Beautiful Entourage (22 page)

She didn’t react to the touch. It was like she expected it to happen—or even wanted it to happen.

We watched a few episodes, laughing at the ridiculous parts until it grew late. I was tired and I suspected she was too. But I didn’t want her to leave. I hoped she didn’t either.

Her head moved to my shoulder, and her hair scattered down my shirt. One strand touched my neck, and its softness reminded me of the dirty dream I had about her. And the daydream I had afterward while I jerked off. My cheeks blushed and my cock hardened.

I moved my head to the armrest of the couch and lay down, pulling Aspen with me. She didn’t hesitate. In a fluid motion, she moved with me. Her head rested on my shoulder and her hair sprawled out across my chest. She moved her hand around my waist. One leg tucked between mine.

I was in heaven.

I’d never laid on the couch and watched TV with a girl. Any time a girl came to my apartment, we got down to business in my bedroom. I fucked her on my sheets then called a cab the next morning. We didn’t cuddle during the night. She stayed on her side of the bed and I stayed on mine.

But I broke all my habits and rules for Aspen.

She was light while she lay on top of me. My hand wrapped around her waist then rested on her hip. The curve of her body was noticeable to me. She had an hourglass figure, a slim waist with noticeable hips that led to tone thighs. She had long legs, and I often imagined them wrapped around my waist. The scent of vanilla came to my nose, and I breathed it in and felt my body relax. Instead of watching the TV, I watched her. Her hand rested on my stomach while she held me. We were wrapped around one another like we fit perfectly together. I’d crossed so many lines already that I decided to cross more. My left hand moved to hers, and I intertwined our fingers together.

Her hand immediately reciprocated, and she released a quiet sigh, like she was ready to fall asleep.

I continued to stare at her, forgetting the show, until my eyes grew heavy and I fell asleep.

***

When I woke up, the TV was off. The time on the DVR said it was two in the morning. Aspen was in the same place she was before she fell asleep. Our hands were still linked together.

The armrest was uncomfortable for my neck and my bed called my name. I’d rather sleep in there. I doubted Aspen would mind. Careful not to wake her up, I moved from under her then lifted her from the couch. She was feather-light like I expected.

I laid her on the bed then pulled her shoes off. Then I tucked her into the sheets and removed my shirt and jeans. Just wearing my boxers, I got into bed beside her.

Aspen stirred then squinted her eyes. She looked at me, half-asleep, and then moved into me. Her arm curled around my waist and she inserted her leg between mine. Aggressive like never before, she cuddled with me like she needed me. I moved against her and held her tightly.

Then we fell asleep again.

***

When I woke up the next morning, I realized I’d broken another rule.

I slept with her.

We didn’t have sex but she still slept with me in my bed. Now there was only one rule left unbroken.

Kissing.

I had to hold out and not make the move. I had to wait until Aspen no longer needed me to get her company. Then I’d move in and ask her to be mine. I’d kiss her like she’s never been kissed before.

I just had to be patient.

I opened my eyes and stared at Aspen. She was wrapped around me tightly, sleeping peacefully. The sunlight drifted through the window and highlighted her fair skin. Her brown hair cascaded around her. If her lips were swollen, it would look like we’d had a rendezvous the night before. Just the thought alone made me hard. I only wore boxers so I hoped she didn’t notice my morning wood.

Aspen sighed then her eyes fluttered open. She took me in for a moment then she closed her eyes again. “How do you get up in the morning?” Her words came out garbled and incoherent.

“Sorry?” I tried not to laugh.

“Your bed is so comfortable.” Her words were sharper that time. “How do you get up in the morning?”

“I don’t,” I said. “Now you know why I’m a night owl.”

“I understand perfectly.” Her hand moved across my stomach to my chest. Then it rested there. She seemed to understand I was shirtless because her eyes popped open. She stared at my naked chest then abruptly closed her eyes.

A cocky grin stretched my lips. “Did you just check me out?”

“No…”

“I saw you.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about…”

“Just admit it.” I leaned over her, pressuring her with my proximity.

Her eyes opened again and her leg shifted around my waist.

