Chapter 04
“And you’re sure the tow truck driver was okay with us leaving before he got there?“
I ask again.
Valerie chuckles. “Yes, Ella. He said it was fine. He knows what to do and I trust him. He’s worked for me for years.”
My ears perk up at that. “What do you do, exactly?”
“I manage a large, multifaceted business. I coordinate between many different professions and because of that, I have a lot of connections.”
The blood in my veins freeze. “Holy shit, are you in the mafia?”
“What?“
Valerie shrieks, the car veering off to the side a bit in her shock before she corrects it. “Dear god no. No.”
“Are you sure? Cause that sounded exactly like how someone in the mafia would describe their business.”
She shakes her head. “My sister is famous. I handle the business side of things. I know Paul because he’s been her personal chauffeur for the last four years. He takes care of driving her to and from events, but he also manages everything to do with our vehicles. I trust Paul to get your car to his preferred shop. He won’t screw you over.”
I stare at her. Famous sister? And this sounds really famous. Who the hell am I in a car with?
“I don’t think that car’s worth saving. It needs a new . . . everything. And I cannot afford a new everything.”
Her lips twitch but she avoids my gaze. “We’ll wait to see what Paul says. Anyway, what kind of food would you like? Maybe Thai?”
There are a lot more secrets about Valerie that I want to unravel, but I accept her pivot in conversation.
“I’m allergic to shellfish, so perhaps something else? Some places are great about my allergy, others not so much. Maybe Italian? Pasta is always a good idea. Unless that’s inconvenient for you. If you really want Thai, I’m sure I can find something to order.”
Valerie glances at me quickly before focusing back on the road. “Pasta it is.”
Ethan always made such a fuss when I needed a substitute because of my allergy or asked to see an ingredient list. Valerie though? She just accepted the change like it was no big deal.
We drive for a few more minutes, winding down quiet roads, the houses getting larger as we go.
“Is that the Salish Sea?“
I ask, pointing in front of us.
“Yep. I have a really nice view of the water from my house.”
That’s when she pulls into a driveway, flanked by bushes taller than me.
“Wow,“
I whisper. “This is beautiful.”
Her house isn’t huge, but it is large. And nice, nicer even than my house back in Toronto. There’s a small fountain in the middle of the circular driveway. Flowerbeds filled with riots of reds and pinks and purples span the length of the house. Baskets overflowing with even more colourful flowers hang from the porch roof. Turning around, I have an unobstructed view of the water.
“Please, come in.“
Valerie guides me inside, where I’m impressed once again. Slate tiles, light grey walls, and photographs in white frames greet me as I walk into her home.
“Let’s get you out of those wet clothes.“
As soon as the words are out of her mouth, she freezes. “I didn’t mean like that. Though, yes, I mean I would be up for that, I just meant because you’re wet. No! Your clothes are wet and I am going to give you dry clothes to change into.”
Her face has gone beet red and I can’t help but laugh.
“I know what you meant. And I appreciate you taking care of me when I’m wet.“
I wink at her to lighten the mood.
“Come on then. This way.”
I follow her up the stairs, taking my time to examine the pictures that decorate the walls even here. It seems like every spare inch of wall space in her home is covered in photographs. Pictures of her with, who I assume is, her family. Pictures of her with famous people. Holy shit, is that Crystal Harlow? I stumble up the steps in my haste to catch up with her.
“Why don’t you put these on?“
She tosses me a pair of black sweatpants and a grey T-shirt. The fabrics are silky and luxurious, softer than anything I’ve ever owned. I rub them between my fingers and savour the feeling as Valerie crosses the room, carrying her own bundle of dry clothes to change into, and closes the door so I can have some privacy.
I resist the urge to snoop through her stuff, though I do notice even more framed photos on the walls here. Crystal Harlow, who is the world’s biggest pop star, features in all the pictures. I narrow my eyes as I study one of Valerie and Crystal. They have the same slope to their nose and bright blue eyes.
Valerie said her sister is famous. Is her sister Crystal fucking Harlow?
I get changed quickly, balling up my dress and carrying it downstairs.
“Oh, good. The clothes fit. I was a little worried since I’m shorter than you, but those have always been long on me.“
Valerie is smiling, her eyes twinkling. “They look really good on you,“
she adds softly.
“Thank you.“
I can feel myself blushing, so I press my tongue to the roof of my mouth and breathe through my nose. I stick a leg out, to show her the fabric ending above my ankle. “Well, they almost fit. They’re still better than wet clothes. You said you’d wash this?“
I hold up my balled-up dress.
