The Terms Duet

by Rowe, Ruby

“Emma, why are you here today?” Her eyes dart to Ellis’s.

  “I asked her to spend a few hours with Liam. I want to talk to you and Sasha about something.”

  I look to my sister, and she gives a lazy shrug, knowing no more than I do on the subject. Since showing up here a couple of days ago, she’s been despondent and sad.

  She swears she can get through this, but when something has upset her in the past, she turned to drugs. I’m scared I’ll look the other way, and she’ll disappear on me.

  “Liam, do you want to go outside and play, or would you like to go upstairs to your room?”

  “Outside. Outside. Outside!” He marches to the doorway like a band conductor, and I wish I had half his energy. Sensing that Ellis would like to eat his breakfast in peace, I turn to Sasha.

  “Sis, let’s hang out in the family room.” As I stand, I squeeze Ellis’s hand. “We’ll be in there when you’re ready to talk.” Nodding, he picks up the folded newspaper Irene left for him.

  The drapes in the family room are pulled back, allowing in the sunlight. I walk over and peek around the thin sheer curtains hanging between them. Liam is climbing the monkey bars, and I remember that I need to make his eye appointment.

  “Cammy, what does Ellis want to talk about?”

  “I don’t have a clue.”

  “He’s kicking me out, isn’t he?” I walk to the couch and sit next to her.

  “He wouldn’t do that, especially without talking to me first.” I run my fingers through her tangled hair. “You can stay here as long as you need.”

  “I want to go to college.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah. Do you think I can pass the classes?”

  “Sasha, you earned your diploma without even attending high school. I know you can do it, especially with our support. What do you think you want to do at college?”

  Gathering her hair, she holds it back like a ponytail.

  “I want to get into marketing. I gave Greyson’s rep some input on a project, and he said I had great ideas.”

  I wrap my arm around her back and squeeze her to me.

  “That’s amazing.”

  “What’s amazing?” Ellis asks.

  “Sasha wants to go to college for marketing.”

  Ellis smiles. “That sounds like a solid plan, and we’ll help any way we can.”

  “Thank you, Ellis. That means a lot.”

  “Honey, what did you want to talk about?” I ask him as he sits in a chair across from us with a large yellow envelope in his hand.

  “I have some news, and I’m unsure of how the two of you will take it.”

  “What’s wrong?” Gliding a hand through his hair, he messes with the back of it and exhales.

  “It’s about your parents.”

  “Did they find us?” Sasha asks before she clutches my knee.

  “No, that’s not it. Actually … they died.”

  Silence.

  More silence.

  His eyes play ping-pong between us as he waits for a response, but I don’t know what to say because I don’t know how I feel, and if I had to guess, Sasha is waiting for a cue from me to know how the hell she should feel.

  “Are you sure?” I ask.

  “Yes, and what I’m about to tell you cannot leave this room.” He points. “Do you both understand?” Sasha and I nod, but it’s as if she’s on autopilot. “I have a connection with the FBI. We work together often, helping each other out.

  “He’s been investigating your parents, and they died two years ago from overdoses. It seems they bought a deadly batch of heroin, and they died within a day of each other at the hospital.”

  “I don’t know what to say or how I feel.”

  “Same here,” Sasha utters.

  “I know it’s a lot to process, but I have more news. As far as records are concerned, Clarissa and Sasha Rosenthal are no longer alive, either, and regardless of whether you’re found by someone from your past, the charges that were brought against you no longer exist. Baby, you never have to worry about being taken away.”

  Shifting to face me, Sasha clings to my body. She weeps against my chest, and it’s not because our parents are dead. It’s because she believes we’re finally safe. I’m finally free.

  After a couple of minutes, she releases me and wipes her eyes, so I go to Ellis and make him stand to hug me. Holding me close, he strokes my hair.

  “Thank you,” I say.

  “You’re welcome, but I did it for me, too. I could never let you go without killing someone, and Liam needs his parents.”

  It’s not a giggling moment, but I can’t help it since I can envision him physically fighting to keep me here if necessary. He really wouldn’t let me go.

