by J. S. Cooper
“It’s like I said, Xavier, you’re a narcissist.”
“Max will be here in a few hours. Perhaps you would like to spend some quality time with him instead?” He sat back angrily.
“Who?”
“Tell me you haven’t forgotten the man you seduced at the museum already.”
“Oh, Max.” I sighed. “I didn’t seduce him at all. You know he was trying to hook up with Anna. Why do you keep trying to make it seem like I was the one who was going to hook up with him?”
“It took little for him to convince you to go back to the room. Just a few drinks, I believe.”
“Whatever, asshole.” I shook my head. “I’m not going to talk about this anymore. You know I only went to accompany Anna. I only had one drink that night.”
“Fine. What painting have you chosen to discuss in class today?”
“You’ll hear about it in class.”
“No, I’d like to hear now.”
“I’d rather discuss it in class.”
He changed the subject. “How are you finding London?”
I watched as he picked up a fountain pen and dipped it in an inkwell. I was surprised to see him with such an old-fashioned piece of writing equipment.
“It’s fine.”
“Everything you hoped it would be?”
“Yeah.” I nodded.
“Is the Victoria and Albert Museum as you expected it?”
“Huh?” I looked at him in confusion. How did he know I’d been waiting my whole life to go there? For some reason, it had been a lifelong dream for me to peruse the exhibitions at the Victoria and Albert and the British Museums, but I’d never really told anyone that. Just Anna and my journal.
“You wrote about it in your application essay. You said it was a lifelong dream of yours to walk through the museums in Europe and that you were dying to see the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the—”
“Okay, okay. I remember,” I said, cutting him off. “I didn’t know you read the essays.”
“Of course. I read the essays of all the students who were interested in being my assistant.”
“But I thought I was the only one.” I frowned.
“So have you been?” He ignored my question and I shook my head. “Then we must go this afternoon.”
“We have class.”
“We shall go after class.”
“That’s okay. I can go by myself.”
“No, you cannot appreciate and delight in your first experience by yourself.” His words were soft, light, and lyrical. His words made me think of losing my virginity and not going to a museum.
“I’m sure I’ll be fine.” I smiled at him weakly.
“No, we shall go together. I happen to know the curator. I can show you some paintings that you wouldn’t get to see if you went by yourself.”
“I don’t want to take up your time.”
“You won’t be. It will be my pleasure.” He gave me the same odd little bow that his brother had given me the other night. “Did you know that many of the royal families in Europe are connected through Queen Victoria?”
“No, I don’t really follow the Royal Family much. All I really know is that Prince William just got married and had a baby.”
“I thought Americans were obsessed with all things royal?”
“Not me.” I shrugged. “I have a life.”
“Touché, Lola. Touché.”
“Did you just learn that word or something? You’re really using it a lot.”
“Did I just learn it?” He cocked back his head and laughed. He laughed so hard that his eyes were wet as he looked at me with his crinkly smile. “I like you, Lola. I think we will be friends. Ah!” He held his hand up. “Do not tell me again that we cannot be friends. I think I’d like to prove you wrong.”
“Why?” I asked him softly, my head swirling in confusion. It was hard to keep up with Xavier. I didn’t understand him or who he was, and because I didn’t understand him, I also didn’t understand how I felt.
“Because, dear Lola—” he leaned towards me “—there are things I want to show you, to teach you.”
“Oh?” I breathed slowly, waiting for his kiss.
“Yes.” I could feel his breath against my lips, and then he pulled back with sparkling eyes. “I think you should visit the National Gallery first.” He grinned at the perplexed look on my face. “If you want to see Impressionist art, you must visit the National Gallery and not the Victoria and Albert.”
“What?” I blinked at him.
“The Victoria and Albert is a fine museum but not the best museum.” He grinned to himself. “There are many things I have to teach you.”
“You can teach me all of that as my professor.” I stepped back, slightly embarrassed. I hoped he didn’t realize that I thought he was going to teach me about sex.
“But it would mean so much more if I were your friend.” He stared at me for a second and I looked down, not sure what to say. I didn’t understand why he cared about being my friend—especially after he had been such a jerk when we had slept together.
“Do you have anything else you need me to do or can I go now?”
“There are many things I want you to do.” He grinned at me. “Though I suppose I don’t need you to do them.”
“Why are you flirting with me?” I frowned.
“What are you talking about?” He stared at me, unblinking.
“I, uh, thought you were flirting with me.”
“Lola, I was going to suggest you file some of my papers.” He pointed at his desk. “I would like you to start them at some point but was going to say I don’t need you to do it now.”
“Oh.” I made an embarrassed face. “Well, I feel dumb.”
“But you aren’t dumb, are you?” He cocked his head and observed my face. I blushed as he stared at me intently, but I held his gaze firmly.
“Why do I feel like you’re unsure of the answer?”
“What happened to my timid Lola?” He laughed. “You’re talking back to me again.”
“You don’t intimidate me, Xavier.” I tried to keep my voice calm though I was shaking inside. “I’m not some silly, dumb girl who’s captivated by your handsome face and position.”
