The Cousins Series Boxed Set

by Lisa Lang Blakeney

  "Roman!" She protests half-heartedly.

  "What? Did you want some?" I tease. Sliding my finger inside her mouth. Hooking it inside of her cheek and pulling her mouth to mine. "Kiss me, Duchess, and hurry up before we get caught."

  She playfully slaps my chest, and slinks both her arms around my neck exactly where they fucking belong, then gives me a slow and languid kiss. A kiss that tells me that for a split moment she has forgotten exactly where she is. Which is two steps away from her aunt and my father. It's also a kiss that tells me that she's mine, that she knows it, and that there's no fucking turning back now.

  I don't know exactly how it happened or when it happened, but I'm in deep with this girl, and it isn't just about the amazing pussy. For once in my life, it's so much more than that. I wonder if it could possibly be like that for her too.

  When Elizabeth finally pulls away she playfully asks, "So I thought we were going to talk about my fee Masterson?"

  "I'll pay you whatever the fuck you want." I grin.

  "I don't want money."

  "What do you want?" I grin hoping that it's my dick that she wants. That she always wants.

  I hear the creak of the office door opening, curse under my breath, and move to the far side of the couch.

  "What's wrong?" She asks.

  "They're coming." I say quietly.

  "We want to talk to you both." Juliette says in a voice I haven't heard since I was about sixteen years old. Clearly Joseph has been filling her in on his suspicions, and she isn't happy with the shit.

  "What is it?" I say in defensive mode. Ready to do battle.

  "Yeah, what is it?" Elizabeth says, and I'm a little surprised by her tone. Almost as if she's ready to do battle too. My little warrior. Maybe she is ready for this. For us.

  "Elizabeth, I am not your mother or your father, and I do not represent them. This is a safe space for you to tell me anything." She pauses for effect.

  "Okaaay." Elizabeth replies.

  "So I'm just going to ask, is your ex-boyfriend stalking you?"

  I look directly at Joseph as he smirks at me. This is his way of ratcheting up the heat, but still giving me an opportunity to take him up on his deal by not spilling everything that he thinks he knows. He doesn't want to tell Juliette what he suspects, but he's willing to guide her to her own realization about Elizabeth and me, if I continually refuse his order to leave her alone.

  "No Auntie. What makes you think something like that?"

  "You can tell the truth, Elizabeth. Roman has already told your uncle that he had to go to the Bahamas and handle a problem between you and your ex. Who is this guy? Is he part of the reason why you left your apartment?"

  I can tell immediately by Elizabeth's body language that she's angry with me. She thinks I just went in that office and started blabbing all of her business. She should know me better than that though.

  "He actually didn't have to come. I had it handled. And just for the record, it was pure coincidence that Ethan was there. He isn't stalking me."

  "That's your story and you're sticking to it huh?" Juliette asks with turned up lips.

  "That's the truth." Elizabeth says.

  "Should we have an order of protection drafted just in case, Joseph?" Juliette asks the old man.

  "Auntie–"

  "Are you even listening to her?" I interrupt angrily. "Elizabeth just said she had it handled, and even if she didn't, I already went down there and made sure it was handled. Her ex won't be bothering her anymore."

  "Stay respectful when you talk to my wife or there's going to be problems." Joseph warns.

  "You started this shit by running your mouth about things that are Elizabeth's business, not yours."

  "Enough!" Elizabeth shouts. "This has got to be one of the worst family dinners I've ever attended in my life. I thought my parents were a piece of work, but they've got nothing on you two seriously dysfunctional Masterson men. Roman, you should go. Auntie and Uncle Joseph, I'm going to start looking for a new place to live."

  "Oh my God, Elizabeth, that's not what I want." Juliette cries. "I'm sorry. We shouldn't have brought up the stalking thing. I was just worried about you. Don't leave."

  "That has nothing to do with it." Elizabeth moves next to Juliette's side. "I was going to move out soon anyway, Auntie. That's why I wanted to earn the extra money. I can't live on your kindness forever. This was always a temporary situation."