  He steps back and opens the yellow envelope. Sorting through its contents, he hands me some documents and takes some to Sasha.

  “You two are officially Sasha and Camilla Rose.”

  “I have a passport?” Sasha asks enthusiastically.

  “Yep. You need to cut up that old driver’s license of yours. You now have all the legal documents you need for identification.”

  Sasha jumps to her feet and hugs Ellis next. Noticeably uneasy at first, he finally relaxes his tense muscles and hugs her back.

  “I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for my family, so I’m going to show you by being the best sister-in-law ever.” Letting Ellis go, she examines the documents further.

  “I’m going upstairs to shower. Cammy, can I use your laptop after? I want to research college programs in the area.”

  “Sure.”

  It’s sad that she’s happier on the day she finds out her parents are deceased than on the one when she moved out of Greyson’s home. I hope he gets his head out of his ass and calls off this absurd wedding.

  Camilla

  Ellis: You’re late.

  Me: I’m sorry. On my way now. Shit, he’s going to be furious with me, but he needs to understand that sometimes emergencies arise when you’re working.

  Ellis: Thanks to your bad behavior, Beatrice had to change out of her pajamas and back into her hideous orthopedic shoes to come stay for the night.

  OK, so he’s not furious. Grateful is more like it. I gave him an excuse to take me to the playroom. Not that he needs one; I go when he says to.

  “Fletcher, thank you for the ride.”

  “You’re welcome, Ms. Rose.” I’m getting out of the car when my phone buzzes again.

  Ellis: Go straight to the playroom, and change into a red negligee. No panties. Put the necklace on yourself, and take the silk blindfold with you to the bed. Once you’ve put it on, lay flat on your back. Then … think about what I might do to you or how hard you’ll be coming tonight.

  Standing in the driveway, I stare down at my phone. Anticipation unfurls in my belly and travels to between my legs. My thighs clench, and I salivate over what’s to come.

  It’s perfect timing since Sasha is on a trip this weekend that Ellis arranged. It’s a retreat for addicts in recovery, and his thoughtfulness still amazes me. We’re trying to keep her mind off of Greyson and focused on staying clean. His engagement party is next weekend, and I dread it.

  Ellis: Baby, what the hell are you waiting for? Do as your told, or I’m adding spankings to the list of evening activities.

  Sucking in a breath, I look around for a camera on the house, certain he’s watching me, but I can’t find one, so I walk to the door and let myself in.

  I drop my purse on the entryway table and head straight to the door at the back of the house, which will lead me to our hideaway.

  The anxiety builds with each step, and I lose my breath momentarily as I reach the playroom and eye the blindfold and necklace that are laid out on the dresser. Even the bedding is pulled back, leaving only the fitted sheet and pillows waiting for me.

  Envisioning him in this room, preparing for my arrival and fantasizing about what’s to come, leaves me more eager, so I hurry and change my
clothes. In the bathroom, I freshen up a bit, wishing I had time for a shower first.

  Once I’ve put on the necklace, I take the blindfold and do as he instructed. I tie it tight and stretch out on the bed. Now, I wait. Is he watching me here, too? How will he know when to come in?

  The suspense makes me wetter, and I feel the silky negligee grazing against my hard nipples. What’s he going to do with me today?

  The door … I think I hear it open and close. My heart beats like a race horse on speed as he steps inside the playroom.

  God, the blindfold is more than I can handle. I want to see his eyes and the way he’s dressed. Is he only wearing sweats? Is he in a button-up and khakis? Either way, he’s my Dom, authoritative and electric, handsome and chiseled.

  “I see you’re capable of following some instructions.”

  “Sir, may I explain why I was late?”

  “You may.”

  “This woman showed up five minutes before we were going to close the pantry, and she was holding her little girl’s hand, and my heart hurt for them. I had to stay after and help her. I even considered bringing them home.”

  “Lord, your compassion is going to be the death of me. I’m running out of bedrooms.”

  “But you love me, Sir.”

