Wild Violet (The Vi Trilogy of The Gilded Flower Series Book 1) (7 page)

“I’m right about Jack, aren’t I?” Dahlia corners Vi when she comes out of the bathroom.

“About what?” Vi pretends not to know what she’s referring to.

“I saw that look.”

“Were you spying? My God, D, get a grip. You’re acting like this is some crusade. If you keep going after Jack and your sister, it’s going to backfire and make you look like the crazy sister.”

“I don’t care. You know what he did when he walked in? He hugged me and squeezed my ass. Then when I called him out for it, he said something ridiculous about confusing us since we look so much alike. Fucking douchebag.”

Vi tries to suppress her excitement when she sees Andrés walk into the library just beyond the foyer.

“And if he truly is such a despicable person, he won’t be able to hide it for long. Give Lily time to find out on her own. If you push her, I swear it will only ruin your relationship.”

“I feel like we’re already on two different planes of existence,” Dahlia replies soberly. “Fine, I’ll back off, but I swear if she doesn’t get a clue, I’m doing something drastic.”

By the time Vi left the bathroom, Andrés was no longer in the library. Vi had nearly given up searching for him when she spotted him walking around the sculpture garden on the East side of the property, thankfully away from the rest of the party.

“I thought I saw you lurking around,” Vi says casually, although she’s feeling anything but calm.

He turns to the sound of her voice and smiles. “Lurking implies I don’t belong here.”

“Do you belong here?”

Andrés shakes his head and chuckles. “Probably less than you. I’m just a plus-one.”

Vi steps out of the shadow cast by a light illuminating the large bronze sculpture of a mother holding a child. “Are you admiring the artwork?”

“It’s all quite impressive. Although there’s only one thing I wish I could have in my permanent collection.” He keeps his gaze fixed on Vi.

She takes a step forward so she can see him clearly. His eyes widen when he notices how tipsy she is. “You’re really partying tonight aren’t you?”

Vi runs her hand through her hair. “Not much else to do out here.”

“Friends?”

“Funny you should mention friends. I made one this summer. Interesting chap. Good looking come to think of it.”

“You find him good looking?”

Vi nods. “Very. Body is superb. Sculpted really.”

Andrés takes a step closer. “Oh yeah? Tell me more.”

Vi runs her hand along the smooth bronze. “He thinks he can dance, but he doesn’t realize how uncoordinated he is without a partner.”

“Poor guy.” He inches closer. “How do you tolerate such imperfection?”

Vi tilts her head, pretending to consider his question. “Dunno. Maybe it’s his smile. There’s something incredibly reassuring, almost optimistic about it.”

“It comes down to a smile? Could it be that simple?” Andrés is smiling by now. “No hearts and flowers and expensive dinners and wooing?”

Vi shakes her head. “We both know that stuff isn’t real. Maybe that’s why I like him.”

“So what is real?”

“This,” Vi says as she pulls him in for a kiss. She’s been wanting, no, needing this since last night. It becomes deeper as their lips part, their tongues beginning a sensual dance.

Andrés’s hand glides over her ass and cups it as he draws her dress up around her waist. “No underwear,” he says. “A guy could only dream about a girl like you.” He moans when she takes his cock into her hand.

“I touched myself when I came back last night,” she murmurs. The need for him felt so primal, so raw, like it does now.

“I wish I could’ve seen that.” He pulls her out of the light to the edge of the garden. “Show me how you did it.” Andrés holds her at her waist while he kisses her breasts.

Vi opens her legs slightly and moves her fingers over her clit. The excitement of being out in the open turns her on even more, but she doesn’t want to get caught, more for his sake than hers. The climb is so intense that Vi can feel herself start to quiver under her touch.

“That’s right, Violet. I want you to come.”

Vi opens her mouth, unable to contain her bliss. He covers her lips with his as she cries out his name. Andrés trails kisses up her neck as Vi tries to slow her breathing.

“Lick your fingers, Violet.” He tells her, his voice low and raspy.

Vi does as she’s told. Then he takes the same fingers in his mouth and sucks them deeply until she can feel it down in her wet cunt.

