Chapter Sixteen
Ava
“What’s this?” He holds open the door of the car for me, and I fidget into the seat, careful not to drop the box.
“Your parents’ present.”
He jerks his head back. “I gave you twenty minutes notice. When did you have time to find a present?”
“I have my tricks. I’m awesome like that.”
“Yes, you are.” He nods as he closes the door then gets inside the car. “You didn’t have to buy them anything.”
“Of course, I did. Thirty-six years. They deserve national recognition at the very least.”
“I completely agree with that.”
“I don’t know any couple who’s been together this long. Did they ever. . . you know. . . take breaks?”
“They had ups and downs along the years, like every couple I suppose. But I always remember them being loving and supportive to each other, and to us kids.”
The moment he revs the engine to life, something stirs inside me. This feels so much like we’re a couple.
“Are we all right, Ava?”
I swallow. How can he read me this well? “Yeah.”
“What about your contract?”
“We’ll have to be careful so Dirk doesn’t find out.” My insides clench at the thought of everything I’m risking. If I lose my job, I won’t be able to afford saving for a deposit for my own apartment. I don’t even want to think about the damage it would do to my career.
“So if this was an option, why did we wait until now?”
“Because you’re so easy to fall in love with, Sebastian. I can’t lose my head and throw all my hard work down the drain.”
“I’m not asking you to give up anything for me, and I know you don’t want a long-distance relationship. I’m not a big fan of them myself. Let me make these four months the best of your life.”
“You’re sweet,” I say.
“If anything happens, I’ll move damn mountains for you if it’s necessary.”
“I can take care of myself, Sebastian. Always have.” I slide lower in my seat, watching him. He’s not just sweet, but also perfect. Utterly perfect. I don’t say that out loud though. Instead, I bombard him with questions.
“Tell me about your family. Who’s going to be there? Is there anything I should be careful with?”
“I could write an entire book about this.”
“Give me the CliffsNotes version.”
He furrows his brow, as if this requires his utmost concentration. “Mom’s very nosy. My entire family is, but Mom is very smart about it. She can get the deepest secrets out of you and you won’t even know it.”
“Sebastian Bennett, are you afraid of your own mother?”
Sebastian laughs softly, and there is a glow to him that makes me happy. He loves talking about his family.
“Of course not,” he says seriously. “But I have a lot of experience. I’ve learned what to say or not to say around her. You, on the other hand, are easy prey.”
“Pffft, I can handle her.”
“You’ve been warned.”
“Who else?”
“Well, my sisters take after my mother. You’ve met Pippa and Alice. I’m surprised Pippa hasn’t cornered you at the office already. Summer is the eternal romantic.” His smile broadens at the mention of his baby sister.
“Tell me about your brothers. They can’t possibly be as good-looking as they are in photos, right? Though, you and Logan are. And Blake and Daniel too, I saw them at the party,” I finish. Sebastian glares at me. I grin. “Are you jealous?”
“My brothers know better than to flirt with you.”
“Why? What did you tell them?”
“Nothing, but in my family, it’s often not necessary to say something out loud. They catch the drift quickly. The other twin set will also be there. They flew in yesterday.”
We arrive at our destination half an hour later. I’m mesmerized, hardly believing that we’re only seventy miles away from San Francisco. There is a thick forest beyond the double gates in front of us, an oasis of green tinted with brown.
“This place is huge, isn’t it?”
“It is.” He grins proudly.
The double gates open as soon as we approach, and we enter the woods. We drive on the paved road for a few minutes before the trees thin out and the edges of a clearing come into view.
In the distance, I spot a three-story house with a cream-colored facade and red tile roof. The sheer number of people milling in the garden in front of the house shocks me.
“How big is your family?”
“Dad has five brothers, Mom four. Everyone was busy making kids. We’re a big and crazy clan. You have been warned,” he says, before sliding out of the car. I follow suit, too excited to wait for him to open the door.
“Let’s go say hi to my parents first.”
I feel a tad ridiculous carrying the huge box in my hands, and I attract curious stares.
“Mom, Dad,” Sebastian says when we arrive in front of an older couple. He has his mother’s eyes, but his father’s strong bone structure. “This is Ava. She’s from New York and is working with us for a few months. She doesn’t know anyone around here, so I thought I’d introduce her to our crazy family.”
“Congratulations on your anniversary.” I blush at Sebastian’s introduction. “I bought you something.” I put the present on a nearby table, with a pile of other presents.
