The Fling

"Hey Mom, I just landed," I said, looking out the window of the private jet. It was raining lightly, misting and blocking out the May sun. The trees that lined the runway seemed fake and artificial. Rows upon perfect rows, just casually lined up next to the concrete of the runway. Beyond then lay the winding freeway that would enter the heart of Seattle. It was almost a lie to pretend that there were trees living next to a runway, separating concrete from concrete.

I missed the spectacular view of New York as planes landed in Newark. I missed the excitement I felt when I arrived in that spectacular city far from home. I hadn't been away from New York for more than six hours and I already wanted to return.

There was too much for me to worry about here, at home.

Kate was tapping away on her phone, probably texting her parents to let them know she arrived safely.

"Oh, that's wonderful, Anastasia! Jack should be waiting for you with the car. Your father and I cannot wait to see you," my mother breathed. I could tell she was excited, and I was glad she was. It was so much easier to pretend to be happy with this arrangement if she was happy I was home. I loved my parents and I would be the first to admit it, but I didn't love the fact that I was home for the summer. That's what I hated. Three months of pure torture.

At least Kate was with me.

"See you soon," I said, not waiting for her response before hanging up.

But, being the dutiful daughter, I was pressured to come home. It was Elliot's last summer in Bellevue before he would enter the real world after graduating from Harvard a few weeks earlier. He wanted to spend it with me, the last time he would be able to throw caution to the wind and party without a care in the world. We both knew that he was going to be employed in New York, working on Wall Street as some kind of software engineer at Merrill Lynch. His future was pretty much set in stone.

I sighed as the plane's wheels tapped the ground once, before fully landing onto the concrete, bringing me back to reality.

"Miss Steele, Miss Kavanaugh, we have arrived," the pilot said over the intercom. Kate pulled out sunglasses and I quickly followed suit. I was certain that I looked like hell, considering the sleepless nights during finals week and the sleepless flight here. If any photographers were lurking around, I didn't want my face splashed around looking less than mildly presentable. Prescott was already at the door, and I saw the familiar black Range Rover pull right up to the stairs of the jet, waiting on the the tarmac. Prescott climbed in the front seat with Jack and we were off, speeding towards the exit gates of the airport.

"How was the flight girls?" Jack asked as we joined the freeway. I loved Jack, and I had a special relationship with him. He was part of the family, someone to take care of Elliot and I when my parents weren't able to.

"It was fine," I said, shrugging. "I miss you, Jack. The cab drivers in New York aren't as chatty as you."

"Well I'm glad you miss me, because I miss you too. It seems like yesterday I was driving a babbling three and a moody six year old around," he said, the lines around his eyes crinkling as he glanced in the mirror. "And Katie, it's wonderful to see you too."

Kate grinned. "Ana and I were more than happy to spend the summer in the Hamptons, but I missed you so much I convinced her to come home with me."

Jack laughed and even Prescott smiled. "Welcome home, ladies."

I smiled, and checked my phone. Elliot was already sending me Snapchat videos of him playing beer pong by the pool. His summer had already started. I stashed my phone in my bag, watching the surrounding area of Seattle speed by in a blur.

The car pulled to a stop in front of the familiar, imposing gates and Jack wasted no time dropping us off at the front door. Standing in front of the place I called home, I was nervous and scared. Home didn't feel like the safe place I remembered it to be. Sighing, I followed Kate up the modern stairs and followed her inside. I stepped into the grand foyer, dramatically modern and imposing, and heard my mother and some other feminine voices in the living room.

"Anastasia!" my mother exclaimed, jumping up from the gray settee and engulfing me in her arms. I dropped my Goyard bag and returned the warm embrace. Over her shoulder I smiled at Mrs. Kavanaugh who was greeting Kate with just as much enthusiasm, before coming over an greeting me.

I pulled away and grinned at my mother. "I wish you would have told me you were having lunch with the ladies. I would have worn something nicer."

Her eyes raked over my Columbia sweater and leggings, but she waved it off. "Darling you look gorgeous as usual."

She reached up and smoothed my chestnut hair, before returning to her place as hostess.

"As much as Katherine and I would love to join you ladies, we are in dire need of some rest. Have a lovely day," I said, waving goodbye to three other women in the room. Kate and I immediately climbed the stairs to my room.

"It hasn't changed much has it?" Kate asked me, placing her bag on the window seat, before settling on the chaise on the opposite side of the room. I glanced around my bedroom, smiling at the collage of pictures clustered above my desk. It was the only part of the room that displayed anything remotely personal- everything else was decorated to perfection. I flopped on my bed, gazing up at the ceiling before letting myself completely relax and drift off to sleep.

