Page 25 of Beautiful Desire
Jackass.
From:Georgia Astor
To: Alden St. James
Subject: RE: Weekly Update
Alden,
While I’m sure you’re plenty used to people jumping the minute you say so, I’m sure you can understand that emailing you, like we’re pen pals, is not the most important thing on my to-do list each week. Believe it or not, I do have my own business to run, just like you.
But because you’re waiting on the edge of your seat for this information: Fletcher is still a pain in my ass, much like somebody else, but things are fine.
Worst,
Georgia
12
Georgia
“I’m beyond jealous that you’re almost home,” Charley mutters through the speakers in my car. “Past Charley clearly hates me for agreeing to this evening shift tonight.”
“You’ll be fine, I promise.” Turning onto my street, I groan as I pull into the driveway and cut the ignition.So much for getting to ignore responsibility for another night.“His car is already here.”
“You’ll be fine, I promise.” She snorts, parroting my words back at me. “You can’t avoid him forever.”
“I don’t see why not,” I murmur obtusely. It’s been two days since I lost my damn mind in the living room with my best friend and my stepbrother, demolishing lines that never should’ve even been approached, much less crossed. Charley and I are close enough—and well, we’ve done this once before—so it’s not awkward between us. Fletcher, on the other hand…
“Georgia, you know you have to talk about what happened, so just get it over with. You’re making this a much bigger deal than it needs to be.”
“Easy for you to say,” I mumble. “You’re not the one who let her stepbrother eat her out.”
Charley barks out a laugh. “Okay, first of all, if I had a stepbrother, one who looked like thatandwas as eager as Fletcher was to make me come, I absolutely would.” The image of his head in between my thighs flashes in my mind, and I groan as Charley continues. “And second of all, I have never seen you be so avoidant with a man before. You’re, like, queen of confrontation, and I gotta admit, this timid, nervous side that Fletcher brings out in you is adorable.”
“It’snotadorable.” I unbuckle my seatbelt, but make no move to get out. “And I’m not timid or nervous. I just don’t like him, so why would I want to sit down and have a conversation about what happened, when we’re both adults and know it’s never happening again.”
“You absolutelyaretimid around him,” she pushes, and I can hear the humor in her voice. “I’ve never seen you blush or be at a loss for words, like you are with him. Put on your big girl pants and have the damn conversation you and I both know needs to happen.”
I groan, letting my head fall back on the seat. “You’re annoying, and I don’t like you very much at the moment.”
“You love me. Now, quit being such a chickenshit, and do it already.” She snorts. “And if you happen to end the night by riding that nice cock of his, then so be it.”
“That’s not fucking happening,” I growl as I climb out of the car.
“Right, whatever you say. But just know, Iwillbe offended if you don’t record that shit and send it to me when it’s over. Okay, love you, byeee.” Charley hangs up before I can say anything,and I shake my head to myself as I walk up to the front door.That’s not happening.The other day was a mistake…a huge one, and it’s not going to be something I ever repeat. Period.
The house is quiet as I step inside, and I don’t see Fletcher anywhere. After I kick off my shoes and set down my purse, I stroll into the kitchen, and that’s when I hear it—the shower running. I’ve never seen a man shower as frequently as Fletcher does. At minimum, it’s twice a day—three, if he goes to the gym—and he takesforeverin there. I don’t even want to know how high my next water bill is going to be.
Pouring myself a glass of wine, I decide to busy myself with some candle work before I start dinner. Going through my conversation with Charley in my head, I know she’s right—Fletcher and Ihaveto talk about what happened. We live together, so it’s not like we can avoid this giant, forbidden elephant in the room forever, butfuck, I really don’t want to, mostly because I’m so damn confused.
I’ve always prided myself on being a very sex-positive woman. I make no apologies for enjoying sex and for prioritizing my own pleasure. I mean, men do it all the time with absolutely no backlash from society, so why shouldn’t women? There are very few instances where I’ve hooked up with somebody, and then later, regretted it, but this feels different. Like, Ishouldregret what happened the other day. He’s my fuckingstepbrother, and letting him watch me hook up with Charley before allowing him to eat me out is the exact situation Ishouldregret—but I just…don’t.
Yeah, the situation is awkward, and it’s obviously never going to happen again, but I’m grown enough to admit how hot it was while it was happening. And yet, I can’t seem to shake this heaviness in my gut for acknowledging that, almost like there’s something wrong with me fornotfeeling shame about what I did.
Like I said…confusing.
Hence why I haven’t been in a rush to talk to him about it, but Charleyisright, and as the sound of footsteps draws closer in the hallway, I know my time of avoidance is coming to an end. Despite knowing he’s there, I purposely keep my focus on the task in front of me instead of looking in his direction. The hair on the back of my neck stands up, feeling his gaze on me.
