Vince: Book Two of the Perfectly Independent Series

by Amanda Shelley

  “I’m sure you’ll think of something,” he deadpans, and I lose it with laughter all over again.

  He pulls his body upright and leans his back against my headboard. “I don’t know about you… but I’m pretty sure you’re not supposed to keep score in bed.”

  “True,” I agree as another thought hits me, and I pretend to be as serious as possible. “Whatever will we do if we aren’t having a tickle fight in bed?”

  “Well… we could sleep…” he playfully suggests as he pretends to stretch and be tired all of a sudden. But his heated gaze tells me he clearly has better things on his mind than sleep. “Or… We could play a board game?” He shrugs innocently.

  “Yeah, right.” I roll my eyes. “Why do I have the feeling you’d rather be playing strip Monopoly?”

  Vince’s eyebrows raise. “Just how many times have you played that?” Then he cringes adorably. “Wait… do I want to know the answer to that?”

  Picking up a pillow from the side of the bed, I smack him with it. “No—for your information—I’ve never played. But if you keep staring at me like that, I just might make an exception with you.”

  He taps a finger to his chin as a smile forms on his beautiful lips. “I’ll keep that in mind for future possibilities.”

  “You do that,” I say as I reach out and trace the shape of his lips with the pad of my thumb. “But for now, I think I have a better idea.”

  Without another word, I lean forward and kiss him. Vince doesn’t hold back, returning my kiss with a sizzling force of his own. His hand glides to the nape of my neck and he tangles his fingers in my hair. He keeps the pace steady and slow as if he’s in no hurry to rush things along.

  His other hand slides up my back to the clasp of my bra. In an expert move, he has the clasp undone, and my bra falls free between us. His mouth leaves mine, only to feather kiss along my jaw and down the column of my neck. When he reaches my collarbone, I moan in appreciation as I throw my head back and enjoy the moment.

  Our hips grind in a slow rhythm through our clothes, and I feel the effects of this kiss in every inch of my body. My nipples peak and harden as I anticipate him kissing them. Before he makes it there, he abruptly flips us so I’m on my back, and he can trail hot kisses everywhere.

  Holy shit!

  This is even better.

  “Oh. My. God.” What is he doing to me? Heat spreads through my body, and I find myself moaning uncontrollably in white-hot pleasure.

  When his tongue lashes at my nipple, I writhe beneath him, needing pressure at my core. His leg slips between mine, and I find the force I crave against his thigh. He nips and sucks at one nipple as he gently rolls the other between his fingers.

  “More,” I urge as I guide his head by fisting his hair. “I need more.”

  “I’ve got you, Syd. Just have patience.”

  Slowly, he makes his way down my rib cage and across the top of my hips that poke out from my jeans.

  “Haven’t you learned I’m not patient,” I groan in frustration as he kisses along my navel, leaving a torture trail of hot kisses along his way.

  When he chuckles, his breath tickles my tummy.

  “Vince,” I groan in utter frustration.

  “What do you want, Syd? Tell me… and it’s yours.”

  “Need to come…” I practically beg as I push my hips toward his frame.

  Apparently, I’ve reached the point of begging, but I have no shame when it comes to this man. I’m so fucking turned on, if he stops, I may just have to kill him. I have no idea how he gets me so close with so little effort, but the man has magic hands or something.

  He chuckles again as he unbuttons my jeans. “I think I can help you with that.”

  I wiggle as I help him push my jeans and boy shorts over my hips, and he peels them off with ease. As soon as they are out of the way, he returns his attention to me.

  “Tell me how you like it?” he asks with interest.

  Lifting my head, I stare as if I didn’t hear him correctly.

  “What gets you off the hardest?” he asks, leaving no doubt this time.

  “I just need you,” I say as I reach up to pull his face closer to mine so I can kiss him. “Though I do like it when you nip at my nipples and apply pressure on my clit.”

