Chapter 16
I wished I had stayed at the penthouse. Exhaustion weighed on me as Vaughn sat beside me in icy silence, his eyes glued to his phone, pretending I didn’t exist. The limo glided through the night, carrying us back to Windmere Haven, but the tension inside was suffocating.
As soon as the car stopped at the front door, I didn’t waste a second, yanking the door open and stepping out into the cool night air.
“You were acting like a fool,” Vaughn hissed, suddenly behind me, his voice low and venomous.
I spun around, anger flaring. “You’re just pissed that another man was paying attention to me.”
His eyes darkened as he grabbed my arm, roughly shoving me inside before slamming the door behind us. The sound echoed through the empty hall.
“My father hasn’t been dead a year, and you’re already charming men into your bed?” he snarled, his grip tightening painfully.
I clenched my jaw, my pulse pounding in my ears. “That’s not what I did. I had no intention of sleeping with him.”
With a sharp twist, I wrenched my arm free and pushed past him, heading for the stairs. But he was relentless, following me step for step, his presence a shadow of rage trailing me down the hall.
“You’re a tease, Josephine. Is that how you caught my father’s eye? Sashaying your ass around, making him think you were worth something?”
The insult cut deep, and before I could stop myself, I whirled around and slapped him, the crack of it hanging in the air between us. For a moment, he was stunned, rubbing his reddened cheek, eyes blazing.
“You talk about respect for your father,” I spat, my voice trembling with fury, “but all you want is to get me into bed. Is that what this is? If I asked you to fuck me right now, would you?”
His eyes narrowed, but the hurt that flashed in them was unmistakable. “Not on your life. I’m done panting after you. You deserve to be alone.”
The words hung heavy between us, both of us breathing hard, the silence broken only by the sound of his retreating footsteps. He stormed off, kicking open the door to his room with a force that made the walls shake.
I stood frozen, the adrenaline draining out of me as exhaustion crept back in. Finally, I turned and slipped into my room, locking the door behind me with trembling fingers.
This was it. The last time I would stay in this house. It was almost November, and as the anniversary of Colson’s death loomed closer, the thought of spending another night here gnawed at my soul. I couldn’t stay. Not anymore.
Thanksgiving arrived with a chill in the air that matched the frost between Vaughn and me.
His icy demeanor had only grown more unbearable in the weeks leading up to the holiday.
I shouldn’t have been surprised when he announced, with barely concealed disdain, that he was skipping the family gathering and heading to the Bahamas instead.
“I need a break from all of this,” he had said, his voice flat as he packed a suitcase the night before Thanksgiving. “Don’t expect me back until next week.”
I didn’t bother to ask what all of this meant. The tension between us had become a constant companion, and I was exhausted from trying to decipher his moods. It felt like we were both teetering on the edge of a cliff, and neither of us knew how to step back.
When Thanksgiving Day finally dawned, I was relieved to leave the city behind and head to my parents’ house.
The familiar warmth of the home in was a balm to my frayed nerves.
The smell of turkey roasting in the oven, mixed with the scent of cinnamon and cloves from my mother’s spiced cider, filled the air.
It was a comfort I hadn’t realized I needed.
Simone and Logan arrived first, bringing with them a sense of easy affection that had always eluded me.
They were practically glowing, their fingers intertwined as they whispered to each other, oblivious to the rest of the world.
I couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy, but I pushed it aside and greeted them with a smile.
Easton and Priscilla arrived next, hand in hand, looking every bit the picture-perfect couple.
Priscilla’s eyes sparkled with happiness, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that there would be wedding bells in their near future.
Easton caught me looking and gave me a wink, as if he knew exactly what I was thinking.
“Something on your mind, Joey?” he asked, his tone teasing as he wrapped me in a bear hug.
“Just wondering when I’ll need to buy a bridesmaid dress,” I replied, my voice light but my heart heavy.
Priscilla blushed, and Easton grinned, but before they could respond, my mother called us all into the kitchen to help with the final preparations.
