“I should call my s-sister,” I stutter.
“No problem. Call her. Tell her you’re out tonight.”
Before I can put on my sweatshirt, Vincent grabs his and slides it over my head, pulling my damp ponytail out of the hood.
“I have my shirt,” I gasp. The tears won’t stop running down my face.
“I know. But mine is warmer.” Without thinking, I lift the bottom of his sweatshirt and put it to my nose, inhaling deeply. It smells just like him, and the scent soothes me.
I take my phone out of my bag and with shaking hands, text Janelle.
ME: I’m staying out tonight. Stay at Leo’s. DO NOT GO HOME.
JANELLE: What’s going on?? It’s Carlos, right? Who are you with?? I’m waiting for client’s color to set. I need another forty min before I can call...
ME: Ms. Levine. Don’t worry.
I type out the lie and immediately bite my lip. I can’t get into the details of Vincent right now, especially not over text. I’ll explain it all to her later. She’ll understand.
JANELLE: OK.
I put my phone away as Vincent lifts me up off the mat and into his arms. “Vincent, I can w-walk,” I tell him, my voice still staccato from crying.
“No. I want to take care of you right now. Let me.” I lean my forehead into his neck and relax into his arms.
I shut my eyes while he drives and slowly doze off. “Eve, we’re here,” he whispers, putting his hands on the side of my face. I open my eyes with a start and look around. We’re in a parking lot on the corner of Houston and Wooster Street. Vincent opens the door for me and we walk together into a beautiful white building. The doorman nods to us as Vincent shuffles me to the elevator. At the penthouse floor, we step off. He pulls out his keys, unlocking three different locks. After typing in a complicated-looking code to an alarm panel, he opens the door. The minute my eyes take in what’s around me, I gasp. The entire kitchen, living room, and dining room is an open floor plan. The kitchen gleams in marble and chrome, a beautiful white marble island separating it from the dining area. A long wooden table surrounded by black chairs serves as the dining room. Farthest away is a living area, complete with a beautiful L-shaped black leather couch, coffee table, and big screen TV.
He clears his throat and I snap my jaw shut. “Let me show you to the bathroom. You wash up and I’ll order us some Chinese. Cool?” I nod my head in silence as he takes my hand. Opening a door at the end of the living area, we walk through a short corridor. “Here’s my bedroom,” he points. The room is cozy in whites, grays, and blacks. A large bed sits in the center of the room with two wooden side tables flanking it. A wooden desk is in the corner, piled high with books and a silver laptop. The space is clean, orderly, and masculine. It’s exactly what I’d imagine Vincent’s room to look like.
“I’ve got some clean clothes in the drawer by the bedside table. Take whatever you need. The bathroom is right there.” He points to another door and I nod my head. “Let me just get you some fresh towels.” He steps into the hallway and returns a moment later with a large fluffy white towel and a smaller one. He hands them to me and then steps out.
“Holy shit,” I say in a whisper as the door closes. Walking to the window, Vincent has the perfect view of West Houston Street. I can see the Angelika Theatre straight ahead. Stepping into his bathroom, my eyes widen; it’s completely white marble. Turning on the shower and taking off my clothes, I step into the spray. I sigh in relief at the heavy water pressure. I grab his shampoo, washing my hair and focusing on the clean scent. I use a simple bar of Dove soap, and I shut my eyes, imagining Vincent using this same bar to clean his own body. I swallow, set down the soap, and lean against the shower wall. I wish I could stay in this apartment forever.
Shutting off the shower and stepping out, I wrap myself up with the towel. Moving back into his bedroom, I pull out a plain white T-shirt and a pair of sweatpants from his drawer. I have to roll them up on my hips seven or eight times to keep from falling off me. I brush out my hair with a comb that I find underneath his sink and tie it back in a braid using my hair tie. I’m going to eat with him, ask to see a movie, and feign sleep on his couch. I realize I’m being a liar right now, but my life is at stake here.
