Vincent grunts something that sounds like, “The movie’s starting soon,” and gives the tickets to the bald guy at the ticket booth. He rips them in half, handing the stubs back to each of us as we pass. Vincent chooses seats in the back; no one is behind us.
“Anyone want popcorn?” Vincent asks. I’d love some, but there’s no way in hell I’m opening my mouth to say yes. I need to get through the night in one piece.
“Get me a small. No butter. Not even a little bit. Totally plain, okay?”
I’m internally cursing Vincent. He couldn’t just buy me a regular jacket from The Gap or something? He had to go and buy me something like this? God, it must have cost a fortune.
Vincent leaves the theater. I think about the crunchy, salty popcorn and sweet fake butter, and my stomach grumbles. Too bad I won’t be having any tonight.
Tom takes my hand, lacing his fingers through mine. His hands aren’t hard and calloused like Vincent’s, but they are still warm. Daniela watches us with a smile on her face. One thing is for sure—Tom is in it to win it. I’ve got to get my head back in the game and make sure she believes that I’m here for Tom. I snuggle closer into his side.
“Aw! You guys are seriously cute together.”
“Thanks,” I reply, trying my best to act happy, even though I’m anything but. This movie couldn’t start fast enough.
Daniela clicks her tongue. “So, Evelyn, where are you from?”
Tom laughs. “Come on, Daniela. What is this, the inquisition? And her name is Eve, not Evelyn.” Tom squeezes my hand in what feels like solidarity.
“Get a life, Tom. I’m trying to make conversation.” She smiles, and I feel my palms start to sweat. “If she’s your girlfriend, I’m going to be spending lots of time with her, right?”
“She’s from the city. Grew up downtown.”
“Really? What part?” She seems happy, but a nagging voice in my head reminds me that this is a test.
“Near SoHo,” he replies smugly, staring at me as if I’m heaven on earth.
She looks at us skeptically, and I do my best to stare back at Tom as if I couldn’t be happier.
“What school did you go to?”
I put my hair behind my ears. “I went to a public school, actually.”
“Public?” she says incredulously. “And you still got into school at Columbia? Holy shit, you must be freakin’ smart then. Half of these kids got in because their families donate or went here themselves.”
“Isn’t she something?” Tom says, staring at me with stars in his eyes.
Daniela hums, looking me up and down. “You’re so… small. Kind of like a little girl, actually.” She’s doing that thing again, where she’s laughing at me with her eyes. She hasn’t said anything so bad, but the energy she’s giving off is vile.
“Little girl?” Tom stares at my boobs blatantly and my face heats. “Not in any of the ways it matters, she doesn’t. She’s definitely…fresh, though, if that’s what you’re implying.” He licks his lips and I’m so embarrassed, I can’t bear to look up.
Moments later, the previews begin and the theater darkens. Tom lets go of my palm and I feel relieved. I’m trying to settle into my seat when Vincent returns, handing Tom two drinks.
“Eve,” Vincent whispers, handing me a huge popcorn and four different candy boxes. My eyes widen, and I want to jump up and down and scream in excitement. He turns to Daniela next, giving her a small bag.
Movies are expensive as hell, and add in all these treats? It’s something I’ve never been able to afford. When Janelle and I were younger, we’d buy bootleg DVDs from the guys in Chinatown who would bring a camcorder to the movies, record the entire film, and then sell the recording for $1.99 to kids like us. The picture was always a little shaky because no one’s hand can stay perfectly straight, and the screen would black out for a minute or two if anyone in the audience stood up to use the bathroom or something. But still, it was as close to a movie-going experience as I could expect.
My gaze moves to Vincent and Daniela, whose hand rubs up and down his leg possessively. His form is rigid. “Ugh, I can’t see with this guy in front of me. Can we switch seats, Vincent?” Daniela asks.
They both stand and Danielle squeezes by Vincent, rubbing against his body like a cat before planting herself in his old seat. Shit. Vincent is now next to me. His muscular thigh brushes up against mine and I squeeze my legs together, sitting straighter in my chair. He reaches over to me, pulling out boxes of candy from my side. “You feel like chocolate tonight?” I turn to face him and swallow hard, nodding. He opens a box of Reese’s Pieces and pours them into my popcorn. “Eat them together; it’s the best. Used to eat this as a kid and loved it.”
