by Rayne, Piper
I lick my lips again and his gaze casts down, watching my tongue skate over my bottom lip.
“Come on. We need to get the hell out of here before I screw this up for both of us.” He stands, brushes off his ass, and holds his hand out for mine.
Together we walk off the beach, platonic and sexually frustrated.
Chapter Seventeen
Carm
I deserve a gold medal for keeping my dick in my pants this past weekend.
As if Friday night wasn’t bad enough, on Saturday, we all hung out at the beach. If I was a factor in Bella’s decision-making when she bought her swimsuit, I commend her on a job well done. I sported a half chub the entire fucking day. The only time I didn’t was when I got into a competitive game of beach volleyball with Enzo and Dom.
Now it’s Sunday night and the Hamptons are behind us for the next five days as I gear up for my broker party at Bond Street tomorrow night.
After clicking on the Mets game, I toss the remote on the couch and grab my beer from the table next to me. My laptop is shut on the coffee table. I’d usually be working, but my mind is too preoccupied. The never-ending wheel of events from this weekend plays on a loop in my head.
Mistake number one. Feeling her body against mine.
Mistake number two. Taking her to the beach after drinking and memorizing the curves of her body.
Mistake number three. Seeing Bella in a swimsuit, because if ever there were a cock tease, that’s it.
At least I had the decency not to act on my want for her. How different is that from when I was first headed there? I was hellbent on getting her to sleep with me just to rid myself of my obsession, but the crystal ball is clear now—I’d fuck everything up for a lot of people I love if I act on my impulses.
My phone vibrates next to me. Needing any distraction I can get, I answer without looking at the number. “Hello?”
“Hey, Carm.”
Perfect. Nothing better to dampen my sexual fire than a conversation with my little sister. “Blanca, what’s up?”
“The fact that you jerks got a house in the Hamptons and no one told me. I might not have a dick, but I’m a Mancini too.”
Whoa. She’s pissed and I’m thankful she’s on the phone and not on my doorstep. Believe me, all three of us have been kneed in the nuts by Blanca on way too many occasions. The verdict is still out on if we’ll be able to father children.
“I thought Enzo was going to tell you.”
He lost the rock, paper, scissors on who had to give her the news.
“Yeah, he sent me an email just now. Conveniently he’s not answering his phone.”
“Because he’s screwing Annie probably.” I roll my eyes and relax into the couch.
“Ew… I don’t need to picture that in my head.”
Truth is, Blanca can’t afford to join us. I would’ve loved to foot the bill for her, but Blanca has a tendency not to look too kindly on her brothers’ gifts. She would’ve felt like she owed us. On top of that, she’s starting a new job and wouldn’t be able to get the time off work.
“I’m sorry, but you know how pricey the Hamptons are. We’re sharing with a bunch of people.” I lower the volume on the television after another run scores for the Mets.
“Why do I have to be the youngest? I always get left out. And on top of everything else, I broke up with Carter.”
“Are you upset about it?” Good riddance, I say. That guy wasn’t good enough for her.
“Yeah, no one likes a break-up. He’s nice and all, but I have to figure out what I’m going to do with the rest of my life.” The aggravation in her tone is clear. I wish I could guide her, but this is something she needs to do on her own.
“And he can’t be part of it because…?”
“Because he’s too wrapped up in being the next big thing down at his accounting firm. The man works non-stop. I get it. I mean, I have three brothers who put their social life on the back burner, but I’m not the kind of girl who will wait for him to pencil me into his calendar. I want the type of guy who says screw it to work because he can’t bear to be away from me another minute.”
Her words worm their way into my head, and I’m left wondering if I’ll ever meet a girl like that. One who makes me want to reduce my workload because I’d rather be with her than chase the next deal.
“You deserve the best,” I say, because she does.
“Yeah. Yeah. I’ve always found it funny that my three brothers think I should have a guy who puts me first, but they never put a woman first themselves.”
“Put the stones down. I’m sorry about the Hamptons, but no need to attack us.” I take a sip of my beer and place it back on the table.
“I’m only really talking about you and Dom now. Enzo seems to have figured out what’s most important in life.”
“Anything else besides the passive-aggressive comments tonight?” I up the volume on my television.
“Nothing, but I’m coming up in a few weeks, and after making me spend every Sunday at the family dinner table with just Mom and Dad, you boys owe me.”
“I’ll make sure a couch at the Hamptons has your name on it.”
“Bed, Carm. Your bed. Without you in it.”
“Goes without saying. Why me? The other two left you high and dry too.” She’ll figure out when she gets there that there’s an extra bedroom for her.
“I gotta go call Dom now. You know, make the rounds so you all know you’re on my shit list.”
Thank God I’m not the only one getting reprimanded tonight by mini Ma. “Night, Blanca.”
“Night.”
She hangs up, and I chuckle while tossing the phone onto the cushion next to me, situating myself on my couch for the rest of the night to get Bella out of my head.
* * *
On the way into the office Monday morning, I stop next to my billboard ad. On the other side of the street is the redhead I can’t stop picturing underneath me—her own billboard advertising her FSBO services. She might be fully dressed, but she’s totally putting off the same vibe as my billboards do.
