Fireline

by Annabel Allan

  ‘We drove all this way to be here for fifteen minutes? No way,’ I said, shaking my head. ‘I just need a minute to gather myself.’

  ‘OK,’ he said, nodding. ‘I’ll meet you downstairs.’

  ‘OK.’

  He leaned into me, kissing me lightly. It sent a tingle through me right to my toes, making my skin blush a little.

  I watched as he left, closing the door so I had some privacy. I took a deep breath, wiping my face once again, making sure I got all the tears off, as if I hadn’t been crying at all. I didn’t want anyone to know that the whole visit was getting to me. I wasn’t going to let them win.

  I got up from the bed, walking to the closet door and examining myself in the mirror. I knew that Jennifer wasn’t too pleased with my being there, mainly because I was thinner than her. She was a little on the chubby side, how I used to be, but couldn’t seem to lose the weight. She knew how I did it, how disciplined I’d been, but I guess having a kid made it hard to be so strict with food.

  I pulled out the skirt of my dress, fanning it so the little red flowers scattered on it caught the light from the windows above the bed. I forced myself to smile, practicing what I had learned when I worked at the firm; if you fake a smile long enough, you genuinely smile. I needed a genuine smile, especially if I was going back downstairs.

  I finally worked up the courage, making my way down the stairs carefully in my kitten heels.

  I readied to turn to my right, but caught a glimpse of Quinn in the living room, standing at the china cabinet. I walked inside, seeing that he was actually looking at the bookcase next to it.

  ‘What are you doing?’ I asked, walking up to him.

  He pulled down a framed photo of me; of fat me from my high school graduation.

  ‘Oh no,’ I said, grabbing hold of it and hiding it.

  ‘You know, I almost didn’t believe that you were overweight,’ he said with a smile.

  ‘Oh God,’ I said, my face flushing. ‘I was really hoping you wouldn’t see it.’

  ‘I didn’t believe you; you’re so tiny,’ he said, grabbing the picture. ‘You were still beautiful.’

  I was surprised by the comment, tears coming to my eyes. ‘No one thought I was beautiful when I was fat.’

  ‘Well, I do,’ he said.

  ‘You don’t date fat girls,’ I said, grabbing the picture and putting it back where it belonged.

  ‘Not right now, I’m dating you,’ he said.

  ‘You’re saying if I were to let myself go and get fat again you wouldn’t care?’ I asked.

  He shrugged. ‘Probably not. I think all women’s bodies are beautiful.’

  I blinked a few times to get rid of the tears. I didn’t know what to say.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ he asked.

  ‘I just never thought that you... well, I never thought you would stay with me if I was to get fat again,’ I said.

  He frowned. ‘Where did you get that from?’

  ‘Your past lovers have all been skinny,’ I said. ‘It’s a reasonable conclusion.’

  ‘But not a true one,’ he said, pulling me into him. ‘I want you not because you’re skinny, but because you’re you.’

  I couldn’t help smiling, resting my head on his shoulder. ‘You’re too perfect, you know that?’

  ‘Ha, I am far from perfect. I think recent events have proved that,’ he said, stroking my back.

  ‘Well, you’re perfectly imperfect,’ I said. ‘I like you the way you are; no change is needed. Demons and all, you’re mine.’

  He looked from my mouth up to my eyes, staring for a moment before he kissed me. I went up on my tiptoes, wrapping my arms around his neck, our kiss getting hot and intense.

  ‘Ahem.’

  I turned, looking to see Liz in the doorway. I sighed angrily, looking to Quinn’s shirt, adjusting it as he wiped my lipstick off his mouth.

  ‘Can I help you?’ I asked coolly.

  ‘Food is ready,’ she said.

  ‘Fine, we’ll be out in a minute,’ I said, keeping my eyes on Quinn’s shirt.

  I heard her turn and leave, muttering something under her breath. I looked up to Quinn, frowning.

  ‘We should get out there,’ I said.

  He nodded. ‘Right.’

  ‘Unless you want to leave?’ I asked.

  He shook his head. ‘I’m fine. Unless you do?’

  I shrugged. ‘I do but I don’t. Let’s just go and pretend everything is fine.’

