Chapter Six
The following two and a half weeks flew by in a whirlwind of school, work, and most importantly, Rhys. We hadn’t spent a day apart since he arrived in Savannah. True to his word, he came to my house the night after the auction for Monty Python and Penis Pizza. He ended up sleeping on the couch because we kept talking and drinking beer long after the movie was over. The second best thing besides Rhys dressed to the nines in a tux was Rhys tangled in blankets with tousled hair while asleep on the couch.
Of course, that night I also experienced a level of mortification I hadn’t known existed. I’d fallen asleep snuggled next to Rhys with the strains of Hugh Jackman singing as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables. The closeness of him, coupled with his smell, had done a number on me as I slipped further and further into dreamland. Amid the foggy wisps of my sub consciousness, I began to dream. As I lay on my bed, Rhys loomed over me, his eyes hungry with lust. I found that not only was he very naked, but I was naked as well. Rhys’s mouth captured mine with his own. At the feel of his warm lips on my own, I reached up to wrap my arms around his neck, drawing him closer to me. My fingers ran through the silky strands of his hair, as he thrust his tongue into my mouth.
As we continued to kiss, he brought one of his hands up to cup and knead my breast, tweaking the nipple into a hardened peak. I moaned into his mouth, scissoring my legs to get the friction I desperately wanted. Sensing my need, Rhys’s other hand slipped between my thighs. His fingers slid long strokes up and down my wet slit before one finger plunged inside me. “Rhys,” I panted, as one finger became two.
“Allison,” Rhys murmured, as he stared into my eyes with a combative mixture of love and lust.
I cupped his cheeks in my hands, feeling the stubble along his skin. I wanted nothing more to feel that stubble grazing the inside of my thighs as he went down on me. As his fingers pumped in and out of me, I arched my hips in time. “Please, please,” I begged.
“Allison,” Rhys repeated, his free hand shaking my shoulder. When his fingers disappeared from inside me, I cried out in frustration.
“No, don’t stop!”
He started shaking me harder and harder until my eyes snapped open. Rhys stared down at me, not with lust, but with concern. “Allison, wake up. You’re having a nightmare.”
“Oh…my…God,” I muttered, as my hands came up to cover my cheeks that blazed with humiliation. How was it possible I had just been having a sex dream about Rhys as he lay right next to me? I wanted to bolt from the couch and lock myself in my room, but I remained paralyzed on the couch.
“Are you okay?” Rhys asked.
“Fine. Just fine,” I muttered behind my hands.
“That must’ve been some hell of a dream the way you were moaning and thrashing about. I’ll know now not to watch any horror movies late at night with you.”
When I continued to keep my face hidden, Rhys hand came to gently pull mine away. “Hey, what’s the matter?”
I bit my lip to keep from blurting that my panties were soaked from having a literal wet dream about him. I sure as hell hoped he couldn’t smell my arousal. Instead, I sighed. “Just embarrassed, that’s all.”
Rhys gave me a genuine smile. “You’ve got nothing to be embarrassed about. Want me to lie here with you until you can go back to sleep?”
I couldn’t believe he was willing to do that. “Please.”
“First order of business is to put on something less depressing to watch than Les Mis. I think a comedy is in order to chase away the nightmares.”
“Me, too.”
And then he had dug out Robin Hood: Men in Tights from my roommates and my communal DVD collection. He had wrapped me in his arms, and we both fell asleep again. It had been heaven on earth, minus being woken up from the naughty sex dream.
As the days went on, we continued spending more and more time together. When we were together, everything was good—the conversation, the food we ate, the places we went to see. Rhys was the quintessential Renaissance man. He was someone who could be doubled over with laughter at inane comedies like Anchorman and DodgeBall one night and then the very next be thoroughly enraptured at a poetry reading or art gallery opening. You could talk to him about anything—philosophy, history, or literature. He was always well versed and could bring the most interesting aspects to a discussion. He’d won over two of my roommates by being able to help them with their Design Law class. Being with Rhys was like getting to see the very best of both worlds—the society intellectual he had been born as and then the down and dirty, beer-drinking rocker he had become. Rhys’s complexities just made me love him all the more.
In each and every way, we seemed like the perfect loving couple. But we weren’t—there still managed to be a wall between us, preventing us from taking it to the next level. As much as I hated it, Rhys kept things strictly platonic. He never sat too close to me on the couch or held my hand when we were out exploring the city. I was trying to be patient and go with the flow, hoping that things would change, but my patience was starting to wear thin the more time went by.
But tonight was the change I desperately was hoping for. Earlier in the week, I had accepted an invitation to a party at his parents’ house. So far, Rhys had never taken me there. We had hung out strictly at my house. While I had met his mother at the bachelor auction, I couldn’t help thinking that the invitation truly meant something more.
So once again, I found myself living a Cinderella-esque lifestyle where I dashed in from work to get ready for the ball with my handsome prince. After the bitch had made snide comments about my dress last time, I was determined not to face that again this time. While I was completely ready to spend far too much out of my savings on something posh, Cassie once again came through for me. Through her family connections, I was able to borrow a dress from an upscale store. The only catch was I would have to model for them in their fall collection show, which I guess wasn’t so bad. With my height, barely there boobs, and small frame, I had been courted to model before. But just like performing, it wasn’t for me. I was much too shy for the limelight, and I much preferred staying behind the scenes with fashion design.
As I slid the gold tube of lipstick over my lips, I put the final touches on my appearance. With my reflection staring back at me in the full-length mirror, I couldn’t help feeling just like Cinderella. The store had really come through in the most perfect dress imaginable. It was satin and strapless in a deep red, almost wine color. From the bust to the waist, the crisscrossing design fit me like a second skin before flowing out around my hips. Rather than the magnolia necklace, I was wearing the pearls Jake and Abby had given me for my high school graduation. And on my feet were the sexiest strappy heels that matched the color of the dress.
Glancing at the clock on my nightstand, I realized it was almost time for Rhys to pick me up. I grabbed the glittery clutch purse I would be carrying and then hurried down the hall. In the kitchen, I could hear Cassie chattering away with two of our other roommates, Kelly and Tammy. When I appeared in the doorway, I received several whistles. I couldn’t help grinning. “Thank you.”
“You’re going to knock ’em dead tonight,” Cassie said.
Sticking my foot out from beneath the dress, I asked, “Are you sure these heels aren’t too much?”
“No, they’re sexy as hell,” Cassie replied, to which Kelly and Tammy nodded.
“They just don’t feel like me.” Running my hand over the satin, I sighed. “I guess that none of it feels like me.”
Cassie shook her head. “You look absolutely sensational, heels and all. You’re dressing the part that’s expected for you tonight. Be thankful that Rhys seems to appreciate you just as much when you’re in jeans and smelling of tomato sauce after work.”
I laughed. “I guess you’re right.” The sound of a car pulling up interrupted anymore of my self-deprecating tirade.
“Is that him?” Tammy asked.
“I hope so,” I replied.
“Daaaamn, Rhys has one sweet-ass ride!” Cassie exclaimed. When I turned around, she was at the window, peeking outside through the blinds.
“Would you please stop that? It makes you look totally creepy spying on him like that.”
“I’m not spying. I’m being a concerned homeowner. A strange car pulled into the drive, so I am checking it out.”
Rolling my eyes, I muttered, “You’re impossible.”
