Sex, Lies, and Beauty Aides (6 page)

“I didn’t know that.”

“Why would you? Max never bragged about anything he did. He and I used to talk all the time. I guess he was comfortable confiding in me.”

“I always appreciated how much he seemed to understand me.”

“Of course he did. Max knew what it was to be a younger twin brother by a few lousy minutes. Max counted on Travis inheriting the bulk of your father’s interests. That’s the way it was it their world. You, like Max, were never taken seriously no matter what you did. Max resented the fact his brother treated you boys, exactly as their father treated them.”

“I knew Max understood, I just didn’t’ realize he felt the same way. He always acted so confident, let things roll off him.”

“That’s the irony of being born second of privilege. Max left the bulk of his money to you with the understanding that while the money didn’t make the situation better, he expected you to carry on his legacy to help the underprivileged.”

“I love the work I do for his foundation. Watching people who need help is very rewarding. I think that’s why he was so good at it. He knew what it did for others made a real difference. Dad on the other hand thinks it’s all about the money.”

“That’s why he left his fortune to you, not Travis. Travis would be hell-bent on doubling the money, not concentrating on helping people. Your Uncle Max hired brilliant financial advisors, but he needed someone who had a heart to help find those who need it the most.

“I’m glad you told me this. It helps.” Trent’s heart tightened at the thought of his uncle. “Damn I miss him.”

“The money will never run out.”

“I know. I went over the list of charities and non-profits last week and sent back the list of who to help this month.”

“I got it.”

“Why’d you get it?”

“I’m on the board of directors, silently of course, but I thought you should know. When Max told me about what he was doing and asked me to help, I realized it was a good thing. I needed to see what a real philanthropist was all about. I enjoy helping the foundations charities and even helped him create a few.”

“What I like most is that he did it and demanded the deeds needed to remain anonymous,” he said, pride choking off the last word.

“He got that from the movie
Magnificent Obsession
.”

“Yeah, he told me.”

“Did you and Max ever have any deep conversations? Why do I seem to know more about him than you do,” Kat asked.

“You know how it was in my family.”

“Yeah I do. It’s too bad. You’re a good man Trent. Max would be proud of you.”

“If only the rest of the family thought so. What do you think they’d say if they knew the truth? Travis the Perfect has a problem.”

“You know you’d never rat on your brother, even if he’s an annoying pain in the ass.”

“I know, but it’s about damn time I catch a break.” He sat up abruptly too anxious to be horizontal.

“What, you want to save the day like Travis?”

“Screw that, I want to save the day and get the girl. Everyone says I live a charmed life. Why not find out.” He stood up and walked to the dresser where he picked up a picture of himself, Travis, and Kat as carefree happy kids.

“If you’re talking about Sabrina, you better be talking the truth. If I find out you’re screwing with her like one of your Swedish models I’ll rip your nards off and won’t bother using a knife.”

“When did you get so bloodthirsty?”

“When you decided to play games with the family and my friend—did I make myself clear?”

“Crystal.”

“Good.”

“Kat—”

“Yes?”

“Ah—remember when I asked you to introduce me to Sabrina at your party?”

“Yeah.”

“Why’d you really tell me no?” They’d been on the same volleyball team in the pool. The last play of the game, Sabrina had spiked the ball and won the game. He’d been extremely attracted to her, which led to the little devil on his shoulder nudging him to do the equivalent of putting a frog down her shirt. Her bikini top tie had been too much of a temptation. He tugged the errant string and her bright pink top flew up when she dropped back in the water.

He, in all his suave and clever brilliance winked and grabbed the tiny thing and turned away as he handed it back to her but not before he noticed her well-shaped breasts and muttered, “Titillating.”

To her credit, Sabrina managed to keep it together and still snapped back at him the snarky way he was sure Kat had taught her to.

She’d ducked under water with the pretense of embarrassment only to pants him as she swam by, evening the score.

When she came up, she’d covered her breasts with one hand then stuck her free arm straight out and pointed at his naked anatomy, and said, “I prefer tit to that.”

The comment had won his affection, though he doubted she fully appreciated his wares considering the boys had shriveled in the pool. He watched her out of the corner of his eye and admired her moxie as she climbed up the steps in the shallow end and sauntered off to the cabana changing room. She might have been the kind of girl he’d like to get to know better. If only Kat hadn’t pulled him aside and reamed him a new one for his actions.

“Because Sabrina wasn’t ready for you then. I’m not even sure she’s ready for you now. All I know is she’s romanticized everything about you, for years. I just don’t want to see her hurt.”

“Why do you automatically assume I’ll hurt her? I was serious then and I’m serious now.”

“You’re supposed to be Travis. Now is not the time.”

“I know, I know, I owe it to Travis.” His brother came first. Family first. Always. That’s the way it had to be. Didn’t it? “When Travis comes back will you formally introduce us and give me a chance?”

“Let’s get through the next month. If you behave yourself, I’ll think about it.”

“Gee, would you?” He inserted a snide tone then thought better of it and softened his words. The last thing he wanted to do was piss her off.

“Knockoff the snark, playboy, or I won’t believe you’re serious.”

