8. Chapter 8
Veronica
Gus has been with our family for a very long time. You could say he’s seen us grow up, but out of all of us, he’s Ian’s shadow. I thank him and enter my apartment building; the new bellman, Will, opens the door for me. He’s a cutie. Fuck, I really need to get laid if I’m checking out the bellman.
I’m so tired; not only am I not a morning person, but I’m not an intense-workout person.
I aimlessly walk into the elevator, and as it closes, I hear someone shout, but I don’t pay attention.
A hand appears, holding the door open. When I look up, I see him.
What the hell is he doing here? Without a shit to give, he just walks into the elevator and stands next to me.
He doesn’t even look at me. “Hello, Chaos”
“Hello, Fuckface,” I say to Cam. “What are you doing here?”
He turns and looks down at me. I’m not short, but he is taller than me, I’d say about six one. Still, he looks down at me. I see a hint of amusement in those gray eyes. “I live here.”
“What the hell! Since when? I’ve been here for weeks, and I’ve never seen you.”
The elevator is moving up, not stopping until it gets to my floor.
I walk out, and he follows. “So now you’re following me?
” I ask, annoyed, but all he does is smile.
That perfect, punchable face. He doesn’t even speak; he just walks behind me.
I grab my knife, ready to defend myself, when I hear a door open.
I turn and find him entering the apartment across from mine.
I gasp. “No.”
“What?” His tone is nonchalant. “You didn’t expect me to own the building and not have my own place in said building, did you?”
“Actually, that’s exactly what I thought.”
“Oh, are you keeping tabs on me?”
I know he’s antagonizing me. “You know what, I don’t care.” I walk to my apartment, and before entering, I hear him.
“See you later, neighbor.”
I close the door and lean against it. Just my luck. Why am I surrounded by infuriating men who make it their life’s mission to make my life difficult?
Just then, my phone vibrates.
Limp Dick: Drink a protein shake.
Veronica: Oh, look at you caring about my well-being.
Limp Dick: Well, I need my job.
Veronica: Fuck you.
Limp Dick: Maybe?
I know he’s fucking with me because he’s to blame for my nonexistent sex life.
Veronica: Leave me alone.
Limp Dick: Behave or else.
Veronica: Don’t threaten me.
Limp Dick: It’s not a threat, if I’ll do it…you know I will.
“AHHHHHHH!” I scream.
Veronica: GO. TO. HELL!!
I see the screen on my phone lock. He didn’t. He wouldn’t. He locked my phone. I go to my laptop that’s on the kitchen island. It’s synced to my phone. That’s locked as well. Why does he hate me so much? Isn’t his job just to watch me and report back? What the hell did I do to him?
I need to relieve some of this frustration, so I head to my bathroom and run the water, adding my favorite bath oils to the large tub.
I love the sweet, floral scent with a hint of citrus.
Although this is smaller than any place I’ve lived, the bathtub is huge, which is great because I love soaking in the water.
I head into my bedroom and open my nightstand.
I pull out my trusted, smooth blue silicone toy. It has dual heads for stimulation.
Stepping into the tub, I’m enveloped in warm water.
A sigh of relief escapes my lips as the heat begins to work its magic, easing the tension that has gathered in my muscles.
Sinking deeper into the water, I let myself just be.
I grab the toy and turn it on; it hums to life.
The sensation of the thick length on my right breast causes my nipple to harden.
I switch to my left and do the same. I can feel the need building, even in the bath; I know I’m soaked.
Slowly, I move the toy down my soft stomach until it’s at my entrance.
I spread my legs, placing the end of the vibrator on my clit.
The stimulation feels so fucking good. Fuck, I needed this.
I slowly fill myself with the toy, inch by inch.
The clit stimulator is sending me into a frenzy.
I pump the thick vibrator in and out of my pussy with one hand while I use my other hand to play with my nipples. I move from one breast to the other.
I fuck myself rough, just how I like it.
Loud moans escape me. I’m so close. So fucking close.
I come, and I bite my lip so hard that I know it’s swollen.
But I need more. I leave the vibrator inside me and increase the setting to higher.
My clit is so sensitive, but I don’t care.
I need more. I spread my legs wider and just fuck myself into oblivion.
I’m coming down from my release when my doorbell rings.
You have got to be kidding. Maybe if I don’t answer it, whoever it is will get the hint.
It rings again…and again. I get up on shaky legs and toss my vibrator into the bathroom sink.
I’m dripping wet, so I grab my silk robe; the fabric clings to my body as I head to the front door.
I look through the peephole and see Cam. Cam? What is he doing here?
I look around my apartment; it’s not the best, but it’s not the worst either.
Looking at myself in the mirror next to the front door, I see that my robe is damp.