“What kind of car does he have?” Tammy asked, joining Cassie at the window.
“You know I don’t know anything about cars.”
Cassie flipped the blinds again. “Hmm, it’s definitely a classic. Maybe a ’60’s Ferrari or Porsche.”
“Yeah, it’s old. It was left to him in his grandfather’s will.”
“Sweet,” Tammy said.
At the ring of the doorbell, I skidded across the floor in my uber-high stilettos. “Once again, I’m thinking these shoes were a mistake.”
Just as I threw open the door, Cassie called over her shoulder in a not discreet voice, “Would you stop already? Seriously, those are the sexiest ‘come-f*ck-me-heels’ I’ve ever seen you wear. They sure as hell give me a lady boner, so I can’t imagine Rhys not springing some wood at the sight of them.”
Mortification rocketed through my body as Rhys stood before me, hearing every. Single. Word. Of course, the first thing he did was eye my shoes, which were on display a little more than usual since I’d been holding up the hem of my dress to run to the door. Once he’d had his fill, he glanced back up at me. A sexy smirk curved on his lips. “Nice heels.”
“T-Thank you.” Not only did my heartbeat accelerate at his smirk, but moisture dampened my panties.
“I’d say I agreed with Cassie on the ‘come f*ck me’ status, but that would probably be inappropriate.”
No, it wouldn’t. In fact we should ditch the party so you could ‘come f*ck me’ right now. Tuning the inappropriate thoughts from my mind, I said, “Uh, yeah, I guess so.”
I’d been so distracted by the shoes comment that it took me a moment to process what Rhys had on. Blinking several times, I fought the urge to brace a hand on the doorjamb, so I wouldn’t slide into a puddle of lust on the floor. “You’re wearing a kilt?” I questioned lamely.
His cocky smirk faded and was replaced by a sheepish look as he glanced down at himself. “I guess I forgot to mention that my parents’ party recognizes Tartan Day.” At what I imagined was still my deer-in –the-headlights expression, he continued on. “It’s when people with Scottish heritage celebrate the Declaration of Arbroath.”
“I didn’t realize you had such strong Scottish roots. I mean, I kinda gathered your family origin from your last name.”
“Yeah, my great-great grandfather was a lord with a pretty expansive estate.”
My brows shot up at his declaration. “Does that mean I should start addressing you as ‘my lord’?”
He laughed. “Not quite. My great-grandfather was the fifth son, so he didn’t get to inherit the title.”
“I see.”
Cassie came to join me at my side. She gave a low whistle at the sight of Rhys. “Look at you, stylin’ and profilin’ in a skirt. Didn’t take you for a cross-dresser.”
With a good-natured chuckle, Rhys replied, “It’s a kilt, not a skirt.”
Cassie motioned to his crotch. “You free ballin’ under there?”
Although my mind had certainly gone there, I still let out a horrified gasp at Cassie’s question. Rhys wagged a finger at Cassie. “A gentleman never tells.”
“Whatever,” Cassie replied.
Wanting to escape before the conversation got any crazier, I said, “We should go. We don’t want to be late.”
Rhys nodded and then opened the door for me. After saying goodbye to Cassie and the others, we headed out onto the porch and then down the stairs. As he held open the car door for me, Rhys gave me a genuine smile. “I meant to tell you earlier, but I was a distracted. You look very beautiful tonight, Allison.”
The sincerity with which he said the words, coupled with the way he was looking at me, caused my cheeks to warm while a delighted shiver ran down my spine. “Thank you.”
After I sank down on the leather seat, Rhys leaned in rather than closing the door. “And I’m really glad you’re wearing a long dress to cover those heels. They’re awfully distracting.”
My stomach flip-flopped at his words. It didn’t help matters that he gave me a teasing wink as he shut the door. While he went around the front of the car, I tried smoothing down my dress—anything to try to get a hold of my raging hormones.
When he got into the car, I couldn’t help cutting my eyes over to see how he maneuvered himself in the kilt. He must’ve had practice because he managed, unfortunately, not to flash more than the tops of his knees. We drove along the streets with the radio playing softly in the background. I was anxious to see where Rhys lived. I imagined it was somewhere in the Historic District—some pre-Civil War home that had been in his family for generations.
As we neared Forsyth Park, Rhys turned off on a street I’m not familiar with. It doesn’t take me long to spot his house, or I should say, mansion. It’s the one where expensive cars are lining up to the valet stand. It’s pretty much everything I envisioned in my mind. Instead of waiting for the valet, Rhys pulled into the driveway that wound around to the back of the house.
After turning off the car, he glanced over at me. “Pretentious, isn’t it?”
“It’s magnificent. I love antebellum homes.”
“Well, it’s from the 1830s.”
“I can’t wait to see inside.”
“Then let’s go.” Rhys then climbed out of the car and came around for me. Once he opened the door, I slid out, careful not to stumble on my heels.
When we continued up the pathway to the back of the house, I couldn’t help asking, “We aren’t going in the front?”
Rhys rolled his eyes. “And have to pass through the doorman and all that bullshit? I don’t want any part of that.”
“Oh,” I murmured.
“What do you mean ‘oh’?” he questioned, as he walked ahead of me.
“I just thought you might be embarrassed of me,” I murmured.
Skidding to a stop on the brick walkway, Rhys stared at me with an incredulous expression. “You are not serious?”
I shrugged. “It’s not like I fit into this world.”
“Neither do I,” he countered.
“But you were born into it. You’re a blue blood for God’s sake. Besides, your mother made it very clear a few weeks ago that I wasn’t the type of girl that you should be interested in.” Realizing I had said too much, I quickly tried backtracking. “I mean, the type of girl you should be hanging out with,” I hurriedly added.
“I don’t give two f*cks what kind of girl my parents think I should be hanging out with. I like being with you. I can’t remember a time when I’ve had more fun or been more at peace than I have with you. You’re the only thing that has made this visit tolerable. All those reasons? They’re what matters, not my parents.”
Between his words and the intensity of his stare, I had to focus on breathing. In and out, in and out, I recited in my head as my chest rose and fell in harsh pants. Finally, when I felt like I wasn’t going to pass out, I murmured very ineloquently, “Okay then.”
He smiled. “Good. I’m glad we have that settled.” He held out his arm for me to take just like a gentleman of years past would. “Now come on. It’s time we jumped into the shark tank.”
I slipped my arm through his and let him lead me up the walkway. When we got to the backdoor, Rhys didn’t even bother knocking. Instead, he barreled right on inside. A flurry of activity was going on in the massive kitchen with its marble tiled floor and granite countertops. The caterers and wait-staff buzzed around like busy worker bees. I’m sure Rhys’s mother would have considered them more as drones. They didn’t acknowledge our presence. Only one elderly, African-American woman’s face lit up at the sight of Rhys.
“Why hello there, stranger!” she cried.
Rhys’s face broke into a smile for the first time since we’d pulled into the driveway. “Ozella, my most favorite cook in the whole wide world.”
She wagged a finger at him. “I’m the only cook you’ve ever had.”
He laughed. “You’re still the best.”
His compliment sent a beaming smile across her face. “Well, since you’re a world traveler and famous musician, I’ll take your word for it.”
After they exchanged a hug, Rhys turned back to me. “Allison, this is Mrs. Ozella Princeton. She was our family’s personal cook from before I was born up until a few years ago.”
