“No,” she said, lifting her hand to stop her from continuing. “You can’t patch things up with Vincent, and I’m very sorry. I think he’s moved on too.”
“How do you know for sure? I was the only one he ever married. We had a child together. He didn’t have this kind of commitment with anyone else. Doesn’t that say something to you?”
Natalie cleared her throat. This explained why Dina had invited him to that dinner, and during the past week, had used every little reason to drop by. For instance, when she’d returned Natalie’s cell phone. Maybe I’m paranoid. She rubbed her hands together, hoping a magical solution would appear. Shit, shit, shit…
Her pulse skittered. I should just walk away and go home. Not do anything.
The chime announcing a client entering the shop startled her, and for the next hour she served the group of moms who met there every week with their toddlers in tow. Only when they left and she turned the OPEN sign to CLOSED, did she walk to the back. Each step made her heart thump faster.
I can’t walk and go home. She needed to face this problem head-on. Dina would hate her, fire her, but she could no longer lie to her face—Dina deserved to know the truth.
“Dina,” she called before she changed her mind.
Dina finished placing a tray of dough in the freezer. “Yeah?”
“You’ll hate me for what I’m about to say,” she started, catching Dina’s attention. Her boss closed the freezer and glanced at her, obviously intrigued. “And that’s okay. I deserve it. I wasn’t honest with you, but I feel like I have to be right now.”
“What is it?” she asked, wrinkling her forehead.
Natalie closed her trembling fingers into a fist, to keep from fidgeting. Just say it. “You should give Bob a chance, he really seems to like you. Vincent isn’t an option anymore, because he found someone else… Me.”
Dina stared at her for a long beat, her eyes squinting as the wheels in her head turned. Natalie reached for the chair, but didn’t pull it, and she didn’t sit. Her knees weakened, but she willed the fear away. Hurting Dina had never been part of the plan, even if that was what had happened. She needed to let her know the truth.
“I’m sorry for lying to you. We didn’t mean to hurt you. It just… happened.” And if I had known you were still into him, I’d never have pursued him. The words burned at the tip of her tongue, but she silenced them.
Dina took a deep, long breath, her face stern and unmoving. She remained standing a few feet away from Natalie, and Natalie almost wished she’d call her names or throw a bowl on the floor, or even at her. Anything to erase the tension crackling between them.
At last, Dina stepped forward, crossing her arms over her chest. “He’s your father-in-law. You’re telling me you’ve been humping your father-in-law?”
Natalie pushed the lump of frustration in her throat. Suck it up. “Yes, ma’am, that’s what I just said.” Never mind that her crappy husband had been dead for years, and that Vincent had never been the traditional father-in-law. But Natalie knew Dina was aware of all that, and she just needed to vent.
“Why? You could have a future with a young man like Josh. Why waste your time with damaged goods?”
Natalie bit her lower lip. “I’ve fallen for him.”
“That’s too bad, because once he’s done with you, he’ll leave and he won’t look back,” Dina said, waving her off.
“Actually… he’s asked me to move with him to New York.”
Dina’s eyes widened, then she blinked. Then, with a shake of her head, she sighed. “Are you that dumb, Natalie? You’re going to leave your life here behind, go to New York with him, then what? When he doesn’t want you anymore, and you’re in a strange place, all by yourself.”
“I…”
“Did he ask you to marry him?”
“No,” Natalie said in a small voice. Could she lie? He had asked her to go with him, but hadn’t offered that type of commitment.
“Then you’re traveling across the country to be his shack-up honey? Why don’t you think he’s offered anything more concrete for you?” Dina asked, with a touch of concern in her voice.
Crap. She wished Dina’s point didn’t ring in her ears so loud, and so quickly. “Because you can’t touch love. Just feel it.”
Dina sighed. “Well, good luck with that, sweetheart. He didn’t think twice before leaving his wife and child, why would he be any more honorable to you?”
