The Good Sister: Part One (30 page)

“Shit,” he muttered.

I lifted my hand. He quieted. I kissed his cock, and stroked his balls, but I knew he wanted hard and fast. I remembered how he pleasured himself in the shower. How he fucked Breeze.
Rough
. I had to be prepared to give him what he needed.
It would be nothing like Ashton
. I thought about Ashton again, but I plucked Ashton from my thoughts. Reid was why I’d come to France. Reid was who I desired. I couldn’t desire two men, could I? But something about Ashton was different.
No
,
I cannot have feelings for Ashton.
I mouthed the ridge of Reid’s broad head.

Reid snapped. He thrust his hips, thrusting his cock deep, grabbing at the back of my head, pushing my head down upon him, entangling his fingers into my hair, fisting.

I didn’t struggle. I breathed through my nose, relaxed my throat.

“Fuck,” he muttered. He let loose of my head.

Reid got up from the settee, grabbed his shirt then stopped. He was silent for a long moment. I watched as he pulled on his jeans, securing them. He walked to the door. In the dim light I saw him run his fingers through his hair, stopping to scrub the back of his neck. He gripped his shirt in the other hand. I wondered if I should go to him. I stood, walked to him, and reached out. I placed my hand to his muscled back.

“I’m sorry,” he said in a whisper.

Then Reid was gone.

February 14
^th

“Trinity, you have a delivery,” Alec informed, handing me a package.

It was a large box, but not very heavy. I shook the box.

Alec laughed. “Open it. Then you will know what it is, my beauty.”

I tugged the red ribbon free. Lifted the lid. Another box inside. I opened that box to find yet another. I giggled. I lifted that lid. A note card…

Happy

It was Lord Archer’s handwriting. He wrote in a very formal script; old world might best describe his elegant style. I stared, confused. There was nothing inside of that box, nothing but the note card with the one word sitting on top of another box. I lifted the lid to find a smaller box with another note card…

Valentine’s

I opened yet another box to find a third note card…

Day

I saw a small blue jewelry box. I pulled it out, and flipped open the lid. A diamond heart charm for my bracelet rested inside. The heart sparkled as I lifted it from the satin enclosure.

“A new charm!” I exclaimed, showing it to Alec. “Will you help me attach it to my bracelet?”

“Sure.” I lifted my wrist. Alec took the charm and attached it to the platinum link. “Very nice,” he commented. I twirled my wrist, watching the horse and the heart sparkle in companionship. “Come,” he said, “it is time for lunch.” Alec held out his arm. I took it, and he escorted me into the kitchen. “I am going to show you how to make my mother’s sweet tortas de aceite.”

“Okay,” Trinity said, “but I’m not much of a cook. So be patient.”

“Trinity…”

Amelia was calling.

I went to the door. “I am in the kitchen with Alec.” I peeked out the door to see Amelia round the corner.

“You have a phone call from Lord Archer,” Amelia announced, handing me the phone.

I took the phone in hand.

“Hello, my lord.”

A low smooth laugh vibrated over my ear. “Ah … my dove, how are you?”

“I am well. And you?”

“In truth I would be better if you were in my arms,” he said, assuredly. I giggled.

“I should have known you were up to something when you told me to wear my bracelet today. I received your gift. It was beautiful. Thank you so much, my lord.”

“You are welcome, my dove. I wish I could be with you today. I must apologize for my continued absence.”

“It’s fine. I know you have important business.”

“Trinity,” he said in his smooth voice, “Happy Valentine’s Day.”

“Happy Valentine’s Day to you too, but…” I hesitated.

“What, my dove?”

“You need to stop buying me gifts. I have nothing to give you in return.”

“You have already given me so much, my dove.”

“When are you coming back?” I made my way to the stairs, and sat down on the bottom rung.

“I am quite unsure at the moment. My father is insisting I stay on for the Queen’s charity ball.”

“Oh.”

“Do not sound so disheartened, my dove.”

I twirled a stray curl around my finger, almost absently.

“I was hoping you would be back sooner.”

“Do you miss me?”

I did miss him.

“Yes.”

“Then will you grant me a wish?”

“What kind of a wish?”

“It is my wish you join me for the ball. Will you grant it, Trinity?”

“Ashton, I…” I thought for a moment before I swallowed back my fear. “Okay, yes.”

I heard his chortle. “Excellent! Do not be concerned, my dove. There is nothing to worry about. You will turn every head. And I shall be the envy of all, I assure you.”

“So will I have to travel alone?”

“No, my dove. I would never suggest such a thing. I shall arrange everything with Jacqueline.”

“Arrange everything?”

“Yes, I shall return to escort you myself.”

“You will come get me?”

“Of course, my lady. Now, give the phone to Jacqueline. Do not fret, my dove. I shall come for you at the end of the month.”

“Okay,” I said. “Hang on. I need to find Jacqueline.”

I hopped up from the stairs, and bounded into the parlor to see no one then spun on my heel. I skipped down the hall. I heard voices. I went into the kitchen and saw Jacqueline along with my other sisters. In a hurry, I handed the phone to Jacqueline, almost unable to contain myself.

“Jacqueline, Lord Archer would like to speak with you,” I said quickly, almost bouncing.

Jacqueline took the phone in hand. “Hello, my lord,” Jacqueline said in my smooth haughty way.

A pause. A buzzing sound rang out on the other end of the phone while I stood there.

Jacqueline smiled. “So this explains why our beauty is so excited.”

Ashton’s voice buzzed on the other end again.

“Of course, I shall make sure of it,” Jacqueline said.

A pause…. More buzzing.

“Yes. We will look forward to your arrival, Lord Archer.”

