Chapter 6
Vee
My drive home was lost to a myriad of thoughts.
The familiar sights and landmarks passed by unrecognized.
Dad’s demise unveiled a world I didn’t know existed and one, I wasn’t certain how to navigate.
While Aunt Rachel’s acceptance of the CEO position relieved a bit of the pressure, the bulk of the stress was still present.
I worried about my aunt. Uncle Darin and Grant were obviously upset with my decision.
Would Uncle Darin act out his in private?
Aunt Rachel willingly took the helm. The consequences were hers to deal with.
With each mile, my faith in her grew. Rachel Hubbard Marsh was capable of not only the responsibilities of CEO, but also of dealing with her husband and son.
Dad had faith in her. I did too.
Another person was taking too much time in my thoughts.
Olivia Stockard Hubbard—the woman who gave me life. Even thinking her name twisted something deep in my chest. I’d been capable of compartmentalizing her out of my life as long as Dad was here. He filled every gap and stepped up whenever I needed him.
Now he was gone.
The story I’d been told through the years—in bits and pieces—was that my mother left. Now I wondered what exactly that meant.
Is she out there somewhere?
Do I care?
After all, she left me.
“Call Joseph Eads,” I said to my rental car.
“Calling Joseph Eads.”
“Vee, what a pleasant surprise,” Joe’s voice came through the car speakers. “What can I do for you?”
He sounded artificially sweet after my ambush of personal legal representation. “I have a few questions. Do you have a few minutes?”
“Is Ms. Loften with you?”
“No,” I replied. “This isn’t about Dad’s estate, per se. You said you’ve represented Dad for a long time. What do you know about my mother?”
“Oh.” He made coughing noises. “I didn’t represent your father at the time of his divorce. I came on after, when you were just a child.”
“Do you know who represented him…and her?”
He hesitated. “I can look that up for you. This wasn’t a subject Reid enjoyed.”
“Divorce records are public, are they not?”
“Yes. I’d need to learn the date of the divorce,” Joe answered. “Ms. Loften can no doubt get you the same information.”
“Joe, who did Dad want ten percent of the Coopers to go to?”
“Daphne Hubbard,” he answered without hesitation. “Vee, we discussed this.”
“What about Bre Stanton?”
“She was arrested for Reid’s murder.”
“Did Dad ever mention that he wanted to marry her?”
Joe’s deep laugh came through the speakers. “What your father and I discussed is protected under attorney-client privilege. However, I find no reason not to say that your father and Daphne were happily married. I can’t imagine where you’d get such an outrageous idea.”
“Do you know why my parents divorced?” I was changing subjects, hoping to catch the old man off guard.
“The divorce file may contain that information. Again, it’s public record in Kentucky. Unless…”
“Unless?” I asked.
“Sometimes sensitive information may be redacted, limited to view. If you want the record, I’ll request it and then we’ll see what’s there.”
“Is she still alive?”
“Olivia? I don’t know.”
“Thank you for your time, Joe.” I tapped the red icon on the screen. Looking around, I sighed with the realization I was almost home. My thoughts went to the luxury of disappearing into Fin’s bubble.
Spending time with him had turned into a safe retreat. After today, I was ready to submerge into his bubble.
Fin’s truck was in the parking garage. My leather satchel seemed increasingly heavy as I made my way to the elevator. It stopped on one. Standing near the back wall, I kept my eyes low. The other passengers remained quiet, exiting on the fourth and sixth floors.
Finally, I made it up to the seventh floor. Opening the door to my condo, I inhaled, expecting an amazing aroma. A faint scent of eucalyptus was all that I could detect.
Down the hall, the kitchen sat empty. “Fin?”
“I’m in here,” he called.
I turned to see him sitting at my desk. “What’s happening?”
His blue eyes shone as he stood and came toward me. “I was just looking up a few things on your computer. I hope you don’t mind.”
Scanning his sharp attire, I started at his leather loafers, up his long jean-clad legs, to the camel sweater that stretched across his wide muscular chest all the way to his chiseled jaw, strikingly blue eyes, and gelled-back dark hair.
By the time I responded, my nipples were hard and there was twisting deep inside my core.
I tilted my head. “My computer?” I grinned.
“I don’t mind, as long as you won’t give me bad cookies. ”
His lips quirked. “I’d never give you bad cookies.” He brought his lips to mine. “For dinner, I made reservations.”
“You want to go out?” As I hesitated, his sexy grin and affectionate kiss managed to short-circuit my passing thoughts of refusal.
“I have reservations at Tony’s,” he said, cupping the back of my neck and pulling me closer for a deeper kiss.
Lifting my hands to his chest, I closed my eyes and surrendered to the sensations—the taste of his kiss, scent of his cologne, and softness of his sweater.
As I opened my eyes, I found myself under the spell of his sapphire-blue stare.
With my head cocked to one side, I grinned. “Is this our first date?”
“We could call it that.”
“Why tonight?” I asked.
“I want to take the most beautiful woman I know out in public and tell the world she’s mine.”
“The most beautiful woman.” I tilted my head. “I suppose I can stay home while you’re out with her.”
Fin’s blue eyes shone. “You, Vee. I want to wine and dine you in the hopes of seducing you later.”
