by Bree Rivers
He turned her to the bed, she squeaked loudly when he bodily lifted her to its surface and positioned her on her knees. Kane made a shushing sound at her as he ran his hands over her thighs, up her hot ass, over her sides, and to her trembling breasts. He lifted and worked them for a few minutes, twisting hard on her nipples. He had to steady her before she pitched forward into the covers, so his hand grasped her by her pussy and lifted her slightly to make her focus on her balance.
Kane took his position behind her, ready to mount his Vanity for once and for all. Gathering her long dark hair in his fist, he used it to pull her head up so she could see them both in the mirror on the far side of the room. “Are you sure, Vanity? You understand this is still conservative for me, right? I’ll take you as far as I can, which will probably be far more out there than you want. Are you positive—”
“I swear Kane if you don’t fuck me soon, I’m going to die!” Vanity’s hips bucked as if she could seat herself on his cock without permission, so she landed another slap on her ass to settle her down. She continued to make hard thrusts even as he tried running his hand down her back. He didn’t want this to be fast. Using the spreader gave him all kinds of ideas and the last thing he wanted was for their fun to be over too soon. True, they had all summer, but he’d been waiting since she was sixteen and he saw the beauty she was going to be.
She was shivering with need, the muscles beneath her skin pulsing as if they were trying to find a way to him without her brain’s instruction. All it would take to shatter her into pieces was one long hard thrust of his cock. How fucking intoxicating. “You’re mine now, sweeting. And I am never letting you go.” With the last word he gritted out into her ear, his hips thrust forward. Her mouth opened on a long, ear-splitting scream as she fell forward. He should have stopped and punished her, but he couldn’t. His body slammed in and out of her. Kane shoved one arm beneath her breasts to lift her as he continued to fuck her. She was so tight. So perfect. So warm and soft, he wished he could fuck her from now until the end of time. When he came he feared passing out for a moment, it was so sudden and hard he thought he saw stars. He collapsed on top of her, as the last few thrusts let him pound out the final moments of his orgasm. He rolled to the side, shifting Vanity so that he could look into her eyes.
Chuckling, he moved her tangled locks from her face. He’d have to get some bands to hold her hair back next time. There was nothing like having an unimpeded view of a beautiful woman’s face when she was sucking your dick. “Are you okay, sweeting? I didn’t hurt you ...”
“No,” she yawned as she opened her eyes. Cuddling closer, Vanity grimaced when she realized her legs were still in the grips of the spreader.
“Let me help.” Kane got up and released her from the bar, carefully placing it in the corner. He’d want to use it again later. Going to the bathroom, he cleaned himself up, and then brought back a cloth to work on her. Running the damp towel over her body, he growled with satisfaction at the marks on her body. He placed a single gentle kiss on the tip of one breast which had bruised under the twists of his hand. He had to be careful with her. His Vanity was much too easy to crush.
Re-positioning her on the pillow, he pulled her into his arms to take a brief nap.
WHEN SHE WOKE UP, VANITY felt like she glowed with happiness. She finally understood why all those women in Kane’s room screamed so loudly. Grimacing at the memory of how thin those women were, she shook herself and sat up when she saw Kane walk into the room with a towel strewn across his shoulders. “Time to get up, sweeting. We need to get you back to your Dad’s so we can get a bag packed for you.”
“Oh.”
He froze as his eyes narrowed. “What’s wrong?”
“Kane ... I still help my dad around the estate. I can’t just move in with you. What would your Dad think?”
“I haven’t cared what the senior Senator from Virginia thought of me for ten years.
“But ... there’s my dad. And Maria—”
“What does the housekeeper have to do with our relationship?”
“She’d be so ashamed.”
Kane watched her and sighed. “Vanity, you knew I’d want you here—”
“I know,” she swallowed hard. “I just thought we could do it with me staying at my Dad’s still. That way ... “
“What? No one will notice? You know Maria knows everything on the estate.”
“True.” She shook her head as her eyes got glassy with her tears. “I just ... never mind. I’ll think of something to tell my Dad.”
“No, wait.” Kane pulled her from the bed and wrapped his arms around her. “That’s not how this works, sweeting. You gave me your body, I’m responsible for your well-being, your health, and your happiness.”
“I thought it was just my orgasms.”
“Other, yes, maybe. You? My job is everything. To make sure you get everything. Understand?”
She looked up and saw just how profoundly vital this was to him. Leaning into him, feeling her curves melt into his body, she sighed when he grunted. “I get it,” she said. “I promise to make sure the time we are together is everything you’d get from one of those skinny girls you usually have here.”
His eyebrows rose, as his hands, each grabbed an ass cheek and squeezed. “Skinny got nothing on your curves, sweeting.”
Vanity thrilled at the way every part of the simple act of changing back into her dress seemed to fascinate Kane. When they were hand-in-hand walking back to the central part of the estate, they bumped into the Senator. Vanity tried to release Kane’s hand and step behind him, but he tugged her closer. “Sir.”
“Back from school, I see.”
“Graduation went well. Sorry, you missed it.”
