Wanting

Chapter 5

I t was easy to avoid Will, the next few days. Between work and reasons to be out of the house, I simply didn’t see him. Maybe he was never home during the week, anyway.

Sunday night, I’d stared at the lock on my door: clicking it, then unlocking it again, back and forth. Finally, I left it unlocked. I tossed and turned on the smooth sheets, sweaty and sleepless, alert for the soft squeak of the door being pushed open. It never came.

At work, I made some friends, or at least people to linger with in the city. Meg and Emily were also just out of college, trying to save and moaning about their dating woes. Like me, they were up for splitting a bottle of cheap red three ways at Meg’s apartment and making stovetop mac n’ cheese.

During the dating discussions, I listened more than I talked. Will’s name didn’t come up. When Emily insisted on setting me up with a friend of a friend, I agreed more quickly than I ever had to a blind date.

Thursday afternoon at the publishing house was busy, and the clock crept past five before I knew it. I was buried in a galley, completely focused on my work, when the back of my neck prickled. A hush fell over the office, and a heavy hand dropped onto my shoulder.

Startled, I looked up into Uncle Richard’s dark, narrowed eyes.

“Hard at work, Andrea?” he rumbled.

I managed a nod. Everyone in the room stood still, looking bright and fixed and attentive.

“That’s Richard Randolph,” my boss, Caroline, whispered to an intern. “The media magnate. He owns this place.”

Uncle Richard turned to her, squeezing my shoulder.

“Is my niece earning her keep?” he boomed. As far as I could tell, my uncle wasn’t capable of speaking quietly.

“Oh yes, of course. Andie is conscientious and driven. She’s off to a great start,” Caroline said brightly.

Caroline knew I was Richard’s niece, but I hadn’t mentioned the connection to anyone else. As my coworkers peered at us, I saw their expressions change. They’d either start tiptoeing around me, or I’d have to prove my worth twice over to show I deserved the job. Meg and Emily were staring from their desks, their eyes round with excitement.

On my other side, the lithe shape of my cousin came into view, and my heart beat faster.

“You remember my boy, Will,” Richard said heartily to Caroline. “He’s working with me this summer, learning the family business.”

Caroline nodded eagerly. “Of course. You’ve got a very bright future.” Everyone laughed politely.

Will turned his dazzling smile on the room, then glanced at his father’s hand on my shoulder.

“Dad, Andie needs to change for dinner,” he said casually, holding up a garment bag.

Giving me a wink, he put it in my hand. I got to my feet, ready for any excuse to escape, as Richard released me.

“Glad you’re getting along well here, Andrea,” he said. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

I hurried out to the hall, carrying the garment bag. But when I reached the restrooms, a noise made me turn. My cousin was leaning against the wall.

I rattled the garment bag, my throat going dry. “How offended will Aunt Rose be if I don’t wear this?”

“Just try it,” Will said casually. “She never wears this one, and we both know how out of place you felt at Bryce Wingard’s party in your pretty purple dress.”

“I can’t believe you remember,” I said in a low voice.

“How could I forget? I’d be happy for you to wear that again, but something tells me you didn’t bring it this summer.”

“I donated it years ago,” I muttered.

“Oh, little cousin.” A grin tugged at his beautiful lips. “You pretend to rebel, but you’re lying. Deep down, Andie, you want to fit in. You want to be like us.”

I glared at him. Green eyes lingered on my simple black button-down shirt and tan pencil skirt, rumpled in the heat.

“Keep that on if you want to,” he said lazily. “But don’t come complaining to me, or I’ll take care of you in my own way.”

“Complaining to you?” I hissed. “When did I ever—”

“Will, my dress is so tight,” he mimicked. “I can’t zip it up. I can’t breathe. I don’t fit in. I’m so uncomfortable. Help me.” Moving close, he traced the curve of my cheek. I looked wildly up and down the empty hall. His hand dropped, and he raised a dark eyebrow. “Hurry up and change if you’re going to. My father doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”

Two of my coworkers came around the corner and stopped abruptly when they saw me with Will. Stepping back, I stalked into the ladies’ room with the dress.

In a stall, I tried it on. It was gorgeous. Of course it was. And it fit perfectly — my aunt and I were the same size. Silvery lace overlaid cream silk, rustling like the dress had secrets to tell. The length was demure, hitting just above my knees, but the bodice was low-cut. The lines managed to make the soft swell of my cleavage look elegant, rather than exposed.

