I watch as Nicholas exits the car, wrapping his arm around the waist of the petite dancer. She giggles at his side throwing her long blonde hair over her shoulder. I’m filled with a strange, comforting calm watching him head toward the inside of the house. It’s the first time in four years I feel like I actually belong somewhere. That my life actually matters to someone. To them.
“Hey, Christian, you’re not paying attention to me,” the brunette says as she pouts.
“It’s Tristan.”
The brunette who is dry humping my leg stops and slowly begins to unzip the top button of my pants. She looks up at me through long fake lashes and smiles. There’s something about her voice, her face that annoys me. It’s like she’s trying too hard.
“Do you want me to blow you?” she asks enthusiastically rubbing my cock through my jeans.
“I swallow,” she smiles.
“How about I gag you?”
“You’re into that kinky stuff?”
That kinky stuff? I smile. “You have no idea.”
***
Light footsteps echo on the floor as I head toward my room with the brunette from NYU. We’re halfway inside when I hear a voice calling out to me. I turn half expecting it to be Evelyn checking up on us, but I’m surprised to see Emily standing a few feet away in a pink satin nightie. Her long blonde hair flows past her shoulders in golden waves. The vision of her in it stirs a strange feeling inside me. My eyes wander down to the bare skin peeking out from a slit in the fabric. Who the hell sells pajamas like this to high school girls? Fuck.
“Tristan, are you going to tie me up or not?” an impatient voice asks from behind me.
I turn back to find the brunette standing next to me as she eyes Emily. A wave of embarrassment washes over me as I realize how bad this looks. I can only imagine what must be going through Emily’s mind as she stands there gaping at the college girl beside me. Her dress is revealing enough that her bottom practically hangs out of it and her tits are barely held in. She isn’t anyone that I would be proud bringing home to my mother.
Emily’s gaze wavers for a moment before she turns and begins to walk back up the stairs.
“Go to my room. It’s the door on the right,” I say over my shoulder to my guest.
“But…”
“Go.”
It takes what seems like forever for her to quit her pouting and go back to my bedroom. I wait for her to disappear around the corner before rushing up the stairs after Emily. I nearly trip twice on the carpet runner as I spot her standing outside of her bedroom door. She stands there leaning against her door with her eyes closed. There’s a defeated look on her face and I’m not exactly sure why.
“Hey,” I whisper.
Her eyes pop open with a startled look. She steps closer peering into the darkness until she’s only a few feet away.
“Hi.”
I chuckle at her obvious discomfort with the scene just moments ago. She locks her fingers together, fidgeting with them. Fidgety fingers and lip biting have replaced her nervous tick of balancing on her feet back and forth. She looks up at me to say something, but I quickly cut her off as the words come out of my mouth.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t help you with your art project today.”
“Oh, uh, that’s okay.”
“Are you having nightmares again?”
She laughs. “I’m too old to be tucked in, Tristan.”
I can’t help but let my eyes trail over her. I know she’s older now, and that’s the problem. I can’t look at her like the small little girl she used to be. That person is gone. The young woman standing in front of me is an entirely different problem that I’m not sure how to handle. And what scares me most is I’m not sure it’s something I can control.
“I’ll be downstairs if you need me,” I offer.
“Okay, thanks.”
I’m not sure why I do it. Maybe out of habit of kissing my mother on the cheek goodnight, but I step forward and gently press my lips against her cheek. I hear her breath hitch as I’m doing it, but I don’t stop. Something inside propels me forward. Her warm skin brushes against the shadow of hair on my face and it takes every fiber of my being not to slide my lips across her mouth. This is a dangerous game I’m playing, and I don’t know why I’m doing it, except for the pleasure of feeling her skin on my lips.
Emily’s bright eyes stare up at me, as if waiting for me to do it again, to pick up where I left off. Space. I need some fucking space. I step back letting go of her warmth and rush to go down the stairs. I’m such an idiot. What the fuck am I doing?
“Tristan?”