  “I think I can handle that,” he says on a lazy grin as he makes his way down my body. His deft fingers find my clit with ease as he pays ample attention to my breast.

  Suddenly, I feel a slow build deep within my body.

  “Holy shit… how do you do that so fast?”

  And he stops… he fucking stops…

  “Do what so fast?” he asks with great interest.

  “Ugh… I was just about to come so hard…” I practically whine.

  “Don’t worry, Syd, I’ve got all night.”

  “You don’t understand… I never have multiples… or come this fast… I’m afraid I just lost it…”

  He looks as if he didn’t just burst my favorite balloon.

  “I told you, Syd, I’ve got all night. I’m not gonna leave you hanging.”

  Like before, Vince shows he’s in no rush to take things further. He takes his time getting to know each of my breasts intimately as he perfectly strums my clit as if he’s been given the key that can unlock my body in an instant. Warmth fans throughout my limbs, and my nerve endings crackle.

  The only way I can describe this intense feeling as it flows into every pore of my essence in such a slow burn is that it’s euphoric beyond description. It flows down my spine and into my extremities. My face literally numbs as I focus on the energy coursing through me. It spreads out in waves and has yet to actually spark.

  God only knows how Vince keeps me on the precipice for what feels like an eternity. I swear he hits a pause button on reality because time ceases to exist. It’s just me and him. I want more… I need more, but I’m conflicted because I’m not sure whether to chase this ecstasy further. I’m just not ready for it to end.

  I hover on the edge.

  The brink of no return.

  Just when I think I’m ready to fall over, he changes up his pace and brings me to a whole new level of high. When he inserts his fingers and starts to scissor as he strums my clit with his thumb, I’m sure I’ve started speaking in tongues.

  “What the fuck are you doing to me?” I ask in awe as he manages to keep my orgasm at bay and excite me further.

  My thoughts are so incoherent that if he says something in return, I simply don’t hear it.

  All I hear is the blood rushing throughout every inch of my body as it chases the orgasm of a lifetime, as he kisses down my body.

  Then he flicks my clit with his tongue. The world could stop turning in this instant, and I wouldn’t even care. I’ve been to Nirvana, and there’s no need in returning to reality.

  My body tenses stiff as a board as I come over and over again. He manages to prolong my orgasm for longer than I could ever imagine.

  When my muscles unclench and relax, I can’t even open my eyes. It’s just too much effort. Vince crawls up my body, pulling me into his arms like the rag doll I’ve become. I feel his warm breath on my neck as he kisses me softly from behind as we morph into the big spoon.

  I can feel his erection—but I’m so wrecked, I can’t even turn to face him.

  “Owe you…” is my last coherent thought as I drift off to sleep.

  When my eyes drift open, light creeps through my window as if it’s barely dawn.

  What the hell happened to me?

  I look to where I thought Vince was supposed to be sleeping, but the bed is empty. Not that I expected him to stay over, but despair washes over me.

  Before I can contemplate a pity party, I feel the covers lift and the bed dip. Soft kisses feather up my leg to the apex of my thighs. He wasn’t in a rush before, but he is now as his hands splay me open, and his tongue flicks across my clit.

  “Well, this is quite the wakeup call,” I tease.

  �
��Can’t talk now… busy…” he mumbles between fervent kisses.

  How the hell can he take me back to where I was last night in such a short time?

  16

  Vince

  I can’t help the triumphant grin that’s likely to be permanently etched across my face when Sydney comes down from another intense orgasm. I mean… I did that… and I’m damn proud of my efforts. Last night, her orgasm went on and on and this morning, I had every intent of replicating it.

  When the last of her quakes finish, I crawl up her body to hold her once again. I’ve never actually stayed the night with a woman before. Sure… it took me forever to actually sleep, due to the raging case of blue balls, but hands down, it is worth every ounce of pain to wake up with her like this today.

  As I pull her fully sated body against mine, I wrap my arms around her like she’s meant just for me. Nuzzling my chin into the crook of her neck, I whisper, “Good morning.”

