Chapter 26
Vanessa
As during the drive to the gravesite, on the return to his house, the place I now called my home, the silence was even more deafening.
Over the course of two hours, only a few minutes of heartbreaking words said, I’d come to learn so much about the man who stood taller than so many others. Yet broad shoulders and strong muscles couldn’t protect him from the agony that had plagued him for years.
While on the outside, Christian had blamed his brother for not protecting their sister, for indulging in drugs when her safety had been placed at risk, the greatest guilt was because he’d been unable to save her life.
Once inside the door, I headed for the kitchen and the already open bottle of wine. I wasn’t certain who needed the comfort more.
I hadn’t realized he’d followed me into the room until I felt the clear jolt of electricity.
“You’ll find plastic cups in the cabinet on the right.”
His words caught me off guard. “Plastic. Are you afraid I’ll cut you with glass?”
He closed the distance, still leaving space. Neither one of us knew exactly what to say to the other. The sad irony that there were so many similarities to our lives felt strangely comforting. That didn’t mean we weren’t riddled with too many emotions.
“There’s nothing you can do that will hurt me.”
The statement was so jarring, so heartfelt. I didn’t want to hurt him. I wanted to wrap my arms around him the same way he had when I’d felt so lost and anxious about Donovan.
I did as I was told, finding the cups and pouring us both a hefty glass. When I turned around, a splash of heat crested across my jaw from the way he was staring at me. Unblinking, his eyes were darker than normal. He took a deep breath, accepting the cup as I held it out. Our fingers touched.
The soft collide was unnerving, sensations tingling every muscle.
“When Caroline graduated from high school, I bought her a sterling silver charm bracelet at the jewelers we were at. The charms were made with an artist in mind. She loved it, almost never taking it off. She was wearing it the night… The night she died.”
I pressed my hand against his face. “Do you still have it?”
“No, she was buried with it. My little artist.”
Nodding, I wasn’t certain what to say.
“Come with me.” His voice was dark and demanding, yet as soft as smooth velvet.
I did as he asked, following behind him as he led us to the pool area.
When he turned to face me, he allowed his gaze to sweep down to my feet. “Thank you for trusting me enough.”
“I should thank you for the same. I’m so sorry, Christian. There are no words to take away the anguish.”
“Just you being there brought some sense of closure.” He held his glass up, chuckling when I drove mine against the side of his, sloshing both cups.
Laughing, I licked the drops from mine. All the while he refused to take his eyes off me.
“Caroline would have thought you were perfect for me.”
“Oh, yeah? How so? Because I can keep you on your toes?”
His laugh was easier than before. “Something like that. However, she also knew my need to control every creature under the sun.”
“Creature. What kind of creature am I?” I took another sip, thankful the bold taste calmed my nerves. Around him, I was always anxious. This time for an entirely different reason than I was used to. I felt close to him, something I hadn’t thought possible.
“I told you. A wildcat.” At least some of the darkness had left his face.
After taking a swallow of his wine, he took my cup away, placing both on the table. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing is wrong other than you are wearing entirely too many clothes.”
Flashbacks to the beautiful afternoon on his yacht swept through my mind. “You think?”
“I know, and if you don’t remove them very quickly, they will be torn from your body. Do you understand me?”
“Why, yes, sir.”
“Good girl.” He took a step away, yanking his shirt from behind his neck.
I watched with my mouth watering until he’d tossed it aside. How was it possible that he seemed even more gorgeous than before? He was a creation of God, the perfect Adam. Sadly, I doubted I could be considered Eve. Although I did enjoy tempting him.
As I pulled my tee shirt from my shorts, my heart fluttered. Before, there’d been only carnal need, the hunger outweighing everything else. This moment was entirely different. This was all about growing closer.
I tugged off the shirt while he stood quietly. Every time he studied me, I could see his raw need written all over his face.
“So fucking beautiful.” His voice was deep and throaty and I felt beautiful. He took a deep breath, holding it as I kicked off my shoes.
He did the same, mirroring me this time. When I unfastened my shorts, he cocked his head. I could tell his patience was waning.
I turned around, unzipping and lightly tugging the material over my hips. Suddenly, he was right behind me. The touch of his fingers created a series of shivers. He slipped his fingers under my bra strap, slowly rolling the tight material over my shoulder.