Her voice draws me in like a moth to the flame. I turn to find her only a few inches from me. Her pink lips part, sending a hot streak of desire coursing through my blood. I bite back a groan as the thought of what they might look like wrapped around me creeps into my mind. I close my eyes as I fight the desire to see the look on her face when my cock is inside her lovely little mouth. Fuck, I’m almost sorry that there’s a woman downstairs. Shit. I shouldn’t even be thinking about Emily like this. Even if it weren’t for the obvious fact that she’s the little sister I never had, there’s also an innocence about her that tells me there’s a line here that shouldn’t be crossed. Ever.
“Tristan?” she calls again.
“Yes, Emily?”
Her eyes search mine as if trying to decipher something inside them. I hope to God that she can’t see the desire ripping its way through me.
“Do you still think I’m beautiful?”
Her words send a vibration throughout my body, setting my nerves on fire. I can still recall the memory of her asking me those same words four years ago. Back then, I didn’t think twice about answering her. My response couldn’t be misread for anything more than just brotherly adoration, but now I feel the words caught in my throat. I tell myself to turn and go back downstairs to the woman waiting for me in my bed, but I can’t. My feet are firmly planted here taunting me to answer her. I know I’m going to regret telling her how I feel. Not because it isn’t true but because it’s never been truer.
“You’re still the most beautiful girl I’ve ever met.”
She takes a step toward me sending my heart raging against my chest. I can’t do this. I can’t be attached to her this way. I don’t want to break her because I know she could be the end of me and I’m already walking on eggshells around her. She flinches as I turn away from her. Don’t look back. I keep my eyes forward as I make my way to my room. From the bottom of the stairs, I hear her calling out to me in a soft broken voice. I tell myself to ignore it, to drown out the sound of her voice the only way I know how.
“What took you so long?” the brunette in my bed whines.
“Nothing. Take off your clothes.”
FIFTEEN
EMILY
My eyes flutter open at the pressure of someone taking a seat on the edge of my bed. I sit up to find Tristan dressed in a dark suit staring at me with a broad grin. It takes me several seconds to get over the shock of seeing him wearing such an expensive suit. There’s something about the way it hugs his muscles that sends my mind sputtering and my heart in a tizzy. It’s the first time since he’s been here that he isn’t wearing his usual jeans and t-shirt. I guess Nicholas finally convinced him to go shopping for something new.
“Happy birthday, Lily Pad.”
I smile at the way my nickname rolls off his lips in a playful tone. I can’t believe it’s already my birthday. If I could have any of my birthday wishes come true, it would definitely be to wake up to this every morning. The feeling of him sitting across from me could only be perfected by the feeling of his arms around me.
“I wanted to come up here before everyone else because I have a birthday present to give you. Two, actually.”
“You didn’t have to get me anything.”
“I did.”
Tristan pulls out a small box from his pocket. As he opens it, I spot a silver chain with a charm hanging in the
middle of it. Tears fill my eyes as I realize that the charm is a water lily sprouting from a lily pad.
“You’ve grown so much. I thought this was fitting.”
“It’s so thoughtful… does this mean you’re going to start calling me Lily?”
Tristan chuckles. “I’ll call you whatever you want… Here, let me put it on you.”
I stand as Tristan steps behind me to place the necklace around my neck. I shiver as his fingers trace the base of my collarbone. I know he doesn’t mean anything by it, but that’s not the way it feels to me. To me it feels like more. His thumb stops and hovers just underneath my ear. Heat exudes from his fingers like hot stones pressed across my skin.
“You mentioned a second gift,” I say.
His hot breath tickles my ear as he leans in and then twirls me to face him. It takes all of my strength not to stare at the way his hazel eyes pop against his tan skin. Every time I tell myself that Tristan is just a brother, I remember the way his hands feel against my skin and the way his eyes seems to linger ever so slightly over me.
“You’re a greedy little thing, aren’t you?” he says in a hushed voice. “Your second present comes later.”
