“This is it, Miss Molino,” the driver looked back at me through his rearview mirror with a kind smile. Then he stepped out of the car, I’d assumed to open the door for me. I finally found the crumpled piece of paper and opened it up. Fifteen Park Avenue, I swiftly glanced to the address written in cursive writing at the top of the glass. Shit, it’s a match…
“Miss Molino?” the driver asked, almost questioningly as he stood holding the door open for me, probably wondering why I had not exited the SUV. I was going to be living in the same building as Luc? How was I supposed to resist this man when I was living and working in the same place as him? “This way ma’am.” The driver motioned to me with my duffle bag thrown over his shoulder. The doorman held the door for both of us.
“Miss Molino,” the doorman smiled brightly. “I am Tim, I take care of security around here, if you need anything, there is an intercom in your unit. Don’t hesitate to give me a shout,” he explained, while his eyes roamed my body quickly before landing back up on my face.
As I followed the driver up to the apartment my stomach flip-flopped wondering if I would bump into Luc. I was glad to hear this place had tight security, even though I doubted that Scott would be stupid enough to show up here. As the elevator rose, I noticed the driver had pressed the twenty-third floor, one floor below Luc. Holy crap.
“Here’s the key,” the driver said, passing me the key to open the door. He had his hands full with my oversized duffle. As I opened the door my mouth opened into a large O. This was not a small apartment by any means. Yes, it looked smaller than Luc’s apartment that had two floors but, holy shit, this place was massive and modern, with dark wood floors and intricate trim on the ceilings and walls. The walls were a pristine white and all the furniture was white, everything was white except for the very colorful modern paintings that adorned the walls.
“Ah! Miss, where can I put your bag?” the driver asked, pulling me from my daze. I couldn’t believe I would be living in a place like this.
“Just over there is fine.” I motioned, waving him off. “And please call me, Vicky,” I mumbled.
“Are you sure, Miss? I should take it to the bedroom, it’s very heavy,” he insisted with a pained expression, it must be weighing on him.
“I can take it myself, no worries,” I continued to mumble awestruck. I would be living in this place. It was huge. It was beautiful. I wanted to shriek from excitement.
“Please, Vicky, I was told to make sure you are settled in, can I please take this to your room,” he said as his face reddened by the moment. The duffle really was heavy.
“Sure, sorry go ahead, the bedroom must be back there.” I motioned to the back of the apartment.
“I know, ma’am, I mean, Vicky,” he mumbled.
A few moments later he stepped back into the main room huffing and puffing. “Bryce wanted you to have this, he said feel free to use it for whatever you need.” I had no idea what he was referring too until he placed a platinum colored credit card in my hand. My eyes went wide.
“Oh no, thank you, that won’t be necessary,” I said passing the card back.
Derek lifted his hands up, making it difficult to place the card in his hand. “I’m sorry, Vicky, I am only following the boss's orders.”
“Of course, I am sorry. I will talk to Bryce,” I said holding up the card. I was going to have to stop by his office tomorrow morning, we agreed to no special treatment. I wanted him to keep his end of things, even though this apartment was definitely special. I assumed Bryce had lots of properties and this one was probably sitting empty so it was no big deal anyway to him.
“Thank you,” I said to the driver. He nodded his head and smiled, making his way to the door.
“You should lock up, take care, Miss,” he said, closing the door behind him.
I felt like a little girl at Christmas as I danced through the apartment, twirling around while checking out every little thing from the main bathroom to the walk-in closets. The luxurious kitchen was set up for a sous chef and the two bedrooms were massive and modern. I stopped in the master bedroom, assuming I would claim the largest room. Then I hopped onto the bed dancing and thrashing my head around. Feeling the need for some music I flicked through my playlist on my phone and put on My Sharona by The Knack and continued to jump and squeal like a teenager. I felt free, happy, and out of breath by the time the song ended. I fell back on the bed and stared up to the white ceiling blowing out a breath. My smile quickly faded the minute Scott Wellington came to mind. All this could be taken from me in the blink of an eye if Bryce knew how messed up I was, and if the video Scott took of me released to the world, disgracing his name.
