Chapter 26
26
AGE 20
O n that note, I flee the barn with my brother’s laughter following me. Fucker knows I’m never getting married. He gave me solid advice though, and I’m glad I talked to him. I’ll feel more comfortable going to him in the future too.
Approaching the orchard from the other side, I spot Vivien and Ash in the distance. They are leaning against an apple tree, and my sister is smoking. We’ve both gone through phases where we’ve tried to quit. Unsuccessfully, obviously. Their voices tickle my eardrums as I draw closer from the rear. I tread softly as I make my approach, deliberately eavesdropping on their conversation, wondering if they’re talking about me.
“Ro needs to toughen up. He’s too sensitive sometimes,” Ash says.
“I like that about him. Too often men are told they must be strong. What’s wrong with showing vulnerability?” the princess replies, and my scowl is automatic.
“You need to speak to him.” Ash says, looking sideways at her friend as she blows smoke circles into the air.
Yeah, fuck this shit. I’m not going to listen to them talking about Ro. “Speak to who?” I ask in a gruff tone, making my presence known.
“This is a private conversation, Dil. Butt out.” Ash shoots me a warning glare as I round the tree and stop in front of them.
“Chloe wants you to push her on the swing,” I lie, needing to get my sister out of the way so I can start bonding with her friend. Opportunities to spend time alone with Vivien are limited, and I’m not wasting this one.
“C’mon.” Ash stubs her cigarette out on the tree, gesturing for Vivien to go with her.
“Don’t let Shane see you doing that. He’ll probably have a heart attack,” I say, half wishing he was looking out the kitchen window and throwing an epic hissy fit right now.
“What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.” Ash grins.
“I want to speak to the princess alone,” I admit, and a growly noise bubbles up Vivien’s throat.
“Dillon. Please. Would it kill you to be nice?” Ash asks.
“I’m trying to play nice, and you’re getting in my way.” I gently push her back, hoping she gets the hint. “Shoo. I’ll escort her highness to you when we’re done.”
“You’re insufferable.” Vivien wraps her arms around her body as a gust of wind sweeps through the orchard, swirling strands of her hair.
“You want me to kick him in the nuts?” Ash asks.
“It’s okay. I can handle Dillon,” she says while attempting to tame her errant hair.
Not likely, sweetheart, but good luck with that plan.
Ash waves before heading off in the direction of the small playground. Shane upgraded our old one for his daughter last year.
“Is that right?” I slouch against the tree, grinning as I cross my feet at the ankles.
“What do you want?” A look of mild irritation flashes in her eyes.
“That’s a loaded question.” I flash her one of my signature flirty grins as I light up a joint.
“C’mon, Dillon. I’m freezing my ass off here.”
Shit. I didn’t notice she’s missing a jacket, and it is cold. I move closer to her and thrust the joint out. “Hold this.” She frowns. “It’s not going to bite,” I add, trying to smother my amusement.
She’s so innocent. I wonder if she’s ever smoked weed or done anything naughty in her life. I can’t see my annoying prick of a twin ever breaking the rules or encouraging her to let her hair down. Not when appearances are all that matter to the Lancasters.
Vivien shocks the shit out of me by bringing the joint to her lips and taking a long drag on it. I shuck out of my jacket and reach for her hand, stifling a pleasurable groan when her skin comes into contact with mine. Delicious tremors are shooting up my arm from her touch, and I wonder what it’ll feel like when we’re touching all over. I nearly come on the spot just thinking about it. I shimmy the jacket up her arm, and it’s hanging off her shoulder when she starts spluttering.
I chuckle, smoothing a hand up and down her back until she’s stopped coughing. “I keep forgetting how precious you are.” I know saying that will piss her off, but I’m gonna be unapologetically myself, just like my brother said.
Pushing my shoulders, she glares as she gives the joint back to me. “I’m not some prissy, precious princess,” she snaps, angrily shoving her other arm into my jacket. “And I’ve told you to stop calling me that.”
Warmth spreads across my chest as she huddles in my jacket. It’s way too big, but I love seeing her wearing it. “Why does it bug you so much?” I ask before taking a quick drag of the joint. “Your boyfriend calls you that or something?” Why do I keep thinking about that prick? A muscle pops in my jaw as I lower to the ground, pressing my back up against the tree.
She joins me, tucking her knees into her chest. “I told you he isn’t my boyfriend anymore, and no. If you must know, my dad is the only one who calls me princess, and he says it in a much nicer way than you do.”
Ah, fuck. Now I feel like a right piece of shit. I just always assumed she was reacting because Reeve called her that. I didn’t even consider it might have special meaning with anyone else. “I’m sorry. I know I’m being a dick. It’s my default setting.”
“I’m beginning to realize that.” She thrusts her hand out. “Hit me.”
When I turn to face her, my nose brushes her cheek, and my skin is instantly on fire. My eyes latch on to hers, and I stop breathing for a second. Up close like this, and without any makeup on her face this time, I clearly see the light dusting of freckles across her nose and part of her cheeks. They’re adorable. But her eyes. Fuck me. Her eyes are completely stunning. Those little amber flecks I’ve noticed before are joined by tiny green flecks only adding to their beauty. My chest heaves the longer I stare into her spellbinding gaze, and the need to pull her into my arms and kiss the shit out of her is riding me hard.
