Interview with Love

by Lisa Y. Watson

  She looked up at him. “Actually, I don’t. It was in my past. I’m tired of living in it. I’d rather be here in the present—with you.” Sienna leaned up and kissed him on the lips.

  When he went to end their embrace Sienna tightened it. Eventually, she released him. When Vaughn gazed down at her, he noticed she was wearing the necklace he’d given her. It hung low nestled in her open cleavage. Her plunging neckline made his fingers want to follow the path of that charm. His hands flexed at his sides. As if she had read his mind, Sienna guided his hand up to her chest and traced a path over her charm.

  “It’s where all the magic began.” She leaned in to kiss his neck.

  Sienna walked an unhurried circle around him like she was an orbiting planet. She stopped behind him. His jaw ticked. Her fingers slid up the back of his shirt to his neck, and then ran slowly down his back. She stopped at his belt buckle. With deliberate movements, Sienna went lower until her hand cupped his rear end. Her fingers trailed lightly across his side and around to the front of his chest.

  Sienna unbuttoned his shirt with precise, deliberate movements.

  Vaughn stilled her fingers. “Sweetheart, we don’t…if you’re not—”

  She walked around until she was back in front of him. “Shhh.” She whispered. “No words—not yet.”

  With a slight nod, Vaughn remained silent.

  After the task of unbuttoning his shirt was complete, she eased her right hand inside and caressed his chiseled pectoral. She gave the left side of his chest equal attention. Moments later, she slid his shirt down until it landed in a noiseless heap on the floor.

  Her fingers played with the buckle on his belt. Eventually, she flicked the strap from the belt loops on his pants. She continued to apply tension until the belt was released. Sienna’s eyes locked with Vaughn’s as she unbuttoned his pants and unzipped them. The noise was a stark contrast against the silence. She moved back while Vaughn stepped out of his trousers. He watched with fascination as Sienna turned her back to him.

  “Your turn.”

  Vaughn ran a hand down the back of her dress. Ignoring the zipper for a moment, his hand trailed from the nape of her neck to the small of her back. It was his turn to outline her rear end with his hand. Just as she’d done, his fingers slid up her waist as he walked around to the front of her. His fingers teased her breasts through the soft leather. Sienna swayed against him. He moved until he was behind her again. His thumb and index finger slid the zipper of her dress down.

  Both hands went inside the dress to cup her shoulders. He eased her against his front and then lowered the dress inches at a time until it too littered the carpeted floor. Vaughn’s arms encircled her waist while he buried his lips against her neck. He kissed her shoulder blade before retracing the path with his tongue.

  He turned her around. His thumb traced a slow path across her lower lip. His eyes searched her face. “Sweetheart—”

  “Yes, I’m sure.” She finished. “I want to make amends—for everything.”

  “Baby, you were forgiven the moment I pulled into my driveway and saw you,” he confessed, and then sobered. “I’m sorry I haven’t called you. It was childish of me, Sienna.”

  She silenced him when her hand followed a deliberate path down his abdomen.

  When she traveled lower Vaughn moved her hand and crushed her body to his. He kissed her with a force that made her grab onto him for support. In one swift movement, Vaughn picked her up. Her legs locked around his middle. He leaned her against the nearest wall for support. His lips found hers again.

  “Are we all kissed and made up?” he grinned, lasciviously.

  “Not yet. There’s one more thing you need to do.”

  “Name it.”

  “Make love to me. I’m not leaving this house until you do,” she whispered in his ear.

  “News flash,” he whispered back. “You aren’t leaving the entire weekend. We’re making love in every room in this house.”

  She mentally calculated the square footage. Her hear skipped a beat. “Say that again,” she said, eagerly.

  Vaughn let her down long enough to swing her up into his arms. He headed for the wide staircase. “I think I’d rather show you.”

  Chapter Twenty-three

  The Light of Day

  Sienna was awakened by Vaughn trailing kisses along her back. She waited until he’d traveled the entire length before she murmured, “You missed a spot.”

