Burning Violet

by Watson, A. P.

  “You didn’t have to do that.”

  “He’s your brother. I’m not about to let him spend the holiday alone.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Go take a shower and put some clothes on. You can’t hang around all day wearing that.”

  “Why not?” I asked.

  Violet blushed from her cheeks all the way to her chest. “Because I said so.”

  “I thought I was the boss in this relationship.”

  Her eyes rolled in a perfect circle. “That’s because you’re delusional.”

  “Then why do I have my own office?”

  “Go!” she smacked my chest and pointed toward the bathroom.

  I finished off the rest of the pastry and grabbed some stuff from the bag I brought. Once in the bathroom, I was in and out of the shower in about five minutes. I splashed my face with water and rubbed my hands over my beard. It’d been a few days since I last trimmed it, and there was no way I was going to do it today either. I had the opportunity to spend the entire day with Violet, and I wasn’t about to waste a damn second of it. Changing into a black raglan tee and a pair of jeans, I headed for the kitchen.

  I could hear Alex’s voice down the hallway. Stepping around the corner of the kitchen, I leaned against the wall and observed the scene playing out before me.

  “Hunter!” Alex rushed forward and pulled me into a tight hug.

  “Hey. Glad you made it.” I clapped him on the back twice.

  “Have you seen what she’s making?” he asked, excitement evident in his tone.

  I craned my neck toward the stove and saw Nadine stirring a large pot. “Seafood paella. It’s loaded with saffron rice, clams, mussels, and blue crab,” Nadine stated. “I know it’s not the typical roasted turkey with stuffing, but this paella is so much more fun to make!”

  “It smells delicious,” I replied. “I can’t wait to try it.”

  “That makes two of us,” Vi added. “And for the record, everyone wants some wine, right?”

  “Pour the fucking wine,” Nadine ordered. “I’m making sure we all spend our holiday inebriated.”

  Alex grinned, his head bobbing between Nadine and me. “I’m down with getting inebriated.”

  “I guess that settles it then.” Vi filled four glasses with wine and handed one to each of us. “You know, Nadine, I forgot how subtle you are.”

  Nadine raised her brows and slid her arm around Vi’s waist. “Darling, there’s nothing subtle about me.”

  “How long have the two of you been friends?”

  Vi and Nadine glanced at one another. “Almost ten years,” Nadine said, answering Alex’s question.

  “That’s awesome.”

  “Yup. I took one look at this blond-haired beauty and knew she was the one for me.”

  “I know the feeling,” I muttered into the glass of wine Vi handed me.

  Vi’s head snapped in my direction. “What was that?”

  I shrugged my shoulders and tried to seem as innocent as possible.

  “So, Nadine, what kind of work are you in?” Alex inquired.

  She laughed slightly. “I’m in the entertainment business.”

  Vi and I both knew what kind of work Nadine did. And personally, I couldn’t wait to see the look on my brother’s face when he learned it as well. Alex was a good person, he just happened to be fond of women. In fact, he’d always been surrounded by a barrage of them ever since he made the football team in high school. He had a larger-than-life personality, and women always gravitated toward that. But in the last few years, I could tell he was restless. He never got serious about anyone. He was too busy circling through the female sex like a revolving door, and it was time he was set straight.

  “That’s excellent!” He crossed his arms and leaned against the counter next to the stove. “Are you a publicist or something like that?”

  “Not quite.”

  “A production manager then?”

  “No, I’m more into the visual aspects of entertainment.”

  “Fascinating.”

  Vi gave me a pointed look and moved to stand next to me. “This is going to be interesting,” she whispered in my ear.

  “It already is,” I replied softly.

  “Nothing embarrasses Nadine, so the fact she’s refusing to tell your brother she’s a dancer is purely for her own enjoyment.”

  “I figured as much. I don’t think he’s ever met a woman like her.”

  “I guess that means he has a type.”

  “You could say that.”

  Vi tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “What is his type?”

