by J. H. Croix
Dan called out a quick thanks, holding two bottles of liquor in his hands as he made two drinks at once. Another customer called her name and she swung away to make another drink. Another half hour rolled by and she spun around to grab a towel to wipe up a spill.
“Hey Vivi.”
Her eyes flew up from the counter and collided with Heath’s. He’d snagged the barstool against the wall again. His green gaze caught hers and her low belly clenched, flutters twirling madly inside. Heat flashed through her and her breath hitched when his mouth stretched into a slow smile.
“Hey,” she managed. “I was wondering if you were still going to make it tonight.”
“Never any question I’d be here,” he replied, his eyes dark and intent.
“I just wondered if you were tired after everything that happened today.”
He lifted a shoulder in a half-shrug. “Busy day, but all I wanted was to see you,” he said bluntly.
Another wash of heat raced through her. She was so distracted by him, she jumped when Dan tapped her on the shoulder from behind. When she turned, Dan was chuckling. “Just letting you know you can head home if you want.”
Vivi glanced to the clock above the door into the back. “But I’ve still got an hour left and it’s nuts here.”
Dan shrugged. “Danny just showed up. He’ll help us close out.” Danny was Dan’s son who’d recently moved back to Painter and started helping out at the bar here and there.
Normally, Vivi wouldn’t want to miss out on an hour’s worth of tips. On a night like tonight, that could be good money. Yet, all she could think about was how soon she could be alone with Heath. “If you’re sure.”
Dan’s eyes canted from her to Heath. “I’m sure. Get out of here. See you at your next shift.”
Vivi untied her apron and pushed through the swinging door into the back. Minutes later, she met Heath at the front door. The streetlights were glittering in the cold air when they stepped outside. Some autumn evenings hinted at the winter to come and tonight was one of those. Heath’s palm stroked down her back. She could feel the heat of it through her jacket, electricity prickling along her spine.
While Heath maneuvered his truck on the short drive from Main Street to her house, he kept one hand on the steering wheel and the other curled over her thigh. His thumb stroked in slow circles on the inside of her thigh. By the time he pulled up at her house, longing held her in its grip. All she wanted was him.
When they walked through the back door into the kitchen, she took a shaky breath as she shrugged out of her jacket and kicked her shoes off. Restless, she walked through the kitchen into the living room. Heath followed her after he hung up his own jacket and left his boots by the door. She stopped by the couch, struggling to contain the wild feeling inside of her. When she lifted her eyes and saw his answering desire, an electric current sparked to life between them. The space around them compressed—charged with desire. He stood a few feet away and swiftly closed the distance. With no hesitation, he tugged her roughly against him and caught her lips in a fierce kiss. The tinder of desire inside ignited as their kiss went wild—a tangle of lips, tongue and teeth.
She couldn’t get close enough fast enough and yanked at his clothing. All she wanted was to be skin to skin with him, as close as physically possible. He tore his lips free and reached behind his neck to pull his shirt off when her hands traveled up his chest. He took another step back to unbutton her blouse, while she tugged his jeans open. His breath drew in sharply when she slipped her hand into his briefs and stroked his cock. Next thing she knew, he yanked at the last few buttons and tossed her shirt free with her bra following immediately. His lips closed around a nipple, taut and tight. While he licked, sucked and nipped at her breasts, his hands were busy at her jeans. In seconds, he’d shoved them down around her hips and stroked a finger across her damp cotton panties. She was drenched with need, her channel convulsing at the mere hint of what was to come.
Need spun her in its grip, pushing her to a wildness inside she could hardly tolerate. All she knew was she needed more and now. She shoved his jeans and briefs to the floor. His cock sprang free, and she immediately leaned forward and dragged her tongue along the underside.
“Vivi.”
