Chapter Twenty-Six
“ I can’t believe you are buying me a car.” A smile forms without my permission, but I can’t help it. Vincent has been really nice to me, going out of his way to show me that he’s not going to pressure me into anything.
What’s crazy is that I kind of miss his domineering, in your face, growly attitude. I’m not going to tell him that, though. It’s nice seeing how hard he’s trying to make me comfortable.
He called Groveton College for me and they agreed that I could start in the second spring semester, which means I only have two weeks before classes start. I’m excited to get back to school and to finish the final four classes I have left.
From there, I’ll have to do is take the state exam to be able to practice law. The pride I have for myself, fighting against all odds to finish this dream, is unexplainable.
“You alright, Aribella?” Vincent whispers in my ear and I blink. I’ve noticed I doze out of reality a lot lately. It’s the only way I know how to deal with the haunting thoughts I have.
Nodding my head, I smile up at him. “Yes. I was thinking about school. Sorry I zoned out.”
“It’s alright.” He winks at me, and my heart does little backflips. Keeping how much it turns me on when he winks at me to myself, I straighten my shoulders.
“I think you will like this SUV, Mrs. Domingo,” the salesman says, and Vincent squeezes my hand gently. Looking at Vincent, he shakes his head at me. He doesn’t want to correct the man and I swallow my words for the moment. We are going to have a discussion about this.
“Do you have it in yellow?” I ask the salesman and he sputters.
“Ye.. yellow ma’am?” he looks utterly disgusted at my choice of color and Vincent laughs.
“Yes. Yellow.” I look at him, raising an eyebrow, and Vincent pulls me into him. I’ve noticed he’s doing that a lot more and I’m not upset about it.
“No ma’am. This vehicle only comes in white or black.”
Frowning, I turn my pout toward Vincent. “But I want it in yellow.” I really don’t. This is a test to see how far I can push Vincent before he hauls my butt out of here.
The poor man looks around, trying to find something or someone. “I…” He stops for a second, then looks at his tablet. “Well, I mean…”
Vincent laughs as I stand there patiently, waiting for what the salesman has to say.
“We… well, maybe we could paint it for you.”
It’s kind of comical at how he’s trying so hard not to tell me no. I’m sure this has more to do more with who Vincent is than what I want. “It’s fine,” I laugh. “I’ll take it in black.” I say, and the man sighs in relief.
“Excellent choice, Mrs. Domingo.” He taps something on his tablet and nods to himself. “I’ll have it ready for you tonight.”
I gasp at the name and look at Vincent.
"Great," Vincent says and Mossimo comes in to deal with the paperwork. As we walk to the car, Vincent doesn't say anything until he has us inside.
"You know, you could have just told the man you wanted black to begin with." He stares at me and I shrug. God, I really want him to grab me and kiss me. Maybe even force me to submit to him. It's not a good idea for me to try to provoke him, but I want more than this softness he is showing me.
To my disappointment, he shakes his head and holds my hand. "Are you going to kiss me? Since I’m Mrs. Domingo now?"
Why I asked that, I'm not sure, but I feel like I'm going nuts. One minute, I want him to be gentle with me, the next I want him to claim me. To show me his brutish ways. God, what is wrong with me?
Vincent's head whips around, and he glares at me. "Is that what you want?"
A huff leaves me. "No, I guess not." I turn from him, taking my hand away and crossing my arms under my chest. Why am I being this way? Is it because I want him to wash away everything those monsters did to me? So many questions rumble around inside of my head.
"Aribella..." I shake my head as he starts to say something.
"Don't worry about it, Vincent. I shouldn't have asked." I turn my body toward the door and close my eyes. Stupid. So stinking stupid.
This gets his attention because he grabs my ponytail and twists it until I'm forced to look up at him. "Do not hide from me," he growls, and this time I'm not scared. Not at all. My body reacts and I growl right back at him.
"You mean like you have been doing with me?" I fire back at him and he snarls at me.
"You are tempting me, mi reina . I suggest you don't." His eyes are darkening and I see the desire in his smile. He's not mad at all.
"Or what?" I jut my chin out and he pounces.
