Work Text:
Benedict realized that his idiot brother had a massive crush on his best friend.
Anthony Bridgerton blushed and giggled like a virgin maiden, every time Kate Sharma smiled at him and it took months for Benedict to realize it.
Benedict only saw Anthony with flings, girls came and went, but never stayed, and more importantly, none of them made an impression on Anthony. Benedict thought that maybe Siena would stir something in his big brother, but nothing besides toxic lust and passion was in store for them.
Now that he was single, Benedict, and all his family for that matter, thought that Anthony was back on his way to fuck his way through England and the United Kingdom. Instead, he looked more at peace than ever, spending more and more time with the youngest siblings, and setting boundaries at work. He even came to Benedict’s gallery every week, bringing him coffee for some brothers’ time.
And after months, he noticed.
He was washing the paint off of his hands when he saw Kate appear, her hair loose behind her, as she took one cup from Anthony’s hands, before kissing his cheek shyly.
Kate had a soft smile as she looked at his brother.
Anthony looked at her, his ears and cheeks red, a shy glow around him.
Anthony had a crush and he looked utterly gone for Kate.
“Oh, you met Kate! She is my model at the moment! The paintings you saw were of her,” Benedict smiled.
“What?” sputtered Anthony, coffee flying out of his mouth, as Kate gave him some tissue.
“Yeah, I’m a nude model…” shrugged Kate.
Anthony said nothing, looking absolutely in shock, as Kate grew embarrassed. She shook her head, before apologizing and leaving quickly, without a glance at Anthony. Benedict sighed and whacked his brother behind the head.
“Idiot, why didn’t you say anything? She thinks you’re judging her!”
“You saw her tits for real?” asked Anthony, bewildered.
“Oh, Jesus…” sighed Benedict.
Kate nursed her drink, as Daphne and Eloise talked about making plans for a girls’ night since it had been a while since the last one. She liked the two sisters, different, yet so similar in their free-spirited way. The exhibition attracted a lot of people, all looking at the paintings with keen eyes. Paintings that all showed her naked body. Nobody knew, besides the Bridgerton, and Kate felt thankful for that, even if it was awkward the first time, she had met Violet Bridgerton, next to a painting of her tits.
She took a sip of her gin & tonic, as she noticed Anthony coming in. Her body tingled as she took in the sight of him. His hair was a bit messy, a white shirt hugged his chest, sleeves rolled up his forearms, a blue jacket in one hand, the other in his jeans’ front pocket. Shamefully, her eyes wandered to the bulge in his jeans, and she imagined opening his pants, to take out his cock, before sucking it. She choked on her saliva, before downing her drink.
“Everything’s okay?” asked Eloise, as she lightly rubbed her back.
Kate nodded, as Anthony made his way to them before Benedict grabbed his arm to show him some paintings. She exhaled with relief, before focusing back on the conversation, trying to chase the image of a naked Anthony off of her thoughts. Simon joined them, nodding at the women, before presenting a friend of his, Thomas Dorset.
The young man was also a friend of Anthony’s and seemed very intent on making conversation with Kate, getting more and more curious about her and her life.
“Her glass is empty, and you don’t even get her a refill, Dorset. Where are your manners?”
Goosebumps took hold of her, covering her whole body, as Anthony stayed slightly behind her, his hand trailing on her back, his eyes on Thomas. The latter blushed before taking her glass and leaving for the open bar as Anthony faced her, his hand on her hip, now.
“That was mean.”
“Your body seems to tell another story…” whispered Anthony, grabbing her possessively. “Did you like that, Kate?”
“You give yourself too much credit, Bridgerton…”
“So, you didn’t check me out when I came in? Because I checked you out and imagined those legs around my – “
“Here’s your drink, Kate.”
Both jumped apart, and she blushed, taking her drink from Thomas. She took a step back from Anthony, as he clenched his jaw at his friend. Benedict joined them and everybody praised him for his exhibition and paintings, and plans were made for a celebratory drink afterward. She could still feel Anthony’s eyes on her, every time she moved, and she enjoyed it, licking and biting her lower lip, in an attempt to seduce him.
She was sure that the bulge in his pants, only got bigger, his jeans tighter.
Kate ended up telling Thomas and Simon that she was the model for Benedict’s work, and they both asked her if they were dating or something. Benedict only laughed and said that it was for that reason they didn’t want to say she was the one posing, to avoid any confusion.
“Isn’t it embarrassing, though? To pose naked…” laughed Anthony.
Kate only glared at him. For the second time, he was showing disdain for Benedict’s work and her job. She paid her goodbyes and left quickly the gallery, Daphne calling out after her, as Eloise was yelling at Anthony.
The next day, she received tulips at her place, and a card with the word “sorry” on it.
She blushed with embarrassment that night when she moaned his name as she pleasured herself.
“Who is Anthony?”
