Pride & Pleasure (The KNIGHT Brothers Book 1) (11 page)

“That’s fabulous, Danni. Where have you decided to go?”

Her smile told of her excitement. “University of Pennsylvania. Don’t tell Mr. Knight or my dad, but I chose there because that’s where Eugene is going.”

“Eugene?”

“My boyfriend. If I’d told them, they would have both tried to talk me out of it.” She twisted her lips then shrugged. “Well, I gotta go. I have plans.” She gave a quick wave.

Avary watched Danni until she disappeared through a row of trees toward the road. Avary sat there for the longest time, absorbing what she’d just been told. Even if she was angry with Victor, she couldn’t deny that he was generous. Of course, he had the money to be lavish, but he made the choice to do kind things. Her heart swelled. Why was it that just as soon as she came to the conclusion that she didn’t have any feelings for the man, something happened to show her that she most certainly did.  

The sun was starting to set and Avary went back to the house, into her suite and turned on the water in the bathtub, pouring in an ample amount of scented bubbles . Once the tub was full, she undressed and climbed in, sliding down into the hot water. Her muscles immediately relaxed and she laid back, closing her eyes. She allowed her body and her mind to soak up the quiet, yet there was a nagging sensation remaining between her thighs.

Moving her fingers through the water, she slipped her hand to her throbbing mound, sliding her fingers along the sensitive curves. Finding the hardened bud tucked behind the silken nest, she touched herself, adjusting the pressure. The only pleasure she’d known was from her own hand, but she craved large fingers, touching her, exploring her. Rolling the pad of her forefinger around her swollen clit, she relaxed her knees, spreading her legs wider for complete enjoyment. The warm water tripled the feeling.

Flames licked at her insides as she fingered her nether lips, her juices flowing, mixing with the water. Her thighs quivered as tingles flooded through her body, release growing closer and stronger. Images of Victor invaded her mind, imagining him here with her, naked and willing to show her what she’d been missing. Slipping her finger through the folds, she slid one inside of her opening, then sinking her finger deeper. She took on a gentle rhythm, then quickened the pace, bringing her hips up to meet each thrust.

With her free hand, she found her breasts, kneading one mound in her palm, flicking the delicate nipple. Tugging the flesh, the sensations grew at the apex of her thighs. Moans carried to her ears and she realized it was her, louder in the open space of the bathroom. She opened her eyes and saw her reflection in the large mirror. Her cheeks were flushed. Her hair wet around her face. She bucked her hips, swishing the water and it flowed around her legs.  She stabbed the button on the side of the tub with her toe, bringing the jets alive. Swirling bubbles circled her bottom and between her legs.

Moaning, she closed her eyes, slipping her hand into the water, joining with her other fingers, two hands working together. The spasm came hard and fast, rolling through her wave after wave until she released, but only partially satisfied.

She was prepared to face Victor.

****

Victor stopped outside of Avary’s closed door, hesitating before knocking. He’d wanted to see her all day, even came upstairs once, but had turned away. He imagined she was angry with him after last night. He hadn’t meant to reject her, but hearing that she’d never been touched, never been made love to, had taken him for a twisted turn. After she’d walked away, he’d gone to his bedroom and spent most of the night tossing and turning. Even he couldn’t believe that he’d turned her down.

Knocking, the door opened and his breath stilled in his lungs. She was breathtaking. What happened to the shy, innocent lady?

Her hair was pulled into a neat chignon, away from her face to show off her lovely, bright eyes and slightly tinted lips that appeared fuller. The red material of her dress flowed over her soft curves, stopping mid-thigh where a thin, transparent material covered her legs. Giving just enough peek at her luscious, long legs. It was elegant and sophisticated, but seductive and sexy. She wore it well.

“What are you doing here?”

“I live here.” He chuckled.

“You know what I meant.”

He knew this wouldn’t be easy. “I’ve come to take you down to dinner.”

“That’s not appropriate since I’m not a guest.”

“You are a guest,” he corrected. “About last night—”

“Let’s not talk about it.” She looked away. “Sorry,” she muttered.

“What are you sorry for?” She worked her bottom lip and she was even more gorgeous. He had an urgency to push her back inside of the room, slam the door, and kiss the hell out of her, but he needed to mind his manners.

She continued to work her lip. Finally, she dropped her hands to her sides and sighed. “That I practically threw myself at you.”

This completely caught him off guard. “You didn’t throw yourself at me.”

“It won’t happen again. I promise.”

Shit!
That was disappointing. “Why don’t we erase all of the moments between us since we met and start again?”

Her cheeks turned a lovely shade of pink. “If only that were possible.”

“It is. We just continue from here.”

She stared at him for the longest time and he wondered if she wanted to slap him or agree with his suggestion. “Will your girlfriend be here this evening?”

He squinted. “My girlfriend? I thought we already discussed this.”

“I did too, but frankly Victor, if a woman sleeps over at a man’s house then I would say she’s a girlfriend.”

His stomach twisted. “Are you talking about Selena?”

“She was here last night, right?”

Holy fuck!
“It’s not how you think.”

“It doesn’t matter what I think. It’s none of my business.”

“It is your business because I choose to make it your business,” he said a little too harshly, not because he was irritated with her, but mostly at himself.

“I don’t want to hear any of this.”

“You brought it up. I should have a right to explain.”

She blinked. “True, but I’m afraid it might only make me a bigger fool.”

“Avary, I swear to you, I didn’t sleep with her last night.”

“From the conversation you two had before she left it certainly sounded like you had.”

