Chapter 4

After dinner, everyone had gone to their separate corners. Lindsay and Nicole thought the game was fun and decided to team up to look around the house before going to bed. Troy and Barry went to the smoking room with Brock to smoke cigars.

Lexi decided to go to the den. She needed more alcohol if she was going to get through this corny weekend.  The door was cracked open. She heard people talking.

“Why don’t we just leave?” Jennifer whined.

“What are you, a party pooper?” Jeffrey said in a teasing tone.

“You’re damn straight,” Jennifer answered seriously.

“I’m with Jennifer,” Conner said. “This place is haunted.”

“You’re still crying that same tune?” Jeffrey said. “I’m sure it was just a breeze from a vent.”

“I know a light breeze when I feel it,” Conner said with an indignant tone. “And that wasn’t it.”

“You can do what you like, Connor, but we are staying,” Jeffrey said.

“Why?” Jennifer asked.

“Brock’s joke was tasteless, but it’s all fun and games. Besides, his parents have been long time clients of mine and now Brock is, too. We should stay to network at the very least.”

“Other than that Lexi girl, who else here has money for you to invest?” Jennifer asked.

Lexi was taken aback. She never told them that her family had won the lottery. How did they know?

“You don’t know that,” Jeffrey said. “The rest could be low-key millionaires like her.”

“Oh, all right,” Jennifer said in a defeated tone. “But, if this gets out of hand-”

“We will leave immediately,” Jeffrey said.

“Well, you two can do what you like,” Connor said. “I’m packing my bags and making my excuses to Brock. I don’t feel comfortable here, and I don’t have the patience for childish games.”

“It’s getting late,” Jeffrey said. “You’re going to drive back to Dallas tonight?”

“Yep,” Connor said. “There are dozens of hotels I can stay at for the night. Tomorrow, I’ll catch a flight back to New York and be back in my comfortable loft by Friday evening.”

Lexi decided to enter the room. She slid the sliding door back.

“Hey,” Jeffrey said with a big smile. “Did you come in here to look for the gold?”

Lexi snorted. “No, I came in here for more wine.”

“I don’t blame you, honey,” Jennifer said.

“Lexi, it’s been a pleasure meeting you,” Connor said as he approached her. “But, I’m leaving. I can’t participate in the weekend activities.”

Lexi decided to act like she hadn’t listened to the conversation. “I’m sorry to hear that. I hope we will see each other again.”

“I’m sure we will. Knowing Brock, he’ll find another way to bring us all together again,” Connor said. He took her hand and kissed the back of it. “Enjoy your evening and your drink.”

“Thank you,” Lexi said.

“Jennifer, Jeffrey, enjoy your weekend,” Connor said and he quickly left the room.

Lexi chatted with Jeffrey and Jennifer for an hour. Jeffrey was a slick one. Lexi waited for him to ease in a question about who handled her finances, but he never did. He was probably waiting until she appeared comfortable with him before he asked.

During their conversation, Lexi guessed that Brock told Jeffrey about her family winning the lottery. Other than Brock, Lexi hadn’t told anyone else.

Jeffrey and Jennifer were tired and decided to go to bed, leaving Lexi alone in the den. Lexi got up to get more wine, but she discovered that she had drunk the last bottle with Jennifer and Jeffrey.

Victor walked in. “I came in to stoke the fire, Ms. Brown. There’s a chill this evening.”

“That’s fine. Is there any more wine?” Lexi asked.

“In the wine cellar, miss,” he answered. “I’ll be happy to fetch you another bottle.”

“Actually, I would like to get it myself,” Lexi said. “It will give me a chance to look around the house, and who knows, I might find that pot of gold.”

“Very well, miss,” Victor said. He told Lexi how to get to the wine cellar.

Lexi had to walk through the dining room and through the kitchen. The kitchen had been updated. She was happy to see that Brock got to that at least. The counter tops were white and black marble and there were stainless steel appliances. However, he had left the dumb waiter installed.

She walked across the kitchen and opened a large wooden door. She faced a long staircase going down. A loud gust of wind blew outside. A shot of fear tickled the back of Lexi’s neck when a light scratching sound echoed from the kitchen. Lexi’s head snapped around to the direction of the noise. It was tree branches hitting the window.

She exhaled. “For Pete’s sake, get a grip, girl,” she whispered aloud. “This place is not haunted. It’s just old.”

She took a deep breath and started to descend the dim stairwell. She left the door open so she could have some light. As the stairwell curved around, a light shined from the right. “Hello?” she called out.

“Down here,” Brock said.

Lexi descended the rest of the stairs. She rounded the corner to the entry of the wine cellar. Brock was sitting on a wooden stool drinking out of a champagne bottle. He gave her a goofy grin.

Lexi smiled and shook her head. “Feeling no pain, huh?”

“Nope,” he said. “Would you like a drink? We’ll have to share the bottle.”

Lexi stepped into the cellar. “Where are your comrades? I thought you were drinking and smoking with them?”

“I was, but they got tired,” Brock said. “I came down here for some champagne and decided to drink it down here.” Brock hopped off the stool.

“So, how long are you going to carry on with the game of the fake treasure?” she asked. “Not all weekend, I hope.”

“Fake?” he said with amusement. “I assure you that the story is true, according to Victor. He should know. He’s worked in this house since he was twenty.”

“How old is he now?”

Brock snorted. “Ancient,” he replied and handed Lexi the bottle.

She took a small sip.

“I’m hoping we could play a private game while everyone is doing their own thing right now,” he said in a deep tone and placed his hands on her waist.

Lexi was surprised. Brock had never tried to put the moves on her before. “Um, Brock, how much have you had to drink?”

“Not that much, my dick is hard, so I’m not sloshed,” Brock said with a smile and pulled her against his body.

“Brock, you’ve never…wanted me like that before.”

“Of course I have, you just didn’t know. I am a guy, after all.”

“I don’t know, Brock. Friends shouldn’t fuck friends,” she said. She really wasn’t sure. Brock was a good-looking guy with his solid cheek bones and perfect nose, but they’ve known each other since they were kids.

“One time isn’t going to hurt,” he said in a deep sexy tone. His head came down to hers. He placed his mouth on her lips. Brock gently stroked his lips against hers. His tongue glided between her lips.

Lexi pulled out of the kiss. She looked up at him. “Well, I would like a nice rocking before I go to bed,” she said bashfully.

He laughed and released her waist. “Good.” He walked over and closed the door to the cellar.

“Wait. You want to do it down here?” Lexi asked with confusion.

“Yeah, it will be fun,” Brock said with a mischievous grin.

“And uncomfortable.” Lexi placed the champagne bottle on a shelf.

“Not necessarily,” he said and pointed at a cushioned bench that was built against the wall.

“That looks pretty small.”

Brock walked to her and placed his hands on her back. “Trust me. I am very creative.”

She laughed.  “That I definitely know.”