“Ha, ha,” he brushed off her compliment, embarrassed. “Liv, you know how you said you wanted honesty? That goes for when we’re in bed too. If I do anything you don’t like, tell me.”
“And the same to you.”
“Deal”
She snuggled into his arms. “So, what do you want to do now?”
Nox kissed her. “I’m starving, actually. Want something to eat and I’ll give you a tour of the rest of the house?”
Livia stuck her tongue in her cheek. “As long as you promise to show me every single ballroom in the place, I mean I’ve only seen the main ballroom and…oww…oww! Stop, you maniac!”
Nox tickled her until she couldn’t breathe from laughing, then they showered together and wandered down to his kitchen.
“This looks familiar.” Livia grinned at him as she hopped up onto a seat at the breakfast bar. “Is this your main kitchen or do you have eleven smaller ones for each meal?”
“Funny girl,” Nick leaned over to kiss her. “No, just the one. It’s big enough to feed all seventeen ballrooms though.”
Livia laughed. “Can I help?”
“Nope, let me feed you, woman. Grilled cheese?”
“Perfection.”
They chatted easily while he cooked, Livia admiring the way the muscles on his back flexed as he moved. He really was glorious. She adored the way his shaggy black curls fell around his head, the way his green eyes crinkled at the edges. She still couldn’t quite believe she was there, that they had just made love, and that it had been even better than she had dreamed. It seemed somehow surreal, and yet to be with Nox was so natural. Livia studied him with unashamed lust, and when he caught her eye, he pushed the pan to the back of the stove and came to her.
“How,” he murmured, brushing his lips against hers, “am I supposed to concentrate on cooking while you look at me like that?” He stepped closer and pulled her legs around him.
She was wearing his dress shirt—way too big for her, obviously—and he began to unbutton it, letting the fabric fall apart. He drew the pad of his thumb from her lips, down to her throat, between her breasts and down to her navel, making her shiver with desire. “You’re so beautiful, Livvy.”
God, this man… She pulled his lips back to hers then, as they kissed, freed his cock from his jeans. Nox, grinning, produced a condom from the back pocket. “Always be prepared.”
She laughed and rolled it onto him before guiding him inside her, moaning as he filled her entirely. “God, Nox…”
He thrust hard into her, supporting her with his strong arms as they fucked. Livia bit his chest, kissing his neck and throat, before Nox ground his mouth down on hers. “Livia…”
His cock reamed into her cunt so hard she thought she might slip from her position, and a second later they tumbled to the floor. Livia straddled him as they took each other to the edge of ecstasy all over again. Nox’s fingers gripped her hips, pressing into the soft flesh as she rocked above him, taking him as deep as she could.
Livia came once then Nox flipped her onto her back and began to ram his hips as hard as he could, his cock growing harder and thicker, his hands pinning hers to the cool tile floor. Livia urged him on, coming again and again as he neared his peak. Finally, with a long moan, he came, shuddering and trembling, gasping for air. “God, Livia…can we just do that all the time?”
“No complaints here.” She grinned at him as he laughed, kissing her tenderly.
The grilled cheese was unsalvageable so Nox made fresh sandwiches and they both ate as if they were starving. “It’s all the energy we used up,” Livia said, nodding her head wisely and making him laugh. “Don’t mock, it’s fact that sex uses up four-point-six megatons of kilojoule energy for every orgasm.”
“You just made that up.”
“Alright I did, but still.”
“Lunatic.”
She stroked his face. “You’re gorgeous.”
He smirked. “Oh, I know.” And he strutted around like a peacock, making her giggle.
“What was that? Mick Jagger crossed with a chicken?”
Nox gave up his comic strut. “Buzzkill.”
Livia giggled. Gorgeous and funny. “Nox Renaud…how on earth haven’t you been snatched up by some woman already? I mean, apart from that face of yours, you’re the full package, aren’t you? I don’t get why you would ever be single.”
The smile cracked a little, faded, and Livia cursed herself. “Shit. I’m sorry, did I put my foot in it again?”