I woke up and wasn't surprised to see it was dark outside. Kate was curled up next to me on the bed and I silently thanked her thoughtfulness as I examined the blanket that was draped over us. She was my best friend and the best roommate.

I pulled out my phone and I wasn't surprised to see a shocking number of tweets and messages asking where I was and when I would be arriving at the party. I threw a pillow at Kate to wake her up.

She sat up, looking mildly dazed. "That's a nice way to say thanks."

I grinned. "I'd be a popsicle without you."

"Why'd you wake me up?" she asked, standing up and stretching.

"It seems we made it home in time of the first party of the season. We missed the pregame," I explained. "You can shower in the guest room if you want."

She nodded, and collected her bags that had arrived in my room while we were sleeping. I didn't feel like going out, but everyone was expecting me to.

I stood in front of the mirror wrapped in a towel, appraising myself. I had changed a lot since last summer. Freshman year in New York was a blessing. My hair was longer and healthier, nearly reaching my waist with gentle waves at the ends. My muscles were more toned, giving my long limbs definition and purpose. I still had the remnants of a tan from the Spring Break Kate and I spent in Turks and Caicos. Kate appeared behind me, her blonde hair wrapped in a towel to dry. She was already dressed in a gorgeous red bandage dress. She was dressed to impress and to get laid.

I sat down next to her on the plush white carpet in front of the mirror and began my makeup. "Ana, that dress is gorgeous."

I smiled at her in the mirror as she expertly applied eyeliner. "And yours is turning me on."

She grinned. "It's definitely working then?"

"You look amazing, Kate. But we both already knew that," I said. "I'm not ready for tonight."

She sighed as she began to curl her hair. "Honestly, you have nothing to worry about. There's no way Elliot will find out. I'm certain that only the three of us know. And he wouldn't risk seeking you out, not tonight. There's going to be too much attention on you."

"Yeah, but you know he and Elliot are as thick as thieves. Christian is his favorite beer pong partner when I'm not available," I said, deciding to leave my hair down as it was. "Plus Elliot is determined to go to every party this summer, which means I'll be going to all of them too."

She shrugged. "Look, Steele. I hate to say this, but there's nothing either of you can do. I know you don't want to accept that, but that's the truth. Unless you are prepared to make it clear to him, or do something public, your hands are tied. Let it go."

I frowned, but I knew Kate was right. Christian had always been a thorn in my side and last summer, but since I got home, it was feeling more like a knife. But, that came with the territory of knowing the same people since before you were born.

Both Carrick Grey and Eamon Kavanaugh were founding partners, along with my father, Raymond Steele, of one of the first desalination companies in history. It was the first company to offer privatized desalination for single homes or buildings, and now, with the value placed on water, it was one of the most profitable companies in the world. Naturally, our fathers mixed work and pleasure and I grew up along side Kate, Elliot, Mia, Ethan, and Christian.

"Steele, come on, we need to take a picture!" Kate exclaimed, as I reemerged from my closet putting in diamond stud earrings. We posed, and Kate uploaded the picture, immediately causing her phone to explode with notifications.

"That's a cute caption," I said, reading it. Every blonde needs a brunette.

"Well, it's certainly true," she said. "And right now I need my brunette to get me a few shots of vodka!"

I laughed and slid into my black Saint Laurent peep toe heels. I walked over to my dresser and opened the bottom drawer. "This reminds me of high school."

Kate walked over and laughed. "I love that it's still fully stocked."

I pulled out a bottle of Grey Goose and we passed it back and fourth nearly drinking half of it between us.

"Gum?" I asked, handing Kate a stick. She accepted graciously and we linked arms before heading down the stairs.

"Big bro!" I practically yelled into my phone, waving to my mother who was resting on the couch, her computer on her lap. She smiled at us, waving us out of the house. "Where are you?"

"Stas! It's the Grey's house! Get your ass over here now!" he bellowed and hung up.

We climbed into the black Range Rover, and Jack was smiling at us. "Have fun and be safe tonight, girls."

I smiled. My parents allowed us to party as long as we were safe and avoided trouble. It was easier than trying to hide it from them, and the stipulation of safe mainly meant that Jack was on standby to pick us up and drop us off.

Kate grabbed my hand as we pulled through the open gates. People were milling outside, and I recognized kids from the public high school as well as Seattle Prep. Trust Mia Grey to mix the crowds. I didn't mind though. In my partially buzzed state I enjoyed the attention. Alcohol did wonders for improving my self-confidence.

