Yikes! I'm doing it again. Another inspiration after hearing "Cruise" by Florida Georgia Line.
A/N: I do not own any of these characters. It belongs to E.L. James.
"I got it Elliot," I stress as I reassure my brother for the billionth time over the phone before I hang up my cell phone. Maybe I should silence it so he doesn't call me for another fucking favor. So much for throwing a party up in the woods. How could he forget half of the stuff that is necessary for throwing a party. This must've happened while Kate Kavanagh was tweaking his knob. Fuck. Why did I even agree to join them? I hate parties. It's a fucking waste of time. I should be at home focusing on my next property to acquire but instead I'm here in the backseat of the SUV for the past 45 minutes wishing this weekend would fly by without a hitch. Why did I listen to Flynn? I think it's a great idea for you to join your brother. Get some fresh air. Maybe catch a fish or two. Get in touch with nature. Free your mind. I don't need to get in touch with nature. I just need some good fucking. What the fuck does he know about nature? For goodness sake he squeals at the sight of a black spider. Talking about a pussy.
"How close are we to our destination, Taylor?" I ask curtly.
"Ten miles, Sir," he responds immediately. Perfect. I rest my head back and close my eyes. I've got another ten miles to myself. Ten miles until I have to face Miss Kavanagh's ironic charm. I know she doesn't like me. I don't fancy her either. I can't put up with her pretentious personality. She's turning twenty-three this weekend and Elliot decided that it would be a great idea to camp out somewhere in the neck of the woods where bears are in abundance. Wise move. Actually, I lied. He rented a large cabin somewhere around Baring where the population is sparse. Literally, I can fit everyone of them in my penthouse and still have room for a party. God, I wish I was home right now. I already miss my office, my bedroom, my homemade food - courtesy of Mrs. Jones; she makes a mean pot roast.
"We're here, Sir," Taylor's unexpected voice pulls me out of my daydream. What? We're here already? That is quick. Count on Taylor to make it in record time. He opens my door and I climb out to appraise the cabin siting in front of me. It's a nice size two-story rental. The landscape is simple but inviting. It's obviously well kept. It sits along the Skykomish River. As I walk toward the side of the cabin, I can hear indistinct commotion and laughter and water splashing. I creep in closer and see two women straddling over the shoulders of their partner engaging in a game of shoulder wars. Great. I'm surrounded by kids. I sigh and instantly Elliot swings the grand door open.
"Christian," he greets, smiling broadly and tramps down the six planks of wood before enclosing his arms around me and pats my back, "You finally made it."
"Yeah, finally," I said sarcastically. "Nice cabin."
"Thanks. Kate's parent suggested it." And as we head over to help Taylor, he starts prattling about Kate and how much she loves to camp and everything else I wish not to engross myself in. We grab the party supplies, our valise, and our toiletries enough for the entire stay. With everything in our hand, we haul it up the steps and follow Elliot into the cabin. The interior has a cabin feel to it but with a modern twist and looks newly renovated. The great room/kitchen is spacious with two large couch and a loveseat placed in the center of the room creating a very intimate space. The focal point is the large fireplace with beautiful neutral stone hearth that easily captures my attention. Imagine what I can do in front of that fireplace. We walk the perimeter of the room toward the back where the windowpane of the vast kitchen overlooks the steady river. I'll admit, it's soothing. Maybe it won't be too bad after all. We drop everything, but our personal items, on the counter. Then the two women and two men I saw earlier comes in through the french door, in stitches. By my guess, they must be Kate's friends. Age ranging between 23 through 28.
"Hey guys, this is my brother Christian," he introduces me and then Taylor to the group and we exchange handshakes as they all introduce themselves. Alice - the blonde. Megan - the bleach blonde. Brent - the brown hair jock. Derrick - the druggie, and he's already high. He's slurring phrases I can't understand even if I were to have an urban dictionary in hand. With that taking care of, Elliot guides me up the stairs and gives me a little tour as Taylor trials behind. We finally stop at the open door of my room. "And this is your room." Elliot waves his arm up proudly, gesturing me to enter. Kate is in there adding some finishing touches to the room, sprucing it up with a vase of orchid.
"Christian, hi!" She fake smiles once she sees me enter. She's never this happy to see me. She swerves around the bed and floats her arms around me. "How are you?" Her sweet gesture is creeping me out. Either she took a hit with the druggie or Elliot's been filling her up. I'll assume the former because I don't want to imagine what Elliot's been doing with her.
"I'm fine, Kate," I say, uncertain. "How are you?" Even our pleasantries feels forced.
"I'm wonderful. I'm sorry we couldn't give you and Taylor separate rooms. I hope the rollaway bed isn't too much of an inconvenience. We're trying to accommodate as many people in each room as possible." I see the rollaway bed attached to the queen size bed. Two days. Only two days.
"It'll suffice, Kate." I see no other option.
"Okay, Kate," Elliot cups her elbow. "I'm hungry. Let's fire up the grill. Let them get comfortable."
