Bash unlocked the door to his Manhattan loft. I stepped inside and noticed that it was the total opposite to his brother’s modern penthouse. It felt warmer, with dark leather sofas and large deep red rugs. There was a large fireplace in the open plan kitchen living room. The view was as magnificent as Triston’s. The kitchen was all dark marble, with black appliances.
He walked passed me into the living room and his scent hit me all at once. I was overwhelmed by it. “Can I get you a drink?” I nodded absent-mindedly. “I can have my driver take you home when you are ready,” he added with a small smile.
“Sure, I am guessing you don’t have wine?” I joked.
“I do actually. It’s a bottle I got as a gift a couple of weeks ago,” he walked into the bar area as I explored. The art on the walls were painted with rich dark colors, they matched the furniture. Everything about him was warm and homely. I stared at one of the pieces hanging above the large red brick fireplace. I got such a melancholy feeling as I stared at it. Although I felt a sadness from it, I couldn’t tear my eyes away. Whoever painted must have been hurt, broken hearted. The way the paint hit the canvas and the colors vivid, jumping out at you. “That’s my favorite piece, I did it about 3 years ago.”
I turned to face him, “You painted this?” He nodded and smiled. “Bash this is amazing! You should sell your art!” He shrugged.
“I don’t do it for money, I do it because I love painting.” He put his glass down and turned on the sound system. The soft rich voice of Lana del Rey filled the room. It was one of my favoritealbums of hers. The new one called Honeymoon. “Stay here, I will be right back,” he disappeared down the hallway. I took the time to explore the rest of the apartment. I walked into the kitchen and noticed it was spotless. Of course, he wouldn’t do much cooking since he seemed to work as much as Triston. I looked out at the city below, Central Park just below us a dark formidable shape.
Walking back into the living room I noticed a spiral staircase in the corner, I wonder where that went. “Here you go, you need to change if you want to see up there.” Bash walked back into the living room wearing only a pair of ripped blue jeans that hung low on his hips. My breathing halted and I gasped. I drank in the sight of him. I gulped down my wine and grabbed the tee and shorts he held out to me. “Thanks,” was all I could muster. A devilish smirk appeared on his face and his eyes twinkled in the dim light of the apartment.
“Emily, if you looked any harder you may turn me to stone.” He joked and turned to pick up the beer he had left on the table.
I walked passed him and realized I had no idea where to go. “Where is your bathroom?”
He chuckled, “Down the hall, first door on the left.”
I followed his directions. Found a large bathroom with dark grey tiles across the one wall of the 2-person shower. In the other corner was a large spa bath. I stepped out of my heels and slipped the dress down, folding it. I pulled on the shorts and noticed they fit perfectly. They were like my black yoga shorts. Did he just have a collection of women’s clothes laying around? Did he expect me to come back to his place tonight? I pulled the tee over my head and noticed the pins in my hair slowly coming loose as curls escaped the knot.
Grabbing the dress and my shoes I padded back to the living room, “Is this presentable? And do you normally keep women’s clothes at your apartment?” I enquired, not sure why it bothered me so much.
He smiled and nodded, “It’s extremely presentable, you look good in my top.” I flushed at his compliment. “Yes, I have a collection of women’s clothes. So that when I have random beautiful women here I can have them change in my bathroom.” He laughed at my facial expression as I stuck my tongue out at him. I set down my dress and shoes on the sofa. “The shorts are part of my merchandise. Come.” He held out a hand and led me to the spiral staircase I saw earlier, “You first.”
I was painfully aware of him behind me, “Are you enjoying the view?” I asked cheekily.
“Of course, why else would I have you walk in front,” my body tingled at his words. My heart hammered against my ribcage. I reached the landing and took in the scene before me. Paint everywhere, three easels with large canvasses. “This is why you needed to change.” Bash walked in front of me and smiled. “Welcome to my sanctuary. I have always had my art; it’s been my go to when things got…” His words trailed off and he dropped his gaze, “Anyway…”
I walked towards the canvasses and noticed the largest one with the blues and greens. It was so calming, there was a form in the paint. A woman, abstract but it was definitely there. I walked over to the sketch table. “This is…” I was at a loss for words as I moved the papers around looking at the pencil sketches.
