Their parents meet us at the airport. Addison is a spitting image of her mother, who doesn't look old enough to have two children in their twenties. Her father is very tall, stocky, and I'm a little intimidated.
“My babies!” Their mother beams and takes them both in her arms.
Their dad extends his hand to me. “You must be Blaine. It's a pleasure.”
I say the same and call him Mr. Cole; he quickly corrects me, telling me to call him Richard. I'm not used to addressing my elders by their first names, especially not the father of the woman I'm in love with on our first meeting.
“Dad.” Alex hugs his father, who embraces him back. I can tell he really does love his son. Momentarily I wish I had that with my own father.
“Mom, this is Blaine. Blaine, my mom Lillian.” Addison introduces us.
Lillian hugs me and then holds me out so she can get a look at all of me. “Addy, you weren't wrong when you said he was handsome!”
I blush, and I'm thankful I wore a baseball cap so when I look down, no one can see my face.
We climb in to their brand new Escalade, and I feel totally out of place, like some lost puppy Addison found on her way home from school. Her parents’ house is about thirty minutes from the airport, and we drive through a beautiful landscape to get there. The houses along the street keep getting bigger and bigger as the numbers on the mailboxes get higher. We turn into a driveway, through an open gate, and I look at Addison like she's forgotten to mention something to me.
Their house is enormous, to say the least, with huge vaulted peaks, big white pillars and a massive brick chimney on the one side. We park outside a four-car garage, and I hope my jaw hasn't been on the floor of their too-clean Cadillac this whole time. Flowerbeds line the walkway, and the driveway, too.
The inside of the house is just as I expected, straight from the pages of a magazine, very clean and flowers everywhere. The walls are white, and the floors are a very dark rustic wood.
“Make yourself at home, Blaine. We have a room upstairs all for you, too!” Lillian beams and motions up the large staircase.
“Thank you very much.” I smile and start carrying our luggage up the black wooden steps of the huge staircase in the middle of the room. Addison shows me her bedroom, still decorated as if she never left. Posters are on the walls, a few ribbons and trophies on a little shelf above her desk. A large canopied bed in the center of the room, trimmed with light purples and pinks.
“It's very...girly.” I grin and place her bags on the bed.
“Yeah, well, I am a girl! And I haven't slept in this room since I was like, eighteen.” She laughs and takes my hand to show me where I'll be sleeping.
Across the hall is Alex's room; he's in flopped on his bed reading something, with one foot on the ground tapping loudly to the heavy music coming from his stereo.
The bedroom she leads me to, is just as big as hers. The bed in the center is covered in a blanket that's creamy white with dark blue flowers printed all over it. I drop my bag, the only one I brought, compared to Alex and Addy’s combined six.
“So, listen here, Mr. Blackstock. I better not catch you sneaking into my room in the middle of the night.” She kisses me, and I wrap my arms around her, wanting to climb on that flowered bed and make love to her. “My dad sleeps with a gun under the bed.” She winks, and I can't tell if she's joking…I hope she's joking.
Her parents take us out to dinner. The restaurant is huge, almost as big as their house is, and decorated about as nicely, too. In my jeans, boots, and button-up shirt, I know I'm sticking out like a sore thumb next to everyone else in town. Her parents are dressed immaculately, and even Alex is wearing dress pants and a tie. Addison, is wearing a gorgeous black dress, accentuating her body, and for the first time I see her in heels. She's almost as tall as me in them, and I imagine her lying on the bed, her beautiful legs up and a black heel resting over each of my shoulders. I know where my mind is headed, and I shift to adjust myself in my chair.
Dinner is salmon. Smoked salmon boursin, to be exact. I have to read it a few times and listen to the others order it before I can pronounce it myself. What is it with rich people anyway? Why can't they just say “salmon and cheese”?
It's delicious, but I'm disappointed when I realize that the only plateful I got served is considered the main course. How do these people not starve to death on so little food? To make myself seem more out of place, I'm drinking a draft beer, and they're all sipping from glasses of wine.
