Chapter 17
17
“Violet! Oh, my God. What is going on up there?” Jane practically yelled. I called her from the bedroom the moment I could make my escape from brunch. Someone else could clean up.
“You wouldn't believe it if I told you.”
“I've heard you're engaged, George the Gnome is with you and your book...holy shit, Vi. Your book.”
“Emma Harding didn’t tell me she actually created a cover. I thought she’d just been placating Goldie. And speaking of Goldie, did you know she published it?”
“Hang on a minute.” I heard some walking, some thunking and then a door shut. “Sorry, I had to go into my bathroom to get away from the boys. No. I had no idea she published it.”
“I'm going to kill her. That name!” I ran my hand over my heated face. I flushed just thinking the name.
“I know! She's crazy. Cherry Bottoms? I mean, really. Ty almost choked to death on his breakfast this morning when I told him.”
I groaned. “You told him?”
“Of course, I did. It's incredible. We pulled up your book online. Vi, you're like number two hundred in top books.”
“Is that good?” I had no idea. Goldie said I'd sold over fourteen thousand books, but I really didn't know if that was a lot in comparison to the real authors. Not fake ones whose employer stole your work and published it for you without your consent.
“Let's just say you're currently beating out Nora Roberts and are edging close to the gray lady.”
“Holy shit.” I couldn't believe it. When Goldie had brought it up, a part of me thought she was just joking, messing with me. That was certainly possible with her. But if Jane went online and confirmed it, then it had to be true.
I ran my hand over my face. “What am I going to do, Jane? I can't be known around town as Cherry Bottoms, or even as the person who wrote that book.”
She paused. “I can see what you mean about the name, because, really. But I don't understand your problem with the book. It's really good. And hot.”
“Jane,” I cried.
“Ty wants to thank you.”
I groaned. “I'm afraid to ask.”
“Let's just say what you wrote about on page sixty-nine lives up to its name.” I heard banging through the phone. “Look, Vi, I've got to go. Zach has to pee.”
“Tell him I've got George. He might not make it to Nome, but he's in the right state.”
“Gotcha.”
“Oh, and Jane?”
“Yeah?”
“I'm pregnant.”
“Wha—”
I hung up right as Mike came in the room.
“Do I want to know why you're grinning?” he asked.
“That was Jane West. Goldie's daughter-in-law.”
He nodded.
“I surprised her with the baby bomb. Let her live with that little gem without the details for a bit. If I'm going to suffer, I might as well enjoy myself.”
“Women are cruel.”
“Seriously. Take Goldie for example. She came up with an imaginary baby first, now this. What am I going to do?”
I started to pace the small space, doing my best to wear a groove in the navy carpet. He sat down at the foot of the bed to watch me like a tennis match.
“Take the money and enjoy yourself. You said you wanted to go to grad school. Based on the numbers Goldie mentioned, now you can.”
“When you called Goldilocks looking for Veronica as your fake girlfriend you said you'd pay me to come up here and help you,” I reminded him.
Mike thought for a moment. “Sure. I said I would.”
I closed my eyes and shook my head. “Come on, I'm just messing with you. I'm not going to take your money.”
“So now you've got a bunch of your own. What's the big deal?”
“Ugh,” I groaned, running my hand over my hair. He just didn't understand.
He stopped me on a pass by grabbing my wrist and turning me to face him. For once, I was taller than he. “What's bothering you?” he asked, eyes full of concern.
“There are too many things to cover right now.”
“Okay, so what's bothering you the most? ”
“I'll probably be fired when the school board finds out.”
He frowned. “How are they going to find out?” His thumb ran idly over my palm.
I looked at him, eyebrows raised. For a doctor, he wasn't very smart. “Are you kidding me? If Goldie knows, and Goldie's neighbor's something-or-other helped her, then everyone in town knows.”
Mike shrugged ever so slightly. “Maybe not. Goldie might blabber to family, but she's not one to talk.”
True. If Goldie told the secrets she knew about all of her customers, everyone in town would have a story out there and she'd be out of business. Being the owner of an adult store meant confidentiality. Quite a bit like being a lawyer.
“There's more to this than just Goldie and the book. What is it?”
He pulled me in between his legs and wrapped his arms around my waist. He was warm, solid, and his head was against my breasts. He moved the pendant, which was in the way—and stabbing me in the ribs—and gently tossed it over my shoulder, then settled back in. “Mmm. I like this.”
I liked it, too. Too much. Made me think of him in a similar position earlier with a lot less clothes. I just wanted to settle into the comfort of his embrace. I felt protected and safe, but he was being a smart ass. I smacked him on the shoulder, but he was unmoving. “You are definitely a breast man.”
He lifted his head, looked up my body and grinned. “Absolutely. So tell me. What's really , and I mean deep down, bothering you?”
I tensed. This was a very sore spot that I didn't share. I never shared. I held my embarrassment over what my very ex-boyfriend had done and said to me like a shroud. Was this personal shame something I could tell to Mike? Was I ready?
Someone knocked on the door, saving me from giving away my secrets. I breathed a sigh of relief. Mike released me and I stepped back, letting him answer it.
I moved to the bathroom to wash my hands, do something to keep busy. I was upset about the whole book thing and nervous even thinking about explaining it all to Mike—or anybody else, for that matter. I'd have to tell him at some point, but at least—for the moment—I was off the hook.
The voice was soft so I knew it had to be Mr. O. No one else in the house could talk that quietly.