My hard cock was pressed against her thigh and I realized my mistake moving against her like this. But the damage was done.

Her breathing increased and she just stared at me, her eyes brighter than I’d ever seen them.

Fuck, this was dangerous.

I wanted to lean in and kiss her. I’d imagined feeling her lips against mine countless times. I was so close. She was under me, in my bed. I wanted to roll around on my sheets, sucking those lips and touching her in all the places I fantasized about.

Before I did something stupid, I moved to my back. “I’m meeting Chase soon… I should get ready.”

She stayed in her spot. “Yeah…you guys will have a good time.”

I got out of bed and pulled on a t-shirt. “I’ll walk you home.”

“I can manage.” She got up then fixed her hair with her fingers. “It’s not dark.”

“Are you sure?” I asked. “I don’t mind.”

“It’s fine, really.” She rubbed the wrinkles from her dress then slipped on her shoes.

I pulled on my sweatpants to hide my obvious hard-on, not that it made a difference now. She felt it pressed against her thigh. She knew how hard it was and how much I wanted her.

I walked her to the door, feeling awkward for my stupidity. I came onto her while we were lying in bed. I pressed my cock against her like a jerk. I didn’t want her to think I was trying to sleep with her. I wasn’t. I mean, I
wanted
to. But I wanted a lot more than that. “Thanks for helping out with my brother. You have no idea how much it means to me.” I thought it was best to change the subject. I may have made a stupid move but I also pulled away when I realized how badly she could interpret my actions.

“I’m glad I could help,” she said. “And thanks for making me feel better.”

“We go well together,” I said without thinking.

“Yeah, I think we do…” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

Why did I keep saying stupid shit like that?
I wanted to smack my forehead.

“Have a good day.” She stepped out with her purse over her shoulder.

“You too.”

“Bye.” She gave me a small wave before she walked away.

I shut the door then leaned against it, wishing she would stay with me—forever.

Aspen

I was faced with the truth of Harper’s words. I think Rhett felt the way I did. My heart raced when he was near, and when his chest was pressed to mine, his heartbeat was like one with my own. His hand held mine even though there was no one to put on a show for. He slept with me in his bed, and he even…. My cheeks blushed when I thought about it.

But he hadn’t kissed me. There were times when I thought he might but it never happened. I was growing impatient. Rhett was the first man that made me melt. He was the first guy I fell for without sharing a single kiss. He’d become someone I trusted more than anyone else. After what John did to me, how was that even possible?

Maybe I should just tell him how I felt and get it over with. Maybe I should just kiss him and see if he returned the embrace. I should just roll the dice and take my chances. There was a good possibility I would lose everything I was working toward but it didn’t seem to matter anymore.

For the next few days, all I thought about was him. Work suffered because I was distracted. I fantasized about kissing him, about him showing up at my office then taking me on my desk. I dreamed of a million things, and they were all inappropriate.

Isabella’s visit was forgotten. Rhett made me forget about her taunts and evilness. It was hard to be upset when I was so happy with him. When Chase took the sword and finally dropped his fear, I felt warm inside. I was glad I could help him, but I was happier that I helped Rhett. Emotion was in his eyes and I thought he might cry. That look of gratitude was one I’d never forget. He deserved to have his brother back. Other than his aunt and uncle, Chase was all he had left.

I sat at my desk and went through a report on my computer when Jane’s voice came over the intercom. “Mr. Lane wants to see you, Ms. Lane.”

I couldn’t wait until I changed my last name. Being a Lane was a disgrace. I hated sharing something so intimate with my father. “Thank you, Jane.” I didn’t want to speak to him. I hadn’t seen him since Isabella came into my office and squished me like a bug. My anger was difficult to handle and sometimes I struggled with it. I wanted to smack my father in the face with a golf club. When it gave me satisfaction, I realized how evil of a person I was.

I entered his office and retained my coolness, pretending I didn’t despise him, that I didn’t loathe him. “You needed me, sir?”

He was hitting a ball across the small green in his office. “How’s Rhett feeling?”

When we ditched dinner a few weeks ago because of Chase’s breakdown, I lied and said Rhett got a severe case of food poisoning that put him in the hospital due to dehydration. “He’s well. He had a long recovery but he made it through.”