“And isn’t it funny that with all his terrible flaws, you still wanted him?” Natalie said, regretting the words a second too late. She never expected Dina to take the news well, but she didn’t need to snap back either.
She walked toward Dina ready to apologize, when Dina clamped her lips and, rightfully so, scolded her. “Go home, Natalie. We’re done here.”
Natalie opened the door, then closed it behind her. No sign of Vincent around. He’d told her he’d gone to the hardware store. Funny how she could tell when he was home or not, without seeing him—she felt his presence, his manly scent, the decisive way he strode across the floor.
She headed for the bathroom, took off her clothes and took a long, warm shower. Tears streamed down her face. Hurting Dina had sucked, but she couldn’t blame her mother-in-law for what she’d said either. What guarantee did she have that Vincent wouldn’t leave her when he grew tired of her?
Natalie had thought during the weeks they’d shared together, she’d come to know him—to fall for him. Maybe she hadn’t left Suarez because she needed that push, that fire under her ass. It wasn’t about being rescued, but having a partner to share that big moment of her life. Could she trust him enough to say good-bye to life as she knew it and move across the country?
When she heard him downstairs, she stepped out of the shower, wrapped herself in a robe, tying the knot at her waist. She opened the closet, and motioned to grab the first piece of clothing she found.
“Hey,” he said, walking into the room. She almost jumped.
She closed the closet door and turned to him.
Vincent slowly walked up to her, as a smile formed on his lips and sparks lit his eyes. “Hey.”
She stood a little straighter. “Vincent, we need to talk,” she said, fumbling with her knot. “I talked to Dina today, and I had to tell her about us,” she said, adamant about protecting what Dina had told her about getting back together with Vincent. Even if Dina didn’t want to see her anymore, she owned it to her. She’d take the secret to her grave.
He shrugged. “Figured. Did she go all nutty on you?”
“A little bit. I’ve been thinking though. I don’t think I can go to New York with you.”
Chapter 9
A band squeezed around Vincent’s chest, and when it loosened, he felt his heart throb in his freaking temples.
Natalie shifted her weight from foot to foot, at the same time she lifted her chin. Damn it. Talking to Dina had changed her mind, he was sure of it. She wanted to go with him, he could feel it, but preferred to play it safe.
Hell, he’d stopped playing it safe the moment he slept with her. The moment he’d allowed himself to be with someone even if the odds were not in his favor. That’s why he was changing the odds—taking control, and stepping out of the shadows. “What kind of nonsense is that?”
“What if you get sick of me?”
“What if you get sick of me?” he countered.
She shook her head. “I’m worried I’m putting my life on the line to go with you, and if something goes wrong—
“Life doesn’t give us guarantees. I’ve fallen for you, and I’m old enough to know I’ve never felt this way in my entire life.”
She parted her lips, but hesitated. Her features softened, and a strand of hope moved through him.
“If you don’t want to be with me, say it. Because if you do, I’ll do anything in my power to make you happy,” he said, reaching for the ring he’d bought earlier that day. He’d been wanting to come up with a nice date or occasion to propos
e, but since she mentioned putting his heart on the line, he might as well share his intentions.
She covered her mouth with her hand, and he erased the distance between then, his pulse skyrocketing. “Vincent.”
“Will you let me put my heart on the line for you, Natalie? For as long as we both shall live?” he asked, his voice wavering. If she said no, he’d have to respect her decision, but fuck… that’d kill a part inside him.
He kneeled before her, and opened the box for her. A simple but beautiful solitaire with an oval-cut diamond sparkled inside. She dropped her shoulders, showing him she was no longer as stiff and worried as when he’d first stepped into her room. -“Yes,” she squealed. “Yes.”
Relief poured over him, loosening his limbs. He placed the ring on her finger, the brush of his skin on hers causing a tingle to shoot up his damn arm.
She stretched out her hand, contemplating the ring for a moment. “It’s gorgeous.”
“I wanted something to match you. This comes close.”