“You’re not?” He looked at me in amusement.
“No, I’m not.”
“That’s a pity.”
“Is there anything else you want me to do?” I folded my arms.
“Kiss me.”
“What?” My mouth dropped open. “You want me to what?”
“I want you to kiss me,” he repeated slowly. “I want to feel your soft lips against mine. I want to taste your tongue on my tongue. I want to hear your small whimper as I bite your lower lip.”
“Are you crazy?” I stared at him with wide eyes.
“Are you mad?”
“No, I’m not.”
“No,” he laughed. “An English girl would say, ‘Are you mad?’ and not, ‘Are you crazy?’ I figured now that you are in London, you should learn the local ways.”
“You really are crazy, aren’t you?” I shook my head, and his eyes twinkled at me.
“Perhaps.” He grabbed my upper arms and pulled me towards him before lowering his head and leaning down. “Perhaps you make me mad,” he whispered against my lips before kissing me.
My knees buckled at the touch of him, and I reached up instinctively and grabbed ahold of his arms. His tongue sought entrance to my mouth, and my fingers ran up to feel his hair as he attempted to conquer my mouth. I groaned as his tongue gently ran along my lower lip before his teeth nibbled quickly. His hands ran up the back of my top and caressed my naked back. His hands were warm and soft and I melted against him.
His fingers ran to the front of my body and played with my belly button. A sensation of lust sprang straight down from my stomach, and I took a step forward. I felt intoxicated by his touch. His eyes glittered as I stared up at him, and I wanted to pull away from him. O
nly I couldn’t.
My body argued with my brain and won. I closed my eyes and ran my hands down his back to his ass, squeezing his firm butt and enjoying the stilling of his body as he waited to see where I was going to touch next. I ran my hands to the front of his pants, but then Xavier quickly stepped back from me.
“You’re trying to seduce me.”
“Who, me?” I smiled up at him sweetly. “Why would I do that?”
“You’re playing with me?” He glared at me, and I shrugged.
“Never.” I laughed lightly and ran a finger down the front of his pants, making sure to press down on his hardness. “Though it seems like you may need to do some playing with yourself before class.”
I heard his sharp intake of breath and turned around quickly. Score one for me, I thought to myself, even though I was trembling inside.
“I’m going now. I’ll see you in class.” I walked quickly out of the house, praying that he didn’t catch up with me and kiss me again. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to walk away if he made one more attempt at getting me into bed.
***
“Lola, you look divine this morning.”
“Hello to you too, Sebastian.” I laughed and sat next to him. “How are you?”
“Tired.” He yawned and ran his fingers over his eyes.
“Late night?”
“You could say that.” He pulled out his books. “Though I was glad to come to class today to see you.”
“Aren’t you sweet?” I giggled and sat back. “I’m sure you say that to all the girls.”
“What have you heard?”
He gave me a look, and I laughed. “Oh, Sebastian.”
“I love your accent. It’s so sexy. Reminds me of Charlie’s Angels.”
“Really? I didn’t think I had an accent. Not like you and English people.”
“I didn’t think I had an accent, either.” He laughed. “Though I do sound slightly English. People who know me can hear the Romerian in my voice as well.”
“Romerius?” I questioned, slightly confused.
“The country I come from is called Romerius.”
“Oh, I’ve—”
“Never heard of it,” Sebastian said, finishing my sentence. “Don’t worry. No one else has heard of it, either.”
“Sorry.”
“Oh, don’t be. The people of Romerius are happy to be unknown. The people of Monaco envy us slightly.”
“Oh? Why is that?”
“Because they are inundated with tourists now.”
“But doesn’t tourism bring you money?”
“Money is so crass.” Sebastian made a face and I laughed inside. Only someone with money would think that needing money was crass.
I thought back to my student loans and other bills and knew that I wouldn’t turn up my nose at any job or endeavor that was going to bring me money. But then I suppose that was why I was working for his brother. If I had money, there was no way I would stay at a job that made me compromise my own feelings—no matter how hot I thought the guy was.
I changed the subject. “So did you do the homework?”
“Of course. Do you think I want the wrath of my brother?”
“I guess not.” A chill ran through me at his words. I had nearly forgotten that Sebastian and Xavier were brothers.
“What painting did you choose?”
“You’ll have to wait and see.”
“No fair.” He shook his head. “Tell me.”
“Nope.”
“Tell me.” He grinned and reached over to tickle me.
“No!” I squealed as his fingers reached under my arms and tickled me. “Stop.” I giggled as he continued and I tried to pull away. My hair fell in front of my eyes, and Sebastian gently pushed it away.
“You have beautiful eyes, Lola.” He smiled gently and my heart skipped a beat. Was he flirting with me?
“Good morning, class.” Xavier walked into the room, his voice booming. I looked up at him, and he was glaring at me. “I do hope that people remember this is a classroom, a place we come to learn, and not a brothel, a place you go to pick up a whore.”
He stared right at me, and I gasped, shocked at his words and the cold look in his eyes. What was his problem? Was he upset because I’d left him with a hard-on in his house? What had he expected to happen this morning?