Heath said her name roughly. As she lifted her eyes, he shoved her jeans off with her panties following. She kicked them free. He lifted her in his arms and turned to sit on the couch, settling her on his lap. She almost came right then and there when he arched into her, the hot, hard length of his shaft rubbing between her slick folds and teasing her clit. He cupped her breasts and dragged his thumbs across her nipples, still moist from his touch. He freed one breast and stroked his hand down over the curve of her belly and dipped into her curls. With one hand teasing her nipple and his other circling over her clit, her breath came in raw gasps. She heard his name fall from her lips—rough, broken and pleading for more.
Spikes of pleasure shot through her. Her hips rolled against him as she chased after release. He suddenly paused, his hand curling over her hip to hold her still. His fingers dug into her skin. Disoriented and almost bereft at the brief interruption, she dragged her eyes open.
“I need to grab a condom. Let me…”
She shook her head. “We don’t need one. I’m on the pill.” When he hesitated, she felt suddenly embarrassed, uncertain if he felt the way she did. All she knew was she trusted him completely and only wanted to be as close as possible with no barriers. Something must have shown on her face because he eased his grip on her hip and stroked his palm up her back to thread into her hair. Hot shivers chased along her spine on the heels of his touch.
“Okay,” he said, so softly she almost didn’t hear him.
The anxious uncertainty that had started to build eased inside. She was coiled so tight with need she thought she might explode. He shifted his hips slightly and reached between them. She lifted her hips. Just when she thought she’d sink onto him, he dragged the head of his cock back and forth through the wet folds. Heat flooded through her, feverish need holding her in its grip. He freed his hand from her hair and brought it down to curl on her hip again, slowly bringing her down onto him as he surged inside of her.
She moaned, her head falling into the dip of his shoulder when he started to move. The delicious stretch of him deepened with each roll of his hips meeting hers. Tremors began to build inside, pressure gathering as he thrust into her again and again and again. A rush of bliss raced through her. She was flying and he flew with her, their cries mingling as they shuddered against each other.
She slowly drifted down, her body easing into his hold. She rested in his arms, his skin warm against hers. She didn’t want to move because she finally felt at ease, twined together with him. His hand stroked through her hair, brushing it back from her face. When she finally lifted her head, she found him waiting for her, his eyes intent and dark. The rush of intimacy was so pure, she couldn’t look away.
***
Heath leaned against the headboard and watched Vivi. She was walking out of the bathroom adjacent to her bedroom. Her dark hair hung in damp waves around her shoulders. She was idly untangling a section of it when she glanced up to see him watching her. A subtle flush crested her cheekbones. She climbed onto the bed beside him, crossing her legs and flipping the covers over her lap. After they’d untwined themselves from each other earlier, they’d showered together and she’d headed to the kitchen, returning with a bowl of popcorn and two glasses of wine.
She leaned against the headboard beside him and grabbed the remote off of her nightstand. “Your pick. Star Trek reruns or Simpsons reruns?”
“Those are my only choices?” he teased. He knew she was a big fan of both because of the number of overnight slumber parties she had with Sophia when they were in high school. Those were the days when he studiously avoided spending too much time with her because it just wasn’t kosher for him to lust after his little sister’s best friend. Back then, the t
hree years between them seemed huge, a barrier he couldn’t have considered crossing. Now, at thirty-two, three years between them seemed like nothing.
Vivi took a bite of popcorn out of the bowl she’d set on the bed beside him a few minutes ago. She glanced sideways with a grin. “Yup, those are your choices. What’ll it be?”
“Let’s go with Simpsons. I’m not sure how long I’ll be able to stay awake. It’s been a long day.”
Her grin widened as she flicked the television on and quickly selected the channel. The cheery Simpsons theme started up as he reached into the bowl and swiped a handful of popcorn.
After a few minutes, Vivi’s spoke. “You look a little banged up from today.”
Heath rolled his head to the side to find her blue eyes on him, concern held in their depths. He nodded. “I took a few bumps and bruises. Nothing to worry about.”
She chewed on another bite of popcorn and swallowed. “I was worried about you today,” she said, so softly he could barely hear her words.