  I feel her laugh before I hear it. “If that’s your idea of a wakeup call, I volunteer as tribute for repeats.”

  “I’m sure that can be arranged.” I shrug it off as if she didn’t just rock my world, too. “Though truth be told. You’re the first person I’ve ever stayed the night with.” I have no idea why the truth spills out. But I guess if I think about it, I’d rather she knows the truth.

  Her tone is playful as she sighs, “Ahhh… so you’re a love ‘em and leave him guy, are ya?”

  “Nope… can’t say that I am,” I admit with another truth.

  Sydney doesn’t say anything, she just flips over to face me and leans against my bare chest. Her leg intertwines with mine as she takes a moment to find comfort.

  Not trusting myself, I slept in my jeans last night, so I’m sure the denim’s scratchy on her delicate skin. But as she worms her way closer to my side, I’m not certain she cares.

  “You okay, Syd?” I ask when she stills and doesn’t say anything for an unusual amount of time.

  “Just enjoying this moment,” she whispers, then sucks in a deep breath and moans on an exhale. “You smell so good…”

  Really? I haven’t showered since before the game, and I slept in my clothes.

  “Okay…” I laugh lightly, still in shock at her words. “If you say so…”

  “I do. I can’t get enough of you. I want to take your scent and turn it into a candle for when you’re not here.” Suddenly, her body tenses, and she mutters, “Wait… forget I said that…” She burrows her head into my chest so I can’t see her expression.

  “Syd?” I ask, trying to gain her attention.

  When she finally peeks my way, her beautiful freckles nearly disappear with the heat that rushes to her face. Before I can question her further, her words gush out. “It must be the sex-induced coma you put me into last night…. I blame that for sounding creepy.”

  “You were pretty comatose last night,” I tease. “But I think I get it. I couldn’t get enough of your taste last night… I mean… look at how I couldn’t keep my hands off you this morning.”

  “Vince… you will never hear a complaint from me with a wakeup call like that. You’re way better than any alarm I’ve ever had.”

  “I’ll be sure to remember that,” I tease as I draw lazy circles up and down her back.

  God, she feels amazing, and I can’t stop myself from touching her.

  A few minutes later, I hear her stomach rumble with hunger and when I look at the clock, I realize it’s later than I thought. “What do you say to breakfast out today?”

  “What?” She feigns shock and adds, “You don’t cook?”

  “I’ll have you know… I cook nearly every morning… so I’d like a day off… thank you very much. My only request—as good as it is, we avoid the diner. I love my sister more than anything, but I’d rather keep you to myself than share you just yet.”

  “I get it. If I got up and cooked you breakfast here, I’d potentially have to share you with my roommates. Can we just stay in our bubble for a while longer?”

  I nod in agreement as I push back the covers. “I think I know just the place.”

  We end up at a small mom and pop restaurant just outside of town along an old country road. The place is busy, but thankfully, we’re able to score a booth before the crowd sets in. We’ve placed our orders, and Sydney’s sipping on a fresh cup of coffee while we wait.

  “You mentioned Julia was with a friend last night. How did you manage that?”

  “One of her friends from daycare also happens to have a parent who’s a close friend of Vanessa. She and her husband offered to watch her when they found out CRU was going for another championship title. Julia’s only stayed the night one other time, but it was amazing for them to offer.”

  I laugh at the memory of that experience. “Van was a wreck the entire time because Julia’s only stayed with family. We were prepared for her to come home in the middle of the night or something, so we slept with our ringers on full blast just in case. But nope. That’s not Jules. She basically waved us off from the moment she left the car and begged to stay the night again as soon as possible when we picked her up.”

  Sydney smiles wide as she shakes her head. “She’s independent, that’s for sure.”

  My head shakes in approval as laughter spills from my lips. “You have no idea. We’re gonna have our hands full with her later. She already acts like a mini-adult. I just freaking hope she chooses the right path in life because there will be no swaying her once her mind is set.”

