A/N: If you recognize part of the dialogue in this story, it's because I recycled and edited a scene from a story I deleted a few years ago. I never finished it, and it kind of fit here, so I just reworked it for this story.
Chapter 3
"Have you had enough yet, Princess?" he rasped in her ear as he pulled her down onto his lap, burying himself inside of her for the fourth time that night.
She ignored his teasing and began moving her hips slowly up and down, letting the friction build steadily. Sweat dotted her forehead beneath her mask, and the leisurely pace provided her with a much needed reprieve from the explosive nature of their last coupling. Arching her back, she turned her head and pulled him to her, connecting their lips in a passionate kiss that mimicked the rhythm of their bodies, the thrusts of his tongue matching the sensual rocking of her hips.
One hand gripped tightly to her hip, pulling her flush against him, while the other trailed down her chest to cup her breast, gently twisting her nipple between his fingers. She gasped, pleasure overcoming her limbs as their movements grew uncontrolled under the weight of their approaching orgasms.
He coaxed her hips into a steadier rhythm, sensing the tension mounting inside of her. Sweeping her hair over her shoulder, he pulled her tighter against his chest and whispered, "That's it, baby. Just like that."
That voice…God, that voice did unspeakable things to her.
Her body quaked and she cried out, startling herself awake. With a sigh, she rolled over and checked the time: 3:28 am. This was the third time she'd dreamed about him this week. She'd promised herself that she would forget all about the bastard, and during the day, she was mostly successful. Night time was another story, though; her treacherous body craved him, and her mind gave in to her need – replaying her most erotic memories of their night together on repeat.
It took her nearly an hour to fall back to sleep, her body in overdrive and her mind unable - or unwilling - to ignore the naughty images playing in her thoughts. By the time her alarm sounded, she was exhausted, but it was Monday at last – that meant she could finally see Nate and put the Dark Knight out of her mind once and for all.
XOXO
"Thank you so much for having me," Blair said politely as Lily greeted her at the door with a mimosa and a smile.
"Please," Lily smirked, "I was thrilled when I heard that Serena wanted to come home for the summer instead of gallivanting around Europe. I'm certain that your recent friendship is to thank for that unexpected gift."
Serena rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Don't worry; we can get into just as much trouble in the Hamptons as we can in Santorini."
"Sadly," Lily took a sip from her flute, "I don't think you mean that hyperbolically."
"We haven't met any of the boys yet, so that remains to be seen." Serena grinned, grabbing Blair by the arm and pulling her toward the stairs. "Of course, you'll be too busy pining over Nate to worry about other boys."
Blair shot her a glare and elbowed her in the shoulder. "Hey, I don't pine. I just happen to be in a committed relationship."
"Just saying," Serena shrugged with a laugh, "I love Nate, but it'd be more fun if you were single, and we could spend the whole summer flirting with hot guys."
"Like you're not going to do that anyway," Blair rolled her eyes.
They walked up two flights of stairs to reach the third floor bedrooms, and Serena dragged Blair to the end of the hall. She pointed to four bedrooms, two on the left and two on the right. "They each have a Jack and Jules bathroom, so fortunately you and I will not have to share a bathroom with the boys."
"Thank God," Blair laughed. "Nate uses more hair products than I do."
"Well, if you are feeling frisky, then your boyfriend is right across the hall," Serena winked. "But you'll still have your own space."
Blair flushed, recalling the sexy texts she'd sent to Nate Saturday after her encounter with the Dark Knight. Anxiety coiled in her abdomen at the thought, but she dismissed it at nerves. She and Nate had been together for a few months now, and it was only natural to advance their relationship physically. A summer in the Hamptons was the perfect opportunity to get to know each other more intimately.
Bouncing onto the bed and slipping her heels off, Blair relaxed into the oversized pillows and let out a sigh. Last summer had been complete hell, but she was determined to make this summer one to remember. Happiness was finally within reach. "So, what's the plan for tonight?" she asked Serena.
"We can do whatever," the blonde shrugged, "But I was thinking, after dinner we could head to Aurelia for drinks. What time is Nate getting in?"
"I'm not sure," Blair glanced at her iPhone, but her boyfriend still hadn't responded to her text inquiring about his estimated arrival time. "I think he'll be in around nine or ten."