She smiled. “If I hadn’t had to retire for health reasons, I’d still be here. But I always come supervise Mrs. McGowan’s major parties.”
I held out my hand. “It’s nice meeting you.”
“Likewise.” Once she released my hand, she smacked Rhys playfully on the shoulder. “Now why didn’t you call and tell me you had settled down?”
Both Rhys and my eyes bulged at her mistake. “No, no, we’re not together like that,” Rhys quickly corrected.
Ozella’s brows creased in confusion. “Then how are you together?”
“He’s my brother’s best friend,” I replied, at the same time Rhys said, “She’s my bandmate’s little sister.”
“Uh-huh,” Ozella replied, a knowing look flickering in her eyes. I couldn’t help wondering why she had jumped to such a conclusion. Had Rhys never brought girls around before? Or was it more in the way we interacted with each other?
Her comment left us all in an awkward silence with me gnawing my lip, and Rhys fidgeting with the lapels and then the cuffs on his tux top.
“Zell, we need you,” someone called from across the room.
“Be right there,” Ozella called. Leaning in, she gave Rhys another hug. “Sorry, honey. I’ve got work to do.”
“It was so good seeing you,” Rhys said, as he squeezed her tight.
“You too. Don’t be a stranger when you’re in town. Come to see me anytime.”
Rhys nodded. “I will.”
Ozella winked at me. “You’re welcome, too, Allison.”
“Thank you,” I murmured, not daring to look at Rhys’s expression.
After Ozella had hurried off, Rhys turned to me. “Come,” he said, holding out his hand to me. “Let’s go find my parents so I can properly introduce you.”
Although I nodded in agreement, I fought the urge to stay in the kitchen or anywhere that was far, far away from his parents. It had been bad enough spending any time with his mother. I couldn’t imagine his father would be any better.
Tucked close to his side, I followed him out of the kitchen and into a long hallway. It reminded me a lot of the entrance hallway at the Mercer Williams House. My heels clacked along the marble floor beneath my feet while two glittering, crystal chandeliers lit our way. From ahead of us, I could hear the sound of a string quartet playing. A classical repertoire floated through the air, and for a moment, the relaxing music calmed me.
Pointing up the hallway, Rhys said, “The first room on the right is the ballroom. That’s where the music is coming from and where most of the party guests are. The doors open to a veranda.”
I widened my eyes. “You have a ballroom?”
He shrugged as if it was the most normal thing in the world to have a ballroom. “We also have a study, library, and a billiard room, just like in Clue.”
A nervous giggle escaped my lips. “You do?”
“It was fun growing up with such a big house to explore, but now it seems a bit pretentious.”
Inwardly, I agreed with him. I’d never been comfortable with over-the-top expressions of wealth. While my parents made good money, we lived rather modestly compared to a lot of their friends. I was thankful that when Runaway Train took off, Jake stayed very true to his roots, which meant staying at the farm he grew up on. “I never knew you were this rich.”
Rhys shook his head. “Just remember, this is my parents’ world—it isn’t mine. It never has been, nor will it ever be.”
“I’ll try,” I murmured, as Rhys swept me into a room to the left. This must have been the formal living room. It was heavy on the formal part with chandeliers, Persian rugs, and ornate furniture. It certainly wasn’t the type of living room where you kicked off your shoes and watched TV.
“Rhys darling, there you are,” Margaret called from the corner of the room. She, and who I assumed was Rhys’s father, was talking with another couple. As we approached, the couple excused themselves, and then it was just the four of us.
“Mother, I believe you have had the pleasure, but Father, please allow me to introduce to you, Allison Slater.”
Rhys’s father’s dark eyes narrowed slightly at me as he took a puff of a foul-smelling cigar. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Slater. I’m Elliot McGowan,” he said, extending a hand. Just like Rhys, he was outfitted in a blue and green checked kilt.
As I shook his hand, I quickly replied, “It’s a pleasure meeting you too, sir.”
“I understand you’re here in Savannah for school.”
“Yes, sir. I attend the Savannah College of Art and Design.”
“And what exactly do you plan to do with your degree?”
“Fashion design.”
At his father’s obvious lack of enthusiasm for my major, Rhys cleared his throat. “Allison’s just been accepted for a very prestigious internship.”
I smiled. “Rhys flatters me, but I will be fulfilling my internship while out on tour with his band.”
Margaret made a strangled noise beside me. When I turned to her, she asked, “So you and Rhys will be spending a lot of time together?”
With a nod, I replied, “Yes, just for the summer. I’ll pick up classes again in the fall.”
“I see,” she said, not bothering to hide her disdain.
Craning his neck around the room, Rhys asked, “Where’s Ellie?”
Margaret immediately stiffened before exchanging a glance with Elliot. “Tonight just isn’t the place for Eleanor,” Elliot replied.
Rhys’s pleasant expression instantly darkened. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
A nervous titter escaped Margaret’s lips as she gave a flippant wave of her hand. “You know your sister’s limitations. A crowded party full of strange people isn’t the place for her.”
“What you mean to say is, it’s the perfect place for you to be embarrassed by your own daughter?”
“Rhys, you may be a grown adult, but I will not have you speak to your mother with that tone,” Elliot warned.
Shaking his head, Rhys questioned bitterly, “I don’t know why I’m even surprised. Is she even here, or did you keep her as far away as possible by having her stay at the Brandewine Institute?”
“She is here, just like she is every weekend. She just will not be attending the party.”
“You two really disgust me sometimes,” Rhys bellowed, before he turned and strode determinedly out of the room.
I exchanged a horrified glance with Rhys’s parents. “Excuse me,” I said, before hightailing after him. When I got back into the foyer, I glanced left and right to see where Rhys had gone. I heard a door slam in the back, so I raced as best I could in my heels and dress to catch up with him.
As I got outside, I saw him stalking across the garden area. “Rhys, wait!” I called.
He froze. He still hadn’t turned around by the time I got to him. Instead, his broad shoulders were drawn, his head tucked into his chest. Tentatively, I reached my hand out to touch his arm. Words seemed to escape me. There was obviously a sordid history about Rhys’s younger sister that I wasn’t privy to—one that hurt him very deeply. “I’m so sorry. Are you okay?”
Rhys turned his head to look at me. “There’s nothing you need to apologize for. It’s my f*cking parents and their bullshit way of thinking.”
My hand rubbed up and down his arm. “I’m still sorry they upset you. It’s obvious that you love your sister, and that you don’t want to see her mistreated.”
“I do love her.” Rhys’s shoulders slumped farther. “Sometimes I think I’m the only one who does.”
“Then let’s go see her. I’m sure she wants to spend time with you.”
With a slight nod of his head, Rhys started toward the front door of the carriage house. His hand hovered over the ornate door knocker before he pulled it back. “Allison, before you meet her, I guess I need to explain about Ellie.”
“Okay,” I replied cautiously. At that moment, I didn’t know what to expect behind that door. Between what Elliot and Margaret had said, coupled with Rhys acting so mysteriously, I didn’t know if Ellie was just your typical rebellious daughter that her uptight parents were ashamed of or if there was something else—something much more serious.
“Ellie is different.”
“Different how?” I pressed.
He grimaced. “I hate even saying that about her. The truth is she’s severely autistic. She isn’t anything like Lucy.” He shook his head. “It’s a horrible thing to do, but I guess to prepare you in the best way, she’s an autistic savant, like Rain Man, except she’s nonverbal.”