We climbed out of the car, and instantly people were talking about us. Kate pulled me into the house, where the music was playing and the bass was thumping.

"Ana!" Mia yelled, making a beeline towards us. "Kate!"

We smiled, and caught her in the three way hug. Mia was our little sister for all intensive purposes. She hated that she was the youngest, but we always tried to include her, and now, it seemed like she was of age, being that she was going to be a junior in high school in the fall. "I missed you guys so much!"

"We missed you too Mia," I said. "You have to visit us in New York next year when you and Ethan do college tours, okay?"

"Oh I'd love to!" she said. Kate smiled at the mention of her little brother, who was the same age as Mia.

"I bet you guys could use the jet too," I said. Our parents split the cost of having a jet for all of us. Elliot and Christian usually traveled together from Harvard and Kate and I followed suit, attending Columbia together. Ethan and Mia were already set to go to Dartmouth or Penn, so the investment was worth it.

"That would be so much fun!" she exclaimed. "Come find me later! A bunch of my friends want to meet both of you! Elliot is looking for you Ana- he's playing beer pong."

"I swear to god my brother is obsessed. I would have thought he would have outgrown it by now," I said, shaking my head with a laugh.

Kate chuckled too as we made our way into the amazing kitchen. "Once a frat boy, always a frat boy."

"No fucking way!" Elliot boomed, elbowing people out of the way to get to me. "Stas!"

He lifted me off the ground and I laughed as he spun me. "Hey El!"

"I missed you so much," he whispered, kissing the top of my head. I grinned, our blue eyes meeting.

"Missed you too, brother bear," I said.

"Katie, get over here!" he yelled to my blonde friend. She rolled her eyes at him, and apologized to the girls she was talking to.

"Hey Elliot," she said, hugging him and kissing his cheek. I tried to hide my smile at the slight blush that appeared on my brother's cheeks. "It's been too long."

He pulled back and smiled. "It's good to see you. Yo, Christian, get over here!"

I paled, and Kate squeezed my hand. I spotted the trademark bronze hair, and I felt the familiar tingles in my stomach and up my spine. And then suddenly, those killer grey eyes met mine and I was done for.

Kate greeted him first, kissing both of his cheeks instead of hugging him. He chatted to her for what seemed like a lifetime before stepping towards me.

"Anastasia," he said, stepping forwards. I made a move to kiss his cheek too, but I felt his arms wrap around my waist. It was probably the alcohol that gave me the confidence to wrap my arms around his shoulders.

I pulled back quickly, fighting the urge to stay in his arms. "Christian."

I avoided meeting Elliot's questioning gaze, and I pretended to wave to someone standing behind Christian. As I walked away, trying not to run, I heard Elliot.

"Dude, what the fuck was that?"

I quickly made my escape towards the large patio, my cheeks on fire. People were smiling and waving, trying to catch my attention. I smiled and made a beeline for the outside bar.

A boy, probably seventeen or eighteen was in charge of mixing the drinks. I strolled towards him and he straightened, placing both of his hands on the bar between us. He was cute- blonde and tall.

"You're Anastasia, right?" he asked, not intimidated. I smirked.

"Yes. But I don't know who you are," I said, biting my lip.

"I'm Luke Sawyer," he said, extending his hand. I shook it.

"You're a year younger than me, right?" I asked, recognizing his name.

"Yeah! Wow I'm surprised you recognized my name," he said.

"I meet a lot of people and I know a lot of people, but I really only remember the important ones," I said, giving him a salacious smile. "Now, can you pour me two shots of Goose?"

"Sure thing," he said, pouring three shots into three separate mini red solo cups. I took the first and swallowed it in one gulp and moved onto the next two.

"Another one, please," I said. I wanted to get drunk, to forget what happened with Christian and the fact that Elliot was already suspicious. He raised his eyebrows, and handed me a half shot. I narrowed my eyes at him and downed it, walking away quickly. I wove between the growing crowd outside and found myself leaning against the side of the house, alone with my thoughts.

Christian wasn't exactly a people person. For as long as I could remember, he never let anyone touch him. I knew he was adopted and my parents told me about the time I hugged him when I was three and he withdrew like he had been shocked. Hell, he was violent when angry and I learned that first hand, watching him punch walls on multiple occasions. But, it was the fighting at school that really scared me. And the rumors everyone spread about him.

He was accused of raping a girl, beating her black and blue, and then burning her with a lighter. It turned out that the girl was fine, just a bruise on her hip which she showcased in a crop top, explaining that she fell of the bed when they were hooking up. Christian confirmed it, but beat up anyone who was still talking about the rumor the next day. That scared me.

