Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
VALLIE
One week later
The twins and Dexter are disjointed.
I am the only thing they have in common at the moment, the only thing that brings them together each morning for breakfast. I’m not a great cook, Donnie is, but I force myself to make breakfast each day to ensure they will interact.
Pleasantly.
But reserved.
We are teething.
Tonight, Dexter is meeting a business associate from his past, and he wants me there as a distraction.
According to Dexter, my overflowing breasts tucked into a Pretty Woman inspired twenty-thousand-dollar off-shoulder, red dress will do the trick.
I swallow. Feeling exposed, round, and tucked into it like a sleeping bag, I try to work through my vulnerabilities. Remembering, he hasn’t been able to keep his hands off me, so… It isn’t up to me to decide whether he finds me sexy or not. It’s up to him.
I gaze across at Dexter as the black limo heads towards the grand Sky Restaurant, otherwise known as The Revolving Restaurant, in the city centre.
I’ve never been here before because it is impossible to get a booking. They open for reservations every three months and sell out within five-minutes, but… I roam the luscious attire of Dexter Vaughn in his tailored, black, three-piece Tom Ford suit, with his freshly shaved jaw, the smoothed angle of a diamond—just too damn hot for words. I want to stare and stare… Apparently, there are VIP places that the peasants aren’t privy to. And that is me now, a VIP.
Vallie VIP.
@CurvyandBookedVIPVallie
My skin is still humming, cheeks glowing pink with arousal from the finger-fucking he gave me five minutes ago on the leather seats. I told him that Eva and Gideon, from Bared to You , like to play in modes of transportation. He told me that what I want, I get from him. He spread me out and fingered me until I came over the shiny, cream upholstery.
“You look stunning when you have just come on your daddy’s fingers.” His voice is husky and delicious.
The limo slows, and he smirks. “I don’t plan on washing them while I eat, so I can smell you with every bite.”
God. I flush harder. “The Michelin Star chef might be disappointed you’re mixing your cuisines.”
“He wouldn’t if he could smell you.”
“My pussy will inspire his next creation,” I add.
“Then I would have to buy the restaurant.”
I roll my eyes. His wealth isn’t a subtle part of who he is. Rich is his personality. And for a moment, I forget who he is, who I am, and what the hell I think I’m doing with a man like him. “Look at you, Dexter. You don’t have to do this.”
He clasps his hands together on his lap, clear blue eyes drilling me to the seat. “Do what?”
“I will still be here for you, Donnie, and Tyler. I love them. You don’t need to—” I shake my head through a mirthless scoff. “You can have any woman you want.”
He frowns, and I’m in trouble with Daddy, clearly. “Let’s put aside the fact that you’re the most stunning creature I have ever seen and that every man we encounter wants to know what you feel like beneath them. Let’s put aside the fact my hands twitch to blind the gawking eyes of each fucker who turns to watch your arse move.” His gaze darkens. “Let’s put aside the fact that I am in love with you… I have a very demanding life. Even when I drank, I worked. I love my work. Revel in it. You do not need me. You do not wait for me or cling to me. I need you . I come to you.” He leans over to unbuckle my belt. His nose touches my neck. “I need a mature woman who puts my family first and allows me to share my time with work. Women like you are rare. Any woman , as you put it, will not do. I need you. The perfect woman for us.”
Wow. I exhale hard. Love. He loves me… “ So , what about Tyler?” I push my luck. “You have been somewhat distant… What are you thinking? Feeling?”
“Not tonight.” His breath is like hot energy rushing down my neck. “My brothers get enough of your attention. Tonight, Daddy needs you.”
I roll my shoulder, feeling wet between my thighs again. Daddy. Daddy. That term really hits the spot.
Too soon, the door opens for us, and we are personally escorted into the building, where everyone seems to turn and stare at us.
“Mr Vaughn,” a lady at the desk greets.
A man in a grey suit lowers his phone from his cheek as we cross the room. “Mr Vaughn.”
“Mr Vaughn.” A lovely lady brushes her fingers across his jacket as we stride past her. Ugh. Diamonds drip from her long, slender neck, but that’ll just make it easier for me to strangle her if she touches him again.
“Fuck, you get around,” I mutter.
He pulls me closer to his side, heat from his body radiating between us. “Mind your pretty mouth, Baby Girl.”
We are taken to the top level.
The lift opens and the room reveals itself to be almost circular, taking up the entire floor, with the lift and kitchen in the centre and tables in two parallel rows circling them. The seated rows slowly rotate around the central utilities area, offering guests a moving view of the glistening cityscape through sprawling windows.
Dexter puts his hand on my lower back, guiding me while I gaze around the lavish space.
We approach a smart-looking man and a slender woman in an olive dress talking to a waiter. The man sees us. “Ah, Dex.” He points, stilling the waiter. “What will you be having? Scotch? Wine?”
“Espresso,” Dexter answers, pulling out my chair. “In a whiskey glass on ice.”
Ah. That’s what he drinks.
“Right. Right. You’re sober.” The man leans back and looks us over, nodding approvingly. “It’s good to see you out and about.”
Dexter gestures. “This is Markus. He manages operations for a software company we share in, and Drew manages him.” They chuckle, raising their glasses to me. “This is Vallie.” We return pleasantries.
“What will you have to drink?” Dexter asks me.
“Oh,”—I smile at the waiter— "a mocktail. Something spritzy and minty.”
“I have just the one,” he offers before heading towards the glowing bar. A large mahogany station lit up like it is a piece of artwork. It must be hard for Dexter to avoid all the signals; alcohol is basically a Siren in places like this.
Markus points between Dexter and me. “Is that how you two met? Are you sober, too, Vallie?”
“No.” I shake my head politely, but I don’t elaborate. No one asks them why they drink; I don’t think I need a reason for not wanting to. In truth, I’m not drinking because I want to kiss the hottest man in the room, and I don’t want alcohol on my breath.
I keep to myself, enjoying Dexter’s thumb moving over my inner thigh. The menu is set, so I relax, gazing at the view as they talk about business.
I barely listen, until someone says, “So, Vallie, we must be boring you. What do you do for a living?” Drew sips her wine, leaving a pink smear on the rim.
I look between the three of them. Think. Hesitate. Fuck… Read porn and talk about it… Actually, it is how I met Dexter. It’s quite a story… “I’m, um, I’m an influencer. Books mainly. I love to read.”
I omit the kinds of books.
“ Oh , how modern.” Drew praises. “We could use a marketing girl at Starlight. You know they need a new perspective. New talent.”
“Starlight is a publishing house.” Dexter sets his coffee down on the table, finished. “She would be wonderful, but Vallie has a far more important job. She is a mum.”
Naw. That’s nice to hear.
“ Oh , how traditional.” I laugh at myself, and Drew shares my whimsical retort. She’s alright. I can’t read her, but she seems harmless. “I genuinely love what I do, and it fits in around Molly.”
This is my insight into the corporate wifey world, fantastic food, incredible views, and banter.
The evening continues, and I watch him in his element. Powerful, in control, smooth as fuck—to everyone else… But I don’t miss the small ways he shuffles when they order more wine and, once again, offer him one, forgetting that he is sober. His body is tightening.
Hand on my thigh.
Coils in his neck.
A subtle collage of discomfort.
It dawns on me, I’m here to distract him—Dexter. Not to distract his colleagues like I had presumed. I’m here to support him while he’s in an environment centred around alcohol. I place my hand over his, squeezing gently.
I’m his new addiction. And I’m so proud of him, and I plan on showing him with my mouth on the drive home just how healthy his new addiction is for him.