“Looks like big bro’s in a great mood again this morning,” Sebastian sighed. “He needs to just get laid or something.”
“He’s single, right?” I mumbled, trying to pretend like I didn’t care.
“Well—” Sebastian started and then stopped as Xavier stared at us again.
“Today, class, we will all be sharing our favorite paintings. I hope everyone has come prepared to discuss their favorite painting.” Xavier’s voice was harsh, and I could tell that he was staring at me in anger.
“My favorite painting is Sunflowers by Van Gogh,” I whispered to Sebastian, avoiding Xavier’s stare.
“That’s so funny. That’s my favorite painting as well.” Sebastian grinned at me. “I guess we must be soul mates.”
“Haha.” I laughed and smiled at him widely. Take that, Xavier, I thought to myself.
“If the two of you are done, can we continue with the class?” Xavier glared up at us. “And, Lola, I need to speak to you after class.”
“Yes, sir.” I tried not to roll my eyes.
“Sorry.” Sebastian made a face, and I shrugged.
“It’s fine. He hates me.”
“He probably wants to tell you that you have bad taste in paintings.”
“Sebastian.” Xavier’s voice was loud, and the class went quiet. “Please have some respect for the rest of the class and keep quiet.”
“Yes, Professor Van Romerius.” He rolled his eyes and then looked at the front of the class. “Who told me to take a class where my brother was the professor?” he whispered, and then we both sat back and listened to the other students talk about their favorite paintings before class ended.
***
“Sebastian, I need to talk to Lola privately.” Xavier stared down at his younger brother as we made our way out of the room at the end of class.
I couldn’t stop myself from comparing them. They were both incredibly handsome, though there was something darker and more masculine about Xavier. He had more of a presence about him. I supposed it was what made him a man and Sebastian a boy. I shivered as I stared at his hands as he pointed them towards the door. I was reminded of his fingers on my skin, and I wanted to reach over and grab ahold of them. Something about Xavier brought out a primal urge in me that I couldn’t resist. If he told me to bend over the desk and pull my pants down, I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to say no.
“I’ll see you later, Lola.” Sebastian walked over to me and gave me a kiss on the cheek.
“Bye, Sebastian.” I smiled at him and tried not to blush at his kiss. “See ya tomorrow or something.”
“Out. Now.” Xavier’s voice was hard, and we both watched as his brother exited the room. “You’re playing with fire.” He turned to look at me.
“Excuse me?”
“You’re playing with fire, Lola.” He stepped towards me. “Do you really think I’m going to be okay with you flirting with my brother?”
“What?” My voice grew louder, but inside I was smiling. Was he jealous?
“Stay away from Sebastian.” His eyes looked at me in distaste.
“Sorry. What?” The color left my face as I surveyed him.
“You are not the sort of girl he should be with.”
“Are you joking?” I blinked at him, trying not to lose it.
“I don’t joke, Lola.” He stepped closer towards me and I stepped back.
“You can’t tell me to not see Sebastian.”
“He’ll never commit to you.” He shook his head. “You will never be the girl for him—and not just because you have had sex with me.”
“How dare you bring that up!” I gasped.
<
br /> “I know you haven’t told him.” His eyes glowered. “You haven’t told him that you’ve known his brother intimately, have you? You haven’t told him that I have possessed your body. That I’ve had you screaming out my name in ecstasy as I’ve brought you to climax after climax.”
I stared at him silently, refusing to acknowledge his words. I shouted inwardly at my body as my stomach did flip-flops and I felt a light pressure building up in my panties.
“You don’t really think he’d be happy being with you if he knew that you have slept with his brother.”
“I’m not going to tell him,” I whispered.
“Do you like him?” he growled, and his face was suddenly next to mine. “Do you want to be with him?”
“No.” I pushed him away from me. “I don’t want to be with him, and I don’t want to be with you either.”
“Liar,” he whispered next to my ear. He grabbed my hand and placed it on the front of his pants. “You feel this,” he whispered as he pressed my hand into his hardness. My fingers squeezed gently, and he groaned as he grew harder in my hand. “You want me as badly as I want you.”
“I don’t want to be with a jerk.” I shook my head. “Just because we slept together once doesn’t mean anything. You’re such an asshole.” I walked away from him and put my hand in my pocket. It felt empty without him filling my palm.
“Where are you going now?”
“To lunch.”
“I will take you.”
“I don’t want you to take me.”
“Why do you always resist me, Lola?”
“Why don’t you get the hint?”
“You’re trying to make me pay for that first night, aren’t you?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about?”
“The money was a joke.”
“Sure.” I rolled my eyes.
“It was in poor taste.” His eyes searched mine. “Can we not start over?”
“I don’t think we can.”
“You’re a hard woman to please.”
“I think most women would be hard to please after you’ve called them a slut and warned them to stay away from your brother.”
He changed the subject. “How old are you, Lola?”
“I’m twenty-one.”
“Of course,” he groaned.
“How old are you?”
