Van: Vested Interest #5

by Melanie Moreland

  I stood, following her. Outside, the wind had picked up, and Liv eyed the sky with trepidation. “We need to hurry so we can get out of here.”

  I walked beside her again, carefully finding my way toward the front of the property. Close to the edge, I stopped, peering over the steep embankment. “This will have to be addressed. Huge risk factor of falling,” I observed, kicking at what was left of a safety rail.

  “What could we do?”

  “Some rock work and a reinforced steel wall.”

  “Would it detract from the view?”

  “No, we’d incorporate it the right way. Make it aesthetically pleasing, but safe.” I indicated a flat spot behind us to the left. “You could do your gazebo there. Awesome view.”

  She nodded, walking toward the spot. She turned in circles, looking around the property. “Not a place for kids.”

  “Not long term. More an adult getaway sanctuary. A place to recharge. Although, you could add a small pool and a play area to the right, far away from this ledge. It would be a nice way to cool off for everyone in the summer and appeal to a family for short-term stays if Bent decides to use this place as a rental property.”

  “And the driveway?”

  I laughed. “If we’re going to do some redesigning of the cabin, we can redesign the driveway. Make it an easier journey up. It’ll be the most expensive part, by the time we have the plans completed, get permission, and remove some trees. We’ll have to plant more to replace them, but it can be done, I’m sure. I’ll get Jordan on it with an engineer.”

  She sighed. “I love it.”

  “What if we went up?” I asked. “Add a loft—a retreat for the adults. One large room with a private bath. The stairs could go up the back wall off the living area.”

  “Oh,” she breathed. “That would be amazing. Huge windows so you wake up to the view every day.”

  “We’ll have to check code and the structure, but I think from what I’ve seen, it could work.”

  “I can imagine waking up here every day,” she said dreamily. “It would be spectacular.”

  I resisted telling her waking up beside her would be fucking spectacular. Instead, I cleared my throat.

  “I hope Bentley is prepared for the expense.”

  She crossed her arms, her expression wistful. “I hope so too. He already had an offer to buy it as is, but he wanted to keep and develop it.” She eyed the cabin. “It’s hidden, but the potential is huge.”

  I studied her. “I agree. So much potential. It would be a shame to let something so amazing slip through our fingers.”

  I wasn’t only talking about the cabin. She met my gaze, her eyes widening as she took in my stare. She knew I was referring to more than the wooden structure behind us.

  “A smart person once told me that with time and effort, what was broken can be mended,” I stated. “If a person is willing to put in the time, you can create something beautiful—and lasting.”

  Her mouth opened, but no words came out. A large crack of thunder made us jump. The skies suddenly opened, and the rain beat down hard, soaking us in seconds. Another clap of thunder made me move fast. I lunged, scooping her up and running for the cabin. She clung to my biceps, not fighting me, a fact I was grateful for.

  In the cabin, I set her on her feet, shutting the door behind me. Streams of water hit the floor, and I pushed the wet hair off my forehead.

  “I think we’re stuck for a while.”

  She sighed. “I think you’re right.”

  “Stay here.” I hurried to the back of the cabin and rushed out to my truck, grabbing my workout bag. Once back inside, I dug around and handed Liv one of the towels I always carried with me. “At least this will help a little.”

  “Thanks,” she mumbled.

  I toweled off my hair as I peered out the window. The wind was picking up, the trees bending under the force. The rain was teeming, the holes in the roof now evident as the drips began hitting the floor. I pushed the lounger I had been sitting on earlier to a spot which was hole-free.

  “At least we can sit,” I said, glancing up, not expecting the image that met my eyes.

  Frozen, I stared across the dilapidated cabin. Liv had pulled off the oversized shirt she was wearing, leaving her in a tank top. It clung to her like a second skin, showing every curve she kept hidden. She was unconsciously sexy, her creamy shoulders glistening, and her nipples stiff and straining against the thin material covering them.

  My cock hardened.

