Mia let the kittens out of the dog crate and watched them run over to Riley’s feet to investigate her.
“Oh wow, they’ve gotten so big,” Riley mused. “Did you name them yet?” she asked.
“No,” Mia admitted. “I was afraid it would be harder to let them go if I named them.”
Riley nodded in understanding. “I’ve been there,” she said. “Poor Gabe has to follow me around with a box of tissues every time the new family of one my fosters comes to pick them up. He keeps reminding me that it means I’ll be able to help another one out, but it’s still hard.”
The young woman spoke in soft words to Percy as she petted him and then carefully put him back on his perch before getting on the floor to play with the kittens. It felt awkward to be around this woman who’d been so terribly abused by Mia’s father.
“How’s Georgie doing?” Riley asked as she climbed to her feet.
“Good. He’s out back,” Mia said as she helped Riley collect the kittens and put them back in the crate. As they made their way to the backyard, Riley chatted happily about the animals she was fostering herself and within minutes they were both sitting on the grass watching Briego follow Georgie around the yard.
“Logan said Vin nearly had a heart attack when he saw Georgie running around the backyard that first day,” Riley said with a chuckle.
Mia found herself smiling. She’d caught Vin petting the pig more than once when he thought she wasn’t looking. It took several long beats before she realized Riley was watching her with open curiosity. The knowing look in the other woman’s eyes had Mia scrambling for a safe topic of conversation.
“When are you due?” Mia asked as she glanced at Riley’s stomach.
“Four months. Though it feels like forty sometimes,” she said.
“Difficult pregnancy?”
Riley shook her head. “No, not really. It’s just that Gabe and I are so excited. This all turned out to be such an amazing surprise, especially considering how rough everything was before we found out...”
Riley paled and looked at Mia in horror. Mia did the math in her head and then slowly nodded.
“Before my father...” she whispered.
“Mia, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring it up.”
The silence between them suddenly felt heavy and awkward. Mia wrapped her arms around her bent legs and studied the water.
“I didn’t know,” Mia finally said. “I mean, I knew he wasn’t a good man but I didn’t know he was a monster,” she clarified.
“No one blames you, Mia,” Riley said. “You saved my life. Our lives,” the young woman said as she rested a hand on her stomach.
“If I’d tried harder-”
Riley shook her head and Mia flinched at the feel of Riley’s hand closing over one of hers.
“If you’d waited five more minutes to make your escape or you hadn’t come into that shed...” Riley said. “I don’t care about ‘if’. I care that my baby and I are still here. I care that Eli got to go home to his mom. And I care that you had the courage to pick up that pipe and do what needed to be done.”
Mia managed a nod and was surprised when Riley didn’t release her. Instead she pulled Mia’s hand to her stomach and positioned it on a certain spot. There was the faintest of movements beneath her fingers.
“Is that-” Mia asked.
Riley smiled and nodded. “I think she’s gonna be a boxer like her dad,” Riley mused.
“You know it’s a girl?”
“Yeah. We just found out a week ago.”
“Congratulations,” Mia said and finally removed her hand when the fluttering stopped.
Their conversation turned to everything from baby names to the list of rules Gabe was already coming up with to protect his daughter from the evil that was teenage boys. It wasn’t until almost an hour later when Vin called them in for lunch that Mia realized they hadn’t even talked about Riley’s job as a vet tech yet. Their conversation had somehow turned into something fun and casual and...easy. It was almost like they were friends.
***
“How was it today?” Mia heard Vin ask as his fingers stroked up and down her arm.
“Good, I think. I liked her a lot.”
“Did you talk about the vet tech stuff?”
Mia nodded against him. It felt so strange to be talking with him like this. Usually sex was followed by either more sex or sleep.
“She said I could come and watch her work some time.”
“That’s great. Gabe says there are only a few reporters still hanging out at the clinic try to ask Riley questions – they’ll probably give up within a couple of weeks.”