Her eyes canted down, and she appeared suddenly interested in the pattern on her quilt as she traced along the edges of one of the downy squares.
“I’m okay,” he said, his throat tight with emotion. Something about her quiet words hit him right in the heart. Vivi was so strong and so well-guarded, he knew how much it took for her to say aloud she’d been worried. He also knew if he commented on it, she’d likely retreat. Instead, he slid his hand over the covers to curl over her thigh and gave her a soft squeeze.
She looked up again, her eyes bright with moisture. “I think I might understand a little better why you were so upset when I went after Chris on my own.” She shook her head sharply and emitted a small laugh. “I didn’t think about how it might feel for you.”
“Fair enough. So maybe next time you’ll let me know if you decide to do something like that?”
She lifted a shoulder and let it fall. “I would, but it’s not like it will matter much anymore. Aside from tracking down Nelson, there aren’t a whole lot of reasons I’d head out on my own like that. Don’t go worrying I plan to try to track him either! I figure that’s up to the police and you and Daniel. I’ve had my fill of scouting.”
He chuckled. “Good to know. How’s your shoulder by the way?”
“It’s fine. Just a little sore.” She reached for another handful of popcorn.
“You planning to try to talk to Chris?” He couldn’t help but ask even though he thought he knew the answer. Vivi needed to clear the air with Chris with regard to Julianna. Heath only hoped that might knock down some of the hurdles between him and Vivi. She might be letting him in, but he didn’t doubt they had a ways to go when it came to Julianna. He’d never dated a single mother. Frankly, he hadn’t dated much period. With so much travel during his career in the military, he hadn’t had time for much other than brief, casual relationships. He had enough sense to know Vivi would want to be certain about them before she allowed Julianna to see him as anything other than how she currently did.
Vivi finally answered, her words clear and calm. “I do. I need to finally say what I’ve wanted to say for a while about how he’s treated Julianna. I’m hoping he can man up enough to be honest with me. Separate from his legal problems, I’d like to know if he ever plans to try to connect with her. If not, that’s fine. Well, it sucks, but it’s fine because he hasn’t yet. Julianna has questions and I’d prefer to be honest with her. I’m not going to bash him, but if he doesn’t plan to be around, it would be good if he could just say that. Up to now, it’s just what’s happened.”
She glanced sideways. “What do you think?”
Heath was startled she wanted his opinion, but it warmed him and gave him a strong glimmer of hope he might mean as much to her as she did to him. “I think you should talk to him. No matter what I think of him, he’s Julianna’s father. It’s best for her if you have an idea if he plans to try to be around or not. If not, you can help her find a way to accept that.”
Vivi held his gaze for several beats before nodding firmly. “Exactly.” At that, she leaned back, grabbed another handful of popcorn and turned toward the television. A while later, the room was quiet save for Jax’s unbelievably loud purr emanating from the foot of the bed. Vivi was curled against him with one of her legs thrown over his. Her breathing was soft and even. Inside, he started to unwind and drifted into sleep.
Chapter 13
Vivi pushed through the door of Mile High Grounds out into the chilly autumn morning. She and Heath had stopped here for coffee this morning. He’d headed out a few minutes ahead of her for a meeting on a new job. He was putting together the blueprints for a housing complex. He wouldn’t start building until next spring, but the planning was on track. She took a sip of coffee and crossed the street to her car. She rarely drove into town, but today she was going to one of her regular jobs to prep their flowerbeds before winter set in and plant a few more perennials. Although spring was the growing season, autumn was the planting season in her world. Autumn was when it was time to prepare for what would come out of the ground after the snow melted. She planned to stop by the jail this afternoon and try to talk with Chris.