  I forced a smile, taking his hand and leading him back to the deck, everyone sitting around the table, two empty spots for me and Quinn by the door. My parents sat to our right, so I made sure that Quinn sat between me and them, my brother John to my left, his wife to his left, their son Lestat on her lap. Michael had their older son Matty on his lap, their youngest son, Michael Jr. beside Liz in a high chair.

  My mother passed me a salad bowl. ‘I made this for you. Your father grilled you some chicken as well.’

  I saw the charred chicken on the plate in front of me. ‘Thanks.’

  ‘Still not eating bread?’ Jennifer asked.

  I shook my head. ‘Nope.’

  ‘How long has it been since you had some?’ my father asked, dishing out potato salad for himself.

  ‘Years,’ I said. ‘And it’ll continue for many years more.’

  ‘Has your man seen your fat pictures?’ Liz asked.

  Quinn nodded. ‘I was just admiring her graduation photo.’

  ‘Admiring,’ Liz said under her breath.

  ‘Yes, admiring,’ I said, putting a point to it.

  ‘So,’ my father said, obviously trying to change the subject. ‘What have you been up to, sweetie?’

  ‘Just waiting on the revision notes from my agent,’ I said, remembering my fake smile and putting it back on my face.

  ‘Still?’ my mother asked.

  I nodded. ‘Yeah, it can take a while.’

  ‘No thoughts on picking up some work in the meantime?’ my father asked.

  I shook my head. ‘Nah, not until I get those notes. I want to have the time to really fix everything before I get busy with other things.’

  ‘What other things?’ Michael asked.

  ‘I don’t know, other things,’ I said. ‘Maybe a job, mostly keeping up with the events that Quinn and I go to.’

  ‘You own a lot of businesses,’ my mother said to Quinn. ‘I guess you need to rub elbows with a lot of people.’

  Quinn nodded. ‘I do, and though I hate dragging Stephanie to those events, it helps to have a pretty face around, especially with the older businessmen.’

  ‘Like Mister Brody,’ I said with a smile.

  ‘Yes, I often worry that Mister Brody and his millions will steal you away,’ Quinn said to me, a smirk on his lips.

  ‘How much are you worth?’ Michael asked.

  ‘Michael, that’s such a rude question,’ I said. ‘You don’t ask someone what they’re worth –’

  ‘Twenty-nine point eight million,’ Quinn said, cutting me short.

  I looked to Quinn. ‘You don’t need to tell them!’

  ‘Why not? It’s common knowledge,’ he said. ‘A lot of people know my net worth. The same as everyone knows Mister Brody’s worth is over fifty million.’

  ‘But Mister Brody is different,’ I said. ‘They don’t need to know. No one needs to know.’

  ‘You ashamed of it?’ Michael asked.

  ‘No,’ I said, crossing my arms. ‘I just think it’s none of your business.’

  ‘You seem to like to flaunt your business,’ Liz said. ‘After what I saw in the living room.’

  My eyes widened as my face flushed. ‘That was a private moment that you rudely walked in on.’

  ‘So now we’re rude,’ Liz said. ‘I guess that makes you Miss Proper.’

  ‘It makes me polite,’ I said.

  ‘All right,’ my mother said, ‘enough.’

  I sighed, my hands on my lap, Quinn reaching over and taking
the right one in his. I looked to him, smiling a little OK.

  ‘Let’s just have a nice meal,’ my mother continued.

  I stayed silent for the most part, as did Quinn. I could feel how unwanted we were, save from my father, who was happy we were there. He was almost oblivious to the tension between my brothers and myself. I guess he thought it was just petty sibling rivalry.

  I picked around at my salad, not feeling hungry. I had secretly hoped the barbeque was going to be different from the Friday night disaster with Anita and Jack, but I secretly knew that nothing good could come of me and my brothers being in the same vicinity.

  Everyone was sitting at the table except for my mother, who was in the kitchen putting some of the dishes in the sink. I got up and followed her in with more from the table, putting them on the counter.

  ‘I think Quinn and I are going to head back to the city now,’ I said.

  ‘Leaving so soon?’ she asked, turning to me. ‘Why?’

  ‘I’m tired,’ I said. ‘And I think that Liz is one step away from picking a fight, so I’m going to duck out before I make this a barbeque one we never forget.’

  She frowned. ‘All right.’

  ‘I’m going to collect Quinn,’ I said.