Addison sits across from me with her brother, and I have her parents on either side of me. She keeps looking at me seductively, and I think she's enjoying her little game because she knows I can't react while I’m sandwiched between Richard and Lillian. Almost as if it’s on purpose.
Dessert is some sort of pastry, filled with cheesecake and deep-fried. With a scoop of ice cream on top, drizzled with caramel, it looks too good to eat. Looking at it more closely I notice it's not just drizzle; it's drizzle spelling out the word Enjoy!
Jeremiah would laugh if he saw me sitting in front of a plate like this. I’m almost tempted to take a picture with my phone and send it to him…but I don’t.
Alex talks to his parents about everything he's been doing on the ranch, and they seem impressed with him. I glance at Addison, who is watching me. She dips her finger into the cheesecake and slowly puts it into her mouth.
Fuck...I'm going to die. Her father has a gun under his bed, but all I want to do is jump over this table and throw those heels over my shoulders...Yep, I'm going to die.
I remember the game she played the first night I spent at her house, with the pink lotion on her legs. I also remember that two can play at this game.
Game on, baby. I raise my eyebrow at her suggestive finger licking, look away from her, and casually undo the top button on my shirt. She smirks and sits up in her chair, talking to her mother, trying her best not to look at me.
“So Addy tells me you were in an accident. How long have you been riding those animals?” Richard turns and looks at me.
“Well, since I was nineteen. This was the first time I've been seriously hurt.” I look at Addison, who is still talking to her mom. “But it scared me enough that I don't want to risk it again. I'll stick to my horse.”
“It's a shame, really. It's a magnificent experience, I'm sure, but you're right that it's dangerous…” Richard says quietly. “Especially when you have loved ones watching you.” He looks lovingly at his daughter, and she smiles at him sweetly.
I'm assuming she didn't mention by bought with temporary amnesia because he doesn't bring it up, and I don't either.
It's getting late, and Richard and Lillian tell us they're going home but we three should stay out and enjoy the night.
“Show him how we have fun in Maine, Addy!” Lillian gives her daughter a kiss on the cheek, and Richard shakes my hand. They leave, and we sit back down at the table, discussing what to do next. Alex suggests a club, which I am not really interested in, and Addison turns her lip in disgust at the idea.
“How about we go to THE club—and maybe I can get the girls to come out!” She almost squeals and has an ear-to-ear smile.
“Girls like who? Riley?” Alex raises his eyebrow quizzically.
“Yeah, Riley. And maybe a few others. Why do you care anyway? You're not going to stick around once we're there.” She elbows him in the ribs, and he acts like he's hurt.
Six text messages later, she's heard back from “her girls”, and I'm almost dreading what's next. The man at the podium in the lobby calls a cab for us, and we wait under the canopied entrance for it to come.
On the way to The Club, she tells me nothing about what I'm about to endure. Alex sits in the front, and I figure it's a safe time to tease her a little, considering how worked up she had me during dessert. I undo another button, showing off my pectoral muscles and what little chest hair I have. I shift in my seat so my knees touch the back of the chair in front of me and I rub my hand s
lowly across my abdomen.
“Mmm. Dinner was good, wasn't it?” I smile at her with salacious, hooded eyes.
She keeps her poker face well. “Dessert was better,” she replies and puts the same finger that had the cheesecake on it back it her mouth, biting down with her front teeth.
Damn, she's good.
Thankfully the cab ride is short, as I was two seconds away from tearing her dress off and ordering the driver and Alex to get out of the car. The Club is just that—a country club with rolling green hills for golfing.
This should be interesting…but, I'm pleasantly surprised when we're inside, and I see that it's not full of middle aged people in khakis and polo shirts with argyle sweaters tied around their shoulders. Instead I see people our age; well, Alex's age, most likely—dancing and conversing around a large bar in the middle of the room. Alex sees people he must know because he leaves us and walks over to them, hugging and shaking their hands. He says something to them and points in our direction; they all look over.
Yeah, that's right. Say hello to the country bumpkin. I smirk and Addison and I walk hand in hand over to another side of the bar to order drinks.