I squealed. My sisters all laughed.

“Yes, that was your dove. She is as happy as a school girl, my lord,” Jacqueline said.

A pause… Ashton was still talking. I heard the low tones of his voice.

“As you wish,” Jacqueline said, handing the phone back to me. “He wishes to speak with you again.”

“Hello,” I said in a rush.

“Are you happy, my dove?”

“Yes,” I said, barely containing my glee.

“Good. You must know I always wish for your pleasure, and I am counting the days until I see you again, my sweet Trinity.”

“Me too. I mean I am counting the days also,” I clarified, “not that I always wish for my pleasure.”

Ashton let out a guffaw. “Ah … my dove, you do bring me such joy. I shall see you at the end of the month.”

“Okay. I will see you then, my lord.”

“Until then, my lady.”

When I disconnected the phone my glee faded.

“What is wrong, my sister?” Breeze asked.

“I don’t know how to act, what to say, how to dance, what to wear, how I should speak to people, and there will be a lot of people—”

“Not to worry. We will help. And you will be superb,” Ceclie confirmed.

“Devine,” Breeze interjected.

“A true vision,” Jacqueline added.

“We better get started then,” I blurted out, “because we have a lot of work to do.”

Everyone laughed in unison.

Alec walked back into the kitchen wearing his signature black with his long hair pulled back into a ponytail. I wondered if he even owned any clothing that was not black. As he turned, his ponytail shined from the sun blazing in the window. The silky black color reminded me of Phantom’s mane. Alec picked up my hand, and kissed it. Then he picked up Jacqueline’s hand and kissed it.

“You, my pet, steal my very breath,” Alec said to Jacqueline.

“What about the rest of us?” Serenity asked.

Alec turned on his heel, grabbed her up into his arms, twirled her around, and dipped her back, kissing her throat. “I am a fortunate man to be surrounded by such beauty,” he said, lifting her back up with the quick snap of a dancer.

“Alec, do you know how to dance?” I asked.

“Of course,” he replied.

“Will you teach me?”

“If you wish. Why?”

“My petit will be accompanying Lord Archer to the Queen’s charity ball,” said Jacqueline.

“Ah, well in that case we shall need to make an impression,” Alec replied.

Lilli Anna breezed in with a small square of paper. She handed it to Jacqueline. Jacqueline read it, nodded to Lilli Anna, and made an announcement.

“John Paul and Reid have arrived with the completed painting.”

“Reid is here?” I asked in a panic.

“Take Trinity up the back stairs, and work on those curls,” Jacqueline said to Amelia with the swipe of her hand before looking back toward me. “He will not see you.”

Amelia practically pulled me up the back staircase, down the hall, and into the large spa bathroom.

“Draw a bath. I will be back to work on your curls. We do not wish them to become frizz,” Amelia said while making her way back to the door. “Don’t worry, my sister. Reid will not see you up here.”

I paced the long span of the oversized bathroom. It was hard to concentrate, knowing Reid was somewhere in the house, but I finally started the water in the bath, and dumped in some peach nectar along with some honey scented soap to make my bath time frothy. I stood watching the water churn the liquid into effervescent bubbles.

I walked over to the window. Considering. Perhaps I should close the inside shutter? I grabbed a towel from one of the shelves. The heat from the afternoon sun was streaming in, heating the space, illuminating the floor in a bright sunny patch. I stretched, turned my back to the window, and allowed the heat to hit the back of my neck where it danced down my shoulders. It felt marvelous. For a moment I was reminded of the heat back home. I closed my eyes, reminiscing about my secret garden, the sounds, the warmth of the sun…

SWAP!
I jumped. Something hit the window.

SMACK!
I turned around, looked out the window and saw …
Reid.

Stay calm, Trinity.
I wrapped myself into a red silk kimono robe, and exited the bathroom. I stopped at the top landing of the second floor stairs. I heard the commotion before I saw him.

“Trinity! I know it’s you!” Reid stared up at me.

Everyone stood still, frozen in various poses as I descended the stairs, chin held high, posture perfect. I glided gracefully, without fear, exuding sensuality in each step I took. My hand road the handrail in a delicate caress, as if to entice a lover with my touch.

“Hello, Reid,” I said once I hit the bottom stair.

Reid grabbed me up by the arms and shook me. “What the hell have you done?” he screamed. “What are you doing? Why?”

Alec leapt in. He pulled Reid’s hands from me.

“Reid, do not make me hurt you,” Alec said.

“It’s okay, Alec,” I assured. “Reid and I have some things to speak of.”

“What have you done?” Reid asked, only this time his voice seemed broken instead of mad.

“I did what I had to do, Reid.”

“What does that mean?”

I held out my hand. “Come. We will talk.”

“Trinity,” Jacqueline snapped her foot, “are you sure?”

“He will not hurt me, Jacqueline.”

“Reid,” Alec said in an eerily calm tone, “I will kill you if you harm her.”

Reid turned to look at Alec. Indignant fury raged over the perfect planes of his face. His eyes narrowed.

“I would never harm Trinity.”

“Come,” I said, still holding out my hand.

Reid took it. I led him up the stairs. Once we crossed the threshold to my room Reid broke his silence.

“Trinity, what the hell are you doing here? How did you get here? What have you done to yourself—”

I turned around. “Take a seat,” I said calmly. “Can I get you something to drink? Wine perhaps?”

“Fuck no, I don’t want anything to drink. Stop this,” he spluttered.

“What exactly would you like me to stop, Reid?”

Reid motioned with his hand, encompassing the entirety of my body, the room. “This,” he said.

“If by ‘this’ you mean for me to return to the cowering mute who worshiped you from afar then no,” I said, sharply.