Luke snapped me out of my thoughts, standing in front of me. "Are you okay? You don't seem to be enjoying the party."

I gave him a small smile. "It's kind of boring, don't you think? It's the same people, the same atmosphere, and the same drinks."

He laughed, flashing his white teeth. "Not really, well not from behind the bar, I mean."

"Is that an invitation?" I asked, turning on the charm. I was happily buzzed and overly friendly.

"If you would like it to be one. I could do with another set of hands out here as soon as someone decides a pool party is more fun," he said.

I watched Luke as he began mixing drinks for people, teasing them and conversing with them. It was very different to watch the party unfold from behind the bar. I felt protected, but still like I was a part of the action.

"Steele, how'd you get stuck with drink duty?" Kate asked, looking confused. I grinned.

"Luke here needed help," I responded, placing my hand on his arm. Kate's eyebrows raised, and she grabbed my elbow and dragged me from behind the bar.

"How much have you had to drink?" she asked, steadying me.

"Enough," I said. "I'm not drinking anymore, but I needed to relax."

She nodded in understanding. "You're avoiding Christian."

I avoided her gaze, scanning the people milling around the pool. There was no sign of Christian or Elliot.

"And now you're avoiding the question," Kate snapped.

"That wasn't a question, Kate," I responded icily, frowning at her.

She shrugged it off. "Look, Ana, I know you're freaked about the hug. We all are. Ethan and Mia haven't stopped asking me questions about it."

"They saw that?" I asked. "Jesus Christ, Kate! Everyone will find out about last summer and there's no way in hell I can deal with all of that."

Kate had nothing to say to that. She nodded her head back towards the bar. "I think you know what to do about that."

I nodded, taking her advice. I exhaled heavily. " Causing another scandal to hide another. I'll make sure the timing is perfect."

She gave me a hug and I stepped back behind the bar and wrapped my arm around Luke's waist. "Let's make Jagerbombs!"

We go to work, and more and more people were coming up to the bar. The party was moving outside, and I kept an eye on the door waiting for Kate to reappear with my brother and Christian in tow. Under Mia's direction, three guys moved the speakers outside and I knew it was time. Somehow, the alcohol hadn't hit me nearly as strongly as I thought it would.

Kate returned with two guys, who seemed to know Luke well, and convinced Luke to let them take the bar. He was more than happy to relinquish control, and I suspected that I had something to do with that.

"Come on, let's go dance," I said, grabbing his hand and pulling him towards the patio. I turned to smile and he was grinning.

I wasn't brave enough to take him right into the center, and people were already taking notice of us together and smiling, whispering to each other. A few more girls looked upset, and I had a feeling that Luke was very popular in his grade. He stepped right behind me and place his hands on my waist, gently guiding me to move. I trailed my hands up my sides and swept my hair over my shoulder, glancing up at him as he watched. I knew how to put on a good show and I wove my fingers through his hands on my waist. I began to turn myself slowly to face him. His hands stayed on my waist and I locked my fingers behind his neck. He leaned down slightly and our lips met.

It wasn't fireworks, but a delicious tingle spread through my body. I felt his hand slid down to palm my butt over my dress.

My eyes flew open as soon as I felt Luke get pushed away from me. "Elliot!"

"Dude, that's my little sister! Have some respect man!" Elliot yelled in Luke's face. Before I could chastise Elliot, I saw a furious Christian appear next to me. I stepped around both him and Elliot, until I was next to Luke, glaring at my older brother.

"Elliot," I said, my voice dangerously calm. "You are out of line."

"He's out of line! His hands all over you like that!" Elliot yelled, gesturing towards him. "At least let me pretend my little sister is still innocent and do it behind closed doors! Come on, man, a little respect!'
I glared at Elliot. "I'm nineteen Elliot. I make my own decisions."

"Oh yeah, like letting some random guy squeeze your ass?" he asked. Before I could respond, I heard a growl, and I saw a fist flying towards me.

My nose was tingling, and I could feel the pain quickly take over. I reached my hand up to my face and saw the blood. My eyes were stinging with unshed tears and the party was suspiciously silent around me.

"Shit, Anastasia," Luke said, cupping my cheek tenderly.

"Get your fucking hands off her right now," Christian said. "It's you're fault she was hit. You fucking ducked."

I looked around frantically for Kate or Mia, but I couldn't see either of them. I felt myself get pulled away from Luke and Elliot, and I saw it was Christian who was leading me back into the house.

