Chapter 18 Kat
Chapter eighteen
“It’s hard to believe we used to be her size.” Henry’s sister, Margot, sighs and looks at me wistfully as I try on another dress in the third boutique we’ve been in today.
I was slightly intimidated when Margot reached out to ask if I’d like to go shopping after Thanksgiving with her and Henry’s sister-in-law, Sloane, but I shouldn’t have been.
It crossed my mind briefly after our wedding that I should reach out and try to build those relationships, but things have felt so busy since moving in that I just haven’t had the chance.
Between settling in, getting to know the staff, and working on my plans to seduce my husband, I’ve been a bit preoccupied.
Spending time with the whole Sinclair family during the holiday itself was a whirlwind, with lots of attention on Sloane and Ledger’s baby, Ledger Jr., so I wasn’t the main attraction.
I was able to mostly avoid being in Henry’s proximity between the men watching football and the women cooing over the baby and discussing Blanche’s pickleball team.
Today, they immediately set my mind at ease, taking an interest in how things are going in my household without making me feel like they’re prying.
I know Margot grew up in society, but even so, I don’t think her interest in me is from being trained how to make small talk.
I think she actually cares. Sloane is a sweetheart, and we’ve trauma-bonded over our insular childhoods—although at least she was allowed out into the world.
I’ve laughed more than I have in a long time, but as Sloane echoes Margot’s sentiment with a sigh, I realize they might also be living vicariously through me today.
“Neither of us was ever that small, and you know it. But no, I can’t remember a time when I fit into every sample size in this store,” Sloane says wistfully, absentmindedly rubbing her belly.
Both women are pregnant, Margot with her first and second, and Sloane with her second.
Even though Margot is having twins, Sloane is a little farther along and popped earlier with this pregnancy, so they’re roughly the same size for now.
As soon as I suggested stopping at a maternity store, both of them cursed me and said they were counting on me to be their avatar for the day, so here I am.
They have impeccable style, so I really can’t complain.
“I like it, but don’t you think it’s a little…” Much, I try to say before Margot interrupts.
“How does every color work on you? Have you ever done a color analysis?”
Sloane rolls her eyes, but agrees. “Tell the salesperson we’ll definitely take this one.
Then can we go eat lunch? Ledger keeps texting me that it’s been too long since I’ve eaten, and I hate agreeing with him, but I think he’s right.
There’s a great Mediterranean place a few shops down, if that’s okay? ”
I forgot that Ledger tracks Sloane’s every move, so of course, he knows we haven’t eaten yet.
Must be nice having someone who’s that obsessed with you.
Agreeing to stop for lunch, we send our purchases to the car with my driver and make our way to the restaurant, ordering one of everything so we can graze.
With a round of mocktails ordered along with our appetizers arriving, Margot gives me a solemn look.
“Kat. It’s been wonderful getting to spend time with you today. I think you’re a great match for my brother. You’re funny and lovely and smart and blah blah. But I’m going to be completely honest with you.”
I pause with my tzatziki-topped pita chip halfway to my mouth before placing it back down onto my plate. Alright, Kat, you’re fine. This is what all your training has been for. Whatever she’s about to throw at you, you can take it. I raise an eyebrow and gesture with my hand for her to continue.
“Henry has always been stoic and averse to having anyone in his space. He hasn’t spent much time at the estate in years.
He’s never brought a woman around the family.
Even at family gatherings, we can tell when he’s had his fill of social time and is ready to leave.
What I’m trying to ask is…is my brother truly treating you well?
Not that I think he wouldn’t, just, is he cold?
Are you lonely? We can come around more, or you could come visit—” Margot says, interrupted by Sloane.
“You could babysit LJ any time!” she says brightly, before giving me the same soft, concerned look that Margot is.
Phew, this is a lot better than anything I thought they might have to say, maybe judgment about our age difference or concern for my family’s motives.
“You’re both so kind to be concerned, but truly, Henry and I are navigating things fairly well, I think, for our first month of living together,” I say, and Margot and Sloane share a slightly skeptical look. They still have old “routine” Henry in their minds, and I can’t blame them.
“We have breakfast and dinner together most days unless he has a meeting he can’t move.