“I'll have a beer,” I say loudly to the too-tanned guy in the too-tight golf shirt.
“And I'll have a margarita!” Addison leans in, placing her order.
He nods and gets to work on our drinks.
“Cole!” Someone shouts her name, we both turn to see four girls straight from a magazine standing in a line, walking toward us. I'd say something like a Victoria's Secret magazine, not because they're dressed in lingerie but because they're all hot enough to be featured in the catalogue.
“Hey, girls!” Addison exclaims in a voice I've never heard her use before; it's high pitched and very excited. They swarm around her, all hugging and bouncing at the same time, and I step back before I'm knocked over by a huge leather purse.
“Ladies, this is Blaine.” She turns and holds her hand out, like a curator does to a feature at a museum. They gape, and I can't resist grinning my best smile. It’s one I've only been using to get Addy excited, but why not? When in Rome…
“Addison Cole, you failed to mention how hot of a cowboy he is!” says one of the girls, a beautifully tall woman with black hair and deep brown eyes.
“Blaine.” I extend my hand to her, and she grabs it.
“Riley. I've heard so much about you!”
Ah, so this is the infamous best friend.
“And I've heard a lot about you, too. It's a pleasure.” I pull my hand back, and the other three brunette girls all introduce themselves in turn. Camille, Zoe, and Leah.
Addison hasn't seen her friends in a long time, so I lean in to tell her I'm going to check the place out. I softly trail the tips of my fingers down her spine and stop right before I reach her behind. I kiss her earlobe and bite down gently. I’m making sure the girls don't see what I'm doing, but they see her blush, and I know I'm the one doing all the teasing now.
The men's bathroom is as big as my bedroom in Wyoming. Every surface is dark marble, and glass basins serving as sinks sit on top of the counters with polished silver faucets. When I'm finished, I wash my hands and pick up a white hand towel to dry them off.
“So, who are you supposed to be?” a voice asks from the doorway, taking me by surprise. I thought I was alone. I look up and see a guy standing there. He’s wearing jeans, a white shirt, black jacket and a tie.
“Sorry?” I ask. I have no idea why someone would be asking me who I was—not in the bathroom in Maine, anyway.
“I said, who are you supposed to be?”
“I heard you. I'm Blaine, and who are you?” I toss the towel into a tall basket and walk toward him. Now I want to know what's going on.
“So you're the new one, huh? Looks like she's downgraded to redneck in my opinion.”
He stands in the doorway, looking cocky, and I can feel my chest tighten.
“I don't know who you think I am, friend. I'd like it if you got out of my way.” I start to walk by him, and he puts his hand out in front of my face, planting it on the wooden frame, stopping me.
Okay, that's it.
“Listen, you fuck...” I glare at him, and he looks back, smiling like a weasel.
“No, you listen, friend. My Addy will come to her senses and come back to me, so I'd suggest—”
That's all it took. Next thing I know I've got him up against the door, my left arm across his chest under his chin, and my right cocked back ready to strike.
“Listen to me clearly. I know who you are, Jacob, and I know what you did to her,” I hiss through clenched teeth.
He's not smiling anymore, and I lean in closely. “Next time you want a fight, I'll show you how it's done, you fuckin' coward.”
“Blaine! Ohhhh, shit!” Alex rushes in, and when I look over at him, Jacob swings at me but misses. Alex gets close enough and throws his first up, punching Jacob under his chin, sending him back into the wall. He slides down, his shoes slipping on the marble floor as he tries to get on his feet.
“Alex, you little shit! You'll regret this...” Alex knees Jacob in the groin so hard he falls on the floor, holding himself, coughing and swearing.
“Stay away from my sister, you piece of shit. I swear to God if you come near her again...” Alex seethes, and I have to stop him from kicking the squirming pile of garbage on the bathroom floor.
“She'll just fuck you like she fucked me, redneck!” Jacob laughs.