Nox was silent for a moment, gathering his thoughts. He played with her fingers as he tried to decide what to say. “Liv…when I was a teenager, there was someone. Ariel. We were inseparable, and we both knew it was inevitable that we would end up together. One night, I was getting ready to go pick her up for our senior prom. Amber—that’s her twin sister—called the house in hysterics. Ariel was missing.” A cloud passed over his handsome features and Livia took his hand, holding it tightly. He smiled at her gratefully before clearing his throat. “They found her body the next day, laid on one of the tombstones in the cemetery. She’d been st—” his voice broke and he looked away from her. Livia was horrified to see tears in his eyes. “Stabbed to death. And not quickly either. Whoever murdered her took his time.”
“Oh, god, no.” Livia felt cold. Poor, poor Ariel. The heartbreak on Nox’s face was still obvious even though two decades had passed.
Nox looked at Livia now, his green eyes filled with pain. “I never thought anyone could ever…not replace, I hate that word—and it’s not true when you’re talking about another human—but that I would meet someone who made my heart soar. I was wrong.”
Livia touched his face. “I want to make you happy again, Nox Renaud.”
He wrapped his arms around her. “You already have, Livia.”
She kissed him, her heart pounding with sorrow for him. “What will your friends think about me? I mean, I know you’re still friends with Amber…will she think I’m just a gold-digging interloper?”
“No. Amber has always told me that she wants me to be happy. I think, for both of us, we had no closure over Ariel’s death because whoever killed her is still out there. I think you and Amber would be good friends. I certainly hope so.”
“On my part, I have no qualms…except perhaps the total chasm in our social situations.”
Nox shook his head. “You shouldn’t fixate on that. Really.”
“I promise,” she smiled up at him, but then her face turned solemn. “I’m so sorry about Ariel, that’s horrific. The police really had no clues?”
“None. Ariel was the sweetest person. No one could have had a reason to harm her.”
Livia sighed. “Sadly, there doesn’t seem to be much reason to kill a woman. Some do it just for the thrill.”
Nox was silent for a while, but Livia felt his arms tighten around her. “When I heard you scream that night,” he said softly, “when I saw it was you…”
“That was just some dude trying to mug me, Nox. I dealt with it.”
“Badass.”
“You betcha.”
He kissed the top of her head. “Okay, my little warrior woman. Let’s go back to bed and keep each other up all night.”
Chapter Seven
Livia’s head was bent over her piano when she heard the commotion outside the practice room. She looked up as Charvi, followed by a couple of excited students, came into the room. Charvi looked stunned, overwhelmed and shocked all at once. She nodded at Livia and then the piano.
“You might want to sit down, play that old wreck one last time.”
Livia blinked, completely discombobulated. She had been working on her composition, Night,—her ‘piano porn’ as she told Nox—and been so into it that the sudden interruption made her shake her head. “What?”
Charvi smiled. “Your boyfriend is a very generous man.” She turned as the wide doors of the music room were opened and a gang of workmen, huffing and puffing, wheeled in a vast trailer. Livia st
ood as they maneuvered the covered item onto the floor.
“You can take this one out,” Charvi ordered them, tapping the piano Livia was working from, “save us the trouble.”
The foreman shrugged. “Sure, no problem.”
Livia quickly grabbed her stuff from the rather battered, but much-loved piano, even more confused. Charvi and her students grabbed the dust cloth on the new piano and pulled it off with a flourish. Livia couldn’t help but gasp. Underneath the cloth sat the most beautiful instrument she’d ever seen. Charvi looked gleeful. “You know what this is?”
Livia nodded her head weakly. “It’s a Steinway, a Model D concert grand Steinway.” Her legs were shaking. Nox had done this? “It’s Judy Carmichael’s piano. Not hers personally, but her piano of choice.”
Charvi was watching her. “That’s right. And Nox donated not just one of these, but four. He’s donated four of these babies to the university, plus countless other new instruments and a huge endowment.”
