Taking Chloe: The Vaughn Series, Book 3

by Anne Rainey

  She made a grab for the robe. “What if someone sees us, Merrick?”

  “Haven’t you ever wanted to try something just a little bit naughty, Chloe?”

  “I-I suppose.”

  He pushed her robe off her shoulders and watched it pool around her waist. Merrick looked over Chloe’s shoulder and realized another couple in a hotel room adjacent to them watched their every move. Merrick’s possessive instinct was to cover his wife from the other man’s view, but he stopped himself. This was a week they’d always remember. Why not go a little wild? Besides, the other couple couldn’t really see anything except Chloe’s back. What they were doing would be obvious, but it’d be their imagination that filled in the blanks.

  Merrick stroked the backs of his fingers over Chloe’s left nipple and watched in fascination as it hardened before his eyes. He leaned forward and whispered into her ear, “We’re being watched.”

  Chloe jerked as if he’d dashed her in the face with a glass of ice water. When she made a grab for the robe, he placed his hands over hers and stopped her. “Shh, relax. They can’t see anything, not really. Let them watch.”

  Merrick detected Chloe’s hesitant surrender in her guarded expression. “Are you sure they can’t see anything?”

  He glanced over her shoulder again. “Nothing but your back. With the robe around your waist, they can’t see anything juicy. And because we’re sitting down, the railing provides some cover, too. They’ll have to guess at what’s going on.”

  Chloe’s brow arched upward. “It won’t be too hard to guess, Merrick.” She paused and her gaze caught on something behind him. “I can see them in the glass.”

  He’d begun playing with a lock of her hair, enjoying the soft texture between his fingers, when her words registered. “The patio door?”

  “Yes. I can just barely make out what they’re wearing, but no real details.”

  “Let yourself go, baby. Trust me to take care of you.”

  Instead of answering, she wrapped her hands around his face and leaned forward. The barely-there caress of her lips did things to him, crazy things. That she initiated the kiss made him feel somehow triumphant. Merrick pulled her against his body, crushing his mouth to hers even as her supple breasts pressed against his chest. He slid his hands down her back and cupped her ass, fondling gently, careful not to push the robe away and risk exposing her lower half. He pushed his erection against her, but pulled back when he encountered cotton.

  “Too many clothes,” he muttered as he skimmed his fingers beneath the waistband of his boxers and released his cock. Skin touched skin. His blood raced. Her small palm coasted over his torso, down his abs, and grasped his heavy length.

  Chloe took her time, smoothing her thumb back and forth over his dripping tip. As she lifted and positioned him right at the entrance to paradise, Merrick’s chest tightened. She sat slowly, her body sucking him in inch by delicious inch until she’d embedded his dick deep.

  “Christ, woman,” Merrick groaned.

  Chloe buried her head in the crook of his neck and rode him with slow, sweet precision. Merrick glanced over to the other couple, ensuring they still had a modicum of privacy. He was shocked to the core when he saw the woman bent over the railing, her shirt gone, her lover pounding into her from behind. Her eyes were closed and her large breasts jiggled with each thrust. She said something incoherent, then her lover leaned down and kissed the side of her neck.

  Merrick had a sudden need for privacy. What had seemed like a fun idea at first now felt intrusive. When Chloe squeezed her inner muscles, his worries were lost in the torrent of desire coursing through his body. His only thought was Chloe. What would his wife think of the erotic show playing out?

  “Open your eyes and watch the glass,” he demanded.

  Chloe’s lids shot up. He knew the instant she’d spotted the couple. Her cheeks filled with color, and she bit her lip, but she didn’t look away. Merrick wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her against him, further hiding her from curious eyes. He nibbled his way up her neck, playing with the sensitive spot behind her ear. Chloe moaned and moved faster. His gaze shot once more to the couple on the other terrace. This time the woman couldn’t be seen. Her lover stood there, out in the open, pumping his own cock as he stared at the floor. Merrick realized the woman must be on her knees. He looked at Chloe. Her lips were parted, her chest heaving with exertion as she rode him. With her dreamy eyes closed, it was clear she was lost in her own sensations.

