Page 21 of Van Cort

EVERETT

“Everett. Of course.” Paul Whitham, one of the partners at Thornton’s, sounds surprised over the phone.

He would do, I’ve never used them before, but he isn’t about to turn down the possibility of my money coming at him.

“And you’re sure it’s Miss Anderson you want?

There are several other senior analysts at the company, her divisional head, even, that might suit your needs better.

” I doubt that. She, and she alone, will service my needs extremely well. I’d like his name, though.

“Who is the divisional head?”

“Antony Sidrick.” My teeth grind. That asshole won’t have anything to do with her if I can help it. In fact, he’s lucky I controlled my temper in front of him, because his face would have looked far better slammed into the pavement.

“Only her. She’s been recommended. Unlike her direct boss.”

“Oh. Can I ask who has recommended her over Antony?” l look at the wall in my office, considering how to change her path or even if I should. I could have him fired with one word, or moved away from her. Promoting her over him would be tactical. “Everett?”

“I’m not answering that.” Yet. “I’ll send the dates I’m requesting.”

“I’ll make sure we can accommodate them.”

“I’ll have one of my team email you the details.”

“Of course.”

I put the phone down and look up in the direction of Devon’s desk in the foyer, only to remember that I’ve given her time off so my brother doesn’t get his way with her, too. Still unsure how I feel about any of the fucking situation at hand, I close my computer down and leave.

It’s not an easy thing to reconcile in my mind at this point in my life, and I’m sure for others it would seem overly inappropriate, but the fact is that this is as close to who I am - who we are - as I’ve been for a long time.

What difference does it make which one of us is fucking her?

Same genes, same minds, same wayward needs in the bedroom.

West is simply better at amusement and romance than I am.

He enjoys the need for emotional touch, and somehow revels in laughter and light-hearted conversations.

I, on the other hand, am wary of emotive effects on me.

Not necessarily because I don’t want any of the above, but because I am not sensible when the above creeps into my psyche.

Obsession, as I know, is a dangerous path, and no marriage needs that interfering with practical decisions.

And besides, I’m already obsessing over her. I know it, even if I don’t enjoy acknowledging it. He can help me with that if he stops playing games. He’s the only one I trust.

Philip arrives as I’m about to leave the building. “Everett?”

“Philip.”

He waits until we’re alone. “Did you get a chance to look over the contract I gave you in more detail?” The wedding contract.

“Yes. It’s fine. If it needs any amendments, I’ll let you know.”

“Would you like me to run any background checks on her?”

“No.”

“I’d advise against-”

“I’d advise against pissing me off.” He backs up a few steps at my hostility, frowning out his confusion.

“Leave this to me until I’m ready to move forward with anything other than a draft contract.

” Because the fact of the matter is, I don’t want him delving too deep into anything involving her at the moment.

Delving means potentially following, and, as good as West probably is at playing me most of the time, there needs to be a better flow of conversation between us brothers if this is going to work successfully.

At the moment, he’s flying free in chaos, and I’m playing fucking catch-up.

I walk away from Philip and call him, unsure what I’m going to say, but needing to say it.

“Rhett,” he answers.

“I’m having her from tomorrow until a time I choose. Don’t try contacting her until I tell you you can.”

He chuckles. “Good. You’re ready to indulge yourself, then?”

“Me? I think I’m indulging you more than me.

” I cross the street for a coffee house, dodging an oncoming delivery driver.

“And I’m unsure what I’m ready for, but I’m not saying no at the moment, so behave like an adult rather than a child.

” Another laugh. “I’m serious, West. You’ll get your way, but only if you stay with the programme and stop fucking around.

She can find out if and when I’m ready for that. I control this, not you.”

“Asshole.” My mouth widens into a slight smile. “Where are you taking her?”

“Why the fuck would I tell you that? You’ve had her more than me. Back off and give me some privacy.” Not that he will. And I’m ready for that.

There’s silence on the line for a moment.

“Privacy is an irrelevant term considering the fact that my cum’s inside her.” I’d glare at him if I could. “When can I put more in her?” I shouldn’t smile. I do.

“After I have. My woman. My rules. Where are you staying?”

“None of your damn business.”

“You’ve made it my business by being here. Move into the penthouse. I’m not having you screwing up my life any more than you are doing. And use the private elevator from the parking lot. I’ll set you up access codes.”