“Don’t, not those.” Bash walked up behind me, but before he could stop me I found one. The one I guessed he was trying to hide. The likeness was unmistakable. I gasped. Turning to face him still holding the sketch. I opened my mouth to say something, but I couldn’t find the words. I looked up into the molten hazel gaze then back down to the sketch.
“You… I…” I muttered, words really couldn’t explain it. The sketch was beautifully raw and captured the moment so perfectly. I was breathless.
“I didn’t want you to see that. Give it here, please?” He stepped forward and reached for the paper I held. I shook my head. My sudden awareness of his proximity to me was stifling. The fact that he was half naked wasn’t lost to me either. I moved my arm behind my back, hiding the page from him. He leaned forward, his arm wrapped around me. I felt his hot breath against my cheek. We were both frozen, his hand gripped my hand and the page, but he didn’t move away. He leaned forward and his lips brushed against my cheek so lightly I thought I might have imagined it. I stood frozen, I wanted him to kiss me. I wanted him to warm the chill I felt standing barefoot in his studio.
“Emily,” his voice a low whisper in my ear. “Give it to me, please?” I didn’t budge, I couldn’t move. I was scared of what was going to happen if I let go. My mind was lost to me at that moment. Maybe it was the wine, maybe it was the heat inside me. It was intensified to an unbearable sensation. “No,” I breathed against his cheek. My own voice unrecognizable, I ached deep inside. I saw the goosebumps rise on his tanned skin. The tattoo that covered half his top arm tensed and I knew he was as affected as I was.
“Em,” his voice a warning. “Tell me to stop?” I could hear the pleading in his voice. I shook my head slowly, unable to voice anything. “If you don’t, you know what I will do?” It was a warning. He was giving me a choice. He took another step forward and his body was flush against mine. I placed my right-hand flat against his rock hard abs. His skin hot to the touch, I felt him harden against my hip. My other hand still engulfed by his, holding on to the sketch of me, naked laying on my sofa the night we made love.
“Bash,” I whispered again, my lips on his shoulder. His skin was soft, smooth and hot. He gripped my hip and pulled me into him. His mouth devoured me, moving over my neck. I bit into his shoulder as he licked the shell of my ear. Feeling his hot breath on me was enough to dampen my panties. I squirmed in his hard embrace. “Jesus Emily, I need you so fucking bad right now,” his hoarse whisper turning me on even more than I was before.
I closed my eyes and deep in my mind I saw those intense blue eyes and it felt like I had been drenched with ice cold water. “Stop!” Bash pulled away, his hardness evident in his tight jeans. “Bash I am sorry I can’t, I just…”
“I know; I know… You better go!” He spun on his heel and left me in the studio, breathless and entirely at his mercy.
—∆—
I stepped out of the elevator into the foyer, the lights in the living room were still on. I heard the faint sound of music, I looked at the iPod, but it wasn’t on. I frowned, that’s so strange. I put my dress and shoes on the sofa and walked towards the bedroom, that’s where the music was coming from. It sounded so sad. Triston wasn’t in bed; the balcony door was open. I walked towards the door and stood captivated. Triston was sitting on a small stool with his guitar on his lap strumming a melody by one of my favorite bands. I recognized the song immediately. It was my favorite acoustic song they played called Witness. The lyrics along with the melody always clenched at my heart. You could hear the pain that was so evident in the singer’s voice. I stood mesmerized, watching him. He hummed along with the guitar, then sang the chorus softly into the dark night. His voice was amazing. I had goosebumps listening to him. Suddenly he stopped and turned. “Emily?”
“Triston,” I stepped out into the cool night and stood next to him, he looked me up and down. I shivered under his scrutiny.
“Why aren’t you wearing your dress?” He stood up and laid the guitar on the table.
I took a deep breath, I needed to tell him. “I changed, earlier. I um… Bash was showing me his studio and didn’t want me to ruin my dress. So—”
“So he took it off for you?” Anger flared in Triston’s eyes and I wasn’t sure telling him was the best idea.
