No Wire Hangers

Elizabeth's POV

"Would you like to go to a party with me?" Adrian's low voice asks casually.

It takes me a few seconds to fully understand his question, my mind pleasantly distracted by his fingers slowly caressing my arm. We're cuddling in my apartment after a full day on his sailboat, my body happy and warm curled up against his side. "A party?"

"A charity gala actually," he clarifies. "It's this Saturday. They're extremely dull."

Leaning over on the couch I look up at him. "Oh, I see. You want me to take part in your torment?"

Chuckling, he pushes me back on the couch, his body trapping me beneath him. "I need you to make it bearable."

Raising a brow I feign hurt. "So, I'm just a means to an end. I feel so used."

Adrian's lips trail up my neck, his voice rumbling over my skin. "I haven't even begun to use you yet, baby." My eyes slide shut as heat burns through my core. I can't wait to be used by him. His lips lock on my neck, sucking hard. The pleasure is staggering, the soft skin vulnerable and sensitive.

"Jake's outside..." I protest meekly. I don't want him to stop.

"So?"

"It feels weird."

His teeth nibble on my ear. "Babe, having bodyguards is part of daily life for me."

"Why? Are you afraid someone might kidnap you?" I joke.

Adrian stiffens above me, his lips pressing into a thin line. "It's more common than you might think, Ellie." The seriousness of his tone throws me for a second.

"Okay," I breathe.

His brows knit in confusion. "Okay as in you'll go?"

"If you want me to."

His face softens. "Yea." Leaning down he kisses me softly, his lips lingering. I want more, my arms wrapping around his neck. Adrian groans, gently gripping my wrists and removing my arms. "I should go."

No. Don't.

"Okay."

"Don't sound so disappointed," he growls, pinning my arms over my head. I bite my lip, stopping a moan. "If I stay I'm going to fuck you, Ellie. Is that what you want?"

Oh, god yes!

"You should go," I grumble.

He grunts in agreement, giving me a swift kiss before standing. Walking with Adrian to the door I give a little wave to Jake, who is standing in the hallway playing a game on his cell phone.

Slipping his phone in his pocket Jake asks, "All set, boss?"

Adrian nods, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "Ellie will be attending the Bridgemont charity gala with me. Have the details sent to her."

"Will do," Jake replies.

Adrian kisses my cheek. "I guess it's the panties for me again tonight."

My face flushes. "Adrian," I hiss.

Jake raises a brow, poorly hiding a smirk.

Laughing, Adrian ruffles my hair. "Let me know if you change your mind about that photo." He winks as my eyes widen in embarrassment.

He wouldn't really send me a dick pic...

Yes, he would.

I watch them walk to the elevator before shutting the door and turning on the alarm. Yawning, I stretch my hands over my head, a grin tugging at my lips. Today was amazing. My body is humming, a strange giddiness in my chest. Smiling like an idiot I get ready for bed, changing into my PJ's and washing my face.

Looking at my happy reflection in the bathroom mirror I reach over to pick up my brush, only to have my fingers grasp at air. Frowning, I glance over, the usual spot on the sink where I keep my hairbrush empty.

What the hell? I seem to be losing everything lately. Not surprising. Since meeting Adrian my life's been a whirlwind. And it wasn't slowing down. Tomorrow I'm going to break up with Eric. The thought gives my stomach nervous jitters. Pulling my hair up into a bun I decide to look for my brush and missing necklace tomorrow.

Picking up my cell I send a text to Eric, letting him know I want to meet him tomorrow. Not waiting for a reply I crawl into bed with a sigh. Clutching my pillow to my chest I snuggle into the soft linen sheets. My eyes are heavy but my mind is racing, replaying the day over and over.

I feel as if I've only just fallen asleep when a loud knocking wakes me.

Not again...

Picking up my phone I glare at the time. It's just after eight in the morning. "Ugh."

Getting up I amble to the living room and switch off the alarm. Opening the door my mood hits a new low. My mother and younger half-sister, Isabelle, are standing in the hallway looking furious.

Well, this day just went to shit.

"Really, Elizabeth, I've been knocking for ten minutes!" my mother snaps, shoving her way inside. Her blonde grey-streaked hair is curled and she's wearing one of her typical pantsuits, all white with matching heels. My mother thought her style of clothing was the mark of good breeding, but to me it was harsh and unapproachable.

"Why are you here?" I ask carefully.

Isabelle gives me a dirty smirk, sauntering past me as if she owns the place. "As if you didn't know," she sneers. My sister looks like she came straight from a club, her ridiculously short dress clinging to her slim body, five inch black heels making her legs look a mile long.

