, and I can picture how she’d narrow her eyes and clench her hands, the classic Cheri defensive pose. “I hope you set them straight.”
Crap. I knew she’d ask that, but damn, I hate admitting how I lost it instead of defending myself. “Actually, no.” I sigh. “I wanted to, but I froze up and went into full panic mode.”
“Why?” Her voice is gentle. “Are you okay? I knew I should have come with you…”
“I’m fine, seriously.” I cringe, knowing how she’s going to react to what I say next. “Andrew lifted me onto his lap and hugged me until I calmed down. Talked me through the panic.”
“Merda! He did what? And you were okay with that?” The fact she cursed in Italian tells me how shocked she is. I knew she would be. Hell, I’m still trying to come to terms with all these feelings I shouldn’t be having.
“Surprisingly, I was and am. After I calmed down, I met the rest of the brothers and their wives. Adam, Aaric, and Asher are all married. The women have been really welcoming, but the brothers were slightly reserved.”
“Not surprising, if they think you’re trying to sabotage their company.”
“Right, but why be nice to me then? I guess I’m lucky they’re not like your family, or I’d be in a dungeon somewhere being tortured for information.” I giggle.
“Vaffanculo! Fuck off! I keep telling you they’re not mafia—just mafia adjacent.”
“Uh-huh, but what does that even mean?” I snark back. It’s been an ongoing thing since she took me to visit her family for the first time.
“Stop trying to change the subject. So, they fed you dinner, and then what? Where are you now?”
I look around Andrew’s bedroom, then sigh. “I’m in Andrew’s cabin, in his bed.”
“You’re what? Is he there with you?” she shrieks.
Pulling the phone away from my ear, I cringe. “No, he’s not here. I’m alone.”
“You need to explain—”
“The big house? Well, no one lives there, apparently. Each of the brothers has their own cabin. Since they don’t trust me alone, Andrew has me in his cabin, and since there’s only one bed, he gave it to me.”
She mumbles something I can’t hear, then she takes a drink. “I want to see, take a picture, and send it to me.”
“Of what? The room? Me in his bed?” I ask.
“Yes, all of it,” she demands.
Smirking, I turn the camera around and take a selfie of me in the bed, then a few more photos of the room. I think about taking some of the bathroom, but I don’t want to get out of bed. Then I send them to her and wait for her reaction.
“Oh, and thanks for taking out my comfy PJs. The silk gown, really?”
“I packed your favorite vibe, too,” she snarks. “You’re welcome. Holy shit, you weren’t kidding. Wow, that bed is gigantic—and look at those attachment points. I’ll need to use them in one of my books,” she says in awe.
“What do you mean, attachment points?” I ask and glance around at the bed, not seeing anything.
“The headboard, you don’t see those openings at the edge? Perfect for attaching rope or cuffs, or—”
“Shut. Up. Don’t you say it,” I groan. Like I’m not turned on enough already. Fuck.
“Aww, what’s the matter, Jac? Is the big, bad Gallant brother getting to you? I know he’s been your secret crush for years. Did you think you could hide it from me?”
Of course I didn’t, but I’d hoped. “He’s killing me. Like a walking, talking sex god. He smells like heaven. And when he looks at me, it’s like I’m the only one who exists in the world. I’m in so much trouble, Cheri. What am I going to do?”
“Girl, fuck him. That’s what you do. Get him out of your system.”
“But he’s my boss, or my boss’ boss. I can’t lose this job.”
Her sigh is loud over the phone. “You won’t. If he threatens you, you can threaten him right back with going to HR. People know you’re there, on the mountain. If the opportunity arises, I say go for it. It’s a win-win. Besides, if he falls for your pussy, he won’t believe you’re out to get him.”
“I think that only works in your books,” I huff.
“Oh, Jac. C’mon, be brave. You’ve dreamed about that man for as long as I’ve known you. You’ve got a chance to live out your fantasy. Promise me, you’ll think about it if the chance comes up. And if he’s that big, I bet his cock is monstrous, too.” She snorts.
“Fuck you, bitch,” I say with affection. “That was just mean. This bed smells like him. How am I supposed to sleep when he’s all around me?”
“Use your vibe. An orgasm or two should wear you out, then you’ll sleep like the dead and wake up refreshed in the morning.”
“Oh, is that from the Cheri Anderson book of sleeping remedies?”
“Nope, it’s from Grandma Santini.”
“Your grandmother told you that?” I’ve met the woman. She’s the classic Italian grandma. There’s no way I can imagine her saying that.
“She sure did. Told me to make sure I could get myself off before I ever give it to a man, so I’d know what I enjoy.”
My jaw drops. Wow. “And you’re only just telling me this now?” I say.
“You never needed to hear it before. She also said to let an experienced man take my virginity, so he’d know how to give me pleasure. You’re welcome again. Andrew will know how to find your clit.”
“I can’t believe we’re even talking about this with him just down the hall. Fuck. What if he has cameras in here?”
“His bedroom? Kinky, but I doubt it. My work here is done. A couple of orgasms and you’ll sleep like a baby; you can thank me in the morning. And you’d better call me tomorrow and let me know what’s going on. Or text me, at least.”
“I will, and, Cheri, thank you for talking me off the ledge. I’m so far out of my comfort zone here.”
“Besties till the end. And if I need to show up with a shovel and my brothers, let me know. Night.”
“Night.”
The battery is almost dead, so I grab the charger from my purse. Once I plug in my phone and make sure it’s charging, I search my suitcase and find the vibrator. Shit. Can I really do this in his bed? I look to the door and shrug. Cheri’s right, coming should take the edge off. Hopefully. Maybe.