Vehn (Exotic Ink Book 1)
Page 21
Oh God, maybe that was what this was all about for him! Maybe he was taking a break from his high-end girls and playing with the likes of her. Maybe the girl from a neighborhood in Chicago that was one foot barely out of poverty was his new temporary distraction.
STOP! Callie yelled inwardly. She needed to stop jumping to conclusions based on her own self-doubts. Vehn had never once thrown his wealth in her face. She had to get a hold of herself. Vehn was not a poser like Michael.
“Thanks. So, Callie,” Vehn stepped inside her field of vision, clearly feeling the need to baby step her through the second date, too, “why don’t I show you the bathroom, and you can take that shower you asked for in the cab?”
“Huh…” His mouth was moving, but it took a moment for his words to register. “Oh yeah, thanks. Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“No. Why would I mind? Besides, I have a few things to finish up in the kitchen.”
“I could help you. I don’t want you doing all the work.”
“Absolutely not. You're my guest. Let’s go get you in the shower. Come on.” He took her hand, leading her over to the floating stairs.
“There’s a downstairs!”
Vehn laughed. “Yep. Look, this place is no big deal, especially compared to the entire building Evana owns.”
Good point, but Evana's building had never made her feel inadequate. Why was she feeling like this with him? She really, really needed to go see Dr. Z soon to get over this culture shock she felt around him. This was ridiculous! First, she was having a difficult time with his celebrity status and now she couldn't deal with his home. Well, at least she was 2 for 2!
She followed Vehn downstairs. More like he pulled her behind him and she followed, looking everywhere except in the direction they were headed, just trying to take it all in.
“Here we are. Let me show you the shower and then I’ll leave you to it.”
And the shellshock continued. The “shower” must double as a space ship. She watched him, trying hard to focus on his demonstration of the controls instead of gawking at the other fixtures in the en-suite bath.
She kept reminding herself that this was what she’d wanted. To know how and where he lived. To get a feel for who he was inside his own personal space.
“Callie, please try and relax,” Vehn said. “You’ve got that overwhelmed look on your face again.”
“Well, excuse me, Mr. Rich and Famous, for being so impressed!” she bit out.
Her heart dropped like a lead balloon as a wounded look spread over his face.
Good job, Callie, on ripping the man’s feelings out through his ears!
That injured expression was all her fucking fault. To make her feel even worse for haphazardly trampling all over his feelings, he was pulling her into a comforting hug and apologizing.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what? You have nothing to be sorry for, Vehn. I’m the one who can’t handle being outside of my comfort zone.”
“Let’s go sit for a minute,” he suggested, leading her over to sit on the edge of the bed with him. “Look, I know this is a lot for you to take in, with my fame and this place, but you needn’t be overwhelmed. I’m just a guy, and this is just a place where I live. I put my pants on one leg at a time, just like you.” He held up a hand, stopping her before she could speak. “Make yourself at home. This is your room. Use the closet. Leave your shampoo in the shower. Whatever you want. You won’t be sleeping in here, though, because you’ll be in my room for that. I’d let you use my closet, but there’s not one inch of space left in there. Plus, I want you to have your own space in my home. You’re always welcome here, Callie, anytime you want to stay.”
Tears pressed hard against the back of her eyes. Could the man get any sweeter? She could feel her heart squeezing harder as she fell a little more in love with him.
After her shower in the space ship, she dressed in her favorite worn out blue jeans that felt more like cotton than denim, an oversized cream colored super soft cable knit sweater, and made her way back up to the first floor.
She was rethinking her ensemble now that she was in this millionaire's showplace with a man that had been featured on more magazines than she could keep track of. Even though he was wearing jeans and a cashmere V-neck sweater, she felt extremely underdressed. While he managed to pull off casual but elegant, all she managed to do was look like a homeless person.
Callie found Vehn in the kitchen, his head bent to whatever culinary task he was working on, the overhead light catching the warm richness of his decadent hair. He looked up from what he was doing, raking his eyes over her with a boyish grin as she swallowed down her overwhelming need to apologize for her appearance.
“Hey, there’s my girl. You want a drink?” he asked, motioning for her to come sit at the kitchen island.
“Sure,” she said, trying to return his smile.
Wrapping her arms around herself, she wandered over, feeling even more self-conscious about her appearance now that she was moving. She couldn’t help but notice the multitude of pillar candles set around the space that he hadn’t lit, most likely to keep the romance to a minimum since she obviously didn’t know how to act.
“I’m grilling filet, so is red wine alright with you?”
She nodded and took a seat on one of the leather upholstered stools. “So, are you sure I can’t help with anything?”
“I’m sure,” he answered, setting a glass of wine in front of her. “Do you feel better now?”
She wondered if he was referring to after her shower or after her freak-out. Maybe both. She was definitely going to be feeling better once she got some of this wine in her.
“C’mon outside with me while I grill?” He nodded towards the floor-to-ceiling glass wall while gathering a tray he had already laden down with marinated steaks, potatoes in foil, seasoned asparagus, and a bottle of wine.