How could he explain and leave out the dirty details? He had a feeling no matter what he said, he’d make things worse for himself. “Before you and I were in the kitchen together…she was in my bed…”

“What? She was in your bed and you came downstairs, and we—oh no.” She brought her hand up to cover her lips. He noticed the trembling.

“No, she was in the guest room then.” When had he ever been so tongue-tied?

“And that’s better how?” One corner of her mouth lowered.

“It’s not. She was drunk and showed up uninvited in my bed. I woke up and she was—”

“Don’t tell me.” She held up a hand.

“But you need to see that it was innocent…” No, it was far from innocent. “I mean, what we shared was only physical.” Damn, he was solving this situation with a bazooka.

“You’re sweating,” she said quietly.

“That’s because you bother me, immensely.”

“You bother me too. I can’t believe I wanted to sleep with you. I’m glad that feeling passed.” She sniffed loudly.

“Don’t lie to me.” He took a step into the room, and she took one backward. “You still want me and I know I want you.”

“Of course a man like you would think such a thing. You probably think you’re God’s gift to women, and sure, they’ve made you think this, but trust me, I’m not one of them.”

He took another step and he was within inches of her. He smiled, amused with her. He’d never met another woman who had so many expressions and they were an open door into her every thought. He liked that about her. Liked a lot of things and he was damn tired of scooting around all of these emotions.

He laid a hand on her hip and pulled her closer. She didn’t reject. He lowered his mouth and kissed her, not soft and not hard.

She pushed at his chest and he drew back, only slightly. “Why are you doing this?” she gasped.

“I can’t help myself when I’m around you.”

“You know I’m not your type, remember? Best to keep that in mind.”

“I’m never going to live those words down, am I?”

“That’ll teach you.”

“Am I interrupting something, kids?”

Avary jumped and Victor turned at the sound of his sister’s voice. She stood in the hallway, a mischievous smile on her lips.

“No, you weren’t.” Avary pulled out of his arms, taking several steps away from him.

“Yes, you were,” Victor corrected.

“Sorry. I’ve always had bad timing. I’m ready for a party. How about the two of you?” Angelina asked, swirling the hem of her dress around her ankles. “What do you think?”

“You look amazing.” Victor stepped over to her and kissed her cheek.

“I wouldn’t fit on the front of a fashion magazine, but it’s the only dress that didn’t hang on me like a sack. But…you’re definitely going to steal the hearts of many tonight, Avary.”

She looked from Victor to Angelina, her bottom lip trembling. “I-I doubt that.”

Angelina glanced at him, smiling wider. “Oh, I’d say there’s a big possibility. Now, shall we take our hotness downstairs?”

“Okay. Let’s do that,” Avary said.

Victor stayed a step back, watching his sister and Avary walk the hall toward the stairs. No question about it, he was curious over her. She was quite the opposite of the women he was usually attracted to —models, daddy’s girls, and high-maintenance. He liked her spirit, the way she wasn’t afraid to stand up to him—especially the way she teased him. How in the hell had she gone so long without a man sweeping her off her feet?

There was something going on between them—a raw magnetism that he wanted to give in to.

Strangely, he’d never really thought of himself in a relationship until Avary walked into his life, now he found himself thinking about what he’d been missing. He also wanted more conversations with her.

He was never a man to tread slowly in anything—personal or business. When he came across something he liked, he jumped straight in, not thinking of the future or consequences. He’d done the same with Avary. He’d kissed her and that was the end of any control. Now all he could do was think about kissing her again…and yes, making love to her. 

The three of them walked downstairs together. The place was alive with chatter. They’d never had a hard time getting people to the estate for a party. It was the perfect place for party goers to gather. The living room was large enough to hold a vast amount of guests, and the dining room had another table added to seat the twenty or so guests. A hush settled over the crowd as they stepped in, Angelina in the lead and, as if on cue, several people came forth and hugged her. Every eyed turned on them, and he half suspected they were just as curious about the woman standing next to Victor. He’d never entered any party, his own or otherwise, with a woman at his side. Yet, he somehow felt obligated to keep Avary close, protect her from the shallowness that can sometimes shine through at these social occasions. He’d been to enough that he had grown to not care.

He took her elbow and she attempted to try and pull away, but he held her hand steady . “It’s safer if you allow me to guide you through the shark infested waters,” he whispered.

Her eyes widened. “Are they that bad?” she whispered.

He chuckled, loving the fact that she believed him. “No, they only bite when they smell blood.” Maybe he should tell her that he had an ulterior motive. He wanted to keep her close.

“Why have them here if you don’t like any of them?”

Guests greeted him and he gave each a casual nod in return. He was more interested in the beautiful woman he had on his arm. “This, my dear, was Angelina’s idea. These are
her
friends.”

“Do you have friends of your own?”

“I’d take that as a simple question if it didn’t stink of mockery.” He chuckled. Again, he wouldn’t fault her spunk. He enjoyed it. “Would you care for a drink? Water?”

One corner of her mouth twisted. “I think I’ll take a glass of wine.”

“As you wish. Wait here and don’t get sucked in.” He winked and headed for the bar. Waiting for his scotch and Avary’s wine to be poured, he caught a glimpse of Angelina standing among a crowd of her charity friends. She was smiling and he couldn’t help himself but smile too. He realized how much energy it took for her to be here, socializing. He was struck at how much she looked like their mother, even down to her mannerisms. Rose Knight had been loved by many, not only for her beauty, but also her kind heart. Somehow that gene had been given to Angelina in masses.

His sister looked radiant tonight, reminding him how she belonged in the center of the spotlight. Victor could even see why their father, when dividing up his real estate in his will, had left her their mother’s house. What would Theobald do if he was here to watch his only daughter succumbing to her illness?