Eva
I woke, wrapped in a large, thick and heavy duvet. I could still taste chlorine in my mouth. I was expecting to see him lying next to me, but to my surprise, it was Kiki. I'm guessing heeventually chose to pay attention to his drunk wife than hisfling from last year who almost just died.
Even though I didn't have the man I wanted by my side, I was grateful to have Kiki instead. Her steady breathing beside me reminded me that not all love was romantic. We took care of each other. I smiled recounting our late night talks and the shades we threw at Conor. Maybe I should focus on our friendship for now rather than on a man who wanted absolutely nothing to do with me.
As I settled deeper into the duvet, my stomach rumbled. Hunger.
I glanced at the clock. It was four in the morning. I was so busy with being there for Kiki throughout the day that I hadn't had much to eat. And so careful not to wake her, I got up from the bed silently and headed to the kitchen.
As I made my way to the kitchen, I expected emptiness. Not even the maids, given how early it was. But to my surprise, his silhouette against a steaming coffee pot, and the smell of freshly brewed coffee filling the air.
"Didn't expect anyone to be down here this early, " I said, almost afraid to speak to him.
He didn't even flinch. He just turned to look at me. "Work." He said, flatly.
I tried. "Thank you for—"
"You could have died, Sutton." He cut me short, vexed.
"But I didn't." I swallowed.
He slammed his hands against the counter and I flinched. "You're still so goddamn stubborn!" His eyes darkened. "I told you to get out of the water. Why didn't you just listen?"
I didn't say anything. I just lowered my head.
"What if I had left, huh? I'd be burying two people that I love in the space of—"
My head snapped up. Love?
He began backpedaling as his composure faltered. "Like a sister." He stuttered. "I love you like an elder brother would his sister."
In one breath, he had ripped the spark out of me. I had never lost interest this fast when it came to Shawn Bradley. But enough was enough.
I headed to one of the cupboards, taking all I needed to make a cereal.
"Eva," he called out and I ignored him.
"Eva."
I turned violently.
"A brother," I hissed, looking him eye to eye, "does not fuck his sister five times in one day, everyday, because he cannot get enough of and I quote, "sweet juicy pussy.""
His jaw clenched. "Enough."
But I wasn't planning on listening.
"A brother, does not tell his sister to call him Shawn in the daylight and daddy in the dark."
"Stop."
"I could go on and on about what brothers and sisters shouldn't do," I said, going closer to him, "but we already spent an entire fucking summer doing them! You destroyed me in ways no brother should ever dream of!"
We were inches apart now, too close for comfort. He could feel my breath on his face, and his on mine. We stared at each other with anger at first, but it slowly transitioned into something knowing. That familiar feisty passion between us.
My eyes begged him to finally fuck me. I could already picture it. Him slamming me against the counter, gripping my hair back as he slid in and out of me gradually. Him occasionally leaning against my ears, whispering how much of a good girl I was. His good girl.
I could see it in his eyes that he wanted to fuck me too. And in his dick too.
But all that tension was cut short when one of the maids turned on the lights.
Shawn and I quickly jerked apart, pretending we hadn't been one breath away from tearing each other apart on the countertop.
"I'm so sorry, Mr. Bradley." She let out. "I wanted to get somethings in order for your wife's guest."
I munched on my soggy cereal while listening in on their conversation.
"This early? What is happening?" Shawn asked.
"Oh, her Godson is coming to visit for a few days. Mrs. Bradley wants everything perfect. His favourite meals, pastries. I was asked to get started at dawn."
Shawn was surprised. Apparently, he wasn't aware of this.
"Carry on," he said with a curt nod and then he left, leaving just the maid and I in the kitchen.
"I almost died," I said, trying to start up a conversation. She just smiled awkwardly and got to work immediately. And I put away the empty bowl and headed back to my room.
The sun rose in a few hours. I had barely gotten any sleep but I had to get up before Kiki's not so crazy rich aunties would think I was lazy.
Kiki was finally awake at my side. She gave me a big hug, squeezing me tightly.
"What were you thinking swimming in that much cold?" Kiki asked, worried, as she pulled away.
"I just wanted to clear my head. I'm sorry." I pouted. "I'm also sorry that I shut you out when you wanted to follow me."
She held both my hands in hers, "Don't worry about it. Sometimes you need your space, and I understand that."
"If my brother hadn't been there to pull you out and give you CPR—"
CPR? The word hit me like a surprise. I had zero memory of it.
"—God knows what would have happened. I don't even want to think about it. I'm just glad you're better now."
"Yeah," I said, absolutely absent minded. My mind was racing. His mouth on mine. His breath in my lungs. Was it just clinical, or did he hesitate? Did it feel like a kiss?
"Now that I think about it… eww!" She dragged, snapping me away from my thoughts. "My brother gave my best friend CPR. Note, a CPR is a medical code for kissing in disguise. His lips touched yours for the first time, gross!"
Oh, the irony.
"Yeah," I feigned irritation, making a face. "So gross."
We laughed about it. The idea of technically kissing her brother. If only she knew.
"Seriously though," Kiki said, growing serious. "You've been spaced out since the funeral. Is it Conor?"
I shot up. "What? No! I mean, there's still this tiny part of me that… but like they say,"
"Out of sight, out of mind." We chorused.
Just then, a knock sounded through the door.
Susannah.
"Hey girls," she smiled sweeting, poking her head through the door. "Mind coming downstairs. There's someone I'd like you two to meet."
"Okay…" We echoed, staring at each other nervously as we got down from the bed.
As we followed her down, she told us more about her Godson, someone she hadn't really had the pleasure to meet in years. She said he was around our age so she wanted us to make him feel more at home.
We assured her we would. Her Godson was in safe hands.
By the time we had reached the living room, he was faced back, talking to one of the staff. There was something familiar about his figure.
Susannah cleared her throat. "Connie,"
He turned, and my heart dropped.
"Girls, meet my Godson. Conor Jenkings."