“She wants to play this way?” I grumble, opening the building door.
I jam my finger on the elevator button, tapping my shoe until it arrives, then I jam my finger on the button for my floor. As I walk down the hall toward my office, I know I should just go into my own so I can cool down, but I turn left into hers.
The unicorn-colored-hair girl with dark-rimmed glasses smile falters when she sees me. She pushes up her glasses and her fingers hammer away on her keyboard. “The cookies are gone.”
“I’m here for your boss.” Through the glass of her office, I see Bella on the phone. Probably ordering another billboard.
“She’s on a call. If you’d like to have a seat and wait…” Max extends her arm out in front of her, a fake smile on display.
“How long do you expect her to be?” But before she can answer, I see Bella hang up. “Never mind. I see she’s off.” I round her desk.
“Hey, you can’t just go in there!” She chases after me, but I open the door of Bella’s office.
Alarm momentarily flashes across her face until she sees that it’s me. “Carm? Why are you bursting into my office?”
Instead of standing, she slides her chair under her desk, hiding any glimpse of her long, toned legs.
“The billboard across the street… I thought we had an agreement?”
“And your billboard is allowed?” Max steps into the office, arms crossed, and slams her foot on the floor.
“I think Justin was looking for you,” I toss back over my shoulder.
She narrows her eyes. “I’m not dating your assistant. He’s the enemy as far as I’m concerned.”
Liar. But I won’t call her out on it in front of her boss because I’m nice like that.
“Excuse us, Max. I can handle this,” Bella says.
Max huffs. I’m surprised she doesn’t stick out her tongue like a toddler before closing the door behind
her.
“You get all pissed off saying I use my looks for my ads and look at yours.” I point in the direction her billboard ad sits. If we had x-ray vision, we’d see it.
“I’m fully clothed. Are you?” She’s so poised, and for some reason, that pushes me over the edge.
“Your legs aren’t covered. Your skirt is too short. Your necklace dips down between your tits. Any man who sees that will beat off to that image for the next week. You’re a hypocrite.”
“Oh please.” She slides her chair out and stands. Her tight waist is accentuated by the flair of her pants falling over her strappy sandals. “I’m fully clothed and dressed in a professional outfit. I never knocked you for the sexual flair your ads portray.”
“You accused me of using a body double, and the insinuation was clear that you think my body is my biggest sales technique, for which you had no problem judging me.”
She grabs her hair and sweeps it across the back of her neck to lay on one side. Obviously trying to use her sexual appeal to win this argument, but it won’t work.
“Let’s go have a look.” She saunters out of her office and past Max—who I’m surprised doesn’t follow us, considering she’s Bella’s five-foot-two bodyguard.
We leave her office, and her manicured nail presses the elevator button. The door opens a second later as if she called it up with some voodoo magic. We’re both silent on the ride down until we exit through the front door.
She shields her eyes from the sun while staring at her billboard then shifting her gaze to my ad. Okay, maybe she has a point. Mine is definitely more sexual than hers.
“What are we looking at?” Justin sidles up to me, his eyes ping-ponging between the two. “Very nice, Ms. Scott.”
“Justin.” Bella slides between us, knocking me with her hip. “Does one of these scream sexual to you?”
Justin is my boy and he will not throw me under the bus.
“Your stance looks a little sexual.” I want to high-five him behind her back. “But Carm sells sex.”
“What?” I whip my head in his direction.
“I mean, that’s your MO. It’s what you’re known for. Your ad copy alone implies sex.”
“Do you remember who pays you? And aren’t you coming in a little late?” I ask and glance at my watch.
Sex appeal might be what gets them in the door, but it’s my skill that’s made my name in this business.
Bella laughs and squeezes Justin’s shoulder. “Thanks, Justin.” She turns to me. “I’d say that’s case closed.” Her heels click on the concrete on her way back into the building.
“We still have the issue of your ad being outside the office. We said no ads.”
“Yours is still there.”
Justin opens the door of the building, sliding in before we have a chance to ask his opinion again.
“Mine was grandfathered in.” Yes, I’m fully aware this is a dick move and that I’m being a sore loser, and no, I don’t care.
“If you’d like to take down your ad, I’ll gladly take down mine.” She crosses her arms so they’re resting right under her breasts. My eyes zero in, and she must notice because by the time my gaze reaches hers, she huffs.
“What?” I ask as if I wasn’t just imagining her nipples through the silk of her cami.
“Would you like me to stare at your dick?”
An older woman and her husband walking by glance at us but continue walking. They’re New Yorkers; surely, they’ve heard worse.
“Have you imagined how huge it is already?” I step forward. “I bet you have. Just like how I’ve wondered whether you’re shaved or not when you slip your hands into your panties at night while you’re trying to sleep and can’t get me off your mind.”
She inhales a deep breath. “I sleep naked. There are no panties.”
I barely suppress a groan.
She rushes into the building and onto the elevator, but I’m hot on her heels.
“So you admit that you’re attracted to me then?”