He got to his feet, and pulled her to him. She linked her arms around him, and he inhaled her feminine scent, holding her closely against him. Oh, how he’d missed her. He’d go crazy if he had to let go of Natalie. His Natalie.
“I’ve missed you,” he said, before slamming his lips on hers, in a kiss that spoke louder than any words.
She thrust her fingers in his hair, leaving his scalp tingly and sensitized. He lowered his hand, opening her robe, unable to wait a second longer to see her naked. She peeled it off, letting it slid down her gorgeous curves until it landed on her delicate feet.
He withdrew a bit, to contemplate the amazing young woman facing him. His gaze collided with hers, then it lowered to her full, beautiful breasts and the engorged nipples. She was hotter than the Texan sun in August.
“I wanna see, too,” she said.
He removed his jeans and boxers, tossed them to the side, then pulled his shirt over his head. Naked, they stared at each other. The low intimate light cast a perfect shadow around them, outlining her womanly curves.
They kissed again, and he took her to the bed.
When they rolled on the bed, she pushed him on his back, and straddled him. He propped on his elbows, admiring the view. “You look good with that ring on your finger.”
“You mean this ring?” she said, taking it off, and using the circular shape to rub it on her nipple.
Arousal pounded hard in his veins. “Yeah.”
She touched her tits, making a little show out if it, hardening him even more. His cock jutted out, brushing against her pussy, but he wanted to give her time to enjoy the foreplay before plunging into her sweet hotness.
She grabbed the ring and rubbed it down her belly, then all the way to her pussy. He groaned, finding it more and more difficult to keep from moving.
“Let me help you, darlin’,” he said, his voice dropping an octave.
He took the ring from her finger, and used it to tease her clit, rubbing it on it, alternating with his index finger lightly brushing it. She chewed on her lower lip, and moved on top of him, warning him his game drove her crazy. When she began to squirm, he put the ring to the side on the nightstand, and inserted three fingers into her drenched cunt, curling them into her G-spot. She shouted out his name, a flush spreading across her face and neck, her curvy body trembling, the most beautiful sight he’d ever seen.
He waited until she recovered, until her breathing normalized, to continue playing with her. He sat upright, and squeezed her tits together, caressing them, feeling them until they grew heavier in his hands. “Natalie,” he called, needing to know if this was really happening.
“Yes, babe. Yes.”
“I want you so much.”
“Me too, honey.”
He licked her breasts, cupping them together so he could suck them one by one. She caressed his hair, shifting on him so they molded into the perfect position. She sat on top of him.
He pressed the small of her back, to ensure he’d be able to ram into her hard and good. She moaned, squeezing his shoulders, scratching his skin. What had he done to deserve her?
When he thrust into her, she arched into him, clasping his shoulder blades. For a beat or two, he didn’t move, caught in the intensity of the moment. He withdrew his cock halfway only to slam it deeper, and she mellowed, holding him tighter.
Beyond aroused, he pressed her ass so he’d ram into her faster, desperate for more. She bucked onto his cock, and he fucked her harder. Sweat slid down his chest. She had gotten more and more used to his size, to his girth, so he didn’t need a whole lot of waiting, he could get to it faster. Yet, he wanted to make it last. Nothing beat the sensation of being inside her pussy, slamming it, as her inner muscles clutched him.
“More. More. I’m so close,” she said, panting.
He placed his hands under her ass, and that did it. She came undone, shaking, calling out his name amidst other glorious sounds he couldn’t make out.
He was about to think of his own pleasure, when she slipped out of him, and said, “I have a surprise of my own tonight. We’re celebrating our engagement. You can come in my ass.”
“Natalie, you don’t have to do this,” he said.
“I want to,” she said, stretching her hand to open the door of the nightstand where she’d placed the lube she’d bought a couple of days earlier. She’d waited until the right moment to have the nerves to do it. “I want you to claim every part of me.”
Quickly, she grabbed the tube of lube and handed it to him. He kissed her cheek, the tender act causing a shiver to roll down her spine. “That’s the best gift,” he said.