"Sure, babe," she responds and he pulls her out the room. Good riddance. I can't stand her kind gesture. Doesn't suit her. Taylor and I begin to unpack and settle in the room. Once we change into a more comfortable attire, thanks to our en suite bathroom, we head down the stairs. The two couples earlier are snuggling on the couch. Blondie with druggie, bleach with jock. I see Elliot and Kate outside on the patio deck in front of the gas grill wearing matching grilling apron. My parent comes into mind. Despite the fact they've been together for only three months, they act like an old couple.
"Hey," I alert them as I walk out the french door onto the deck. It holds a jacuzzi tub in the corner, a couple lounge chair and extra room for dining outside.
"Hey, you hungry, bro?" Elliot asks and takes a swig of beer.
"I'm okay," I answer. He hands me and Taylor a beer. I take mine while Taylor refuses his, shaking his head.
"C'mon, Taylor," Elliot pushes. "Let loose. Were in the middle of the woods. What's gonna happen around here? A squirrel loses his nuts?"
"It's fine, Taylor. Take a little break," I order. He accepts the beer, goes to sit on one of the two lounge chair and bask in the view of the river.
"Need any help?" I offer Elliot. It seems like the only thoughtful thing to do.
"We're good," Kate replies, tonging the veggies. Now, I'm left standing about pondering out at the picturesque scenery with my beer in hand. It's still early. I can take a hike, maybe. Bear comes to mind. Next option.
"Hey, bro?" Elliot diverts from his duty to keep me company. And soon he starts divulging about the economy and the toll it's taking on his construction business. He refuses to layoff his workers but yet there's not enough hours to go around.
"Elliot, please take these inside," Kate asks him kindly, passing the plate of charred protein his way. He complies and disappears for a couple of minutes. I never thought in a million years my brother, Elliot, could be domesticated. Goes to show what love can do to a man.
"Thanks, babe," Kate kisses Elliot when he returns from his duty. His smile can't get any bigger. She then heads down the deck and towards the river. "Ana!" she shouts to someone who I didn't see earlier. In response, the little brunette starts swimming towards the shore, her head bobbing in and out of the water.
"I've been thinking about starting my own landscaping business..." Elliot continues his topic and pulls my attention back to him. He wants to make sure his employees have options if the housing market doesn't pick up. I try to keep my focus on him but the sound of the water sploshing prevails in diverting my attention from him.
"I think it's a great idea," I agree unconsciously and then glance over at the river once again. To my delight, the brunette slowly pops out of the water in her blue top white bottom string bikini, and wades methodically towards the shore. Just like one of those romance movies where the woman emerges from the pool obscenely slow just so you could gawk in pure admiration until your eyes fall out. Yeah, that's what's happening right now. I'm in pure bliss. Where the hell did she come from? Does she know that I'm watching her? My eyes refuse to blink as I take in every inch of her petite frame. Droplets of water trickle down her pale skin. My brow quirk involuntarily and I swallow hard. Her breasts and my hands are a perfect complement. Her hips sway gracefully producing a rhythm of their own, seductively teasing me. Oh, how I would love to hold them against me. She takes the plush towel from Kate and begins patting her front from the neck down to her thighs. Then she arches forward, flipping her head down and dries the back of her hair. Her ass sticks out like a sore thumb and a fleeting image of my palm print to her bottom excites me. Fuck. I lose all consciousness. I want her. I want to possess her. I want to lick the beads of water off her milky flesh then I want to fuck her. I want to fuck her ass. I want her screaming out my name over and over again.
"Christian," the annoying voice that is Kate's snaps my lewd thoughts, "This is my best friend, Ana...Ana, this is Christian - Elliot's brother." I gaze at the kitten standing before me. Long, lush mahogany brown hair. Still damp from the swim. She's hot and cute at the same time. Is that possible? She smiles cordially. It's contagious. I smile back. I still can't comprehend how I manage to blank out the scene where she climbs up the stairs to meet me. That part was insignificant anyway. Just fillers. The best part is now.
"Hi, nice to meet you," I extend my arm and she takes my hand in hers. I see sparks and fireworks and us rolling on the blanket after a nice picnic under the illuminating stars glowing ten times brighter than it usually does. This is insane.
Kate's face turns wry - something I'm attuned to, "Ew...Christian. Show a little decency." Her eyes point down to my friend who is growing.
I am too distracted to decipher the meaning of her comment until Ana teases with a raised brow, "Someone's excited about dinner." That's when I notice the bulge in my pants.
"Fuck," I mouth, and make haste, using the beer bottle to shield the embarrassment. Like that's gonna help. Ana giggles coyly and follows the peeved Kate inside. "Shut the fuck up, Elliot," I hiss lowly once the girls are out of earshot. He's always got something to add and I'm just not in a good disposition to hear it.
"Hey," he raises his hand and utters with amusement, "Not a word...," throwing his arm around my shoulder, "C'mon, dinner's ready," and ushers me inside, "Wood you like any salad with your sausage."
"Fuck you."
Thanks for reading :)