  I smirk in Joseph's direction. He knows everything that I'm thinking right now with this one look on my face. Elizabeth moving out will only work in my favor. I'll have access to her without being under his watchful eye and maybe Elizabeth will learn to relax a little more and let what's happening between us just be.

  "What about rent?" The old man asks cockblocking.

  "I think the fee we worked out should cover her expenses for about three or four months don't you think, Joseph?" I grin.

  Juliette looks at the old man expectantly. He notices the hopefulness in her eyes and in that moment makes the decision to back down.

  "I suppose it will." He replies.

  "Good." Juliette says. "I mean I definitely don't want you to leave, but at least I know you'll be okay until you get another job or God willing you get the investment."

  "Thanks Auntie."

  Juliette and Elizabeth hug while Joseph gives me an icy glare. Fuck him. He knows where my mother is and never said a word. I don't owe him shit.

  "Didn't Elizabeth ask you to leave, Roman?" Joseph reminds everyone in the room.

  "I'm going. Got shit to do anyway." I say.

  "Wait a minute." Elizabeth says grabbing my forearm.

  "Yeah?"

  "The two of us didn't actually discuss how much you were paying me. Remember you said we'd talk after cake?"

  I grin in Joseph's direction.

  "That's right I did say that."

  "Maybe we can talk about it over a drink at The Lotus?"

  My grin spreads even wider.

  "That's a brilliant idea cousin. Let's go."

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  ELIZABETH

  I'm lying completely shit faced in the middle of Sloan's kitchen floor. She's been mixing and pouring cocktails; and I've been drinking just about whatever she's handed me tonight.

  Pink drinks. Brown drinks. Clear drinks.

  The room isn't quite spinning yet, but I'm frackin' sweaty as hell and this granite floor seems to be cooling down my blazing hot skin. So I'm staying right here.

  "You need to clean the lights over your island." I giggle. "I see dead bugs in 'em."

  "Uh that's gross, and please stop inspecting my damn kitchen while you're drunk off your ass."

  "You need better cleaning people." I chuckle some more.

  "I know you're in a pissy mood, Bitsy, but shut up!"

  I think I'm a mean drunk. Or maybe I'm being such an ass because I received the call I've been waiting for today, and it wasn't what I wanted to hear.

  Mr. Lambert and the investment group decided to pass on School Bucks, but of course wished me the best of luck with all my future endeavors, blah, blah, blah.

  The worst part though was that he didn't even call me. He had his assistant Daniella do the dirty work and the tone of her voice as she delivered my death blow led me to believe that this was something that she in fact did on a regular basis. Almost as if it was a memorized speech that she was required to give to turned downed entrepreneurs everyday.

  "Let's talk about something else." I say trying to veer our conversation away from dead bugs and negative phone calls.

  "Okay," Sloan grins. "Let's talk about that Dear John letter you sent Jagger."

  "Was it too over the top?"

  "What do you mean?"

  "I mean I didn't think he even liked me that much, so maybe that email was a bit presumptuous. I don't know. I feel weird about it now that I've sent it."

  "Oh don't start back peddling now. You've got to own your shit. You sent it and it's done. Now th
e poor swimmer's heart is broken. Although I don't know why you did it. I thought we both agreed that he was good for you?"

  "We did agree but things change. And shut up about his heart, Sloan. He probably could care less." I chuckle to myself, as Sloan's head starts to look like a lava lamp.

  Gosh I'm drunk.

  "Yes he does care and he's mad too, because he thinks you Dear John'd him because of Ethan."

  "Why would he think that ridiculousness?"

  "Because those two had some words. Some little birdie told Ethan that Jagger's been pushing up on you while he was away at rehab," Sloan says with air quotes. "And your ex didn't like it. The two of them had a little scuffle."

  "Oh my God."

  "I know right! You've got three hot guys fighting over you, and I can't even find one. Little does he know you probably Dear John'd him because of the third guy."

  I ignore that last part of the comment and start rolling from side to side on the floor.

  "I need crackers, Sloan. I didn't eat today."

  She looks down at me incredulously. "Why because of that damn phone call?"

