by Kira Blakely
Vincent was looking at me while I ogled at his body. When our eyes met, I blushed and looked away.
“It’s going to be morning soon,” he said quietly and a chill ran down my spine. I knew what that meant. One more day gone, and one more day closer to him leaving. My breath caught in my throat again, and I refused to meet his eyes.
“We should go for a hike soon,” he said, sliding himself over to me. I nodded my head and wrapped my arms around his neck. I wanted to cling to him for dear life. It was ridiculous, this feeling coursing through my veins. He was still here, but I was sad already. Vincent had no idea how he had changed my life in a matter of just two days. He had shown me a glimpse of a different life and made me believe that I did deserve better.
“Are you familiar with the trails?” he asked as he pressed his lips to my cheek and gave me a soft tender kiss.
“Somewhat. I should be able to figure them out. The locals aren’t allowed on the estate though, so I don’t know this area as well as I know the rest of the mountain,” I told him, kissing his chin as he held me close.
His hands had found their way to the back of my waist, and he was pressing me close to him. I could feel his erection against my legs and I breathed in deeply.
“You sure you have nowhere else to be?” he asked, catching my gaze. I shook my head, my eyes sparkling as I stared at him. I wondered what he thought of me then? Whether he thought I was desperate, a loser… why I had nowhere to go.
“I’m free today,” I said, and we kissed. Our lips met in a gentle kiss, like we had known each other for years. Despite the sexual fire burning in us both, which I knew would make us lunge at each other in a matter of minutes, our kiss was soft and long.
His hand traveled up, from my back to my shoulders and then to my front as we continued to kiss. He squeezed one of my erect nipples and tugged at it, making me desperate for him again.
“Oh, Shoot! It’s my phone,” he said, pulling away from me suddenly.
I heard the ring then as well, from somewhere inside the cabin. Vincent was out of the tub in seconds, hauling his drenched body out of the water as he strode quickly back indoors. I was smiling after him, watching his naked tight butt walking away from me. I couldn’t wait for him to return so I could kiss him again. I wanted him to finish what he had started.
The sky was getting lighter at a faster rate now, and I realized how early in the morning it was for him to receive a call. I could see straight through the French windows into the living room, where Vincent was pacing the floor, roasting himself in front of the fire as he spoke into the phone. He had assumed that serious look on his face again, I could see that he was talking business.
Still smiling, I shook my damp hair out and threw my head back to look up at the sky. What had I gotten myself into? How was I supposed to resume a normal life again once he left? He still hadn’t told me exactly when he was going to leave, and just the thought of it made me sick to my stomach.
I heard the doors sliding open, and I looked up. Vincent was walking back over to the hot tub; his brows were crossed and his face was dark. I sat up straight in the water, my heart beginning to race. It was very seldom that I saw that look on his face. This couldn’t be good news.
“Everything all right?” I asked him as he came over to me, placing his hands on the edges of the tub. The fact that he didn’t want to get back in the water told me that something was wrong. What was he going to tell me?
Vincent looked away from me, toward the horizon where the sun was rising.
“That was my secretary calling from LA,” he said quietly, still not looking at me.
I breathed in and let out an enormous sigh. Here it comes…
“I have to go back to LA today for a meeting I can’t miss,” he said, turning to me again. His eyes were heavy, and his mouth was firmly set in a thin line. I could see that he was clenching his jaw. His nose looked sharp and chiseled, I still couldn’t stop admiring his physical form, despite the news he was giving me.
“Today? When?” I asked, draping my arms across my breasts. For some reason, I felt like I suddenly needed to preserve my modesty. Vincent’s gaze dropped to my covered breasts and then he looked up at me again.
“First flight out; she’s already booked my ticket. I don’t think I have more than three hours remaining here,” he said glumly. Did he expect me to cry? Did he expect me to make a scene? He was looking at me like he was sorry for what he was saying. Even though I could feel my lip quivering, I tried to force a smile on my face.
What else was I expecting to happen? I knew this was coming from the moment I stepped into his car.
“Of course,” I managed to say, in a squeaky mild voice.
“Gemma…” he said and reached out a hand to my cheek. He stroked it gently, and I closed my eyes for a second, just to savor the moment.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. We knew this was going to happen sooner or later. Sooner rather than later, right?” I said and even forced a laugh. Vincent met my eyes; he wasn’t laughing. He looked like he was afraid.
“I really don’t want to go, I’ve been having such a great time with you,” he said, moving his hand away from my cheek.
I threw him a smile again. I was shivering in the hot tub for some reason. I wanted to get out of the water, to get away from him. It was hard holding the tears in, but I wasn’t going to let him see me cry.
“I’ve had a good time, too, Vincent,” I said and stood up in the tub. He was watching me as I reached for the towel on the side and wrapped it around myself tightly. Even his towels felt great, soft and luxurious and good enough to wear all the time. I stepped out of the tub, and he helped me out, holding my hand in his.
“Gemma…” he said again, and this time I turned my head to look at him. I knew my face was burning up.
“What?” I snapped, unable to control the misery I was feeling inside.
“It doesn’t have to end like this,” he said.