Mia turned herself so that she was laying across Vin’s chest, her arms folded beneath her. A thrill went through her when he tucked her hair behind her ear. It was such a small but intimate move. Damn, it was getting harder and harder to separate her emotions from everything this man did to her.
“I think I need to talk to the press.”
His hand stilled on her upper back where it had traveled after stroking over her hair.
“If that’s what you want.”
“I want normal but they’re not ever going to let me have that. Not if I don’t tell my side. Probably not even then,” she said softly. “But I can’t keep hoping things will just magically change on their own. And I don’t want to hide out for the rest of my life either.”
Did Vin actually tense beneath her? If he had, it was gone almost as quickly and he said, “You’ll need to meet with the police first. They still technically need your official statement. Dom’s former brother-in-law, Declan, is the lead detective on the case so it won’t be bad.”
“Okay,” she responded. She unfolded her arms and let her fingers trail along his chest and over his shoulders. It was her first real opportunity to explore him and she had every intention of taking advantage.
“What is this?” she asked as her fingers brushed over a small, round scar.
“Bullet wound,” Vin muttered and she didn’t miss the husky tone in his voice. He was clearly enjoying her exploration.
“When?” was all she asked as she pressed her lips against it.
“Iraq. About seven years ago.”
“You were in the army?”
“Navy. I joined after Ren left for Basic Training. I became a SEAL but a bullet to the arm ended my career. Nerve damage,” he clarified.
Mia coasted her hands down his arms until she found the second bullet wound she was looking for.
“Do you miss it?” she asked.
“Sometimes,” he admitted. “I’ve never been much for paperwork so I try to get out and meet with clients face to face whenever I can. I was also always fascinated by the use of dogs in the military so I decided to learn more about training them and started incorporating that service into our company.”
Mia glanced over at the two dark shadows that were lying on the floor next to the bed. “They made me feel so safe,” she murmured as she raised her eyes back up to Vin. “That first night after Dom dropped me off,” she clarified. “I couldn’t bring myself to sleep in the bedroom because I hadn’t been able to find a screwdriver to get the doors off the hinges so I slept in the living room. They never left my side. I think it was the first time in a really long time that I slept for more than a few hours at a time.”
“I’m glad, Mia,” Vin remarked. “I don’t ever want you to be afraid again,” he added and then he dragged her up for a kiss. She let him kiss her thoroughly before she pulled back and began working her way down his chest. His stiff length pressed against her belly and when she reached between their bodies to close her hand around it, Vin moaned. She gave him several gentle tugs as she continued to shift lower and when she was settled between his legs, she glanced up at him. It was too dark to make out the look in his eyes but she could feel the tension in the muscles beneath the hand she had resting on his thigh. His breathing had hitched up several notches and every time she caressed his thickening er
ection, his hips pushed up slightly.
She didn’t ask permission before leaning down to tentatively lick her tongue over the thick head. Vin sucked in a breath at the contact so she did it again. The salty, musky flavor was strange at first but she found herself wanting more as she traced the ridge of his crown and then followed a heavy vein down to his base. She let her fingers twine through the wiry hair along his groin and then circled them around his cock and held the throbbing length steady as she slowly sucked him into her mouth.
***
It took every ounce of control Vin had not to shove his hips up so that more of his dick disappeared into the lush mouth that had just closed over him. Mia’s inexperience was clear in the careful way she handled him, as if she was afraid she would hurt him, but every caress, every lick was shredding away at the iron hold he had on his body’s need to take more of what she was offering.
He needed to fucking see her.
Witt that thought in mind, Vin fumbled around for the light on his nightstand and when light flooded the room, his dick popped out of Mia’s mouth as she lifted her eyes in surprise.
“Need to see,” he managed to grate out and held his breath, hoping to God his move hadn’t put an end to her newfound curiosity.
