by Leah Brooke
Tired.
Gripping the older woman’s hand, Veronica fought back tears as Sin questioned the nurse and demanded to see the doctor.
“Grandma?”
To her relief, her grandmother opened her eyes, her smile weak.
“Veronica.”
Grateful for Sin holding her from behind, Veronica forced a smile, glancing up at her Aunt Martha, sitting in a chair on the other side of the bed.
“Yes. I’m here. Don’t try to talk, Grandma. Save your strength.”
“No. I was just waiting for you. It’s time for me to go.”
A chill went through Veronica, the weakness in her grandmother’s voice scaring the hell out of her.
“No, Grandma. Please.”
Her grandmother smiled and turned her head slightly, looking up at Sin.
“Tied me with the trick rope. That’s how I escaped before that other man even burst through the door.”
Her grandmother’s weak laugh turned into a cough.
Sin leaned forward, touching her grandmother’s arm above the IV, his smile so tender it brought tears to Veronica’s eyes.
“Good girl.”
Her grandmother’s smile had to be the most beautiful thing Veronica had ever seen.
“My Frederick used to say that. He’s waiting for me. Now that you’ve found your happiness, Veronica, I can go in peace. I love you.”
Veronica smiled through her tears. “I love you, too, Grandma.”
Her grandmother looked up at Sin again. “Take care of her.”
Bending to kiss her grandmother’s forehead, Sin smiled again, his eyes dark with sadness. “I will.”
Stiffening when the monitor stopped beeping and made a long continuous sound, Veronica gasped.
“No!”
When the doctor’s came rushing in, her Aunt Martha rose and waved them off, tears streaming down her face as she stared into Veronica’s eyes.
“Let her go, child. Let her go. She’s where she wants to be. She’s with her Frederick.”
Her vision blurred, and with a nod, Veronica began to sob.
Chapter Seventeen
Veronica walked into her house, feeling as if she’d aged twenty years in the last week.
“It was a wonderful turnout. So many people loved her.”
Sin closed and locked the door behind them, wrapping his arm around her waist again and leading her to the sofa. Settling her on his lap, he removed her shoes.
“This week has been hard on you.”
He stripped her out of her suit jacket, tossing it aside before lifting her again. “You’ve been running on nerves all week.”
Dropping her head on his chest, she sighed. “I don’t know if I could have done it without you.”
Sin had been at her side almost constantly and had handled a million things that had made everything run smoothly.
“You didn’t have to.” Sliding a hand over her upswept hair, kissed her temple.
“You’ve had a rough week, but I want you to think about moving to L.A. with me. With your Aunt Martha moving in with her son, there’s nothing to keep you here anymore.”
Veronica sat up, rising from his lap. “I still have my job.”
Sin rose with her, removing his suit jacket and tie and tossing them onto the back of the sofa. “There are banks in L.A., Veronica.”
Taking her hand, he led her to the bathroom. “I told you that things would be different when we got back. This is the real world, Veronica.”
Cupping her cheek, he ran his thumb over her bottom lip.
“I have to get back to L.A. tomorrow. You need to decide what you want to do. I want you. You know that.”
Veronica gulped and nodded, wishing he would say the words she so desperately needed to hear.
Watching him draw a bath for her, she dropped her head back, tears stinging her eyes.
“I also know what you need.”
After adjusting the water temperature to his satisfaction, Sin turned back to her, taking her hand in his and drawing her to her feet.
“I need you, Veronica.” His gaze held hers as he stripped her out of her blouse.
He stripped her out of the rest of her clothing, his touch gentle. “Come on. Get into the tub. I’ll go get each of us a glass of wine, and I’ll be back to wash you.”
Suddenly shy, Veronica sank deeper into the water.
“I can wash myself, Sin. I’ll be out in a little while.”
Pausing at the doorway, Sin paused, raising a brow and giving her a steady look.
His silence unnerved her, but he didn’t really have to speak.
The look in his eyes said it all.
He wanted to bathe her and wouldn’t be swayed.
Shaking her head, Veronica sighed. “Sin, you have to stop babying me.”
“No.” Turning, he disappeared, and a few seconds later, she could hear him moving around in the kitchen.
He came back moments later, shirtless, and with a glass of wine in each hand.
He set one aside, handed her the other, and knelt beside the tub, reaching for her washcloth.
“Drink some of that, and when you’re done with your bath, I’ll make you an omelet. You haven’t eaten much of anything in days.”
The cool wine felt wonderful on her throat, which had become raw from crying.
“Sin, thank you for staying with me, and for all of your help.”
Running the soapy washcloth over her breasts and arms, Sin smiled. “You’re welcome.”
She’d expected him to tease her as he washed her like he had on the island, but instead of attempting to arouse her, he washed her as he would a sleepy child.
“Are you going to tell me about Robert now?”
He glanced up at her and leaned her forward to move her back.
“He’s in police custody and is being watched. That’s all you have to worry about.”
Afterward, he dried her, smoothed cream onto her skin, and wrapped her in a fluffy robe that had appeared earlier in the week.