“NO! God Triston, I took my own dress off, in the bathroom, with the door closed!!” My voice rose an octave and I was glad we didn’t have neighbors.
“And then? You fucked him?” His words were harsh and cut into me like a knife. I felt my heart constricting.
“No Triston, I did not fuck him! I came home to fuck you! But I see you’re clearly not in the mood, so I will go to bed!!” I spun around. Before I could walk away, Triston grabbed my wrist, pulling me back towards him.
“Look into my eyes!” I obeyed his order and stared into those intense blue eyes, “Did you sleep with my brother tonight?”
“No.”
“Good,” he pulled me over to the table and gripped my neck, bending me over. “Hands flat on the table straight ahead of you.” I did as he said.I felt the sting through the thin fabric of my shorts. Another slap and another. “Count!” His voice was harsh, but it was laced with desire.
“One!” My voice came out louder than I thought. “Two, three, four!”
“Did you enjoy hanging up on me Miss Reid?” His voice changed, I heard the lust taking over. The heat between my legs intensified. I shook my head.
SLAP! “Five!”
SLAP! “Six!”
“Will you hang up on me again?” I shook my head. Triston gripped my neck pulling me back up, his lips against my ear. I felt his erection straining against my ass, pressing into me painfully. I needed him. “I do not like being hung up on, do you understand, Miss Reid?”
“Yes,” my answer was soft and filled with my own desire. I felt the heat pool between my legs, I wanted him. I needed him. I was aching, from the earlier confrontation with Bash and the spanking I had just received. I needed Triston to take me. HARD!
“Good!” His free hand groped my breast. Tweaking my hardening nipple through the top, causing a whimper to escape. Copying his action on my other breast, another whimper escaped my lips. “Now, I am going to fuck you,” he said hoarsely and bit my earlobe and I nearly came undone, “HARD!”
My knees weakened and I trembled at his words. He bent me over the table again and pulled my shorts and panties down. “Mmmm so wet my dirty girl,” I felt his tongue between my legs and I couldn’t hold out any longer. My orgasm shook through me and I held onto the table to keep myself up. As soon as my orgasm subsided I heard the zipper of his jeans. He slammed into me hard and deep, relentless with his assault.
He slid in and out, faster and faster. He gripped my hair and pulled my head back, his other hand gripped my hip as he slammed into me. I felt myself clench around him, tightening. I was once again on the edge. “Emily!” His voice was so sexy, scratchy and hoarse. “You are so fucking sexy, bent over for me.” He started with his dirty words and I knew he was trying to push me over the edge. He didn’t have to try very hard as I felt myself about to explode. “I love being inside you. You’re so fucking tight, makes me want you all the time!”
I moaned loudly. He spurred me on. “Yes, angel, come for me. You are mine, all mine!” His words laying claim to me. Nudging me and I felt myself falling, my eyes rolled back and my knees trembled. I gripped the edge of the table and clenched around him, wanting him to fill me. I didn’t wait long.
—∆—
I opened my eyes early Saturday morning. As I rolled over I felt a familiar ache on my ass. Last night fresh in my mind, Triston claiming me on the balcony. I scooted up and noticed the balcony door was open, the sun was bright. It looked like a beautiful day. I knew winter was on the way and soon we would have the snow to deal with. “You’re awake,” Triston walked into the bedroom carrying a tray. “Come,” he gestured towards the balcony. I swung my legs out of bed and realized I was still wearing Bash’s t-shirt. I pulled it off and made my way to the walk-in closet. I pulled one of Triston’s t-shirts from the drawer and slipped it on.
Out on the balcony Triston had set up breakfast under the umbrella, the sun was hot and it was only 9 am. “Are we working today? I know it’s Saturday but—” I asked. He shook his head.
“No, we are taking the day off. We need to sit and go through the arrangements for next week. We fly to London on Sunday next week, ready for Monday’s set up, so we only have a week to prepare.” I gasped. Of course, I had totally forgotten about it. I finished my bagel and looked up at Triston, he was watching me. “I want to apologize, about last night. I didn’t think you had sex with him. I was just angry and jealous seeing you come home with different clothes. I jumped to conclusions.”