“You have the most stunning eyes,” I truthfully admit. “You have these little gold and green flecks I’ve never seen before. They’re enchanting.” I can’t stop myself from leaning in closer. It’s like there’s this pull between us, sucking me in, consequences be damned. Our noses touch, and I’m toasty warm everywhere even though I’m sitting outside on the ground in the chilly March air in only a light shirt. I rake my gaze all over her gorgeous face with a longing I’ve never ever experienced.
I want her. I want her so badly.
“Thank you,” she says, and her breathy, sexy tone sends heat surging to my cock. Wind swirls around us, lifting more strands of her hair as we stare at one another with minimal space between us. She seems as captivated as me. The scent from her hair and her skin is the most alluring thing I’ve ever smelled—a delicate, fresh, floral, fruity smell that wraps around every part of me.
It feels like I’m coming out of my skin, and the need to touch her is almost insurmountable.
Go slow. That’s what my brother said. I’m only beginning to realize how difficult that’s going to be.
“Let me try something.” Leaning my head back against the bark, I take a long pull of the joint and close my lips after trapping the smoke inside. I reach for her, sweeping my fingers across her cheek before I pull her face closer. My heart is going crazy behind my chest wall, and butterflies turn cartwheels in my stomach.
I don’t know what I’m doing, just that it feels right.
With my heart pounding, I drag my thumb along her lips before pushing it in her mouth. Heat coils inside me when she sucks deeply, curling her tongue around my thumb, and all I can think is how incredible that lush mouth will feel when she’s sucking my dick. Precum leaks from my cock, and the need ratcheting inside me feels like a bomb swelling, readying itself to explode.
My eyes lower to her lips when I line my mouth up with hers. I notice her squeezing her thighs together, and what I wouldn’t give to ease the ache she must be feeling. She’s not in it alone. More precum leaks into my boxers as I fight powerful need. Removing my thumb, I lightly press my lips against hers and release all the trapped smoke into her mouth. I hold her lips together, keeping the heady scent enclosed.
She inhales deeply, briefly closing her eyes, and I’m about ready to detonate. I want to touch her everywhere. Worship her gorgeous mouth with my lips and my tongue. Grab her onto my lap and grind my throbbing cock against her.
“More,” she whispers, opening her eyes and meeting mine.
I’ll give you everything, baby, if you’ll just let me. The thought lands out of nowhere, but I don’t dwell on it as we sit side by side sharing breaths and weed and not talking. It’s the most content I’ve been in ages. I’m so comfortable just sitting here, existing with her.
“How’d this happen?” she asks, gently touching the little ridge on my nose.
I lean into her touch, begging her to give me more. “Got into a fight at school. Asshole shoved my face into a wall. Broke my nose in three places.”
“Ouch.”
“I broke his jaw in two places, so I’d call it even.” I shrug before taking another toke of the joint. We’re down to the dregs now, and I wish I had more. I don’t want her to go. My skin feels like it’s lifting off, such is the need to touch her, taste her, claim her, own every inch of her. My inhibitions are lowered, and I’ve always been a risk-taker, so I just act on instinct. Looking deep into her eyes, I hold her hip and pull her in close until our bodies are touching.
My lips caress hers in the softest touch. I feel it in every part of my body. Tingles are going off like rockets, and I can’t deny this any longer. I have never wanted to touch a girl as badly as I want to touch Vivien Grace Mills in this moment. Taking the last drag on the joint, I tilt her chin up and blow directly into her mouth. She inhales deeply, drawing it into her lungs. Her skin is flushed, her eyes alive, and I’ve never seen anything more beautiful. “You have the most flawless skin,” I whisper, brushing my lips across her cheeks in light kisses while my thumb rubs circles against her hip through her dress, and I wish I was touching her bare flesh.
“What are you doing?” she croaks, but she doesn’t pull back, and her eyes dip to my mouth, conveying she wants this too.
“I don’t know,” I whisper, pressing a kiss to the corner of her tempting mouth. Tossing the butt of the joint aside, I cup her face in both palms. “I just know I want more of it.” Without stopping to second-guess myself, I smash my lips to hers and kiss her.
“Vivien Grace!” Ash shouts. “Get your tongue out of my brother’s mouth and your arse over here now!”
You have got to be bleeding kidding me! Is every woman on this planet determined to come between me and this girl?
I’m beyond aggravated when Vivien tears her mouth from mine after one brief kiss and climbs to her feet.
Lifting a knee, I tip my head to the side and stare at her. “Running scared, Hollywood?”
“That never happened,” she says, attempting to sound nonchalant, but she can’t hide the little tremor in her voice or the blush spreading across her chest and up her neck. She was as into it as me. “We were stoned, and it was barely a kiss anyway.”
I run a hand along my stubbly jawline, smirking at her. “If you say so.”
“Ahh. I’m going.” She’s a cross between pissed off and turned on when she stomps off towards my sister. I’ll take that.
I chuckle to myself. She can deny it all she wants, but this changes things, and we both know it. Game on, Hollywood. I’m coming for ya, and I’m not taking no for an answer.