  “Nothing like Nadine.”

  We shifted our attention back to the topic at hand. Alex was still talking in circles as he continued his interrogation of Nadine.

  “Alright then,” he began, “why don’t you tell me what you do for a living?”

  “Are you tired of guessing already?” she questioned.

  He scratched the back of his head and shrugged. “I don’t want to annoy you.”

  “Are you kidding? This is the most fun I’ve had all day.”

  Alex grinned at her. “If you tell me, I’ll help you make baklava for dessert.”

  “How do you know I’m making baklava?”

  “I guessed based on the ingredients you have sitting on the counter.”

  “That was a good guess, and I’m not one to turn down extra help.” She turned from the stove and placed a hand on each hip. “I’m a stripper.”

  “You are?”

  “What, you don’t believe me?” she asked.

  “It’s not that—”

  “I can show you if you’d like.”

  “Right now?”

  Beside me, Vi tried to play off her laughter as a coughing fit, but she failed miserably. Not even attempting to conceal my amusement, I joined in her laughter. The tips of Alex’s ears glowed red.

  “Fuck,” he muttered.

  “Personally, I think it’s cute that you’re embarrassed,” Nadine stated.

  Alex shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “And to think, I assumed the embarrassment I’d suffer at Mom and Dad’s would be worse than this,” he joked.

  “Come over here and help me start on the baklava,” Nadine ordered with a quick flick of her finger.

  Alex was quick to recover as he beamed at her words and moved toward the counter.

  “Do you need our help?” Vi asked.

  “Nah, we’re good,” she replied.

  Breathing in the scent of Vi’s perfume, I laid my hand against the small of her back. “Do you want to get out of here?”

  “That depends on where you want to go.”

  “I was thinking we could sit in the living room, but what were you thinking?”

  “The living room.”

  “Right,” I said sarcastically.

  “I wanted to read some more. That’s all.” We exited the kitchen and made our way to the couch.

  I sat next to her, not even bothering to put some space between us. “Sure you did.”

  She took a large gulp of wine before setting her glass on the coffee table next to mine. “I can’t handle you today.”

  “Oh, really?”

  She nodded, her lips breaking into a smirk. “Yeah, I give up. I’m gonna get drunk and hit on you instead.”

  “Honestly, I’m a fan of this plan of yours.”

  “I thought you might be.” She picked up my hand and held it to her cheek.

  My thumb trailed along the line of her jaw before sliding down the side of her neck. Brushing my lips where my thumb had just been, I whispered, “But who says you need to be drunk to do it?”

  She sighed at the touch, her arms curling around my neck. Vi’s attention dropped to my mouth as she leaned in. I grabbed her waist, jerking her so far forward that she was practically sitting on my lap. My heart stilled inside my chest as her lips barely grazed mine. But right as I was about to kiss her, Alex’s voice called to us from th
e next room.

  “Hey, Violet, when are you starting the paralegal studies program at Boston University?”

  His question brought us back to our senses. Despite our desires, Vi and I still had to maintain a healthy work relationship. I’d come to rely on her at the office, and there was no way I’d be able to function without her.

  “I’m going to fucking kill him,” I whispered. I knew Vi and I needed to keep things professional, but I was getting to the point where I didn’t fucking care anymore.

  She giggled at my reaction, and when Alex called out her name again, Vi and I separated from one another like a couple of teenagers who had just been caught making out.

  “I start in January actually,” she answered. “It’s been a long time since I was in school, so I’m a little nervous.”

  “From what Hunter tells me, you’ll be great at it. He said you have a mind for the law.”

  “Is that so?” she asked me.

  “Yeah.”

  “I’m excited to start. I’ve been thinking about becoming a paralegal for a while.”

  “That’s excellent,” Alex added. “And my jackass of a brother can help you if you need it. He graduated from college with top marks and all that shit.”

  “Am I sensing a little animosity?” Vi inquired teasingly.

