Breaking the Ice (St. James Family #0.5) (4 page)

“
Excuse me,” Annata murmured, catching Christophe's eye again before she turned and walked back into the crowd. He and Miranda watched her as she met The Old Man in the crowd and kissed his cheek. She laughed at an unheard joke, her eyes lighting up and her hand patting his shoulder.

“
Get me a vodka martini will you?” Miranda asked, her voice sharp.

“
Sure thing.” He turned to the bar and caught Annata's eye again, across the sea of people. She blinked and then went back to her conversation, her face animated and lovely.

“
So what do you think of the beautiful Annata St. James? Has she charmed you like she's charmed your father?” Miranda's face hardened, her lips tight at the corners of her mouth.

“
You're being ridiculous,” Christophe said, handing her the martini she requested.

“
Look at her,” Miranda said, shaking her head. “So smart. So young. So
exotic
.”

Christophe couldn't exactly disagree. Annata was all of those things, but not his idea of an easy lay. The Old Man knew better than to try and swim in shark infested waters, he hoped. He bit down on an ice cube, watching Annata scrunch up her nose and shake her head, deep in conversation. He recognized Joshua Maroni, a member of the company's board, beside her, finding an excuse to touch her shoulder as they talked.

“You have nothing to worry about, Miranda,” he finally said. “That woman is an ice queen. She doesn't want my father. But she does want his job, his company, and his livelihood.”

“
Well, she'll never have it.” Miranda's took an unladylike gulp of her drink. “Not if I have anything to say about it.”

***

Annata watched Christophe as he made his way around the party, laughing and flirting with all the pretty women at the party. She kept her distance, remembering how it felt when he'd come close to her at the bar. Despite everything, he was attracted to her. At the very least, he was flirting with her like he was attracted to her. And that was dangerous. Very dangerous.

She knew he was playing some kind of game with her. Apparently, it didn't matter how mean she was to him, he wasn't going to leave her alone. So she had to stay strong. She couldn't let herself get caught up in his laugh and his blue eyes and his beauty. So, she danced with other men who asked her, talked to everyone that William introduced her to, and laughed with all of Miranda's silly socialite friends. But every so often, he would almost catch her watching him and she would dart her eyes away, just in time.

The venue was amazing. She had never been inside the Central Park Boathouse before, and it was just as extravagant as she would have guessed it would be. William and Miranda must've spent a small fortune on the party. She  was enjoying herself, enjoying pretending that she was a member of this elite group. And, most hearteningly, everyone seemed to buy her act.
You've come a long way baby
, she thought to herself wryly.

Before sunset, Annata wandered outside for a bit of fresh air. The laughter and conversation from the party drifted across the lake, like voices from a dream. The music mingled with the crickets chirping and the birds singing, and Annata felt her muscles relaxing. A bit tipsy from the wine, she kicked off her shoes and climbed atop a rock that faced the water. She brushed off the rock, careful not to get her skirt dirty, and took a seat. She giggled to herself, watching one of the drunk partygoers flailing about in one of the boats on the water. She recognized Christophe's sister Kat in another boat, laughing and paddling to the center of the lake. She drew her knees to her chest. She closed her eyes and dropped her head back. The air was warm and muggy, and it made her think of her grandma's house in Louisiana. For a second, she could pretend she was back there, barefoot in the bayou, without a care in the world.

“
Is this a private party?” A male voice. A particular male voice. She rolled her head and opened her eyes. Christophe Van der Kind. Of course. “Or can I join?”

“
No. Go away.”

“
What if I sit over here?” He pointed to a spot of rock a few feet from her.

“
Off limits.”

“
Annata St. James, why are you so difficult?” He cocked his head, looking adorably preppy in his crisp shirt, open at the neck, and his navy blue pants and topsiders.

“
Because it works for me.” She pressed her cheek against her knee and glared at him.

“
I think you need a drink.” He smiled, and held up a bottle of white that he'd been hiding behind his back. “And look what I brought.”

“
Please go away,” Annata said.

“
It's a free country.” He took a swig from the bottle, looking out on the lake.

“
Fine. I'll go.” She stood, grabbing her shoes and hopping down off the rock. She could hear him behind her as she stomped up the trail. When she whirled around to face him, she was surprised at how close he was. Taking a deep breath, she took a step back. “What do you want?” she demanded. He shook his head, a faint smile on his lips.

“
I keep forgetting how much you hate me,” he said, then laughed. “I guess I'm just not used to people not liking me.” He shrugged and took another swig from the bottle. “Why is it you don't like me again?”