When he lowered his head, he breathed down the side of my neck, trailing kisses along my shoulder bone. The shivers intensified, creating a stronger desire. My thong was soaked, my pussy clenching.
As he repeated the action, taking his time to lower the strap until my breasts were finally exposed, I briefly closed my eyes.
His kisses were hot and wet, the slow drag of his tongue leaving goosebumps popping along my arms and legs.
Every sound he made was deep and guttural, the touch of his fingers like a fire floating freely.
The core heat of my body was explosive, my heart thudding against my chest. He rolled his hands over my shoulders, sliding his palms down my back until I felt him unfastening my bra.
Once he did, he wasted no time removing the soft lace, barely missing the pool’s edge when he tossed it aside.
His laugh was dark and dangerous, and I held back a moan even as he lowered his head, biting my shoulder. I cocked my head, unable to stop whimpering when he cupped my breasts. His fingers squeezed my nipples, pinching them until the flash of pain was delicious.
I threw my head back, gasping for air as stars floated in front of my eyes, almost matching the ones sparkling in the twilight sky.
He rolled his thumb across my hardened nipples, while shifting my hair from one side of my neck to the other. As he dragged his tongue down the side, I shuddered visibly.
His touch set me on fire and kept me there.
“Finish undressing.” His words were stark and demanding.
Just like the man.
The very ruthless man that I found myself falling hard for. That wasn’t what was supposed to happen. This was supposed to be a business arrangement only. Yet every line had been crossed, every concept of morality lost in the process.
In just a few days.
He challenged me.
He infuriated me.
He aroused me.
The man was everything I shouldn’t want, yet everything I needed. I sensed he’d backed away and I slowly lowered the shorts, taking my thong at the same time. Leaning back, I raked my hands through my hair, still trembling from being outside. With him.
With him.
The two little words played over in my mind several times.
When I turned around, I was given the beautiful sight of his naked body. Buff and gorgeous.
He was enjoying himself, rubbing the flats of his hands up and down his chest.
I remained where I was, taking a few seconds to admire him before closing the distance. He didn’t expect my reaction. I pushed him into the pool.
The man was more playful than I’d originally thought possible. He swam under the water for a few seconds, the stunning shimmer of underwater LED lights providing a perfect highlight. When he surfaced near the wall, he threw his head back. His eyes were closed.
I walked closer as quietly as possible, still keeping my distance.
Oh, when would I learn to stop underestimating the man? He lunged from the pool, able to grab my arm. With ease and precision, he yanked me into the pool. The adorable yet conniving bastard didn’t allow me the opportunity to swim away either.
He wrapped his arm around my waist, yanking me against him. With a bolt, he threw us out of the water, splashing a huge wave all around us.
“I didn’t want to be all alone,” he said with a dark chuckle in his voice.
“Poor baby. You can’t handle the darkness. Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.”
“Somehow, Wildcat, I know you will.” He rolled his hand down my face, tugging hair away as he turned us in circle after circle. If it was possible, he was even more gorgeous when wet.
I’d need to keep that in the back of my mind. Showers would be… delicious.
I slid my arms over his shoulders, darting my eyes back and forth. I’d never felt such excitement in my life.
“I need to keep careful control of you.”
“You just think you’ll be able to.”
He lowered his head, brushing his lips across mine. “Oh, I know I can. Soon, you’ll be obeying every command.”
“Just like you think I’ll beg for more. Right?”
“Exactly.” As he crushed his lips over mine, the lightheadedness increased, pretty stars in bright colors floating across my line of sight. The powerful man could kiss like no other, the searing heat between us driving straight into my core.
He pushed me against the pool wall as he thrust his tongue inside. Exploring. Tasting.
Consuming.
The moment was ripped with passion, no longer tense and unforgiving, this time my body yielding to his completely. He dominated my tongue, keeping me enthralled, hot, and wet. I could tell he knew exactly what he was doing to me, teasing me relentlessly so the begging would begin.
Nope.
I wouldn’t allow him the satisfaction.
Unless he stopped.
The thought tickled my mind as he sucked on my tongue. I wiggled against him, creating friction and waves. The water was refreshing, but I had a feeling steam would develop quickly. He had that kind of power over both me and the atmosphere around us.