I found a pair of matching shoes in the bag, cream-colored with kitten heels, which also fit. They clicked on the tiled floor as I left the stall to fix my makeup in the mirror. My cheeks were still red from the shock of Will touching me, in my workplace. But seeing myself in the dress, I felt transported. The air seemed to glow, as if the dress were a magic garment that reached tendrils into me. Changing me.

Outside, Will took the garment bag, which now held my work clothes, and gave me a slow smile. I turned away only to look up into Uncle Richard’s eyes.

“Finally, you’re ready,” he rumbled.

Richard took my arm in a firm grip, like I was a ship to be steered, and led me toward the garage, where a gleaming Randolph car waited.

Will’s eyes narrowed briefly as he took my other arm. “Slow down, Dad. Andie isn’t used to your pace.”

“She’s a city girl now,” Richard boomed. “Aren’t you, Andrea?”

Will’s hand tightened on my arm.

“I’ve only been here two weeks,” I said.

“I’m sure you’re learning the ropes,” Richard chuckled. “Caroline is impressed. You want a job at the end of the summer?”

I sucked in a breath. “Thank you so much. I’ll think about it.”

Of course I wanted a job. This job. I loved the work, and even more than that, the city. All the bustle and life, the anonymous crowds, were an antidote to the loneliness I’d felt in my isolated childhood home. I loved everything about the offer except that Richard controlled the strings.

He’d dashed my dreams once. Was it foolish or wise to accept?

The drive to the restaurant was brief, despite New York traffic. Inside, the room was all soft, deep tones and muted voices. The maitre d’ greeted Richard and Will by name and showed us to a table where Aunt Rose was waiting.

I tried not to gape during dinner, but the menu had no prices listed and the food was so good, it seemed to be from another world. The tastes, the textures, the presentation were all exquisite.

Midway through the meal, Aunt Rose informed me that she and Uncle Richard would be going to Nantucket over the weekend, and asked pointedly if I had my own plans.

“Or are you included in Will’s plans for the weekend?” She speared a cherry tomato with a fork.

Will, studying his phone while I found a hundred reasons not to look at him, glanced up. Those clear green eyes settled on me. Uncle Richard, bored, was dictating something into his own phone. Clearly, the magic of the restaurant was lost on them.

“No,” I said brightly. “I’ll be busy. And I have a date.”

“How nice, dear.” Aunt Rose patted my arm. “Be safe.”

Will’s eyes flickered.

“With who?” Uncle Richard put his phone down, next to his plate of squid ink tagliatelle. Will’s gaze made me nervous, but Uncle Richard’s dark stare bored right through me.

“A friend of a friend. Of a friend.”

“What’s his name?”

“Richard, you don’t need to launch an investigation,” Aunt Rose murmured.

“He’s advertised as being very nice.” I took a long gulp from my glass, hoping the subject would blow over. I might be under Richard’s roof for the summer, but I was an adult. Whether or not I felt like one.

“Nice is good.” Will pushed back his chair and stretched. “I’m going to the Bahamas this weekend.”

I choked on my cucumber water and tried to cover my snorting.

“Andrea, really,” Aunt Rose drawled. Richard grunted, focused on his phone again, and Will, grinning broadly, reached over to pat my face with a napkin. I pushed his hand away.

“No, you’re not,” I said once I’d caught my breath. I could feel my blush, but spraying liquid across the elegantly set table had been satisfying.

“Sure I am. Leaving work early tomorrow. Staying for two nights. Want to come?” Under the table, a warm leg nudged mine. Will’s slacks brushed my bare skin.

“No, really, it’s okay.”

Aunt Rose twirled her fork, watching us lazily.

“I can buy you a ticket right now. First class.”

“I already have plans.”

Will cocked his head. “Don’t you want to come, Andie?” he murmured.

This wasn’t real. The travel, the money, the foot stroking my ankle. Will’s eyes on me, like my aunt and uncle weren’t at the table with us. I swallowed.

“No. Thank you. I said I already have plans this weekend.”

Will stretched. The grace in his body made my stomach curl. “Andie’s welcome to come with me any time,” he said to his parents. “She knows that. Standing invitation.”

* * *

At the ballet, I didn’t think about my relatives. As the dancers twirled and leapt through Swan Lake, the beauty swept me up. I forgot myself, my aunt next to me, and Will and Richard, off at some event for Richard’s work. It would be Will’s work too, when he graduated. There was no question that Richard had a plush job waiting for him.

Our seats had a glorious view. When the performance ended and the lights came up, it took a shake on my shoulder to bring me out of my trance.

“Andrea, come,” said Aunt Rose imperiously.

On the way out of the theatre, she sprinkled hellos right and left, stopping to speak with people who were clearly worth knowing in her estimation.