“Yes!“
Valerie takes the dress from me and disappears.
I take in her house, the open floor plan allowing me to see the entire first floor. The kitchen is gorgeous. Black stainless-steel appliances, grey cupboards, white marble countertops, and an aqua backsplash to brighten the space. Her living room is equally as beautiful, with a double-sided fireplace differentiating the dining room and living space. And pictures. Everywhere I look there are pictures in white frames on the walls. Large ones, small ones. Basic frames and ornate frames. Valerie has her whole life documented on the walls of her home. And what a life it looks like she leads. A happy life full of adventures and doing what she loves.
“Dinner will be here in about thirty minutes, and your dress is in the wash,“
Valerie says. “Want something to drink?”
“Water’s fine,“
I reply, meeting her at the kitchen island.
She sidles up closer, our bodies only inches apart. “Want ice?”
Her voice is a whisper against my lips.
“No,“
I say, my lips brushing hers as I speak.
The moment our lips touch, sparks erupt in my soul. Kissing Valerie is like nothing I’ve ever felt before. Her body is soft and warm, and everything about her brings me to life. Kissing Valerie feels like finding that one magical piece of a puzzle and the rest clicks into place. All you needed was that one final piece and everything else makes sense.
Our lips move slowly as we learn about each other. Her tongue slips out and licks along the seam of my mouth. I open up and let her in, moaning as soon as she makes contact.
“Fuck, Ella,“
Valerie groans. “I really meant for this to just be a simple kiss but I don’t want to stop.”
I kiss her again, changing from soft and testing to hungry. “Don’t stop,“
I say between kisses. “Please don’t stop.”
Valerie dives back in. Her hands go in my hair and mine go to her waist, pulling her shirt up over her toned stomach. She pulls my head back and trails her lips down my throat. Her teeth graze my sensitive skin, her tongue licking at the spots she nips. She works her way back up to my lips and leads me out of the kitchen to the living room, kissing me the entire time.
Valerie pushes me onto the couch so she’s straddling me, her knees bracketing my hips, pinning me down. I pull her shirt the rest of the way up and she tosses it to the ground.
“Holy shit, Valerie,“
I say, tracing the swell of her breasts with a finger. “I don’t think I’ve ever been this close to perfection before.”
I watch as the blush spreads from her cheeks down to the chest I was just admiring. I lean in and kiss her neck, her throat, the tops of her breasts. Valerie takes off her bra and I whimper.
“Your turn,“
she says. I pull the shirt off quickly, followed by my own bra.
Valerie cups my breasts and I arch my back. “Lay down,“
she says, and we shimmy around, Valerie almost falling off the couch in the process, sending us both into a fit of giggles. When I’m finally laying down, Valerie lays on top of me, her body warm against mine. Nothing has ever felt this good. This right.
She kisses down my body, stopping to suck on both nipples before continuing on her path. When she reaches my belly, she stops and looks up at me, her blue eyes sparkling in the waning sunlight.
“Can I take these off?“
she asks, flicking the waistband of my borrowed sweatpants.
I nod and lift my hips for her to pull them down.
“Ella,“
she breathes. “You’re not wearing any underwear.”
I shake my head. “They were wet. I slipped them into the pocket of the dress you’re washing.”
“You’re so naughty.“
She kisses my thigh. Then a bit higher. Then another one on my hip bone. “I like it. I like you.”
I giggle-snort then quickly slap a hand over my mouth. “Sorry, that was not sexy.”
“Babe, I highly doubt there’s anything you could do that I wouldn’t find sexy.”
I raise an eyebrow in disbelief. “I’m sure there are plenty of things I could do that would turn you off.”
“No, not possible. I felt it as soon as I saw you. There’s something . . .“
She trails off and hides her face in my thigh.
“What?”
“Sorry, ignore me. That’s much too intense for right now. Let me make you feel good. I want to make you feel good.”
I lick my lips and hold her gaze. I want to know what she was going to say, but she shut it down so quickly that I don’t ask. “Make me feel good.”
Valerie starts with a kiss to my clit. Then another one, longer this time. Then she licks it and my body is sent into a tailspin of intense pleasure. This woman is going to kill me. One lick and I’m already there.
“Fuck, you feel good,“
I moan as she continues.
“Fuck, you feel good,“
she counters with a grin.
I laugh and then thread my fingers into her hair. It’s just as silky as I knew it would be. I watch as the strands slide through my fingers, marvelling as it cascades over my hand.
