Love Renewed (Entwined Hearts #3)

by Maria Macdonald

  “Well, the wedding is Friday night. I figured you women like to chat and shit before the day, I thought you’d be turning up today seeing as Saul, Soph, and the rest of them will be there today too?” His voice has softened, apparently noticing the pissed off woman stirring to life within me.

  “Oh. Yeah, that would make sense,” I answer, not sure if I want to be completely honest about my situation.

  He pulls his hand down his face and sighs. “Nova, listen, there’s a lot of stuff we need to talk about. I want to spend time doing that, and I’m going to stay here as long as I need to for that purpose. But I have to be clear, you have my past, completely. I want you to have my future, I will lay everything I am down for you, which is more than you realise right now. But I won’t cut my family out. That’s a step too far.”

  I cock my head to the side, I know men’s brains aren’t always the easiest things to work out, but I’m completely thrown. I have zero clues as to what he’s talking about right now. “What?” I reply.

  “I love them, I want you to love them too. If you’re going to the wedding for Con, but avoiding going until the last minute because you don’t like some of them, then I need to know now. I won’t ever cut them off.”

  “Seriously.” I snap, crossing my arms.

  “What?”

  “You’re a fucking dick.” His eyes widen, but he says nothing. “Why would that even be your first thought? I like them all, probably more than I like you…you douche. Men are such dicks,” I mumble the last part to the ceiling. “I’m coming on Friday because I don’t have the money to come before, or to stay for longer.” I sigh and sit down at the breakfast bar.

  Looking up at him, I watch as a myriad of emotions pass over his face. “It’s a rare occasion that I can’t read someone,” he tells me, but his voice is full of wonder.

  “Yeah, well, I’d be surprised if you could read me all of the time, seeing as I don’t have a fucking clue what I’m doing myself for most of it,” I reply, still ticked off.

  He doesn’t say anything and I sit, facing away from him not really sure how we got to this point and also somewhat confused. This is this how you sometimes behave with boyfriends, not someone you barely know, that you slept with the night before. Suddenly, feeling slightly uncomfortable I try to figure out what to do. I twist around to talk to him, but he starts speaking into a cell at his ear.

  “It’s me. Yes. Organise another ticket for my flights to and from Vegas…” he pauses and his eyes lift to mine, “first class with me. Yes. No. No hotel, she’ll be in my bed,” he continues and a smirk tips his lips, which makes me narrow my eyes at him.

  Chucking the cell down, he’s obviously finished the call.

  “Why did you do that? I can’t pay you back, I snap at him.

  “I will always take care of you,” he says so softly that it throws me and I shut my mouth, wondering whether I should be annoyed or not. Before I get a chance to decide he stalks to me and places one hand on either side of the bar stool, once again caging me in. I look down at each of his hands then back to him.

  “You like to pin me in, don’t you?” At my words, a raw hurt passes through his eyes and he steps back. Walking over to the window he stares out to the skyline.

  “There’s a lot you need to learn about me. I will tell you everything…eventually. What you need to know now is that I like being in control. With most women that’s fine. I don’t do relationships.”

  His words crush me. I take a step backward. I’m not sure why, though. Maybe it’s his words that have had that effect, or the shock of realising how hurt I am, knowing this is where we end and that thought is painful. But I can’t be a booty call, it’s just not in me.

  “With you though Nova, you’re the only person I’ve ever had a real relationship with, the only woman I would be willing to be in a relationship with again. With you, I’m all in.” This time, his words make my heart beat a bit faster. “I do like control, but I also realise relationships are different, and I can’t control you. So I will take a step back, but you will have to give me time to adjust. What you need to understand, though…” He swallows and I feel my heart thump faster, somehow knowing this is important. “I lost you once, I can’t do it again. I cage you in, not because of control, but because I’m so scared that you’ll just disappear. I couldn’t…I can’t—”

  “Dane, I’m here, with you.” I cut his words off with mine and walk over to him wrapping my arms around his waist. I can see the raw pain blazing in his eyes and it hurts my heart. I don’t know if he shows his emotions to everyone, but to me, I get to see them all. What is even more apparent, is that my body automatically reacts to them, so I feel them like they’re my emotions to overcome. I have no idea what’s happening to me. I don’t know where my head is at, but it’s telling me that I’m totally out of control. For the first time in my life, I feel something, and that makes me want to sink to my knees and thank some higher being. I don’t want to lose it. But for the first time ever, I feel the anxiousness that surrounds the thoughts now swirling, telling me this won’t be forever. Dane won’t be my forever.