I expected we’d go back to the Randolph estate afterward, with the driver who’d brought Rose to the city. But once we were out on the sidewalk, heading to the long car at the curb, Aunt Rose pecked my cheek.

“I’m off to meet Richard. Will is going to take you home. He should be here any minute. Lovely evening, Andrea. Keep the dress; I never wear it. I’ll take you on that shopping trip soon.”

My hands smoothed the rustling silk. “Thanks, Aunt Rose. But I’m sure Will’s busy. I’ll take the train.”

“The train? Are you out of your mind?” Aunt Rose’s smooth face creased momentarily into a look of horror, followed by a trill of laughter. “There he is now.”

I met my cousin’s eyes across the crowd, and my body tightened.

Aunt Rose gave me a little push. “Go on.”

Will materialized in front of me as his mother climbed into the car. His brown waves curled around his ears, and his tie was as crisp as it had been a few hours ago.

“I don’t need you to give me a ride,” I said, trying to stay calm. Collected. “I can take the train back.”

“I’m sure you can,” Will said amiably. “Let’s go out first. I’ll buy you a drink.”

A warm hand settled on my back. My body buzzed from the ballet, the city, the nearness of my cousin.

“Will—”

“I want to talk to you, Andie.”

Talk? Startled by that, I let Will propel me through the crowd, too curious to pull away. We were in public. Surely he wouldn’t try to go any further than he was right now. His hand was firm on my back, radiating heat through the silk dress I wore. People surged around us on the sidewalk.

A few blocks away, Will took me down a flight of stairs and through an unmarked door. We stepped into a dazzling bar, all gleaming black lacquer and chrome and pale gray cushioned seats.

“Invitation only. Very discreet,” Will told me. “What can I get you? Lemonade?” A smile tugged his perfect lips.

“Very funny.” My throat was dry. “I’ll have white wine.”

We were shown to a booth, draped with lavender velvet curtains. A glass of crisp white wine appeared in front of me, beaded with condensation. Will sipped a glass of bourbon.

He’d said he wanted to talk, but he seemed uninclined to make conversation. I took tried my wine — tart, like green apples. As Will looked me over, the sip turned into a gulp.

“Easy there.” He smiled lazily. Under the table, his knee nudged mine.

Goosebumps speckled my skin. “Will…” The curtains shielded us from the outer lounge, parting only in the center to allow a server in. Right now, there was no one.

He stretched his long body in the booth. “Don’t look so shocked. You think you’re untouchable, Andie. But you’re not.”

I scooted away on the banquette. “What’s going on with your parents?”

Will’s face smoothed over. “What do you mean?”

“They never look at each other.” A dark urge made me want to needle him. “Rose is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, and Richard doesn’t seem to notice.”

Will’s green eyes moved over me until my skin prickled.

“Are you taking notes?” he asked calmly. “Is this going to be the next big exposé?”

“No. I’m just — curious.”

He flashed me a brilliant smile. “Aren’t you always. I remember your article, sweet cousin. All those years ago, after I took you to that party. You got some attention for it, didn’t you? Got people buzzing. But nothing you’ve written since has done that well. Maybe that’s why you’re here this summer.”

I squeezed my glass of wine. “So you did read it. You’ve seen my other work too.”

Will shrugged. “You sent it to me. Obviously you wanted me to. But you left out so many details.”

I flushed hot, pressing the glass to my cheek.

“You’re a good writer, Andie. You just need the right…material.” His finger trailed along my bare knee.

I pulled back. How could he toy with me so heartlessly when he’d been part of the problem?

“That’s not why I’m here,” I snapped. “I’m not going to write about you. In fact, I’ve stopped writing, period. So don’t flatter yourself.”

A slight pucker appeared between Will’s eyebrows and quickly vanished. “Then why’d you come?” He gave me a brilliant smile. “Is it your insatiable…ambition?”

Under the table, a large hand slipped beneath my dress to squeeze my thigh.

My face blazed. I gripped his wrist. “Will, we’re in public.”

“Damn right.” He nodded at the hanging velvet curtains. “But don’t worry, Andie. It’s just you and me in here.” His thumb rubbed slow circles on my inner thigh. “You know, my mom wanted to be a writer once.”

“Aunt Rose?”

“Sure. She wrote a novel, got my dad to shop it around to his connections. It was about a shallow, social-climbing woman who married a man for his money. He proceeded to fuck around with barely legal girls. She did everything she could to stay young while refusing to allow her husband in her bed. They had a perfect son who was their pride and joy. And they both lived happily ever after. Write what you know, they say.”