“I admit nothing. I simply stated a fact.” She jams her finger on the button once we’re in the elevator.
“You want an admission from me?” I ask, gripping the railing behind me in an effort to keep from reaching for her.
Her cheeks turn pink and I can’t help but wonder if that happens after an orgasm too. “No.”
“Too bad. I’ve beat off to the vision of you every night for the past week.”
She swallows, her eyes focused on the numbers above. “Well, I hope the fictional version of me can rock your world.”
The elevator dings that we’re on our floor, but I quickly press the ‘Doors Closed’ button.
“I’m dying here, Bella. I keep convincing myself to stay away, but you’re all I think about.”
She steps back from me and closes her eyes for a second. “We can’t. I can’t. You. Me. It can’t happen. It’s just…”
“What?” I’m aware of the million reasons not to cross the line with her. Our list of cons versus pros is crazy outnumbered. But when she’s right here and I see that desire racing through her veins like mine, I can’t help but think we’re stupid for denying ourselves.
“We’re too different. We’re competitors. And for the summer, we’re roommates.” She steps forward, nudges my arm down so I’m no longer pressing the button, and when the doors spring open, she flies out.
I mentally prepare myself for the defeat I have to admit when it comes to Bella, but I’ve never been one to lose gracefully. I’m not sure that’s going to change now.
Chapter Eighteen
Bella
It’s been two weeks since I almost attached myself like Velcro to Carm in the elevator. We’ve managed to be nice to one another while we’re sharing the Hamptons house, though he’s working a lot while he’s here. I try to gravitate toward the girls, except Mae and Evie have fallen in love with the British guys we met our first night, which leaves me with either Dom, who comes and goes at all times of the day and night, or the lovebirds, who are so wrapped up in one another it reminds me that I don’t want just a night of hot sex with Carm. I want what Enzo and Annie have. The solid foundation of a best friend and lover.
It’s thundering and lightning outside, which the weatherman did not predict. I’m nestled on the covered deck, watching the rain pelt the ocean and the pool and sipping a cup of tea.
Evie and Mae are off with their new boy toys. Annie and Enzo went to the store. Dom is wherever it is that Dom goes when we’re up here. Which leaves me alone with Carm somewhere in this house.
When the sliding glass door behind me opens, my heart rate increases. He’s coming out of hiding. Great.
“Shitty day. I should’ve stayed in the city.” The chair sliding from the table sounds like nails on a chalkboard. Or impending doom. Something like that.
I glance over to find him taking a seat with a beer in hand. He’s wearing shorts and an NYU sweatshirt.
“You went to NYU?” I ask. Anything to distract me from his tan, muscular legs lightly covered in dark hair. How opposite are we? I have to lather on coats of sunblock so I don’t burn, and this man looks as though he’s spent a lifetime in the Mediterranean and it’s only been a few weeks since we’ve gotten the house.
He glances at his sweatshirt. “Yeah. What about you?”
I shrug. “Columbia.”
He laughs and shakes his head.
“What?” I bring the mug to my lips.
“Figures. We’ve been rivals from the start.”
I nod, taking his word for it. I never did keep up with the sports teams.
“Where is everyone?” He looks around as though they’d be out playing in puddles like children.
“Out. Mae and Evie are with the Brits. No clue where Dom is, and Enzo and Annie went to the grocery store.” I sip my tea, and he pulls from his beer again.
The discomfort between us grows and I’m not even sure why it’s there. We’ve coexisted these last couple of weeks with
out any problems. But then again, we’ve both done our best to ignore one another.
“You’re going to find out anyway, so I wanted you to hear it from me…”
He doesn’t even have to finish his sentence for me to know he should be holding a glass of champagne instead of a bottle of beer. He’s been holed up in his room all day, and I overheard him schmoozing a client. The selfish part of me hoped it was for a property other than Bond Street.
“I sold one of the units.” Again, his beer bottle tips back and his gaze diverts out to the ocean beyond the pool and yard.
“Congratulations,” I mumble.
He shrugs. “I usually love competition. I thought I’d really enjoy competing against you, but it turns out not so much.”
I stand from the table and tuck in my chair. “It’s fine. Go ahead and gloat. I probably would if the roles were reversed.”
Taking my teacup, I open the screen door, but as I’m turning to shut it, Carm stands from the table and stalks over. His tall figure is almost intimidating. He’s so powerful, so in control of himself, but no part of me feels any real fear. “I’m not going to gloat or brag. It’s one unit out of eight. You could come back with two sold next week. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.”
I turn away from him and head into the kitchen, where I grab the kettle and set it on the stove again. Maybe I should do what Carm is doing and drink. Take a shot and calm this anxiety and anticipation that’s suddenly hijacked my body.
“I’ve had no inquiries. Do you know how much I’ve spent on advertising so far?” I shouldn’t give him the details, it’ll only increase his advantage over me.
“Tell me again why you chose FSBO?” He sits at the breakfast bar, taking a banana out of the fruit basket and opening it.
“I told you, I was sick of the game.”
He nods. “I ran into a buddy of mine. I guess the two of you used to work at the same office?”