  "That would be a hell yes."

  "Oh please. Both you and I know that you could get that money from your uncle in a heartbeat or even easier from the Dark Knight."

  "That's not the point. That's not how I wanted to get the money."

  "Who the hell cares how you get the money, Bitsy? All that matters is that you do get it. That's business 101. And you and I both know that the Dark Knight will probably give you anything you want now that you've given him a taste."

  For the last few weeks, I haven't exactly hidden the fact that I've been seeing Roman from Sloan. And like I figured she would, she disapproves. It's all in her tone of voice when she talks about him.

  "Why don't you like Roman?"

  "Who says I don't like him?"

  "You're my best friend, Sloan. I know you. You don't like him. And where are my crackers?"

  "Here." She flings a sleeve of saltines on my stomach. "And stop rolling around. Sit up before you throw up."

  I sit up and prop myself up against the base of the counter. I tear open the package of saltines and start munching on one of the salty squares like it's a juicy ribeye steak.

  "I am by no means a goody two shoes, Bitsy, but the guy is your cousin and more importantly he's kind of possessive not to mention dangerous."

  "What is with everyone and this dangerous crap? I've never seen him hurt a fly." Well that's not entirely true.

  "That doesn't mean he isn't capable of it."

  "Well hell, I think you're capable of doing a lot of shit that you probably wouldn't do. Anyone is."

  "You know what I mean. This is no college boy we're talking about. This guy is doing grown man shit. He doesn't want to date you, Bitsy. He wants to own you."

  Even though I don't particularly like what she's saying, I understand exactly where Sloan is coming from. Regardless of how different Sloan and I are, in many ways we think just alike. I've always known that the best type of guy for me is someone square, someone smart, my age, who doesn't want anything too serious but isn't going to jerk me around either.

  I know that guy is probably someone like Jagger, but I can't make myself want him. Not in the way that I want Roman. Although I just don't know if I'm ever going to be ready to own up to my feelings for Roman. I don't know if I'm brave enough.

  The doorbell rings and Sloan looks over at the door in surprise.

  "Who the hell could that be at this hour?"

  I hear her walk up to the door and say under her breath, "Shit."

  "Who is it?" I ask still munching on crackers.

  "Did you drunk text him, Bitsy?"

  "Who?"

  "Your damn cousin!"

  We both become startled at the two heavy raps at the door.

  "No." I shriek. "Don't answer the door, Sloan. He can't see me looking like this."

  "Are you serious right now? How does he know where I live anyway?"

  "I don't know. I didn't tell him, but I didn't know it was a secret either."

  "So you did tell him where I live?"

  "I told you no, Sloan."

  "Jesus Bitsy."

  Another loud knock and a curt, "Open the door, Sloan."

  Shit.

  Sloan looks at me silently and widens her eyes as if to say, "What do you want me to do bitch?"

  "Answer it. He's probably not going to go away."

  When Sloan answers the door, Roman is standing in the doorway in all his magnificence. He's freshly shaved, dressed in all black, and has a look on his face that I'm not sure I've ever seen before. It's a cross between relief and annoyance ... I think.

  "Glamazon." He nods.

  "Black Knight. I didn't realize you were coming over or I would have tidied up." Her words dripping in sarcasm.

  "Wasn't planning on visiting, but plans change."

  Roman saunters inside and over to me.

  "What's this?" He asks me.

  "I was hot." I say.

  "Hot and drunk."

  "Whatever." I wave him off.

  "What's wrong with you, Elizabeth?"

  "She didn't get the money." Sloan speaks for me.

  Roman kneels down in front of me.

  "I'm sorry baby."

  I get a strong whiff of Roman almost immediately. He hasn't been drinking his usual Jack Daniels. Tonight he smells like a heavenly mixture of cognac, chocolate, leather and musk. Just like the night we met. It's a heady combination that's making me wish we were alone in his apartment, or his car, or any frackin' place other than here.

  "It's fine." I say. "I'll figure something else out."

  "Come on. I'm going to take you home."

