Julia WhiteFireworks blossom above the lake, floating in the clear night air before drifting down in dazzling clouds to settle on the water.My father flinches at the first explosion. He dislikes things that are loud or surprising. Which is why I sometimes irritate him—I can be both of those things, even when I'm trying to be a good girl.His scowl is lit by the blue and gold lights. Yes, he has the same expression when he stares at me."Would you like to eat inside?" Donald asks.Because it's a warm night, we're all sitting on the deck. In New York, unlike in Sicily, you must take advantage of every opportunity to eat outdoors. Even yet, if you didn't hear the traffic below, you'd assume you were in an Italian vineyard. The table is set with primitive dinnerware imported from the old country three generations ago, and the pergola overhead is heavily clothed with shade-giving fox grapes planted by Father. Fox grapes cannot be made into wine, although they do make fantastic jam.My fa
He was able to get Dakota on the phone, and she seemed truly pleased that he had called her. Maxwell explained his situation to her and why he needed a change of scenery and venue. She told him that she totally understood.Dakota had been a widow for about four years now and knew exactly what Maxwell was going through. Her husband had also died of prostate cancer. She told him to let her look through her listings, and she would get back to him as soon as she thought she had something of interest.Later that afternoon, Maxwell's phone rang. "Hello.""Maxwell, it's Dakota, how are you?""I'm doing good. Did you find me something?""Well, I might have found just what you're looking for, but then, you will need to be the judge of that. What is your schedule like tomorrow?""As far as I know right now, I'm free. What did you have in mind?""Well, if you could meet me at my office, then I could show you a few houses and maybe find one you really like.""What time tomorrow?""Is about ten ok
"Wait until you see the inside!" Dakota smiled and winked at him.She parked the car in front of the house, grabbed her notebook, and said, "Shall we take a look?""Yes, by all means," Maxwell replied.As they stood at the front door, she bent down to punch in the combination to the realtor's box, which contained the door key. Once in the house, she began to explain the present situation to the house."The house at present is a corporate rental. What that means is that companies will rent the house for a weekend or longer for meetings or retreats. That's why it's furnished.""I see. What is the asking price?""Well, it is listed for 400,000, which is not a bad price itself. However, because of several factors, I think the owner would be willing to take less than that—actually, much less.""How much less is much less?""Well, because of my working relationship with the owner, I think if you made an offer around 300, she would entertain it. The owner is an older woman and she is having
Nacy is much more pliable. She’s a people-pleaser, and she wouldn’t do anything to annoy dear old Mom and Dad. Unfortunately, she lives in a fucking fantasy world. She’s so sweet and tender-hearted that she doesn’t have the tiniest clue what it takes to keep this family in power. So she’s pretty much useless.That doesn’t mean I don’t care about her, though. She’s so genuinely good that it’s impossible not to love her.I’m pleased to see her so happy today. She’s over the moon about this party, even though it barely has anything to do with her. She’s running around sampling all the desserts, admiring the decorations, without a clue that the one and only reason for this event is to secure support for my campaign to become Alderman of the 43rd Ward.The election takes place in a month. The 43rd Ward includes the whole Lakefront: Lincoln Park, the New, and Botch Town. Next to the mayorship, it’s the most powerful position in the city of New York.For the last twelve years, the seat was h
I jog up the stairs, and then all the way down the hallway to my suite. I don’t love the fact that I’m still living with my family at thirty years old, but it makes it more convenient to work together. Besides, you’ve got to live in the district to be an Alderman, and I don’t have time for house hunting.At least my room is on the opposite end of the house from the master suite. And it’s large and comfortable—we knocked down a wall when I came back from college, giving me my own suite and adjoining office. It’s almost like an apartment, separated from everybody else’s rooms by the massive library in between.I can hear guests already starting to arrive down below. I change into my newest Zenya suit, then I head back downstairs to mingle.Everything goes smoothly, as it always does when my mother is in charge. I can see her sleek blonde bob across the lawn, and hear her light, cultured laugh as she makes a point of circulating through all the most boring and important guests.I’m worki
He then bent over and began to kiss her from the neck down to the small of her back, then back up to her neck. His tongue was cool, and he tasted mint, man, and coffee and escaped—and Dakota didn’t at that point question it. All she did was feel it. The bliss of firm lips and the scent that had always made itself known captivated her as they intensified in their close proximity.His body to touch was everything her eyes had promised—lean and powerful beneath her hands and against her own body.Maxwell had a thing for the naked back of a woman. He felt it was one of the most sensual things about her. His arms pulled her in, and his mouth was pressing on hers.Wrapping her in his embrace and crushing her with his mouth. Maxwell cupped her through her moist haven and she whimpered, “Oh God!” her body arching against the wall behind her. "You are mine, Dakota. Condom or no condom." His thumb found her clit and dug its way through the fabric, pressing hard and massaging it in lazy circles.
“He might not. He might not even know who I am.”“I doubt that very much. He’s not as stupid as the rest of you are.”“Why am I included in this?” Sebby says.“Because you’re stupid,” Donald replies. “Even if you didn’t do anything tonight, specifically.”Sebby laughs. It’s impossible to offend him.“Where were you?” Donald says, rounding on Neil.“I was on the main level,” Neil says calmly. “With Nora Albright. Her father owns the Fairmont in Millennium Park. He called me a greasy little criminal once. So I fucked his daughter in the Greens’ formal dining room. Sort of killed two birds with one stone, in terms of revenge.”Donald is shaking his head in disbelief.“I can’t believe you guys. You’re acting like children. I never should have let you go over there.”“Oh, get off it,” Neil says. He’s not one to take Donald’s shit, even if it means coming to blows. “Since when are you a good boy? You hate those paddy fucks as
“What is it with you Italians?” he sneers. “Where did you learn your manners? You come to a party where you’re not invited. Eat my food, drink my liquor. Then you break into my house. Try to burn it the fuck down. And you steal from me . . .”I feel Sebby stiffen ever so slightly. He doesn’t look back at me, but I know he wants to.I’m also confused about what the fuck Calester is talking about. Then I remember the pocket watch, still tucked in the front pocket of my shorts. I’d completely forgotten about it.“Look,” Sebby says, “the fire was an accident. We don’t want any trouble.”“Well that’s just bullshit, isn’t it?” Calester says softly. “You came looking for trouble. And now you’ve got it.”It’s not easy to rile up Sebby. Threatening his little sister is a good way to do it. Now he’s bristling, balling up his fists in return, and stepping all the way in front of me.“You think you’re some kinda tough guy, bringing your boyfriend along?” Sebby says, jerking his head toward the st