Shutting the door I suck in a breath and mentally prepare myself. "I don't know."

My mother fakes a laugh, before slapping the cover of a magazine she's carrying. "Would you like to inform me exactly what this is?" she demands, tossing the tabloid down on my coffee table.

Frowning, I pick it up, inspecting the cover. My eyes widen, all color draining from my face. Blasted all over the cover are photos of me and Adrian on his sailboat.

Oh, no.

I was wearing my sunhat and glasses, but of course my own mother and sister would recognize me.

How had they even taken this photo? We were just outside the docks. Did the photographer fucking swim to the boat?

Taking a deep breath I try to compose myself. "You should't read this trash."

Isabelle feigns hurt, asking snappily, "How could you, Elizabeth? You're in the inner circle with Adrian Hunter and you don't even tell you own sister?" Her words are slightly slurred and I know she's been drinking.

"We just met."

Isabelle purses her plump lips, her ruby red lipstick almost glaring against her pale skin. Her bleach blonde hair hangs straight and sleek down her back and I wonder how she can look so polished after a night of drinking. "Well, what are you doing with him? Obviously, you can't be his lover."

"And what if I am?" I retort.

Isabelle gasps, a hand covering her mouth. "Mother!"

My mother's sharp blue eyes widen, a reflection of cold fury. "You can't be serious? How dare you embarrass me like this!"

I can feel the anger rising. "I don't see how this is any of your business?"

She ignores me, pacing in my living room. "What about Eric?"

Hiking my chin I reply bluntly, "I'm breaking up with him."

That does it. My mother's eyes grow wild. "Have you lost your mind? Do you have any idea how difficult it was for me to arrange for the two of you to meet? Eric is set to inherent a fortune from his father. Do you not realize this? You would be set for life, Elizabeth."

"You mean you would be set for life," I hiss.

Her hand flies out so quickly I don't have time to react, slapping me hard across the face. "How dare you!?"

Isabelle snickers, looking far too pleased.

My mother shakes her head. "What an ungrateful little brat. After all I've done for you. First, your father walks out on me, abandoning me with a disabled child. I worked tirelessly to provide you with a good life, with the best education money can buy. And what do you do? Writing those silly books. Do you have any concept of how mortifying it is to have my friends ask me what kind of daughter I raised to write such filth?"

I keep quiet. I've heard this speech a million times. My mother blamed me for my father running off. Her second husband had lasted all of five years. Then he caught onto her games and left shortly after my mother gave birth to Isabelle, but only after finding out that my sister had been the result of an affair. Then it was man after man, all rich and successful, all of them gone just as quickly as they came. My mother blamed me for that too, on the fact that no man would want the responsibility of caring for a child with a disability.

The reminders were tiny knives in my chest. My stutter had been so much worse as a child, my mother's attitude making me so nervous I couldn't speak a single word. She would hide me from her friends, embarrassed to have them know. They thought I was stupid, accusing me of being disabled, because I couldn't speak.

It took me years to overcome it.

I wasn't disabled. And even if I had been that didn't make me a burden. A true parent would have loved me nonetheless.

My mother continued with her rant, oblivious or not caring of the hurt she was causing. "I stood by you. After all those shameful rejections. I found you a good man in Eric, one who is wiling to put up with your issues. And this is how you repay me?"

Pressing a hand to my cheek I murmur, "I d-don't love Eric."

Isabelle snorts, giving me a knowing look. "Are you saying you love Adrian Hunter?"

My stomach tightens sickeningly. I don't like the look in her eyes. "N-no..."

Laughing, Isabelle snaps, "This is so like you. Always wanting what you can't have."

"Y-you d-don't know a-anything," I protest, my throat closing up on me.

Isabelle continues unfazed, "You think a man like Adrian could ever possible want you? Have you even seen the kind of women he dates? You're a joke to him, Elizabeth. A stupid fling and when he's bored with you he will toss you out like yesterdays trash. Just look at you," Isabelle's practically shouting now, waving her hands at me. "Women like you don't get men like him."

"S-stop."

"Are you g-going t-to c-cry?" Isabelle replies evilly, purposely mimicking my stutter. She always did this when she wanted to hurt me. She knows how I feel about my speech.

"That's enough, Isabelle," my mother orders.

Isabelle rolls her eyes. "Whatever."

My mother is quiet for a moment before her face turns thoughtful, almost devious. "We can fix this. Elizabeth, you will apologize to Eric for causing a scandal. You will not break up with him so help me god," my mother states firmly, pacing once more. "As for Adrian, we can use this to our advantage. He would be a perfect match for your sister."