“Glad to hear it. What did he eat, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Lasagna from Santiago’s,” I lied. That was my favorite restaurant and I never wanted to run into my father there.

“I’ll stay clear of that place.” He hit the ball then sunk it into the hole. He hadn’t looked at me once.

“Is that all, sir?” I wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible.

“No, actually.” He hung his club on the wall then leaned against the front of his desk. “Your cousin, Marie, is having an engagement party this weekend. I want you to bring Rhett.”

Why did I have to go at all? Marie was Isabella’s sister. I kept my cool. “Do you think that’s wise? Don’t you think it’s a conflict of interest?” Isabella would be there, and so would John. I didn’t want to see either one of them.

“You need to save face, Aspen. If you show up with your head held high and a man on your arm, people will stop talking about you.”

“Or they’ll talk more…”

“The matter is settled,” he said dismissively.

I hated it when he bossed me around like I was a dog. He may be my boss but he couldn’t control my personal life. “I’m not going and you can’t make me.”

He turned those cold eyes on me. “What did you say to me?”

“I’m not going,” I said firmly. “All I’ll be is a talking point, something everyone will gossip about. I have no business being there. It’ll just start drama.”

“You will go,” he said sternly. “You will act like everything is completely fine. This is important to me.”

“Well, it’s not important to me,” I hissed.

“I’ll fire you if I have to,” he threatened.

I narrowed my eyes at him. “This has nothing to do with work.”

“It has everything to do with work! You will show up and smile. You will introduce Rhett to everyone and say how wealthy he is. You will act like you don’t have a care in the world. You will act like John meant nothing to you and his marriage to Isabella is something beneath you. You can’t be weak, Aspen.”

“And I’m supposed to show up at the wedding too? The one you’re hosting?” My eyes burned into his. My hands shook. I was so close to storming out and telling him how much I despised him.

He lowered his voice. “It’s all about image. What could be more powerful than making a gesture like that? Isabella can have John because you have someone else.”

“You know how much I wanted to get married there! Now I can’t because Isabella is.”

“Nonsense,” he said. “You can get married there too.”

“No, I can’t!” I tried not to scream but I was struggling. “I will not get married at the same place that horrible woman married my ex-fiancé. How could you agree to that without even asking me?”

“It’s not your decision. That’s why.” His voice was ice cold.

I took a deep breath and stilled my tears. They didn’t emerge from sadness or pain. They came from overwhelming stress. I felt trapped and unable to break free. I was stuck under his thumb until I could get rid of him.

“You better not cry.”

I steadied my resolve. “Does it look like I’m crying?”

He watched me for a moment before he adjusted his watch. “Be there and bring Rhett with you. Otherwise, you can find yourself another job.”

I couldn’t let him dangle me like this anymore. “Will you give me the company now? I have a serious boyfriend and I’ve repaired my image. I’ve done as you asked.”

He crossed his arms over his chest. “You’re definitely on the right track.” He walked to the window then looked out, silently dismissing me.

I stormed out of his office then shut the door. I leaned against it, feeling the tears leak from the corners of my eyes. My heart ached in pain and I felt weak. “I wish you would die already.”

***

When Rhett knocked on the door, I was in my bedroom at my vanity, finishing my makeup. “Come in,” I called.

The door opened and I heard his footsteps. “It’s me.”

“I’m just finishing,” I said. “I’ll be out in a moment.”

“Take your time.”

My bedroom door was open but he didn’t approach it. He probably sat on the couch and waited.

I wore more makeup than usual and made sure it looked absolutely perfect. My eyes were dark with smoky eye shadow and the black eyeliner made my eyes look bright and noticeable. My foundation was blended to perfection and my lips were highlighted with a bright sheer color. My hair was pulled back in a fine arrangement. I wore a purple strapless dress that was simple but elegant at the same time. A platinum bracelet was on my wrist and I had my nails done.

I was ready to go but I still hated my appearance. It wasn’t me at all. I never wore this much makeup or put this much effort into how I looked. The idea of going to this party and pretending what John did to me was perfectly okay was despicable. And what Isabella did was worse. Why was I the pathetic one? Why did the family see me as the weak one? Isabella was the slut who stole her own cousin’s boyfriend. Why didn’t anyone see it that way?

