Illegally Yours |+18|

6. Bess is really special.

Aaron.

I tap the pen on the desk over and over again. My cell phone rests on the glass of my desk, right in front of me. I don't take my eyes off the device.

Waiting, waiting and waiting...

The vibrate of an incoming call makes me answer immediately.

"Bess?" I ask, hoping she's calling me from Christina's cell phone.

Why the hell didn't I buy her a cell phone?

I have to fix that or I'll end up going crazy.

"Bess?" she asks in confusion at the other end of the line.

I never thought I would say this, but I am disappointed to hear my little sister's voice on the other end of the phone.

"Lizzy" I stand up, running a hand over my face to try to put my thoughts in order.

Lizzy, my sister.

She is in San Francisco, studying.

"Are you out of class yet?" I ask, surprised.

"Something like that, I'm going to the apartment because the teacher canceled the class... Uh, are you okay?"

"Sure, why wouldn't I be?"

Because the fact that Christina hasn't contacted me all day shouldn't make me feel anxious.

Of course.

Shit.

"Aaron, seriously, what the hell is wrong with you?"

"Hey, watch your vocabulary when speaking to your older brother in that tone," I admonish her with a smile as I imagine her rolling those pretty blue eyes. Of course, eyes just like mine.

"You haven't called me in five hours and, little brother, that's a record coming from you."

"Five hours?" I ask in surprise. "It's true".

“Actually, since yesterday you have lowered your calls. And don't get confused. I don't mind if you turn down the intensity,” I growled angrily. In any case, she ignores me and continues: "But really, are you okay?"

“Yeah.” I look out my office window at the city, wondering where the hell Christina took Bess to buy her clothes. "I'm fantastic".

I just put the sweetest f*****g thing I've ever found in the hands of a crazy woman and now, I have no f*****g idea where they are.

Of course, I'm not telling you that.

My sister doesn't need to know about my unexpected addiction to a girl who is younger than her.

"Whatever" seems not to believe me. "If you need something, you know you can count on me."

I smile at her words.

Having my sister with me is something recent for me.

My biological father didn't love me, but he loved my sister, actually a half sister. Of course, the fact that she was the daughter of the love of his life—which of course my mother was not for him—must be the reason. Erick Johnson, the sperm donor, impregnated my mother when he was a teenager and although they tried to be together, it did not work.

Years later, my mother had already given me a real father who is Adrián Cooper and the sperm donor met this new woman with whom he fell deeply in love and who became the mother of my sister Lizzy. Unfortunately, my sister's mother died when she gave birth, sending a heartbroken Erick into the arms of another woman who took him out of the country to the American dream or some other s**t.

I was nine years old when Erick went with my newborn sister to the United States and seventeen when he died. It's not that his death hurt me, because he didn't. They say out there that father is the one who raises and that for me is Adrián Cooper. But the fact that I didn't feel anything for Erick didn't mean I didn't love my sister.

Maybe I'm a little unfair to him when I say that he abandoned me, because things really weren't that way. He sent money for the time he was alive, but what I will sincerely thank the sperm donor named Erick all my life, is for my grandmother.

Clarisse Johnson is the most understanding and stubborn grandmother in the world. And thanks to her, I always knew about my sister's life. Lizzy didn't hear from me until a little over a year ago, but like I said, I always kept an eye on her. For f*****g reasons in this family chaos, I could never get close to her, but damn if she didn't want to.

My sister was something I craved for years—she feels like almost a lifetime—so I don't try to hide how much I love her at all.

And let's just say that my displays of affection are somewhat... peculiar. Wanting to make sure she's okay isn't bad. And if her f*****g boyfriend is upset that I'm being overprotective of her, well then he can be screwed.

I am protective of what is mine and people have to deal with it, because I am not going to change.

I snap out of my reverie when I hear my sister's voice back: "Who is Bess?"

Oh damn.

“Hey, I have to go to a meeting” I lie. "Why don't we talk later?"

"But..."

"I have to go".

"f**k, Aaron!"

"Bye, I love you".

And I hang up because my sister can't possibly find out about Bess.