We swim together in the morning and do our crosswords together in the evenings.
Oh! He took off work when I got my period and watched reality TV with me all day.
That was fun!” My smile at the memory fades when I see the looks on each of their faces. Mouths open, shock evident.
“What? Did I say something that crazy?” I ask.
“Yes!” both women yell in unison, causing the attention of the restaurant to briefly settle on us before the noise level buzzes back up to normal.
Margot glances at Sloane, then speaks first.
“It’s not that we aren’t happy to hear that, it’s just that we are so surprised. We all kind of assumed it would take him much longer to open up to the idea of sharing a space with you and deviating from his routine,” she says.
Sloane nods. “I haven’t been around that long, but I know Henry has never missed a day of work. Even when LJ was born, he took meetings at the hospital. I think he was holding the baby for one call and said it was LJ’s ‘first ever million-dollar deal’ or something,” she says, rolling her eyes.
“Once when we were all home for Christmas, he couldn’t swim one morning because Jack threw up in the pool, and it had to be sanitized. He didn’t speak to Jack for a month,” Margot adds.
“Speaking of Jack!” Sloane exclaims as Margot blushes. “Why don’t you tell Kat and me all about your recent excursion to Rendezvous Too, hmm?”
Henry had mentioned to me that Margot and Jack had just taken a trip to New York, but he hadn’t given me any details.
“Oh, did you two go to check on the club?” I ask.
Sloane laughs and gestures at Margot to speak. “I haven’t even heard the full story, and I want all the details. I told you that you’d love it.”
Margot must see the confused look on my face and decides to take pity on me.
“Sloane once fucked Ledger in front of a crowd at Rendezvous, so she suggested I try it one day. Jack finally agreed, so we went before I get too big to travel,” she says, draining her mocktail and taking Sloane’s out of her hand.
Trying to keep my face blank, I think desperately for something to say.
“That sounds amazing!” I say brightly.
“He fucked her while he held expansion talks with some of his closest business associates,” Sloane says, and Margot shrugs.
“I sat in his lap for around an hour while he fucked me and mostly ignored me.” She sighs.
“It was amazing. I thought I’d be nervous with everyone watching, but I felt like a goddess.
I think everyone in the room either wanted to be me or be Jack.
I don’t think we’ll make a habit of it, by any means, but it was very special. ”
I think about sitting on Henry’s lap while he languidly thrusts in and out of me, holding me like a cherished object.
My vision morphs into him rutting into me, raw, then filling me up while all of his former submissives watch with envy.
The satisfaction I feel even from my daydream is heady, and I wonder if Henry would ever feel proud enough to show me off in that way.
Hearing Margot explain more about how proud Jack was to show everyone that she belonged to him sounds so intimate.
The words are out of my mouth before I can think twice.
“Do you know if Henry has ever, um, claimed someone like that? At one of the clubs, I mean,” I say quickly, before shoving a huge bite of food in my mouth so I can’t say anything else.
Sloane chuckles. “Oh no. Ledger told me that Henry never did anything like that in front of a crowd. His only public scenes were tame, with him staying fully dressed, thank God. You know the first time I ever saw him was during a scene at the club? He really didn’t come around much after that.
I saw one of his submissives make the mistake of touching him at the bar at Rendezvous once.
I could tell he was so mad. They immediately left, and Ledger told me he ended the contract. Ow! What was that for?”
Margot is giving her a look that could kill, and Sloane realizes before giving me an apologetic cringe.
“I’m sorry, Kat. I did not mean to bring up a sensitive topic. I can’t believe I…”
“It’s fine,” I say, giving her what I hope is a reassuring smile and ignoring the nausea building in my stomach.
“I know about the…contracted women. And we’ve discussed it a bit.
Our relationship is not following along the same lines.
He enjoys when I touch him, for example, even if he won’t actually fuck me. ”
The entire restaurant turns its attention to us again as Margot and Sloane have both dropped their glasses, which shatter on the tile floor.
Before the server can finish cleaning things up, Ledger bursts through the door with LJ strapped to his chest in a baby carrier.
His eyes scan the room before quickly zeroing in on Sloane, and he rushes to our back corner table.
“Angel, are you okay? Your heart rate spiked like crazy and…”