After pulling thick socks onto her feet, he took the pins out of her hair and brushed it and carried her back into the living room.
“I want to be able to see you while I’m cooking.”
Lifting her chin, he smiled, handing her a fresh glass of wine. “You okay, baby?”
Veronica smiled tiredly.
“The bath and the wine relaxed me so much that I’m having trouble staying awake.”
Sin turned, whipping the eggs in the bowl he held.
“And you haven’t slept much all week. It was only a matter of time before it caught up to you. After you eat and have another glass of wine, you’ll be out like a light.”
Setting her glass of wine aside, Veronica rose. “I can’t. Now that the funeral’s over, I need to make a list of all the things I have to do.”
“That can wait.”
“No. I have a lot to do. I have to clean out the house before I can list it with a realtor, and—”
“I said no, Veronica.” He appeared at her side, taking the tablet of paper and pen out of her hands and tossing them onto the coffee table.
Veronica stilled at his tone, lifting her gaze to his as he wrapped an arm around her and led her back to the sofa.
“You’re awfully bossy.”
“I thought we’d already established that.” He set the plate and fork on the table before pulling her on to his lap again.
He handed the glass to her, picked up the plate and leaned back, settling the plate on her lap.
“You can start working on your list tomorrow—after you’ve had a good night’s sleep. You’re too worn out to deal with it tonight. Shut down, Veronica. Just let me take care of you.”
He held a bite of the omelet to her lips, smiling his approval when she ate it. “Good girl.”
Watching his face, Veronica sighed.
“Sin, I’m used to taking care of myself. You don’t need to take care of me.”
Sin paused with another f
orkful halfway to her mouth. Setting the fork carefully back onto the plate again, Sin smiled, a sad smile that tugged at her heart.
“Yes, Veronica. I do. That’s something you need to understand—something you need to accept. It’s part of me, and I can’t change it. It’s what I need. I’m afraid it’s all or nothing for me, Veronica.”
To ease her dry throat, Veronica took another sip of wine, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye.
“I really thought it had more to do with sex.”
Sin slid another bite of eggs between her lips. “I told you that it’s not that way for me.”
“I know, but to be honest with you, I didn’t really imagine it like this.”
Running a hand over her hair and down her back, Sin held her gaze, his green eyes like molten jade.
“I want you, Veronica. All of you. I’ll take care of you. I’ll cherish you. You took the next few weeks off of work to deal with your grandmother’s estate. When all that’s done, I’ll expect your answer.”
* * * *
Exhausted, but unable to sleep, Veronica dropped her head against Sin’s shoulder as he carried her to bed.
Once he slid her robe from her shoulders and tucked her into bed, he went around to the other side and slipped naked between the sheets next to her.
Rolling her to her back, he covered her body with his, pushing her thighs apart with his and settling between them.
“Shut it off, Veronica.”
He nuzzled her neck, his lips moving over the sensitive spot beneath her ear.
“For tonight, Veronica, just shut it down.”
Her breath hitched when he closed his teeth on her earlobe, her heart pounding when his hand slid to her breast.
Reaching for him, she tilted her neck to give him better access. “Sin!”
“Shhh. No talking. Just feel.”
With a hand on either side of her, he lifted her arms, holding them in place by wrapping his hands around her upper arms.
His lips brushed over her breasts, avoiding her nipples until they ached so badly she moaned and fought his hold.
He ran his tongue over her nipple and glanced up at her. “Be still, Veronica.”
“How the hell am I supposed to be still when you’re doing that?”
Chuckling softly, Sin nuzzled her nipple. “It appears I’m going to be tying you down quite often.”
Wondering if he knew what his threats did to her, Veronica writhed under him, sucking in a breath when he released her arms and slid lower, sliding his shoulders beneath her thighs, tilting her hips higher and holding her legs high and wide.
“Sin!”
Her clit throbbed incessantly, the anticipation driving her wild.
Sin’s lips moved over her, over her belly to her abdomen. “Yes, baby?”
She reached for him, only to have her hands caught in his. “I want you. God, I always want you.”
Threading her fingers with his, he held tight, effectively holding her immobile.
“Now you know how I feel.” His lips moved over her bare mound and lower, his tongue tracing her folds.
The feel of his warm breath against her clit startled a cry from her, her entire body trembling.
“Please!”
“Please, what, baby?”
“I can’t stand it!”
“Too bad.”
The scrape of his teeth over her inner thigh sent another sharp jolt of pleasure to her clit, the bundle of nerves tingling with a hot awareness that made it feel huge.
Kicking her legs did nothing, his shoulders keeping them so high and wide that she couldn’t even kick him.
His tongue traced her folds again and then pushed into her, lapping at her as if she was a delicious treat.
His moans of pleasure vibrated against her slit, and with a deep groan, he closed his mouth over her clit.
The pleasure was incredible.
Jolting at the first stroke of his tongue over her clit, Veronica fought to get her hands free, desperately needing to reach for him.
“Oh! Son of a bitch!”
The intensity stunned her.