“Why do you ask? Did he send flowers again?”
“No, we have enough tulips in the flat for a year,” sighed Edwina. “But it’s been two weeks you’re moaning his name as you masturbate so he must be a good fuck. Good fuck, but an idiot clearly, if you’re not on speaking terms.”
“First of all, disgusting. Why didn’t you tell me you could hear that? Second, I didn’t fuck Anthony. He’s Benedict’s brother.”
“Is he as fuckable as Benedict or more? Maybe less?”
“He’s the most handsome man I’ve ever met.”
“Wow. Go fuck him, what’s holding you back?”
“He’s a twat,” cringed Kate.
“Yeah, like most guys. That didn’t stop you before,” shrugged Edwina.
“Okay, for my next exhibition, I want to focus on couples. I mean, one couple, and explore their intimacy.”
“I’m not in a relationship, sorry.”
“Oh, you don’t need to be. You’ll be just posing with another man…”
Kate looked at Benedict as he smiled smugly, looking entirely too proud of himself. Dread filled her.
“It’s Thomas Dorset.”
“Oh…” said Kate, feeling almost disappointed.
“Did you expect someone else, Kate?”
“No. Email me the schedule. Have a nice day.”
To her shame, she had clicked on his account, after searching for it in Eloise’s friends.
His account was less full and less active than his siblings, but he still shared some pictures.
One of them being of him, chest naked, at the beach. Kate zoomed on his abs, the dusting of hairs, and his strong arms, and bit down a moan. Sliding her hand into her shorts, she closed her eyes and imagined a naked Anthony Bridgerton, going down on her, his warm mouth on her hot skin.
She stayed still, as Thomas rested his head on her lap. She tried to run her fingers through his hair, in a soft, intimate way, yet it felt too weird for her. Her body was stiff, she couldn’t let herself go, the gesture feeling unnatural. After an hour, Benedict sighed and pushed his canvas away.
“I’m sorry, but this is not going to work. You just don’t match. Sorry guys.”
Kate exhaled with relief as Thomas stood up and Kate scrambled away, grabbing her bag and leaving after waving at both men. Thankfully, Daphne and Eloise had planned an evening at a bar, not too far from her place, and after a quick shower, she joined her friends. And couldn’t calm the hammering of her heart as she spotted Anthony, sitting around the table. She sat in front of him and smiled at the table, Eloise side-hugging her.
“So, how was work today? Benedict said that he started a new project today! He should be here in a few.”
“I’ll let him tell you his grand idea himself, then,” laughed Kate.
“I’m sorry for what I said. It was out of line, and I didn’t mean it like that.”
Simon, Eloise, Daphne, and Kate looked at Anthony, who only had eyes for Kate. Apparently, it was unusual for Anthony to apologize.
“I never meant to shame you. I was just genuinely wondering if you felt embarrassed because I can’t imagine being naked in front of someone who is painting me.”
“It’s freeing. You should try it, Bridgerton. And thanks for the flowers…”
Anthony only smiled, the tip of his ears slightly red, as he took a sip of his drink.
Anthony pushed her against the wall, as she moaned loudly, her nose brushing his.
“Did he get to see you naked, Kate? Did Dorset see your fucking tits? And your cunt?”
“No… I don’t want him to…”
“You are the bane of my existence, Sharma. And the object of all my desires.”
Kate wondered if she felt dizzy because he was breathing into her mouth, or because the desire was overcoming her. She felt wetter than ever, as he pushed a strand of hair behind her ear, before cupping the side of her head. She could feel his upper lip on her cupid’s bow, the other in-between her lips, ready to kiss her when the door of the next stall opened, and they froze hearing voices they recognized.
Voices full of desire and secrets.
Daphne’s and Simon’s voices.
Anthony’s jaw clenched before he left the toilet, barging into the next stall, Daphne screaming as both men started to fight on the toilet’s floor.
“Okay, so you punched your sister’s boyfriend, who happens to be your best friend, right?”
“Yes,” mumbled Anthony.
“And you punched him, because?” asked the officer, looking at Kate.
“Basic reaction. I saw Simon punch Anthony, so I punched Simon. It made sense at the time…” cringed Kate.
Anthony barely contained his laughter, as the officer let them go, Kate, smiling at him.
“Thanks for defending my honor, Sharma.”
“Always. Even if you’re a twat, you deserved someone in your corner.”
“Benedict asked me to pose with you…”
“Honestly, I was surprised he didn’t ask you first.”
“You don’t mind it?”
“No, Anthony…”
Anthony breathed heavily, as he felt Kate’s breasts against his bare skin, her nipples pebbling. She kept moving softly, rubbing them against his chest hairs, and he couldn’t hold his moan anymore, as Benedict painted them. Kate tugged at the hair, on his nape, and he felt himself get even harder against her, as she giggled.