A sigh escaped his lips as she once again pulled him into her heat. He felt her tongue curl around his shaft for a moment and then thankfully she drew him in even deeper. She added the slightest bit of suction as she lifted her mouth and Vin groaned at the pressure. It took her a few more strokes before she found her rhythm and began sucking him harder. His own body couldn’t stand the strain anymore and his hips lifted of their own accord, pushing his cock farther in until she gagged. He tried to apologize but Mia suddenly took him in again, her throat relaxing as she tried to work him past her gag reflex. When he tried to pull back out so she wouldn’t force it, Mia grabbed his base and began sucking him in earnest. He gave up the fight and submitted to her.
The heat and pressure on his cock soon became too much. “Mia, I’m close,” he warned. But his words did nothing to slow her down. In fact, they had the opposite effect and when her eyes lifted to meet his as she continued to consume him, Vin bit back a curse. She was so fucking beautiful. And he’d done nothing to deserve everything she gave him – had been giving him since the night she pressed herself between him and his desk.
Vin shouted as his orgasm slammed into him. He managed to keep his eyes on Mia as she tried to swallow the endless ropes of release that shot out of his body but the sight of some of it escaping her mouth was too much and he reached down and dragged her up his body. Tasting his own come wasn’t something he’d ever been keen on but his flavor mixed with the sweetness of her mouth was a heady experience. But he needed more and so did she if the moisture collecting on his abdomen was any sign. His hands closed over her hips and he dragged her up and forward as he shifted his own body farther down the bed.
“Vin?” she asked in startled confusion as her knees finally settled on each side of his head. He gave her no warning at all except to wrap his hands around her thighs just before he thrust his tongue into her body.
“Vin!” she cried out and he was able to see her reach for the top of the headboard to steady herself. It took only a few shallow thrusts and a couple of licks on her clit to have her sinking down on him and riding his mouth in search of relief. Her hips rocked wildly and he spread one palm over her ass to steady her as he sucked hard on the swollen bud that pulsed against the folds of her flesh.
It took less than a minute before her moans filtered through the silence of the room and another glance up showed that she was tugging at a nipple with one hand. He could tell she was close and when he pushed two fingers deep inside her, she shattered as her body convulsed uncontrollably. Wave after wave of pleasure rocked through her and his fingers were drenched with the proof of her release. He kept licking her all over long after her tremors subsided and when she finally shifted back enough to kiss him, he knew the only thing that would have been better than tasting their combined releases in her mouth would have been them mixing together deep within her body.
Chapter 8
The interview with Detective Declan Hale had gone as smoothly as Vin had promised it would. The big, gruff man had scared the hell out of Mia when he’d entered the Barretti Security Group conference room and when Vin had left them alone, she’d instantly reverted to her old behavior of shutting down and keeping her mouth shut. But Declan had simply turned off the tape recorder and proceeded to chat with her about inconsequential things and had even told her that she reminded him of his younger sister. Stories of Sylvie Hale’s antics as a child had followed leaving Mia to wonder exactly what Declan could possibly see in common between the two of them. But then a look of pain had flashed through his eyes as he’d described how brave his sister had been even in her final days of battling leukemia. And when he declared that he saw that same strength in her, Mia actually believed him.
She’d expected an interrogation. What she got were some questions about her childhood and her father’s behavior. There’d been no recriminations or accusations. The whole thing had taken less than half an hour and then it was over and Vin was leading her back to her desk, telling her he’d take her home if she felt too overwhelmed to work. When she’d assured him she was okay, he’d kissed her sweetly before leaving her to go back to his own office.
“These look great, Mia,” Dom said as he handed her a folder. “Let’s go ahead and get them sent out,” he added.
Mia nodded. Things had been awkward between them the day after Dom had asked her if she wanted to come stay with him and Logan. It had been clear from his tone that he knew what was going on between her and Vin but she hadn’t been able to discern if he was more concerned for her welfare or his brother’s. He hadn’t pressured her or questioned what was happening though. He just told her the offer was open if she changed her mind and they hadn’t discussed it again in the past two weeks.