I'm sure she would tell my grandmother, which would lead to my grandmother telling my parents, and eventually, it would all end with Bess being away from me.

And I'm not ready for that yet.

I dial Christina's number again hoping she'll pick up, but unfortunately it goes to voicemail.

Fuck!

Then I dial Evan.

"Your crazy sister doesn't answer my f*****g cell phone" I growled at him as soon as he answered. “Since nine in the morning that she asked me for a f*****g limousine with a personal driver, which by the way cost me an arm and a leg, your beloved sister has given me no sign of existence. And I'm f*****g worried about Bess."

"They are OK..."

"No, we don't know!"

“My God, Aaron, they went shopping for clothes, damn clothes! Do you really think they'll remember you?! Damn, I thought you knew women better."

“They are more your specialty, not mine” I remind him. "It's you who f***s with any v****a, so sorry for my lack of experience with them."

"Oh, not even that you were a saint."

I accept it, I'm far from it.

“I am not a saint, but believe me, compared to you, I would be even Jesus Christ himself if it comes to women, because in reality, you are a prostitute who does not receive his salary.”

"Son of..."

“You insult my mother and I will go and smash your face. You're two offices away from me, so don't tempt me.” Indeed, he trails off. “Do you want to call your sister? Maybe she does answer you!"

"f**k, Aaron, I can't stand you."

"Call your sister and if you find out where they are, I promise to pay for the hotel rooms where you take your... women at night."

"During two months?"

"One month".

"Month and a half".

"One month".

"Okay, a month," he finally agrees on a growl. "And it will be the presidential suite and just to screw you I'm going to make sure that every day you have a room to pay for."

I almost laugh at his tortured tone, as if sleeping with a nameless woman every day is a sacrifice for him.

What an i***t.

“And use a condom” I remind Evan, being very serious. "I don't want to have to pay for STD treatments."

"Oh, it's so cute your way of telling me how much you care about me."

"Go to hell," he growled. "And call your crazy sister."

I hang up, hoping that Christina decides to answer her brother.

Of course, five minutes later when Evan calls me, I know she was ignoring my calls on purpose.

"They're going to your apartment" he tells me.

"Good".

"Won't you tell me thank you, sweetheart?"

"Okay, I'll pay you for two months."

When I hear his cry of happiness, I roll my eyes as a smile spreads across my lips.

I hang up the phone, determined to go home now.

I walk out of my office with my car keys in hand and stop in front of my secretary's desk. Carmencita, the adorable older woman who has seen me grow up and can be considered part of my family, is focused on her computer.

"Carmencita" she averts her worn gray eyes from her computer to pamper me. Right away, I can see honey there. I smile. "How's what I asked you going?"

"Perfect. I've already had the office where the old files are kept cleaned. A computer and printer were installed and the air conditioning problem was fixed.”

Good.

“Do you think you can keep Bess busy? You know, not hard stuff."

Carmencita is the only one who knows about Bess, so she's helping me with this whole employment thing.

"Yes, she can help me with paperwork, photocopies, filing documents, simple things" she smiles knowingly. "Don't worry, I'll make sure she's okay."

“Thank you” I tell him with total sincerity.

"It's a pleasure, my boy."

I reach across her desk to plant a kiss on her cheek.

"I'm leaving now, see you tomorrow."

"So early?" She furrows her eyebrows in confusion.

"Yes" I just answer because even though Carmencita knows about Bess, she doesn't need to be aware of how obsessed I am with my pretty.

“Do you need help in...”

"Nerd. I just have to do some shopping."

And that is not a lie.

[...]

On the way home I stop at a store to buy a cell phone because I'm going to end up freaking out if I don't have a way to contact Bess. By the way, I take the opportunity to buy her some of those rolls that she likes so much.

I come home with heavy hands, so I quickly dump everything on the oversized couch, my eyes searching for any sign that Bess has arrived.

But no, she's not back yet.

I take advantage of the fact that I am alone at home to take a shower and then I dress in more comfortable clothes. I keep on a pair of pajama bottoms and a flimsy T-shirt, because I know if I just stripped down to boxers like I usually would on a day like today, it would scare Bess.