"Great," Serena hammered out a quick text. "I told him to meet us there when he gets settled in." A few seconds later, her phone buzzed with a notification. "He said he's in."
The blonde smiled back at her friend, but Blair's heart sank a little when she looked back at her own message that hadn't garnered a response.
XOXO
At a quarter till eleven, Chuck pushed his way through the large crowd toward the bar. When he arrived at the Hamptons house, he greeted Lily with a kiss on the cheek, careful to avoid another run-in with his father, and called Nate to catch up on the evening's plans. Nate told him that he was running late and wouldn't be stopping by the house after all, so he told Chuck to meet him at Aurelia.
He'd barely contained the huff of frustration when Nate informed him that they would be meeting his new girlfriend at the club with Serena. Serena was never much of a problem because she stayed out of his way, but the last thing he wanted to deal with during his summer with his best friend was a clingy girlfriend who refused to let Nate off the leash long enough to have some fun.
At the bar, he ordered a glass of the finest vintage scotch available as a petite brunette in a red cocktail dress sat on the stool next to him. She ordered a gin martini and checked her phone impatiently. He took advantage of her state of distracted frustration and raked his eyes over her body. She had lean legs smoothly waxed and tipped with stilettos sharp enough to stab someone. Her lips matched the color of her dress just enough to be purposeful without being tacky. Her round breasts were cradled seductively in the low neckline of her dress, and he thought wickedly that they were the perfect handful. Her hair was pinned back into a sophisticated chignon with loose tendrils hanging around her face. He watched her hand swipe absentmindedly across her collarbone, and he yearned to bury his face in the crook of her neck. Her presence was intoxicating. She would be a hard-fought prize, but he was up for the challenge.
She sighed, clearly irritated, and snapped, "Are you done staring?"
She had been so transfixed by her phone that he was shocked that she'd even noticed him. "Can you blame me?" he asked smugly, lifting his tumbler to his lips.
"Yes," she retorted without bothering with an explanation.
"It's always the most beautiful women who make the biggest bitches," he snarled, unsure if her attitude turned him on or pissed him off.
"Excuse me?" Her head whipped up, and she laid eyes on him for the first time. She faltered for the briefest of moments when she took in his ruggedly handsome face. She had expected another frat-guy wannabe like the ones who'd been hitting on her all evening, but, damn, this guy was gorgeous. All sharp angles and chiseled lines. The cut of his suit fit him so perfectly that she found herself wondering what he was hiding underneath. Years of experience helped her cover her appreciation of his appearance with an expression of haughty superiority and snotty, judgmental disdain. "It's always the pretentious assholes in $5,000 suits who are the biggest dicks."
He smirked just to annoy her. "You've got the last part right. Perhaps you'd like to find out for yourself."
A look of pure disgust came over her features, but before she could throw another insult in his direction, Nate appeared by her side and kissed her cheek. She was shocked when he reached out to pat the offensive stranger on the back and said, "Chuck! How are you doing, man? I see you've already met my girlfriend, Blair."
"Ah, yes," Chuck said, standing from his seat and smirking in Blair's direction. "She was just complimenting me on my suit."
None the wiser to the sarcasm in Chuck's tone, Nate smiled and wrapped an arm around Blair's shoulder. "She definitely knows fashion. I tell her all of the time that she's going to be the editor of Vogue by the time she's 30."
She forced a smile, but Chuck could read the note of warning in her eyes when she extended her hand. "It's so good to finally meet you, Chuck. Serena's told me so much about you."
Chuck took her hand and placed a kiss to the back of her knuckles. She was sure that she saw a glimmer of amusement in his eyes when he said, "All good things, I'm sure."
"If that's how you view your lifelong failed attempts to corrupt both my best friend and my boyfriend, then, yes, all good things." Her tone was jovial for Nate's sake, but there was a coldness in her eyes.
Nate broke in, finally sensing some tension, which honestly confused the hell out of him since they had just met, but he simply guided Blair in front of him and suggested that they head to one of the tables off to the side of the club. "Speaking of your best friend," he piped up, looking around the room, "Where is she?"
Blair sighed and pointed toward the center of the dance floor, where Serena had two guys vying for her attention. Her long blonde locks stuck to the side of her face where perspiration dotted her skin, and she looked like she was having the time of her life.