  The sexy picture of his wife slowly fucking him into oblivion took Merrick over the top. He forgot about where they were and who might see. He braced his feet on the cement patio and pushed upward several times, fucking her tight cunt with hard, forceful thrusts. Chloe moaned and gripped his shoulders.

  “Come, baby,” he commanded

  Chloe’s body tightened, swelled. She arched her neck, and Merrick cupped the back of her head and slanted his mouth over hers, drinking in her wild cries. She wrapped her powerful legs tightly around the chair, squeezing him, sending him over a blissful cliff and straight into a blazing inferno. He drove into her pussy hard one last time and exploded, filling her with jets of hot come. Her body pulsed all around his cock, sucking him in farther, milking him dry. Chloe slumped against him, sated and exhausted.

  “Are you determined to make up for three months of abstaining in a single twenty-four hour period?” she complained, breathless and still pulsing all around his still-hard length.

  Merrick laughed at her disgruntled tone and glanced over at the other terrace. The couple had disappeared. He imagined awkwardly meeting them in the lobby or riding the same elevator later and laughed.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “That other couple.”

  “Yeah?”

  “It’d be downright weird riding in the elevator with them, wouldn’t it?”

  Chloe groaned and hid her face in his chest. “I’m taking the stairs,” she mumbled.

  He pulled her back and forced her to look at him. “It’s twenty-three floors, babe.”

  Merrick tucked himself back into his boxers before helping her with her robe. She stood and glared down at him. “I’m in really good shape. It shouldn’t be a problem.”

  He grabbed her hand as she started to walk away. “It was fun in a naughty sort of way. Admit it.”

  The ornery grin spreading over her face was reminiscent of the old Chloe. “Yeah, it was pretty fun,” she admitted.

  She walked back into the suite a little shakier than she’d walked out. His heart swelled. She’d started to relax a little. This would only be the beginning. By the end of the week, they’d be back on track. They had to be. The only other alternative scared the shit out of him.

  Chapter Nine

  “This is heavenly, Merrick. Thank you for taking me here.”

  Merrick smiled and swiped a strawberry from the bowl, then brought it to Chloe’s lips. “Open up, sweetheart.”

  Chloe opened and let him slip the fresh berry into her mouth. She bit down and juice dribbled down her chin. Merrick leaned over her and licked at the sweet juice. “Delicious,” he murmured. Chloe’s heart raced at the gruff sound of her husband’s voice. When Merrick was aroused, she was aroused. It was that simple.

  She concentrated on not choking on the luscious fruit and looked out at the ocean. The Kapiolani Beach Park had everything a couple of tourists could want. Beautiful scenery, walking trails, beaches, and lots of spots to set up a picnic and bask in the sun. The weather was a perfect seventy-five degrees and sunny. Better yet, she had Merrick’s undivided attention. It was time they finally talked.

  Chloe sat up and placed the bowl of berries to the side. “You said last night you’d tell me everything. I’m ready to listen.”

  Merrick’s hard, powerful body was spread out like a banquet next to her. The blissful expression on his face mesmerized her. As her words sank in, his face closed down. She couldn’t tell what went through his mind.

&nbs
p; He sat up, pulled one knee to his chest and pinned her with a hard stare. “Before I say anything, I want you to understand something. I love you. I love you more than anything in this world, Chloe. I hope someday you’ll believe that.”

  Chloe couldn’t speak around the lump in her throat. She only nodded and let him continue.

  “When you and I met it was like instant combustion,” he explained. “I melted anytime you came into a room. Your soft voice, your intelligent eyes. You ran the office with such confidence it was mesmerizing. I craved you from day one. It took some time, I admit, but I managed to forget about the rules I’d placed on myself about not getting involved with an employee. You were different. I knew it from the start. It was only a matter of time before we’d marry.”