  “Is that so? Well, never let it be said that I didn’t take care of my woman—thoroughly,” he said in a seductive voice. This time he slowed his progress, taking special care to give every inch of her warm skin his complete attention.

  Unable to keep still, she turned over until she was facing him. “Good morning,” she beamed.

  He kissed the bridge of her nose. “It’s a spectacular morning, darling. How is my beautiful, sexy, intensely desirable girlfriend?”

  She stretched languidly. “Pleasantly tired, yet incredibly happy to be waking up next to my virile, ultra handsome, hunk of an amazing boyfriend.”

  “Ugh.” Vaughn made a face. “Somewhere there’s a greeting card author that just ran for a pen and pad.”

  Sienna giggled. “You think? I hope we inspire couples the whole world over to wake up just as happy and satiated as we are. You know it’s odd. We’ve known each other for months and this is the first time I’ve ever been on the second floor.”

  “That’s probably because we both knew that if you’d gotten anywhere near this bed I wouldn’t have been responsible for what transpired on it.” He trailed kisses down her face.”

  “Whatever it was would have been fine with me.”

  He burrowed his face into her neck. “Is that so?” he responded in a muffled voice. “Now she tells me.”

  His five o’clock shadow tickled her neck. “Stop,” she laughed. “That tickles.”

  “What? Did you say tickle you?” he slid his hands to her waist.

  “No, don’t you dare,” she screamed writhing underneath him. “Vaughn I mean it. Stop it right now.” She wrapped her legs around his middle.

  The contact made them sober instantly. Their playful teasing quickly turned to burgeoning desire. Vaughn lowered his head and claimed her lips possessively before trailing down the nape of her neck. He moved lower still.

  “Vaughn,” her voice took on a pleading tone.

  When he traveled back up, Sienna grabbed his head in her hands and kissed him. Their contact was explosive. A few moments later, Vaughn lifted his head. “Come on,” he said, disentangling himself.

  Surprise crossed her face when he rose off the bed and held his hand out for hers. She let her fingers settle into his grasp. He sauntered toward the bathroom with Sienna in tow.

  When they reached it Sienna’s eyes grew wide. “Vaughn, you could land a plane in here.”

  He turned the shower faucets on. When the water was the correct temperature he slid under the hot spray. He helped her in next. “Not a plane, Doc. Maybe a Mini Cooper, though.”

  Sienna turned in a complete circle in the seven foot walk-in shower. There was an oversized head cascading water over them like a rain shower. Her mouth was still hanging open. “This is awesome.”

  He got in front of her and didn’t stop walking until she was up against the wall. His fingers followed the trails of water running down her chest. “I think you might want to delay that sentiment—until later.”

  Sienna’s eyes fluttered closed as Vaughn caressed her wet skin with consummate detail. He tuned in to the changes in her breathing pattern. That acuity allowed him to concentrate on the places that gave her the most pleasure. When he picked her up, he wrapped her legs around his waist.

  “Now you’re killing me,” Sienna confessed in a shaky voice.

  “Not yet, baby,” he whispered against her wet ear. He pulled back to look into her passion soaked eyes. “Soon.”

  Vaughn took his time making love to Sienna. When they finally came together,
Sienna’s face mirrored the intense emotions consuming her from the inside out. She held onto him as if her life depended on their bodies remaining connected. Each thrust he delivered ignited a spark within her.

  Sienna could feel each spec of desire mounting to form one massive explosion. Never in her life had she felt this way. When she opened her eyes their gazes locked. In that moment she knew. Vaughn was the difference. It would be this way with him, and only him. “Pleasurable torture,” she whispered. After that she lost herself in the escalating currents that short circuited her senses. Last night she was in control, but this time Vaughn took the lead. He brought Sienna to heights she’d never encountered. Slow and deliberate was how he loved her. When the world faded and nothing remained but Vaughn, Sienna embraced the maelstrom washing over her. Sure and steady. Like the unyielding waves of the evening tide hitting the shore. He consumed her.