  “Nah. I made it through school with decent grades, which was enough for me. I didn’t feel the need to excel like this guy did.” He socked my shoulder lightly.

  “What about Derek?”

  “Graduated first in his class, just like our dad,” I grumbled.

  “I see.”

  Nadine joined our gathering. “Is everyone going to be ready to eat in a few minutes?”

  “Shit!” Vi jumped up from the couch. “I still need to set the table. God, I swear I never use that damn thing.”

  I followed behind her. “Here, I’ll help you.”

  Vi and I cleared off her table, setting out plates and silverware. By the time we finished, the entire thing looked as if it were fit for a family gathering. Nadine brought out the paella and placed it in the middle of everything like an edible centerpiece. Freshly baked baguettes adorned everyone’s plate, and Vi set out all our wine glasses. The smells rising from the table were enough to make my mouth water.

  “This looks wonderful,” I stated.

  Nadine smiled. “Hopefully it tastes as good as it looks.”

  “I have no doubts that it will,” Alex added.

  I sat in the seat to Vi’s right and had to beat down the urge to scoot my chair closer to hers.

  “Should we say something or make some kind of toast?” Vi asked.

  “I can do it.” Alex stood and lifted his glass. “Here’s to great food, beautiful women, and wonderful company.”

  The three of us mirrored his movements and lifted our glasses. Nadine placed a hearty serving of paella on each plate, and for a moment, conversation stopped entirely while we savored our meal.

  “This may be the most delicious thing I’ve ever put in my mouth.”

  Nadine practically glowed at Alex’s declaration. “I’m so happy it turned out good.”

  “Good? What the hell are you talking about? This is perfection,” Vi added.

  Nadine shifted her attention to me, clearly waiting for my assessment of the meal she’d prepared. “I’m in agreement with Vi. It’s perfection.”

  “When will you be finished with culinary school?” Alex questioned.

  “I have a few months left.”

  “Well, when you finish, you should move to Boston and open up a restaurant.”

  “Alex does make a good point,” Vi agreed.

  Nadine scoffed at her remark. “Oh, please. You’ve been trying to get me to move out here for years.”

  “True, and if you opened up a restaurant, it’d be an added bonus.”

  “But Sin City owns my heart. It’d be nearly impossible for me to leave.”

  “Hunter, you’re a lawyer. Argue on my behalf and convince my best friend to move out here.”

  I sucked down half my wine and tried my best not to stare at the woman sitting beside me. If Vi wanted me to argue on her behalf, I wasn’t about to let her down. “Nadine, obviously you moving to Boston is quite popular among this gathering, and I believe you should relocate as well.”

  “And why do you believe that?” Nadine asked.

  “Because it’d make Vi happy.”

  “Okay, I admit it. That’s actually a really good reason for me to leave Vegas.”

  Vi’s entire countenance brightened. “Does that mean you’ll consider it then?”

  “For you? Anything.”

  “This is seriously the best Thanksgiving I’ve ever had!”

  Vi’s hand found mine under the table. We both understood pursuing any kind of relationship other than a professional one was dangerous. And yet, even with both of our careers hanging in the balance, the reasons to stay apart failed to separate us. I needed to be cautious, but truth be told, I was tired of trying to fight the feelings I had for Vi. I wasn’t looking to only sleep with her. I wanted her, all of her, and nothing else would fill that need.

  After dinner, the four of us settled in the living room to play a drinking game while we watched a movie.

  “Okay, so explain the rules to me again,” Vi whispered in my ear. She inched closer to me on the floor.

  “We’re watching Die Hard. And as we decided, anytime you see a Christmas tree or when Bruce Willis talks to himself or when he kills a bad guy, we have to take a drink.”

  “We’re going to be wasted by the end of this.”

  I shrugged. “That’s kind of the point.”

  “God, I’m such a sloppy drunk.”

  “I’m not much better.”

  “This is true.” She laughed. “If I puke, will you hold my hair?”