A few hours later, she knocked the dirt loose from her work gloves and kicked her boots against her tire. She rested her fists on her hips and surveyed the yard. It was ready for winter. She’d planted some more daffodil bulbs in the front of the house and mulched all of the flowerbeds. After tucking her tools away, she scribbled a note for the owners that she’d mail the bill and took off. Her next stop was the jail. Every time she thought about coming face to face with Chris after all this time and after their rough encounter in the mountains the other day, her stomach clenched. She was determined to have this out with him, but it didn’t mean she was looking forward to it.
When she arrived at the police station, she checked in with Roger first. “Any updates?” she asked, a question she felt like she’d asked hundreds of times ever since she and Sophia got involved with the investigation into the smuggling network last year.
Roger leaned back in his chair and ran a hand through his dark hair. “Not a ton, but we did get some new info from Chris. He was stubborn at first, but after he met with his public defender, seems like he decided he’d be better off if he tried to make a deal to reduce his charges.”
Vivi plunked down in the chair across from Roger’s desk. “Well?”
“Chris swears he only started working for Nelson about a year ago. I doubt that part of his story, but he’s trying to minimize the fallout for himself. What the other guy we’re holding told us is consistent with Chris’s version of his involvement. Chris was handling deliveries. He claims he didn’t transport himself, but my gut tells me he did. More risk and more money. Since Nelson slipped away, Chris says he’s been hiding out in various locations. He swears he doesn’t know where Nelson is right now. I buy that because Nelson isn’t going to risk letting someone know where he is. Even if he trusts Chris to try to get his back, it’s safer for him if no one knows his whereabouts. If they don’t know, they can’t give it away by accident.” Roger paused to take a swig of coffee from a battered paper cup.
“So how does any of this help us?” Vivi asked, frustrated that it didn’t sound like Chris had much to offer that they couldn’t have guessed.
Roger set his coffee cup down and leaned his elbows on the desk. “Let me finish before you get too impatient with me. I bet you’re thinking you could have guessed all this. Sure, we all could’ve. But it doesn’t mean it’s not helpful to actually confirm a few things. Having Chris in custody cuts off another source of support for Nelson. According to Chris, Nelson is laying low and relying on only one or two shifters to keep food and other supplies stocked in a few places. The drug stash in that shed was actually there for Nelson to pick up. He’s desperate for cash, so he was hoping to find a way to make some. That’s how Chris helps us. We’ve cut off one of Nelson’s last supports. Chris also gave us location info on the pla
ces he thinks Nelson might be staying. Chris was stubborn at first, but once he came around, he’s been helpful.”
Vivi chewed on the inside of her cheek, her anxiety getting the best of her. She was still mulling over trying to talk to Chris. “What kind of deal would you make with Chris?”
Roger shrugged. “That’s up to the prosecutor. In a case like this, they’d usually be looking at negotiating on the charges and reducing his time behind bars. We’ve got him solid on the possession with intent to distribute on a pretty large quantity, so his attorney is going to try to talk sense into him, which he already did.” He paused for another swallow of coffee and grimaced. “Damn, coffee is crap today.” He glanced back to Vivi. “You ready to go talk to him?”
Her stomach tightened with nervous dread mingled with anger. She didn’t want to talk to Chris at all. If she hadn’t gotten pregnant, he would simply be a one-off bad relationship. Instead he was linked to her forever because of Julianna. Julianna was the one and only reason Vivi was here to talk with Chris. She owed it to her. She met Roger’s eyes. “Does he know I’m coming by?”
“Oh yeah. When we interviewed him earlier, I let him know you requested a meeting. Just so you know, he could refuse, but he didn’t.”
She stood from her chair. “Okay, let’s go.” She needed to get it over with. Since she’d last heard from Chris a few years ago, she’d replayed many hypothetical conversations with him in her head, most of which involved her telling him off and walking away with her head held high. He, of course, would be appropriately mortified and ashamed that he’d abandoned Julianna. But now, on the cusp of having her chance to talk to him, Vivi didn’t know what she would say. If she tried to narrow it down, all she wanted was to know if he ever thought he wanted to be a part of Julianna’s life. The problem was if the answer was yes, she had no idea what to do with that.