I tried to read his face, but his eyes were shuttered. When I stared too long, he took a swallow of bourbon.

“Well, good for her.” I folded my arms, trying to ignore his slow touches. “Did she get a cease-and-desist letter from Richard’s lawyers too?”

Will’s face went blank. “What are you talking about?”

“You know exactly what I’m talking about.”

“No.” His gaze moved over me until I glanced away. “I don’t.”

I sipped my wine, staring into the pale gold liquid that swirled in the glass. Was it possible he was telling the truth?

“Andie, look at me,” he said softly. “Why did you ask me that?”

If Will had nothing to do with the letter, that meant Richard, or someone who worked for him, had searched for and found my article. It meant they were keeping tabs on me. Watching me. I didn’t want to think about that.

I played with my napkin, finally forcing myself to meet Will’s eyes. “It doesn’t matter. It was a long time ago.” My cousin raised an eyebrow, but I jumped in before he could speak. “Did you read it? Your mom’s book?”

“Mm-hm.” His beautiful mouth relaxed into a smirk. “It was fucking terrible. But you? You’re talented.”

His hand, warm and sure, slipped between my thighs. My legs snapped shut, trapping him.

“Will, this is wrong,” I whispered desperately.

“Then why’d you come tonight?” He took my hand in his free one, circling his thumb over my palm. I jerked, my swollen clit rubbing against the banquette through my panties. “What are you looking for, Andie? Something, I know. I think it’s in here.” Throwing one long leg back onto the banquette, he stroked the obvious bulge in his fine dark slacks. “Or maybe it’s here.” He patted his back pocket, which held another bulge — his wallet.

“No, it’s not,” I snapped.

He tilted his head, his teeth gleaming. “Go ahead and pretend. You obviously want both.”

I peered at the gap in the curtains, my heart thumping wildly. If I called out, would someone come?

Did I want that?

The setting was so beautiful, like an old-fashioned speakeasy, where everyone was elegant and crystal-bright.

And I — I was embarrassingly aroused. I tried to ignore Will’s hand between my thighs, trapped in softness, sending heat through me.

But I was trembling, because I wanted more. So much more.

I stood quickly, pushing aside my empty wineglass. “I don’t feel so good. I had too much to drink.”

“Lightweight.” His lips quirked. “No train for you, baby girl. I’ll take you home.”

I hesitated, then nodded.

In his sleek SUV, Will made no attempt to touch me. He pulled into late-night traffic, then onto a winding parkway, the tree-lined miles passing in silence. In the soft darkness and the hum of the car, my eyelids grew heavy.

“Rest, Andie.” Will’s voice was lulling. “You’ve had a long day.”

Slowly, I relaxed in my cousin’s presence, until I drifted off to sleep.

My dreams were vague. Erotic. I lay on a soft bed, arching my body wantonly. Pressure moved slowly over my core. Shuddering with pleasure, I rolled my hips to get more of the delicious sensations.

Suddenly, I startled awake. Low moans filled the air — mine. The sure touch between my legs was still there. I blinked, trying to get a sense of place in the velvety darkness.

Will came into focus, leaning over me. One hand rested casually on the steering wheel; the other caressed my pussy through my panties. Which were soaked. Tingles shot through me as he brushed my clit.

I gasped, jerking back in the seat. We were in his car, unmoving. Trees rustled outside the open windows, the fireflies swirling and vanishing. I realized we were parked on the edge of my relatives’ property, close to the woods.

His smile lit up the darkness. “You get so wet in your sleep, little cousin.”

Grabbing his hand, I tugged to free it. Couldn’t.

“Sweet baby,” he crooned, pressing more firmly into my folds. “I can feel your juicy little peach right through your panties.”

A fresh moan broke free from me, and a triumphant smile crossed Will’s face.

I gripped his wrist with all my strength, trying to pull it away, but he didn’t budge. I tried to scratch him, but my nails were short for typing and couldn’t dig in.

Will made an appreciative sound. “Cute, Andie.”

“You can’t touch me like this.”

To my surprise, he eased his hand back, keeping it an inch from my pulsing crotch.

“Then just move your hips, baby,” he taunted. “That’s all you have to do. One thrust forward and I’ll give you the orgasm you so desperately need.”

I strained to hold still, my back against the seat, my hands gripping the door and console. My body was one long line of electric power, running between my breasts and down to my pussy.

A smile quirked Will’s lips as he surveyed me. “Tell me,” he murmured. “Do you still want to run away?”

My cheeks went hot. “You said that was a joke. We were kids.”

