Chapter 21
Victor drives us to his place. Passing through the center of town, opposite direction of my house, and venturing toward the other side of the island. Rounding a curve, we reach a less congested area, and he pulls into a cement-covered driveway before it turns into gravel. Weaving down the long stretch, he parks the car at what appears to be a massive home. Well, by my standards anyway. It’s too dark to get a good look at the house entirely, but from what I can see from the dimly lit lamps from the large windows, it’s a plantation style home. The house is a darker color and surrounded by lush vegetation. He stops the car and turns toward me.
“I’m really glad you’re here,” he expresses.
I bite the inside of my cheek. “Me too. Show me your new place.”
Hope blooms in my chest and matches the look in his eyes. Victor rushes around the car and opens my door. Engulfing my hand in his, he pulls me to him. Stealing my breath as his lips tenderly touch mine.
Because of the darkness outside, I can only make out the kitchen, living room, and dining room inside. The main area is an open floor plan concept. Light rustic hardwood floors throughout. A beautiful feature to draw my attention to the sage green cabinets in the kitchen. White marble countertops with a gray accent swirl throughout, making the surface appear larger. The whole back of the house has retractable doors. Big window doors that will give an unobscured view of the sunrises and sunsets. Specks of color from throw pillows and blankets brighten the large room. It’s not the vibrant bursts, but a subtle calming charm instead.
“Oh, wow.” I walk to the middle of the open room and look around.
“Do you like it?” he cautiously asks.
“It’s amazing.” I take in all the beauty of the home. “I mean, from what I can see.”
Victor walks over and wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me in for a tight hug. My arms circle his shoulders and grip the back of his shirt. Closing my eyes and allowing my senses to overwhelm me with his cologne. Smell, a sense you don’t think twice about until that scent is gone, a scent that floods your memory of all that is bad and even more, all that is good and right in the world.
His scent makes me feel alive again.
“I was afraid I would never see you again,” he whispers against the top of my head.
I hold on to him a little tighter, pressing my cheek against his chest. My body flush with his. I can hear his heart beating so clearly. “So, you got a permanent place here, close to me?”
“Taylor said something that stuck with me, so I took it and ran with it. He told Leland that he was going to stay and make him fall back in love with him. So, I figured I could do the same.”
“Taylor is a good person.”
“I guess. I don’t know him well. Our first meeting was with me hitting Leland in the face. I’m lucky Leland didn’t come at me,” Victor chuckles.
“If that happened, you would be dead.”
“Would you have come to the funeral?”
“Yeah,” I admit.
“So, either way, you would’ve come back to me?” Victor’s heart beats wildly in his chest.
“For you, yeah. I would’ve come sooner, but I thought you left for good.” I squeeze my eyes closed to immerse myself to his presence.
“There was a meeting with the board I needed to attend. While I was there, I took advantage and tied up some loose ends so I could start my life here… with you,” he quickly responds.
Suddenly, the words he spoke earlier come crashing in. What loose ends was he tying up in New York?
“What did you mean back at the town hall meeting that they weren’t your problem anymore?”
He leans away and nudges me toward the couch. I follow him, and before I can completely sit down, he pulls me down onto his lap. A sigh from both of us has me feeling comfortable and safe. He gives me this boyish grin that seems so relieved and happy. It’s that light, playfulness that made the world feel a little less heavy.
“You’ve been too far away for too long,” he says, softly.
“Okay,” I mummer.
“I went back to take a closer look at the documents. It turns out my dad switched the paperwork under the shared drive. He’s an original managing partner and has access to all servers at each location. He’s been keeping tabs on me and felt that I wasn’t doing my job that would benefit the stockholders. I mean, that’s partly true. I had drawn up the motion to deny everything. My dad spoke to my assistant here and she let him know what I’ve been up to. And well, he didn’t like that…”
His voice trails off, but the implication is there. “Hanging out with a specific local.”
He nods and I can feel the inside of my chest pinch.
“Leland has been helping me find different locations on the island. But my dad just had to interfere. He was pissed when he found out I was trying to change the terms of the deal and have them look in a different area. It would’ve ended up costing more money and my dad was not okay with that.”
“Leland was helping you?” I ask, stunned.
“He said he might have an ‘in’ where the new development would go better. We went and looked at it and I agreed. I wrote up the motions to release the current properties in the documents, and petition a less congested area around here. My dad didn’t like that his plans changed, so he did what he was good at. Being a shark,” Victor says. “I’ve looped in Massey’s dad to work on something for me. I can’t talk about it yet, but I’m hoping this town hall blew the confidence of the county and the development chains from coming in. They will go back to my dad and express their concerns by not having the community backing.”
“So, that’s the reason they held it?”
“It should’ve been so much sooner, but corporate only cares what happens to shareholders.”
“What’s our next move?”
“I quit!” he proudly states. His smile stretches across his face. His perfect hazel eyes have a light and warm gaze.
I’m taken aback. My mind stumbles over the two words he spoke so effortlessly. Like it was no big deal. And we are sitting in this massive home. Again, by my standards, this home is huge.