  I watch Nova as we gather her belongings. I told her small truths earlier. It was painful, but it needed to be said. I can’t hide anything from her, she sees it all in my eyes, just like she always could with me. I need to tell her everything, we need to talk things through, in a lot more depth than we have. But first, I have to focus on my family for a few days. My brother’s day. Tink’s day. They’re what’s important right now, and I know Nova agrees.

  I admit for the first time in my life, I was scared there was a problem I couldn’t fix when Nova said she wasn’t coming until Friday. I have no idea why my mind went straight to abstract thoughts, worried that she didn’t like someone. I felt like a weight was pressing down on me, and if that had been the truth, if she had hated one of my family then we would have been done. It hurts to even think that.

  Even though Nova has been back in my life briefly, I love her. Still. Even though she might not be my Nova anymore. I see more signs that my Elizabeth is breaking through every day. Even so, I wouldn’t ever turn my back on my family. They’ve kept me from completely living in the dark, and I owe them my life. Even if they don’t know it. When she told me I was being a dick, I was so relieved, even though we were kind of having an argument. Nobody will usually argue with me, but Nova will always tell me what she thinks. She’s never been scared of me, and I hope like hell that she never is. I also hope that she doesn’t run from me when I explain what I’ve been doing all these years. I hope she doesn’t hate me when I fill her in on the life she’s forgotten. I hope like hell I can win her back. Most of all, I hope I can find her. Find the real her, because this person she’s being, this isn’t all her. I can see under her surface, it’s like the real Nova is trying to get out. She’s feistier, dirtier, and stronger. And I’m going to fucking bring her back. Then I’m never going to let her go again.

  I say nothing as we walk into the hotel. Watching the staff eye fuck Dane then look at me like I’m not worthy is something that sadly, even after only a couple of days, I have gotten used to. He does nothing, but make me feel completely secure. Which is weird, as we seemed to go into fully exclusive mode after the first night. Without even having a conversation. We’ve been here since yesterday and the wedding is tomorrow. Every day we sneak out for lunch, just the two of us. It’s nice, and strangely it’s comfortable like we’ve been doing it for years. I’ve asked Dane if that’s normal, but seeing as he hasn’t had a relationship since me, and being that I’ve never had a decent relationship to my knowledge, neither of us knows the answers. I’m having a night with the girls tonight, and Soph is staying in my room while Dane stays in theirs with Saul. So I’m going to ask her if it’s normal.

  “Dane?” I say his name in question as we step into the elevator.

  “Baby,” he replies and it sends tingles down my body.

  “Are we…is this…between us. What is…bet
ween us?” I manage to stutter out.

  His eyes widen and he shakes his head slightly. “I thought I’d made it clear, obviously not clear enough. You’re mine. As of the moment you let me inside you.”

  My breath catches and it’s not because his statement scares me, it’s because he’s so very hot right now. He must see my desire as he moves to me. Grabbing my hand he places my palm on his rock hard cock. “This is for you. No matter what you do, how you look or where we are, don’t forget. This is what you do to me. You think I’m going to let that escape me? No baby. Not happening.” He releases my hand, but I don’t pull away.

  I look up to him and lick my lips, his eyes move to my tongue. “I think I need to take care of this for you,” I tell him coyly while gripping him harder. He groans and leans down to take my mouth. Grabbing my hand he pulls it away from his crotch and I pout. But his eyes heat, and he smirks as he manoeuvres my hand back to me, slipping it into the waistband of my Rara skirt and straight into my panties. He covers my hand with his and using his middle finger on top of mine, he pushes them both into me. I lay my head back closing my eyes, as he starts sucking on my neck just under my ear. When the elevator slows to a halt. Pulling both our hands out from between my legs he stands covering me until I pull myself back together. Unfortunately as the doors open, Soph and Saul are standing there.

