All Chapters of Behind Closed Doors: Nine Forbidden Nights: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

DexVail Ridge, Montana has class on the outside and inside.Doesn’t matter how often I’ve been here, I’m still blown away byhow pristine peaks and trees can give way to such black-tie sophistication in the lodge’s bar. I suppose I should expect nothing less since this isn’t just any old watering hole like the ones we have back at home.No, this is practically a lounge — a place where well-to-do people come to put themselves, and their wealth — on display. Some of that wealth is in jewels and fancy watches; some of it is in fancy clothes. But most of it, as I look around the bar at all the hot honeys and snow bunnies, is beauty. Looks. Perfect proportions from top to bottom on nearly all of these girls. Thin waists and curvy chests and hips for days.But, of course, my brother, Reid, can’t see any of it. Or if he does, it doesn’t do it for him. I notice this — the way he’s scowling, scrutinizing all the girls like there’s nothing good about any of them — as I look at the drinks menu

WrenWhen Ifeel as collected as I’m likely to ever be, I stride back to my room and flop on my bed. I dial her number, which is stored in my“favorites.”When Petra picks up, she sounds breathless. A little out of it. But, like me, it seems she’s trying to sound “put together” when she says, “Hey, Wren! What’s going on, girl? ’I give her what she is expecting. A sugary sweet giggle. Something full of energy. “I was calling to ask you the same thing, lady! What are you doing? Studying?” I pause, feeling the wetness in the back of my gown.“A little,” she says.In her voice, I can hear embarrassment. Excitement. Something about it sounds nearly sexual.“Well, stop it,” I say.I pin my phone to my shoulder and go in search of an appropriatesuitcase. But not before flicking on the light in my bedroom. “You can study some other time. It’s Christmas break. Time to have fun with your friends.”There’s deafening, nerdy silence. I don’t even have to be in her head to know she’s running thro

WrenDecember 24After an hour or two in the car, there’s one thing I always like to do the minute I get to the ski lodge. I make a beeline their in-house giftshop/clothing boutique, for some new gear and clothing. Whether I needit ornot.But, luckily, this isn’t just about me this time. It’s about Petra too, which gives me a reason to spend twice as much, before offering anykind of apology to my dad.I chuckle, watching Petra wander helplessly through thetables and racks of clothing. She’s definitely out of her element here, and it shows. If there aren’t any books around, she doesn’t know where to look or where put her hands. But she tries hard. And that’s what I love about her.“ So,” she says, fingering a fuzzy green sweater, “how was your date last night with Kyle?” I stiffen, remembering I had promised to tell her all about it. I also bragged to her about what Kyle and I would do. How good it was all going to be, and none of that happened.I’m also not as much of an expert a

Dex“ The Velvet Accord, Vail Ridge, ” reads the card in my hand — a carbon copy of the one I gave Wren’s friend — “basement. By invitation only. Dinner starts promptly at 8 PM. ” Between those two bits of information is theaddress, and for what feels like the millionth time in five minutes, I find myself praying that Wren and Petra will be there.That, despite what she said about needing to ski a bit more, they’ll accept our invitation. Especially Wren.Ever since I bumped into her at the boutique, I’ve had a semi boner. I’ve been thinking nonstop about the mischievous glint in her eye. I don’t buy the innocent, girl-next-door vibe she gives everyone else. There’s a way she holds her mouth that lets me know she’s got a taste for not just fine wine, but perhaps even the unique and the fringe when it comes to sex.You like that kind of thing, don ’t you Wren?I imagine her getting a thrill from acting like she’s the “good girl.” Acting like she doesn’t know anything about sex, or any

DexHowever uncomfortable Reid is with the idea of bidding (he put up a fight initially, saying he wasn’t going to “buy” a woman), it’s even worsenow that the bidding is in full swing. Especially with some big, bad numbers flying around.The latest bid ended at half a million dollars. And, I’m sorry to admit it, but I’m enjoying watching my brother squirm in the seat across from me.“Jesus Christ!” he hisses, reaching under the table to irritably fix something. I’m guessing his dick. “Half a million dollars! That’s …”“Not something you need to worry about, bro,” I say, eyeing Wren,and then her friend Petra, in the line. “Iknow you’re a cheap miser. But we have plenty of spending money.” I whisper this, gesturing to myself, thenCallum. “We pooled it together specifically for this night. Enough for you and us to buy something good.”Some say that rich people are rich because we’re stingy. Mostly, Ihaven’t found that to be true— my friends and I would never pass up theopportunity