“Triston don’t, you do not have to apologize to me. I shouldn’t have gone to his apartment. I was angry with you and I didn’t want to come home.” I picked up my mug and poured more coffee.
“I know. Look there’s something I need to tell you. Something I am dealing with and I don’t want you to get angry.” I looked up and saw his unease.
“Okay?” I answered cautiously.
“Promise?” I nodded. “I got a call from James and um,” he hesitated and I felt my stomach drop. This must have something to do with Blake. The next words out of his mouth stumped me. “Krista is ill. I am going later today to see her.”
“What?” I met his gaze and I could see the concern etched on his face. “You mean your ex-fiancée?” I was shocked. Why on earth would he visit an ex who cheated on him and left him for his brother? Something didn’t make sense.
He nodded slowly. “She’s in the hospital and I want to go and see her. Just to know she is okay. Nothing more,” he looked at me and gave a small smile.
“And what am I meant to do? Sit here and wait for you to finish seeing your ex? She left you Triston!” I felt anger rising and I felt sick.
“I want you to come with me.” I could see the pleading in his eyes, but this was ridiculous. How could he show such concern for someone who did that to him?
“No fucking way!” I stood up and walked back inside. How can he even think I would want to go and see his ex? What was he thinking? He wasn’t thinking! I went into the living room and grabbed my phone.
“Angel,” Triston walked in after me. “Look I am sorry. You don’t have to go. I just thought if you saw her and me together you would know there isn’t anything between us. I just wanted to make sure she was okay.”
“Triston, let this go. I do not want to meet her, see her, or ever hear her name again. I need to go,” I walked past him, back into the bedroom. Grabbing my sports bra and a pair of shorts I walked into the bathroom to change.
“Where are you going?” He followed me into the bathroom. I stared at him, long and hard. My face must have shown my anger because he didn’t come closer.
“I am going for a run.” He nodded and turned away. Leaving me to simmer alone.
When I walked back into the bedroom he wasn’t there. I pulled on a pair of socks and my trainers. I plugged in my earphones and found my running playlist. I walked into the living room and to the door. “Please be careful angel?” Triston’s voice was strained from the kitchen, I knew he was stressed, but at that moment I didn’t care. He could visit his ex, but I didn’t want anything to do with it. “Fine!” I slammed the apartment door and stepped into the waiting elevator. As the doors slid closed I saw him open the apartment door and watch me leave.
Out on the street I turned left and ran. My regular route around Central Park was quiet this morning. I decided on a second lap when instinctively I ran out of the entrance on the opposite side. I found myself outside the familiar building without thinking about it. The doorman gave me a small smile and nod. I greeted him and walked towards the elevators, pressing the call button. I didn’t know what I was doing here, but I didn’t want to go home.
I stepped into the elevator and realized I must be a sweaty mess, but I didn’t care one bit. Pressing the 8th-floor button, I waited. As soon as the doors opened I second guessed myself. Did I really want to be here? Was this really a good idea? I stepped into the hallway and made my way to apartment 6277. I knocked and waited anxiously.
When the door swung open I was met by a surprised pair of hazel brown eyes. “Emily!” He stepped aside allowing me access. I pulled the earphones from my ears and pressed pause on my phone. My phone beeped a few times with messages and missed calls from Triston which I ignored. I turned to look at Bash. His face filled with concern, but he didn’t ask. “Sorry… I shouldn’t—”
“It’s okay, come in I was making coffee. Do you want some?” I nodded. We walked into the kitchen and I slid onto one of the barstools at the counter. “Are you okay? What are you doing here? Not that I mind you being here of course!” He smiled.
“I just needed some space. To think, you know?” He nodded and busied himself with the coffee machine. It looked like a fancy one as well. The smell of coffee soon filled the room. The aroma assaulting my senses. “Nice machine!”
“Yea, it’s new. I am testing it out for the events we’re setting up. I need to know how it handles everyday use so I can start selling them as well.” He turned with a steaming mug of my favorite coffee.
“Thanks,” I inhaled the aroma and felt a bit calmer. I opened my eyes and his intense gaze was on me. “I am really gross right now. I ran through the park.” I smiled. Exhaustion hit me, after the drama last night and this morning.