Blair felt Nate's grip around her waist tense for a second before he muttered, "Of course."
When the song ended, Serena scampered toward the three of them, throwing her arms around Nate in greeting before turning to her step-brother with a roll of her eyes, "Chuck."
"Nice to see you, too, sis," Chuck returned, sarcasm dripping from his tone.
After ordering a bottle of champagne for the table, Chuck turned to Blair with a smirk, nodding his head toward Nate's hand clasped loosely in hers, and said, "You've just stolen my wing man."
She allowed a small smirk to tease the corners of her lips. "From my understanding, you never really needed a wing man."
Chuck eyed Serena suspiciously. "I'm beginning to wonder how much you've told her about me."
Blair laughed, "Come on. She didn't have to tell me anything. It's printed all over every newspaper and magazine in the state. Your exploits are infamous." She leaned forward and rested her chin on her hand, "So, is it true what they say? Are you the world's most eligible bachelor?"
He groaned audibly, recalling the recent articles that surfaced after he cut ties with Bass Industries. The New York Post called him America's Most Eligible Bachelor. He cringed when that article came out because it set all of the money-hungry socialites into a frenzy, vying for his attention wherever he went. The term 'bachelor' implied that he had intentions of settling down some day with a wife and a couple of kids. He much preferred the assessment in The Times that called him a womanizer and a playboy. Though the article itself was more scathing, the title was true nonetheless. No matter what kind of reputation his behavior garnered, he liked for the women he dated to know the truth: the date was almost always a prelude to sex - nothing more, nothing less. He wasn't a complete animal; he didn't mind buying a decent girl a nice meal before fucking her into oblivion, but that was as far as he would allow it to go. He had a strict rule of no sleepovers and no second dates.
Blair's hateful countenance and vindictive tone were gone, and a look of genuine curiosity graced her features. He leaned forward and answered, "I enjoy keeping the company of beautiful women, it's true. What's wrong with that? Besides, I think that title used to belong to a certain Archibald before you got a hold of him."
Nate slipped his arm around the back of Blair's chair and said, "One day, Chuck, a girl is going to knock you flat on your ass, and you'll have no idea what hit you."
Chuck let out a sardonic laugh. "I think the alcohol is getting to you, Nathaniel. You've forgotten who you are talking to."
"Of course not, but one day you will get lonely."
Chuck let his devilish smirk cross his face slowly, and gestured toward Blair. "Remember what your girlfriend said - my exploits are infamous. I'll never be lonely."
Blair studied his face for a moment, and cut in. "Bullshit."
Serena's eyes narrowed toward Blair, silently imploring her friend to remember her warning to not get into a sparring match with Chuck.
"What?" Chuck asked.
Blair raised her eyebrows confidently. "I call bullshit that you'll never be lonely. Screwing a ton of nameless women and partying until you black out will leave you feeling empty eventually."
Chuck shrugged his shoulders. "Spare me the Psych 101 lecture. Not all of us are built for monogamy and white-picket fences like you two."
Blair was almost positive the statement was meant as an insult, and she was quickly realizing that Serena had been right about Chuck, except she wasn't concerned about his antics or his mind games. She just hated him and his smarmy attitude.
Chuck swallowed down the rest of his drink, raising the empty glass in salute. "I'm off to find tonight's entertainment." His parting wink was directed at Blair, and she glared back at him haughtily, scrunching her nose in disgust as he walked off.
"Ugh," she grumbled, "How are you friends with him?"
"Oh, come on," Nate laughed, rubbing Blair's shoulder. "He's not that bad."
"Not that bad? He's a walking STD." She crossed her arms over her chest in irritation.
"He's been a good friend to me, Blair," Nate shook his head. "He might be a bit…" He didn't finish the thought, instead allowing her to fill in the blanks with whatever insults she already had floating around her mind. "But when I was going through a hard time with my family, he was there. He's always had my back."
Blair studied Nate for a moment, and she was surprised to find that he was genuinely irritated by her comments. She realized that there was still a lot that she didn't know about Nate. She nodded, unwilling to apologize but recognizing that it was best to drop the topic all together. "I've missed you," she rested her palm on his thigh, "Let's dance."
