Starry Nights Of Pleasure

Chapter3

CALISTA DRUCKER

King's Burning Passion

I was most grateful when dinner ended and everyone could have their lives back. I wanted desperately to go out and walk in the garden, to shake myself free of the thoughts that clogged my mind. There was no escape from him and the desires that he stirred in me by just being alive. He probably did not know, but he was a walking aphrodisiac. One who could make me abandon my resolve and fall into his arms.

Calista, it is your stepbrother you are thinking about!

It is someone else's soon-to-be fiance that you are thinking about!

I took a deep breath and cursed within. Why was it so hard to have it over my thoughts?

When I stepped out, the blast of cool evening air welcomed me into the starry night. I wanted to be alone in the garden. To walk alone and maybe text my best friend, Loretta Sedgwick. The one person who would help me forget everything that had built a castle in my head.

There were small sighs and moans somewhere in the garden. I looked back at the house and, except for the lights from the house that illuminated a part of the garden, I was far from the house.

I wanted to see where the sighs and moans were coming from. I made my way calmly into the thick parts of the fancy garden and stopped right by the tree that held the swing, Porsche.

King was with his girlfriend, Zora Mortenson. I did not want to see what was happening there. I knew what they were doing. He was making love to her right there.

It came too fast.

Tears started to cloud my eyes. I turned swiftly and started back to the house. There was no saying, my night had been ruined.

My vision was almost blurred by the tears. I did not know why, but what I had seen made me angry, jealous, and sad at the same time.

I was almost running when I started to approach the house. But Zane appeared somewhere in the garden and I heard my name.

"Hey Calista, why are you in such haste?"

He called behind me. I stood there and sniffed, taking time to blink back the tears before he reached me.

"Hey, Zane." I cleared my throat. My voice had come out croaked. "Sorry about that. I mean, what are you doing out here?"

I asked, and he smiled at the dumbness of my question. Of course, he was out for the same stroll I was out for. Seeing that he had come all alone, unlike his brother who had come with a girlfriend and a male friend.

Especially the girlfriend with whom he is having fun!

"I have always loved Dad's garden and would give anything to stroll in it every evening learning about the beautiful plants if I could."

He said and then laughed. I laughed too, without meaning to. He was easy to talk with. His eyes carried the warmth that was devoid in King's eyes, and he spoke with a softness and an understanding that King might never have. He was painfully good-looking too, and he spoke with the ease of someone who could be trusted. I was glad he was my stepbrother. I smiled at him and he took my hand.

"Have you seen the part of the garden where there are Pride of Barbados and Purple Hibiscus?"

He asked. I shook my head.

"Then we should get you to see that part of the garden before you go back inside, right?"

He sounded great and I nodded. There was a new form of relief in me now as he led me in the opposite direction from where I had seen the lovers having the time of their lives. The evening wind ruffled my hair and made a few loose tendrils fly. I liked it. There was so much peace within me when I was not thinking of King Cauley who did not give a f**k about my existence. How pathetic.

"You know, this garden is like a tourist attraction to most of the guests Dad holds here. Most of them want to take a look at the garden before they leave each time they come. So, it is easily the most beautiful thing about being here for me."

Zane said. His hand was clasped over mine and I felt like I was sharing in his warmth.

"The garden is what first endeared me to this magnificent house. I like it too. Too bad my window does not open to it."

I complained.

"Maybe we could get you a room that is right opposite the garden. There is a room right next to King's that is not..."

"No!"

He stopped to look at me with a question in his eyes.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to protest. I'd love the room. I want to wake up and open my window to flowers and sweet smells. And birds...." I lied.

He smiled and held my hand even more tightly.

"Then I'll get Dad to give you the room. King hardly visits. He only comes here for special occasions, so his room stays uninhabited for months."

He said. I nodded.

"You know, Cali. I like you a lot. I know we are a bit too grown, but I'm still happy that I got to have a sister and it is you, beautiful and strong, and reserved."

He said. I nodded with a smile, wondering why he thought I was strong. There was a lot that I was called, but I was only getting used to being called strong.

"I'm glad I can say I have a brother now, Zane."