“Do you mean you want to fuck me again before you go? One last time?” I said, surprised that I had said it aloud. I knew how crude it sounded and it even took him aback when he heard the words. But Vincent always maintained his composure, and he was doing it this time as well.
“That is not what I meant,” he said, as I drew my hand away from his. I was shivering; goose bumps covered all my exposed skin and I could do nothing but stare at him. I didn’t know what I wanted anymore. I wanted him to go, and I wanted him to stay. I wanted to scream, and I also wanted to cry.
“How else can it end, Vincent?” I asked, in a softer voice.
“You could come with me,” he said, looking at me directly. My mouth nearly dropped open when I heard him say that. It hadn’t occurred to me that he could suggest such a thing. Going away with him, leaving this town… had never even crossed my mind.
“From the look on your face, it seems like I shouldn’t have suggested it. I’m sorry—”
“I’ll come with you,” I blurted out. Neither of us were smiling; it was as though Vincent was in as much shock as I was.
“I know it’s too much to ask, but I don’t want to cut this short. Just for a few days… I could show you around LA. You could have a mini vacation,” he said, and I could see his eyes changing again. The idea was sinking in, for both of us.
My heart had never felt like this, like a crazed rabid dog, beating inside my chest. What had I just agreed to? Holy Fuck! I was going to be whisked away to California by a man I’d known for exactly two days. By Vincent Stoltz, one of the most eligible bachelors in the country!
“Sounds like a plan,” I said, the smile spreading on my face.
I was in Vincent’s arms again; he had pulled me close to him. He was kissing my neck, licking the spot at the base of my throat… I closed my eyes. This was too damn good to be real. I didn’t care about the consequences anymore, I just wanted to live for once.
Thoughts of my parents crossed my mind. They were going to lose their minds when I tol
d them. If I told them the truth. What was I supposed to say to them? In the past twenty-six years of my life, I had never stayed away from home for this long. Wouldn’t they be happy for me? Or would they only worry that I was being taken for a ride? Being used by a playboy billionaire who wanted nothing more from me than my body.
Vincent was kissing my lips again; I could feel his heart beating against my own chest as he held me close.
The problem of handling my parents would just have to wait.
Chapter 20
Gemma
I had never been to California before; I had never been anywhere outside Washington. What struck me first was the weather. I’d had to ditch the back sweater long ago, and now I remained in my pink top and the jeans I had been wearing for the past three days. The heat was getting to me already.
“Thank you,” I said meekly when I stepped out of the black, chauffeur-driven Mercedes that had been waiting for us at the airport. I looked up at the house in awe, struck by how big it was, how much bigger than the cabin we had been shacked up in for the past few days.
“Welcome to my home,” Vincent said with a smile as he gave me his arm. I clung to him tightly as he led me up the gravel path toward the beautiful red-brick house we were about to enter. A man was holding the door open for us, smiling at Vincent and me politely. Everywhere I looked, I could see lush green grass, decorated primly with flowers and trees. There was even a fountain in the middle of the driveway where the car was parked.
I felt suddenly small, my neck heating quickly with self-consciousness. I hadn’t known what to expect, but not this much opulence.
“Do you live alone?” I asked him in a whisper, as though someone might overhear us.
Vincent gave out a short laugh and nodded. “I do, yes, I know… what a waste, right?” he said, in his usual calm and friendly way. He led me up the marble steps to the man at the door.
“Good morning, Tim,” he said, to the man who must have been his what… butler?
“Good morning, sir. I trust you’ve had a good trip,” the man said, swinging his gaze from Vincent to me. If he was surprised by my presence, he was hiding it well. Or perhaps he wasn’t surprised at all, and Vincent turned up with a woman on his arm every other morning.
“This is Ms. Ramsey; she will be staying with us for a few days,” Vincent told Tim as he led me into the house.
I nearly gasped as I stepped inside the palatial foyer. The walls were a rich ivory, with thick red curtains hanging from long French windows. If the cabin was cozy in its luxury, Vincent’s own home was overtly grand and sophisticated. I immediately felt dirty and underdressed, but I had nowhere to hide.
“I wish I could give you the tour, Gemma, but I have that meeting to go to,” Vincent said, gently letting go of my hand.
I nodded, looking around me in awe. He had a pleased expression on his face when our eyes met again.
“I shouldn’t be long, but Tim will show you up to my bedroom so that you can settle in,” he said, turning to Tim, who was still standing with his hands behind his back.
I nodded again, my words stuck in my throat. I didn’t even want to know what Tim thought of the whole situation. About the fact that Vincent had just commanded him to show this stranger up to his bedroom.
“Of course, sir. Come with me, madam. Do you have any bags?” Tim asked, passing me by with a ramrod straight back.
“Umm… no,” I said, blushing as I threw a look at Vincent.
“Change into something fresh if you like. Raid my closet.” Vincent smiled at me, pushing his hands into his pockets. I was still blushing, still at a loss for words. I was so afraid of saying the wrong thing or doing something horrifically stupid.
“I’ll see you in a bit, Gemma. Make yourself comfortable,” Vincent said before turning to the front door again.