XOXO
A few hours later, Serena, Nate, and Blair stumbled into the house, shushing each other between giggling and tripping over their own feet. By the time they finally made it to the top floor, their laughter had grown into raucous guffaws. Serena grabbed Blair, kissing her on the cheek. Winking suggestively, she called, "Goodnight, you two. Be safe!"
Blair flushed as Nate's arms came around her waist and he pressed her against the door, peppering wet kisses down her jawline to her neck. He pushed her door open, dragging her inside with him before kicking it closed. His hands clumsily trailed down her neck to her chest to cup her breasts through her dress. She winced when he squeezed a little too hard.
"Sorry," he mumbled, his hands continuing their descent down her body until he reached the hem of her dress. He tried to yank it over her hips, but the tight material clung to her skin.
With a sigh, she stepped back, placing distance between them as she smoothed her dress back down her legs. "Maybe this isn't such a good idea tonight."
He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, panting for air. "Why not?"
She ran her hand down his lapel in reassurance. "We've both had a lot to drink."
"Yeah," he combed his fingers through his hair. "I guess you're right."
She smiled sweetly, standing on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek before ushering him out the door. After she showered and crawled under the covers, her tired body craved sleep, but her mind refused to settle down. She had been looking forward to seeing Nate all weekend, hoping that he would help dispel all thoughts of the Dark Knight for good, but tonight's make-out session certainly lacked the spark she'd expected. She told herself that it was only because he was drunk; it made him sloppy and inattentive. Tomorrow night would be better, but, for now, she braced herself for the onslaught of dreams that her wicked mind was sure to gift her. This time, she'd welcome them.
XOXO
The next morning, Blair padded into the kitchen while everyone else was still asleep. She was glad to have a moment of quiet to herself to drink her coffee in peace. She was truly happy to be here with Nate and Serena, but sometimes she needed time away from them. Maybe it was the fact that they'd been friends for so long before she'd met either one of them, but there were times the night before that she couldn't help feeling like a third wheel when the two blondes would reminisce about their time together in high school.
She took a seat in a corner chair, blowing on her coffee before taking the first gratifying sip. She folded her legs underneath her body, letting the rich flavor warm her, as her mind drifted to August – when she would return to the city and begin her career. Her mother had hinted here and there that she would like her to eventually take over the day-to-day operations of Waldorf Designs, but her heart wasn't in it. She loved fashion, but she wasn't interested in the design aspect. Sometimes she wondered if Nate ever listened to her, but she had been pleasantly surprised the night before when he said she could become editor.
She stiffened, fear surging through her, when the front door knob rattled, and the door was pushed open quietly. As the figure came into view, her shoulders relaxed, and she exhaled the breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "You scared me," she scolded.
Chuck rolled his eyes, his words wrapped in sarcasm. "My sincerest apologies."
She glanced at the clock over the oven; it was barely past seven. "You're just now getting home?"
He waggled his eyebrows without responding as he whipped off the loose tie hanging around his neck and stuffed it into his pocket.
"You're disgusting," she huffed.
"I didn't even say anything."
"You don't have to," she sneered. "Looking at you tells me everything I need to know. Perhaps you would like to shower before everyone else gets up."
He considered asking her if that was an invitation, but he had to consciously remind himself that she was Nate's girlfriend. He had to keep his typical innuendos in check, at least to a degree. "Yeah," he swallowed.
Something in his expression caused Blair to soften slightly, and she called after him as he made his way toward the stairs, "I made some coffee, if you want some."
He nodded. "Coffee sounds great."
As he followed her into the kitchen, he couldn't miss the faintest smell of jasmine wafting off her loose curls. His mind immediately shot back to that night a little over a year ago when a similar smell permeated the room around soft whimpers and delicate sighs. Confused, he shook his head, but his body was already reacting to the vivid memories coloring his mind. Blair's small hand swept her hair over her shoulder to rub the back of her neck, unwittingly drawing his attention to the smooth column of her throat. It was an illogical reaction, but his pants tightened with each swipe of her fingers over her smooth skin.
He cleared his throat, retreating backwards toward the stairs once again. "Actually, thanks for the offer," he stammered, "But I think I'll grab that shower before Bart gets on my ass about decorum."
He yanked his clothes from his body and stepped under the scorching spray of the shower head, raking his hands over his face to calm his overactive mind. What the hell was that?