Pleasure, so sharp and hot it bordered on pain, sent her over in a rush, the strength of her orgasm alarming.
The wave of heat held her in its grip, not letting go.
“Sin. Oh God! Please. It’s too—it won’t—help me!”
To her surprise and relief, he released her immediately, covering her body with his, his finger lightly stroking her clit.
Staring down into her eyes, he pushed her hair back. “You’re okay, baby. I’ve got you.”
She cried his name as her orgasm crested, saying it over and over as the gentle strokes to her clit eased and finally stopped, letting her down slowly.
“That’s my baby.”
Easing to her side, he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close and pulling the covers over them.
Too weak to even move, she kept her face buried against his neck. “Sin?”
His lips touched her hair, his hand running up and down her back. “Yes, baby?”
“I think I love you.”
A long silence followed, and with a sigh, he kissed her hair again.
“I love you, Veronica, but I told you on the island, don’t confuse pleasure for emotion. I need to know for sure. I’ll give you time to figure it out, but it’s all or nothing for me, Veronica. I can’t just have bits and pieces of you. That’s all I’ve ever had, and it’s not enough.”
The weariness and sadness in his sigh tugged at her heart.
“I’m done with illusions, Veronica.”
He loved her.
“Oh, Sin.”
“Shh.” Holding her against him, he rubbed her back again. “You’re exhausted. Go to sleep.”
He loved her.
Smiling against his chest, Veronica breathed in the scent of him, her eyelids too heavy to open again.
He loved her.
Tonight, nothing else mattered.
Chapter Eighteen
Standing in her grandmother’s kitchen, Veronica sighed, wrapping her arms around herself and clinging to the piece of rope that she’d found on the living room floor—the trick rope that Sin had given to her.
Sin had been gone only a few hours, and she missed him already.
After having him by her side almost continuously for more than a week, she supposed it was only natural, but with her grandmother gone, she felt especially lonely.
The cell phone he’d given her rang, and suddenly some of the knots in her stomach loosened.
Blinking back tears, she dug the phone out of her purse and answered.
“Hello?”
“What’s wrong?”
Smiling, Veronica stared up at the ceiling, blinking back tears.
“I was missing you, and you called. How did you know I needed to hear your voice?”
Sin chuckled, his voice lowering seductively. “Magic. Where are you?”
“I just got to my grandmother’s house a few minutes ago.” Moving around the kitchen, she ran her fingers over the cow-shaped cookie jar that her grandmother had always kept filled with chocolate chip cookies, Veronica’s favorite.
“I don’t know where to start.”
“I know, baby. Help’s on the way. I hired a company who will help you sort out what you want to keep, sell, or donate. They’re coming with boxes and everything else you’ll need.”
Veronica stilled, stunned at what he’d done.
“Sin! What? I can take care of things. Why are you doing this? You have to stop babying me, damn it! I’m a grown woman.”
Chuckling, Sin lowered his voice even more. “Oh, I’m well aware of that, Veronica. I’m doing it out of selfishness. The sooner you’re done with all of that, the sooner you can come out here to L.A. with me. The realtor will be there tomorrow.”
“How do you know which realtor I want to use?”
“Well, Jordan owns this company, so it has to be the best.”
Unable
to hold back a smile, Veronica continued to move, too restless to stand still. Running her fingertips over her grandmother’s knitting, she blinked back more tears.
“Does your friend have to own everything?”
“Jordan made up his mind seven years ago that nothing would keep him from getting what he wanted. He buys and sells a lot of real estate. It only makes sense that he would buy a real estate company and expand it into the largest and most profitable in the country. They’ll take good care of you. He’s already called them personally, and they’ll probably trip all over themselves to make it as easy as possible for you. I’ll call you later to check on you. Miss me.”
“I do. Terribly. It’s too fast, don’t you think?”
“No, Veronica. I wanted you when I first saw you in the audience. When you called me an asshole, I knew you would be important in my life. By the time you were walking toward me in the club, I knew I wanted you to be mine.”
Shocked at his admission, Veronica dropped to the sofa. “Oh, my.”
“Yeah. Think about that for a while.”
Jolting at the knock on the door, Veronica swallowed heavily, crossing to the window and pushing the curtain aside, surprised to see a woman, two men, and a large moving truck.
“Someone’s at the door. I think it’s that company you sent.”
“Okay. Get to work. I’ll talk to you later.”
Frowning when he hung up before she could ask about what he was doing, she went to the door, promising herself she would ask later.
* * * *
Staring out the window of his office, Sin watched the cars down below. Although it was late, he hated the thought of going home.
He glanced at his watch. It had been ten minutes since the last time he’d called Veronica, and she still hadn’t answered.
The door to his office opened, and knowing that only one person would enter without knocking, he didn’t bother to turn.
“I thought you’d already gone.”
“Without checking to see how your first day went?”
Amused, Sin turned, leaning back against the window, noticing that Jordan carried a file folder. “You know exactly how my day went. You know everything I did all day, and I’m sure you know everything that was said at the meeting with the heads of M&K Air.”