New York City blue. New York City weather.
Two things Indigo loves.
She always says this blue only exists here, but how does she know?
She hasn't traveled much. A few trips upstate to visit family. One to Florida. To go to Disney World (she hated it, Sienna loved it).
Two vacations in the Caribbean. Before her father died.
She doesn't remember much. Only the warm water and the soft sand.
Despite her New York City style, I can see Indie at the beach.
Spread out on a lounge chair in a black bikini, listening to music as she stares at the waves, beckoning me to a private cabana.
Would she have liked the resort Rory picked for our honeymoon?
It's not her—too much propriety—but we wouldn't spend enough time outside our room for it to matter.
I don't know what she wants now. If she wants to go to Hawaii or Paris or upstate New York.
Only that I want to spend the week making her come.
With Rory, it was different. She picked the resort because her mother recommended it, because it was a place for the rich to avoid the hoi polloi.
She dismissed her family's snobbery, but she was never comfortable outside that world.
She didn't understand what it was like to suddenly have everything.
Indie does.
She didn’t let her guard down the way Indie does.
Those are the reasons why I called her, but how big were they, compared to how much I want to fuck her?
I can't deny it when I'm with her. I can't deny how much I want to pin her to the wall, bind her wrists, bend her over my lap and spank her.
She doesn't trust me yet.
It's fair.
Smart.
Practical.
But it still stops me in my tracks. It still amplifies that voice in my head.
What kind of monster wants to hurt the woman he loves?
"Ty?" Indigo asks. "Hey. Is that you?"
She's standing in front of her door, a vision in her short black dress and dramatic makeup
Her eyes light up as she spots me. "You look gorgeous."
"Gorgeous again?"
She nods yes. Takes a half-step toward me.
I meet her. Wrap my arms around her waist. Pull her into a slow, deep kiss.
She rocks her hips against mine. Parts her lips to make way for my tongue.
I kiss her hard. Like I'm claiming her.
She kisses back with everything she has. Sighs as she releases me. "Do you really need to come in and meet Sienna?"
"You invited me."
"And we really need to see your cousin?"
"I can tell him to fuck off."
"Would you?"
"Are you going to ask?"
She looks up at me, desire in her blue eyes. "No, I, uh… I really want you to meet her."
I want to meet her too. I want to know her life and this is a huge part of it.
"But, first, I, uh… I wanted to say something. About our call."
"You were clear."
"Maybe. But I want to look at you when I say it." Her fingers curl around my neck. "I want to get there. Where we trust each other completely. I know it will take time, but I do want to get there."
That's the only thing I want. "Me too."
"And I will be honest with you. Even if it hurts. I promise." She presses her lips to mine. "But, uh, that's the last I'll say of my desire to—"
"Feel my hand around your throat."
Her cheeks flush. "Because Sienna… she's uh, god, she's going to have a field day with you." She smiles. "You have a little." She runs her thumb over my lower lip. "You're wearing my lipstick."
"Does it suit me?"
"It does. You look good in wine." She smiles. "And Sienna will love that we're making out in the hallway."
"Really?"
She nods. "I told you. She's obsessed with sex. And she's going to ask so many questions, so—"
"Do you really doubt my restraint?"
Her blush deepens. "No. I just want you prepared."
My shoulders fall. My jaw softens.
She doesn't think I'm a monster.
She wants this as much as I do.
More even.
"She's easily distracted. So bring up soccer. She's really into that one player," she says.
"The one player?"
"His thighs. She goes on about the soccer player's thighs." Her eyes flit to my legs. "You do have great legs."
"She's the one who wants to talk about sex?"
She mimes zipping her lips. Motions to the door are you ready?
My chest gets light. My limbs too.
I'm nervous. I didn't expect to be nervous.
How hard is it to charm a teenage girl who loves football and handsome men?
But this isn't an intern desperate for my approval. Or a waitress looking for a tip. Or even a woman seeking a connection with a man.
It's Indigo's sister.
The most important person in her life. The only person she loves.
I know Indigo. If her sister asks her to end this—
I'm not going to win that battle. I don't want to fight that battle.
I need to impress her, now. To convince her my intentions are good.