  “Hey guys, what are you doing on the…” I rush out then look at the floor we’re on. “Seventeenth floor?” I continue realising Pea’s room is on this floor. Soph giggles at me while Saul smirks and looks up at the number above the door. Dane grabs me around the waist and I close my eyes into his chest. In truth, though, I’m only slightly embarrassed that I forgot we were in a public elevator. I’m pretty sure anyone with eyes would take one look at Dane and say, “Oh yeah, I get it sister, totally.” I open my eyes again when Soph starts talking.

  “So Libby, are you ready for our night tonight?” she asks and I watch with fascination as annoyance crosses over Saul’s face and Dane looks at him smiling. They look so alike, except their eyes which are completely opposite.

  “I am, are you?” I reply gesturing with my head to Saul. Over the last four months, I’ve gotten to know Soph and Pea really well through Skype and I know Saul is Mr. Caveman, as Soph calls him.

  “Oh, just ignore him, he doesn’t understand why we can’t see each other tonight. He thinks he has to spend every night with me.”

  “After tonight I will be, no fucking way are you spending another night away from my bed,” Saul replies sharply. Soph rolls her eyes but is grinning wide, she loves his caveman ways. The elevator stops again and they get out.

  “See you at the pool in ten minutes,” she reminds me of our previous arrangement, and I feel my shoulders sag, knowing I won’t have time to continue what we started.

  “I’m not banished from the pool am I?” Saul questions her as they walk out, although his tone indicates it’s less a question and more a statement.

  Soph smiles. “No, you can all come. It’s only that I can’t sleep with you tonight.” I hear him mumble as our doors shut.

  Dane rubs my back. “Don’t worry, we’ve got time.”

  I look up at him as the doors reopen and we walk toward our suite. I love this suite. I fell in love with it the minute we arrived. It has floor to ceiling glass in almost every room. But the reason I love it so much, is because the glass continues into the bathroom and better still the bedroom. I place my bag down and walk into the bedroom. I need to change into a bikini for the pool. Looking in my wardrobe I find the perfect one. It’s black and rather standard, except it has what looks like slits in the bottom and top. I love it. I’ve just pulled on the bottom half when Dane stalks in.

  “Perfect timing I see,” he murmurs as he stops in front of me. His big hands automatically coming up to cup my naked breasts. “All ready for me.” He leans down and takes one of my nipples into his mouth while squeezing the other breast. I make a noise which vibrates at the back of my throat and Dane pulls away. I can feel the coolness on my nipple where his mouth was. “Let’s try something different,” he whispers in my ear.

  I say nothing and he pushes against my almost bare body until my back is flush against the window. “Now, I am going to pay particular attention here,” he says and points to my chest area. “And here.” This time, he runs his fingers down my throat. “Not forgetting here,” Dane tells me, touching his lips softly to mine. “But you’re going to help me, Nova.” He takes my hand once again and slides it into my bikini bottoms, this time not pushing his hand in too. “You’re going to touch yourself. I want to know that you really mean it. I want to see the pleasure. Because we’re going to stay here until you come for me. For yourself.” On the last word, he leans into me again and takes my mouth. I groan as he kneads my breasts. But he pulls away. His eyes train on mine and his mouth whispers onto my lips, “Nah uh. Nova, I want to feel you circle your clit, I want to hear the noise your pussy makes as the wetness gathers between your legs.” His words make me convulse and I lay my head back against the window getting to work on myself. I feel the wetness on my fingers as I circle my clit, rubbing up and down, putting just enough pressure on, the way I’ve taught myself over the years.

  Dane is sucking and biting my breasts. He pulls back slightly and creates a trail with his tongue up my body until he’s back at my mouth. Taking control of the situation completely, he pushes his cock against the back of my hand so I can feel his desire. But he knows what he’s doing, as it makes me move my hand more, hoping that I can give him a small amount of pleasure at the same time as I do myself.