“You shouldn’t have bothered,” Mrs. Bennett says warmly.
“It’s my pleasure. I hope I won’t intrude too much today.”
“We’re happy to meet you, dear.” His mom pulls me into a hug. I’m surprised, but I welcome it, and hug her back as tightly. She smells so. . . motherly. Not just feminine, but motherly, as if the act of spreading love is deeply ingrained in her nature. I absorb all of that. I received a lot of hugs from my mom, and I’ve missed the warmth of a mother figure so much since her death.
We chitchat for a while, and then his parents excuse themselves to mingle with other guests.
“Are you going to introduce me to everyone?” I ask.
“That’ll take the entire day. I’ll introduce you to my siblings.”
“It’s wonderful that you’re all here.”
“Yes. Speak of the devil. . .” He points to two men in front us, each holding a glass of whiskey.
“Ava, these are Daniel and Blake.”
“Fancy seeing you here,” Blake says, as if we’ve known each other forever.
“We’ve heard about you from Logan,” Daniel adds.
“The party brothers,” I say. “I saw you two at the launch party.”
“Oh, why didn’t you come talk to us?”
“You were busy talking to the press.”
“Someone has to,” Daniel says, unaffected. Blake raises his glass, as if drinking to Daniel’s words.
“Then you disappeared,” Pippa says, appearing next to us. “I saw you in the beginning, and at the end. Where were you during the show?”
I try to keep a straight face as she looks from Sebastian to me. The art of wordless communication was perfected in this family.
“I was around,” I say vaguely.
“Ah, here is the other set of twins,” Blake says, gesturing behind me. I whirl on my heels. Where Blake and Daniel look completely different, Christopher and Max are identical twins. It was obvious in the photos I saw, but I thought I’d be able to tell them apart if I faced them. As they come to a halt in front of me, I give up trying to spot differences. There aren’t any. They both have jet-black hair, dark eyes, and well-built physiques.
Sebastian introduces me, and Blake says, “Ava, you’ve met the party brothers,” he gestures at Daniel and himself, “now meet the serious brothers.”
Christopher and Max crack identical grins at their nickname.
“God, I missed being home,” Max says, while Christopher nods.
“We weren’t always so serious,” Christopher explains.
“That’s true, you pranked everyone.” Pippa wiggles between Christopher and Max and elbows them both in the ribs.
“Played their identical twin card as often as they could,” Sebastian tells me.
“We got away with it most of the time.”
Pippa snorts. “Once, Christopher wanted to profess his love,” she says, clutching her heart theatrically, “to a girl at school, and he asked Max for help. Max had to pass as Christopher a few times in the whole scheme.”
“Wait, why did you need Max’s help?” I ask Christopher.
“Logistics,” Christopher says vaguely, not looking half as amused as his siblings.
“Anyway,” Pippa continues, “everything went great until the girl kissed Max, thinking he’s Christopher.”
Ah, that explains why Christopher isn’t smiling, whereas everyone else—Max included—looks on the verge of bursting with laughter. Taking a good look at the Bennetts in front of me, I observe that all the men share their father’s build. They’re tall and have broad, strong shoulders.
“That was the last time we pulled a prank like that.” Max puts a firm hand on Christopher’s shoulder, and the latter finally smiles too. Both of them leave and the focus is back on Sebastian and me. Pippa is drilling Sebastian with her gaze.
“Please tell me Logan is taking good care of you,” Blake tells me, oblivious to the staring match between Pippa and Sebastian.
“Actually, I don’t see much of Logan, but Sebastian’s doing a great job.”
The twins stare at us in disbelief.
“If you’re in need of some real fun, you can always call me,” Daniel offers.
“Or me,” Blake says.
“Or both of us. Really.”
“Ava is a smart woman,” Sebastian says. “She’ll know to avoid you. Both of you.”
With that, Sebastian whisks me away.
“By the way, Summer is looking for you, Sebastian,” Blake says from behind us. “She wants to give you hell for missing her exhibition last week. We were there, but the moment she realized her favorite brother wasn’t going to show up. . .”
“I’ll find her,” Sebastian says over his shoulder.
“You are irresistible when you go all caveman,” I whisper to him.
“You haven’t seen anything yet.”
He treats me to Mrs. Bennett’s homemade lemonade.
“So are these all cousins?” I point to the nearest group.
“No. They’re adopted Bennetts.”
”What?” I chuckle.
“Friends of ours. From college or high school. They like to stick around, because we’re a cool bunch.”