He slid his mouth near hers, and she parted her lips to welcome his kiss, but he withdrew before she kissed him.
She bobbed her head, confused, and he cupped her face and surprised her with a passionate, long, toe-curling kiss that left no doubt as to who was in charge. She caressed his neck, her tongue meshing with his, moans forming in her throat but never really making into a sound.
“I’ll take good care of you,” he said, resting his forehead on hers. “Now and forever.”
Forever. The word pumped her heart, and she stroked the contours of his face, traced his sexy lips with the tip of her fingers. He kissed each one of them, sending ripples of arousal through her.
“Forever starts now,” she said, even though she knew forever had started the day she found him in her kitchen.
He planted pecks on her cheeks, her neck, and she threw her head back, reveling in every bit of his lips on her flesh. Soon, the modest kisses turned into wild rampages, his tongue licking the valley between her breasts. She knew he had to be about ready to explode, dang it.
She fisted his cock, touching the tip, rubbing the pre-cum on its length.
“Turn around,” he drawled.
She placed her hands and knees on the bed, knowing exactly what he had in mind. She heard him squirting the lube from the tube, and sizzled in anticipation. More than ever, she yearned to give him all of her. He nudged her thighs apart, and gently began playing with her hole, massaging the tight channel. His touch always both excited and soothed her, and this was no different.
She relaxed her back, determined to give him full control of the situation. She trusted him not to hurt her intentionally. If she changed her mind, he’d stop, yet, she didn’t want to stop.
“We good?” With his other hand, he palmed her cheeks, and she let out a long breath, leaning into his touch.
She moaned, “Yes.”
He carefully shifted his hand from her cheek to her entrance, his fingers scissoring her folds. She bucked, startled, yet more turned on than a second ago. He took advantage of her distraction, obviously, and began to move his index in and out of her hole.
She clutched the sheets as heat fluttered in her chest and stomach. Her heart slammed in her ribcage, bringing so much pressure up her throat that she let out a low, growly sound unfamiliar to her. Sweat slicked her legs and arms, and s
he moved slightly, pushing her pussy onto his fingers. Soon, she found herself rolling her hips, swaying with unplanned sensuality—just feeling.
Feeling sexy. Feeling cherished. Feeling powerful.
Yes, powerful. He’d decided to give happiness a second chance because of her. He resumed thrusting his finger in her hole, deeper, teasing it with a friction that wouldn’t quit.
Instead of withdrawing, she enjoyed him taking her with so much lust and care. Not to mention—patience. He had to be super close to climax, but he kept delaying it for her.
“Come all the way inside me, Vincent,” she begged, her breath rushing in and out of her, in tandem with the thrusts from his fingers into her cunt. Hell, she wouldn’t last much longer.
After a beat of hesitation, he began to thrust his amazing cock in her back entrance, and an ache seared her insides, causing a tremor to bolt through her. She threw her head back, calling his name, knowing full well they didn’t need to hide their love from anyone. Ever, again.
“God, Natalie… you’re incredible,” he said, ramping up the claiming of her ass. She squirmed, and the friction from his cock entering and halfway retreating caused ripples of pleasure to spiral out of control. Soon, he intensified the fingering of her sex, and she could no longer take it… Wave after wave of bliss rode her, shaking her limbs and provoking a feverish sensation she hoped would last forever.
“Yes. Yes,” she repeated, as droplets of sweat dribbled down on the pillow.
She threw her head and shoulders on the bed, unable to stay on all fours, still quivering.
Vincent removed his fingers from her pussy, and lifted her ass in the air enough to continue his relentless exploration. This time, he held on both sides of her waist, holding her hips in place, and plunged into her.
Once.
Twice.
On the third thrust, he groaned, and soon, spilled his load inside her.
She closed her eyes, as the trembling subsided, and for a long time basked in the moment, holding the pillow. When the throbbing of her heart resumed its regular beating, she sighed. Everything would fall into place.
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