Those harsh lips land on mine and I open for him instantly. This is what I wanted, so why would I resist it? I crawl into his lap before I can make myself stop and kiss him deeper. His taste hits me and I have a feeling of being home that settles in me.
" Dios mio …" he mutters as his hands run up and down my arms, and I push my fingers through his hair. Our tongues war with one another, trying to fight for dominance. As long as he doesn't stop.
My panties are soaking wet and my body clenches with the mounting need I have. Shyly, I move my hips up and down against his crotch. He moans and pulls my hips down.
"Not here, Aribella," he sounds like he is regretting the words that are coming out of his mouth. "If anyone sees you, I'll have to kill them. Your passion is for me only."
His words make me shiver and I blink at him. "I'm... No, I'm not sorry I want you and I can't help what you make me feel."
He chuckles at me and holds my face like I'm holding his. " Peque?a mariposa, you never have to apologize for wanting me."
I'm not sure why him calling me little butterfly makes me feel all kinds of emotions, but I smile. "Good. Now, can we go home?"
Before he can answer, Mossimo comes out and gets into the vehicle. "Boss, check your text."
"Fuck me, alright."
Climbing off Vincent's lap, I settle into the seat and sigh. It's going to be alright I tell myself. Maybe I can seduce him tonight when he's not so busy.
"Mossimo, let's get Aribella home and afterward we can take care of this situation."
Tensing, I look over at Vincent, and he grabs my hand. "Everything is alright, mi reina. I'm trying to get some things fixed so I can go legit."
My mouth pops open, and for a moment I don't know what to say. "Legit? As in no more illegal dealings or violent crimes?"
Mossimo snorts, and Vincent tells him to hush. He turns to me and nods. "As legit as I can. I'll never be a good man, Aribella. You'll have to come to terms with that."
I don't argue. There's no reason to do so. We ride in silence back to the house and once they have me settled in the library with Espresso, Vincent and Mossimo leave. The loneliness settles in and I wonder if I can keep the monsters at bay.
It's been a month since Vincent and I went out together to get my SUV. I love the vehicle. It's roomy and I feel safe driving all alone. The only thing is, Vincent has been working a lot and we barely speak to each other. If anything, it seems I've driven him away with my stunt that day.
Looking out the window of the classroom, I think about going to Janice's house after school. Vincent doesn't make me check in, except to let him know when I make it to school and when I leave school. I could tell him I'm going to her house. He doesn't seem to deny me anything anymore. Well, other than himself.
The bell rings and I gather my books. I turn to go, but turn back to the courtyard. I swear Vincent was standing there. This isn't the first time I've seen him either. He's always popping up and just checking on me. Shaking my head, I put my books into my bag and walk out of the class in a hurry. Getting to the courtyard, I see Vincent with his back turned away from me.
Gathering the courage, I walk over to him and tap him on the shoulder. "Vincent?"
He turns around and I glare at him. "What are you doing here?"
"Thought I'd see if you wanted to go to dinner." He looks at me with a guilty look on his face.
"Uh, Huh. And the other times you've popped up around town at the same time as me?"
He chuckles and grabs me in a tight hug. My back no longer hurts. Sure, it's still healing and will be for months to come, but it doesn't hurt anymore.
"I was going to go to Janice's tonight," I tell him with a shrug. I'm not even sure why he cares. His distance lately says one thing, but his actions seem to say another.
"She's at work tonight," he says it so casually, but it hurts that he knows her schedule.
Raising an eyebrow at him, I squint. "And how would you know that?"
Vincent pushes stray hair out of my face. "I know everything about you and who you hang out with. Now, let's go to dinner."
"It's alright. I know you're busy." I step out of his embrace, feeling awkward and a bit mad at him. These emotions are wrecking me.
"Are you walking away from me?" There's an edge to his voice and as I step out of the courtyard and into the parking lot, I look back.
"Looks like it." I use the key fob to open my door and Vincent's face shows the darkness I've missed. "I guess you'll just have to follow me to see where I end up."
Not giving him a chance to catch up with me, I get into the SUV, lock the door, and start the car. He growls my name and as I’m pulling out of my parking space, Mossimo comes up behind me. I sigh and pull the car back into the spot, turn the key over and stare as Vincent comes up to my side of the vehicle.