I finally garner the strength to leave the room. My bare feet pitter-patter against the wooden floor as I enter his living area. Vincent leans against the marble kitchen island, staring at his cell phone. He lifts his head, noticing my entrance. The moment our eyes lock, I swear to God, my heart stops. He looks me over from my toes up to my face, his eyes darkening. I immediately feel nervous. Should I not have used his clothes?
“Food is on its way up.” His voice is deep and low.
I take a seat at the dining table, curling my feet beneath my butt. The doorbell rings and Vincent moves to get it, handing cash to the delivery guy and telling him to keep the change. Moving back to the table, he sets everything up. I dig in, eating like I haven’t had a decent meal in days. It dawns on me that I skipped lunch at work, assuming I’d eat a big dinner at home. But obviously, those plans didn’t work out.
“Where have you been?” I ask quietly, chewing a piece of steamed broccoli covered in garlic sauce.
“Busy.” I wait for him to elaborate, but he doesn’t. “You ready to tell me what that was about before?”
I drop my head as my heart beats heavily. “No…I…I can’t.” I shake my head.
“Eve,” he places his fork in front of him, turning to me with warm eyes. “You can and you will. Do you trust me?” His hands move to my thighs, but it isn’t sexual. It’s comforting.
I slowly nod my head as he moves closer to me, taking my hand in his. “Talk to me. Let me help you.” My guard lowers from his gentle words.
I open my mouth, and like an open faucet, the words burst out in a rush. I give him the backstory on the Snakes. Surprisingly, he barely shows alarm. I tell him how the Cartel somehow managed to come at the right time, saving me from a potential gang rape. When I get to the dead cat, I’m shaking so badly that he has no choice but to hold me tight to keep me from crumbling.
“Holy shit, Eve.” He gently caresses my back. “Okay. I’m here now. You don’t have to worry.” His voice sounds strong and confident. He continues to secure me to his body as I cry harder, unsure how many more tears I have left to shed. My body feels exhausted and rung-out.
“You deserve more than this. So much more. I’ve done enough selfish shit in my twenty-one years on this earth. And for all the messed-up things I’ve done, I’m going to do right by you. I’m going to take care of this. Do you hear me?” I shudder in his arms, wanting so badly to believe him. “Let me get you a glass of water.” He moves to stand, but I grab onto him, refusing to let go. He sets his body back down.
“Vincent, who a-are you?” I ask, searching his face for answers.
“I don’t want to give you details. Let’s just say, you don’t have space in your life right now for a man like me.” He slowly exhales. “But you already know who I am in here, don’t you?” He presses my hand to his heart.
I raise my eyebrows, vaguely remember our conversation by my front door. “Does it have to do with duality, Batman?” I let out a shaky smile.
He rubs the side of my face with his palm. “Yeah, baby. Exactly that.” He pushes his hair back, resigned. “What we have between us right now may not be total openness, but I won’t ever lie to you, either. If I can’t answer something, I’d rather stay quiet than give you a bullshit story. You deserve better than that.”
“But, how will you take care of this for me? These men—Vincent, you don’t understand—they’re dangerous!” My voice comes out as a plea.
He smoothes the lines on my forehead with his thumbs while he lets out an ironic laugh. “My life is seriously fucked up, Eve. Let’s just say, my father runs a major business. My family and I, we’re very well-connected people. You can trust I’ll get this taken care of.” He locks his eyes with mine and I tilt my head to
the side, still not completely comprehending; I wish that he would give it to me straight.
“Are you going into business with him after college?”
“I already work for him. Have since I turned eighteen. And until I met you, I never let myself imagine another path was possible. I’ve got some ideas going through my head now, which I’m trying to make work. But until then, all we can be is friends. That’s what I’ve got to offer.” I blink a few times, trying to hold back my tears. “But even if you don’t want my friendship, understand that Carlos is finished.”
I slowly nod my head, my breathing settling down. I want to argue with him! I can handle whatever it is he’s hiding. I want more than just friendship. Hell, I want it all. But a nagging part of my brain tells me that he’s right; I can’t add more to my plate right now. “I’m just so tired, Vincent,” my voice is low.
He stands, taking my hand in his and walking us into his bedroom. I climb into his huge bed as he turns out lights and flips on a small lamp, casting shadows around us.