Livia was shocked to her core and also conflicted. She and Nox had only been dating for two weeks…and this was beyond generous.
One of the other students was looking at her enviously. “Damn, you must be good in bed.”
“Tony.” Charvi glared at the student. “That’s enough.”
“Sorry.”
Livia shook her head. “It’s okay. Four Steinways, though?”
Charvi looked at the other students. “Give us the room, will you?” After they had gone, Charvi sat Livia down on the new piano stool. “You look like you’re about to collapse. Sit, breathe.”
“I just…I mean, what? What does this mean?”
Charvi nodded, but she didn’t smile “I think it means he’s smitten.”
“This is too much, Charvi. I mean, god…it’s been two weeks. Not that I’m not happy for the university, but…” She opened the lid of the piano and began to press down on the keys. “God, listen to that tone…” She began to play her composition, listening to the deep bass of Swedish steel and copper wire, the treble so sweet and pure. She played through all she had written so far—twice—forgetting Charvi was in the room. Closing her eyes and moving her fingers over the smooth spruce keys, she lost herself in the composition. Livia thought not of the notes she had to play, but of Nox, and of making love with him, the fun and laughter they had shared over the last few days. They had become almost inseparable in such a short time…
She sighed and finished playing, opening her eyes. Charvi gave her a round of applause. “That, sister, is coming along nicely.”
Livia grinned. “My piano porn?”
Charvi laughed. “I don’t think we’ll call it that in the program. Do you have another title?”
Livia flushed. “Night.”
Charvi sighed. “I guess it’s no use now to ask you to be cautious with this man.”
Livia felt stung. “Charvi…what is it? Why are you so nervous about my relationship with Nox Renaud?”
Charvi rubbed her eyes. “It’s not Nox himself as it is the people who surround him. I worry about them affecting you.”
Livia snorted. “Charvi, I can look after myself in that respect. Why is it I think you’re keeping something from me? Tell me straight…is Nox dangerous? Tell me now before I fall in love with him, because that is a very real possibility.”
Charvi looked upset, and as if she were about to say something, but then relented. “Just be cautious around his friends. If Nox is anything like Gabriella, then I wish you two nothing but happiness. She was the best person I ever knew.”
“Then he is like his mother.” Livia said softly, trying to keep the tone of reproach out of hervoice and Charvi smiled apologetically.
“In that case…” Charvi patted her shoulder. “He might have donated the instruments, but you had already started to write that beautiful piece about him, and now you’ve given it his name. Have you invited him to the recital?”
“Not yet, but I will. I just have to make sure it’s perfect.”
“You will.”
Livia looked at her watch. “I have to go thank him.”
“Thank him for all of us, would you? Obviously, the Dean will be writing to him to express his gratitude, but from me, from the music department and faculty, say thank you.”
Livia hugged her teacher. “I will. And you know, I think he’d love to see you again.”
Charvi’s smile faded. “I’m not sure I’m ready. Gabriella was like a sister to me. Her death still hurts and I…” She sighed. “I’m scared that if Nox has grown to look like his father too much, I might flip out on him and say all the terrible things I wanted to say to Tynan. So, not yet, please. Let me work my way up to it.”
Livia nodded, sadness making her chest hurt. One moment in time and so many lives were wrecked. “Of course. Let me just say… Nox is a wonderful man. You won’t find a more generous or kind and open man.”
“I believe you. I just need time is all.”
Roan stared at Nox, who looked back steadily. “After all that, just ‘no?’”
“Roan, you knew this was a long shot coming in here. If you need money, just ask, but we both know you’re not cut out to be in this business.”
“It’s food importing!” Roan threw his hands up in the air and stood up. Nox could see he was agitated and shot a glance at a silent Sandor. Sandor cleared his throat.
“Roan, it’s purely from a business standpoint. We’ve made our reputation on no drama and no gossip, by being above board and transparent on everything. And while you’re a fantastic salesman, that’s not who we are.” He tried to lighten the mood. “It would be like Freddie Mercury joining…Coldplay.”