I wonder if I can apply to become an adopted Bennett. I’d totally do it. After drinking a third glass of Mrs. Bennett’s wonderful lemonade, I need to pee badly.
“Where are the restrooms?” I ask.
Sebastian gives me precise instructions before leaving to find Summer, and I hurry across the garden and inside the house.
The interior of the house is pleasantly cool. With my bladder threatening to explode, I don’t pay much attention to anything until I get to the bathroom. After I exit, I take my time to look around. The house is decorated with dark furniture with a reddish tint, and paintings hang on almost every wall. It looks cozy and warm, exactly the way I always imagined a home should.
I’m inspecting one of the paintings—with kittens and a dress—when Mrs. Bennett appears at my side.
“Are you enjoying the party, dear?” she asks.
“Yes. There are so many of you, though.”
“I miss those days, having the kids home. They visit often, but it’s not the same. We’ve been blessed with great children.”
“You are,” I agree, hoping the jealousy isn’t too thick in my voice.
“Family is the most important thing. Other things come and go, but family stays.”
“I suppose so.” Upon seeing her confused glance, I add, “I don’t have any family left.”
“You poor thing.”
“I’m quite self-sufficient,” I assure her.
She rolls her eyes. “I can understand why Sebastian took a liking to you. My son likes to think he’s self-sufficient too.”
I don’t hide my surprise. “But he’s got all of you.”
“Ah, yes, but my son feels responsible for us. He’s so adamant to look after everyone around him.” She’s right. I remember all the times he’s done little, nice things for me. “He doesn’t look after himself anymore. Even after all these years, after he gave us all of this, he still doesn’t let himself relax and enjoy life. Though I hear this has started to change with your arrival.”
Heat rises in my cheeks. “Well, I wouldn’t say it’s on my behalf.”
“A little bird told me he took you on a tour of the city.”
I grin. “He did.”
“Any more tours planned?”
I open my mouth, then clamp it shut. Now I see what Sebastian meant about his mother’s ability to make one talk. I decide to keep it vague. “There’s nothing planned.”
Mrs. Bennett looks at me suspiciously. “You’re welcome in our home whenever you want. To tell you a secret, I always wished to have more daughters. Alas, I only got three. And six boys. They drove me mad.”
“I can imagine.”
“I can’t wait for them to get married and give me grandkids. The house will be full again.”
I laugh softly, following her dreamy gaze to one of the paintings.
“That’s a beautiful painting.”
“Summer did it. She has the soul of an artist. She expresses herself in various ways. Up until a few years ago, she was convinced acting was her calling. Now she paints. I’m so proud of her.”
I smile, remembering my own mother. She too was always supportive of me. In fact, so supportive that she never told me she had cancer until it was too late. During my third year at college, she got sick. Her insurance didn’t cover the costs of treatment, so she simply didn’t get any. If I’d known, I would have quit my studies and worked hundred-hour weeks if necessary to pay for her treatment, which is exactly why she didn’t tell me. The sickness ate at her, and she lost weight dramatically. She was in stage four when she couldn’t hide it anymore. I tried everything to help her, but it was too little, too late.
She died before I began my senior year at NYU and I never got the chance to take care of her.
Mrs. Bennett and I return outside, and Blake and Daniel immediately approach me.
A while later, we’re served cake. Mr. Bennett gives a toast, speaking beautiful words about his wife. Mrs. Bennett gets teary-eyed, and I’m not doing much better. She holds it together until Sebastian presents them with an envelope, announcing he bought the ranch they sold years ago. His parents hug him, thanking him over and over again. Though they don’t want to move away from their children, they plan to turn the ranch into their second home. My heart squeezes as I watch Sebastian with his parents. There is so much tenderness in him. He loves his family so fiercely, it makes me wonder how it would feel if he ever came to love me.
***
Sebastian
Summer is playing hard to get. She was around when I gave my parents their gift, and then she disappeared again. Ah, my baby sister. The most spoiled of the lot of us. I smile, remembering the day she showed up in my office, lacking her usual good humor and glow. It took so long for her to tell me why she came to see me, I started to suspect she was pregnant or something. Nope. Turns out, she had discovered she wanted to be a painter, not an actress. She didn’t tell Mom or Dad. She came to me first.
We come from a family used to the hard work of a ranch, and she felt guilty for her eternal quest for her true calling. I told her I doubted anyone in the family would show her anything except support. I want her to have all the opportunities in the world. Why settle?