Valerie takes her time with me, alternating between long licks and strong sucks. She kisses and nips and pulls. She’s turned me into nothing but a whimpering mess. When she slides two fingers into me, crooking them just right, I tighten my hold on her head and push her face into me.
“There,“
I pant. “Right there, Valerie. I’m going to come. Holy fuck.”
I explode. Electricity courses through my veins, through my entire being. I thought I had lost control before, but now I am absolutely boneless. Valerie rides out the wave of my orgasm with me, slowing down when my body gives out.
“Oh my god. Oh. My. God. That was incredible. You’re incredible.“
I toss an arm over my eyes and lay there motionless.
“You are incredible, Ella.“
Valerie kisses my inner thigh and I squirm. “Too sensitive?”
I nod and move my arm away. “Come here.”
Valerie kisses my thigh again, apologizing when I squirm again, though she looks anything but sorry. She climbs up my body and I grab her face in my hands, kissing her hard.
“Take off your pants,” I order.
She begins pulling them down, but it’s not fast enough, so I help by yanking them over her perfect ass.
“Impatient?“
she asks, quirking a brow.
“Yes,“
I say against her lips. “Very.”
And then Valerie is naked. I don’t know where to touch first. She’s perfect. Flawless. Glowing.
“You’re so beautiful. When I first saw you, I thought you were an angel. Looking at you now, like this, I think I was right.“
I kiss her again. I can’t stop kissing her.
I slide my hand down her body, her skin warm and smooth. She shudders beneath my touch. I don’t stop until I reach her pussy. She’s soaking wet and my fingers slide right in.
“God, you’re so wet.“
I pump my fingers in and out of her, my other hand playing with her breast, squeezing it and rolling her nipple between my thumb and forefinger.
“Because of you,“
she pants into my neck. “It’s all because of you.”
I pull up on her body a bit, and she gets the hint because she raises herself enough that I can lean in and suck her other nipple into my mouth. I love the weight of her breast against my face. I love how wet she is. I love how tight she squeezes my fingers.
This feels perfect.
Maybe it’s just Valerie that’s perfect.
My thumb circles her clit as I crook my fingers inside of her and suck on her nipple. I feel the moment right before she comes. She’s coiled so tight and then it suddenly releases. She cries out, grinding herself on my hand before she falls on top of me. I release her nipple and kiss her again, swallowing her sounds as her body comes down from her high. I pull my fingers out of her reluctantly, I’d happily stay inside her all night if I could.
Valerie kisses me back reverently. I hold her gaze as we smile at each other.
“That was beyond words,“
Valerie whispers.
“That was . . .“
I begin but stop. That was what? How do you put into words something that has forever changed you? Valerie has changed me. That should be terrifying. To realize a stranger has had such a profound impact on your being is alarming. Well, it should be. But I’m not alarmed. If anything, I feel calmer than I have in years. Possibly ever.
I’m saved from finishing my sentence by the doorbell.
“Oh shit! Our food.“
Valerie scrambles off me, grabs her clothes and tosses them on. Her hair is a mess. Her shirt is inside out. But she’s still perfect.
I put my clothes on while she answers the door. I take my time, giving me a chance to cool down and sort out what exactly I’m feeling.
Valerie looks like who Ethan wanted me to be, but she lives like how I want to live. I don’t know what to do with that. Am I just getting myself into the same situation as before? Will Valerie expect me to become someone I’m not?
She did first see me in my black dress and heavy eye makeup. And the first thing she did was call me beautiful. She could be lying though. Ethan did.
Or maybe it’s time to realize that not everyone is Ethan. Not everyone will put me down and try to change me. Not everyone is an asshole.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. I literally met her today. I’ve known her for a handful of hours. This was probably just a one-time thing anyway. Valerie is clearly many rungs higher than me on the social ladder. She came into my life when I needed to be reminded of who I am and that it’s okay to be myself.
Geez, maybe she really is my guardian angel.
I join Valerie in the kitchen where she places an equal amount of food on two plates. We eat at the island, which I find charming. Not once did Ethan allow me to eat in the kitchen like this. I was expected to set the formal dining room every night. We ate with low lighting, candles, a full set of silverware, and classical music playing softly in the background. He once had a fit because I let it slip that I ate at the counter when it was just me for dinner one night.
I take Valerie’s hand in mine, rubbing my thumb over her knuckles as we eat.
“Can you stay the night?“
Valerie asks.
I should go home. I should thank her for a wonderful day. I should figure out what I’m going to do about my car.
“Sure. I’d really like that.”