I stare at him dumbly.
“Go on,” he says. I put my hands into the popcorn, pulling up a handful of popcorn mixed with the chocolate. The minute I put it all into my mouth, I let out an involuntary moan. “This is beyond good,” I tell him with a mouthful. He chuckles and nods at me. “You sure you don’t want some?”
He puts his hand in the popcorn, smiling. Bringing up a handful, he puts it into his mouth. “Delicious,” he tells me, staring at my mouth. The tension between us is so loud nothing other than him registers.
He leans over me, lifting a drink from the holder next to my seat. “I brought you Cherry Coke and regular. Try them both to see which you want.” I bend down, wrapping my lips around the straw. “Cherry,” I tell him, my voice a whisper.
“Regular Coke for you,” he tells Tom. His eyes don’t leave mine.
“Damn. I love the cherry!” Tom complains.
“You want mine?” I immediately ask, turning my head.
“No,” Vincent interjects, leaving no room for negotiation. I risk a glance at Daniela, who is thankfully completely focused on her cell phone.
Finally, the movie starts, and I try to relax. Staring at the screen, Vincent leans toward me, shifting his arm so we share an armrest. Then his leg rubs against my leg. I want to concentrate, but it’s basically impossible with him this close. I can smell him, all woodsy, soapy, and clean. With each passing minute, he inches closer until his enormous hand is wrapped around my thigh. I clench my teeth, unsure what is going on right now. I shift forward to see Daniela; thankfully she’s totally oblivious and still staring at her phone.
Vincent’s fingers rove higher on my leg. I keep my head forward, staring at the screen, trying not to pant. My mind and body are engaging in a war right now.
A little higher…
I should make him stop!
His hands are so warm…
His fingers begin to move up and down in a steady rhythm, turning my body into a furnace. What is he doing to me?
I turn toward him, wanting to give him a what-the-fuck-are-you-doing look, but he’s still facing the screen. I can see the outline of his dark lashes and the shadows across his sharp cheekbones and scruffy jaw. His face looks even more fierce in this dim light. I never thought it was possible for someone to be so captivating.
His hand roams even higher now, and I lean my head back against the seat, all rational thought disappearing. I’m assaulted by memories of what these fingers can do. Sweat beads on my lower back as his hand drifts upward, centimeter by agonizing centimeter, moving closer to my core. I forgot how possessive he is, but he’s showing me right now—loud and clear—that he’s the only one in control. Holy shit, but I want to straddle him and then punch him in the face!
I watch from my side-eye as he lifts my Cherry Coke, bringing the straw to his full lips. Tilting his head back slightly, I can see his Adam’s apple move with each swallow. It’s as if he is completely unaffected. Meanwhile, my panties are damn near soaked. I’m mindless, all rational thought exiting my brain.
Tom stands, walking past all of us to I guess use the bathroom.
Daniela stands up next. “I’ve gotta make a call.”
We turn to each other at the same time; he puts his hands around my ass and lifts me str
aight into his lap. Oh my God. He’s so hard. Insistent. Grinding me against him and kissing me like his life depends on it. His tongue drifts down my throat. Before I can even process being on Vincent, he moves me back to my chair. Not a moment later, Tom and Daniela both shuffle back to their seats. Can they hear my heavy breathing?
He doesn’t touch me for the rest of the movie.
When the film is over, Tom throws an arm around my shoulders. I know I’m supposed to act like we’re together, but after that kiss with Vincent, I feel confused and dazed, my heart still beating erratically. We walk out of the theater as a group, and I try not to stumble over my own feet.
Daniela seems relieved; as far as I’m concerned, mission accomplished. Now that I’m no longer an issue, I’m ignorable.