Cooking with my mother had always been a cherished tradition and today was no different.
We fell into our old rhythm, moving around each other in the kitchen like a well-practiced dance.
As I mashed potatoes and she basted the turkey, we talked about everything and nothing—old family memories, the latest neighborhood gossip, even the possibility of Easton proposing soon.
“Priscilla’s a lovely girl,” my mother said as she chopped herbs for the stuffing. “I think she’d make a wonderful addition to the family.”
“I think so too,” I agreed, glancing over at Priscilla, who was helping set the table with Simone. “She seems to make Easton really happy.”
My mother smiled, but then her gaze turned more serious as she looked at me. “And you, Joey? How are you holding up?”
I hesitated, my hands stilling as I gripped the potato masher. “I’m… managing,” I said finally. “It’s been tough, especially with Colson’s anniversary coming up. And Vaughn… he’s been distant. More than usual.”
She reached out and squeezed my hand, her eyes filled with concern. “I’m here for you, sweetheart. You know that, right?”
I nodded, blinking back the sudden sting of tears. “I know, Mom. Thank you.”
By the time dinner was ready, the table was laden with more food than we could possibly eat in one sitting.
There was turkey and stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potato casserole with toasted marshmallows on top, green beans, cranberry sauce, and my mother’s famous pumpkin pie waiting in the wings.
It was a feast fit for a king, but as we all gathered around the table, I couldn’t shake the feeling of emptiness in my chest.
The conversation flowed easily, laughter echoing through the dining room as we shared stories and teased each other.
Logan and Easton bantered like they always did, and Simone and Priscilla bonded over their mutual love of holiday shopping.
For a moment, I allowed myself to get lost in the warmth of it all, to forget about the ache in my heart and the absence of the man who should have been sitting beside me.
But as the evening wore on, and the candles on the table burned low, I found myself retreating into my thoughts. The weight of everything—Colson’s death, the strain with Vaughn, the uncertainty of the future—pressed down on me until it was almost too much to bear.
After dinner, as we all gathered in the living room for coffee and dessert, Easton nudged me with his elbow. “You’ve been awfully quiet tonight. Everything okay?”
I forced a smile. “Just tired, I guess. It’s been a long day.”
“Anything you want to talk about?” he asked, his voice gentle, concern etched in his features.
I shook my head, not trusting myself to speak. Instead, I stood up and excused myself, slipping out onto the back porch where the night air was crisp and cold. I wrapped my arms around myself, staring up at the stars as I tried to collect my thoughts.
The door opened behind me, and I turned to see Simone stepping out, her expression soft and understanding.
“You looked like you needed some air,” she said quietly, joining me by the railing.
“Yeah,” I admitted, my breath visible in the chilly air. “I did.”
We stood in silence for a moment, the only sound the rustling of leaves in the breeze. Finally, Simone spoke, her voice tentative.
“I know things have been rough for you, Joey. Especially with Vaughn. I just want you to know… I’m here if you ever want to talk. About anything.”
I looked at her, surprised by the sincerity in her eyes. There was a time when Simone and I couldn’t stand each other, when the idea of confiding in her would have been unthinkable. But now, things were different. We were different.
“Thank you, Simone,” I said softly. “That means a lot.”
She smiled, a small, genuine smile that reached her eyes. “We’re family, Joey. And family sticks together, no matter what.”
As I stood there with her, the cold biting at my skin, I realized that maybe, just maybe, I wasn’t as alone as I felt. And for the first time in weeks, I felt a glimmer of hope.
I leaned against the door, my breath coming in shallow gasps as I tried to make sense of what I had just witnessed.
Vaughn—naked, unapologetic, and completely in control—had caught me off guard in a way I hadn’t expected.
The image of him standing there, bold, shameless and partially erect, was seared into my mind, making it impossible to focus on anything else.
Why was he here? He was supposed to be in the Bahamas, far away from this mansion and from me.
I had counted on the solitude, on having the house to myself so I could gather my thoughts and speak to Colson in peace.