“
Because you're an asshole.”

“
Oh, right.” He took another swig. “You're sure you don't want any of this wine? It's a five hundred dollar bottle. Pinot grigio.”

“
I just want to watch the sunset in peace. That's all.”

“
That's all I want, too,” he said, trying his best attempt at an innocent face. Giving him the side-eye, she returned to the rock and climbed back up. She perched at the top and he stood at the bottom watching her.

“
Why don't you go find Madge and have a threesome in the bathroom?” she said. “Or go downtown and get head on a bar or something?”

He threw his head back and laughed, and she sighed inwardly. She was starting to like it when he laughed. He had such an easy grace to his movements, she noticed. He looked so comfortable in his skin. She drew her knees to her chest again and draped her arms around them.

“Now who's being disgusting?” he said, shaking his head.

“
Sit down. Christ. You're making me nervous,” she bit out. In two broad steps he was up the rock and next to her. “No! Not here. Over there.” She pointed to a spot further away, trying in vain to suppress a smile. He plopped down next to her anyway, stretching his long legs out in front of him. They sat in silence for a bit, watching the sun set over the city. He offered the bottle and she took it, wiping off the lip.

“
You think I have germs?” he asked.

“
Maybe herpes. I don't know where your mouth has been.” she said, taking a swig from the bottle.

“
I'm offended.”

“
You are not.” She licked her lips, savoring the taste of the expensive wine on her tongue.

“
You don't know me, Annata,” he said, quietly. “You think you do, but you don't.”

“
I don't want to know you,” she replied, matter-of-factly. “I want you to go back to where you came from and leave me be.” He didn't answer, just stared ahead. The sun slipped behind the trees, bathing them in orange light. They sat silently, passing the bottle back and forth.

“
You like to dance?” he said, after awhile.

“
Hmm?” she murmured, feeling a nice buzz from the wine.

“
I saw you. Dancing.”  He was watching her now, but she didn't turn her face to look at him. “You're good. Natural.”

“
Because I'm black?” She couldn't resist asking, the urge to fuck with him getting in the way of her better judgement. “All black people have rhythm, right?” But he only laughed.

“
Exactly,” he said. And then she laughed too, not able to stop herself.

“
So you were watching me,” she said, still not looking at him.

“
You... stand out from the crowd. Not because you're black.” he said, as she opened her mouth to retort. “Because you're you.” She finally looked at him, not able to resist this time. His eyes were dark, she noticed, and his mouth was set in a line. He looked serious, all of a sudden. Annata felt a twinge of something, deep in her stomach. Her heart sped up, oddly. Then he looked away, back to the sunset.

“
I don't know if that's a compliment or not.” she said, quickly. “In this crowd, it's best to blend in.”

“
You'll never blend in,” he said. Annata looked at him sharply.

“
I'll do what I have to do,” she hissed. “I'll laugh at their stupid jokes and dance with the creeps that find any excuse to touch my ass. And I'll do it with a smile on my face. Because I've decided I belong here. Amongst your people.” She waved a hand, indicating the boathouse. He laughed again, but this time, there was no amusement on his face. He leaned close.

“
Run. Run far away before they ruin you.”

“
Poor little rich boy,” Annata shot back. “Have they ruined you?”

“
Don't laugh at me,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “I'm trying to help you.”

“
Don't bother.”

He snorted and shook his head, taking a deep drink from the bottle. Annata clamped her mouth shut, realizing that she was talking too much. She was giving too much away. Silence descended on them again. When the sky darkened, Christophe finally stood. He held out his hand to help her up, but she shook her head.

“I'm going to stay here awhile,” she said, looking up at him. “But thanks.” He nodded, working his jaw, like he wanted to say something, but he didn't. He turned and hopped down off the rock. She watched him walk back up the trail toward the boathouse and sighed. She dropped her cheek to her knee. She wanted to give herself a pat on the back. Good job for not giving an inch and letting him get to her. But she didn't feel happy, exactly. She didn't know what she felt. She finished off the bottle of wine he left then made her way back to the party just as the fireworks began over the lake.

The partygoers swarmed out on the patio of the Boathouse, oohing and aahing at the ostentatious display. Annata leaned against the railing of the patio, slipping back on her shoes as the red and blue flashes burst in the sky. She saw Miranda and William near the back of the group. William held Miranda's hand to his lips, and Miranda gave him a small, secret smile. Annata looked away, not wanting to intrude on their intimate moment. She stepped onto the patio, crossing her arms over her chest.