“I wondered what the smell was!” He laughed as I stuck my tongue out at him again. He was too far to reach so I couldn’t swat him. “Joking darling! You still look beautiful, even all sweaty.” His appreciative gaze fell down over my sports bra and stopped. I looked down and realized he was looking at the logo. It was similar to the symbol on his bike helmet, the lightning strike. I wonder what the connection was. “Nice brand.”
“Yea, I didn’t realize they did bike accessories as well,” I commented.
“They don’t, it’s a sticker. I was sponsored by them when I did a photography show in LA a few years back. They used the symbol as their logo for that range. It’s actually my autograph,” his face broke out into a large grin. “So, essentially you’re wearing me on your…. uh,” he gestured towards my chest and I felt myself flush.
“Nice coffee,” I looked down at the mug trying to keep from smiling. Needing to change the subject.
“Yea, it’s good. Emily, I would love it if you would sit for me?”
“What? I am sitting.” I frowned and he laughed.
“I mean I would love to paint you. If you don’t mind?”
“It seems you have no trouble remembering what I look like.” I gestured towards the studio, remembering the sketch of me. My body, naked on the paper, his pencil strokes capturing the intensity of the moment. He nodded and turned away, putting the mug in the sink. “It’s okay, stupid idea. I just wanted to see you in blue and greens.” I got up, walking around the counter I reached past him, placing my mug next to his. He didn’t move, the proximity of our bodies heated my skin. My hand brushed against his, as I pulled away and he turned to face me. His body flush with mine. My breath hitched as his scent invaded my senses. His knuckles stroked my cheek. It was such a soft gesture that it caused a shiver to radiate through my body. Lifting my chin with his finger until our eyes locked.
“Emily, what are you doing here?” His question was heated, filled with need and desire. His face so close to mine. I could see the tiny green specks in his beautiful hazel eyes.
“I don’t know,” I answered honestly. I really didn’t know what I was doing here. I mean, I loved Triston, he was the one. Wasn’t he? I pulled away and went to sit back down. The counter between us keeping us apart. That wasn’t the only thing keeping us apart and I knew that he was thinking the exact same thing.
We stayed silent for a few moments, I wasn’t sure what to say to him. “Maybe I should go,” I stood up and looked at him expectantly. What did I want? Did I want him to stop me? Did I want him to tell me he wants me? There was a lot I wasn’t sure about right now.
“You seem to love doing that,” he looked at me.
“Doing what?”
“Leaving.” The air thick filled with anticipation. For what? I don’t know. If I wasn’t dating his brother I would probably walk around the counter and —
Stopping myself midway through that thought, I smiled, “It’s the easiest thing to do.I mean, I can’t even be in the same room as you Bash.”
“You mean you can’t be in the same room with me without letting me grab you, pin you against that wall and devour you?” His voice laced with desire and my own desire flowed through me. I willed it to stop, but it seemed to have a mind of its own. I didn’t answer him and he continued. “You mean that every time I touch you, your body responds to me? It aches to be taken. Your body wants me to fill you like I did that first night. To feel my lips on your hard nipples, teasing them, biting them? To kiss my way down that beautifully sweaty body and make you scream my name?” He gripped the sink and I could see the strain in his hands. I was sure he would pull the sink apart with that vice grip he had on it. “Is that what you mean Emily?”
I opened my mouth and closed it again. I certainly didn't trust myself answering him. He smiled. He knew he had me, I nodded in answer to his words. Of course, he knew he was right because he felt it too. We did have a connection, there was no denying it. I just wasn’t going to hurt his brother. I needed to get out of this apartment. This was a mistake. “I think it is best that I go.” Bash finally released the grip on the sink and walked towards me, nodding.