SIXTEEN
EMILY
“Happy Birthday, baby sis!” Nicholas strides over toward me and scoops me up in his arms. He nearly squeezes the life out of me as he twirls me in a circle. I haven’t seen him much lately because of Finals Week. He’s always too busy going to parties, dating models, and getting in trouble with his RA at school for sneaking in girls. I’m not even sure why he stays there when he’s home half the time. I blush as he plants a sloppy kiss on my forehead.
“Geez, Nick. Thanks for slobbering all over me.”
He chuckles as I wipe the kiss off with the back of my hand.
“Happy Birthday.” I recognize the voice before I see him. The smile on Tristan’s lips reaches all the way to his eyes. It’s the most alluring thing I’ve ever seen. Despite the persistent chilly morning we’re having, I feel flustered at the sight of his tousled black hair, smooth tan skin, and blinding smile. My skin warms at the memory of him coming upstairs to see me before everyone else. He must’ve snuck back down here before lunchtime. I accidentally brush against Tristan and for a moment, I feel his fingertips grazing my elbow. As much as I don’t want it to, the touch sends a pool of excitement shooting through me.
“You okay, Sis?” The concern in Nick’s voice snaps me back from my thoughts.
“Yes, I’m all right.” I melt as Tristan’s eyes meet mine. His gaze never wavers.
“Good, you had me worried for a minute there. You sounded like you were having trouble breathing.”
“I’m fine,” I say more firmly as I stand, acutely aware of Tristan’s eyes burning into my skin.
“I hope you’re ready to party. Mom and Dad left for the weekend so we have the place all to ourselves,” Nicholas says with a wicked grin.
I don’t know how I’m going to survive today, but I’m happy that Ceci will be here later tonight to help celebrate my birthday. Or better yet, to keep me from making a complete fool of myself.
***
“Emily!” Ceci’s high-pitched voice rings out across the foyer of the house as she enters with a large brown paper bag in her hand. I bite back a laugh as her too big high heels clack across the floor practically flying off her feet. A smile appears on Nicholas’s face as he eyes Ceci’s I’m with the band t-shirt, cut off shorts, and pop art leggings. If she weren’t my best friend, I would question her sanity. I should be used to her far out sense of fashion, but there’s just no getting used to it. It’s like she gets dressed in the dark sometimes.
“Hey, stud muffin,” Ceci says to Nick.
She throws him a wink as she jiggles her butt just enough to make him spit his orange juice across the counter. I burst into laughter as he tries to wipe the over spray from his Giorgio Armani Cardigan. He’s not going to be happy when he realizes that he’s going to have to send his cashmere sweater to be dry cleaned. I almost feel sorry for the person at the dry cleaner. I’m sure he’s the most anal person when it comes to his clothing.
“Hey, Ceci. How are the mosquito bites?”
“Ew, Nick,” I say.
Ceci pulls her blouse forward and stares down at her chest with a crooked smile.
“They’re doing just fine.”
“Ceci!”
“Don’t worry, Emily. I’m not into mosquito bites,” Nicholas grins.
It’s strange to have my brother and my best friend under the same roof. Ceci is always acting even more bizarre than usual around him. I’m sure he loves that a little high school girl wants to screw his brains out—but, thankfully, he has enough sense to leave her alone—at least for the most part. It definitely doesn’t stop him from teasing or giving her hell.
Ceci swoops her arms around me and we twirl together in a fit of laughter. I’m beyond glad that she actually made it down here. We have a lot of talking to do, especially with Tristan being here. Today is going to be amazing. I’m sure of it.
“Happy birthday, Em.”
She pulls a bottle of Moscato wine from her purse and shakes it in front of me with a silly grin on her face. I grab the bottle and give her a quick hug before heading to the kitchen to hide it. Ceci trails closely behind me humming to herself as she takes a seat at the breakfast bar. She flips her chestnut hair and lets out a long whistle as Tristan enters the room in jeans and a tight black t-shirt. A strange sensation fills the pit of my stomach as Ceci fawns over him. I can’t explain why but anger seeps into my skin as she ogles him.
“Ceci,” I whisper.