She eyed the crowd, her eyes running over their faces, watching their reactions. She froze when she spied Christophe, directly across the patio. He stood beside his sister Kat, laughing, a joint dangling from his lips. She felt a strong pull toward him, despite wishing that she didn't. He was handsome, yes, but that wasn't the only thing. She couldn't explain it. Nor did she want to. She didn't want to know what it was about Christophe Van der Kind that was drawing her in. She just wanted it to go away. She wanted
him
to go away.

He turned his head toward her, the fiery lights reflected on his face. She couldn't look away, his eyes holding her hostage. He blew out a puff of smoke, raising an eyebrow. Inviting her to come closer. She jumped as the fireworks exploded above her with canon-like booms. He chuckled at her, his face blue in the light. He passed the joint to Kat, whispering something in her ear. Then he turned and headed down the path out of the park, his hands in his pockets, as if he didn't have a care in the world. Annata watched him until he was out of sight. Silently, she let out the breath she'd been holding and went inside to the bar. “Another pinot grigio, please,” she murmured to the bartender as she tried her hardest to ignore the fireworks blazing behind her.

Much later, when she finally arrived home, drunk off her ass, the apartment was dark and empty. Vivica was nowhere to be found. Annoyed, but too tired to care about her cousin's whereabouts, Annata kicked off her shoes and slammed the bedroom door closed behind her. She collapsed on the bed, still in her clothes. She pulled the cool sheet over her and closed her eyes, letting her mind wander back to the quiet moment she'd shared with Christophe. He'd been so close that she could have reached out and touched him. She could've kissed him, if she'd wanted to. Alone in the dark, she didn't fight the feelings of attraction that plagued her whenever he was near. She let herself get lost in the fantasy. She could practically feel his lips on hers, feel his hand on the back of her neck, taste the wine on his breath. She let herself go and she fell into a fitful sleep, sweaty and turned on, with no one around to scratch the itch.

Chapter 5

“
You send my baby back home to me. I'll take good care of her.”
Granny's excited voice echoed in Annata's mind as she sat in the board meeting, zoning out. She sighed inwardly, fiddling with her earring. She hadn't wanted to do it, but now it was done. After Vivica pulled a vanishing act for two days after the fourth of July, Annata had finally called her grandmother to make the arrangements to send her cousin down to Louisiana. She hated having to involve her grandmother, but there was no other way. Vivica needed the stability of a loving presence in her life, and Granny was the only one who could be that for her. But Annata held no illusions that it was going to be easy. Vivica had a life in the city, and she wasn't going to go quietly, that was for damn sure. Vivica didn't do anything quietly.

The only comfort that Annata held on to was the promise of a return to normalcy. In a few days, Annata's life would finally be back to business as usual. Vivica would be gone, and eventually, so would Christophe Van der Kind. Although she hadn't seen the boy wonder much since the party, he was still around, lurking on the edges of her periphery. They hadn't talked or interacted beyond terse pleasantries, but she sensed that he wasn't done with her yet.
She'd heard from William that Christophe's internship was coming to an end. She didn't know when, but she prayed it was soon.

The board meeting wrapped up and Annata stood, feeling bone-tired. She nodded at William as she exited, and he gave her a quick smile. “Go home, Annie. Tomorrow is another day,” he said, as if he could read her thoughts.

“Yes, sir,” she said with a matching smile. She headed for her office, massaging her temples. The floor was empty, most people having left already for the weekend. One of the interns nodded in greeting then ducked through a door as she turned the corner. She chuckled to herself. She couldn't help but love the fear she struck in her co-workers. She'd never apologize for liking the rush of being the one in charge, that was for sure.

She made a pit-stop at her secretary's desk and picked up the accounting reports that she'd been expecting. A little light reading for her weekend. She pressed the heavy binders against her chest, and bumped the door to her office open with her hip. Kicking the door shut behind her, she dumped the binders on her desk. She rolled her head to the side, trying in vain to release the tension in her shoulders.

Suddenly, strong arms closed around her and she gasped. A hand clasped over her mouth. Adrenaline rushed through her veins. Whereas she'd been half-dead seconds before, now she was wide awake. She struggled against the arms that enclosed her, not getting very far. Then a deep voice whispered in her ear.

“
Get the fuck out of my office.” His breath tickled her ear and she shivered. She inhaled deep and recognized the scent of Christophe's cologne.
Son of a bitch
. Anger boiled up in her quick, and she swiveled her hips, throwing her elbows into his ribs. He let her go so fast that she lost her balance, falling back into her desk. He laughed, the sexy sound only making her more angry.