  Chloe agreed wholeheartedly. She’d fallen in love the minute she’d met with the devastatingly handsome owner of Vaughn’s Business Solutions. It had been only a matter of time before they were living in marital bliss. “Some people wait a lifetime for a love like ours.”

  “I know.”

  His smile didn’t quite reach his eyes and that worried Chloe. “I’m listening,” she prodded.

  “Let me tell you about my family. Maybe you’ll understand.”

  She frowned. “Your family? I love your family. Your mom is like a second mother to me.”

  “They’re pretty great, huh?”

  “Yes. I’m so thrilled that Blade and Lacey both found someone to love. Candice, Lacey and I are as close as sisters.”

  “Lacey and Blade are both damn determined people. They see something they want and they go after it. Blade’s business is thriving. He hires on more employees every day. His reputation in construction is unsurpassed.”

  Chloe heard the note of pride in her husband’s voice, but she was still confused. “What does any of this have to do with you and me?”

  “It’ll be clear, just let me finish, okay?”

  She nodded.

  “Lacey’s doing pretty great herself. She has so many clients now she’ll have to open her own gym soon.”

  Chloe had seen the proof first hand. Lacey’s schedule was bursting with clients. She was almost constantly at the gym. “Lacey and Blade are both very driven. It seems to be a family trait.”

  Merrick stared out at the ocean. His entire body seemed ready for battle. “Blade leaves big shoes to fill,” he muttered. “I love him. He’s the best brother anyone could ask for, but it’s not easy living in his shadow. Dad looks at him with pride and respect. He looks at me with…”

  Chloe caught the misery in his voice, and her heart hurt for him. “He respects you. I know he does.”

  “Lacey and Blade both know their place in life,” he continued. “I’ve always been the one who had to struggle for everything. In school, I studied twice as hard as Blade just to get a B. In college, Blade got into some boxing, he was great at it. His grades were top notch too. I, on the other hand, stayed up every night, drank more coffee than is healthy and passed with average grades. Hell, I think Mom and Dad were just glad I graduated.”

  Chloe had never known Merrick to feel inferior, and especially to Blade. She didn’t have siblings so it was difficult to imagine. Her mother had always made her feel strong and intelligent, as if she were capable of anything. Her father, although emotionally distant, had told her more than once that she could do anything she set her mind to. He’d smile with pride and say she was just like her mother.

  “But look at you now,” she hastened to reassure him. “You own your own business and you’re definitely more successful than Blade.”

  Merrick shrugged. “I’m not trying to make it a competition. I’m happy for Blade and his success. Anyway, that’s not what I want to explain.” He turned and pinned her with his gaze. Chloe’s breath caught at the raw anguish on her husband’s face. “I thought it would make me a better man when I hit my first million. That I’d finally earn some respect and I’d have my place in the family. I was so goddamn wrong. I’ve been kicking myself for not seeing it sooner.”

  “Seeing what?”

  “You. I should’ve known how successful I’d become the instant you drifted into my life. I should’ve realized that losing you is the only thing that could make me a failure. Nothing else matters. Not money, not social status. Not my parents’ approval.”

  Hearing her husband’s confession and seeing the sincerity in his intelligent blue eyes turned her inside out. Tears spilled free, and her body shook with all the worry and fear and sadness she’d felt over the last six months. She swiped them away quickly, sensing Merrick had more to say.

  “The first time you spoke of having babies scared the shit out of me.”

  Chloe had been prepared for nearly everything, but never that. She’d thought Merrick wanted children, too. The notion that he might not had never crossed her mind. “Don’t you think I’d be a good mother?”

  Merrick wrapped his fingers around her knee and stroked. “Aw, angel, you’ll make a wonderful mother. The best ever. I want children with you.” His palm cupped her belly. “I want to watch your belly swell with my son or daughter. Hell, both,” he growled. “You’ll be sexy as hell pregnant.”

  Thank God, Chloe thought. Her stomach settled a little. “Then why the fear?”

  “Because I started imagining being a father,” he ground out.