With her other hand, she caresses his erection from the outside of his white linen pants. She begins to kneel, but he stops her. “Not now. I have to go back to the party.” He kisses her again. “I’ll take an IOU though.”

“The offer expires tomorrow,” Vi replies.

Andrés considers her carefully. “How can it be that you and this man are just friends?”

“He has a job that doesn’t allow for anything more.” Realizing her words, Vi’s heart jumps into her throat.
What the hell am I confessing?
She takes a step back, hoping space will give her room to breathe.

His smile disappears. “And what about you? Anything holding you back? You seem like a woman who goes after what she wants. What’s stopping you?” 

Vi doesn’t reply to his question, allowing an awkward silence to fill the small space between them.

Suddenly, they’re interrupted by a series of loud explosions. Brilliant red, white and blue fireworks fill the sky accompanied by the band’s rendition of
The Star Spangled Banner
.

Andrés never came around to collect his due, which made her both relieved and disappointed. Relieved because Vi realized she had let him get too close, but disappointed because it felt like a complete kiss-off and she wasn’t used to rejection.

Avoiding him became easier than she expected. She found out from Inez that he’s been traveling. Thanks to a routine of going to class, studying at the library until dark and then sleep, Vi managed to push him almost entirely out of her mind. She even got a part-time job filing and answering phones a few hours a week for a homeless charity down in the Bowery, where no one cared if she did her homework while sitting at her desk.

Vi watches as a few Autumn leaves fall from a tree outside her studio window. Her usual restlessness is beginning to stir. Despite Dahlia’s nagging texts, she has no energy or inclination to go out.

A shadow moving on the fire escape draws Vi out of her thoughts. Her heart jumps when Andrés appears.

“Hey stranger,” he says, coming through the window.

“Civilized people use something called doors.” Vi snaps, her voice revealing her exasperation, as she becomes conscious of the fact she’s more disappointed by his absence than she’s allowed herself to believe.

“I’d like to think I have VIP access,” Andrés winks.

Vi crosses her arms and leans against her desk, littered with notes and textbooks. “That offer expired a while ago.”

A frown replaces the smile he was wearing, the same kind of smile that had once endeared Vi to him. “Oh yeah, what changed?”

She shrugs and looks down. “Not sure if our goals are completely aligned. Clearly it could lead to problems down the road.”

“Like what kind of problems?” Andrés asks.

“Feelings,” Vi replies quickly. “They tend to make things complicated.”

“Can you be more specific?” He comes over, puts his hand around Vi’s neck and runs his thumb along her bottom lip. “Because from what I’ve experienced, I like the way you make me feel.”

Vi lets out a soft laugh. “Right, well
that
feeling is entirely mutual.” Her eyes begin to glaze over as he leans into her and kisses her softly at the base of her neck.

“Do you mean the
other
feelings then? Care and concern for instance?”

She nods.

“Yes, those are a dangerous combination,” he replies, his lips moving along her neck to her ear. “But also entirely mutual, which makes it quite exciting don’t you think, Violet?” He whispers.

Vi swallows. He’s most probably right, but she’s not ready to acknowledge it. She steps around Andrés and asks, “Is there a reason you came, or is this just a friendly visit?”

He smiles. “As a matter of fact, I want to talk to you about something.”

For five minutes, Vi doesn’t move from her seat. Andrés’s proposal isn’t anything she’d ever considered. Well, it had crossed her mind briefly once she was put on an allowance, but now that it’s being put out there, it’s become a real possibility.

“How much?” Vi asks.

“Double my rate.”

Vi narrows her eyes.

“Ten grand.” Andrés leans back in his chair at the small high top table in the corner and runs his hand along his chin. “Half for me, half for you.”

“I didn’t realize you were so well paid,” she says bluntly.

Andrés looks at her squarely. “Supply and demand, Violet. Not a lot of well-educated, cultured escorts out there. And let’s just say, my clients can afford it.”

“Why me?”

“Why not you?”

Vi sits up and hugs her knees to her chest. “You never suggested this before, so I assume you have a reason.”