  When she lifted her eyes to mine, our gazes locked. She tugged at the material uselessly, pulling at it with frantic fingers to loosen it from her wet, slick skin. It hid nothing from my view. Her expression was tormented. She twisted her hands repeatedly. I knew I should turn around. Say something.

  But I only stared.

  Her cheeks flushed, her breathing becoming deep and labored. She tugged at her braid, the wet strands heavy and streaming over her shoulder.

  “You should loosen your hair, so it can dry,” I uttered, my voice hoarse.

  She hesitated, and another word slipped from my mouth, the sound almost guttural.

  “Please.”

  Our eyes locked as she lifted her arms, her hands shaking. She plucked at the clip, the strands falling in a long mass of waves down her back. She shivered, her body shuddering in a lingering, slow roll.

  From trepidation or desire, I didn’t know.

  I couldn’t tear my gaze off her.

  The thunder rolled, lightning crackling outside with an intensity I felt deep within my bones.

  I wanted her with every fiber of my being. I wanted to calm her anxiety, stroke her desire, and claim her.

  Make her mine.

  Right now.

  Van

  The last words I unwittingly spoke out loud echoed in the stillness of the cabin around us.

  Liv gasped.

  I stepped forward.

  She stepped back.

  Our gazes remained locked as I shrugged out of my hoodie, dropping it to the floor.

  “Liv,” I pleaded, desire dripping from the one word. The distance between us was killing me.

  “I can’t,” she whispered.

  “You can. Please.”

  She held up her hand, warning me not to move. “It can’t happen, Van. We can’t let it.”

  “We can. I want you, Liv. I want you so much, I’m aching for you. Stop fighting it. Stop fighting us.”

  “I-I can’t chance it.”

  I edged closer. “It’s not a gamble, Liv.”

  “What if…what if we don’t work?”

  I risked reaching out and touching her cheek. “We already do, Liv. But you have to take the next step.”

  “Which is?”

  “Forgive me. Trust me. Trust this thing between us. Let me show you how good we are. How good we can be.”

  She shuddered, her body trembling. Her head shook with denial, and I dropped my hand, stepping back. I sensed her fear, and I never wanted to elicit that emotion from her.

  “You are forgiven,” she said. “Completely forgiven.”

  But she couldn’t move on. I heard the unspoken words as loudly as if she’d said them. Pain lanced through my chest.

  “I’m sorry,” I said, regret filling my voice. “I won’t bother you again.” I forced a smile to my face. “Still friends, Liv. Always friends.” I lifted one shoulder. “That will never change. I promise.”

  I crossed the room, bending to pick up my hoodie, forcing down my disappointment and sadness. “We need to sit this storm out, and then we’ll head back.”

  Liv’s voice was filled with agony. “Van.”

  I looked up, not prepared for what happened next. Liv launched herself across the room, stumbling with her weak ankle, and I met her halfway. I caught her as she slammed into me, clasped her around the waist, and yanked her tight to my chest. Our mouths met in a series of blistering, passionate kisses. Desire hummed in my veins, the sensation of her body flush against mine
sending me into a frenzy. I tugged on her shirt, pulling the material away from her damp skin, kissing every inch as it was unveiled. Her full breasts filled my hands, and I sucked on the hard nubs, easing away the cold and making her whimper. She moaned my name, the sound vibrating in her throat. It was my undoing. I needed to feel all of her skin against mine. In seconds, I tore the thin material of her tank, the fabric no match for my fists. Liv’s fingers fumbled and pulled, yanking away the material of my shirt that separated our skin, pushing it off my shoulders. Her full, soft breasts pressed into the hard planes of my chest and made me groan.

  “Fuck, baby, I want you.” I licked and sucked at the fragrant skin on her neck. “Tell me I can have you. Right now.”

  She tugged on my belt, releasing the leather, then pushed on the denim, the cold air of the cabin hitting my naked skin. I kicked out of my jeans, then I lifted her with one arm, the other busy pushing away her leggings and sneakers. I slid my hands over her rounded ass, cupping the firm cheeks. “Say it,” I insisted.

  “Yes, Van, I want you. Now.”