My search for Summer is interrupted again, this time by my father.
“Son, you have the look of someone who knows he has some apologizing to do.”
“Guilty. I completely forgot to show up at Summer’s exhibition.”
My father smiles. Though in his sixties, he’s in top form. He refuses to go to the gym, but keeps in shape by doing most of the things around the house himself. That includes repairing the roof and other potentially dangerous activities, which drives me mad with worry. Unfortunately, I can’t tell a man who spent most of his days shouldering the hard work at the ranch suddenly to stop doing what he’s used to.
“Lovely girl you brought with you today,” he comments. Ah, let the cornering begin. I’m surprised my mother hasn’t attempted it yet, but the day is still young. “There is no greater gift for a man than a loving wife.”
“Dad.” I keep my voice respectful. “Let’s not get into this today. I brought her here because I thought she’d like it.” We walk in the shadow of an old oak.
“Don’t you want to get married?”
I snort. “Pippa was married, and look how that turned out.”
“Your mother and I are celebrating our thirty-sixth anniversary.”
“I know, but times are changing.”
My father gives me a look that says, You might be CEO, but you know nothing.
Well, the man earned his right to think whatever he wants. Logan approaches us, and after he and Dad have a short exchange about their dismal fishing results from last weekend, Dad leaves.
“You brought Ava today,” Logan says.
I groan. “Obviously.”
“You really like her, don’t you?”
I debate denying it, but Logan is not stupid. “Yep.”
“Did she give in?”
“Maybe.”
“Are you only going to give one-word answers?”
“I won’t discuss private matters with you,” I say.
“Why not?”
“That’s my business.”
Logan surveys me, flashing a shit-eating grin. “You’ve got it bad for her, brother. I don’t remember seeing you like this in a long time. You took last weekend off, you—”
“You don’t look like you have a stick up your ass anymore,” a female voice supplies from our right. Logan’s grin widens. I groan again. Summer joins us. “Mom’s been interrogating Ava, and I was around, of course, so I overheard them.”
“Of course,” I say.
“She’s lovely,” Summer says. “And she’s got it just as bad for you.”
“Summer, I was under the impression you were mad at me and ignoring me. I’d prefer it that way.”
She flaps her hand impatiently. “Yeah, I was. But you brought a woman with you today, so you’re totally forgiven.”
“Why am I being cornered by my own family? I—”
“You can’t boss us around in our free time,” Logan says. “You cease to be CEO when you get out of the building.”
“Which means we can try to beat some sense into you,” Pippa says, appearing out of nowhere. They’re taking this cornering thing to an entirely new level.
“This is getting out of hand. I’m going to have a drink and return later, when you’re normal again.”
As I stride away from the group, my eyes search the crowded garden for Ava. I find her near the entrance to the house. I remember her wide eyes as she said I’d be easy to fall in love with. Well, that makes two of us, because she’s damn easy to love. She’s not like other women I’ve dated, all fancy. She likes the life I grew up with, not the one my money can buy now. Women usually show thinly disguised disdain for my family. Some have outright told me that someone with my status should have a more sophisticated family. Ava’s embracing them. Family is important to her, just like it is to me.
I start toward her, but before I blink twice, a guy starts chatting with her. A vein pulses in my neck. I get close enough to hear the conversation.
“Do you have time for dinner this week?” he asks.
What the fuck? I leave her alone for a bit and someone’s already hitting on her? I’m about to interrupt their conversation and put him in his place, but her answer stops me cold in my tracks.
“Not a good idea. I’ve been in a relationship for a year.”
She lied to me? Well, that seals it. I have many defects, but I’d never touch another man’s woman. It’s a matter of principle. The guy takes the cue, nodding curtly and blending in to a nearby group.
I step in front of her, raising an eyebrow. To my surprise, she grins.
“Have you been eavesdropping?” she asks.
“Why did you lie to me when I asked if you were seeing someone?”
“Relax, Sebastian.” She rolls her eyes. That usually annoys me, but it looks cute on her. Damn it, I’m supposed to be mad at her right now. “I didn’t lie to you. I told him that to get rid of him.”
I eye her closely, not wanting to admit how much relief her confession brings me.
“Are you jealous?”
“Yes. Does that amuse you?”
“Very much. You have this expression between brooding and moody. It’s very sexy.”
I let out a low sound in my throat.
“That’s even sexier,” she whispers.
“Do you want to take a walk?” I say in her ear. “I need to take a break from my siblings. They’re driving me mad already, and it’s only afternoon.”