“Besides wanting to see you with another woman?”

She nods. “I can tell there’s more.”

Andrés slides off his chair and perches on the edge of the chaise. “I want you to experience my world, Violet. Perhaps you can understand why I do it. I think we’re quite similar creatures. As dancers, we have incredible command of our bodies. We can differentiate and suspend feelings from sex.” His hand glides over her knee and up her thigh, cupping her sex. “And you could use the money.”

“I have a job.”

“Oh yeah?” A ghost of a smile passes over his lips. “What kind?”

“Part-time at a charity for the homeless.”

“So let me guess, you pull in maybe a couple hundred a month?”

Vi gets up and begins to pace.
Why am I so bothered by his proposal?

“Are you trying to become my pimp?” She stops pacing and looks out the window.

Andrés wraps his arms around Vi’s waist and buries his face in her neck. “Never. I would never do that to you, Violet. You mean too much to me.”

She spins around, and his eyes search her face, her impassive expression giving nothing away.

“Tell me what you’re thinking,” he says after minutes pass. They haven’t moved at all. She’s still locked in his embrace, and his hands continue to move over her body, her neck, her lips.

Vi isn’t speaking because she can’t think. Her heart is beating so intensely she has to remind herself to breathe. The longing she feels for him has increased exponentially since he came through her window less than an hour ago. So why does she want to say ‘no’? Or does she really want this but is too afraid to admit it?

She gulps back her fears, which are coming at her in all directions. While she can only assume this won’t end well, a part of her is extremely curious about Andrés’s world, his lifestyle. Finally, she opens her mouth and in a breath she says, “Ok.”

“Her name is Senna,” Andrés says as they approach a townhome on 92
nd
and Madison. “Usual story. Husband in finance. Frequent traveling and girlfriends leaves little time for her and the kids.”

Vi stops outside the iron gates. “Why am I being included on this date?”

“Like I said, she’s feeling adventurous. Senna thought I’d have a friend who would be up for it.”

“Have you ever involved a friend?”

“You choose now to ask the questions?” Andrés chuckles. “A few times. But it’s not the norm at all. You’ll like Senna. She’s friendly and beautiful. Although not as beautiful as you.” He cups Vi’s face and plants a kiss on her lips. “You can always back out, Violet.”

She shakes her head. She’s had plenty of time to consider this and wants it more now than before. Besides, she has to find some way to fund her vacation over the winter break. Her allowance won’t be enough for her to join Lily and Dahlia on a ski trip so she’s decided on a different itinerary.

“I never asked, but I assumed you’ve been with a woman. Am I wrong?”

Again Vi shakes her head. “A few times.”

“And did you like it?”

She shrugs her shoulder. “Enough, but it made me realize that I prefer men.” Vi reaches under his coat and feels for his cock.

Andrés hisses. “Too soon for that.”

He leads Vi down a few steps to the entrance and removes something from his coat pocket.

“What is that?

“A mask.” Andrés reaches around Vi’s head to secure it.

“Why?”

“Protect your identity. You may come across each other or have friends who know each other. This City can be small like that. You know how it goes.” He knocks lightly on the door.

A tall blond woman dressed in a fitted black dress and black stilettos greets them. “Andrés, darling, I was becoming worried,” Senna says, kissing him on both cheeks.

“My apologies. We were a bit delayed.” He places a hand on Vi’s shoulder.

Senna turns her attention toward Vi and gazes at her appreciatively. “You are even more gorgeous than Andrés described.”

Vi offers a polite smile and whispers, “Thank you.”

“Where are my manners? Let me get you a drink. I already mixed some martinis. That alright with you?” She doesn’t take her eyes off Vi.

Vi nods. Senna motions for Andrés to get their cocktails.

“Andrés never told me your name.”

“It’s Laurel,” Vi replies in a hushed tone. She clears her throat and says in a more confident voice, “My name is Laurel.”

Senna parts her lips and runs her tongue along her top lip. “Well, Laurel. It’s lovely to meet you. Let me show you around.”