  In a few steps, she was under me on the lounger. I felt the cold of her body warming underneath mine, could feel the way her desire blossomed. She tugged at my hair, her restless hands all over my back and arms, pulling me closer, moaning my name.

  “This is more than now, Liv. You need to know that,” I groaned against the delicate skin of her neck. “This follows us beyond here.”

  “I know.” She kissed me, her mouth urgent.

  “Tell me you want this,” I demanded. “Or tell me to stop now.”

  “I want you, Van. All of you,” she replied. “Feel how much I want you.”

  I slid my hand to her center, groaning at the heat and wetness.

  “You’re so soft, Liv. So wet.”

  “I’m always wet when I think about you this way, Van.”

  Jesus.

  “How often do you think of me?” I asked, pushing her open wider, caressing her more.

  She pressed her lips to my ear. “Every time I see you. The way you move. How sexy you are. I imagine you inside me every single day.”

  I grew harder, her words making me crazy. “You don’t have to imagine it anymore.”

  She bucked against my hand. Circling her clit, I strummed gently as she threw back her head, gasping my name. I slid one digit into her heat, then another, groaning at the tightness. She was going to strangle my cock.

  I was desperate to feel it.

  Our mouths fused together as I worked her with my hand. Her tongue was nectar in my mouth, her breath hot and sweet. I fisted her hair, controlling her movements, controlling her, my need to have her building and growing.

  She wrapped her hand around my cock, stroking me. Her thumb ran over my crown, circling slowly, spreading the wetness. Pleasure made me shudder, and I pulled my mouth from hers. She lifted her hand to her lips, her tongue darting out, licking her thumb.

  “I want to taste more of you.” She sat up on her elbows. “I want to know how you feel in my mouth.”

  My heavy breathing became erratic. The image of her with her lips around my cock made my head swim. I shook my head, knowing I wouldn’t last long. I was too far gone right now. “Soon, baby. Right now, I need to be inside you.”

  She eased back, a vision against the leather. Her hair was a mess, her cheeks flushed, and her lips swollen from my mouth. Her chest rose and fell in deep gasps of air. She stroked my thighs with her gentle hands. “Then take me. Make me yours.”

  Her simple words were all I needed. “Protection,” I gasped. “My wallet. I want you to feel safe.”

  She cupped my cheek. “I am safe with you. I know that.”

  I met her gaze. “It’s been a long time for me, Liv. Over a year. I’m clean.”

  “Then let me feel you.”

  I pushed her farther up the lounger and nestled between her legs. The blunt head of my cock nudged at her entrance, and she lifted her hips to bring me closer. I wrapped her leg around my hips and slid inside of her inch by inch. Our gazes were locked, filled with passion and the discovery of each other as I sank into her. She groaned, the sound low and needy in her chest. I breathed her name. I stilled when our bodies were flush, savoring the heat and feel of her.

  “Jesus, Liv. You feel fantastic.”

  She arched her back in agreement. “Please, Van,” she begged. “I need you.”

  “Hold tight, baby. I need you too.”

  I took and she gave. I demanded and she surrendered. I begged and she responded. I drowned in her and she engulfed me. We moved and rocked. Fucked and loved. The lounger creaked in protest and I didn’t give a care if we ended up on the floor. I couldn’t stop. Liv surrounded me, her cries music to my ears, her body a temple I wanted to worship in for the rest of my life. Her skin was supple and smooth, her hair a mass of fragrant waves around us. Her body was rounded and full, rich and malleable under my hands. Despite the differences in our bodies, we meshed perfectly, her curves fitting to my muscles as if sculpted for me alone. The feel of her hands on my body was heaven. I had never felt touches so gentle and warm. They made me ache with a tenderness that overwhelmed me. Caught me off guard yet felt as if I had come home.

  The feel of her, of us, was more than I ever imagined it could ever be.