  His warm lips press to mine, and my desire forces me to exhale a long, throaty sound.

  “I do love you, and I lust you, as well. Let’s play.” I’m strangled by his smooth, collected voice and his breath on my skin. I feel his hair next on my chin as his mouth dips into the hollow of my throat and skims down it.

  He moves away, and I hear him open a dresser drawer. There’s the sound of a zipper next, followed by the thud of his shoes hitting the floor.

  “You’re coming first tonight since you’re such a compassionate woman.” The bed sinks as he joins me on it, and my body shudders with exhilaration. Something faint touches my shoulder, causing me to flinch.

  The item brushes my cheek next, and I can’t resist scratching my face. “There’s a reason I don’t want to tie up your hands, so do your best to remain still.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “Do you know what I’m touching you with?”

  “No, Sir.”

  “It’s a long black feather. It’s the only thing I’ll be touching you with before you come. You’re struggling to breathe, baby.”

  “I’m excited and nervous, Sir.” The feather skirts down one arm … then the other. Trembling, I clench my thighs together. “I bet you’re dripping already. Touch yourself. Sink your fingers inside your pussy, and tell me how wet you are.”

  My head falls back as his words wrap around my lungs and squeeze. I open my legs, and stick my fingers inside. They slide right in, and I sigh from the sensation. “Now, let me see them.”

  Clearing my throat, I pull them out and hold them up. “They’re glistening wet. Since I’m only touching you with the feather, you’ll have to taste them for me.”

  My breath hitches, and at once I’m relieved I’m wearing the blindfold. “Put them in your mouth, and suck your juices off. Do it now.” His commanding, dirty words are enough foreplay for me. I wish he’d fuck me already.

  I slide my fingers in and taste my arousal. Wanting to please him, I gradually drag my lips from the bottom up, and the guttural sound he makes encourages me to prolong the show.

  “Fuck, what you do to me can’t be explained.” I feel the feather again as it roams over my breasts. It teases my nipples, and they throb against the satin of my negligee. The agony of waiting to come is more than I can bear. God, how I need to come.

  “Slide your hands over the fabric, and play with your nipples, too.” He brushes the feather along my legs as I savor the feel of the silk on my skin and the way my fingertips pinch my nipples.

  As I grope my tits, I feel his gaze on me and picture his hard cock. I imagine his eyes smoldering while I flick at my stiff nipples and fist the nighty at my waist.

  Parted lips.

  Heaving breaths.

  Toes curling against the mattress.

  “Fuck, there’s nothing more beautiful than you like this.” Groaning, he taunts the inside of my lower legs, my inner thighs, and my pelvis as I choke the satin with my hand and flick my nipples.

  My moans escape, but the weight of the pleasure brings them back like the tide. I exhale them again, each one longer and more audible than the last, the yearning a surge from deep within me.

  “Yes … more…” I whisper. The feather tickles the bottoms of my feet and along my shins. My hands move under my nighty, caressing and squeezing my breasts as the feather skims over my upper arms and top of my chest. “I’m so wet. I’m so–so …”

  “Ready to come. Wrap your fingers around your necklace, Camilla.”

  Leaving one hand to play with my nipple, I grab hold of the necklace. I’m begging for a release like I’m begging for air.

  “Come, my Rose. Come now.”

  An orgasm ricochets through me, shattering me like bullets on glass. I’m fisting the necklace–clenching my breast and digging my heels in the bed, much like the ecstasy’s digging its claws in me, its strength unrelenting.

  Ellis jerks off my blindfold, so I snap my eyelids shut. He shoves between my legs and plunges inside of me. Grabbing the headboard behind me, he lifts one of my legs, straightening it between us. It allows him more room to pound into me, to go deeper, to claim the last of my energy.

  He’s merciless in his thrusts, and my head beats against the bed. He’s stretching my leg, pinning me between him and the headboard like a pretzel.

  So turned on, it doesn’t take him long to erupt inside me. He sinks deeper, the pulsing powerful as his hand clamps around my ankle and his forehead presses against it.