But Vaughn had shattered that plan with his presence, and now I couldn’t even think straight.
My legs felt weak as I stumbled away from the door, my thoughts racing.
How long had he been here? Had he planned this?
The questions buzzed in my head, but I knew I wouldn’t get any answers.
Vaughn was a mystery wrapped in layers of arrogance and detachment, and I was too drained to try to peel them away tonight.
I kicked off my shoes and sank onto the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the ornate wallpaper that covered the walls.
I hadn’t planned on staying at the mansion, but the thought of returning to the city, to the cold emptiness of my penthouse, had been too much to bear.
Here, at least, I felt connected to Colson, even if it was just in memory.
But now that connection felt tainted, invaded by the raw display of dominance and control I had just witnessed.
Why did it bother me so much? Was it the shock of seeing him so exposed, or was it something deeper—something I didn’t want to admit to myself? I squeezed my eyes shut, willing the thoughts away, but they lingered, stubborn and insistent.
A soft knock on the door pulled me out of my reverie, and my heart jumped into my throat. I knew who it was before I even opened my eyes.
“Josephine,” Vaughn’s voice was low, almost a whisper, but there was no mistaking the authority in it. “Open the door.”
I hesitated, my hand hovering over the lock. Every instinct told me to keep the door shut, to ignore him, to pretend I hadn’t seen anything. But a part of me, the part that had been captivated by his naked confidence, wanted to face him. Wanted to challenge him.
I slowly turned the lock and opened the door just enough to see his face.
He was still shirtless, his body glistening with a light sheen of sweat.
His darkened blue eyes locked onto mine, and I could see the remnants of desire flickering in them.
For a moment, neither of us spoke, the air thick with unspoken tension.
“You shouldn’t have come back tonight,” he said finally, his voice rough. “This isn’t your place anymore.”
“Clearly,” I replied, my voice sharper than I intended. I forced myself to meet his gaze, refusing to let him intimidate me. “I didn’t expect you to be here either. What happened to the Bahamas?”
He shrugged, a lazy, dismissive gesture. “Plans changed.”
I wanted to ask him more, to demand answers, but the words caught in my throat. Instead, I stepped back, opening the door wider. “What do you want, Vaughn?”
A slow, predatory smile curled on his lips. “I wanted to see if you were all right. You seemed… startled.”
Startled? That was an understatement. But I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing just how much he had rattled me. “I’m fine,” I said coolly. “You can go back to your… guest.”
He chuckled, a low, mocking sound that sent a shiver down my spine. “She’s not important. Just a way to pass the time.”
The way he said it, so casually, made something snap inside me. “Is that how you see people, Vaughn? Just ways to pass the time?”
His eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I thought I had pushed too far. But then he stepped closer, his body filling the doorway, making me feel small and vulnerable in his shadow.
“People are what they make themselves to be,” he said, his voice a dangerous whisper. “Some are distractions. Others… are challenges.”
“And what am I?” I asked, the words slipping out before I could stop them.
He leaned in, so close that I could feel the heat radiating off his skin. “You, Josephine, are both. And that’s what makes you so damn irresistible.”
My breath hitched, and I took a step back, needing to put some distance between us. But he didn’t follow. Instead, he watched me, his gaze intense and unreadable, as if waiting for me to make the next move.
“Get some sleep,” he said finally, his voice softer now, almost gentle. “We’ll talk in the morning.”
Before I could respond, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing in the doorway, my heart pounding in my chest. I closed the door and leaned against it, trying to calm the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me.
Irresistible. The word echoed in my mind, teasing me, tempting me. I knew I should be angry, that I should feel nothing but contempt for the way Vaughn treated people, the way he treated me. But instead, all I felt was confusion—and a dangerous, undeniable attraction.
I changed and crawled into bed, pulling the covers up to my chin, but sleep was a distant dream. All I could think about was Vaughn, and the way he had looked at me, as if I were the only thing in the world that mattered.
And for the first time in a long while, I didn’t know what to do next.