She whirled around to face him, and couldn't stop herself. Her hand moved of its own accord, slapping him hard. The sound of the skin on skin contact echoed in the small room. His head snapped to the side, and she immediately felt herself recoil.
Shit
. She hadn't slapped someone since the second grade, since Tammy Duquesne had stolen her crayons. She opened her mouth, then closed it again, speechless. Damn him! Why couldn't he just leave her alone? In a quick movement, he shoved her back on the desk, her back arching over the binders she had just placed there. His eyes flashing with anger, he slammed his hands on either sides of her hips on the desk.

“
Who the hell do you think you are?” he hissed, his dark eyes searching her face for answers. She heard her blood thundering in her ears, her chest heaving with adrenaline.  She brought her hands up against his chest and tried to push him away. But he was too strong. She had pushed him too far this time.

“
Get off of me,” she said through clenched teeth, squirming under him. He ground his hips into hers, pinning her against the desk. Then she felt his erection against her thigh and froze. He stopped too, as if shocked himself. He took a step back, his breathing ragged.  All summer, a storm had been gathering, she realized. And now, they were about to be caught in the downpour. She had been trying to deny her attraction for Christophe, but it was impossible to deny now.

He was so close... too close. And he wanted her. The thought sent a flood of warmth through her guts. Her willpower was a fragile thread that was threatening to unravel at any moment. She had to stop this before they both did something they would regret. She jumped up, her hands against his chest, pushing him further away. “Christophe Van der Kind!” she bit out, hoping that her harsh tone would knock some sense into him. “What the hell are you doing?”

He shook his head, his eyes glazed. Did he realize how close she was to opening her legs and fucking him right then and there? She doubted it. She wondered if his judgment was just as clouded as hers by lust. She took him by the chin and made him face her. “Look at me!” she hissed. He tried to pull away from her but she held fast. “What's the matter with you, huh?” she asked, trying to give them both one last out. But he didn't cooperate, his hands raking over her hips and cupping her ass. He pulled her to him, crushing her against his hardness. She dropped her hands to his chest again, her fingernails biting into the skin beneath his shirt. His eyes finally met hers. Everything she needed to know was in his expression. He was lost to the lust. So she let herself go, too.

“
What do you want to do?” she breathed.

“
Annata,” he said her name like a prayer, dropping his head to run his teeth down the sensitive skin of her throat. She jerked against him, suppressing a moan. It felt good, and she wanted more. “Fuck,” he whispered, nipping at her jaw. This time, she couldn't stop a throaty moan from breaking free. She slid her arms around his neck, holding her to him.
This was Christophe Van der Kind
, she reminded herself. A coddled pretty boy. A pain in her ass...

“
What are you doing?” she whispered again, as he dragged one hand up the curve of her spine to the base of her skull. Ever so slightly, she turned her head to fit into his palm, tilting her mouth to him. She wanted him, coddled pretty boy pain in the ass that he was, to kiss her. And she wanted it bad.

“
Tell me to leave,” he said.
No!
a voice in her head screamed.

“
Would you leave if I told you to?” she said, feeling out of breath.

“
I don't know,” he answered, simply. Unable to stop herself, she pulled his head toward hers and kissed him, right on the lips. He immediately responded, his arms tightening around her and his tongue plunging inside her mouth. Pure lust blossomed through her chest, as his hands gripped her ass and he kissed her like her meant it. She dropped a hand between them and began stroking him through his pants. He was big, and she could barely contain a giddy laugh. They broke apart, and he pressed his forehead against hers, catching his breath. She looked him straight in the eyes and decided right then that she and Christophe Van der Kind were going to fuck. There was no doubt now.

He swept his hands across her desk, clearing it of the paperwork with a crash. A delicious thrill ran though her as he hauled her up by her ass and sat her down in the center of the desk. She clicked the lamp off, so everyone would assume she'd gone home for the night. He ran his hands up her her thighs, seemingly frustrated by her tight pencil skirt. Without hesitating, Annata pulled up the hem and wriggled her ass, yanking the skirt higher and higher, revealing the straps of her garter belt. His fingers stopped on the lacy tops of her hose and he took in a sharp breath. He hooked a finger in the left strap of her belt and snapped the elastic strap against her thigh.

“Fuck,” he growled. “Are you serious?” She felt herself flush as embarrassment seeped through her. The garter belt was a little much, but she'd been out of clean hose that morning. She swept a braid off her shoulder.