I turn, giving him a swift but forceful kick to the stomach, and now Alex is the one holding me back from pounding the shit out of him. “Alex! Just let me go!” I yell, my fists thirsting for blood.
The electricity charges through me as Alex and I furiously make our way outside for some air. I can't believe what just happened. When we get out into the cool Maine night, Alex shakes my shoulders with his hands, then steps back and loosens his tie a little.
“Holy shit…what the fuck was that?”
“He's lucky we didn't kill him…holy shit, Alex!” I'm spinning and tell him I need a drink.
Jacob must have composed himself and left because no one is acting like a scene from Fight Club just took place in the men's bathroom. Addison isn't by the bar anymore, and for a moment, I anxiously look for her.
“There she is!” Alex reads my mind and points through the crowd on to the dance floor. She's dancing with her friends, laughing and singing along to the song. She looks so happy and so beautiful. I’m relieved she's okay and hope that she doesn't know Jacob was just here. Alex and I treat ourselves to three shots of Jack Daniels each.
“Yee-ouch!” Alex throws his head back and shudders after the third shot.
Three songs later the girls all walk over to us, giggling to each other. Addison wraps her arms around my neck and kisses me. “Baby! Mmm, have you been drinking whiskey?” She pulls back, examining my face.
“Yes, ma'am.” I wink and kiss her quickly. As if the moment couldn't get any more perfect, a song comes on that I finally recognize, and I pull her behind me on to the dance floor.
During the chorus of Drunk on You, I twirl her with my hand. She leans her back into my chest, and I hold her hands in mine, across her front. The moment doesn't last long enough, and a fast-paced Lady Gaga song comes on. I smile and start to walk off the tile floor.
She pouts. “Not going to stay for this one?”
The other girls start to surround her.
“She's all yours, ladies.” I grin and walk back over to the bar where Alex is talking with two young girls, and I have two more shots of whiskey.
The girls all say their goodbyes. We leave for Wyoming tomorrow afternoon.
“We are going to miss you so much, Cole!” Riley has tears in her eyes, and she hugs Addison tightly. “You take care of my girl, Blaine.”
I smile and nod, telling her I have every intention of doing just that.
“I think I'm gonna hang around a bit longer with my favourite ladies.” Alex drape
s his arms on Riley and Zoe's shoulders, and they laugh. “I'll be home later.” He winks, and they all wave while we leave The Club, my arm protectively around her waist.
In the cab back to her parents’ house she's quiet, probably thinking about how she'll miss her friends, I guess. I hope she didn't see Jacob, but I'm sure she would have said something if she did.
“Did you have a good night?” I lean over and kiss her shoulder.
She looks and me and smiles. “I did; thank you for coming. They all loved you!”
“Well, I'm not surprised really,” I say huskily. “Who can resist this?” I wave my hand down my body, showcasing it like an exhibit, and she throws her head back and laughs.
“You're too much, and I love you.”
“I love you more.” I take her hand in mine and kiss her knuckles.
Her parents must be in bed because when we arrive, the house is in darkness except for a small lamp on a table right as soon as you walk in the door. She skips out of her heels, and I pull my boots off. Then I walk over to her and bend her back to kiss her deeply. She quietly giggles, and I feel myself start to harden. I wouldn't disrespect her parents by sleeping with her in their home, but I'm starting to feel like a rule breaker. I stand her back up, our foreheads touching and our eyes closed.
“I want you, Blaine. So badly right now.” She breathes quickly, and my body responds. We kiss again, all of my taste buds explode like they're little cherry bombs thrown into a fire. She tastes like lime, coconut and tequila. And, of course, her natural sweetness.
“Baby, we can't.” I look upstairs, and she pouts. My insides are clawing at me and it takes every fiber of my being to go upstairs and simply kiss her goodnight in her doorway before heading to my own temporary bedroom.
I sleep in my boxers; well, I don't sleep, actually. I just lie there, staring at the white ceiling, watching the dark blades of the fan above my head slowly spinning. The last time I remembered looking at the ticking clock on the nightstand beside the bed, the hands showed three in the morning.
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