My happy mood quickly fell into a familiar pool of despair. I needed some advice so I called the only other person who knew about that awful night. She had been there to pick up all the broken pieces that were left of me once it was over.
After a few rings she picked up. “Hello,” she answered hesitantly into the phone. She was always on guard when she picked up her phone. As if she was hiding something.
“Nessa, it’s Vicky.”
“Vicky? Vicky who?” she cackled.
“Very funny, Ness. How are things back home?”
“Oh, you know the usual run of the mill. Ed is Ed. I serve drinks and that’s about it. I’m starting to go stir crazy though. When are you coming home? I need to have some fun…we should definitely hit the scene in Toronto when you get back.”
“Actually, Ness, that’s the reason for my call. I’m not coming back so soon…” I trailed off because I heard a loud gasp into the phone.
“Vick, you can’t leave me,” she huffed desperately.
“I’m not leaving you, Ness, but I want you to come here. I have an apartment for both of us to stay in, rent free,” I began to explain.
“Are you crazy, Vicky, I can’t do that. I have no money and…”
“I’m sending you a bus ticket and you are coming to live with me. We can figure things out when you get here. Please, Nessa,” I practically begged her. I knew she was alone back home and now she didn’t even have me as her partner in crime, which probably made things even more difficult for her.
“Okay, I’ll come. Just send me your address. I’ll buy the bus ticket no worries.”
“I want you on a bus tomorrow, seriously, there isn’t anything for you to do in Thunder Bay anyway,” I insisted.
“Okay, pretty woman, I’m coming…relax yourself. Have you hit any parties there?” she asked. She had been the one to introduce me to the lifestyle.
“Yeah, I have. Nessa, I have some trouble…”
“What kind of trouble?”
“You remember the guy that beat the shit out of me two years ago when I left….”
I didn’t even finish my sentence when Nessa cut in. “What is it, Vicky?” she asked frantically. “I know who you’re talking about but what happened?”
“Nessa…he knows Bryce…he was at his office today. His name is Scott Wellington, he’s a CEO…of something, anyway he threatened me…he says he has a video of our time together, and he said he would show it to Bryce if I didn’t sleep with him again.”
Nessa gasped harshly into the phone. “That stupid mother fucker, how dare he? I will go to Toronto and kick his ass for you….”
“He isn’t in Toronto, he’s here in New York, I don’t know for how long…but I got away from him yesterday, but now he said he knows where to find me. I’m freaking out Nessa, that man is pure evil. There’s something psycho about him.” I huffed out and then I contemplated telling her about Luc. Should I ask her if I should confide in Luc and get his help? I already knew the answers, she would tell me that I can’t trust men. She doesn’t trust any man. Then she would want me to wait for her to arrive so she can kick Wellington’s butt herself. Only it’s not a plausible solution.
“Vick, I am getting on a bus tomorrow and we will figure things out.”
“Thanks, Ness, I’m glad you are coming. My
father is a nice guy and he wants to get to know me…so I wanted to stay, but I know I would have had a hard time staying without you.”
“Thanks, Vick…thanks for not abandoning me…” she sighed.
“Never, Ness, you and I are a team. I just hope that this Scott won’t go running to the press or Bryce before I have a chance to think of a plan.”
“Did he give you his number or something?”
“No and I would be too scared to call him anyway. I froze at just the sight of him. I can’t deal with him on my own.”
“I’m coming, Vick. Just watch your back until I get there.”
“Yeah, I will. This apartment has security and in the morning Bryce sends a driver, so I should be okay…I better go now Ness, I don’t know how much this call is costing me. I will text you the address for this place. Have a safe trip and leave ASAP.”
