She blazed inside him like a wild fire. He watched her naked body after every time they made love and dwelled in his thoughts. He studied every inch of her, she was his instrument, he was honing his craft. She shivered beneath his touches, and he wondered if it was another guy, would she lit up the way she did with him. Was it all just for him? These thoughts kept going around in his head like a mild obsession, and when she so much turned to look at him with her bedroom eyes and her dreamy smile, it was enough to dropped him to his knees and he would held her close in his arms and drowned her with his deep passionate kiss. She was his, he wanted nothing more and nothing less.
Summer had finally arrived, she told him that she was leaving for Gastonburry with her dad for two weeks. He had made his own arrangements to go to Goldstone for some work and to meet up with Jeremy Stone, a guy he made friends with. Jeremy was a singer song writer who was trying to make his way into the industry by playing gigs at the local bars in Goldstone. Tommy often stayed at his place whenever he visited Goldstone for work.
Charlie was already half way to Gastonburry. It was a quiet ride as usual. Her father doesn't talk much, not to his children anyways. He was a man of few words. At work, with his businesses, he was a good communicator, but when it comes to his children, he only delivers what he needed them to know. She was accustomed to the silence, no questions asked, it was always a nod or a 'yes' to whatever daddy has to say. He rarely asked them anything either, he only tells them what to do, what to think and who to look up to. Apparently, lately he's been quite a fan of Landon Friedman himself.
The only thing he talked about on their ride to Gastonburry was how great Landon Friedman was, and how lucky she was to be able to be acquainted with such a 'fine young man'. The term was repeated much too often for her liking. He also told her to take the advantage to further expand her privileges in campus later using his influences and Landon's flawless reputation in the institution. Everything was always business with Bill Ludlow.
When they arrived at Gastonburry, they were greeted by Lloyd and Landon at the comfort of their summer home. A three story mansion in the exclusive area of the quiet city. Not a lot of people can afford the Gastonburry education, and thus the city was filled with high-end society. The fact that the Friedman's own a three story summer house in Gastonburry says a lot about them.
Bill and Lloyd didn't waste any time and went straight to the parlor to discuss their business. While Landon took her on a house tour to return the favor back at her home. He conveniently chose a bedroom across from his for Charlene to feel at home for the next two weeks. She asked to be excused for half an hour to freshen up and get settled in her room.
There was a large four part window facing the garden with a reading nook where she can sit and read or simply enjoy the view from the room. A four post bed, draped with sheer fabric hanging from the ceiling, a huge wardrobe, three seated sofa with a coffee table and a space large enough to fit ten people in the room.
The bathroom can be accessed through the sliding door, a classic four legged bathtub right in the middle, a shower in the corner divided by a glass door. The toiletries were organized all over the bathroom as if there was always someone staying in the room, but when she looked closer, the bottles and caps were unopened, they were all brand new. The whole room smelled like lavender, the sheets were silky and smooth, cool enough to make her comfortable to sleep in the nude. Although she wouldn't do that. A vanity to the right of the bed completed with a collection of designer's perfumes to choose from.
She sat on the bed, looked up to the ceiling, it was decorated in a classic renaissance theme, it was high and shaped like a mini dome. She exhaled deeply, the Friedman's were filthy rich. She laid on her back and felt the weight of the long ride she took to get there, before she knew it, she fell asleep and completely forgotten about Landon.
A knock on the door woke her up, she jolted out of bed. "Oh God! I'm sorry! I must've fell asleep," she told him from the opening of the door.
"May I come in?" She opened the door wider and let him in. "How do you like your room?" he asked while looking around as if he hadn't seen the room for a long while.
"It's very nice, and the bed ... I just couldn't help myself and fell asleep instantly," she was a little embarrassed.
"You must be tired from the car ride ... well, if you need to rest, I guess we can go out tomorrow, and later you can join me for dinner in the garden, we've prepared a feast for our special guests," he said with both his hands in his pocket. He sounded like her dad, he even have similar body language with her dad.
"That sounds perfect, I guess I could use a bath and get ready for dinner than."
"I'll leave you to it," he said as he walked towards the door and let himself out. "I'll see you later," he added.
She closed the door.
**********
The dinner setting in the garden was pretty. Two round tables were candle lit. Bed of flowers bloomed around the tables. The garden lights were turned on, and there was a small water fountain with trickling water that added a sense of calmness around them. The mansion was secluded, far from the nearest neighbor. The cool evening breeze blew softly through the trees surrounding the area.
She walked down the steps from the main building towards the dinner area. Everyone was already there, they stood up to greet her, admiring her from where they stood. "You look lovely, dear," Mrs. Friedman said and everyone was agreeing with her. Landon was almost blushing at the sight of her.
"Well ... let the adults talk business on this table, and you young people can enjoy your dinner on the other table ... we don't want to bore you with statistics and business strategies," Mr. Friedman said. Landon lead the way to the other table and pulled out a chair for her. She saw from the corner of her eyes, the adults were whispering and looking at them as if they were talking about them. Which of course they were.
The waiter came with a bottle of champagne, poured it into Landon's glass. Charlene covered her glass with one hand, signaling him not to pour because she wasn't allowed to drink alcohol. "It's okay darling, you're with friends here, you can have a glass or two," her dad bellowed from the other table. She took her hand away from the glass and let the waiter poured into it.
"To the beginning of summer," Landon opened a toast. They drank to it.
"So what do you usually do in summer?" she asked him.
He took a moment before answering, "This year ... a friend of mine, he's a race car driver and he joined a tournament, so me and some friends are going to the Grand Prix to support him ... after that, we'd probably go to see the horse racing, or golf ... yacht cruise, you know? Lots of fun!" he said it in a casual way.
She raised an eyebrow, "Sounds very posh," she smiled.
"It's not posh, really, when you're accustomed to it, ... what about you? What's your usual summer looks like?"
She exhaled deeply, "Mine is usually very boring, 'cause I live in Bluebridge ... where nothing ever happens, I usually stay in for slumber parties with my friends ... but this is my first summer that I can get out of the house ... I'd probably be doing a lot of outdoor stuff with them."
Landon was listening intently while eating his soup, "Really? The first summer out of the house? Your parent must really love you," he smiled amused. She curved a half smile, she didn't dispute his comment.
They exchanged stories about how their day usually go, the things they like and whatnot. Landon was slowly getting to know her, yet he couldn't help but wonder how she dealt with overprotective parents for so long. She seemed like a bright young woman who was mature for her age, not a second that he believed the innocent obedient girl image that she displayed. She knew a lot more than most girls he ever encountered with. Protecting someone from the world never prevented them from learning about the world, if anything, it makes them better at finding ways to get out and explore with more zest than those who has the freedom to do it.
He took her on a walk around the garden after dinner, he insisted that she looped her arm around his as they stroll the night away. He was boasting about his plans after getting his master degree, he was going to have a law practice in Gastonburry, hence the wonderful summer home will be his home in the future. He went on to tell her how helping with her father's campaign will look good in his resume, it will help him in his way to be the best lawyer of his time, and other cocky rich boy dreams he kept going on about throughout their walk.
All of those facts, as interesting as it was, couldn't sway her off from feeling a little guilty towards Tommy. She didn't tell him about Landon. There she was strolling in his garden, talking about the future, getting to know each other, arms tangled, while Tommy didn't have any idea that she was with another guy.