  "She can't go home like that!" Sloan exclaims.

  "I got this glamazon."

  "She was going to stay the night here, Roman. There's no need to take her anywhere. I've got her."

  Roman stares me directly in the eyes and lifts my chin with two of his fingers.

  "You want to stay here and eat those dry crackers with the glamazon or come with me? I'll get you a nice turkey burger."

  "Mmmm," I moan. A turkey burger would be fantastic right about now.

  "From my favorite spot?" I ask excitedly.

  "Yep," He answers me smiling.

  "Where are her things?" He asks Sloan.

  Sloan stares at me for a moment, sucks her teeth and goes to the bedroom to grab my overnight bag and my shoes.

  "Here. You're a real credit to women everywhere, Bitsy." Sloan says sarcastically.

  Roman grabs the bag then swiftly lifts me up and slides me around on his back.

  "Hold onto my neck, Duchess."

  "Oh brother." I think I hear Sloan mutter.

  In fact that's about some of the last words I hear, as I drape the weight of my body completely on Roman's back and shoulders and fall fast asleep.

  ***

  I awaken to warm sunlight and my completely nude body swaddled in eggplant purple sheets. Roman's purple sheets ... but no Roman.

  There's a bottle of spring water, a bottle of extra-strength Excedrin, and a folded note on the nightstand table next to me.

  Take two pills. Drink the entire bottle of water. Don't move. I'll be home soon with your lunch.

  Lunch? Oh crap, it's frackin' one in the afternoon.

  After I follow Roman's explicit instructions, the next thing I do is look for my cell. I think it may be on the kitchen counter, so I get up wrapped in the sheet and make my way to the living room where I stop dead in my tracks. I don't know how I didn't hear them, but Jade, Cutter and Camden are all sitting in Roman's living room. And now they're staring, slack-jawed at me.

  "Excuse me." I apologize. "I didn't realize you all were out here. I waaaaas–" I begin to stutter. "I waaaas drunk last night. I must have passed out in here."

  "You got drunk with Rome?" Camden asks curiously.

  "No with Sloan."

  "So where is she
?" Cutter asks looking around the room.

  "She's not here. I think ... I think that Roman brought me here from her house."

  Camden and Cutter's smiles are growing wider and Jade's face stonier, as my story simply gets worse and worse. I just want to throw this sheet completely over my head and pretend that I'm invisible like I did when I was five. Where is an invisibility cloak when you need one Harry Potter?

  All four of us turn our heads when we hear a key being inserted into the front door. Roman enters the house with two bags full of diner food and my stomach growls as a salutation.

  "Morning glory. You hungry?" He asks me.

  "Yes," I admit quietly.

  "You may want to change first." Jade says to me.

  "Right." I say on my way back to the bedroom totally embarrassed.

  Gratefully Roman has access to his master bathroom from inside his room, so I don't have to do yet another walk of shame in order to take a quick shower. I know that I probably smell like vodka, gin, and hell. But before I go in, I decide that it wouldn't hurt to eavesdrop a little on what they're saying. I know it's about me.

  "What the fuck Rome? Are you banging your cousin?" Cutter asks.

  "That's none of your business." Roman replies.

  "Well you invited us here for a meeting knowing good and well that she was here wrapped up in one of your sheets. So I think you've now made it our business." Jade says.

  "Let me first apologize and say that I'm sorry if I misled any one of you into believing that my personal fucking life was up for discussion. It's not."

  I think I hear the other brother Camden laugh out loud and speak next.

  "So you want us to pretend that we didn't just see what the fuck we just saw?" He asks.

  "That's right. Same way I pretend not to notice you staring at Jade's ass every time she walks by. Same way I pretend not to notice that Cutter has been Googling Elizabeth's glamazon friend like some pervert. Same way I pretend that Jade–"

  "All right that's enough!" Jade cuts him off abruptly.

  Then there's some additional laughter followed by silence.

  I take that as my cue to go take a well needed shower and leave the friends to their standoff. I just pray that they are all gone by the time I finish. My stomach is grumbling, and I want that damn turkey burger.