“Yeah, yeah. See you soon, Vick. Watch out for yourself.”
“Bye, Ness.”
Once I hung up with Nessa, I noticed I had a message from Luc and butterflies swirled in my stomach. What was happening to me? I was the schoolgirl with a crush. I hadn’t been that girl since Jamie and I first hooked up. The thought of falling for him sent a jolt of panic through me, my guard was deteriorating and my heart was vulnerable. The thought scared me to death.
Vicky send me your address I will pick you up for dinner.
The message made me laugh because I never agreed to dinner and he was being presumptuous.
Actually I’m one floor under you, I replied, feeling my cheeks flush. Why was I embarrassed about this? It was completely out of my control. And saying that I was under him…mmmm….it made my inner thigh muscles contract deliriously.
Luc: Really? I shouldn’t have been surprised. Bryce sold me my apartment. He owns many in this building. When will you be ready?
Me: Give me twenty minutes.
Luc: Are you tired? We can order in?
Me: That sounds perfect.
I was feeling the effects of a long night and day catching up with me. I was also a little nervous because I knew he would want to know more about Scott, and I wondered if Scott could find me.
I made my way into the master bedroom and dropped my phone on the bed before sauntering into the shower. Turning on the shower tap, I squealed and jumped as five shower jets hit me with cold water in all directions. I quickly jumped out of the shower. Then I turned the knob trying to figure out how to get the hot water running. I finally stepped back inside, enjoying the warm massage of the jets as it ran over my head, my stomach and even between my thighs. I placed the jet so it was squirting my clit with hot roughness and it got me all worked up. I felt a little taken aback when my first thought was to find a random hot guy and fuck him. Tim the doorman perhaps… I know there’s something very wrong with that. I hadn’t always been this promiscuous. Sex was never an escape for the old me. I had spent four years in a committed relationship with Jamie. The sex had been intimate and a way for us to feel close to one another. That was until everything got shot to hell, and I didn’t realize what a douche he really was.
Guilt swarmed its way up my throat as I thought about the fact that Luc would be arriving soon. He had been kind and caring toward me since we met. Surely he didn’t expect me to go fuck the first guy I saw after everything we'd shared. My thoughts terrified me because I suddenly realized that something was really wrong with me. The parties had been a coping mechanism for so long now that my old life seemed to be a lifetime ago. The old Vicky had died along with my mother and the innocence I lost along the way. Now I feared I wasn’t even capable of committing if I wanted to. I quickly removed the water streaming directly in between my thighs and repositioned it to hit my belly. After lathering shampoo in my hair and washing my body, I stepped out of the shower panicked about my evening with Luc. Was I capable of trying to have something with him? Maybe he didn’t even want me. He said he wasn’t looking for a relationship. He was clearly coming because he was worried about the Scott situation, and he wanted to watch out for me. He was broken and I was a mess. It would never work anyway. I couldn’t live with myself if I hurt him more.
I sauntered over to my duffle bag and slipped on a pair of black yoga pants and a grey long sleeve t-shirt. I also decided on no make-up and considering the t-shirt was a dark color, I nixed the bra since my tits weren’t that big and the t-shirt wasn’t see-through. If I was already making those calculations, I had to be honest with myself that it didn’t really matter because Luc had seen me naked at the party a few nights back. As I stepped out of the bedroom toward the main area of the apartment there was a buzzing sound from the intercom at the front door. Then I hear Tim’s voice say, “Press the button.” I did as he said and I say ‘hello.’
“There is a floral delivery for you, Miss Molino.”
“Oh okay,” I responded, wondering who would send flowers. It couldn’t be Luc; he would be down here any minute.