“Dom?” she called as he headed back to his office.
“Yeah?”
“I never...” she began awkwardly. “I never thanked you,” she said softly. “For everything you did for me.”
“Mia,” he started to say.
“You saved my life,” she whispered. “You know it and I know it.”
Dom returned to her desk and she was surprised when he pulled her gently to her feet and wrapped his arms around her. He didn’t even say anything and she was surprised to find herself sinking into his embrace. But when he did finally release her, he caught her off guard when he said, “Don’t let him push you away” in her ear before turning and going back into his office. The cryptic statement remained with her long after Vin came to collect her and they headed home.
***
“Can’t sleep?” Vin heard from the doorway.
He glanced up to see Mia standing just inside his study door. She wore only one of his T-shirts which afforded him an excellent view of her supple thighs and long legs. He shook his head in response and wasn’t surprised when she hesitated to come any farther into the room. It had been like this for the past few weeks. In the bedroom they were as physically close as two people could get but as soon as they stepped outside that door they became virtual strangers. And he had only himself to blame. Keeping his distance emotionally had grown harder and harder the more time he spent with her so he’d started finding excuses to keep his physical distance as well. She’d finally stopped asking him to join her for dinner or watch a movie with her. He’d convinced himself it was the best thing for her but that was only a half-truth. As much as she needed to be able to move on when this was over, he’d need to be able to let her go.
The strides that Mia had made in the weeks since he’d come home that night to find her standing in the doorway of his guest room flanked by his dogs was remarkable. Not only was she doing well physically, her confidence was quickly gaining ground as well. She no longer tried to hide the scars on her neck, nor did she touch th
em when she was nervous like she had in the beginning. The tentative friendship she’d begun with Riley had continued to grow and he’d caught them more than once laughing over something as they shared lunch in the break room at the office on the days Riley wasn’t working. Mia had even warmed up to Dom and he often found himself battling the envy that went through him whenever Mia laughed at something Dom said to her. Things were progressing exactly as they should be and he fucking hated it.
“Is there anything I can do to be enough for you, Vin?”
Vin snapped out of his thoughts and looked up at her sharply. What the hell was she talking about?
“You are enough,” he automatically said. “More than enough.”
Mia wrapped her arms around herself. “Then why won’t you talk to me?”
He was going to say that he did talk to her but they both knew it wasn’t true so he didn’t bother.
Mia finally nodded when he didn’t respond and then took a few steps back before saying, “Would you call the reporter tomorrow?”
She didn’t wait for an answer before turning and leaving. And he wasn’t surprised to find his bed empty when he finally forced himself to go back to his room a couple of hours later.
***
“You sure you don’t want come?” Dom asked him for the third time as they waited for Mia to come downstairs.
Hell yes he wanted to come. In fact, he didn’t want Mia doing this at all. An interview with Declan was one thing but sitting down with a reporter who wouldn’t hesitate to rip her to shreds if she sensed any sign of weakness on Mia’s part was entirely another.
“We’ve been over this, Dom,” he snapped in frustration. “Any link to me and the one safe place she has goes away,” he muttered.
“Damn it, Vin,” Dom argued. “She’s needs you there, not me.”
Vin’s whole body tightened with anger at his brother telling him something he already knew but before he could unload all his frustrations on Dom, he heard footsteps and glanced up to see Mia working her way down the stairs. She was wearing the simple pale blue dress she’d ordered online earlier in the week – the one she’d charged to his account only after he’d agreed to accept the wad of cash she handed him to pay for it. It was their first real fight but she’d dug in her heels and told him if he didn’t take the money she’d wear the hated yellow dress. The only other times they had spoken since the night she had returned to her own room was the next day when he confirmed that he’d had Dom set up the interview with the reporter and then later in the day when Mia had asked him to put all the doors back on the hinges in her room. She was effectively shutting him out and he couldn’t stop it.
Loving Vin (Barretti Security Series, #1) Page 9