“I had business concerns.” The Senator’s eyes left Kane’s face and oozed over her body making Vanity feel dirty. “The Gardener’s girl, right?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Give me a break. You know her name, dad.”
“Are you stealing food from my kitchen?” Senator Long asked Vanity.
“What?” Vanity looked at Kane who let out a soft curse. “No. Never.”
“Leave her alone, Dad.”
The Senator’s eyes never moved from sliding over Vanity’s face, down her body and back again. She had a sudden desire for a long shower. “If you lose a stone, you might actually be attractive.” His eyes snapped to Kane’s and narrowed. “Not attractive enough to marry though. Am I clear, Kane?”
"Senator," Kane tucked Vanity behind him. "Try being a gentleman."
"And don't you dare get her pregnant. You should probably take her to a clinic."
“I believe I’ve been repeatedly clear on how I feel about your opinions, sir. Excuse us, we have an appointment.” Kane tugged on her hand and got them walking down the path and away from his father.
“Lose the weight girl,” the Senator called out to them. “You may even have a shot with me.”
“Kane ...”
“Don’t worry about it. He won’t do anything to you or your Dad.”
“I’m not worried about me,” she said. Tugging on his hand, she finally got Kane to stop stumping away. “Are you okay?”
“My father’s a bastard.”
“But you’re not.”
He tugged her into his embrace and squeezed her so tight she feared she’d pass out. “I hope I’m not,” he whispered.
"Kane ... I'm on the pill, but maybe we should use condoms, too."
"I've used a condom with every girl I ever let in my bed, Vanity. I'm sorry I didn't ... I wasn't planning on you ..." He sighed and rested his head against her hair. "I'll start. And for the record, if you get pregnant from what we've done so far, I'm rushing you and your dad to a justice of the peace."
"Kane, I'm not getting married just because I have a baby—"
"Hell, you aren't." He pressed a hard kiss against her lips. "Though you'll be marrying far beneath your station. Remember, I get you, your Dad, and the baby ... all
you get is my father."
"You are more than worth it."
“I was looking for you,” her father said.
Vanity’s eyes popped open as Kane quickly released her and set her away from his hold. “Hi, Daddy!” She went over to her father to kiss his cheek. “Sorry, we spent all night talking and lost track of time. What’s going on?”
“The hydrangeas have finally opened. I thought you’d like to go see them.”
“I will,” she smiled back at Kane. “Give me a few minutes to change my clothes, and I’ll help you with the cherry trees.”
“Just a minute.”
Vanity froze at the harsh tone of her father’s voice. “I’m not an idiot, Vanity. Believe it or not, there was a time I had the same expression that boy has on his face as I tried to convince your Momma’s father that we were talking last night.” The old man turned to Kane and stared at him hard. “You going to treat my girl, right?”
“I swear on my own Mother I will.”
“Recognized the first minute we got here this was bound to happen sooner or later. I’ve seen the types of girls you go for, Mister Kane—”
“They aren’t Vanity. No one is Vanity, and no one has ever been.”
Vanity went to her father and put her hand on his arm. “It’s okay, daddy. This is what I wanted.”
“You just remember something, Mister Kane,” her father’s eyes stayed on Kane’s face. Kane just quirked up one eyebrow and folded his arms over his chest. “I know plenty of deep dark holes to hide your body in.”
Kane laughed. After a few moments, Vanity’s father joined in, and she took her first deep breath. It would be fine. Kane’s father was never around, so it was easy enough to ignore him and his lecherous ways. Her father and Kane had always been friendly. They’d find a way back to that sooner or later.
And she and Kane would have the whole summer to be together. It would work.
It had to.
Chapter 12 - After
Violet stepped back and looked at the mocked-up dress again. It was perfect. The style lacked any type of surplus material, Lara was so little in stature any kind of ruffles would overpower her. The other dress, now hanging on the side wall unit hook, was multiple panels, made to seem covered in ruffles when again it was the drape that created the feeling of motion. Two dresses, the same color, it was only with close inspection would a viewer understand how they could be so different and yet fundamentally the same. It was a way to flatter each of the women while still serving the needs of a wedding party.
She’d also been inspired by the process. Violet had two dozen drawings of other dresses she wanted to make. An entire line, depending on your body shape, would guarantee you had something flattering to wear.
For the first time, she could do it. Create her own collection.
Turning to the first gown in her series, she began working on it. The coffee pot was going full time, and she didn’t have to fear the night because she stopped trying to sleep through it. She just wanted to work. All of the advice of the doctor and the therapists were wiped clean from her mind. Color. Drape. Design. She let it fill her and embolden her heart. The memories were buried beneath a pile of silk.
Flying. Why was she flying?
Her body was lifted, held against a warm chest. Kane. Had to be Kane.
“Careful.” The whisper was Davis, and she relaxed.
“I know. I just couldn’t leave her sleeping at her desk.”
“You’re the one who said to let her keep working for three straight days.”
“At least she’s smiling again.”
Violet realized, she was smiling in her sleep and didn’t have the energy to wipe the smile from her face. They’d never hurt her. It was she who was a danger to them. She let herself drift off again, content that they’d guard her.