My heart ached for the pain I could feel coming from Rhys. “Why don’t your parents want her coming to the party?” I questioned softly.
Rhys ran a hand over his face that wore an agonized expression. “Although my mother may head up charity campaigns for autism research, she prefers to keep Ellie out of sight. Most of the time, Ellie does fine in crowds—loud noise or music doesn’t bother her like some autistic people. She even seems to thrive on being with people, or at least she has at her group home. But my mother would never risk having Ellie at one of her parties. To her, Ellie will always be an embarrassment—like a crack in a beautiful piece of Waterford crystal. You would think after twenty-three years, she would have accepted the imperfection, but she hasn’t. During the week, Ellie lives at the Brandewine Institute, which is a group home for adults with disabilities. Basically, it’s a place where a lot of wealthy society families from Georgia and South Carolina, stick their mentally challenged adult children.”
“That’s so sad.”
“I wouldn’t stand for it if Ellie wasn’t happy there. She fits in well, and she spends hours painting.” He stared pointedly at me. “That’s where she painted your necklace. She really enjoys painting intricate details like that on small objects.”
“She truly has a gift.”
Rhys gave me a sad smile. “She’s good at so many things, but unfortunately, my parents refuse to see it. They only focus on what she can’t do, rather than what she can. She never got to be a debutante and have a coming out party, and she’ll never be in the papers for a society wedding.”
Reaching out, I once again touched his arm. “I still want to meet her.”
“Okay,” Rhys replied, with an edge of caution in his voice.
A few seconds after Rhys tapped on the brass knocker, the door flew open. A silver-haired woman with a warm, friendly smile appeared before us. “Rhys McGowan, aren’t you looking dapper this evening?” she exclaimed.
Rhys bounded forward to hug the woman. “Thank you, Trudie. I do clean up well, don’t I?”
Squeezing him tight, Trudie patted Rhys’s back. “Yes, you do. Why I almost wouldn’t have recognized you out of your ratty jeans and T-shirts.”
With a chuckle, Rhys argued, “Hey now, you act as if I look like some homeless person. I may wear that around the house, but I always dress up at the Brandewine Institute when I come to see Ellie.”
I couldn’t help raising my brows at Rhys’s admission of how he had been sneaking around the past two weeks. Truthfully, it was none of my business what he had done during the times he wasn’t with me. But it was surprising that I was just now learning about Ellie.
“Yes, that’s true. It doesn’t matter what you have on. You’d be as good-looking as any movie star, even in a potato sack.”
“Thank you, Trudie. You always flatter me.”
Trudie grinned. “I bet Ellie is going to be excited to see you again. She lights up whenever you are around.”
Rhys grimaced. “I know. I’ve been down to the Brandewine Institute every day since I’ve been back. But it isn’t enough. I’ve got to start coming home more when I’m on break, if only for Ellie’s sake.”
Patting Rhys’s arm reassuringly, Trudie replied, “In her own way, she understands. And she loves to do those camera talks with you on the computer.”
Rhys smiled. “The Skype chats.”
Trudie snapped her fingers. “That’s it.” She then turned her attention to me as if realizing for the first time Rhys wasn’t alone. “Well, who do we have here?”
“This is my friend, Allison. She’s my bandmate, Jake’s, little sister.”
A knowing look came over Trudie’s face. “I see.” When I stuck out my hand for her to shake, she drew me into her embrace instead. “It’s lovely meeting you, Allison.”
“Thank you. It’s nice meeting you, too.”
As she pulled away, she tenderly cupped my cheek as if we were lifelong acquaintances. “What a beautiful young woman you are,” she remarked.
Warmth rushed to my face at her compliments. “Thank you.”
She glanced from me to Rhys. “How fortunate you are that your bandmate has such a pretty sister.”
Rhys cleared his throat, and I could tell he was uncomfortable with the attention that Trudie was giving me. “Yes, I am. Although I’m pretty sure Jake wouldn’t appreciate me saying that.”
“Did you make the trip down with Rhys?” Trudie asked.
I shook my head wildly at her assumption. “No, no, I’m from Atlanta, but I’m here in Savannah for college at SCAD.”
“Oh, how interesting. What’s your major?”
“Fashion design.”
Glancing at my dress, she nodded. “I can see that—you have impeccable taste.”
“Thank you very much.”
After clearing his throat, Rhys asked, “Where’s Ellie?”
Trudie’s bright expression dimmed a little. “She’s at the front window. She’s been glued to watching all the catering trucks coming and going.” Trudie shook her head. “Even though she’s in her own world most of the time, she does seem to love a party.”
Rhys clenched his jaw. “I know.” After nodding to Trudie, he once again reached for my hand, and I took it. He led me through an arched doorway into a room filled with floor-to-ceiling windows. At the far end of the room, I saw Ellie—or at least her back. Each of her hands gripped the sides of the lace curtains as if they were the lifeline to keep her upright as she leaned her entire upper body into the window. Her dark hair fell just at her shoulders, and it was styled like a pageboy. With jeans and a striped shirt, she appeared as any other twenty-something. But from the way she hummed and carried herself, you could tell there was a difference.
“Ellie-Bellie-Mellie,” Rhys called, his voice vibrating with affection. The moment the words left his lips I thought of Jake’s nickname for me. Rhys had always called me the same thing, and although I hated it, I saw now that it meant something to him to call me that.
Slowly, Ellie craned her neck in Rhys’s direction. A bright smile lit up her face. With her dark hair and dark eyes, she looked so much like Rhys.
Without a word to Rhys, she hurried over to the other side of the room where a baby grand piano sat. After she eased down on the bench, Rhys grinned. “Must we play now, Ellie? I wanted to introduce you to my friend, Allison.”
She didn’t reply, nor did she look in my direction. Instead, her posture remained ramrod straight, fingers poised over the keys. “Okay, if you’re sure,” he said. Still Ellie made no gestures or noises.
I watched in amazement as Rhys crossed the room to Ellie and sat down next to the piano. Out of a case on the floor, he produced a sleek black cello. Easing it between his legs, he took the bow in one hand. Once he had everything adjusted properly, Ellie began to play. Within a few beats, Rhys chimed in with her. “Recognize it?” he questioned over the music.
Closing my eyes, I tried to put a composer or a title with it. “Beethoven?” I asked, as I opened my eyes again.
Rhys nodded. “Moonlight Sonata,” he called over the music.
“I love Beethoven. He’s the perfect classical emo composer.”
With a laugh, Rhys replied, “That is true.”
Then he focused his attention back on his instrument. He had never mentioned being able to play the cello. I suppose it made sense since in a way the bass guitar was in the same family as the cello. With rapt attention, I watched as he closed his eyes and effortlessly drew the bow across the strings with infinite precision. His left hand moved deftly across the fingerboard, and I couldn’t help but shudder a little watching the strength in those fingers.
Although sex should have been the furthest thought from my mind, there was something very erotic about watching him with his eyes closed, biting his lip in extreme concentration as he worked his fingers up and down the neck with the massive cello standing between his legs.
As I fought the urge to fan myself, Trudie came to join me at my side. “They’re very talented, aren’t they?” she asked.
“It’s amazing how well they complement each other.”
“Yes, they both were born musically gifted. Ellie learned by listening to Rhys’s early music lessons. Then one day I found her repeating what she had heard on the piano.”