  ‘Stephanie,’ she said.

  ‘Yeah?’

  ‘We always want you here, your father and I,’ she said. ‘It never feels right without you. I’m sorry they didn’t invite you to the birthday party.’

  ‘I’m over it,’ I said. ‘I didn’t really want to go. I would have declined, but getting an invite would have been nice.’

  ‘I guess that’s why they didn’t bother. They knew you’d say no,’ she said.

  ‘That’s not the point,’ I said, getting annoyed. ‘The point is, I’m part of this family. I should be invited to family functions, no matter what.’

  She nodded. ‘Yes, I guess that’s true.’

  ‘Anyway, I’m collecting Quinn and we’re getting out of here,’ I said. I walked up to Quinn, leaning to his ear. ‘You ready to leave?’

  He nodded, standing up.

  ‘Where are you going?’ my dad asked.

  ‘It’s time we headed home,’ I said with a smile. ‘The food was great.’

  He stood up. ‘I’ll walk you out.’

  I looked over everyone else, who were all staring at us. ‘Nice seeing everyone.’

  They didn’t reply. Quinn took my hand. ‘Let’s go.’

  I turned, following Quinn and my father into the house. We walked to the door, my father opening it for us.

  ‘Great barbeque,’ he said.

  I couldn’t help smiling. ‘Yeah, super.’

  ‘We’ll see you again soon?’ he asked.

  I nodded. ‘Yeah. Hopefully.’

  ‘OK,’ he said, giving me a hug. He turned to Quinn. ‘Nice to see you.’

  Quinn gave a little smile, shaking my father’s hand. ‘It was.’

  I smiled to him once more before taking Quinn’s hand and heading out. We walked down the path and to the car at the end of the drive. He got into the driver’s side, turning on the car engine. ‘You OK?’

  I nodded. ‘I’m fine. Let’s go home.’

  He nodded back, pulling away from the house, heading on our way back to the city.

  ‘Was that kid’s name Lestat?’ he asked after a long silence.

  I laughed. ‘Yeah. Don’t get me started.’

  ‘Lestat Fournier,’ he said, nodding. ‘I guess that’s not so bad.’

  ‘He’s lucky my dad is French, any other last name would be a disaster,’ I said. ‘Not that it isn’t a disaster already, who names their kid Lestat? Without liking Anne Rice?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ he said with a smirk. ‘Obviously a person who isn’t very smart. Does your brother read at all?’

  ‘Nope,’ I said with a sigh.

  ‘I didn’t get a chance to ask him what he does,’ he said.

  ‘He’s on disability,’ I said. ‘He hurt his leg a few years ago, can’t work a normal job. He’s supposed to be getting further schooling so he can do something, but he’s too lazy.’

  ‘Hmm,’ he said, nodding. ‘Your other brother didn’t seem to like me. His wife definitely didn’t.’

  ‘Ha, Liz,’ I said. ‘She’s a piece of work. She’s probably jealous.’

  ‘You are prettier than her,’ he said.

  ‘And I have a handsome boyfriend,’ I said, giving him a flirty smile.

  ‘Handsome and rich,’ he said. ‘You hit the jackpot. Probably why she’s so pissed.’

  ‘Probably,’ I said. ‘Let’s talk about something else, though.’

  ‘OK,’ he said.

  I had to say, the minute we walked into the condo I felt a huge sigh of relief. I felt more at home in the condo than I did at my parents’ place. I actually felt like I belonged somewhere when I was at the condo. I belonged with Quinn.

  Chapter Nine

  ‘Didn’t go too well, I take it?’

  Michelle’s voice was soothing over the phone, but it didn’t take away from me feeling miserable.

  ‘Yeah, but at least the talk about Quinn’s money quickly desisted. In fact, I’m surprised my brothers didn’t make a bigger deal out of it,’ I said, pacing the floor.

  ‘What was Quinlan’s reaction?’

  ‘He was cool,’ I said, sitting down on the bed. ‘He coughed up his net worth like it was nothing, though.’

  ‘Nice,’ she said, obviously chewing on her end of the phone. ‘Why aren’t you having lunch with him today?’

  ‘He has a bunch of important meetings,’ I said, sighing as I laid on the bed. ‘If you had a long enough lunch I would come and see you, but a phone call is good for now.’