  “I might’ve resembled that as a kid.” Sydney shrugs guiltily. “I don’t think I’ve turned out that bad.”

  “No… you certainly haven’t,” I agree. “Though I can just imagine you filled with spitfire and sass as a teenager. Your mom must’ve had her hands full.”

  “Not really. I mellowed out,” she sighs. “Though, I’m sure it had more to do with the fact I was more the parent growing up than Mom.” Shaking her head as she looks to the sky, she lets out a loud sigh. “I should probably thank Grams for that. I’m only at CRU because she insisted I apply for my scholarship. It also helped that she left me just enough money in her will to cover my expenses for the first two years. Since last year, I’ve been on my own. But with the hours I pick up at the bar, I should be able to graduate without being in too much debt.”

  Damn. Another thing we have in common. Though I shouldn’t be shocked; she’s a hard worker. I’ve seen her in action, and nothing she’s told me is out of character for her so far.

  When I’m quiet for longer than necessary, Sydney changes the conversation with ease and after taking another long pull from her coffee mug, she asks, “Does Vanessa work tomorrow morning?”

  I swear I see a flash of disappointment cross her face so quickly that if I hadn’t been paying such close attention, I would’ve missed it.

  “Yeah. She grabs as many hours as possible when there’s a big event in town. The alumni always tip well, and it practically triples her paycheck.”

  “Wow. I usually work after big events on campus, too. But there’s no way I’d miss the championship game. I requested last night off before we qualified for the championships. I just had this feeling, ya know…”

  CRU had another amazing season, that’s for sure. “Do you like to watch other sports when basketball’s not in season?”

  “I’m a huge football fan as well.”

  “Okay—we can’t be friends if your team’s not the Rainier Renegades,” I deadpan, hoping I’m not wrong about her choice in teams. But let’s face it, she could like my most hated team, and I doubt it would have any effect on my feelings toward her.

  Her seriousness is almost comical as her posture turns rigid, and her expression is stone cold. “Uh… Luke Leighton has brought so much to the team since taking over as head coach. How could I not?”

  When she breaks her hardened stare, we both laugh.

  Shaking her head at her adorable antics, she sighs. “Though truth be told—Grams loved the Renegades, an
d I really wasn’t allowed to like anything else. She and her friends always threw football parties at the local VFW. I can’t remember a weekend without watching the game if I was with her.”

  “Your grams sounds like she was pretty cool,” I surmise. I would’ve loved being close to my grandparents.

  “She was the best,” Syd says wistfully as our waitress interrupts with our food.

  Neither of us speak while we dig into the feast before us. I’m ravenous and from the way Syd devours her biscuits and gravy, I’d say she worked up quite the appetite last night.

  We eat in comfortable silence as we both consume most of our meal. I’m not sure what about Sydney puts me at ease, but I know one thing’s for certain. I like it—a lot. Probably way more than I should, but I’m not sure I have much choice in the matter.

  Sometimes, Syd’s like a whirling hurricane on the outside, yet at the same time, when you cut to the core of her issues, she’s completely calm at the same time. I’ve never seen anything like it. She’s quite the anomaly and as I study her, I’m not sure what to make of it.

  “What?” she asks, breaking my concentration.

  Apparently, subtlety is not one of my virtues this morning as she’s caught me blatantly staring at her.

  Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I mumble, “It’s nothing.”

  Cocking an eyebrow, she stares in disbelief. Her bullshit meter is strong, and there’s no pulling anything past her.

  I take a moment to finish chewing before I put her at ease. “Seriously, Syd. It’s nothing. I just got lost in thought. Sorry for staring.”

  Well… that isn’t a total lie, but it’s the safest response—for now anyway. I’m not sure I want to lay all my cards on the table, when I barely know what game I’m playing. Not that I’m playing a game—because that’s not the case—but rather I’m in uncharted territory, and I’m uncertain what my next move should be.