We all say goodbye and Tom drops me off at my dorm. Before I can get out, he locks the door, keeping me within the confines of his car. I turn around, wanting to ask what the hell he’s doing when he starts. “Eve. Stay away from Vincent. Our life—and our lifestyle—isn’t for a girl like you. Go meet some nice normal guy. You deserve that. That’s what Angelo would want, too.”
I exhale. For a moment, I forgot that my Angelo is an associate. He may be lowly in their ring, but he’s still part of them.
I hear the pop of the door unlocking. As I walk to my room, Tom’s advice is on repeat in my head. Still, I can’t ignore what Vincent does to me—not just in body, but in mind, too. I need to stay away from him because when we’re together, the tension is too much to manage. How could I have made out with him like that, and in a public place no less? He makes me completely mindless.
I wish I didn’t know who he was behind the mafia man; I wish I had no clue how loving and caring and brilliant he is beneath the hard surface. I sigh, taking off my clothes and gently placing the jacket on my desk chair, and then sliding on an old band T-shirt I got ages ago from the thrift shop.
I know I should give the jacket back, but I don’t want to.
Crawling into bed, sleep refuses to come. The thought of tonight being the last time my lips will ever touch Vincent’s is killing me inside. I shut my eyes and somehow catch his scent; my heart slows down and I fall asleep, imagining him next to me.
CHAPTER 13
EVE
Sometime later in the evening, I hear a knock. I wake up, startled. Checking my clock, it’s after two in the morning. Must be some drunken frat guy. I put my head back on my pillow when the bang comes again. I finally stand to get the door, rubbing the sleep from my eyes as I drag myself across the room to open it.
It’s Vincent. He steps inside and closes the door, twisting the lock behind him. “What are you doing here?” My voice croaks as my eyes adjust to the man in front of me. I didn’t shut the shades when I got home tonight, and the city gives the room a dim glow. My eyes finally acclimate from being awoken and I notice blood trickling down his eyebrow. “Oh my God. You need a doctor!” I press my fingers to my lip in a gut reaction.
He chuckles. “It’s nothing a little TLC can’t fix.” His voice is sure but tired.
I crouch under my bed and pull out a simple first-aid kit that Angelo got for me. Vincent sits at my desk while I grab a washcloth and wet it at the small sink by my door. He sits while I clean off his cuts and cover them with ointment. With him sitting and me standing, we’re finally eye to eye.
“Your cheekbone is darkening,” I tell him, gently grazing his face with my thumb. “What happened? Was it a fight, or—”
“Tonight, just a fight.”
I shake my head, hating how he constantly puts himself in harm’s way.
“It’s fun for me, that’s all. It’s one thing in my life that really is that simple. I just do it ‘cause I love it. Not for any end.” He shrugs and then curses; the movement seems to have caused him pain.
“Did you hurt your ribs?” I help him pull off his shirt, noticing a dark bruise spreading across his side. I want to touch him, but I’m nervous. I gape at his body, my eyes glued to his chiseled muscles.
“Eve,” he says my name reverently. I look up. The small towel drops from my grip and onto the floor. His fingers move to my face, slowly grazing my cheek and down to my neck. His touch is gentle but possessive. I shut my eyes, savoring the feeling. I let out a soft moan as he continues to stroke me. “I can’t stay away from you. I need you. Don’t you need me? I can’t be near you and not have you.”
CHAPTER 14
VINCENT
Standing up from the chair, I move to sit on her makeshift king-sized bed. She comes next to me, biting the bottom of her lip. She’s hesitant, but her face is flushed from my touch.
“My father was in prison.” I’m not entirely sure why I’m divulging this information, but something inside of me needs this connection with her. I want to tell her everything. “I was seven at the time. Lived with Tom and his family for eight years while my dad did time.”
She hums, letting me know she’s listening, her body swaying toward mine as I speak. “My mom died while giving birth to me out on the rez. My dad barely knew her. He actually tried to get gaming off the ground, but the Tribal Council was against having anyone who didn’t have Native blood work with them. Even with a Native wife, they didn’t accept him. Once I was born, he brought me back to New York. Back to the family. This violence and this life is what I was raised on, Eve.”
