Chapter 44 A friend
RORY POV
Apparently, I needed babysitting.
Alexander had sent his sister to keep me company while he handled whatever "dark billionaire" business required his attention today. I had no idea why, but Vianne had managed to drag me through the city like a whirlwind. Now, we were in Victoria's Secret, and she was on a mission.
"Do you think this will look good on me?" She held up a tiny, lacy pink bra paired with a matching thong that had more straps than a parachute.
"I think... clothes would be better?" I said, tilting my head.
She had already picked out over ten pieces and she wasn't close to done. Who buys this much lingerie at once?
"You're no fun." She slapped my arm and pouted. For someone whose whole look screamed 'Don't touch me, I'm evil,' she was a total sweetheart once you got her talking.
"I'm just curious why you need that much," I said, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.
"That's because I'm thinking of sleeping in Luke's room tonight. He likes these a lot." She held up a neon green set that looked like it belonged on a stage.
oh.
wait.
My brows furrowed. Luke? My eyes widened in shock.
"Oh, come on. Don't give me that look," she said, rolling her eyes.
"Same Luke? Alexander's assistant?" | asked, my voice hitting a high note of pure disbelief.
"Yeah, same Luke," she deadpanned, returning her attention to the hangers.
"You're dating Luke? Does Alexander-?"
“Relax. I only use him to get laid. I’m not dating him, and of course my brother doesn’t know I’m sleeping with his assistant.” She said it so casually, like it was normal.
Woah. What in the world.
"So... you're-" | stopped myself. It felt illegal to say the word 'fuck' to my sister-in-law.
"You're just doing it with him? Without love?"
Vianne laughed hysterically, nearly dropping a silk robe. "Oh my god... where did my brother find you? You're such a virgin, Rory! You can’t even say the word ‘fuck.’"
Heat crawled up my neck. She probably thought I was as boring as her brother did.
"Seriously, Rory. People have quick fucks all the time just to get off. It's no big deal."
I knew that, technically. But Vianne looked like the type who would demand a man's soul, not just a casual night. "Is it pure sex for Luke? He doesn't... like you?"
"Of course not. He wouldn't dare. He knows what my brother is capable of. We just hook up. But since Alex isn't around and Luke is at the penthouse, we're having a very unforgettable night before I head back to D.C."
They’ll be having sex in the house. Who would have thought the ice-cold Luke was shagging his boss’s little sister? I somehow wanted to throw it in his face and see if he'd crack a smile.
She pointed a finger at me. "And promise me you won't say a word to my brother?"
"Of course I won't. Your secret is safe with me," I assured her.
"Thank ya. I knew I liked you for a reason. Just make sure you lock your door tight tonight-and maybe wear headphones. I tend to moan louder than bomb."
She was completely naughty. Before I could process that, she shoved a set of black, sheer lingerie against my chest. "You should take this. My brother will love it on you."
I examined it. Not in a lifetime did I imagine wearing something so revealing and small for a man. The thought never crossed my mind. Her giving it to me made me wonder what Alexander would think. But I knew better, so I shoved it back. “You don’t have to.”
“Wait, what? You don’t want to wear it for him?” She asked, surprised.
“That’s not it. It’s just… we haven’t—”
“Hold on!” She held her hand up. “You haven’t fucked him?” Her eyeballs went extra large.
I wanted the floor to open up and swallow me whole. If I'd known this conversation was coming, I would have just taken the black lace and ran.
"I don't think I can do it with someone I don't love," | told her truthfully. "Sex isn't really my thing without that."
"Oh damn! My sister-in-law is a mystery. How is my brother surviving this? Having all this in his bed and not touching it? He must have some serious painful blue balls." She motioned her hand over my body.
She so unhinged it's crazy.
"I don't know. He only cuddles me," I admitted.
"That's... something. You should try getting dicked by him, though. Anastasia used to tell me no one fucks better than my brother."
I went very still at that name.
I was still trying to get used to hearing it. Still trying not to flinch every time it appeared in a sentence.
I had imagined what sex with Alexander would look like more times than I was willing to admit. He looked like someone who took complete control and didn’t apologize for it. Even yesterday when I was reading a smutty book all I could think about was Alexander doing exactly what was on the page. It’s sick, I know, but I couldn’t help it considering my thing with sex.
“Why would she be telling you about her sex with your brother?”
"Maybe because we were practically twins?"
She shrugged. They must have been incredibly close. It was strange how open she was being with me when everyone else in Alexander's world treated me like a ghost.
As if sensing my mood shift, she squeezed my arm. "Don't worry, Rory. You and I are going to be best friends. With everything my brother dragged you into, you deserve someone to be real with you."
"Thank you," I said, feeling a genuine spark of friendship.
"Now, take this. Seduce him. If he won't give you what you want, make him crave it." She shoved the lingerie back at me and called the clerk over.
When it was time to pay, she turned to me. "My brother gave you at least three black cards, right?"
"How did you know?" Alexander had indeed given me five, telling me to do whatever I wanted but 'don't dare disappear.'
"He's my brother and you belong to him. It's only fair." She took one of the cards from my bag and handed it to the clerk. "I hate spending my own money. If he asks if I used the card, tell him no. Tell him you did."
I can’t believe she bought all this and she’s using my supposed card to pay. I might as well let her. It’s only fair I spend his money, considering he’s using me to replace his dead wife. It won’t hurt to take a chunk out of it, even if I didn’t do the spending. It felt like the least the universe owed me right now.
She handed the card back and we walked out with three large bags between us.
We left the store, heading toward Chanel and then an ice cream shop for Liam. For the first time, I felt like I wasn't just a bird in a gilded cage-| was a girl out with a friend, even if that friend was planning to 'moan like a bomb' with the assistant in the next room.