  Despite the cool air surrounding us, we were on fire. Sweat poured down my back, my breathing uneven and hard. I slid my hands under Liv, lifting her so our chests melded, and she was encased in my arms. She wrapped her legs around my hips, letting me sink even deeper into her. I gripped her hips, thrusting hard, the lounger scraping along the floor in time with our movements. She wound her hands into my hair, her head falling back as she cried out in pleasure at the new angle.

  The world shrank down to one small bubble. Liv. Me. Together. Her pussy. My cock. Me inside her—her body moving with mine. Our slick skin touching in perfect unison, the sounds of our lovemaking filling the cabin. Our grunts and groans. Muted gasps of pleasure. Long sighs of need. The heat and passion that built and soared until it hit the pinnacle for us both.

  She gasped out my name, her fingers digging into my shoulders as her orgasm tore through her. My balls tightened, and my release swept over me. I stilled, emptying deep within her, her name a long, low groan on my lips.

  The lounger held firm.

  My embrace became a vise, and I held her as close as I could. I lowered us to the lounger and collapsed on her chest, my breathing uneven, my body sated, a blissful numbness overtaking my mind.

  I eased beside her, tugging her back into my arms. The feeling of her body, the slightness of her form compared to mine, registered through my dulled senses.

  “Are you okay, Liv? Was I too rough?”

  She pressed a kiss to my chest. “You were perfect.”

  I chuckled. “I think you’re the perfect one, baby.” I rested my chin on her hair, the silken strands tickling my nose. “What changed your mind?”

  “You,” she said simply. “Everything you did last week. The calls, the words. Your patience.”

  “I missed you so much last week. It drove me crazy not being able to be close to you. I didn’t know how I was going to cope if you said you were done for good,” I admitted.

  “I don’t think that could happen, Van. I was tired of saying no to myself,” she admitted. “To you. It was so hard to see you go on Sunday. Then today, I saw the hurt my words caused you, yet you responded with patience and tenderness. I knew I needed to try. I knew you were worth the risk.”

  “You won’t regret it.”

  She pressed a kiss to the roughness of my chin. “I know.”

  The storm raged on outside. The cabin, leaky roof and all, proved to be a warm haven for us. We sat on the lounger, Liv wrapped in my arms, talking about anything and everything.

  “Sammy would like it here,” she murmured.

  “Wouldn’t you be worried about the drop-off?”

  “No. She’s as scared of heights as I am. If I showe
d it to her and explained, she would stay away. She’s cautious like me.” She hummed, her breath warm on my skin.

  I pressed a kiss to her head. “She is a great kid.”

  “If there were a play area, she’d stick to that, and she’d play with her dolls or read. She’s very good at reading and she loves it.”

  “Like you?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ve been working on her bookshelf. It will be ready soon.”

  She traced my chin with her fingers. Her eyes glowed in the muted light. “She’ll love it.”

  “I hope so.”

  “I know so.”

  I settled her back on my chest. “I know you’re up and down ladders. How do you handle the scared of heights thing?” I asked, curious.

  “I only go so high. My staff know I get nervous. They do the cutting and edging, and I roll when I’m helping them paint.” She lifted her foot and flexed it slowly. “I rarely have accidents, though. I think I was distracted yesterday and slipped. I have enough staff, I don’t need to, but I enjoy painting, so every so often, I pitch in.”

  “You’re amazing.”

  She glanced up. “I think you’re the amazing one.”

  Passion simmered in the air around us. I ran my knuckles over her cheek. “I didn’t plan on making love to you today in a broken-down cabin with a leaky roof.”

  A smile played on her lips. “Good thing. I’m not sure Bentley would have been on board with your plan. He would have objected loudly when you put your idea into action.”

  I laughed. “Probably.” I became serious. “You deserve silk sheets, champagne, and a fancy hotel room. Not an old lounger, dust, and rubble.”

  “But the lounger and dust have you.”

  “You have me.”

  She surprised me by sitting up and straddling me. Her wet pussy pressed against my growing cock. Her voice was husky. “Do I have you, Van?”

  I bucked into her heat. “Fuck yes, Liv. You have me.”

  “Can I have you?”

  “Yes.”