  “I’ll hold whatever you want me to.”

  “What are you kids talking about down there?” Nadine asked. Because the couch wasn’t big enough for the four of us, she sat up there with Alex while Vi and I occupied the floor.

  “I was just explaining the rules to Vi one more time.”

  “Well, you better hurry up because the movie has already started! And that’s our first Christmas tree,” Alex announced. “Everyone drink.”

  The four of us obeyed his command and took the first in a long line of drinks to come. Within a matter of minutes, we had our second and third drinks down.

  “Whoever picked this game is an asshole,” Vi said under her breath.

  “That would be my brother and your friend. They’re the ones who decided on it.”

  “Ugh. I already drank two glasses of wine at dinner.”

  “Want me to get you water instead?”

  “Please.”

  “No one is drinking water! It’s against the rules,” Nadine interjected.

  I went into the kitchen and returned with a glass of water for Vi. Placing it in her hand, I sat down next to her. “But Vi needs a quick drink.”

  “Alex, this movie was your suggestion. Are you gonna let your brother break the rules?” Nadine questioned in a teasing tone.

  “Umm.”

  “You remember what happened the last time you tried to boss me around,” I warned.

  “Yeah, one glass of water is fine.”

  Vi took a sip of water and leaned her head against my shoulder. “Thanks.”

  “Alright, I know we’re watching a movie, but I’m curious. What happened the last time you tried to boss Hunter around?” Nadine asked.

  “He punched me in the face and broke my nose.”

  Vi smacked my arm. “You’re such a mean big brother!”

  “What?” She hit my arm again. “He deserved it. He was being a little dick. He wanted me to stop reading a book I was immersed in. And when I told him no, he tried to order me around and told me I had to stop reading to play some stupid video game with him. Then when that didn’t work, he grabbed the book out of my hand and ripped out a hand
ful of pages.”

  “I’m changing sides!” Vi shouted. “I’m team Hunter now.”

  Nadine laughed. “Shocker. Never saw that coming.”

  “Alex ripped a bunch of pages out of Hunter’s book. He deserved a broken nose.”

  “How old were you?”

  “I was thirteen and Hunter was fourteen.”

  Nadine grimaced. “Yikes. I’m glad all I have is a sister.”

  “Do you have any siblings, Violet?” Alex asked.

  “Fuck, McClane is already dropping Gruber’s men. We all take two drinks,” I said, shifting everyone’s focus back to the drinking game.

  By the time the movie finished, we were really fucking drunk. Nadine handed out glasses of water and aspirin to everyone before disappearing in the direction of Vi’s bedroom.

  “Violet, is it okay if I crash on your couch?” Alex asked. “I don’t think I can drive . . . or stand right now.”

  “Sure,” she giggled.

  “Awesome. Thank you. I’m passing out now.” Alex kicked off his shoes and closed his eyes. Within seconds, he was out cold.

  “I don’t know if you’ve noticed or not, but we’re alone again.”

  “It may have come to my attention,” I whispered.

  “I wonder what we should do.” Her mouth curled into a smile as she moved closer.

  “I’m open to suggestions.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Yeah. What do you want to do?”

  “You,” she mumbled, erupting in a fit of giggles.

  I closed my eyes and pulled a deep breath into my lungs. She doesn’t mean it. She’s trashed. “Vi, you can’t say things like that.” I inhaled again in the hope it would help clear my mind. One of us needed to stay rational.

  She pouted. “But I want to.”

  “You’ve also had a lot to drink,” I said softly.

  “I don’t care.”

  “Well, I do.” How could I explain to her that the first time I have her, I want to remember every single detail? I want to savor in the way her skin smells like vanilla and the way her hair feels with my fingers running through it. A hazy recollection of a night with Vi would be more torturous than being stretched out on the rack.

  Crawling onto my lap, she traced my arms with the tips of her fingers. “Don’t you like me?” She stuck out her bottom lip and batted her eyelashes.