“I’m asking you now. Do you still want to see the world?”

I jerked a nod.

“Come with me this weekend.”

“To the Bahamas?” I was dying to travel, anywhere. “No.”

He laughed softly. “I’m sorry, do you have plans? Oh wait, that pathetic little date. With a friend of a friend of a friend.”

I stared stubbornly out the window, trembling with the effort not to thrust against my cousin’s hand. He stroked my inner thighs, circling the soft skin until I bit my lip to keep from crying out.

“Sure you don’t want to come this weekend?” he asked, light and teasing. “Should I take another girl instead? Should I take more than one? Up to you.”

“Don’t do this, Will,” I pleaded.

“Do what?” His hand moved up my thighs. When he brushed my panties again, I gasped. “Does it bother you to think of me fucking someone else?”

I squeezed my eyes shut, horrified by the wave of jealousy that rolled through me. It was the last thing I should feel right now. Mutely, I shook my head.

“You can tell me,” he mocked. “Say it bothers you, and I promise you’ll get all my attention.”

I pressed my lips together, refusing to speak.

“There are a lot of girls who’d love to come with me.”

“I believe it,” I gritted.

“And for me.” He punctuated his words by trailing his finger down the center of my panties. When he nudged my clit, I cried out and grabbed his wrist. “Aren’t you wet. Like a fountain.”

“Don’t,” I whispered.

“I wonder if you’ll let your date touch you this weekend.” His voice was low and amused. He pushed in, rubbing me through the soaked fabric. “I bet he’ll like how tight you are. Will your pretty little virgin pussy come for him? Will you get as wet as you do for me?”

I bit back a whimper. It was like my cousin knew that no one else had ever gotten me this aroused, and I hated him for it.

“Will, you have to stop.” I squirmed, pushing at his hand.

“Oh no, sweet baby. That would be cruel. I promised I’d take care of you.”

“When?” The word burst sharply from me.

“Have you forgotten?” His strokes slowed, firm and deliberate. “Did you forget that part of your little visit to me, so shy and uncomfortable? You only remember the version you wrote? I didn’t like that you left me there, Andie. That wasn’t how the weekend was supposed to go.”

“But you liked it when I ran,” I snapped, instantly regretting it when he chuckled.

“Say you’ll come with me tomorrow.”

I strained in my seat, all my muscles taut as I held back from his touch. “No.”

His teeth flashed in the dark. “I didn’t expect you to hold out so long. Not with you being such a slut.”

A snarl burst between my teeth. That one word, slut, from my cousin, so crude and wrong, almost pushed me over the edge.

“That’s it.” Will’s voice darkened. “I know there’s an animal in there. Let her out.”

“You don’t know what to do with an animal,” I gritted. “You’re too scared of getting your pretty face scratched.”

Will’s eyes narrowed, his grip tightening on my thigh. “No, Andie. You’re scared. And ambitious…and a little desperate. So why aren’t you doing everything you can to get ahead?”

“You don’t understand ambition,” I muttered. “You’ve never needed it, and you never will.”

Will’s jaw clenched. Anger sparked in his gaze, and I felt a stubborn twinge of satisfaction that I’d gotten to him.

Spreading his fingers, he deliberately pulled his hand out from between my thighs and turned on the ignition.

Dazed, I lay back while he drove down the winding road that cut through the grounds and pulled into the enormous garage.

“Last chance,” he said as we got out of the car, resting his hand on the door to the house. Fluorescent light flooded the garage, showing off the Randolph family car collection. Whatever anger Will felt had vanished, and he offered me a smirk. “Are you coming with me this weekend?”

I shook my head.

He kissed my forehead, making my whole body tighten. “Sweet dreams, little cousin.”

He disappeared into the house, leaving me alone.

When his footfalls died away, I hurried to my room, locked the door, and tried to sleep.

But after an hour of tossing and turning, I gave in to the thrumming need. I yanked my panties down and stroked my clit. I put my fingers inside myself, like Will had done in the kitchen. I thrust into the mattress, screamed into the pillow, drummed my feet on the sheets.

I was a beast. An animal.

When I came, I rolled onto my back, panting and covered with sweat.

I didn’t recognize myself.

Stiffly, I walked to my bathroom and turned on the shining shower head, soaking my hair with a hot rainfall.

Will was wrong. I was no animal. I was Andrea Baker, who was ready to make her mark on the world. I still had hopes and dreams. I would succeed in my career, even if I depended on my uncle to get it started.

Even if I’d been afraid when he sent me the letter.

Even if I dissolved into a tangled mess of hatred and desire whenever my cousin touched me.