After a minute, Mike leaned against the bathroom doorway, a small shipping box under his arm. “There are two plans for today. Uncle Bob, the twins and Goldie are flying down to Katmai to see the bears. My parents, Banks and family are taking the train to Denali, which is really amazing. Those going to Katmai will be back tomorrow, the others the next day. We can go to either one.”
Planes, trains and automobiles. I was exhausted just thinking about another excursion. I had no idea where Katmai was, but seeing bears sounded fun. I knew about Denali and was equally impressed. The state was enormous, making Montana look like Delaware. I was sure Mike would want to go on one of the adventures, but I was wiped out and really had no interest in either. Maybe it was the pregnancy, or the weight of Jubal's necklace, that was so exhausting. I lifted it over my head and placed the heavy piece next to the sink. “I don't think I can handle any more adventures today.”
The corner of Mike's mouth ticked up. “Good, because that's what I told my dad.”
My head shot up, looked at him. Surprised. “You don't want to go?”
He shook his head. “No.” We heard a few voices, the front door close, and then silence. “Sounds like they just left.”
I was so relieved I sagged against the vanity. He wanted to stay with me. Or, he had absolutely no interest in seeing bears— or being with Goldie—and had a been-there-done-that attitude with Denali.
“What's that?” I asked, pointing at the box.
“Oh. My dad said it's from Goldie. For you.”
I just stared at it as if it was a poisonous snake. It was one of those boxes, I just knew it. Sure, it looked innocent enough with the overnight label on it and my name. Jubal's address. Goldilocks Adult Store, Bozeman, Montana written in the upper left corner.
Mike held it out to me and I had no choice but to take it.
“What did Goldie send you?”
“I don't know.” It was the truth. I didn't.
Mike's mouth quirked up in a sly smile. “But you have an idea.”
“Generally speaking, I have a good idea. But I really can't say exactly what's in the box.”
“Why don't you open it and find out?” Mike smirked.
“Because once we find out what's in there, everything will change.”
Mike continued to lean against the doorjamb. He crossed his arms over his broad chest. “You think one little box has that much power?”
“Absolutely.” I nudged past him and into the bedroom, putting the box—unopened—next to George on the dresser. “You're familiar with Goldie's little packages. I remember Veronica telling me you had a toy party last winter and everyone got personalized gift bags.”
Mike grinned at the thought. “It was great. I might make it an annual holiday thing for the guys.”
“So what did you get in your gift bag?” I really wanted to know, but I tried to ask with as much nonchalance as possible.
Moving over to me, he stood close. Too close. How could one man suck up all the oxygen in a room? Every time his body brushed up against mine, it was difficult to breathe. He ran his knuckles gently down my cheek, then down my arm, his gaze following the path. Goose bumps rose across my skin.
“Goldie knew I liked a little kink and she gifted me accordingly.”
The mathematical equation of kinky toys plus Mike equaled one hot and flustered Violet.
“I see you like that idea. Too bad the toys are at home.”
My mouth fell open for a moment. “How can you...um...tell?”
“Your pupils just dilated like you're on drugs, your skin is flushed and you're breathing like a claustrophobic in a broken elevator.”
Yup, he could. I was practically panting, damn the man for noticing, so I took a deep breath to try and calm myself as I took a step back.
Mike chuckled, which I knew was directed at me. Irritation at his blasé attitude cooled my eagerness.
“So are you going to open the box?” Mike asked once more, coming closer.
“Hell, no. Like I said, once the box is open, there's no going back.”
I tried to back up further away from him, but I bumped into the bed. My knees folded and I dropped onto the springy mattress. Mike bent down and placed his hands on either side of my body. Once again, he was so close our mouths almost brushed. Our breaths mingled.
“You're not talking about the box anymore, are you? You're talking about sex. Between us. Once we have it, there won't be any going back. I told you this before, Vi. You're mine. You can hold off all you want because you're afraid. But it's going to happen. You don't have to open the package. I don't need a box from Goldie to get kinky.”
He closed the miniscule gap between us and kissed me. Softly, tenderly. I lifted my hands to his head, running my fingers through his silky red hair. He tasted just as I remembered, minty and male, and something all Mike I would never forget. It was like time dissolved and we were eighteen again.
I sighed, settling into the kiss, but Mike pulled back. With one hand on my sternum, he pushed me backward onto the bed none-too-gently so I bounced up a little on contact. He loomed tall above me. Placing one knee on the bed, he positioned himself on his forearms. His gaze, directly above mine, was clear and focused. On me. “We've done sweet before. I want more this time. Let me know when you're ready.”
“For sex?” Right now!
“For not going back in the box.”
Did I want to sleep with Mike? Yes. Would it be mind blowing? Yes. Could I survive the fallout if he left? Undecided. Did I want to spend the rest of my life wondering 'what if?' Could I live with myself knowing I had this opportunity to be with him, to do things with him I'd fantasized about for years ? I was already in too deep. If he left, it would hurt, regardless of sex. I might have heartache later, but I could have an orgasm now.
He started to push up, to move away, by flexing his sinewy biceps. I hooked my hand behind his neck, held him in place. “I'm ready,” I said breathlessly. The words felt right. I could protect my heart only so much. But I couldn't live with myself if I let him get up. He was all I ever wanted and he was right here. Right on top of me. All the wishy-washiness of the past few days were gone. I wanted this. I wanted him.
Mike searched my face as if looking to see if I was telling the truth. I was. Oh, I so was. I was ready for him. I'd been ready for him since graduation.