I turned to Tim, who was waiting for me at the foot of the spiral stairs that disappeared somewhere upstairs. This was going to be a weird day.
***
I sank low into the marble bathtub in Vincent’s master bath, allowing my hair to soak through completely. I had been in this house for close to four hours and had nothing to do. I hadn’t heard from Vincent either.
My cell phone was lying on the little table next to the tub, and I was eyeing it suspiciously from the corner of my eye. I had to make that call at some point. It was better to do it now that Vincent wasn’t around, I thought, and reached for it.
When I switched it on, I ignored the volley of texts that came pouring in again and just called Mom straight away.
“Gemma!” Her voice sounded strained. “Where are you, girl?” she asked, answering within the first two rings. It was like she had been sitting next to the phone all day, waiting for my call. Maybe she had. A pang of guilt shot through my body.
“I’m trying to sort out my life, Mom,” I said, overwhelmed by both mental and physical exhaustion.
“What is that supposed to even mean? When are you coming home?” she asked in a voice that sounded like she was close to giving up. She wasn’t screaming this time. I could see why she was confused; I had never done anything like this before.
“I don’t know, Mom, not for a few more days, I think,” I replied, dragging my fingers through the soapy hot water in the tub.
“I sent your cousin Billy out looking for you,” she said.
I sat up in the tub and water splashed out on the marble floor. “Why would you do that?” I snapped.
“Because we were worried for you. We don’t know where you are, who you’re with. Billy said that the last place you were seen was at the diner and that you left with that strange man,” I could hear Dad coughing in the background, and I was guilty again. I knew they needed me. I knew they were worried. But for once in my life, I was living for myself.
I squared my shoulders and shut my eyes tightly closed. “I’m still with him.”
She gasped. “Are you being held against your will?”
“No, Mom, I’m just spending some time with him,” I replied, taking in deep breaths to calm myself.
“Spending time with him? Like, you’re in a relationship with him?” she asked, her voice dropping to a whisper. She didn’t want Dad to hear this.
“I don’t know what it is; we’re just getting to know each other, Mom,” I told her, dropping my voice, too. I didn’t want Vincent walking in and catching me talking about him.
“Who is he?” she asked.
“I can’t tell you that,” I said, growing tired of this conversation now. It was going nowhere. I had just wanted her to know that I was well and fine so she wouldn’t worry.
“Why not? Where does he live? Where is he from?” Her questions were incessant.
“I’ll explain when I see you, okay?” I snapped at her again.
Mom’s voice was rising; she was growing angrier. “When are you coming home? Why do you have to spend so much time with him?” She was screaming into the phone now, and I clenched my jaw.
“I said I don’t know when I’ll be home. I’ll text you when I have a better idea,” I said, but she wasn’t about to listen to me.
“You come back home this instant! You have a job to get back to. Billy has already spoken to Big Mike, and he has said he’ll think about—” she was saying, but I hung up on her again. I didn’t want to listen to her, or hear about the diner anymore. Just talking to her for a few minutes had brought me back to reality, reminding me of the life I had to go back to. That all this, the marble on the floor, the gold candle holders, the luxurious scented creams and soaps… were a dream. It was going to end soon, when this vacation ended.
The door swung silently open, and I looked up with a jerk as Vincent entered the bathroom.
“I was wondering where you were,” he said, striding over to me. I dropped the phone back on to the table beside me and smiled up at him.
He looked handsome, even though his eyes looked slightly tired. We were both exhausted.
“Long meeting?” I asked a
nd raised a leg up through the foamy water. He studied my exposed leg, a look of hungry lust in his eyes. It was like he was suddenly reminded of what he had been missing.
“Too long,” he said and knelt beside me. “I hope you’ve been enjoying yourself,” he said, bringing his lips close to mine. My mouth parted when I got a whiff of his masculine musky scent. I wanted him again; it had been too long. We hadn’t spent this much time apart in three days. I had forgotten how to be by myself.
“Come in,” I said, spreading my legs in the water. He could see the tops of my folded knees and knew exactly what I meant by that.
“Don’t tempt me, you saucy devil! We have somewhere to be now,” he said, standing up suddenly from my side.
“Where? Both of us?” I asked, sitting up in the tub again. This man was full of surprises! I thought we were going to be cooped up in this house now, instead of the cabin.
Vincent was smiling at me, unbuttoning his shirt at the same time.
“My college fraternity has organized a party,” he said, flicking his shirt open so I could see his smooth bronze torso again.
“So, all your Yale buddies will be there?” I asked, my heart beginning to thump. Why would he want to subject me to that? I could already feel my cheeks burning again.
“Yeah, some of them have found out I’m back in town, so I can’t miss it. It’ll be good; you’ll get to meet my best friends,” he said, turning away from me and walking over to the mirror.
“Vincent, I…” I really didn’t want to go. I was convinced that I would end up embarrassing him and myself. But he wasn’t looking at me. He had picked up his shaving brush and was proceeding to lather his jaw.
“Don’t worry, Gemma. It’s just a party, nothing more. And didn’t I promise you I’ll show you a bit of LA?” he said, smiling at me through his reflection in the mirror.