“I want to be able to see you,” he says softly, sitting beside me. I sit up on my knees, staring at his features.
He opens the drawer in his nightstand and takes out a bottle of lotion. Squeezing some into his palm, he starts to methodically massage my hands with the cream. I let out a hum, feeling soothed by his touch.
“The hands hold a lot of tension.” His voice is gruff. “This should relax you.” I open my eyes. The heated look on his face sends a zing straight through my core.
“Vincent?” I say his name reverently, wanting to repeat it over and over again. His name on my lips feels undeniably right. “Do you…like me?” My voice is so quiet, I can barely hear myself.
He sets his hands down, moving them to my sides. “Eve.” He lets out a troubled sigh. “I like you more than I’ve ever liked anything. I’ve never given a shit about any woman before you. There have been so many girls—” he winces, realizing his mistake as my heart plunges down. “But they’ve all been faceless and nameless. Since I met you, there has been no one else. You’re all I can see.”
“But, why do you keep disappearing on me? Why can’t we—”
“Listen closely, okay? My life, as it currently stands, is not meant for you. One day, maybe. But not yet. You have your own journey right now. You’ve got to get your ass out of the Blue Houses. Get into college, right? Nothing else matters other than that.”
I move back as if I’ve been slapped. “Not…meant for me?” I repeat, my voice stuttering. Does he mean I’m not good enough for him?
He takes my hands back in his. “It’s not what you think. But right now, this friendship we’ve got is all there can be. I won’t get you wrapped up in my life. Promise me that you will focus on nothing other than your studies.” He touches the side of my face and I screw my eyes shut, unable to stop myself from leaning into his warm palm.
He clears his throat. “Repeat after me.” I gaze up at him, unable to look away. “Vincent thinks I’m gorgeous.”
I stay quiet. “Come on, Eve, I want to hear it.”
“Vincent thinks I’m gorgeous,” I hesitantly repeat.
He smirks, continuing. “Vincent thinks I’m brilliant.” I can feel my face turn pink. “I’m waiting, Eve. Tick-tock…”
“Vincent thinks I’m brilliant.” I shut my eyes again and smile wide, too shy to look at the man giving me this praise.
“Vincent thinks that I’m going to leave the life I’m living behind me, and be whoever I want to be. He won’t let his shit fall on me.” His voice is full of promise.
I open my eyes and stare at him openly, wishing that everything he says will be true someday. “I want to be a lawyer,” I tell him reluctantly, unsure of what his response will be.
“Oh yeah? I can see that.” He quirks his lips to the side.
I can feel a glimmer of hope turning in my chest. “Really?”
He moves his head without doubt. “Yes. I can help you with that too when the time comes. Go to sleep now. You’re safe here with me.” I settle down with my head on his pillow as he lightly strokes my hair.
“Vincent?” I ask quietly.
“Yeah, baby.” His hands move to massage up and down my back.
“What do we have between us? We have something special, right?” I turn around to face him. We may not be able to be together, but I know in my heart that we have something more than just friendship. This can’t be one-sided; I know deep down he feels it, too.
He pauses, seemingly thinking of the right response. “Yeah, we’ve got something. But what we have has nothing to do with anyone else on earth. What we have between us, is just for us.”
He moves me on top of him and lets his hands rub from my toes all the way up into my hair. Even though he’s obviously holding a hell of a lot back from me, something inside me is pushing me to just enjoy this moment and trust him. His touch feels so good. So right.
“Can I kiss you?” I suck in a breath, wanting him so badly but also, so afraid.
His hand slides over my hip, slowly dragging the sweatpants from my legs. “I love how delicate you are. Soft. You’re a siren on a quiet street. You’re all I hear.” His words tune and bind me to him.
I feel his warm mouth against the side of my lips and a tiny moan escapes. I want him to be on top of me but he grips my thighs, not letting me move. “You’re in control tonight, understand?”
He sits up with me straddling him and I immediately turn my head to the side, too nervous to look into his eyes. “Don’t turn away from me,” he orders. I slowly turn back, nervous that it’ll be the hard version of Vincent in front of me. Instead, there’s nothing but warmth shining from his face. “It’s me here, just me. I’ll never hurt you.”