I followed him up the familiar stairs towards his room. He opened the door and sat me on his bed. The very same bed that was haunting me.

He darted into his bathroom and came back with a glass of water and a damp washcloth. I was crying, and I didn't really know what to do. He sighed and knelt in front of me and began wiping up the blood with very gentle strokes.

"I have to get some gauze, I'll be right back," he said softly, giving me to cloth to hold to my nose while it kept bleeding.

He returned a short while later with a first aid kit and some wipes. He carefully pushed rolled gauze into my nose and placed an ice pack in my hand. He removed a few wipes and began removing the smeared mascara.

When he finished, he threw everything away, and took the ice pack from me and held it himself. "Listen Ana, I- I'm so sorry. I know that doesn't mean anything right now, but I never meant to hurt you."

I scoffed. "Yes, you did. As soon as you and Elliot intervened, you set out to hurt me."

He dropped his head, gazing at the floor. "We shouldn't have slept together. Everything changed."

It felt like a knife in my side as soon as he said that. But he was right. "I agree."

He glanced up, and I was met with his stormy grey eyes. "You do?"

"Look Christian, that was last year. I forgot about it and you should too," I said, shrugging. I wiggled my face around, trying to figure out where he hit other than my nose. My left cheek was a little sore, but my nose took most of it.

He nodded. "Do you want some Advil?"

I nodded and took the ice pack from him as he walked over to his nightstand and pulled out a bottle. "One or two?"

"Three," I said. He nodded and extended his hand. I took the pills and washed them down with the water. "Thanks for taking care of me."

He shook his head as he untucked his white collared shirt from his jeans. "Don't thank me. I owe you about thirty seven favors. I can check our score board if you want."

"You still have that?" I asked, remembering the notebook we created to keep track of the favors we did for each other. He nodded, ducking into his closet and threw a notebook at me. I tried to catch it, but it landed in my lap. I was definitely still a bit tipsy. I opened it up and smiled, glancing up at him once he stepped out of the closet. He was wearing low-hanging grey linen pajama pants and holding a white tee shirt in his hands.

I snuck a quick look at his chiseled body and he seemed even more muscular and tall than last year. His hair was just as unruly and bronze, but his cheek bones and jawline were so incredibly sharp. I knew he rowed at Harvard, but this physique was certainly more sculpted, his skin slightly sun kissed. Christian had grown up.

I tried to stand, but wobbled. He caught me before I could fall. I glanced up into his eyes, trying to understand what he was feeling, what he was thinking at that moment. I got my answer as soon as his lips touched mine.

Automatically, my hands went to his hair and pulled gently, enjoying how soft it was. I felt his body press into mine and my body responded, pressing back and heating with every movement. His lips never left my own as he gently guided me to lie back on bed. He settled between my legs and I felt all of him covering me.

I moaned when his lips began to explore my jaw and my neck. My back arched and I felt him hard and firm right where I wanted him most. His hands grazed the sides of my breasts and my heart was hammering out of control. I rolled my hips, thankful that my dress was sliding up my thighs. I moaned again, this time accompanied by his groan. His hips thrust into my own, hard, and the two thin pieces of fabric separating us were doing nothing to hide how wet I was. His tongue entered my mouth again, matching the same rhythm he set with his hips. His hands slipped to the neckline of my dress, slipping inside, and I felt a swell of confidence as his fingers brushed my braless nipples. Taking control, I rolled over him, so I was firmly planted on top of him, feeling every vein of his cock. My dress was rucked up to my waist and his hands were now pressing me down as I began to grind my hips into his. I sat up, grabbed the edge of my dress, pulling it off in one fluid movement. He instantly sat up so we were face to face and he held my head tender before planting a searing kiss on my lips. I kept rocking back and fourth craving more of that delicious friction that was driving me crazy. His hand slipped around from my butt and slipped down the front of my thong. He hissed when he flicked my clit, causing me grind down hard on him.

"Fuck Ana," he breathed, his forehead resting on my bare shoulder. I was frantic trying to chase an orgasm that seemed to be so far away.

"That's the idea," I spit out between heavy breaths. He chuckled and pushed me back down into the mattress. He moved against me relentlessly and I felt the pressure reach a peak. My mouth was open in a silent scream as I felt my body shake against his. I was barely aware of him shuddering and thrusting against me, finding his own release.

My eyes grey heavy and I felt him roll off me. I eagerly welcomed the sleep.

Thank you everyone for the continuous support and unwaveringpatience. I would not have returned to this story if it weren't for all of you.

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