  I bring my other hand down to try and grasp him, but he’s so tight against me that I can’t wiggle my hand in between us. He leans back from my mouth and smiles. “Not going to make yourself come on your own are you?” Without waiting for my answer, his hand joins mine. Once again pushing our fingers into my passage. Moving back and forth. It’s strange finger fucking yourself with someone else. If it was anyone else, I’m sure it would be embarrassing. But with Dane, it just isn’t. He makes anything possible. Pulling his finger back he whispers, “Keep fucking yourself baby, I’m going to explore.” With that said, he finds my clit and rubs me back and forth. In a matter of seconds, I’m convulsing around my finger and moaning without care. When I start returning to normal, I pull my finger out of my bikini bottoms. Dane grabs it and places it in his mouth, sucking my juices off the digit. “I would say let’s continue this, but if we don’t show at the pool in the next few minutes baby, Pea and Soph will be banging down our door, and with what I have in mind next, I want to take my time.”

  I whine slightly which makes him smile. Big. Then surprising him, I launch myself forward into his arms and kiss him deep. Hard. And long. He returns my kiss with a growl. When we both pull away, we’re panting and I can see the want in his eyes.

  “Come on, before I lock us the fuck in here and we miss the wedding tomorrow.”

  Smiling I pull on my bikini top, throw on a skirt over the bottoms and grab my things, as he pulls on shorts and we make our way to the pool.

  “I’m taking her inside.” I look toward Con, who has baby Eleanor on his lap. “It’s too hot for her out here, and Soph needs Pea at the moment for all this girly shit. Eric and Rich should be arriving anytime as well, so they’ll probably call the suite.” I look over at Con and nod as he gathers the car load of stuff with military precision. It’s actually pretty impressive. He takes a couple of steps as Saul and I watch, then he stops and walks back to us. He nods his head toward Pea and the girls, who are all sitting on the edge of the pool, their legs in the water. “Watch her for me. There are a fuckton of dicks around this pool, I can see them all staring. I’m not gonna be here to intervene.” He doesn’t say anymore, but as he looks around the pool, I watch a muscle jump in his cheek.

  “Of course, bro,” Saul answers and Con walks away. I look around following Con’s example. I’d already noticed the guys staring. It’s hard not to.
But then within about two minutes of being here, I had everyone sized up. The only person that concerns me is the guy tending the poolside bar. He keeps zeroing in on the girls. The others are men that can’t help themselves. I get that. The way those three look, you’d be blind not to notice, and there isn’t much anyone can do about that.

  Typically I’ve never been jealous, but Nova is anything but typical for me. I know the barman likes his odds. I know his kind without even speaking to him. Pretty boy, loves his job and gets the eye candy. Thinks most of the women here are spoilt rich girls, wanting to metaphorically spank their daddy for some misdemeanour, and he’s only too happy helping them with that. Or he has the bored housewives who need his kind of entertainment. Then he goes back to his friends and regales them with his stories, proud like a peacock with his work. Dick. I’m trying not to let anything affect me. Firstly, this time is about Saul and Soph, and secondly I don’t want to scare Nova away. Unlike most women I’ve been with, she’s much more clued in, which makes me cautious of my actions. I’m still keeping an eye on his movements though, as he tries everything to gain their attention.

  “You’re quiet. Checking out the barman?” Saul asks from behind me and I’m surprised. Seems my little brother is more perceptive than I gave him credit for.

  “Yeah, just watching,” I reply grabbing my water and taking a drink. “Looking forward to tomorrow?” I ask distracting him. The last thing I need is Saul getting into it with hotel staff the day before his wedding.

  He looks over at me from behind his aviators. “Abso-fucking-lutely.” I smile at his reaction, beneath his brooding, he’s like a six-year-old boy on Christmas day. Well, what I expect it feels like to be a six-year-old boy on Christmas day.

  Shit, maybe Saul didn’t have that either, our mother is a bitch after all.

  “We need to talk when you’ve finished your honeymoon,” I tell him.