Page 53 of Van Cort
The vast expanse of white timber gleams under the sun, still pristine despite no one living here, and that same light bounces off the lake reflecting the trees and mountains around it. My gaze follows the lines of the two large wings jutting out, encasing the ornamental gardens before the lawn starts. It’s a hell of a place regardless of my hatred of it. Always was. Van Cort meant business when it came to displaying wealth. Still does, I suppose.
Pulling to a stop, I stare down at the boathouse across the lawn, hands tightening on the steering wheel. It still seems like yesterday in some ways, and the only difference now is our age and the lack of my brother here with me.
“Everett?” I come out of my fog and look at Andie. “Are you okay?”
“Yes. Why?”
“You seemed a million miles away for a moment.” I was.
I lean over and kiss her, part ready to dispel any memories and part ready to indulge in them. She sighs into me and lets her hand wander to my thigh, back, neck, until she breaks the kiss and looks back out at the view.
“I don’t know why you’d ever leave this place,” she muses.
“Because beauty does not always mean contentment.” Pulling away again, I drive us down to the house and stop. “Maybe you can change my mind about that.”
“Me? Casual relationships don’t usually mean contentment.”
“Do you want casual, Andie? Is that all you want from me?”
She gets out of the car rather than answering me and takes long, deep breaths, pulling in all the clean air she can. I watch her from the car as she ambles the driveway and looks into the trees, happy with the sight of her here. Lithe limbs move her around freely, and sheer beauty almost dazzles in this light. Shelets her hair out of the clip and it tumbles, as if finally released from its confines.
We could be that - free.
I huff and rest my head back. She’ll make a fine wife. And presumably a good mother. She’ll look the part, and play the part to perfection, and she can stay here and look after this house for me.
That’s all the sensible deliberations dealt with.
Unfortunately, and because of West’s influence, I don’t feel very sensible around her anymore.
Eventually, having mulled over the proposition in my head a little more, I get out and wait for her to return to me. She walks slowly, as if she’s been considering what I asked.
“If I didn’t want something purely casual, and I was to consider moving to a serious relationship, what would your terms be?” She asks as I take her hand and lead her to the main entrance, opening the door.
“I’d want to discuss commitment, feelings.” She gazes, as if those two words are hitting home like I need them to. “The future.”
I turn her away from me so she can stare into the expansive hall filled with ornate finery and dead animals and wrap my arm around her waist. “Could you imagine yourself climbing those stairs, Andie?” They lead straight up and curve each way at the top, as wide and imposing as they’ve always been and still flanked by hunting trophies. “This could all be yours if we play this correctly.” She stiffens a little. “But first, I’d want you to do everything I asked. I’d need to make sure. Could you do that for me?”
“Everything?”
“Hmm.”
“That’s a high opening offer. Why?”
“Compatibility.”
She turns her face to look at me. “I think we’re pretty compatible already.”
“Are we? Are you on contraception?”
“How is that relevant to compatibility?”
“Do you want a family?” I press.
Her eyes fly wide, and I like the shock on her face. “One day. Probably.”
“Then you’re on contraception. Good.” I let go of her and walk a small circle so we’re facing each other. “Why are you avoiding sucking me off?”
Both her eyebrows shoot up. “Wow. That’s a question I didn’t expect.”
