Stephen
I give her a few minutes to think about it.
I’d rather sit through a financial review meeting than be here in this awkward as fuck situation… But given that I just witnessed firsthand what her trauma has done to her, I feel a responsibility to make sure Vanessa gets the help she needs.
In whatever capacity she allows me to.
But I have to tread carefully.
Vanessa and I have always skirted around the gray area. We weren’t quite friends but not mortal enemies either.
We tolerated each other because unfortunately, my sister is her best friend. We’re a part of each other’s lives despite our obvious dislike for one another.
“I haven’t…” Vanessa whispers before trailing off. Her eyes close and she runs a shaky hand through her hair, “That hasn’t happened in awhile. I’m sorry if I ruined–”
Before I can second guess my decision, I’m on her.
My chest meets hers as I press her against the bed. I use my elbows as leverage and widen the gap between us. I’m careful not to put too much of my weight on her, giving her enough space to roll away from me, should she choose to. This woman has been through a lot. I suspect even more than any of us are even aware of and the last thing I want is to trigger her in any way or make her feel unsafe.
Vanessa’s lips part in a gasp, her hands flying to grip my arms as her eyes search mine.
There’s a library of emotions in there that causes an ache to spread through my chest. It’s the same feeling I get everytime I look at her and wonder, what if. I ignore it and focus on getting through her beautiful head.
“Let‘s get one thing clear, your trauma response is not your fault. You. Have. Nothing. To. Apologize. For.”
When she continues to stare silently at me, her eyes heavy with unspoken pain, I make another split second decision.
Because, fuck this.
I can’t get the image of her screaming in terror out of my head. No one has ever made this woman feel safe and protected.
After last night, I fucking regret every instance I was an ass to her just because I was pissed.
I roll over, taking her with me so my back is against the headboard and she’s straddling me.
I use a finger to tilt her chin so she meets my eyes, my hands meeting her waist.
“Am I making myself clear, Vanessa?”
“Yeah, I just feel bad because I–”
“Because what?” There’s an edge to my voice and somewhere deep inside me, I recognize that I’m acting irrational. But I can’t help it. The need to protect her and make her feel something other than the heaviness of her pain is overpowering common sense.
Her eyes widen at the tone of my voice and just as I’m about to apologize for overstepping, she shifts her hips downwards in her attempt to climb off of me.
“ Fuck .”
Feeling her heat pressed against me in a way I only ever indulged in fantasy is killing me.
Vanessa stops squirming at the exact moment she realizes the reason for my reaction.
“Is-is that?” Her chin drops as she licks her lips, her hands falling from my shoulders to my chest.
“It’s morning.” I mutter, my jaw clenching as I try to will myself to calm down. I try to think of anything else. Something that will drown out the sudden lust and heat spreading through me.
My to do list.
The meeting with the club investor.
The weekly TEG board meeting.
The premiere I’m being forced to attend this week.
But all that disappears the moment she rocks against me. Her hips rotate and my eyes fly open.
“What are you doing?”
Her dilated pupils peek through her lashes and the expression on her face is shy yet determined. Gentle fingers trail from my chest down to my abs and she traces each one while still keeping her eyes locked on mine.
“I want to forget, .” She starts grinding on me and fuck, I feel her arousal seep through the barely there material of her-
She’s not wearing underwear.
I don’t think.
I move. I flip us back over so I’m once again on top.
“Tell me no and I’ll leave this room, change and take you home. One word, Vanessa. That’s all it takes.”
She shakes her head, her right hand grips the back of my neck and she pulls me down until our breaths mingle in the inch that separates us.
“Make me forget, .” She repeats, her lips graze mine tentatively before pulling my bottom lip between her teeth.
Her other grabs hold of mine. She guides my fingers up her thigh, under her shirt until they meet her tight, wet heat.
“ Fuck. Me. ”
“Yes.” Vanessa whispers back.
Her lips meet mine and the eager way her teeth grazes my lips makes me lose control. Our tongues meet in a frenzy of pent up passion causing her to whimper hungrily into my mouth.
I drag her up, impatience seeping through me. I break our connection just enough for her to take her shirt off before we’re on each other again.
My fingers sift through her hair and her hands skirt up my chest until her arms are tightly wrapped around my neck.
I trail kisses to the curve of her neck and when I get to the spot behind her ear, she shudders.
“That’s the spot, huh?” I growl, my teeth grazing her earlobe. “As promised, I will make you forget.” I kiss the spot between her shoulder and neck, letting my teeth scrape her sensitive skin.
I place a gentle kiss on the spot I just sucked greedily, not even feeling the least bit bad that I just marked her.
She suddenly shoves me away and for a tiny moment, I wonder if she’s changed her mind. She smirks at me like she knows what I’m thinking. Vanessa’s gaze drops to my chest. Her hand goes to unclasp her bra and when she tosses it over her shoulder, I reach for her.
She shakes her head, “Sit back.”
I return her grin and do as I’m told. As soon as my back is against the headboard, she straddles me once again.
I groan at the sight of her utterly naked.
Perfection.
And all mine.
Every single interaction we had for the last five years was leading up to this. When we finally fucking gave in.