Chapter 19 #2
I unpacked the first bag, pulling out spices and herbs.
Since I had free rein to put things wherever I wanted, it took me a while to get everything exactly right.
But it was important to have things like spices handy when cooking, so I wanted them on the shelf closest to the stove.
But pots and pans were equally as important, so I had to compromise.
Once there were no bags left to unpack, Vance watched me hum over the glass jars while leaning against the island, arms crossed over his chest. “You know, you can always change them later on if you decide that you don’t like where they are.”
I stood up from where I was crouched in front of the cupboard, biting my bottom lip. “I guess so.”
He held out his hand and I took it, letting him pull me closer until I was leaning against the front of his body. He kissed my nose, then my mouth. “You want a tour?”
With my head tipped back and my hands on his chest, I nodded. “Absolutely.”
He led me to the office downstairs first. “Once the Denver office is done, I’ll be working from home two days a week.”
My stomach dropped at the reminder that he’d be working in Denver soon. Not because I didn’t think he’d love it, but because I was scared that he’d eventually get sick of the long commute and move there.
Since it seemed there wasn’t much that Vance missed, he picked up on my mood. “What’s wrong?”
Taking his hand, I walked back into the hallway, avoiding his probing gaze. “Nothing. Just wanting to see the rest of the house.”
He stopped me before we went into the room next to his office. “Don’t do that. Don’t pull back and pretend everything is okay when it is clearly not.” He crowded me against the wall, his hands on my hips, pressing a kiss to my neck. “If you don’t talk to me, I can’t make it better.”
“It’s not your job to make it better. Sometimes things are the way they are. Even if we don’t like it.”
His hand traveled up my side, stopping at my rib cage, his thumb brushing my breast. “Talk to me.”
When I didn’t respond—mostly because my brain had once again powered down at his touch, happily letting my body take over—he ran his thumb over my nipple. My sheer bra and thin T-shirt were only a small barrier, and I arched into him.
His lips found mine, and his tongue traced my bottom lip. I moaned, and he took the opportunity to touch his tongue to mine. The kiss was hot, it was wet, and I was immediately turned on. When it came to Vance, my whole body seemed to be one big on switch.
When he leaned back, I growled in protest, my hands that were fisted in his shirt pulling him back. He didn’t move; instead, his hands wandered to my waist, making my breasts weep in protest. “Talk. To. Me.”
With my brain still scrambled and my body screaming at me to get his touch back, I rested my weight against the wall. “It was silly. Nothing, really.” I cleared my dry throat. “We should continue the tour.”
He didn’t release me, though, and I wasn’t sure I could out-stubborn him. With an exaggerated sigh, I lifted my head to look at him. Might as well get this over with. “I was worried that you’d get sick of the commute to Denver and move there.”
His eyes dropped to my lips, and he shook his head. “Only if you’d come with me. And I know you love Butler, which is why I moved here. I don’t mind the commute. It’s only three days a week. If it means I still get to come home to you every day, then I will do it without complaint.”
Well, I guess that was a pretty good response.
“I think I’m falling in love with you.”
Stupid scrambled brain. You once again failed to stop my mouth from talking.
His eyes went molten and his arms traveled to my back, pulling me against him. “Good. Because I already love you.”
“But it’s—”
The “too soon” part never came out of my mouth because he kissed me again. And this time his hands did all the touching my body so desperately craved.
He lifted me off my feet, and my legs went around his waist. Leaning against the wall, my head fell back, and my hands held tightly to his shoulders.
His mouth skimmed over my throat on its way to my breast. He sucked my nipple through my clothes, and I nearly came at the sensation.
I took a deep, shuddering breath, rubbing my core against him.
I wanted my clothes off, but at the same time, I didn’t want him to stop touching me.
Vance didn’t seem to have the same issue, because he released my nipple, then took my mouth again in a passionate kiss.
His hands brushed down my legs, and I dropped them back to the ground, managing to stay upright even though they were trembling.
He undid my pants and pushed them down, taking my underwear with them.
I opened his button and zipper, not bothering with more, too desperate to feel him.
Then I took him in my hand, brushing my thumb over his velvet tip.
I drowned in his kiss, the heavy weight of him in my hand making my thoughts jumbled. His hands found their way to my dripping core, and he brushed up against me, then entered me with one of his thick fingers. My whole body thrummed with pleasure, but it wasn’t enough.
Breaking our kiss, I wound one of my legs around his hip. “I need more. I need you.”
He lifted me so I was up against the wall once more, then entered me in one powerful thrust. “Fuck. You feel so good. Pure heaven.”
My legs tightened and I lifted my pelvis. His teeth scraped against my earlobe, and waves of pleasure shook my body. The orgasm took me by surprise. I was almost upset because I’d come so quickly; I’d wanted to draw this out for as long as I could.
His movements sped up and he came as well, his arms tightening around me. He held me like that for a few minutes, placing kisses along my jawline, mouth, and shoulder.
Not releasing me, he walked us to his room, setting me down once we were in his bathroom. “Want to try out the Jacuzzi?”
My dopey grin must have been answer enough, because he laughed and turned on the water. After dropping his pants and taking off his T-shirt, he helped me out of my own top and bra, since I was still standing in the same spot.
When I felt something wet trickle down my thighs, reality crashed into my happy bubble. “Shit. We didn’t use a condom.”
Vance put his arms around me. “We should have probably had this conversation before, but I’m clean.”
I blinked at him. It hadn’t even occurred to me that he wouldn’t be, so his words weren’t a surprise. “So am I. I got tested when I found out about all of my ex’s recreational activities. And I have an IUD.”
“Then there’s no problem.” He turned me toward the bath. “Let’s get cleaned up, and then we’ll finish the tour of the house.”
Spoiler alert: We didn’t finish the tour of the house.