“Minx…”
“I didn’t know you liked hair pulling…” she whispered in his ear, smiling, as she did it again.
“I’m discovering a lot of things with you…”
“Like what?”
“I think I’m into public sex, now.”
Kate laughed loudly, as Benedict looked disgusted.
An hour, they were done for the day, and Anthony stayed breathless, as Kate left quickly, waving at the two brothers.
“Are you going to ask her out or what?”
“She’s not interested…” sighed Anthony.
“Are you really dumb or just scared of happiness?”
“Hush, you…”
His phone rang during the evening, as he was ready to go to bed. In his bed, his room dark, he almost choked when he heard her soft moans.
“Anthony…”
“Fuck, Kate… Are you touching yourself, baby?”
“Yes… I’m so wet, thinking about you…”
“Can I touch myself, please?”
Kate moaned louder as he took his cock in his hand and started to stroke himself, groaning in pleasure.
“I can’t stop thinking about you, Anthony. You, filling me… You’ll ruin other men for me, I’m sure… Anthony…”
“I’ll fuck you so good, Kate… I want to eat you out, first. Lick you until I feel your shaking legs around my head. I want to drown in you…”
He could hear her movements in her wet heat, as she moaned even louder, her breath coming out in short pants.
He never slept this soundly in his life.
“When my father died, I got depressed, but I couldn’t let it be a burden because I had to take care of Mary and Eddie… I started to develop coping mechanisms to survive this pain, but the truth is, I still miss my dad and I don’t know how to deal with the pain and the love I have for him. I feel like drowning in it, and I don’t know if I’ll be able to love another person…”
Anthony looked at the tears rolling down her cheeks, as she gazed at him, her gaze open and vulnerable. They had forgotten Benedict, who was painting them, as they looked at each other, feeling raw.
“I always thought that I was scared of being in love because I’d die young, and I didn’t want to be the cause of such pain… But now, I realize that I am actually scared of being the one left behind…”
The story of his dad was left unsaid, but Kate understood. She wiped the few tears on his cheeks, before kissing softly his brow, as a sob left Anthony’s mouth.
Kate’s broken moan sent him over the edge, as he came inside her, before falling on her body, his weight crushing her. Usually, he would roll over and leave quickly, but this time, he snuggled his head against her breasts, as she held him against her. He sighed softly, as she ran her fingers in his hair, sleep taking him away.
Kate had never let a man sleep on her. The gesture had seemed always so personal, so intimate. Yet, it felt right with Anthony.
Everything felt right with Anthony.
Kate wondered if this is what romance books were all about with the soulmate thing.
She craved Anthony, and she needed him even closer than he already was.
And this realization filled her with dread.
“I thought it was going well between them… But they are so distant at the moment!” whined Benedict, as Eloise studied next to him.
“Eddie told me that Kate didn’t sleep at home this week.”
“God, what if she is dating someone and I made her uncomfortable with these little dates with Anthony?”
“This is kind of cute, you know. Making them date without them being aware,” said Eloise. “I can’t wait for Ant’ to have an aneurysm over this.”
“He’s going to kill me, right?”
“Yep,” laughed his younger sister.
“What if I fuck up? I don’t want to lose you.”
“We will go slow and keep this for ourselves. I love you, Kate. And I’m willing to go at your pace. You’re the one for me.”
“You’re the one too, Anthony.”
“These paintings are so beautiful! You did well, Benedict!” beamed Violet.
“Thanks, mum… I’m really proud of this one.”
“Are they coming?”
“Yes! Anthony had a meeting, but he’s coming, and Kate had a doctor's appointment.”
“They look beautiful together…”
“You can’t tell this to Anthony, but I chose him because I knew he had a thing for Kate. I wanted to help them get together. But I miserably failed! I suppose that I am no cupid,” laughed Benedict.
Violet cleared her throat and pointed behind Benedict.
Kate and Anthony were standing, close to each other, and laughing together.
“I think Anthony kept a few things from us…” smiled Violet, before leaving her second son, to join her eldest.
Benedict joined them, frowning and looking at them suspiciously. Both were bright-eyed, with rosy cheeks, and excitement pouring out of them.
“Benny, this is amazing!” gushed Kate.
“I’m really proud of you, Ben. This is such a great job! But I think it’s unfinished.”
“Please, don’t tell me…” said a hopeful Ben.
Anthony handed him an envelope.
With shaking fingers, Ben took out the ultrasound in it and choked on tears he didn’t realize he had.
“We hoped with Kate that Uncle Benny would like to paint us with little Edmund.”
“You know, your mum and dad would, of course, say something different, but I am the reason why they are together. I forced them to pose together and they fell in love and you arrived, Neddy. They were being idiots, so I gave them a little push.”
“Appa said that you were just nosy, Uncle Benny.”
“Because he hates when I’m right.