She followed behind him, unsure about the outside part. It was pretty damn cold out, but she wasn't going to let him suffer out there by himself. It was the least she could do after acting like a freak show for the second time.
As they passed through the unassuming glass wall that was now a door, she braced herself for the biting chill and silently prayed the food cooked fast. Wrapping her arms tightly around herself, grateful now for the oversized sweater, she hunkered down and... it was surprisingly not cold out here. It was actually kind of nice. She marveled at how Vehn always managed to make the outside more comfortable in late fall.
Vehn must have deciphered her confused look, explaining, “It's the outdoor heater. Tegan discovered the wonders of it when he first arrived. This is my favorite spot to hang out.”
“Well, I can see why. It's amazing out here,” she agreed, taking in the clear night sky. Sadly, only a few stars had managed to outshine the lights of the city.
“So, you were going to come out here and brave the November cold just to keep me company?”
“Yes.”
Vehn gave her a quick kiss before making his way over to the grill.
Callie took a seat in one of the chairs facing the grill, not wanting to take her gaze off Vehn’s fabulous backside, but she somehow forced her eyes to roam around the terrace.
It was amazing out here. The furniture was wrought iron adorned with overstuffed cushions, which made it ultra-cozy. There were huge planters scattered around with small trees and fall plants, making the space seem woodsy, almost secluded. She couldn’t help but snuggle deeper into the chair, feeling cocooned in the foliage while still able to hear the beat of the city thumping away in the distance.
The wine was finally starting to relax her, and Vehn looked so normal with a pair of tongs in his hand standing over the outdoor grill. She could almost forget he was famous. Well, normal for a really smoking hot man. She would never in a million years ever picture this happening even in one or her fantasies, because she had never pictured him cooking.
They made small talk while Vehn grilled, and she was b
eginning to feel better, but she could tell he was still bothered by what had happened with her earlier. She needed to reassure him all was well, but shit, she was still trying to reassure herself.
“Evana invited me and T over for Thanksgiving,” Vehn said, looking back over his shoulder. “I don't think Tegan would feel too comfortable around Rayna with things the way they are between them. I want to spend the holiday with you, but there's no way in hell I'd let Tegan spend it alone, and I don't want Evana to think I'm snubbing her. What do you think we should do?”
“I hadn't even thought of that. Wow... that is a tough one. I always go to E's, and I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings either, but I do want to spend it with you, too.”
“Any chance the two of them will hook up in the next couple of days?”
“Vehn, I honestly don't know what the hell's going on with Rayna. She's fighting her attraction to him, because I know she freaking likes him. Maybe we should just play it by ear and see what happens, or we could do something here so Tegan won't be left out, then later in the evening we could visit E.”
“I knew you were the brains in this outfit.” Vehn turned, waving the tongs between them.
“Oh, yeah, right! If I'm so smart, how come I keep fucking up with you?” Callie rolled her eyes dramatically.
“Now, Callieeeeee,” he soothed. “You haven't fucked up anything with me. Please don't think that you have. Now get your ass over here and give me a hug.”
Sheepishly, she made her way over to him, sliding easily into his embrace. They stood there together manning the grill while he cooked and she watched. The tension that had surrounded them thanks to her self-conscious paranoia was dissipating with every second that passed.
The man had been torn over Thanksgiving plans, worried over how he could be with her and his best friend. That just proved he wasn't playing around. He had to be serious about her, because who would plan to spend holidays with someone they weren't genuinely interested in?
Enough was enough. She was calling Dr. Z first thing in the morning and scheduling an appointment. Time for her to stop projecting her trust issues she had developed from Michael and Ryder onto Vehn. He deserved better, and she was going to be not a different person, but a better person for him!
The evening was immeasurable better now that she had her new resolution firmly in place. They chatted idling, laughing and joking, much the way they did with each other over the phone.
“Did you like dinner? I know I’m not a chef or anything, but I have been told I’m pretty handy with a grill.”
“It was amazing. You can cook for me anytime,” Callie said, raising her head from where it rested on his shoulder, gently placing a kiss on his lips.
“May I have another one of those?”
“Yes, you can,” she giggled, kissing him again.
She didn’t think she could feel any more content than she did right then. Her belly was full of a wonderful meal prepared by the hottest man on the planet, who was currently doubling as a lounge chair, and her head felt as light and fluffy as a cotton ball from all the wine Vehn kept pouring into her glass. Hmmm… heavenly.
“Let’s not forget about dessert.”
“Oh, I thought you were dessert,” Callie said, trying to look innocent while grinding her hips into his lap.
“How do you always know the right thing to say?” he groaned.
“I wasn’t aware that I did,” she teased. Moving his hair aside, she lightly brushed her lips along his jaw, ending with a kiss just below his ear.
“I made a chocolate mousse,” he whispered, closing his eyes. “Probably won’t be nearly as good as the one from the restaurant.”
“I bet it will be better, since I plan on licking it off you.”
She squeaked out in surprise when he abruptly stood with her in his arms as if she weighed nothing, and laughed at his eagerness to get on with the dessert portion of the evening as he rushed inside and over to the refrigerator.