  ‘I’m usually eating on the go anyway,’ she said, more chewing coming from her end. ‘What about your parents, how were they?’

  ‘My mum was a little defensive, basically told me to leave if I didn’t want to be there. OK, she pretty much outright said it. I think my brothers were bothering her about me again.’

  ‘They’re assholes,’ she said. ‘You know what I’d say to them. Fuck ’em.’

  I smiled. ‘Yeah.’

  ‘You don’t need that in your life. Out with the bad,’ she said.

  ‘I guess that means that I need to shove Anita and Jack out of the picture.’

  ‘Oh, them, how did that go?’

  ‘Not good. Two bad family gatherings. I think that the ball at the end of the month is going to be great. Oh, and the wedding, too. His family is going to be there for that as well.’

  ‘Did you storm out on his aunt and uncle?’

  I shook my head as if she could see. ‘Nah. There were comments made, insults thrown, but my butt was firmly in the chair.’

  ‘Good. Maybe they’ll get the message that you’re not going anywhere. Maybe they’ll let up on you a bit.’

  ‘Doubtful,’ I said, picking up a piece of my hair and looking at the ends. ‘I guess you’re right in that it’ll show them that I’m not just some whim, I’m actually Quinn’s girlfriend. We’re serious.’

  ‘Very serious,’ she said, crunching coming over the phone.

  I looked at the phone, my face a mix between disgust and amusement. ‘Indeed.’

  ‘Anyways, I have to finish my food then get back to work. I’ll call you later in the week,’ she said.

  ‘OK, bye,’ I said.

  ‘Bye,’ she said, the line going dead a moment later.

  I hung up the phone, staring at it for a moment before I tossed it on the bed.

  I looked around until my eyes came to the bag on the floor by the dresser. My brow rose, thinking about the new vibrator inside. I pursed my lips a little.

  ‘No,’ I said to myself. ‘No, not without Quinn.’

  Or could I?

  Just the thought of being naughty and using the toy on myself made me hot. I squirmed a little, shaking my head. I tried to think elsewhere, but gave in, jumping up and grabbing the box out
of the bag.

  I ran back to the bed, opening the box and pulling out the toy, which felt just as silky smooth as in the store, maybe even more because it was brand new. I turned it on, feeling the gentle vibration, pushing the buttons to turn it up until it was at full power.

  ‘Whoa,’ I said, surprised that it was so quiet.

  I pursed my lips, wondering what it would feel like inside. It was for G-spot purposes, and though I had no problems reaching the big O with Quinn, I had yet to do it on my own. I’d had a lot of practice when Quinn was away, but for some reason I was unable to do it. I was going to change that.

  I quickly washed it before I put the toy on the bed. I took off my clothes and got on the bed, getting comfortable. I could feel the intensity of the tingling in my toes, my thighs starting to feel a little like Jell-O.

  I turned on the vibrator, testing out the feeling on my arms, then my chest, down to my breast, circling my nipple. I let out a little moan as it instantly hardened, the other following suit. I let it sit on the little bud until I drew it away, tracing down my stomach, flinching as I got close to my hip bone.

  I bit my lip as I pulled it down to my inner thigh, running it towards my sex a few times before I finally gave in. I ran it down my centre, my toes tingling from the intensity, even though I had it on a low setting. I ran it up and down, teasing myself until I put it right against my clitoris, feeling the vibration pulse within me.

  ‘Whoa,’ I said, pulling it away as I began to pant. I swallowed hard before I brought the toy back to my sex, pushing it against my clit, my legs starting to shake from the waves of pleasure.

  I quickly pushed it inside me, the velvety feel definitely more pleasant than the material of the Rabbit. I pursed my lips as my eyes rolled back, feeling the intense throb from my muscles tightening around it. I felt the vibration throughout me, from my core throughout my legs and arms, slowly starting to pump the toy in and out.

  I definitely found my G-spot, and even after trying for nearly ten minutes, I wasn’t any closer. My face was flushed; I had sweat everywhere; my hand was covered in wetness.

  I need to be hotter... something else to turn me on.

  I looked next to me, seeing the phone. What was sexier than Quinn’s voice? I turned off the vibrator, picking up the phone shakily and dialling Quinn’s office number.