  Merrick stood and paced, hands in his pockets. Chloe took a moment to digest all Merrick had revealed. She thought back to that first time she’d mentioned wanting to get pregnant. She’d ached to fill their house with the laughter of a baby. With total clarity she could see that day in her head as if it were yesterday. Six months. She’d brought up the subject six months ago, right after breakfast on a Saturday morning. Immediately afterward, Merrick’s schedule had filled with work. He’d literally poured every ounce of himself into the business. Deep down, she knew her husband would be the best father in the world, but how could she convince him when he seemed so insecure?

  Chloe stood and went to him. She wrapped her arms around his middle and buried her nose in his navy blue t-shirt. He stood as still as a marble statue, as if afraid of letting himself be comforted. His arms slowly came around her shoulders, and soon his embrace was so tight she had to struggle to breathe.

  When an elderly couple walked by and grinned, it immediately reminded Chloe of their very public surroundings. Chloe wiggled, and Merrick loosened his hold. He gazed down at her, his eyes so filled with worry it nearly broke her heart.

  She cupped his cheek and smiled. “I know you’ll be a terrific father.” He started to protest, but she placed two fingers against his lips and said, “But only when you’re ready. I never meant to pressure you. Having a baby is a decision we both need to make.”

  Merrick didn’t speak. He simply leaned down and fastened his lips to hers as if desperate for her taste. Her muscles went into instant meltdown as she gave him every ounce of love she could give. As his tongue found its way inside her mouth, Chloe groaned, enjoying his stimulating flavor. When Merrick broke the kiss and stared down at her, Chloe had to force her raging hormones back into their cage.

  “I don’t deserve you, Chloe,” he said, caressing her cheek. “I never did.”

  Merrick’s eyes were over-bright, as if close to tears. Chloe had never seen her husband so overwhelmed with emotion. Knowing he was close to losing control slashed at her soul.

  “That’s nonsense. All these worries you have are unfounded, Merrick. You’re a good man and everyone knows it…except you.”

  “If I’m so good, why is it I nearly lost you?”

  Chloe stepped out of Merrick’s arms and started to gather up their trash and leftovers. “The hotel did a wonderful job putting together the picnic, don’t you think?”

  Merrick bent to help. “Yeah, but why are you avoiding my question?”

  Chloe stopped and stared at the used napkin in her hand. “Because I’m not sure our marriage is out of the woods.” Her gaze locked with his as she gave h
im the bold truth. “I understand better now and I appreciate your honesty. I wish I’d known six months ago how you really felt. It might have made a difference.” She tossed the napkin into a paper bag. “I’m so afraid that when this week is over you’ll go right back to working around the clock, and where does that leave me? Where does that leave us?”

  Merrick clasped Chloe’s face in his palms. “That won’t happen. On my honor, that won’t happen. I know it’s hard to believe now, considering my track record, but you have to have faith.”

  “I want so badly to believe you and that scares me.”

  Merrick rubbed his thumb over her bottom lip and murmured, “Every couple has problems, babe. There is no such thing as a perfect marriage.”

  “I know, I do, and I never asked for perfection, just a flesh and blood husband.”

  He angled his head and kissed her. Chloe’s knees went weak. He could so easily turn her inside out. It seemed so unfair at times. As if he had more command over her body than she.

  Chloe pulled back an inch and watched him lick his lips. Even that small action drove her imagination wild.

  “We have something going for us that a lot of couples don’t,” he stated. “We’re in love. And I happen to think it’s the forever kind of thing. You’re not ready to walk away from what we have together.”

  She couldn’t deny his words. The fact she’d come to Hawaii with him was proof enough that she was willing to work it out. What neither of them said aloud was that she had taken the first step. The hardest step. She’d left him. At one time she would have sworn she’d never make such a bold move.

  Chloe finished gathering the trash in silence and together they folded the blanket. Merrick slung it over his shoulder as Chloe searched out a waste bin for their trash.

  Hand in hand they headed back to the hotel, her mind a jumble of thoughts and feelings. Merrick was the first to break the silence.