“So she’s pretty much completely self-taught?”
Trudie nodded. “She doesn’t read music. She simply hears a piece and commits it to memory.”
As the duet came to a close and Trudie and I clapped wildly, Ellie made no move to get up from the piano, but Rhys seemed to anticipate her silent request. “Okay, but just one more. How about instead of the classics, we try Les Mis this time?” Rhys said. I sucked in a breath when he jerked his chin up at me and grinned. It meant so much that he had picked a musical he knew was my favorite. We’d just watched the new movie version the other day.
Ellie then began the opening chords of a song I was so familiar with, Bring Him Home. As they each played their separate parts that melted into one melody, they complemented each other so well. Tears sprang to my eyes as I watched them execute the music so beautifully. Swiping my cheeks, I realized how precious these moments had to be to Rhys. For a short time, he was wholly connected with Ellie in a world where they were both equals and understood each other so completely. I couldn’t help but imagine that from the time they were little, their bond had been tightly woven through the strings of music.
No matter where he had gone in life or what celebrity status had come to him, Rhys had never let his bond break with his sister. It warmed my heart to see him have such a wonderful connection. For someone I had feared didn’t know how to love or be loved, he had thankfully proved me wrong.
When they finished, I clapped until my hands were stung red. “That was…” Closing my eyes, I shook my head. “I don’t even have words to express how wonderful it was.”
Standing up from his chair, Rhys gave me a beaming smile. “I’m so glad you enjoyed the concert. I’ll have to play for you again sometime.”
“I would love it.”
Without a word to any of us, Ellie closed the piano lid and rose off the bench. She then crossed the room to stand in front of the mirror. The humming started up again as she peered at the coming and going guests. Trudie smiled. “I’m afraid I won’t be able to get her to bed until the party is over. She wants to take it all in.”
“Can’t she go?” I asked before I thought better of it. When Rhys stared at me in surprise, I ducked my head. “I’m sorry. I just thought maybe we could take her for a little while. Let her see everything up close and personal, rather than from the window.”
“I think that’s a fantastic idea,” Rhys said.
I jerked my head up. The intensity of his stare caused me to shiver. There were so many emotions radiating in his eyes, but gratitude was one that I could plainly make out. “Really?”
He turned to Trudie. “Can you find her something more appropriate to wear?”
“Yes, I believe she has a few dresses in the closet.”
Rhys nodded and then went to Ellie’s side. Tenderly, he touched her shoulder. “Ellie, do you want to go with Trudie and find a dress to wear to the party? You’ll look so pretty, and you’ll get to see all the people you’ve been watching tonight.”
Slowly, she released her hold on the curtains. Turning from the window, she went to Trudie’s side. “Let’s find you something to wear, shall we?” Trudie asked. She and Ellie left the living room and went into one of the bedrooms.
When the door closed behind them, Rhys exhaled a long breath. With a gracious expression, he said, “Thank you for suggesting that.”
I shook my head. “I don’t know if it was the right thing. I mean, your mother and father didn’t think she should go.”
Rhys shook his head. “Don’t worry about what they said. They’re just trying to save face in front of their stuck-up friends.”
I hoped he was right. The door opened, and Ellie appeared in a demure, beaded black dress. Her hair had been swept back with a glittering headband.
“Don’t you look beautiful?” Rhys exclaimed, closing the gap between them. He hugged her gently, as if careful not to crowd her. She patted his back with one of her hands. “I’m so lucky to have two beautiful ladies escorting me to the party.” Glancing over his shoulder at me, Rhys’s wide smile lit up his entire face. It was good seeing him so happy, and I was so grateful that he was letting me share the moment with him and his sister.
As we started to the door, Trudie stopped Rhys. “If you need me, I’ll be here.” I could tell that although she was thrilled that Ellie was going to the party, Trudie was also worried.
Rhys nodded. “It’ll be fine. I’ll let her see everyone and listen to the music. I’ll make sure to bring her back in an hour so she doesn’t get overstimulated by the crowd.”
“That sounds good.” Trudie patted Ellie’s arm. “Have fun, honey.”
As we started up the brick pathway, Ellie walked slightly ahead of us, craning her neck to take in the sound of the string quartet coming from the tent off to the side of the house. “She’s going to enjoy the hell out of the music,” Rhys said, as we walked up the stairs and into the kitchen.
Ellie paid little attention to the people overfilling the main hallway and other rooms. She had a singular focus it seemed, to find the source of the music she was humming. Rhys, on the other hand, was the consummate Southern gentleman. He spoke to everyone he saw—shook hands with the men and kissed a few women’s cheeks. Each and every time, he made sure to introduce me. All the while as he socialized, he kept a cautious eye on Ellie.
When she had gotten to the ballroom door that led out onto the veranda, she had stopped. It seemed she had found her perfect spot to listen to the music and watch the dancing partygoers. Those who didn’t know her cast frustrated looks when she wouldn’t move aside for them.
“Excuse me, Eddie,” Rhys said to a bald man in a red and black checked kilt. He then crossed the room to go to Ellie’s side. He gently took her by the arm. “Why don’t we sit at a table, so you can see and hear better?”
While she didn’t appear to acknowledge him, Ellie did let Rhys lead her over to a table in the back of the veranda. I eased down beside Rhys. Glad to be off my feet for a moment, I, too, enjoyed listening to the quartet. My gaze flickered around the room, taking in the guests. Several were in kilts like Rhys, but most of the men wore tuxes. When a waiter stopped at the table, I gladly took a flute of bubbly. Thankfully another appeared with a tray of hors d’ oeuvres. After I greedily devoured the napkin of goodies, I craned my neck to see where another waiter was.
Rhys chuckled beside me. “What?” I asked.
“There is real food in the dining room if you’re hungry.”
Embarrassment warmed my cheeks. “I guess scarfing that down didn’t look too ladylike, huh?”
With a roll of his eyes, Rhys said, “Like I give two shits about anything ladylike.” He leaned forward. “What I do care about is if you’re hungry.”
“I am.” And for more than just food. I’d like to have you as the appetizer, main course, and dessert. Those were the thoughts derailing my mind in the middle of the party.
He smiled. “Then let me get you a plate.” After waving one of the waiters over, Rhys said, “Please bring me three settings of the dinner course.”
“Yes, sir.”
As the waiter hurried off, I cocked my brows at Rhys. “Wow, that was impressive.”
“What do you mean?”
“Having someone at your beck and call like that. No standing in line with the other peasants. Not to mention, you get table side service.”
Rhys laughed. “It’s basically the same thing as ordering something at a restaurant. The wait-staff always know to keep my parents’ guests happy and give them what they ask for.”
“So he wasn’t falling over himself to give you what you wanted because you were lord of the manor?” I teasingly questioned.
“Maybe.” Then he shook his head at me. “I’m not lord of the manor. I told you my branch of the family didn’t have a title.”
I opened my mouth to tease him more, but the waiter arrived with our plates. “That was fast,” I murmured, after he left the table.
“And I’m sure the fast service was because of me being Lord McGowan?” Rhys asked, cocking his brows at me.
“You can’t tell me any different.”
“Whatever,” he replied, with a good-natured chuckle.
While I dug into the deliciously aromatic roast chicken, Rhys coaxed Ellie to eat a little. His efforts went to waste when two bagpipers in full regalia strolled past our table. Ellie dropped her fork and sat up a little straighter, her curiosity piqued.