Beneath the softness of his sweater, I felt the drum of his heart. “Wining and dining haven’t been prerequisites for seduction in the past. I doubt they will be in the future.”
“Here’s the thing. This beautiful woman who is mine has had a lot on her plate lately.
I want her and the world to know that I’m insanely in love with her.
She’s alluring and enamoring.” He cupped my cheek.
“Stubborn and at times, a smartass, incredibly intelligent as I’ve witnessed daily since making my way back to her. ”
“You should tell her.”
“I am. Vee, you’re also loyal and devoted. Because of all those things, I want to spoil you like you’ve spoiled me.”
“I haven’t spoiled you.”
“You have,” Fin said. “Over the last few weeks, you’ve allowed me back into your life. You’ve dealt with unimaginable stress and heartache, and all the time, you’ve shown me the Vee who is more than I remember. You’ve opened up in a way I feared we’d never share again. Let me take you out tonight.”
“So you can seduce me later?” I asked with a lifted brow.
His sexy grin grew. “That’s my plan.”
I tugged on my lower lip with my teeth.
Fin freed my lip with his thumb. “What are you overthinking?”
“I thought I was coming home to our bubble, the one you called Fin’s-in-control. I didn’t expect to go back out into the world.”
“You’ll have that bubble,” he said with a smirk. “Tonight, we’re taking it on the road. I’m going to wine and dine you, Ms. Hubbard. And since I’m in control, your response is ‘Okay, Fin.’”
My cheeks rose in a much-needed grin. Taking a step back, I again scanned his muscled torso covered by a cashmere sweater. “You look nice. This is the Fin who wants to wine and dine?”
He nodded.
“Okay, when are our reservations?” I looked down at the slacks and blouse I’d worn to the football complex. “Do I have time to change?” I splayed my fingers over his chest. “You look too handsome for me to wear this.”
“Vee, you’re stunning in anything you wear.” His eyebrows danced. “Or when you wear nothing at all.” He nodded. “We have time.”
The complexity of my day disappeared as I hurried into the bedroom on a new mission. Once inside the closet, I stripped out of my work clothes. “How much time?” I called.
“Reservations aren’t until seven.”
Suddenly I needed to wash away the long, awful day.
Nude, I made my way to the bathroom and turned on the water in the shower.
As it heated, I secured my hair in a bun and washed my face at the sink.
Concerns and worries regarding the Coopers and my family tried to infiltrate our bubble.
I let them dissolve like the soap’s foam in the sink.
They’d come back in the morning. I didn’t need to hang on to them now.
The warm spray was reinvigorating and cathartic.
Wrapped in a fluffy towel, I began putting on fresh makeup.
My hair was the next obstacle. Taking down the bun, I ran my brush through the lengths, deciding to wear it down.
In the closet, I scanned the racks of clothes, running my fingers over possible contenders.
I’d been to Tony’s before and knew it was upscale.
While they were known for steaks, I also knew they had plenty of vegetarian options.
A long black maxi dress was my choice. The deep V neck wouldn’t allow a bra, yet the long sheer sleeves made it perfect for the season.
After slipping on the dress, I added some accessories: a dab of perfume, long dangling silver earrings, and a silver necklace that hung between my breasts.
Lastly, I slipped into a pair of chunky-heeled black sandals and stepped out, only to find Fin waiting patiently, sitting on the edge of the bed.
He stood as I entered, his cashmere sweater pulling tight across his broad chest. His wool jacket was checked; the tapered design accentuated his wide shoulders and trim torso.
Hints of gray peeked through his thick dark mane, and a slight speckling of gray was visible in his neatly trimmed facial hair.
I lifted my palm to his cheek, enjoying the soft beard. “You’re more handsome than you were in college.”
Fin’s cheeks rose. “And you’re more beautiful.
” He snaked an arm around me and tugged our hips together.
His gaze caught on the low dip of my neckline.
“I love the no-bra look.” He lifted a brow, questioningly.
“Tell me, did you decide to forgo all forms of underclothes?” He opened his eyes wide.
“While it will drive me insane in public, it will make me all that more anxious to get you back here.”
The warmth of crimson filled my cheeks. “I like the idea of you being driven insane. But…I’ve never…”
Fin’s laugh filled the air. “You said the same thing a long time ago about oral and intercourse. I’ll accept this challenge as I did those.”
I swatted his shoulder. “It’s not a challenge.”
“It is now.” He brushed his lips over mine. “You’re gorgeous. Every man will wish he was me.”
I tilted my head. “Is it bad to be happy? To let the world see me happy?”
Fin shook his head. “Seeing you happy is my goal.”
A lump of emotion grew in my throat. “I’m still sad. I’m both, if that makes sense.” Thoughts of my parents were another emotional battlefield I chose to keep outside our bubble.
He kissed my forehead. “It makes perfect sense.” He looked down at my shoes. “The restaurant is only a few blocks away. If you’d rather, we could drive?”
“No. I’ve been cooped up all day. Walking sounds nice.”
“Imagine the exhilaration of the autumn breeze beneath your dress…if you accepted my challenge.”
It was my turn to laugh. “I’ve been drowning in executive decisions all day and now, all I can think about is going back into the bathroom and taking off my panties.”
He winked his sapphire eye. “Mission accomplished.”