“I’m sorry. Did you say you quit?” I retract my hands from his body, feeling guilt that he altered his whole life for me. Me?
“I did.” He keeps the enormous grin as he continues… “Honestly, it feels like it has taken a weight off my shoulders. I never knew this feeling… of …” He tries to find the right words.
“Freedom?” I question.
He shakes his head, and his thumb rubs my thigh. “No, happiness. My entire life has been a race to be first. To be recognized as the best. One fucking eye roll from you and that’s all it took to change everything.”
“I don’t get it.” An eye roll? That’s what he is going with?
“I had a plan in life. I had a whole routine that made sense. It wasn’t that night at the beach, seeing you for the first time, that changed everything. I’ve never seen a woman yell at her brother like that before.” My lip is tucked behind my teeth as I’m trying to refrain from commenting on that. Lawson was out of line that evening. Victor laughs, tugging my body closer to his. “But you know what it really was for me? Watching you work at the shop. You were so focused, careful, and patient. You look out for everyone and it seems like no one looks after you. I want to be that person for you.”
“I don’t even know what to say,” I admit.
Him laughing along with me, another sense I never realized I might have missed. The sound of his voice and laughter.
“I love you, Collins. You see the world with no blinders on. It makes me want to continue to see the world like you do, with you.”
“Yeah?” I breathlessly respond. I really am at a loss for words.
“Yeah, baby.”
Leaning down, I smile into his lips, giving him a peppered kiss. “I love you too.”
The last admission using those words was from a place of heartbreak. Painful, excruciating agony. And today I can say them with a heart filled with hope.
“Yeah?” Excitement trembles on his lips when he kisses me back with such force. It would knock me off his lap if he wasn’t holding on to me. When he finally calms down and pulls away, he quickly gets up, pushing me to stand with him. “I want to show you around.”
“Ok, lead the way.”
He excitedly walks me through the house, room by room. Pointing out the small bits of color, pieces of art that he bought from the local artists. There are even a few photos of him with acquittances or friends from New York. These are older photos from when he was in school. He is a happy, carefree boy. The office showcases awards, his matted and framed degree and certifications. These photos show a sterner and more polished Victor. He showed a professional smile that seems void of joy.
He allows me to stroll through each room and take in the ambiance of peacefulness that fills each space.
It looks more like he’s making a home here, slowly.
“Now, for the real reason I got this house. Come with me.” I turn to see him still standing in the doorway, watching me. He holds his hand out toward me.
I take his hand as he walks us through the house, past the kitchen, and opens a door. When he turns on the light, the black room is revealed as a massive garage. It was so dark when we arrived that I didn’t notice. In the corner is a work table with brand new tools that still have tags on them. I am looking over this small collection of tools, and my heart is on the verge of exploding.
“I bought this place so you can have a private place to work on your girl or any other car you wish to have.”
Well, there it goes, my heart. Happy tears are cresting in my eyes, and I turn to see him stepping toward me.
“This world is yours, Collins. My world is you. I swore at the moment I was standing, well drowning in that concrete ocean in New York, that I would do anything to get back to you. Whether we stay here or at your house, I would like to have you as close as possible. All for selfish reasons, of course.”
“I can’t…” Words clog in my throat as I try to talk. So much emotion swirls through my body. My heart is fluttering so hard, it feels as if it will bruise my ribs. I rest my hand over my chest to try to keep it from breaking through my chest.
“And look, there would be enough room to make your surfboards. If that is still something you want to do. There is a bit of land here, so if you need more space …”
I can’t even … before he can finish his sentence, I launch myself into his arms. Holding him close, squeezing every emotion I have into one firework of an explosion.
“You did this? For us?” I still can’t even believe it.
“For us baby.” He buries his face into my neck and holds my body tight to his.
“This can’t be real?” My eyes clench shut, opening to expect that I’m thrust back into reality where I’m sitting in my rickety old shack. Alone.
“I’m selling everything in New York. Sold my shares in the firm, and I’m walking away from a soulless, colorless life. I don’t give a shit at how much it costs. I’d live in your truck with the clothes on my back if it meant having a future with you.” Victor sounds desperate, but only he’s desperate for me.
I wiggle my body, and he gently sets me down, holding onto my arms. His touch steadies me.
“Well…” My smile catches a single tear that falls from my watering eyes. Emotions fully engulf every inch of my body. This decision will alter my world. One I welcome with open arms and an open heart.
“Well?” The hope blooms in his voice. “Are you going to stay and make memories with me?”
What do I say? What do I say to the man who has altered any sort of expectation I had in a man?
“You never showed me our bedroom,” I come back.
Victor whisks me up into his arms. He rushes through the home… our home, back to our bedroom. He places me down, turning me around, and I gasp at the sight. Next to the neatly made bed, on matching nightstands, are his magazines and on the other side table are my auto books. My body steps toward a dresser that has framed pictures of us. Some photos I forgot he took. In them, we are calm, carefree, and happy. My fingernails traces over the framed memories. I turn and see on the end of his bed are his fancy pajamas, neatly folded. In a chair that sits in the corner by a large window are some of my clothes, folded. I must have left them behind.