“You weren’t kidding about celebrating Tartan Day, were you?” I asked.
He grinned. “Do you think I’d be rocking this kilt if we weren’t hardcore about it?”
“Probably not.” Reaching for my purse, I took out my phone. “I should seriously take a pic and send it to Jake.”
Before I knew what was happening, Rhys had snatched the phone out of my hand. “No f*cking way!”
“Why not?”
“Because he and the others will be ragging my ass for days, if not weeks, if they saw that.”
Since I’d often seen firsthand how Jake and AJ loved to tease Rhys, I knew I had to respect his wishes. “Okay, okay. I’ll put the phone away.” When I held out my hand, Rhys reluctantly slipped it into it. Once I’d put it into my purse, he seemed relieved. We sat back in our chairs to enjoy the rest of the performance by the bagpipers.
Once it had ended and the quartet started up again, Rhys looked over at me and smiled. Motioning out onto the floor filled with swaying couples, he asked, “How about a dance?”
While Ellie seemed content, I wasn’t sure about leaving her. I didn’t want to upset her by making her feel abandoned. I guess Rhys sensed my apprehension. “It’ll be fine, and we can keep an eye on her from the dance floor,” he reassured me.
“Okay, I’d love to dance with you.”
As Rhys rose out of his chair, he leaned in close to Ellie’s ear. “Allison and I are going to dance. We’ll be right back, and then I’ll take you back to Trudie.”
Once again, she didn’t acknowledge him. She just kept staring straight ahead with a serene expression on her face. She didn’t appear to be upset that we were leaving her. Taking my hand, Rhys led me away from the table. As we weaved in and out of the other couples, the quartet began playing Moon River, the theme song from one of my mom’s favorite movies, Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
We didn’t move far into the dance floor. Instead, we stayed on the fringes so that we could see Ellie. Once we had found the perfect place, Rhys pulled me closer to him. Of course, since we were at a society party, we didn’t dance like I was accustomed to. It was much more formal. I would have rather wrapped my arms around Rhys’s neck than to have had one hand in his and the other on his shoulder. It seemed like there was always something keeping us apart.
When the song ended, Ellie got up from the table. Both Rhys and I froze as we watched her carefully. She went just inside the door to sit at the grand piano. When she began playing along with the quartet, Rhys exhaled a relieved breath.
As we danced to the music, I tried not to think about how frustrated I was with how things were moving along. Then a thought popped into my mind, and I couldn’t help giggling. “What is it?” Rhys asked.
“Oh nothing,” I muttered, refusing to meet his eye. I couldn’t believe I had laughed out loud.
Rhys eyed me with a skeptical look. “Come on. You expect me to buy that? It was obviously something amusing, or you wouldn’t have laughed.”
At his imploring look, I decided to come clean with him. “Dancing as close as we are, I couldn’t help but wonder about Cassie’s question from earlier.”
Rhys’s brows furrowed. “What are you talking about?”
Lowering my voice, I asked, “You know, when she asked you about your kilt?” When he still looked clueless, I sighed. “Are you wearing any underwear under that kilt?”
“My, my, that’s awfully intrusive of you. What’s gotten into you tonight?”
“Nothing. I was just curious.”
He then gave me a sexy little grin that ignited the lacy panties I was wearing. “You really want to know for you or so you can tell Cassie?”
“For me,” I whispered.
“Well, you could always be daring and reach under there to see for yourself,” he taunted.
I stared at him unblinking and unmoving for a moment. For one, I was shocked that he had even suggested such a thing—it was so uncharacteristic of him. On the other hand, was he actually suggesting that I touch him so very intimately in the middle of a crowded dance floor? “I, uh,” I muttered incoherently.
Rhys chuckled. “Too scary of a prospect for you, Allie-Bean?”
His somewhat condescending tone irked me. “No, it’s more the fact that I don’t think your mother would approve of me groping you in the middle of her fancy fling.”
“I really don’t give a damn what my mother thinks.”
“Yes, well I do. Besides, I have my reputation to contend with. I’m going to have to pass this time.”
“Pity then,” he replied, his eyes twinkling mischievously. He then ducked his head to where his breath warmed my earlobe. “I’ll be nice and put you out of your misery. I’m wearing boxer briefs.”
“Oh,” I replied, unable to hide the disappointment in my voice. I don’t know why it really mattered to me.
Pulling back, Rhys eyed me with an intense expression. “You know, I think we’re entering dangerous territory.”
I swallowed hard. “W-We are?”
He slowly nodded. “I’m saying things to you tonight that I really shouldn’t. It’s not right.”
“I don’t want you to say or do anything different, Rhys,” I countered.
“You don’t?” he asked, his brows rising in surprise.
“No, I don’t. I like you just as you are—the good and the bad.”
The sound of a shriek, followed by breaking glass, snatched us out of the moment. Rhys dropped his arms from me and raced back into the house. I followed right on his heels. When I got to the doorway, I froze. In the middle of the room, Ellie was throwing a tantrum, crying, pulling her hair and stomping her feet. Most of the partygoers in the ballroom had scattered to the opposite end of the room and were whispering behind their hands.
Elliot and Margaret made a half circle around Ellie as if they were trying to contain her. They spoke no soothing words of comfort. Instead, they eyed her with contempt. Rhys, however, barreled right past them to try to calm Ellie down. “Ellie-Bellie-Mellie, please don’t cry. I’ll make it right.” His words, coupled with his expression, broke my heart for him. “Shh, it’s okay. I’m here. No one is going to hurt you,” he said soothingly.
Ellie’s crying quieted to whimpers, and she no longer stomped around. Instead, she swayed back and forth, humming the tune that the quartet was playing.
“What did you do?” Rhys demanded, his eyes narrowing at his parents.
Margaret’s face was the shade of an eggplant from anger, not embarrassment. “We couldn’t hear each other talk over her playing. I simply asked her to stop. When she refused, I closed the lid to force her to stop.”
The veins on Rhys’s neck bulged in fury. “How could you? She wasn’t hurting anyone.”
“She was ruining your mother’s party. She should have never been here in the first place,” Elliot replied.
Ignoring his father, Rhys tentatively put an arm around Ellie’s shoulder. “Come on. Let’s get you back home. You can play the piano all night if you want to.” When Ellie started to resist, Rhys began humming the same music she was. It seemed to calm her, and she willingly let him lead her out of the house. I followed close behind them, unsure of what to say or do. Part of me felt responsible. I’d worried about suggesting she come to the party. Of course, I’d feared some stranger ridiculing her. I never could have imagined her own mother would have treated her so horribly.
When we got to the doorway of the carriage house, Ellie balked and pulled away from Rhys. She started walking across the lawn to the garage. “She wants to go home,” Rhys murmured.
“But isn’t this her home?”
“Not when she feels hurt and angry. I guess you could say it’s her way of running away, putting distance between her and my parents.”
Trudie opened the door. The moment she saw Rhys’s face she gasped. “What happened?”
“I need to take Ellie back to the Brandewine Institute. Now.”
With a nod, Trudie replied, “Let me get my bag.”
“You know you don’t have to stay with her there,” Rhys said.
Trudie smiled and patted his cheek. “I don’t have to, but I want to. She needs me tonight.” She then disappeared back into the house. Across the yard, Ellie waited patiently at Rhys’s car, swaying to the music that floated back from the tent.