Her next moment of consciousness was the insistent pounding at her door.
She’d grown so used to the guys controlling her security, she didn’t even think about it when she wrenched open the door. Her clothes were rumpled and covered with coffee or food stains. Her hair was a tangled knot at the back of her head. And she guessed her breath would probably peel paint.
Daisy. Looking into the face of a woman she’d hoped to become friends with, Violet’s heart plummeted into her stomach.
“I gambled you wouldn’t mind.” Daisy looked between her and the man at her side. “Roman, she’s fine. See? She didn’t even think about slamming the door, so would you please—”
“Why would I slam the door?”
“He’s worried you hate me for what happened.”
“I could never hate you.”
“Violet, why don’t you invite us inside?”
She smiled at Roman, who’d been the one to hire her, once upon a time. Daisy put a hand on his chest to keep him from coming close to her. “Roman, we were told no boys allowed. You get to stay out here and I’ll—”
Violet opened the door wider, anticipating the man’s response. He wrapped his arms around his fiancée picked her up and walking inside the house. She smiled at the other woman’s screeching and went to the kitchen to start a new pot of coffee. By the time she finished putting together the tray, she had rejoined the two of them in the living room. Daisy was now sitting next to one of her fiancées with his arm around her. Handing out mugs, Violet decided to just jump right in. “Congratulations on the engagement. Is there something you guys needed?”
“Thank you,” Daisy said. She curled her long, dancer legs underneath her, leaning into Roman’s side.
“Do you blame Daisy?”
“Never,” Violet answered Roman. “I was the one who chose to follow her. The monsters that took us came out of nowhere. The looks on their faces when they saw us, it was clear ... it was clear what they wanted. Daisy begged me to run away from them, she did everything she could to protect me.” Looking at the other girl, her eyes shining like antique jewels. “I really am so happy for you that you took care of the stalker, and you get your happily ever after.”
“Will you make my wedding dress?”
“Daisy!” Roman yelled at her.
“What?” Daisy blinked at her man.
“I thought we discussed you working up to it,” Roman growled.
“That’s why I asked Lara and Ivy to come first.”
Violet hid her smile in her cup as she took a sip of coffee, and Daisy blinked more with false innocence at the glowering fiancée. “I would love to.” Roman scowled at her, and she winked at Daisy. “I’m so happy you asked me.”
The other girl jumped off the couch to go to her and wrap her in a tight hug. She watched over her shoulder as Roman relaxed, and winked at her.
When they all heard the sound of crashing through the forest, Daisy jumped in front of Violet, and Roman made his lazy way to the door. “What is it?” Daisy’s question didn’t seem to faze Roman at all.
“That would be Kane and Davis. Daisy, love, why don’t you and Violet go into her atelier?”
“What’re you going to do?”
“Probably beat the crap out of each other.” Violet shook her head. “Come on, let’s go. They want to protect us delicate flowers from the violence.”
ROMAN SMILED AS THE two women giggled their way down the hall. Good. It was helping. He didn’t know Violet well, but she was one of his people. She worked at his club He’d do anything to help her. When he and Bear realized just how deeply Daisy was taking the other woman’s pain, they really had to take action.
Davis and Kane burst into the house. “What the hell are you doing?”
Roman strode out of the house, knowing they’d follow. They’d been friends for a long time, brothers only recently, but he knew they wouldn’t attack before they had more definite reasons. “I’m helping.”
“How is scowling at Vanity helping?” Kane asked.
“Fuck that, how is invading her territory helping? Doctor Shane was pretty fucking clear, no men in the house.”
“Dais
y feels Violet’s seclusion is now inhibiting her progress. Doc Shane agreed.”
“That’s what this is all about? You, Lara, Ivy, and Daisy forcing her back into the world? We made this bubble for her to help her heal. You asshole.” Kane shoved Roman hard enough to make him stagger backward. “How dare you do this without checking with us first? Do you know how fragile she’s been? How often she can’t sleep more than an hour a night—”
“Kane. Wait. He’s right.”
“Bullshit,” Kane made a fist prepared to wipe Roman’s smile from his face permanently.
Davis shook his head. “He is. She’s been working since the two women left. She’s been happy. We went into her house and moved her when she was asleep, and she didn’t wake up or even have a nightmare. You know that as well as I do. She can’t stay locked in a bubble and shut out the world anymore.”
“Why not?” Kane asked him.
“Because when we locked her up in that bubble, she was stuck inside with the nightmares. They were the biggest part of her world in that bubble. In the real world, they can diminish. They will fade. Here?”
“She’s never going to escape it.”
“Exactly. Roman and the girls are right. Let it be.”
Kane’s eyes closed and his fist slowly unclenched. Once again, he was the one who walked Vanity into hell. She called him her angel that summer, and the truth was, he was her devil all the time.
Chapter 13 - Before
“I’m late. I’m late. I’m so sorry, I’m late.” Vanity came rushing in and almost skipping over to Kane where he sat on the couch brooding at the fire, she bent down to cover his face with kisses. “Forgive me?”