“Yeah?”
“Could you be more obvious? Stop undressing my step-brother. It’s so wrong.”
Ceci turns to me as her cheeks burn in humiliation. Her hurt expression immediately makes me wish I could take my words back. But the damage is already done. She looks down at her nails and then back up at me before quietly brushing the corner of her watery eyes.
“That was really mean,” she whispers.
I watch her get up from her seat and hurry off to the bathroom. Even though I can’t hear her, I know she’s crying. What’s wrong with me? I’ve never lashed out at my best friend. I’m used to her staring at guys and calling them man candy. Except when it comes to Tristan.
SEVENTEEN
TRISTAN
Across the room of StoneHaven’s drawing room, I spot Nicholas’s wolfish grin as he winks at me. There’s a smug look of satisfaction as he slides his hand down the ass of the tall brunette next to him. They stand pressed against each other as they linger in the drawing room. He has no shame. I chuckle as he slowly pulls her strap to the side of her shoulder. I’m sure Emily is thankful that Stefan and Evelyn are out of town. Although I’m more than a little concerned to see Emily’s friend Ceci bring tequila for her birthday. She’s turning seventeen, not twenty-one.
“Hi,” I hear a silky voice say behind me. “You must be Tristan.”
I turn to find a familiar face and pair of tits staring up at me. It takes me a moment to place them, but as soon as I hear her name, I realize that she’s the same woman I met at the party at NYU. The English major that I spent the night tying up and fucking.
“What brought you over?”
“Nicholas invited me. He thought you might want to see me,” she says as she grabs the top part of my pants.
Of course, he would send Penelope over. I should’ve known better than to think that this is all a coincidence. As much as I would like to say her unexpected presence is a welcomed one, it’s not. I side step around her and grab a glass of champagne. It seems that in this house there’s always an endless array of it.
“I’m thirsty,” she says as her eyes trace over me. “But not for champagne.”
Before I have time to react, I feel her small frame pressing up against me as she corners me between the wall and the table the champagne is sitting on.
“Penelope, this is my best frie
nd’s little sister’s birthday. I’m not going to fuck you next to the fireplace mantel,” I say.
She smiles at me with a look of hunger. It only takes her a few seconds to find her way to the front of my pants.
“So fuck me somewhere else.”
Penelope follows me up the stairs as we head toward one of the guest bedrooms. I hear her practically squeal at the sight of the massive king size bed that sits in the middle of the room. If I didn’t know any better, you’d think she’s more excited to be on the bed than on my cock. Penelope saunters over never taking her eyes off me as she slowly undoes the top straps of her red dress. The fabric hangs tight against her figure leaving little to the imagination.
“Are you finding everything to your liking?” she asks, taking a seat on top of the bed. She pulls on the tie I put on for this evening and wraps it around her hand as she pulls my face toward her. My cock strains against my pants as she rubs her tits against my chest. I’m lost in the moment of her hips swiveling on top my lap when the smell of her perfume hits me. I don’t know why I didn’t notice it before. It’s been a while since I’ve smelled it… lavender. Thoughts of Emily’s soft skin and perfect mouth flood my thoughts.
“You’re so hard,” Penelope says, shoving her hand down my pants.
“What are you doing?”
My voice comes out raspier than I intend. I watch her lower herself onto her knees and slowly unzip my pants. She puckers her mouth in a seductive gesture. As much as I know this is wrong, I don’t stop her. I can’t. Because even though it’s Penelope on her knees, she’s not the person who I’m imagining.
EIGHTEEN
EMILY
It shouldn’t bother me that Tristan is going upstairs with Penelope. Yet with each step they climb up, I feel something inside me slowly crumbling to pieces. My head and my heart are colliding before my eyes. I can’t explain why I feel the way I do, but ever since the night Tristan left, I’ve dreamt of him coming back and being part of this family again. Now he’s here, but there’s something missing and I’m not sure how to fix it.
Drawn to You: Volume 1: The Prequel (Millionaire's Row Book 5) Page 5