Tentatively, I took a step forward. Placing my hand over Rhys’s heart, I said the words that were sorely lacking in the moment, but the only ones I could think to even comfort him. “I’m so, so sorry.”
He brought his agonized gaze to mine. I could see he was troubled, not at Ellie, or it seemed, not even at me, but, he was too highly strung to form words. Instead, he just nodded his head in acknowledgement at my words.
“Look, I know you need to be with Ellie tonight. Don’t worry about me. I’ll call a cab and—”
Rhys furiously shook his head. “No, please don’t go. Stay here and wait for me to get back.” He squeezed my hand that still rested on his chest. “I need you tonight, Allison.”
The emotional weight of the moment and his words made it hard to breathe. When I could finally speak again, I didn’t realize the irony of my words until after I’d spoken then. “Of course. I’ll wait for you, no matter how long it takes.”
“Thanks, Allie-Bean.” We were interrupted by Trudie coming out the door with a small suitcase. “You can wait for me in the pool house. That’s where I’ve been staying.”
I nodded in acknowledgement like I knew what he was talking about. A shadow of a smile played on his lips. “It’s right over there.” He motioned to the side of the carriage house where a building with a glass roof was connected.
“Okay, I’ll wait for you there.” I watched as he and Trudie made their way across the yard and got Ellie into the car. I stood in the same spot until the car backed down the driveway and disappeared into the night.
Thankfully the backyard was lit up for the party, and I didn’t have any trouble finding the front door. As I pushed it open, I let out a low whistle. The “house” was actually one long, glassed-in room that appeared to have been built over an existing pool. I couldn’t help wondering if it had been done as a safety means for Ellie.
On one side of the pool, there was a fully stocked bar that I was tempted to stop at. After the last half hour, I desperately needed a drink to calm my nerves. As I kept on walking, I couldn’t help shaking my head. Of course, Rhys’s parents didn’t have just your average pool. Oh no, it had a partial waterfall in the deep end that led into an alcove with faux rock formations. There was also a large Jacuzzi within the alcove. At the end of the room, my attention was drawn to two wooden doors. With my heels clicking on the tile, I headed to the room. When I opened the door, my nose was assaulted with the smell of Rhys. It must’ve been where he had been staying. There was a large, four-poster bed along with several pieces of furniture. His suitcases and clothes were strewn all around on the floor.
Several picture frames adorned the nightstand. Most were of Rhys and Ellie while there was some of Runaway Train. With my heart beating wildly, I reached forward and snatched up one of the frames. It was a candid picture from Jake and Abby’s wedding with the guys and their families. Instead of the professional one I’d seen in the wedding album, this one captured everyone in a moment of brevity. As my finger traced over the glass, I saw an island paradise in the background as Jake, wearing a teasing smirk, grabbed Abby’s boob while she stared wide-eyed with horror out at the camera. Rhys had his head thrown back laughing at something AJ had said about Jake’s antics. One of his arms was slung around my waist, drawing me close to him. I stared up at him with an adoring smile. Out of all the pictures, I wondered why he had chosen that one to frame. Surely, he could see by both my eyes and expression that I felt far more for him than friendship.
After I sat it back on the nightstand, I left the bedroom, closing the double doors behind me. With nothing to do but wait for Rhys, I sat down on the edge of the pool. Taking off my naughty heels, I slid up my dress and let my feet drop into the water. I leaned back on my hands, swirling my feet through the cool water.
I don’t know how long I had been sitting there lost in thought when Rhys’s voice caused me to jump. “Hey,” he said softly.
“Hi,” I replied.
He dropped down to sit beside me, stretching his legs out on the tiled floor. “Is Ellie okay now?” I asked.
A sad smile formed on his lips. “Yeah, she was just fine when I left. She was listening to music and painting. I suppose I should be grateful for the small mercies of life.”
“That she’s able to find happiness?” I questioned softly.
He exhaled harshly, his head falling back to gaze up at the moon glowing over the glass roof. “While my heart aches each and every day for Ellie and her situation, sometimes there are days where it aches more for Lucy.”
I stared curiously at him. “Why is that?”
“One day when Lucy is older, she’ll be cognitive enough to realize that there is something different about her. While I know that Bray and Lily will never do anything to cause it, Lucy will compare herself to Jude and to Melody. Most likely, she’ll feel anger and sadness that she isn’t the same as them.” Rhys glanced over at me. “Ellie never has to do that. She never has to compare herself to me or feel what it’s like to not live up to our parents’ expectations. She’s thankfully oblivious to all of that.”
I slowly processed the truth in his words. My chest tightened at the feeling of sweet Lucy ever having to feel bad about herself. Eyeing my painted toenails in the water, I tried to tune out the voice in my head—the one that was nagging me to question Rhys. But then I realized that I had to ask or else I would never be able to look at him the same way. “Rhys?”
“Hmm?” he replied, staring out at the water.
“You’ve never brought Ellie around the guys much, have you?”
“No, I haven’t.”
Gnawing on my lip, I finally dared to ask the question that was haunting me. “Is it because you’re ashamed of her?”
Rhys jerked his gaze from the water to meet mine. His dark eyes bulged. “How dare you ask me that?”
“It’s an honest question. I’ve only heard you speak of her a few times before tonight. You never mention your family when you’re with the guys.”
Scowling, he crossed his arms over his chest. “You should know by now that I’m a very private person.”
“Private or emotionally shut off?”
Flinching prematurely, I prepared myself for him to yell at me, but he surprised me by murmuring, “A little of both.”
“You don’t have to be that way with me. I want you to be able to trust me, Rhys.”
“I do trust you. If I didn’t, I would have never let you meet Ellie.” Rhys exhaled an anguished breath. “The truth is I could never be ashamed or embarrassed by Ellie. The reason I don’t speak of her or bring her around is I’m more afraid of my reactions to the way others treat her.”
“What do you mean?”
“I can’t respect anyone who finds fault with Ellie. Since I was a kid, I’ve been defending her. When I was in the fifth grade, I got expelled from a private school because I hit a kid with a golf club after he was telling people my sister was a freaky retard.”
“Oh Rhys,” I murmured.
He angrily shook his head. “I’ve ended many friendships, and even a few relationships, with people who expressed disdain and somewhat repulsion being in her presence.”
“That’s terrible.”
“She deserves respect just like anybody else, so why should I give my time to those who have no respect for my blood?” Rhys bellowed.
“No, I mean, it’s terrible that anyone would have disdain or repulsion for Ellie,” I said, softly.
Rhys’s expression softened. “Oh, I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.”
He shook his head. “I shouldn’t have bit your head off like that.”
“Stop beating yourself up.” When he still appeared unconvinced, I said, “It shows a great depth of character that you care so much about your sister. She’s so very lucky that she has you in her life.”
“I guess I’m really a bastard for not talking about her, huh?” he questioned. From the look in his eyes, I could tell it was something that really worried him.
“No, I can totally understand your reasons. But at the same time, you’re protecting yourself more than you are her. Your motives are better than your parents’, but at the same time, you’re still hiding her away.”
“The more people who know about her, the more ridicule she is going to have,” Rhys protested.
“Yes, but at the same time, think of all the good you could do for autistic people if you were to come out and talk about Ellie—if you lent your name to fundraisers and charities. Your celebrity might even change the way some people treat autistic people.”