I feel his lips on my neck and gasp as he trails his warm mouth up, pausing beneath my ear. Moving to my lips, he kisses me chastely, over and over again.
I want more, my body hums. I grind my hips down onto his pelvis. I can tell he’s keeping himself steady, letting me set the pace. His warm tongue dips into my mouth and my body melts deeper into his lap. His parts press against mine, and I yearn to feel more of his weight on me. I tug on his arm and move off his lap, laying down on the mattress. With my eyes, I’m urging him to follow. He’s hesitant, as if he really needs to make sure that I’m okay and feeling stable. He checks me over and I give him a small nod of approval. My throat is dry, but I have never felt safer in my entire life.
His hands move into my hair, pulling out the tie. My damp strands fall around us as he pushes himself into me, wrapping his arms around my back and pressing me harder against his solidness. We’re kissing mindlessly when his knee snakes up between my legs. It’s as if an alarm goes off in my mind and I immediately want to tear off his clothes. Oh, God.
I tug on the bottom of his shirt desperately. He sits up, pulling it up and over his head.
“Ohhh,” my voice says of its own accord; nothing we’ve ever done comes close to this. His body looks as if it’s been chiseled from granite. He sits me up, taking off my shirt. I melt as his eyes take their fill, clearly liking what he sees.
He lowers his head, letting his tongue lave at my nipple. I liquefy, grabbing his hair with my hands and moaning as he nips and tugs at my breast. Moving to the next side, he kisses and sucks until I’m writhing against him in pleasure.
He moves himself, pulling up one of my thighs and wrapping it against his waist. Pressing himself into me as if we’re having sex, I can’t stop moaning. His pants are still on and so is my underwear, but I swear on my life I never knew that something could feel this good.
“Everything about you, Eve,” he rasps. “I want to strip you naked.” He presses again, deeper. “I want to lick you until you’re screaming my name.”
My body is shaking so hard right now that I think I may pass out. “Vincent, Vincent, Vincent,” is all I can manage. “I’m so—” my voice is hoarse as he grips my thigh harder, lifting it up over his shoulder.
“Look at me.” His voice is hard and demanding. I open my eyes, locking my gaze to his. He leans his head down, breathing in my breaths. Open mouths. Tongues. I’m sweaty and wet all over. He slides his hands up, brushing his callused fingers over my nipples again and again. I’m squeezing my core in pulses, my body finding a rhythm. All at once, my legs straighten out and my toes curl as I come apart beneath him.
He stops, holding me tight as he whispers in my ear. “You’re perfect. Do you know how wonderful you are?” I wrap my arms around his back, my throat raspy from how loud I must have been. “You’re shaking.” He turns me so that I’m back on top of him, holding me tight while our breathing settles.
“D-do you need—” I feel how hard he is, and realize that he probably needs something in return.
“You don’t need to do this tonight, Eve,” he whispers in my ear. “This isn’t about me.”
“I want to.” I push forward, eager to feel him.
“Are you sure?” he continues, lowering his mouth to my nipple, taking a slow and lazy lick. “My tongue sucking on your nipples while you touch me? Or maybe, you want to feel my stubble rubbing between your thighs while I take my time?” My body short-circuits from his words as I stroke him over his pants.
“I want to drink you in. Just the thought of licking you…” I gasp as he sucks hard at my nipples. “You feel how hard I am?” We’re both dripping with sweat as I finally put my hand into his underwear, feeling his hardness jump directly into my palm. I felt how big he was through his clothes, but this is entirely different. He’s huge, hot, and velvet soft.
I’m tentative, unsure what I should do. He moves his hand over mine, covering my fingers with his, showing me how he likes it.
I continue at the pace he sets when he finally lets go of my hand and brings me closer to him. He slides his tongue around my nipple again, bringing it back into his mouth. I let myself grip his dick harder and we both moan until we’re panting again from pleasure. “Don’t let go, baby. I’m so close.”
Rising (Vincent and Eve Book 1) Page 15