I leaned over my vanity and closed my eyes. Tears were constantly bubbling and I worked hard to control them. The last thing I wanted to do was go to this stupid party. I didn’t want to pretend I was okay because I wasn’t. Why couldn’t I have a normal father who stood by my side when no one else did? Why couldn’t he take me out to ice cream when I had a bad day instead of telling me I was weak? Why did he scream at me and tell me not to cry? Why couldn’t he just hold me instead?

Keep it together, Aspen. It’s just a few hours. Rhett will be there. You aren’t alone.

I took a deep breath and tried to clear my thoughts.

Large hands moved to my shoulders then gently squeezed. “You okay?”

I opened my eyes and looked at him in the reflection of my vanity. “I’m fine.”

He stared at me with sad eyes. The blue color of his eyes was absent. Now they were just gray. “Talk to me.” He rubbed the muscles of my shoulders, trying to relax me.

“I really don’t want to go to this party…”

“Why?”

“I just…don’t like my family much.”

“Then why are you going?”

The same reason I did anything. “My dad is making me. He wants me to introduce you to everyone…and tell them how rich you are.” Disdain was heavy in my voice.

“Then that’s what we’ll do. I’ll take care of it, okay? Just stand there and look pretty.”

Easier said than done.

His hands stopped rubbing me. “You’re more stressed out than normal.” It wasn’t a question.

“I’d rather spend the day scrubbing toilets.”

He kneeled beside my chair then leaned close to me, his face just inches from mine. “Aspen.” His voice moved down my spine then radiated everywhere. There was so much comfort in his words. He made me feel whole. “We’re in this together. I’ll get you through it. I promise.”

A sad smile moved into my lips. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.” One hand moved to my neck and he pressed his forehead to mine. He’d never done that before. We were so close, closer than ever. A kiss was what I needed, what I wanted.

But I didn’t get it.

“We’ll get monster sundaes afterward. And of course, some canned margaritas—your favorite.”

That made me smile. “That doesn’t sound so bad.”

“Not at all. Now let’s get this over with.”

***

Rhett pulled up to the country house in his charcoal gray Jaguar. It was pristine and shiny, fitting in with the line of luxurious cars parked along the side of the driveway.

A valet took the car then Rhett put his arm around my waist and escorted me inside. “Beautiful house.”

“House?” I asked. “You mean mansion. And only two people live here. So stupid.”

He leaned close to me.  “I’m glad you aren’t a snooty brat like the rest of your family.”

“If I were, you’d have my permission to shoot me.”

He chuckled. “Duly noted.”

We reached the garden path then walked to the rear of the house. A large patio with green hedges and stone statues highlighted the backyard. Large tables were set up everywhere, and lines of white lights hung overhead. Waiters moved around with trays of flutes. It was as pretentious as every other party I’d been to.

“What do your aunt and uncle do?” Rhett asked.

“My uncle used to work with my dad at the company. He left a few years ago and cashed in his stock. Now he’s retired.”

One side of Rhett’s lip upturned in a gentle smile. “I’m sure he’s a lot happier now.”

Yeah…having a skanky daughter who steals her cousin’s man must make him really happy.

Once the crowd noticed us, dirty looks were shot my way. Sometimes, I got looks of sympathy and pity. Other times, I just got glares. Overall, no one was pleased to see me even though I did nothing wrong.

So it begins.

Rhett seemed to pick up on the tension because he pulled me closer to him. “You look beautiful tonight. I forgot to say that earlier.”

His compliment fell on deaf ears. “Thank you.” No matter how hard I worked to make myself look beautiful, would I ever actually feel beautiful? “You look nice too.” Rhett wore a black Armani suit like it was made just for him.

“You outshine me, easily.”

Whatever you say.

“Drink?”

“Please,” I said. “And keep them coming.”

He grabbed two glasses from a passing waiter then handed me a flute. He clanked his glass against mine. “Hope it doesn’t taste like mango.” He smiled then took a sip.