“Or the Allman brothers.”
“Sigur Ros.”
“Snoop Dogg joining the Spice Girls.”
“You’re Scary Spice.”
“Am not.”
Roan’s mouth hitched up at one side as he tried not to smile. “Don’t make me laugh, I’m mad at you guys.”
“We’re just saying we’re too staid for you, buddy. Rather, this company is. Look, you want to talk about setting up a new company doing something entirely different, something that will suit you, and that we could invest in, go for it.”
Roan, mollified, sat back down. “You’d consider a new company?”
“Sure thing. Something where you’d be the lead and we would be silent partners.”
Roan chewed on his lip, and Nox shot Sandor a meaningful look. Sandor nodded. “Look, I have to make some calls. How about I come back for you in twenty minutes and we’ll grab some lunch?”
“Sure thing.”
When they were alone, Nox looked at his friend. Roan seemed diminished somehow, stressed, not his usual ebullient self. “What is it, Roan? There’s something going on with you, something more than wanting a new career.”
Roan sighed and rubbed his face. “Don’t worry about it.”
“I do worry about it.” Nox frowned. “Do you need money?”
Roan stayed silent. “You just have to ask,” Nox said in a quiet, calm voice. Roan shook his head.
“Thank you, man, but I have to find my own way out of this.”
“Surely Odelle’s family…” Nox trailed off as Roan laughed.
“Man, if I could keep it my pants maybe she wouldn’t hate me right now.”
“Fuck, Roan.”
“That’s what I do. Maybe I should start a male escort business.”
Nox ignored that remark. “Odelle knows?”
“Yup.”
“Who?”
Roan hesitated before looking at his friend. “Amber.”
Nox rocked back. “You’re kidding?”
“Nope.”
“Jesus, Roan, don’t you know not to sh—”
“Shit where you sleep? Yup. I’m that much of an idiot.”
“Jeez.”
Roan sighed. “Look, I’ll work on Odelle, apologize, make it up to her. Marry her.”
“Odelle may be a strange fish
, but she won’t fall for any fake sentiments or actions. If you marry her you had better damn mean it. Or you’ll have me to answer to, as well as Odie.” Nox was irritated, but Roan held up his hands.
“I hear you.” He studied his friend. “What about you? You made a move on the lovely Livia yet?”
Nox couldn’t help his smile. “That is going very, very well, thanks. She’s adorable.”
“You bringing her to Thanksgiving? You can, you know. She can meet the gang.”
Nox smiled, but didn’t answer. “Look, get together an idea for the kind of business you’d like to run, and we’ll talk more, make a business plan. There’s a couple of empty offices here you can use as a base. Don’t harass the female staff, is all I ask.”
“Would I?”
“Yes.”
Roan laughed. “I promise to be good. Thanks, man. I appreciate this.”
“Just take it seriously. This could be a turning point.”
Roan smiled at his friend. “You know, you’re an excellent big brother.”
Nox ignored the pain that shot through him—an excellent big brother, just like Teague was—and hid it with a smile. “Damn straight. And I will kick your ass if you screw this up.”
Roan stood and shook Nox’s hand. “I swear to you, Nox, I won’t let you down.”
“Go tell that to Odelle.”
“I will. Thanks, brother.”
Livia waited as the receptionist tried not to stare at her. She smiled at the young woman, who flushed slightly. “Sorry.”
Livia shrugged. “It’s okay. What’s your name?”
“Pia.”
“Hey, Pia, I’m Liv. I’m kind of seeing your boss.”
Pia smiled. She was young, early twenties Livia guessed, with big blue eyes and jet-black hair. Gorgeous. “I know. He’s such a great guy, great boss, too.”
Livia smiled and wondered if Pia had a crush on her boss. She couldn’t blame her. The next minute, Livia realized Nox wasn’t the object of Pia’s affection when Sandor came into the reception and handed her some notes. Pia flushed a deep scarlet and Livia hid a smile.
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