She was the one to open the fridge and grab two dishes of chocolate mousse since he still had his arms full of her. They made their way down to his room, kicking the door shut behind them.
Time for dessert!
“This sweater is driving me crazy. It’s so fucking soft, I wanna run my hands all over you.”
Callie's throaty giggle only made her that much sexier to him. To Vehn's eyes, she was always beautiful, but she looked even more gorgeous tonight in her casual attire.
She had her silky waist-length hair piled high on top of her head, exposing her long neck, begging for his kiss. Her oversized sweater was screaming at him to please touch as it did nothing but accentuate her luscious curves. He had gotten a feel of the thing while she was seated on his lap outside. It was everything he could do not to grope her out on that terrace.
But they were inside now.
On his bed.
Game on!
Vehn took the bowls from her and set them on the bedside table before descending upon her lips. Kissing her hungrily, he smoothed his hands over every inch of her he could reach. Lingering on her breasts, he moaned into her mouth while his hands caressed her hardening nipples.
Pushing her back against the pillows, he settled himself between her thighs pressing his hardened ridge against her sex. Every time with her was fast and furious. He wanted to go slow for once, but he didn’t think he was capable of controlling his intense lust for her.
“Wait,” Callie managed to say between turns of him kissing her mouth and throat. “I thought we were having dessert.”
He was such a pig. He could at least finish feeding the girl before he molested her!
“Sorry, Callie. I can’t seem to help myself when I’m around you,” he said, easing off her.
“That’s a good thing, not something that you should apologize for.” Her smile widened and surprised him when she pushed him down to take her place against the pillows.
Lifting the bottom of his sweater, she kissed the skin above his navel, making him suck in a breath. Her hands massaged over his chest, making their way down over his belly to pop the button on his jeans and ease the zipper down.
“Callie…” He sucked in a harsh gasp as her thumb brushed over the head of his cock that was peeking out from above the waistband of his briefs, straining to be free.
“Like I said, I thought we were having dessert.”
He watched her wet her lips as she pulled his jeans down, taking his briefs with them, leaving him in nothing but his sweater and socks.
His breath thick in his throat caused him to exhale on a huff and inhale on a gasp. As he rolled his hips, his erection jumped at the hungry look on her face, and the scorching grin she gave him as she glanced up into his eyes before standing up his engorged flesh.
Parting her lips wide, she tongued the tip before taking the entire head into the sultry warmth of her mouth. Closing her lips around his shaft just under the ridge, she stole his breath completely.
More a moan rather than what was meant to be her name punched out of his mouth as he tried to get some kind of control over his breathing. It was no use. Once she'd created that soft suction and began a smooth rhythm, he was doing good to draw any air into his lungs at all. The combination of her fisting his shaft with one hand and cupping his balls with the other was almost too much stimulation but, when the plum ripe end of his cock popped free of her lips, he took the momentary reprieve to grab a fortifying breath.
She licked her lips and shot him a look that made his cock jump and his toes curl. A look that said he was in fucking trouble.
Her lips slid along his shaft to his base. Once there, she flattened her tongue, running it the entire length back up to the overly sensitive head. She swallowed him to the back of her throat with a muffled “yum”, declaring she enjoyed the taste of him. Her hand circling what her mouth couldn’t, she began a ferocious rhythm with her hand and mouth that almost made him cum instantly.
Vehn warred with himself whether to keep watching
or just let go and allow his eyes to roll back in his head. He was going to cum hard, and he was going to cum sooner than he would have liked, but there was no help for it.
He tried looking at the ceiling and thinking of mundane things, but the heat from her mouth and the rhythm she had set overrode any bland thoughts he used to dilute the ecstasy she had created around him.
“Oh, fuck.” Vehn threw his head back against the pillows, twisting the sheets in one hand while tangling his fingers in her hair with the other. “Callie, I can’t… hold it.”
Her moan said she didn’t want him to.
His orgasm slammed into him, his balls cinching up hard against his body, blasting out cum in an almost painful way, his hips rocking to the beat of his orgasm. Callie took everything he gave her, even caressing his balls, drawing out his release longer, making that the longest orgasm of his 29 years.
He had cum so hard his ears were ringing and his vision had momentarily blurred. Callie was still nursing him lightly while he floated back down. Unclenching his fist once he realized he had a death grip on his Egyptian cotton, he blinked hard to clear his vision. Caressing her cheek, he made a move to sit forward.
“My turn,” he said, gripping her shoulders, laying her back towards the foot of the bed.
Goddamn, she looked so beautiful with that flush on her cheeks and gloss on her lips.
Stripping himself completely, he made short work of her clothes next. He brushed his lips lightly over her breasts, taking turns, drawing her rock-hard nipples into his mouth, gently suckling until she writhed beneath him, only stopping when she began to whimper.
He sat back on his knees, smoothing his hands down the inside of her thighs and pushing them wider apart. His gaze was locked onto her glistening pussy, her lips already swollen with her need for him.
Lifting her hips to meet his mouth, he plunged his tongue in deep, dragging a cry from her. He ravaged her sex like a starving man. He didn’t let up even when she began to thrash beneath him or when she bucked her hips and begged him to stop.