She grins. “Sure. I love, love, love your family. They’re so. . .” She holds her hands together. “I can’t explain it, but I wish I had a family like yours.”
“You’re on the right track to become an adopted Bennett.”
“How do you know?” she asks suspiciously.
“You’ve already been questioned by Mom and survived it. Summer was eavesdropping on your conversation, by the way.”
“So is eavesdropping a family hobby?” she challenges. In response, I do something so completely out of character it surprises me more than her.
She yelps. “Did you just pinch my ass?”
“I’ll do it again if I have to.” What is this woman doing to me?
“I didn’t know you were a pincher.”
“There are a lot of things you don’t know about me.”
“Like what?” she challenges.
“I’ll be happy to show you.”
“So are we going to take that walk, or what?”
I offer her my arm, and she takes it with a smile.
“This place is heaven on earth,” she comments as we make our way in the vast garden. I lead her to an alley lined by coast redwood trees, and watch her drink in the surroundings. “A tree house,” she exclaims, coming to a halt.
“Summer used to paint here before she moved out of my parents’ house.”
The story behind the tree house goes back to when I bought the place for my parents. Summer was still young and wanted a tree house. I rounded up all of my brothers and we built it for her. I told them things would be different from then on, because I made good money and would take care of all of them. I also made them swear they wouldn’t let money define who they were; that they wouldn’t turn into self-absorbed assholes. Several expensive cars and homes around the world later, I can say they’ve kept their promise.
“Can we go inside?” Ava asks. Eyeing the fragile old ladder leading up to the house, I’m certain it’s not the best idea, but when Ava adds, “I’ve always wanted a tree house,” I nod.
The tree house isn’t half as decrepit as I expected it to be. In fact, it’s remarkably clean, which means someone’s still using it. Ava inspects the old wood with curious eyes. She belongs in here, just as she belongs with my family.
The recognition fills me with both panic and warmth. Panic because I feel like I’m not only rushing into this, I’m diving headfirst; and warmth because nothing’s ever felt more right.
Reaching for her waist, I pull her to me, tracing the contour of her mouth while pushing her against the wall. Opening her lips, I slip my tongue inside, tasting her sweetness. There’s no restraint in her kiss as she presses her soft curves against me. My palm slides to her breast, cupping it over her bra. Needing to feel her soft skin in my hand, I make quick work of unclasping her bra and pushing her straps and her dress down, revealing her breasts. I break off the kiss, drinking in her bare skin, her puckered nipples calling to me. I press both breasts together with my hands, coaxing her peaks with my thumb and mouth.
“Sebastian.”
My name sounds perfect in her mouth. I lure a moan out of her, and I suddenly become greedy for more sounds of pleasure. I could watch her slowly come apart all day long. When I get back from my trip, that’s exactly what I plan to do. Right now, I will give her another taste of what I plan to do to her. Dropping my hand to her thigh, I cinch her dress up to her waist, groaning as I caress her over her thong. It’s soaked through. Goose bumps appear over the delicate skin on her arms. I push the fabric aside, touching her slick flesh. She swallows hard, but that doesn’t stop me. Her eyelids flutter closed, and I tighten my grip on her waist.
“Don’t close your eyes,” I say with a growl. Biting her lips, she looks up at me with wide eyes. When I touch her clit, she fists my shirt. When I pinch it between my fingers, her legs quiver, which gives me immense pleasure. I loved feeling her come apart today, now I want to see her. As I caress her tender spot, I watch her breath quicken, her pupils dilating. She clenches around me as I slide a finger inside. I want her like this, always. I don’t know where the thought came from, but I know it’s true. Nothing ever felt as right as being with her does. I want her smiling and laughing for me, and I want her panting underneath me. When her orgasm ravishes her, I hold her tight to me, steadying her and claiming her mouth.
Upon our return to the group, it appears that no one noticed our absence. One of my cousins whisks me away, while Mom gets Ava’s attention.
The rest of the day passes by quickly, and before I know it, I’m dropping her off at her apartment. We’re standing in the lobby, and neither of us wants to say goodbye yet.
“I had a great time today,” Ava says. “Thank you for taking me with you. Your family is wonderful.”
“I’m glad they didn’t drive you too mad.”
“Stop it, they are adorable. Are you heading straight to the airport?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay.”
I take her hand, as if I’m about to kiss it, then pull her to me, kissing her lips hard.
“See you in a week.”