  The heat radiates off our skin, and air whips from our lungs. Every time I think our souls couldn’t be more tightly woven, I’m mistaken. Lowering my leg, he falls beside me and grips the front of his hair.

  “I want to believe I’m controlling you, but it’s all a façade.” Rolling to his side, he kisses my shoulder. “There’s an invisible collar around my neck that’s tethered to you, Camilla. I’m irrevocably yours.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  Sasha

  I’m in the family room, trying not to listen to Ellis and Camilla talk about me down the hall. Irritated that he has to attend Greyson’s engagement party alone, he’s still trying to convince her to go.

  I told her I’m fine alone, but she won’t budge, which means I was likely moved off the Ellis nice list, considering how severe his social anxiety is.

  My phone buzzes in my lap, startling me. Holy shit–Greyson. I flip my phone over on my thigh to hide the screen. I don’t know if I can handle a text from him. Why the hell is he texting me an hour before his party? Maybe … just maybe. I turn over my phone.

  Greyson: Tell me what a mistake I’m making.

  Figures. I’m not begging. He already knows it’s a mistake, but he’s a coward and doesn’t want to step outside the only world he’s known. The only relationship he’s known.

  I had to live with parents who pimped me out for drugs. All he has to do is tell his parents he wants to marry someone for love. I guess things are only as bad as what you’ve known.

  Me: No, and you’re an asshole for texting me tonight.

  Greyson: Then please, tell this asshole something funny.

  I envision my phone flying through the picture window in front of me. My anger spills over in the form of tears, but it’s anger over how I can’t be angry at him. He was my friend first, and no matter how big of a penis he’s being, I’ll always owe him my life.

  Me: Considering the lavish party I imagine you’re attending, I suggest eating the fish eggs on crackers. I hear it’s a party in your mouth.

  Greyson: You lie, woman. I’ve already had caviar, and it tastes like cat food and ass.

  I bust out laughing but sigh once I picture his dimples that wain and leave only his sorrowful eyes. />
  Me: OK, then if there’s red velvet cake, have a bite for me. It’s even better than a party of fish eggs. It’s truly Christmas in your mouth.

  Greyson: Sasha … I miss you.

  Covering my mouth, I squeeze my eyelids shut, but my stupid eyes leak, anyway. I muffle my sob with my hand and find my strength to reply.

  Me: Someone once told me to be the daring eagle who spreads his wings and soars above the clouds. Maybe you should take his advice. Be daring, Greyson. I hear there are rainbows and unicorns up there … maybe Skittles, too.

  Shutting off my phone, I say a prayer that he never contacts me again.

  Greyson

  I pace in my old bedroom at my parents’ home. It’s like a college dorm room in here, and at this moment, I’m spiraling out of control like I was back in those days. What I wouldn’t give for a drug-induced escape.

  Sasha … fuck, I miss her. While texting her, I could picture her smiling face and those golden-brown eyes. I could also imagine the pain I was causing her, and I hate myself for it, but I don’t only want her like before; now, I need her.

  So, I was a selfish prick yet again and stole another perfect moment with her. I never dreamed when I met her that she’d end up teaching me how to live … or how to love.

  I hear voices in the hall. I’m sure Whitney’s grating tone will be next as she hunts me down. I should’ve picked a better hiding place.

  Deciding I need a longer reprieve, I sneak out and head toward my father’s study. As I start to open the door off the hallway, I hear him inside talking to Ellis.

  “You tell him about the money right now, or I’m doing it.”

  “Fine, but it’s not going to change a damn thing other than piss him off. He’s not gonna give up seventy-five million dollars, especially when he learns I have to do the same.”

  “It’s his decision to make.”

  I swing open the door. “What decision is mine to make? And what’s this about seventy-five mill.”

  “Close the door,” Dad says before he tugs on his black cowboy hat.

  “Tell me what’s going on.”

  “I came to see Uncle Rich recently to convince him that you shouldn’t be expected to marry Whitney, and he told me something he’s been hiding.”