When I pick up the phone ready to order dinner, Christina enters the apartment with the key that I had given her this morning. The scandalous redhead comes with five bags in her hands and behind her, a man I recognize as the driver she made me hire for today, comes in with hundreds more bags.

Before she can ask about Bess, she walks in with two bags, one in each hand.

As soon as she sees me her eyes light up like a Christmas tree and dropping the two bags from her hands to the ground, she throws herself into my arms with effusiveness.

And I'm damned if I don't love her reaction to me.

As if it was important to someone, as if it was important to her.

"Aaron!" Her chest bumps against mine as her arms come out to wrap around my neck, bouncing toward me. Thankfully I'm able to stay on our feet, however, when she effusively wraps her legs around my hips, I'm forced to hold her thighs in my hands.

"Pretty," I murmur breathlessly, a little because she has surprised me and a little because it's overwhelming to feel her so close to me.

My hands on her bare thighs make me acutely aware of how soft her skin is, and how close I am to touching other parts of her body.

I bury my face in her neck and breathe in her scent, trying to calm an anatomy of my body that shouldn't wake up right now.

Not with Bess, not with my pretty.

"How are you?" I ask when I have managed to calm down and that is when I truly see her, her aspect.

She has cut her hair in layers that make brown strands fall on her boyish face. Even so, she has left it long and I appreciate it. I like her long hair. It's really beautiful.

Then I notice her lightly made-up face. Nothing too strong, but that pink lipstick that makes her pretty lips pop is definitely going to be a problem for me.

I look down between us, taking in the cute light blue sweater she's wearing and it hugs her small breasts. Fortunately for my sanity, there's no cleavage to be seen, but it's just feeling my hands again on the delicate skin of her bare thighs and then I get it, she's wearing shorts.

fuck me

I carefully lower Bess to the ground and check.

Baggy khaki shorts that make her hips look plumper, forcing me to swallow hard.

Behind Bess, Christina looks at me with a raised eyebrow, amusement shining in her expression.

Witch.

"You do not have cold?" I ask Bess before clearing my throat.

She shrugs, still smiling at me, naive to all the thoughts going through my head.

"I'm used to the cold," she says. “I bought great clothes, Aaron! Really, I loved it and I found it at a very low price!

I smile because that's what I wanted, to please her. Give him a little of what life itself stole from her.

“I have to go,” Christina says. “Bess only bought those two bags that she dropped on the floor when she threw herself into your arms. As much as I tried to convince her to buy more, I couldn't.

“But how was I going to do it?” Bess retorts. "You wanted me to buy all the stores and, in fact, the most expensive ones."

"Yes whatever. Luckily, I have my methods” she tells him, looking at her with a beaming smile. “I lied to you, Bess. The clothes I bought today with your opinion, were not for me, but for you”.

Christina hands me the credit card to Bess's stunned gaze.

"But..."

“I used my money, so don't worry about a thing,” Christina tells me as I receive the card and I put it aside. "She's adorable, but she's really stubborn when she wants to be."

"Christine!" Bess looks at her angrily. "I will not accept clothes that..."

“You don't have a choice.” Christina kisses each of Bess's cheeks with gooey noise. “No offense, but we have different tastes in fashion. I... I'm a bit more daring with clothes."

I look perplexed at what is happening, unable to believe that the spoiled and selfish Christina who only thinks of herself, has willingly bought clothes for a girl she just met.

And it's not like she doesn't have the money to do it, but f**k, I guess I never really met Christina.

And my assumptions are confirmed.

Bess is really special.

And not just for me, but for every pair of eyes that see her.

Worst of all, I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

Before Bess can claim anything from her, Christina walks out of the apartment with the driver behind her, leaving me with all the bags scattered in the place and a pissed off Bess who looks just as adorable as ever.

Are you asking me if it's possible for her to look adorable when she's angry?

Yes, believe me, it is.

"Pretty," I start, moving closer to her. “Accept her help.

"But it's not right," she complains, brushing back her hair. “She spent too much money on all those clothes. I just met her, Aaron.” Suddenly, her vulnerability makes an appearance. “This really is crazy. My life changed overnight and I'm so...so..."

I pull her into my arms when her voice breaks.