Putting the phone down on that conversation, I go into the coffee house, order my drink, set up his codes and send them, and leave.

Order – that’s what I need. It’s all well and good playing like this, but she’s smart, and sooner or later she’s going to start working out that something isn’t right.

Add that into the whole of Seattle being confused as to why there’s only one of us, yet we’re in two different places, and his crazy will start infecting mine.

I send some emails, requesting the house be opened and stocked for me, and keep moving. It’s time to show her what she could get if I choose it. Perhaps I should start smiling more and giving her that other side of me I keep buried. It’s far more like him. Far more like me.

***

“Everett? What are you doing here?” she says, frowning. “I’m supposed to be meeting you at your office on Monday, aren’t I? Actually, I know I am. Not because you asked me, but because somehow you have arranged for me to work for you, and that information was delivered via Antony’s boss.”

I smile at her in her doorway and push my way into her apartment.

“It was a small white lie.” Unlike the large one she’s keeping me in the dark about.

River-Spring? Who names their child that?

If it wasn’t for the temporary contract being issued yesterday, I doubt she’d ever have told me.

“Pack a bag. Enough for a few days.” She looks at me and leans against the countertop in her kitchen.

“Why?”

“You said you liked mountains and the outdoors.”

Her eyebrow pitches upwards. “I do, but-”

“Go pack a bag then.”

“You’re stealing me from my job, intervening in fact, more than just putting Antony in his place, and insisting on taking me away again? Anyone might think this is serious.”

“Maybe it is. Or maybe I just like fucking you.” She frowns almost instantly, as if those last words annoyed her.

My hands find my pockets.

She stares for some time, flat-faced and almost cold. I like the look on her. It’s honest. And pissed. “It’s sentences like that that make me re-evaluate the risks and ongoing requisition here.”

I lean on the wall. “You don’t like the honesty?

You should, because I do like fucking you.

” Not that I have for some time now. And I’d like the next time to be far more honest than the last. “You asked for communication, Andie. There it is. Without it, we go nowhere other than fucking. I’m assuming you don’t want that, so here I am. ”

“Communication is more than just throwing your initial thoughts out loud. I do appreciate the honesty, but I’m not a business deal to negotiate behind my back.”

“Hmm.” Interesting. “Noted. We better get to the details then. Lots to learn. Bag?”

Her eyes narrow. “Three days?” I nod. “What do I need to bring? I have a pitch presentation that I don’t want to miss. And am I, in fact, going to be doing the audit of your current financial affairs that I’ve been led to believe I’m working on?”

I scoff. “Do you want to audit me?”

Another stare, this time steeled with something undisclosed. “Yes. I’d like a full, detailed analysis.” Hmm.

“Would you.”

“Yes.” My brow arches.

“The numbers won’t add up, Andie. They’ve been… manipulated.”

“Well, that’s arguably the whole point of an audit, Everett. Exploring fact. Scrutinising numbers until it does add up, even if you don’t like the end result.”

It’s my turn to stare, to analyse, to think over our current situation and wonder about honesty and open communication.

I sigh, breathe, lick my lips.

She really is very beautiful, especially when she keeps snarling at me.

“Fine. Bring your laptop if you like. We have the weekend and can negotiate the details, as you say. Over wine.” I’ll need it. “As for clothing, a dress or two. Something for the outdoors if you feel like walking or running, a sweater. Your passport.”

“Passport?”

“Yes.”

“Any more information?”

“No.”

“That’s not much to go on. Last time we went away, I wasn’t the least bit prepared for a casino.” I don’t give her anything else. West wouldn’t, and, if I’m reverting to my base layer of need, I’d have her naked the whole time and shivering.

She comes up to me and pushes her body against mine, still stony-faced. “You did all this for me? The phone call to my boss, the misdirection? All because you want to spend time alone with me?”

“Yes.” She nods and keeps looking at me as if I’m worthy of further attention on her part. I’m not, but I suppose this much effort from me at least infers real intent. Which also means that damned obsessive nature is creeping in.

My fingers go to her lips automatically, drawn there, and I run through the seam until she opens them a little. “I think it’s important that we truly understand each other, Andie, and for that we need space from everything else. Just you and me.”