Rhys weighed my words for a few moments. “You’re right. I can’t believe I didn’t see that before.” Tears sparkled in his eyes. “Makes me feel like a stupid, selfish prick.”
I shook my head. “Sometimes you’re just too close to a situation to truly see things the way they should be.”
“How could I screw her over like that?”
“Don’t you dare say that! You could never, ever do anything to hurt Ellie.” Reaching over, I cupped his cheek with my hand. “I’m not going to let you sit here and beat yourself up, okay?”
With a weary smile, he replied, “Okay.”
“You’ve got one of the biggest hearts I know, Rhys. There isn’t a malicious bone in your body. You would walk barefoot through a field of glass to make sure Ellie was happy.”
“I suppose.”
When he stared mournfully out at the water, I clapped my hands together. “You, sir, are in desperate need of a drink.” Holding my dress in place with one hand, I rose to my feet. “Come on. Let’s be cliché and drink away our troubles.”
Rhys stared up at me for a moment before a grin spread across his face. “You’re so f*cking right. If there was ever a night to get plastered, it’s tonight.”
While I boosted myself onto one of the stools, Rhys walked around the side of the bar. “What sounds good?” I asked.
“I think the better question is, what is going to get us shitfaced the fastest?”
I giggled. “And if you get shitfaced, how will I get home?”
Rhys shrugged. “Guess you’ll just have to stay here.”
His reply caused me to gasp. “H-Here?” I stammered.
“Besides the f*cking monstrosity main house, I’m pretty sure there’s room in the carriage house for you.”
“Oh,” I murmured, trying not to hide my disappointment.
As Rhys plopped a bottle of tequila down on the bar, he winked. “Of course, my bed is pretty big, and I wouldn’t mind sharing it.”
My mouth dropped open as I tried processing what he had just said. Like a typical guy, he’d been able to go from emotionally broken to teasing sex-fiend in less than two minutes. I don’t know how guys could inflict such whiplash with their feelings. But was Rhys’s joke just something to lighten the mood? Or was this really it—a proposition to be with him? Deciding not to let him get one on me, I replied, “I’d be happy to share your bed.”
Rhys’s dark eyes twinkled. “I think you’d change your mind pretty quick after you heard me snore.”
I laughed. “I hog the covers, so we’re even.”
“Two horrible bedmates, huh?”
“Yep,” I replied, although secretly I wouldn’t have cared as long as I got to share his bed.
Taking out two shot glasses from under the bar, Rhys sat them in front of me. “Think you’ve got it in you to do some hardcore shots?”
“I will if you will,” I dared.
“Oh, I will,” he replied. He unscrewed the lid on a bottle I wasn’t familiar with. When he glanced up, he must’ve noticed my questioning look. “This,” he began before waving the bottle, “is pure white tequila from the agave fields outside of Guadalajara.”
“Sounds intense.”
Rhys grinned. “Trust me, it is. They barely put in a capful of this shit when they make a margarita.”
“How did you come to get it?”
“AJ’s family has killer connections, so he always brings us back some when he goes to visit.”
“I see.”
As Rhys picked up his shot glass, I frowned. “No limes or salt?”
Glancing at me over the rim of the glass, Rhys said, “You’re not totally hardcore then.”
“If you don’t have any, that’s okay.”
Rhys sat down the shot glass. He held up one finger to me before walking to the end of the bar and bending over. Leaning up on my stool, I saw that he was rooting around in a small refrigerator. When he stood up, I saw two limes in his hands. As he started back to me, he started juggling them. “I didn’t know you were a man of many talents.”
“Oh yeah, I totally wanted to run away with the circus when I was a kid.”
I giggled. “Seriously?”
He cocked a brow at me. “You’ve met my parents. Anything, including the circus, would have been better.”
My smile faded as I once again felt the intensity of his pain. When I started to say something to him, Rhys shook his head. “No more of that or we’ll have to down the entire bottle. Then I’m pretty sure we’d end up with alcohol poisoning.”
After cutting the limes, he brought out a salt shaker. He placed it all before me before he walked around the side of the bar. He took a seat on the stool beside me. “I think we’re good to go now.”
“Thanks for humoring me with the salt and lime,” I said.
“It’s nothing. Besides, I owed you.”
Furrowing my brows, I asked, “How did you owe me?”
Not meeting my eyes, Rhys ran a finger along the wooden groove in the bar. “You stayed tonight.”
“Of course I did.”
His gaze flickered from the bar to me. “You didn’t have to though. After seeing what happened with Ellie and all the f*cked up shit that is my family, you could’ve bailed. Hell, you probably should have.”
I shook my head. “What happened tonight was horrible. My heart aches for Ellie and for you. But it could never make me care about you less.”
As his jaw clenched and unclenched, Rhys’s eyes remained firmly on mine. “You do care about me, don’t you?”
“Very much. I always have and always will,” I replied, my voice humming with emotion. I reached across to close my hand over his. “I’ll always be here for you, Rhys.”
“Take a shot,” he commanded, his expression tense, his eyes unreadable.
Goosebumps pebbled my arms at his assertive tone. I wasn’t used to him being so forceful. For a moment, I couldn’t process his words. It was like the tone of the entire conversation had veered off course. Reluctantly, I followed his orders. When I started to reach for a lime, he stopped me. As I eyed him curiously, he took the shaker of salt in his hand. Tilting his head, he shook the bottle along his neck. Then he leaned over and brought the shaker to my neck. My breathing became erratic at the nearness of him. But most of all, it was the way the tension crackled in the air between us. Nothing really had been spoken out loud, nothing had been done to change things, but in that moment, everything was different.
“Take a shot,” he repeated.
With trembling fingers, I reached for the glass. I took it in one hand and the lime in the other. Leaning forward on the stool, I dipped my head down to his neck. My lips hovered over the warmth of his skin. Flicking out my tongue, I brought it against the stubble on his neck. Rhys sucked in a harsh breath at the contact. Slowly, my tongue trailed upward over the faint line of salt, eliciting a small groan from Rhys.
Once I finished, I pulled away. I didn’t dare look at Rhys—my skin burned just from the intensity of his stare. Tipping up the glass, I downed it in one fiery gulp. As my eyes pinched shut in pain, I slammed the lime against my lips. My teeth cut through the fruit, as my mouth sucked off the juices. When I swallowed again, a shiver echoed through me.
I opened my eyes to find Rhys still staring at me. His dark eyes shone with such intensity that I would’ve given anything to know what he was thinking. He reached for his glass and lime. His eyes never left mine as he bent over. I tilted my head to give him better access. At the feel of his warm tongue on my neck, I shuddered, and I remained trembling even after he pulled away. He then downed the tequila without even bothering with the lime.
“Another?”
“Yes.”
We repeated the process again. And again. Until we had downed five shots and licked and sucked our way up each other’s necks. My skin still tingled from the feel of his tongue. Of course, my entire body was tingling from the strong alcohol pumping through every cell and molecule. It made me feel so alive. While it had just been his tongue on my neck, the feel of his hands drove me crazy as they brushed on my shoulders and whispered across my collarbone. I fantasized that his tongue was following the same path across my chest and down to my breasts.
More than anything in the world, I wanted this man, and tonight I was going to get my wish. From the lust-filled looks he’d been giving me, along with the groans of pleasure when I had licked his skin, I knew what was going to happen. I was finally going to have Rhys.