Just the simplicity of folded laundry makes me grin from ear to ear. He is taking care of me. Once again, he has combined our completely different lives into one space. I watch him walk over and take my pajamas to give to me. I take them and hold on to them for a second.
“I missed you, Collins.”
He speaks his words so honestly and loving. “I’ve missed you too.”
The whole time we’ve been apart, I’ve worn his fancy pajamas. I loved the way they smelled. Even after working in the garage or surfing, I’d scrub my skin clean and climb into his clothes. The silky threads surrounded me and instantly gave me a sense of comfort.
I reach for my clothes that are folded in the chair, but before picking them up, I glance back at him across on the bed. I could slip back into mine, or steal his. But… I turn back to Victor, who looks confused, and smiles wide. My fingers play at the hem of my shirt. With one deep breath, I pull my shirt up over my head, exposing my cream lace bra. Victor stands straighter at the doorframe and his eyes trace down my body. When his eyes finally meet mine, I keep his gaze while I unbutton my shorts and slip them off, taking my underwear with them. His jaw tenses and his arms fall slack against his sides.
My hands reach behind my back, unhooking my bra, and slipping it down my arms.
“Baby.” His sensual voice makes my cheeks blush.
His dick presses against the front of his pressed pants, begging to escape. My mouth salivates at the thought of being intimate with him again. This overwhelming need to want someone so much, my heart could explode. I walk to the bed and pull the covers back, climbing under the sheets. I pull the thin sheet up around my waist and pat the bed next to me. My cheeks hurt from the massive grin that pulls at my lips.
“You wanted to make memories together. Let’s start here.” I pull the covers back to his side. He saunters over, undressing slowly. His eyebrow tips up at the same time one side of his lip turns up. Victor pulls the buttons apart, one by one, rolling his shoulders to drop his shirt to the ground. He glances down, popping the button for his pants. I can’t help the giggle that escapes my lips. “Love, this isn’t a Magic Mike show. Get in this bed and kiss me!”
“Yes, ma’am!” He quickly strips the rest of his clothes from his body and literally jumps into bed, pushing me back to lie on top of me. His hands encompass both sides of my face, and his lips press against mine with such need. He gives me one hell of a kiss. It starts needy and excited, slowly turning into a needy caress of our lips.
Tonight feels different. My body is hurling itself at every single touch between our bodies. His body settles between my legs, and I can feel his hard length teasing my needy pussy. I am drenched with desire in a way I’ve never experienced before. His engorged cock teases my clit every time he moves between my thighs. My pussy weeps, begging to be filled. My heart is overflowing with love for this man. I place a hand on his cheek to get his attention, stopping him as he is fully seated inside me.
This vulnerability is so new to me. He has torn down every piece of me to an empty frame of my former self. Slowly and surely, this man has rebuilt my heart with love and care.
“Promise you will never leave me,” my heart begs as his hazel eyes gaze down at me.
He must realize that this Collins he sees beneath him is the one asking for hope and security. He takes my hand in his and the other wraps under my back, pulling him closer to him.
“I promise I won’t leave you, Collins. I’ll show up for everything you need and I won’t fail you again.” He lays a tender kiss against my lips. “Will you promise to share your world with me? I’ve begged to be a part of it for so long, and being without it for a moment was unquestionably torture,” he whispers his promises.
“I promise.”
I lean up and kiss him deeply, moving my hips against him. He slowly pushes his weeping cock into me, taking my breath away. I gasp against his mouth. He fills me with everything he has. He takes a moment, savoring my lips before he starts to move. I’ve never felt so emotionally naked before and it’s driving me to want more. An unknowing tear falls down my cheek. The pad of his thumb wipes it away as he whispers my name.
My imagination runs rapidly with images of adding to our home, filling the garage. God, the promises of our future are pushing me over the edge. My body is demanding and encouraging more from him. His grip tightens around my hand and back, inspiring me to wrap my legs around his body. Needing to be tangled in the sheets together. The sounds of our breathing and moaning together fill the quiet room. I am biting my lip, trying to ride out this sweet feeling, never wanting it to end. I feel his lips near my ear as they graze the skin and his husky voice whispers.
“Don’t hold back on me, baby.”
I don’t need to be told, but the moment I heard his voice, my body obeyed. Curving my body into his and feeling the convulsions rippling through me, releasing all the pent-up emotions felt this week. He follows my orgasm with a few more thrusts.
All the anger, sadness, emptiness, relief, happiness, love, and most of all, the feeling of being complete is filtering throughout the room.
Tonight, the void I’d been feeling in my life fades away. Victor has redeemed the ultimate fantasy that happiness isn’t just a word on paper. It’s a word that arouses the emotional state of mind. Which doesn’t compare to the place my car holds in my life. She gave me something to take care of, he takes care of me. A beautiful cycle of support.
As I have restored her, Victor has restored me.