Next, I introduce Nora to Levi. His reaction is warm, definitely surprised. I can’t blame him. This has happened fast—too fast for everyone, especially those close around me, who knew nothing. This is the first and last time I’ll ever introduce a girlfriend to my brother.
We have fun at the table, chatting and laughing. We even talk about Max, and it feels incredible. I think this is the first time since his death that I’ve openly spoken about him with anyone outside of Levi, Eric and Nora. It hurts a bit less now, and I’m trying my best not to feel guilty about that. With Nora by my side, everything is better.
It’s nice to get to know her inner circle better. Even Dennis thaws out, and by the end of the evening, we get along well. Levi, on the other hand, is quieter than usual. I suspect this night is as confronting for him as it is for me.
Nora pulls me from my thoughts, guiding me with her hand on my cheek toward her lips. She tastes so sweet and soft. Once this night is over, I’ll take her to Zeebrugge and keep her awake all night.
“Andreas?” she asks, with that suspiciously sweet tone. “What does Elena really mean to you? I know she’s your architect, but since she’s sitting at our table, there must be more to it than that, right?”
Nora has nothing to fear from Elena, but she doesn’t know that yet.
“Are you jealous, sweetheart?” I whisper in her ear.
“Would that be justified?” she asks, a bit more impatient now.
“Absolutely not,” I reassure her. “Elena is a good friend. When I was studying and taking care of my brothers, she and her older sister rented the apartment next to us. We lived in very different circumstances, but that didn’t stop us from becoming close friends. She’s bailed us out more than once. I’m very grateful to her. We’ve kept in touch since our studies, and we even work together when we can, like on the villa.”
Nora’s gaze softens but quickly hardens again.
“Have you ever been anything more than friends?” she asks, sitting straighter, as though bracing for the impact of my words.
“Elena and I have never been anything more than friends. She’s like a sister to me, and I’m sure the feeling is mutual.”
Her gaze searches mine for any hint of deception, but she trusts what she sees. The tension melts from her shoulders. “I thought so,” she says, laughing softly.
“What do you mean?” I ask, intrigued.
“She seems to have more interest in your brother than in you,” she says, a hint of self-satisfaction in her voice, as she takes a sip of champagne and returns to chatting with Anna and Melvin.
Elena and Levi? I hadn’t considered that. Elena is three years older than Levi, and I’ve never noticed any signs of interest between them. I let Nora’s words sink in and decide to keep a closer eye on those two tonight.
The speeches Levi and I give in Max’s name are the grand finale of the evening. This is the first time we’ve spoken publicly about Max, but we manage to say what we want to say without being too emotional or too cold. My years of experience in the business world help, though this speech and this audience feel very different. The evening winds down, and by around one o’clock, most people have left. We also say goodbye to our tablemates. Nathan is waiting outside with the car.
“I don’t have any clothes, Andreas!” Nora exclaims in surprise after I tell her we’re heading to Zeebrugge, not home. I assure her everything she needs is waiting for her there.
“Andreas, did you really let other people go through my stuff at home?” she asks indignantly.
“My team is discreet, Nora. Don’t worry about it.” I grin. “Or are you afraid they’ll look through your nightstand?”
Her cheeks flush red, and her eyes burn with fire.
“Andreas, are you serious!?” she says, genuinely offended.
“Sweetheart, you know you have no secrets from me.”
Her mouth forms an “O,” but no sound comes out. She sinks back into the backseat and crossing her arms like a stubborn little child. I can see she’s too tired to fight, and two minutes later, she’s sound asleep against my shoulder. The rest of the ride, I enjoy her soft breathing and adorable little sleeping noises.
Once we arrive in Zeebrugge, I try to carry her out of the car without waking her, but that’s easier said than done. Nora wakes up and eventually steps out of the car herself. I take her in my arms again and carry her inside. I avoid the light switches, letting only the moonlight illuminate the room. I gently lay her on the couch. She looks at me drowsily as I take off her shoes. Then I remove my own shoes, my vest, and my shirt. I see her eyes widen as I start to take off my pants. She squirms on the couch, her body waking up. So does mine. The sight of her lying there in her dress is irresistible. My erection throbs impatiently, ready to break free from my underwear. I slide off the tight boxers and stand naked before her.
“What a delightful private show,” she purrs as she sits up. Her eyes don’t reach mine but linger halfway down my body. My arousal grows under her gaze.
It doesn’t take long before she’s kneeling on the couch, taking me into her mouth. I feel her nails digging into my backside. I love it when she grips my body so firmly. Her touch feels like home. I grab her hair, reveling in the sight from above. She’s so skilled at this. A natural. When her hands reach my shaft and balls, I’m completely lost. I savor every movement she makes, but she’s seriously testing my stamina.
She does that every time.
“Nora, stop.”
I try to pull away from her mouth. She looks at me with puppy eyes but gets the message and pulls back excruciatingly slowly. She continues to stare at me. I take her hand, pulling her gently up from the couch and guiding her toward the window.