My mind disagreeing with my decision, my body too. I took a deep breath and picked up my phone. We walked to the door. Reaching past me to unlock it I felt the heat of his arm near me. I turned to say goodbye and suddenly I wasn’t standing anymore. I was pinned against the door with Bash’s hands holding me up. I wrapped my legs around his waist. “Emily, I am going to kiss you now, just one kiss. That will be it and never again.” I nodded, there was no way I was going to refuse him, not right now. His mouth crashed onto mine in a bruising kiss. His tongue teased my lips apart and I gave him access. My fingers knotted in his spikey hair, tugging it. A growl vibrated in his chest against me and my nipples hardened in the soft material. His erection pushing against my tight running shorts, rubbing against my entrance. When he finally pulled away, he let me down. We both stood breathless. His eyes like melted caramel, desire evident in them. “I need to go.”
—∆—
I walked around the park for an hour. Then ran, another two circuits around the park. Nothing could douse the fire that Bash had lit just two hours earlier. By the time, I stood in the elevator taking me up to Triston’s apartment my legs felt like jelly. I looked at the time and realized I had been gone for almost 4 hours. Bash left me breathless and I left him hard. Nothing more happened. I decided to bite the bullet, I was going to tell Triston what happened. If he broke up with me, it would be because of my own stupidity and my own stupid reaction to his brother. I didn’t deserve Triston or his love, so I was ready to come clean. I steeled myself as the elevator doors opened. I walked into the quiet apartment and made my way to the kitchen. I turned on the kettle and noticed two mugs in the sink. I picked up the white one and saw the bright red lipstick stain. Strange since I don’t wear lipstick and I definitely didn’t have any on this morning when I had my coffee.
I walked into the bedroom and grabbed my overnight bag. I didn’t feel like staying here and I didn’t want to know whose lipstick was on that mug. I threw some clothes in the bag and a change of underwear. I walked into the bathroom to grab my toothbrush when I noticed a pink bikini laying on the floor inside the shower. I didn’t own a pink bikini and I felt nauseous. The room started spinning. Who was here? Did Triston bring someone back here? This didn’t make any sense. Yes, we had a fight but why bring someone here?
He knew I was coming home. Couldn’t he tidy up after his fun? I felt the fury raging in my veins. I knew I fucked up, but at least I didn’t throw it in his face! Grabbing my toiletries from the bathroom I made my way into the office and grabbed my laptop. Putting my bags on the sofa I went into the bedroom, grabbed Bash’s t-shirt and pulled it on over my sports bra. I walked back into the living room, grabbing my bags and my phone beeped. A message from Triston, I unlocked my screen and opened it.
*Call me when you’re on your way home. T xo*
I hit reply.
*No need. I found everything already, you should have cleaned up after yourself.*
I walked out of the apartment and stepped into the elevator. My phone started ringing, “What Triston?”
“It’s not what you think Emily, let me explain?”
“Don’t bother, I hope she was worth it. Don’t follow me!”
I hung up, something he hated, but I didn't care. My blood was boiling and my body was shaking with anger. After all the shit that we had been through I guess it was too much for him. Of course, too good to be true.
I walked through the park for the hundredth time that day. When I got to the apartment building that I had left only a few hours earlier, the doorman smiled and nodded. I made my way to the elevators wondering if this was a good idea. On the 8th-floor, I knocked on the apartment door. When it swung open I saw those molten hazel eyes and fell into his strong arms and burst into tears. “Emily!” He pulled me inside the apartment and shut the door. “Come in, sit down.” We walked into the living room and sat on the sofa. He held me as I cried, stroking my hair.
When my tears finally dried I sat back. Bash’s tear stained t-shirt looked terrible and I giggled. “You thinking it’s funny?” He looked down and smiled. I nodded. “What happened Emily?”
“I…” Shaking my head I tried to get the image out of my mind. The thought of Triston with her was ripping into me. It felt like an open wound. “He… Uhm,” Bash’s face was so concerned. “I got home,” shutting my eyes hoping the pain will stop. “There was a girl there.”
“Well, not there, but, her… A bikini in the shower.” I finally got the words out.
“What the fuck?” I looked up and his eyes were filled with anger. “Are you sure he was... you know?” I shrugged. What else could it mean? Some woman was in the apartment, there was a bikini in the shower. “It doesn’t make sense darling. He wouldn’t cheat on you.” I know Bash was trying to calm me down, but little he could say now would make a difference.
I looked into his eyes, “Just hold me?” He nodded and pulled me into his embrace.