"No!" I find myself shouting.

"No?" my mother repeats with a snap.

"I w-wont." The thought of Adrian and Isabelle makes me feel sick.

Placing her hands on her hips my mother glares at me. "This is not a request. I am telling you that you will introduce Adrian to your sister."

Isabelle grins, crossing her arms haughtily.

Clenching my fists I bark, "I wont d-do it!"

My mother seems in shock for a moment, not used to me standing my ground. Then she lets out a cold laugh. "We'll see, Elizabeth. Do you really think that man will want you once he meets Isabelle?"

I blink, unable to respond.

Isabelle laughs. "If you won't give him to me I'll take him. It's that simple."

No. Adrian would never fall for Isabelle's schemes. But even as I think it my gut twists. Isabelle can be extremely charming when she wants to be. I've watched men practically fall at her feet.

"You know I can," Isabelle states, reading my expression. "You have a lovely day, sister dear."

I'm left staring at my open door as my mother and sister walk haughtily out of my apartment, nearly knocking over a poor Mrs. Gunderson, who had the unfortunate luck of walking down the hall.

Mrs. Gunderson's raises a brow, watching the two woman for a moment. "What awful people." Smiling, she pokes her head inside my door. "Need some company?"

I shake my head, my emotions running rampant. "I'm alright."

"Are you sure? I could hear that horrid woman yelling all the way down the hall."

Oh, god. How embarrassing. The entire floor probably heard my sister's tantrum.

Clucking her tongue Mrs. Gunderson lets herself in, shutting my door. Patting my cheek she states cheerfully, "I know just what you need." Heading into my kitchen the old woman rummages around in my cupboards, her bright pink jogging suit glaring under the lights. After a moment of snooping she finally pulls out a bottle of vodka.

"You can't be serious?" I gawk.

She raises a white eyebrow, pulling a cartoon of orange juice out of my fridge. "Why not?"

"It's eight in the morning!"

The old woman shrugs. "It's night somewhere." Finding glasses she pours drinks for the both of us, motioning for me to join her at the dinning table. "Now, what was all that nonsense about?"

"It was nothing," I mumble, taking a small sip of my drink.

"Don't be a pussy dear, drink up!" she orders lovingly.

My jaw nearly drops at her language. Despite my rolling emotions my lips twitch into a smile. I really like Mrs. Gunderson. She's such a spite fire.

"Who were those awful women?"

"My mother and half-sister," I admit.

"You can't be serious. You can't possibly be related to such wicked creatures." She presses a hand to her heart before taking a healthy gulp of her drink. "You are such a sweet girl."

I glance downward, feeling slightly better that I'm not the only one to see their wickedness. My mother and sister seemed capable of fooling anyone into thinking they were gods gift. "Thank you."

"And what were they all upset about? Let me guess, they saw that fascinating tabloid about you and Adrian Hunter?"

"You saw that?"

"Honey, by now everyone's seen it. But I only knew it was you because of the other night. My, he is a handsome devil though isn't he?" she gushes.

I sit up a little straighter, taking a nice big swallow of my drink. "Yes, he is."

"And he's completely smitten with you."

Rubbing my thumb over my glass I ask hopefully, "You think so?"

She nods. "The way he was looking at you the other night. Men don't look at a woman like that unless he's in deep." Wagging her eyebrows she says mischievously, "I bet your sister was roaring jealous."

I laugh. "I think so."

"Look at me, I need a refill." Getting up Mrs. Gunderson brings over the vodka, not even bothering to add more juice. "How about you, dear?"

Nodding, I push my glass towards her.

An hour later and I'm drunk.

Mrs. Gunderson manages to waddle her way out of my apartment and down the hall. I give her a little wave, making sure she reaches her apartment before shutting the door.

Snatching the second - and nearly empty - bottle of peach flavored vodka we opened I stumble to my room and manage to take a shower. Just as I'm stepping out and partaking of another swig of alcohol my phone rings.

Grumbling under my breath I answer with a slurred, "Hellooo."

"Ellie?" My heart skips a beat as Adrian's husky voice caresses my ear.

"Adrian," I giggle. "How nice of you to call meh."

"Ellie, I just saw the tabloids. Are you alright?"

"Imma fine."

He pauses before asking, "Ellie...are you drunk?"

"As a skunk!" I laugh, slapping my knee.

"Jesus. I'm coming over," he grates.

"Wait...helloo...hello?" I stare at my phone in confusion.

That ass just hung up on me.

******

AN: Kudos to anyone who gets the title reference!