Page 17 of Seven Days
After a quiet moment goes by, I tilt my lips up to his and kiss him. A languid, affectionate kiss that says all the things I can’t. His hand moves into my hair as he deepens it, and we lay there in each other’s arms, just kissing for what seems like hours when he finally pulls away.
“What was that for?” he asks.
“It is really wonderful what you do.Youare really wonderful.”
Even through the dark of his bedroom, I can feel his gaze burning hot on me. I don’t know what he’s thinking and he doesn’t clue me in. He rolls us so he’s tucked against my back, his arms wrapped tightly around me.
* * *
True to his word,he fucked me all day Tuesday. In the kitchen, in the bathroom, while we watched a movie in his home theater, and back to the bedroom. I keep wondering when the sex will get boring or repetitive, but so far, so good.
Today, I’m heading up to LA to look at apartments. Last night, while he grilled steaks for dinner, he tossed a set of keys at me. He wants me to look at his house in Venice Beach. It’s a long commute for school, but it is far from Trevor’s desired neighborhoods. There’s a shop there I love for handmade gifts and he would always warn me about being vigilant around the homeless population. No matter how many times I always told him being homeless doesn’t equate to being a bad or dangerous person, he would never ease up.
The drive up the coast is nice, I avoid the highway so it takes me longer but I love the beach towns in Orange County. Peeks of the blue water with the sun reflecting off the waves every so often. Kids on playgrounds for the summer. I loved growing up here and if I ever have a family would definitely want to give them similar memories.
By the time I pull up to the house and into the tiny drive attached to the back, it’s nearly eleven in the morning. I don’t know if I’ll take him up on the offer to stay here. He told me to consider it a graduation gift. A quiet, safe place to finish out my last year of law school as I rebuild my life.
I walk to the door and punch the alarm code in as I look around in awe. The space is ultra modern with the black exterior carried over into the inside. The walls are painted black and while it should feel like a cave, it doesn’t; it feels open and decadent. There are no walls at the back of the house, only floor to ceiling windows showing the boardwalk and beach beyond.
The kitchen and living room are sparsely furnished. He said he’s never spent a night here. He purchased this place more as an investment than anything else. I walk up the open bamboo stairs to the second level where two bedrooms and an office are located. It’s a pretty simple floor plan, and the primary suite has the same open windows along the back and a sundeck with several chaise lounges.
People walk and skate past, but it’s not too busy being a Wednesday morning. There are a handful of tall palm trees and the wide swath of golden sand before the Pacific takes over the horizon. It is beautiful here. Heading back inside, I’m curious to see what the bathroom is like in this place.
Just like every other room in the house, the walls are black, but the marble on the counter and floor is white with silver veins running through. A chandelier hangs over the stand alone tub with a large shower tucked back in the corner. Two sinks and a lighted vanity stand against the opposite wall.
I can already imagine bringing in tropical plants to liven up the black walls. A California king bed faces out to the ocean and a walk in closet runs the length of the room along the side. I picture some of my belongings scattered through the house. Making dinner in the large kitchen. Drinking wine on the patio with Sara on the weekends.
Then the image of Thomas enters my mind. Him pouring me a glass of champagne, strolling the boardwalk together, going to one the many little cafes around here. Him fucking me in every room of this house.
I shake my head to get the thoughts out. We’re not a thing. We won’t be a thing. Can I really accept his gift and live here for a year, rent free, knowing what I’m missing out on?
As if she can hear my thoughts and feel my dilemma, Sara’s name flashes against my phone. She’s FaceTiming again.
“Hey,” I answer the phone as I step out onto the deck.
“Hello, you haven’t been answering my calls all week,” she says accusatorially. “And where the fuck are you now?”
“Thomas offered to let me stay in one of his investment properties for the next year as a graduation gift.” I flip the camera around and show her the back of the house. “It’s in Venice, right near the boardwalk.”
“Holy shit. I need a tour right now.”
I chat with her as I retrace my steps back through the house.
“I’m moving in with you,” she says decisively as I show her the kitchen.
I laugh. “I haven’t decided if I’m going to take him up on his offer yet.”
“Why not?” She waits for me to flip the camera back to my face. “It’s just a gift from your dad’s best friend and it makes sense. You tied up a lot of money in your relationship with Trevor. This will help you get back on your feet as you finish school. Win, win, in my opinion.”
“It’s not that simple.” I grimace. If he and I weren’t sleeping together, I wouldn’t hesitate to graciously accept his offer.
“Why?” she drags out the question. “Wait.” Her eyes widen as she realizes. “Is something happening between the two of you?”
I hold eye contact with her as I slowly nod.
“Brianna Lucia.” She says my full name with a surprised gasp. “He’s twice your age.”
“I know.”