“
What?” she asked, lifting her chin defiantly.

“
You are the sexiest woman in the whole goddamn world,” he declared, his eyes dark. Annata felt her heart stop in her chest and her panties melt.
Damn
. He yanked her by her knees, sliding her against him and a laugh escaped from her lips. She was starting to feel more than a little punch drunk. It had been awhile since she'd been with a man. And now she was about to fuck Christophe, of all people!

He ran his hands up her outer thighs, pushing the skirt higher and higher. She helped him, wanting to rip the damn skirt in half. When the skirt was bunched around her waist, he dipped a hand between her thighs and, his fingers feather light, touched her. Her body was wet and ready for him, and now he knew how much she wanted him. He smiled wide, and slid a finger inside of her. She dropped her head back, and bucked against his hand, wanting more of him inside of her. He felt so
good
. When she felt his lips against the sensitive skin of her throat, she almost came.

“
Fuck!” she heard herself saying. He slipped another finger inside easily, and then another. He began a slow pumping motion with his hand, fucking her with his fingers. Her mouth opened in a silent scream as he curled his fingers inside her.
Yes
. This was exactly what she needed, she realized. She wanted him to make her feel good. More than anything.

“
Do you like that?” he whispered against her throat. She moaned in answer, not able to form words. She was so wet, it was almost unbelievable. He snorted out a cocky laugh, pulling his fingers out of her, slowly. She shook her head, not wanting the pleasure to stop.

“
More,” she demanded, her eyes popping open when she felt his fingers leave her. He put his fingers to his lips and licked them clean. She exhaled slowly as she watched him,  propping herself up on her elbows.

“
You taste amazing,” he murmured, as if in a dream. Not wanting to wait anymore, she yanked her blouse from the waistband of her skirt and he dropped his hands to his belt. She sat up, tossing her blouse over her head and his attention was immediately on her breasts. He ran his thumbs over her hard nipples, poking through the black lace of her bra. She dropped her hands to his belt, working to free him as he pressed his lips to the swell of her right breast. She shoved her hand down his pants and cupped him in her palm. At the same instant, he yanked down her bra and sucked her nipple into his mouth. She felt herself jerk against him, her eyes rolling back in her head. Reality dipped out for a minute as his tongue flicked and circled her breast and he moaned. It was almost like he was worshipping her, making love to her, and the thought drove her crazy.

When she got her wits back around her,  she shoved his pants down his hips, finally freeing his erection. She felt her breath catch. His cock was long and thick, and she couldn't stop herself from slowly sliding her hand up and down his length. If this was what he was packing, he certainly had every reason to be cocky. He moaned again, his mouth still on her tit, then released her. He grabbed her hips and pulled her toward him.  He found the band of her panties and slid them over her hips. Again, she lifted her ass, and he slid them down her legs.

“Please tell me you have a condom,” she said, her voice hoarse. He nodded, digging around in his pocket until he found the condom in his wallet. Impatient, she snatched the packet from his hands and ripped it open. She slid the thin sheath down his length, her breathing shallow. She wanted him so badly it hurt. The second the condom was on, he ground himself against her, slowly. So slowly. He caught her gaze, his eyes almost black with passion. She knew there was no going back. 

“
Fuck me,” she whispered. And then he was pushing inside her, her body stretching to fit him. She opened her legs wider, inviting him deeper. After a moment, he finally slid completely inside of her. She felt her eyes clamp shut as her body tightened around him.
Yes, please.
Then all she knew was pleasure as he began moving against her. The office faded away and the only thing she was aware of was Christophe. His scent and his warmth wrapped around her like a cloak. His body was so hard and solid against her. He felt so good.
So fucking good
. She was going out of her mind. She let out a strangled cry, muffled as she pressed her face into his shoulder. She dug her nails into his back, unable to stop herself.

“
Goddamn,” he groaned as he rocked against her, his cock filling her so perfectly. His pained voice turned her on even more. She was driving him just as crazy as he was driving her, she realized.  She began moving her hips against him, pulling him deeper inside. He pushed her onto her back and began pumping in and out of her faster and faster. Her muscles were tight, her toes curling in her shoes. She wanted so badly to release the tension that she'd been carrying all summer. She held him against her, loving the sound of his grunted breaths in her ear. He fucked her hard and fast, and she kept up, moving with him, drawing him deeper and deeper. When he slid a hand between them and found her clit, she gritted her teeth, the pleasure too intense.