Her hands grip the material of my shirt on my back and her face is buried in my chest. And feeling her like this, clinging to me is so damn addictive. The way she easily gave me her trust, how safe she feels in my arms, how needy she seems to be of my presence.

I never felt indispensable to anyone until Bess.

She makes me feel important not because she's a f*****g guy full of money and power. No. She makes me feel important because she needs me. Not the businessman, not the millionaire. Just Aaron. To the man I am behind my suit and tie.

“Don't make a big deal out of her clothes.” I pull away from her and wrap my hands around her cheeks, tilting my face down so I can see her better. "It's just money, Bess."

“Money isn't just money to me,” she whispers. “If I have something, I want to have it for myself. For money that I have earned thanks to my work, my effort. Not thanks to the money that someone has given me for no apparent reason.”

I want to tell her that she doesn't have to worry about money from now on, but since I know she'll get me in trouble if I tell her, I choose to keep quiet.

I just stand there, looking into hers, her brown eyes with my hands on her cheeks, waiting for her to calm down.

"Are you alright now?" I ask when her vulnerability is gone from her gaze.

"She's not going to let me return her clothes, right?" I shake my head slowly, watching her lips pucker. "Then I guess I have no choice."

"That is my girl".

I walk away from her and search with my eyes for something that I know will lift her spirits. As soon as I see the muffins, I walk over to them and take them in my hands to give them to Bess. She immediately pulls one out and starts eating it, looking more excited than she was about the idea of ​​the clothes.

Christ, can this girl be any less shallow?

She prefers muffins to clothes, my little glutton.

I shake my head as I laugh. I turn on the TV and switch it to an animal channel that I'm sure Bess will be entertained by. She immediately runs over and sits on the couch, watching the TV as she eats the muffins.

I call to order dinner and remembering that Bess liked the Italian lasagna, I order one hoping she likes it.

When I walk back to her, she hands me a muffin. I take it and eat it while watching TV next to her.

And there is something all too familiar about sharing this.

It feels like we've been doing this for a long time.

"I sent to order dinner" I tell her when the commercial begins. "You will like."

Immediately, I feel her enthusiastic gaze on me.

“Did you buy lañara?”

"What?"

“Lañara” she repeats. "That thing you fed me at the restaurant."

I burst out laughing under her confused gaze.

"Lasagna" I tell her slowly to try not to hurt her feelings. "It's lasagna, pretty."

She repeats the word three times under her breath, finally nodding and looking at me with a smile.

"I missed you," she says suddenly, surprising me. "I haven't heard from you all day and for a moment I doubted whether you wanted me to come back to you or not."

"Bess, pretty, I don't want you to think anything like that again."

Her comment reminds me of another gift, but considering what happened to her clothes, I decide I'd better give her the cell phone tomorrow.

"Did you wax?" I ask when she crosses her legs in a lotus position right next to me.

I control the need to feel her skin under my touch.

"Oh yeah," she replies. “Christina took me to a…” Bess thinks about the word for a long moment before finally saying, “Spa. They did laser hair removal there; I think that's what it's called. They also cut my hair and put makeup on my face. I didn't want to, but...”

“Where else did you get waxed?” The question leaves my mouth before I even think about it.

And I try to take it back, but f**k it, I want to know.

Her cheeks filling with color give me a clear idea.

"It was uncomfortable and just a little bit painful." She closes her eyes for a moment before saying, "Especially down there."

Shit.

Enough information, or maybe not.

"Was she a woman?" I ask. "The person who did that to you, was she a woman?"

Bess nods repeatedly, and my caveman instantly calms down.

“Bess, pretty,” I call when her attention is back on the TV screen. When she looks at me, I continue: “Tomorrow you start work, I got you a job”.

I omit the part where I say that I am the owner of the company. She doesn't have to know that.

For now.

Only until I am sure that she is going to accept it.

"Really?" The smile from her makes an appearance. “Do I have a job?”

I nod, infected by her enthusiasm.

Before I can take it in, she's throwing herself into my arms for a tight hug.

And I know I should put some boundaries between us and her showing of affection... but I'm not strong enough to do it.