  This time when Sienna awoke hours later, Vaughn wasn’t by her side. Closing her eyes she stretched languidly. He may not be there, but she could still smell his scent. Smiling she wrapped herself tighter in the bed covers. The last two days replayed in her head. Her body tingled just thinking about him—and the things he did to her. “He really is going to be the death of me,” she moaned, aloud. Sitting up, her eyes focused on the nightstand clock. It was almost dinner time. I can’t believe I slept this long. She said to herself. Realizing that her suitcase was still in her car, Sienna got up and practically floated to Vaughn’s dresser. She found a pair of cotton pajamas. Eagerly she put them on tying the drawstring at the waist as tight as it would go. Next Sienna slipped on the shirt. She buttoned it up and rolled the sleeves to her elbows. Perfect.

  She went to the bathroom to check her appearance. Thankfully, her hair wasn’t a complete disaster. It was slightly damp from their assignation in the shower, but it would air dry. A blush suffused her face. Consummating their relationship had exceeded her expectations. Thus far everything about their relationship did.

  When she arrived in the kitchen she found Vaughn cooking hamburgers on his indoor grill. He looked up when she entered. Their eyes connected across the room. Vaughn’s smile was blinding. So was Sienna’s blush.

  He studied her, an appreciative glint in his eyes. “You look sexy in my pajamas.”

  “Thanks,” she said noting the pajama bottoms he wore were similar to hers. “You don’t look to shabby, either,”

  “Are you hungry?” he inquired.

  “Like a bear in the springtime.”

  “Good. I made burgers.”

  She walked further into the room. When she came to his side he grabbed her and sat her on the granite countertop next to him. “Feeling okay?”

  Her teeth clamped down on her lower lip before she broke out into an ear splitting grin. “You mean now that I have feeling back in my legs and can speak coherently?”

  Vaughn didn’t try hiding his satisfied smile. “Me, too.” He kissed her soundly before turning his attention back to their dinner.

  “What can I do to help?” she asked him.

  “That depends. Which room would you like to eat in?”

  “I guess the kitchen is good. So what would you like me to do?”

  “You can gather the rest of the condiments. They’re in the fridge.”

  After washing her hands Sienna got to work. She sliced tomatoes and onions, tore a few leaves of Romaine lettuce and arranged the ketchup, mustard, relish and kosher pickles on the counter. She perused the pantry and located a bag of tortilla chips. When the burgers were ready Vaughn brought them over to the island. They each built a burger and laughed at how similar they were.

  Sienna eyed the loaded hamburgers. “It would appear that we like the same fixings.”

  “Hey, we can’t fight it. We’ve got good taste,” he bragged.

  They laughed and talked while they ate. When dinner was over, Sienna helped Vaughn clean up the kitchen. Their task complete, they went downstairs to the basement. He convinced Sienna to play him in a game of pool after which she promptly lost her shirt.

  “Good thing it wasn’t literally,” she mused after they’d finished.

  “Strip pool,” he slapped his forehead in mock chagrin. “Now why didn’t I think of that?”

  Agreeing to watch a movie, Sienna made popcorn while Vaughn picked a DVD from his library. They met up on the couch.

  “Having a kitchen down here definitely has its advantages,” she observed between mouthfuls of food.

  “I thought so. What would you like to do tomorrow? It’s supposed to be a wonderful day. How about a picnic after the game? We could go to the lake?”

  “Hmm…Sounds like fun.”

  “That’ll work.”

  They decided to go to Falls Lake, and then go visit her parents. With their day planned, they returned to the movie. When it was over, Vaughn turned off the projection screen and DVD player. He encircled her shoulder and pulled her into his lap.

  “So, do you want to go to bed now or are you open to other…suggestions?”

  “I don’t know, Mr. Deveraux,” she smiled, innocently. “What other things did you have in mind?”

  He lay down on the couch so that she straddled him. “There was that one idea I had earlier about christening every room in the house. So far we’ve only broke in two. We’re behind schedule,” he said, lasciviously. “Batter up.”

  Sienna’s hand caressed his chest. “I think we’d better rectify that situation immediately, don’t you?”