“Okay, I am sending him up,” Tim responded cheerfully. A few minutes later I heard a light knock on the front door. I opened the door to a colorful bouquet that was perfectly arranged. The colors of the flowers were vibrant with blues, purples and fuchsia pink making up most of the arrangement. I almost gasped at their beauty. I took the arrangement and thanked the delivery guy, noticing there was a card on top. I continued to close the door and turn the lock. As I made my way to the kitchen to find a vase I read the card, Vicky, now I know where to find you. Don’t take too long coming to me, or else I will have to come to you. The card didn’t have a name on it but I knew it was from Scott. I wondered if he followed me here this afternoon. Maybe he saw me exit Tyson soon after he left and followed me. How else would he know where I was? I don’t even understand what he wants with me anyway. Can’t he find some woman that is into his game? I clearly wasn’t. Didn’t it register in his head when I was screaming no, that he didn’t turn me on? There’s another light knock on the door but this time I flinched. My body is now super alert and scared. I sauntered back to the door and looked through the peephole to see Luc waiting with his hands in his pockets. A part of me was relieved. He made me feel safe.
I opened the door to a laid back Luc with his wet hair falling on his face, wearing a white t-shirt that hugged every inch of his muscles and a pair of black lounge pants that hung low on his waist. The smell of fresh masculine shower gel wafted into the apartment as he entered, causing my body to thrum with excitement. Only I am too shaken up to appreciate him in that way now.
He didn’t say anything as he stepped inside and his gaze roamed the apartment quickly, “What’s wrong?” he asked with a concerned tone. It amazed me how he could read me so well, after knowing me a short time. I realized that it probably wasn’t something special about me and that he was trained to be this way. My pale face and my shaking body probably gave away my fear.
“He knows where I am. He sent flowers with this note,” I held the note up in my hand and Luc took it and read it. A moment later he growled then cussed in French. He stalked back to me and embraced me in his strong arms.
“I’m sorry you have to experience the likes of this man,” he said. Then he buried his face in my wet hair. I could smell his shampoo and despite my nerves, his touch sent those butterflies flying around my stomach again. I didn’t know if I should run away or dive into this headfirst.
Chapter 11
Luc
That stupid motherfucker had some weird obsession with her, and he was pissing the fuck out of me. As I held her in my embrace, I could feel her perky nipples pressing into me. I couldn’t believe I was here alone with her, in a space where she would not be protected from me. After leaving her earlier, I went for a quick session with Dr. Davies. He spent the hour convincing me that I wouldn’t hurt her and that I should let things happen naturally. I wasn’t sure how that was going to work because I have basically been picturing myself fucking her in every position possible since the moment I saw her. I didn’t think I had ever felt that turne
d on by a woman before.
“Everything will be okay. I won’t let him hurt you.” I pulled my head back and tucked a lose hair behind her ear. She looked up at me with fear in her eyes. It was like she wanted to believe me but she knew better.
“Vicky, please believe me. I am going to protect you.” With my second reassurance she nodded her head and her shoulders deflated.
“So what are you in the mood to eat?” I asked, trying to pull her attention away from the present circumstance. Having her pressed into me had caused the sexual tension between us to crackle, and I needed to defuse the situation for both of us.
“Ah, what are the options?” she asked, taking a seat on the long white leather couch in the center of the room. I took a seat beside her but maintained some distance between us. I took a deep breath telling myself I was not drunk or stoned, and I could just hang out with the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen. As she stared at me with wide green eyes I noticed how vibrant they were, it was like she could see right through me; through all of the broken parts. It was like she could see something good in me. I’d been trying to find the good in me far too long. I wanted to believe in those vibrant green eyes of hers.
“We can have sushi, Italian…” I listed off options but she stopped me.
“Sushi is good,” she smiled softly. I pulled out my cell phone and called one of the Japanese restaurants close by. I didn’t normally cook, so I had a list of restaurants I could call for take-out in my contacts. After ordering a large variety of food, I closed my phone, and placed it back in my pocket.
We sat awkwardly staring at each other for a few quiet moments. “This is a nice place,” I said, placing both hands on my thighs and nodding my head while I looked around the apartment.
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