“I’m serious all right, so start planning my intro.”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself.”

“Just being positive.”

“I’m positive too. I’m positive we’re all going to live to regret the day the Wellington brothers left Boston,” Kat said then ended the call.

3

Sabrina‘s week passed in a blur, her stamina put to the test. She’d slogged through endless periodicals in an attempt to learn the latest Me Tarzan, You Jane lingo. She missed precious sleep over nights filled with her usual dreams of Trent’s embraces, his smile and carefree laughter. She attributed the fun and erotic version in her nightly trysts with Trent to the day-to-day contact with Travis. The reverie from the multitude of images of Trent pulling her into the storage supply closet for a breathless kiss only to have her alarm clock go off just before their lips touched to ruin the magic. By the time Friday rolled around, she salivated to have a couple of days off.

After she wrapped up the end of week reports, she surfed the Internet for a few more natural make-up recipes to try.

As she packed her tote bag, the pull to succeed in her new job enticed her to explore a few adult websites. Good thing the company was open minded on the concept of research or she’d feel guilty for cruising such sites on the company’s dime.

On her way home she rented three sexy and romantic movies the woman at the counter recommended and purchased three paperback romance novels, rated top picks of the month by
Romantic Times Book Reviews
. She grabbed the most recent issues of the hottest magazines and stuffed girlie magazines in between. She’d spend the weekend speed dating with the media. Sure she could look at the website, but she wanted something tangible to hold in hands while she studied and compared.

The last stop was her favorite Chinese restaurant where she picked up a quart of Chinese Chicken salad. Dinner and a movie. No cooking. No clean-up and straight on to research. Oh joy, she led an exciting life.

She opened the door of the brownstone she shared with Kat and Jill.

Jill entered the living room and stood by the counter to put on her earrings. Dressed and ready to head out the door. “Hey girl, how’s the new job?”

“Don’t ask—glad it’s the weekend.

“Are you sure you don’t want to come with us to the club?”

“Not a chance. Monday was bad enough. I couldn’t stand a repeat performance.”

“Suit yourself. What’s in the bags?” Jill didn’t wait for a response and started to unload, laughing as she went. “Homework?” She cheesed.

“Don’t you have some place to be?”

“Later.” Jill waved. “Have fun with your books and movies.”

“Shut up.” She threw a pillow at Jill, but she pulled the door shut before it reached her.

Sabrina sorted through her purchases, planning her evening. She took her dinner to the living room. Books which weren’t there this morning covered the end table. The titles alone made her blush to the tips of her split ends.

“Good Lord, Hurricane Kat’s been here and gone.” That’s not what she meant by help. Kat was begging for a piece of her mind next time they talked. She nibbled on her salad and watched the evening news. Nothing but negative stories as usual.

Kat’s books beckoned her, the pull too strong to ignore. Flipping through several pages of the top book, she realized it was an instructional book. She checked the publication date, outdated to be sure, but informational. This was exactly what she needed. The pictures and descriptions were just like Kat, in-your-face, but definitely educational. She’d have to thank Kat, because at least her articles wouldn’t end up looking like a smut fest.

A Christmas card from her brother lay on the coffee table. Nickie had been born with Down’s Syndrome. Rather than leave him alone, she’d spent the better part of her childhood keeping him company, which had led to her addiction to movies and television. The summer she received her associate’s degree, Nickie moved to a group home and her parents retired and moved to Phoenix.

Alone and unprepared for the big bad world, her dating life didn’t start until college when she met Kat, who introduced her to her first date. Even then, it was sporadic at best.

She added the card to the wall with the rest they’d received and turned back to the television.

After she put her leftover salad in the fridge, she returned to the couch and tucked her feet beneath the plush, forest green Kenny Bunkport throw from the back of the couch, and made herself comfortable enough to start on the books she’d purchased.

Kat’s selections on teaching every woman how to free her body, train her senses, and tap her own hidden erotic resources would have to wait. So could the men’s rags. A close up of vagina’s, asses, and tits right now was more than she could deal with, if she wanted her food to digest. She’d rather read about love.

Who was she kidding?

She’d need a semester long, eight hours a day class on the guide to a rewarding sex life and deeper relationships only she needed to know it all now.

She read the blurbs on the back of the three novels and chose the historical first. Sweet imagery of what the proper regency gents and ladies did in their spare time. She settled in, convinced she’d learn a great deal from it.

By the time she got to the first sex scene she started to laugh hysterically at the mere mention of his
tumescent member
. She tried again to concentrate on the story, but when the next reference called it
his pulsating manhood
she lost it. The visual images created animated cartoon character private parts the world was not yet ready for.

She wiped her eyes. “They’ve got to be kidding. People actually read this stuff?” She’d never read anything like it in her life. How did a person sit down and write it? A better question was how could she be so out of touch with herself? Not only with the concept of sex, but also how uncomfortable she was with her body and sexuality in general. Which is what made this whole new job that much more difficult to accept. How was she supposed to write articles on sex or sexy articles when she didn’t feel the least bit sexy?

Surely, she’d find the answer in the multitude of magazines, providing she actually read them. How did she do that in baby steps?