My hair is a mess. My cheeks are flushed.
My lips are swollen. I look freshly fucked.
I open the door, not caring that he’ll see me like this.
Cam is standing in front of me in sweatpants and a long-sleeved T-shirt. Maybe it’s the orgasm, but fuck, he looks good. He’s holding a bag. Is that takeout?
“What do you want?” I ask him because he’s keeping me from another orgasm.
“Hello, neighbor, I brought a peace offering.” He places a bag in front of my face, as if I’m a dog and he has a treat for me.
I catch him looking away. He’s disgusted by what he sees.
This is not the Veronica Kayde who’s on display for the world to see.
My stomach turns sour. Does he have to be so obvious?
“Did you need something?” I’m short because this interaction is already pissing me off.
“As I said,”—he motions to the bag—“a peace offering.”
“For what? Having to put up with you as a neighbor?”
He smiles, and it’s so beautiful and haunting. “It’s cake from the new bakery down the street.”
“Did you put cyanide in it?” I quip.
“Now, why would I do that?” He lifts a brow.
“For sheer entertainment?”
“If I want that, I’ll just watch you. I’m sure you can provide that. You have a knack for giving everyone something to see.”
What a jerk. I take the bag from him and slam the door in his face.
I hear him laugh from the other side, and it makes me want to open the door and throw the bag back at him.
He’s just like everyone else; he’s using me for his entertainment.
I look at the bag and smell the cake. It smells divine, but I don’t bother opening it.
I head to my kitchen and throw it in the trash. Fuck Cam, and fuck Miles.
“What will you be doing at the nonprofit?” my mother asks from the kitchen counter. She insisted that I come over and bake with her. I’m glad to see her up and doing things she loves. I watch her mix the dry ingredients, ensuring she doesn’t miss anything.
“Whatever they need help with, but I’m going to assist in finding property to convert into housing for survivors who need a fresh start.”
My mother’s eyes beam. “Honey, that’s great! You know, we may be able to assist. Kayde has multiple properties.”
How do I tell her that I don’t want her help, or the family’s?
I need to do this without anyone’s help.
“Thanks for offering, Mom, but I really want to figure this out on my own. If anything, I want to go through the process and not just use my name to get things handed to me. Plus, isn’t the property for residential use? ”
“Vee, I admire that. I really do. Just remember, this is bigger than you and your pride. You are helping others, and they don’t have the luxury to wait.
But you’re right, it may not be what you need.
” I can see the wheels turning. My mother has always been a force.
Her biggest accomplishment is being a mother; her second is being a businesswoman.
She and my father built the Kayde empire.
So I trust her advice. “You know who may be able to assist?”
“Who?”
Without a second thought, she says, “Cam Villanueva.”
“Mom, I’d rather touch the inside of the hot oven.”
“Vero—”
“What’s this?” I turn to see my brother Gabe walk into the open kitchen.
He crosses to me and gives me a kiss and a hug, then he walks to my mother and does the same.
He may still be upset with me, but he won’t show it here, not in front of Mom.
Unlike Ian, who would have a pissed-off face, and no one would even bother to ask why.
He has a resting bitch face. Seriously, how did he land Serena?
“Gabriel, your sister was just telling me she will be volunteering at Serena’s nonprofit.” She places the cookie dough on the baking sheet; my brother tries to take over, but she pushes him away. He grabs cookie dough and just eats it. Just like when we were children, my mother smacks his hand.
He laughs and looks at me. “Congratulations, Vee. Let me know if you need help.”
I smile back at my brother; he knows I need this for myself. “Thanks.”
Mom moves to put the cookies in the oven. “I was just telling Veronica that Cam Villanueva may be able to assist.”
My brother turns to me. “Cam? Really?”
“What?” My mother looks at Gabe. “He helped her get her apartment,” she says as a matter-of-fact.
My brother runs his hand down his face. “Mom, I know, but they can’t stand each other.” How does he know that? It’s true, but I haven’t told him. Unless Cam said something.
“How do you know? Has he told you?”
He takes a moment. “Yes. He mentioned something about it. We didn’t go into details. To
be honest, I don’t want to know.”
I raise my brows. “That’s surprising since everyone is always butting into my life.” He narrows his eyes but doesn’t say anything back. I look at Mom, who’s checking on her cookies. I lock eyes with my brother. It’s an unspoken agreement that we just want to keep her good day going.
Mom brings Dad out of the office to join us for a dessert break.
We spend the rest of the day talking about anything and everything.
Gabe updates us on his interim position at Kayde Investments and his need to win everyone over.
He wants to be the favorite Kayde brother.
I can’t remember the last time we did this.
There’s a knot in my throat. I’ve missed so much being away.