I shift, bringing her closer to me so that we’re touching. I want to pull off her clothes, feel her naked skin on mine. But I have to get this off my chest—make sure she knows what she’s getting with me. It goes against everything I know, but I can’t just…take her. She deserves more than that.
“I’m technically perfect for this world. I’ve got enough self-awareness to understand that I’m built for it physically and mentally. But it’s still not what I want. I want out. I want to be free. I can’t leave the family in all ways; I understand that. But I’m physically leaving here soon. And when I go, I want you with me. I can’t promise a life with a small yellow house and a white picket fence. But I can promise you…maybe a clean trailer out on the rez.” She pushes an errant hair from my eyes, a small smile playing on her lips.
“Nothing surrounding us for miles.” I raise my eyebrows, looking at her with thoughts of the future in my mind. “I’ll buy us a motorcycle and we can spend our nights riding free. I’ll work hard and build out the hotel and casino. You can be my lawyer. What do you say? Let’s keep this secret, for now. I want the real, Eve. And you’re it. I can’t wait anymore.”
“Vincent.” She drops her head onto my chest, wetness moving from her eyes and dampening my skin. I pull her body to mine, wrapping my arms around her small shoulders.
“Say yes, baby.” I’m practically groveling, the sound of my voice foreign to me. “Trust me. Trust in me. I have these last few months, and then I’m going out there. You can stay here and we’ll do long distance if you want.”
She sniffles. “What about the lies? And Tom told me about prison. And you’re making it sound so perfect, easy, even. But it isn’t, Vincent. And my sister. She—”
“It IS easy. And lockup is always a possibility for me. I’m not going to lie to you. That’s the truth. But I’ll make it as simple as it can be. We’ll be careful. Your sister? She’ll understand eventually. Just say yes to me, baby. Say ye—”
She grabs my head and presses her lips to mine, stunning me.
I pull her closer, so every part of me is touching every part of her. I slowly take off her T-shirt. She shudders, completely topless in my arms. Her body is my heaven; I want to worship it.
She moves forward, grabbing the covers to pull them over herself.
“Don’t cover yourself from me. Not now. Not ever.”
She drops her hands and lets me take my fill of her body with my eyes. God, this girl. Mine. Thank fuck it isn’t dark in here; the city lights have me seeing every beautiful inch of her clear skin.
A thought crosses my head—that maybe someone can see through the wi
ndow. I stand up hesitantly, shutting the blinds with a curse on my lips. It’s a reminder that I won’t be able to have her openly, and I hate it.
I move back into the bed, pulling her soft and pliant body on top of mine as her small hands frame my face. She leans in, lips to my ear. “Are we really going to do this?” Her voice is a prayer.
I flip her beneath me so she’s lying on the bed and shift myself to the bottom, sliding off her underwear with my hands. “Yeah, baby. We are.”
Moving back up, I press my hands against her core. She immediately pushes herself toward me. I know what she wants, but I need to drag it out as long as I can. I palm her, feeling wetness straight through her simple cotton underwear. She’s soaked.
“Always so ready for me. Fuck. I’m going to give you everything I have tonight, and then some.” She’s panting now as I shift my hand rhythmically against her. Every single cell in my body is yelling to get closer. To brand her. I want to get so deep inside her I’ll become part of her.
She stops for a moment, and my brain registers there’s something she wants to say. “What’s wrong?”
“Vincent, I—”
All at once, I decide I can’t let her continue. I put my thumb over her lips to quiet her. I can tell from her expression she wants to say a million things. She’s angry with me for withholding all of this from her last year. She’s furious I have this bullshit girlfriend. She’s mad I have duties to the family. I stare at her intently. “I know, Eve. I feel all your anger, too. Hang onto me through this, and we’ll make it out together. All we need is time.”
“How do you read me like this, Vincent?” she asks quietly, grabbing my hair.
“I read you because I listen to you. I listen to your body. I listen to your eyes.” I lift her face and start kissing her, bringing the focus back to the moment. Eve is so tiny I can easily move my hands from the tips of her toes up to her entire body. I finally let myself just consume her with my mouth, drinking in her essence.
Reckoning (Vincent and Eve #2) Page 12