  His eyes glowed like smoldering embers. He rose up to meet her for a searing kiss filled with promise. “Absolutely,” he breathed against her lips. “Absolutely.”

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Family Night

  They got up early to get everything ready. Vaughn headed for the garage while Sienna organized the food for their picnic.

  “I don’t suppose you have a picnic basket do you?” she called after him.

  “Actually I do,” he boasted, coming back into the room. He sauntered to a nearby cabinet and retrieved it from the bottom shelf. He walked over and ceremoniously placed the basket on the counter in front of her.

  Sienna opened it, and then laughed. “Vaughn, it still has the tags on it. How long have you had it?”

  “It was a gift from my mother,” he replied. “Hey, I said I had one, not that I’d ever used it.”

  Vaughn went out to pack up the truck. Sienna sat down at the kitchen table and made a list of items they’d need to take with them to the lake. Her task done, she went through Vaughn’s house like she was on a scavenger hunt.

  By the time he returned, Sienna had a mound of things sprawled out on the table in organized piles.

  He came over and kissed her, “I brought your suitcase in from the car.”

  “Great. I’m just about done here so I’ll go shower and change.”

  He perused the items she’d found. “You’ve been busy.”

  “Yep. I’ve always had an innate ability to scrounge around and find whatever I need. It’s a gift,” she bragged.

  Gathering her in his arms, he nuzzled her neck. “Thank God that ability extends to your private life,” he said, meaningfully.

  Sienna’s eyes brightened. “I’m glad it does, too.”

  Vaughn took the picnic basket outside while Sienna showered and changed clothes. She made up the bed and tidied up the room before coming back downstairs.

  Before leaving the house, Sienna phoned her parents. She filled her dad in on their plans for the day and asked about coming over for dinner.

  “Sweetheart, you never need an invitation to join us for dinner.”

  “I know Dad, but I’m bringing Vaughn. I didn’t want to assume you had enough food for all of us.”

  “We’ve got plenty so come on over when you’re done at Falls Lake.”

  “Will Sasha be there?”

  “I’m not sure of your sister’s plans, but I think so. Will that be a problem?” her father asked, warily.

  She thought b
ack to her sister helping her the day before. “Not really, dad.”

  “Hallelujah,” he yelled into the phone. “Progress.”

  “Ha-ha,” she said, sardonically before saying goodbye.

  Surprisingly it wasn’t too congested. Vaughn parked at the boat launch area off of Route 50. “There’s an embankment over there,” he pointed as they were getting out of the truck. “It’s a primo spot for a picnic.” Sienna retrieved items from the back seat while Vaughn pulled a cooler and canopy from out of the tail gate.

  By the time he reached their spot Sienna had already spread their blanket out and had begun organizing the bug repellant and sun block.

  “Has anyone ever told you you’re an overachiever?” Vaughn asked as he began setting up the canopy.

  “Not today,” she said, serenely.

  The two of them worked together to set up the area. When they were done, Vaughn tossed the container of sunblock to her. “I’ll get your back when you’ve finished.”

  Sienna stripped down to her bathing suit before lathering up with sunscreen. Vaughn followed suit. After she’d folded their clothes and placed them back in a duffle bag they strode down the embankment to the water’s edge.

  Sienna slipped her sandal off and dipped her foot into the water. “Wow, it’s like stepping into a lukewarm bath.”

  “In an aquarium,” he teased.

  They frolicked around in the lake for over an hour before Sienna announced that she was starving. They went back and toweled off before sitting down on the blanket.

  “This is a great spot,” she announced as she spread out the food.

  Vaughn retrieved two bottled waters from the cooler and handed her one. “Glad you like it. I come here a lot to go jet skiing. We should do that next time. You’d love it.”

  “What else do you have tucked away in that garage of yours, you adrenaline junkie,” she giggled.

  “You’ll find out soon enough,” he joked.

  Later, Vaughn drove them back to his house to drop off their stuff and change. He put away their gear while Sienna disposed of the leftovers. When she was finished, she headed upstairs to shower. By the time Vaughn entered his bedroom she was done and blow drying her hair.