Vince's Place

by Sandra R Neeley

  A slight smile curved her lips. “She sounds nice — a no nonsense kind of girl.”

  “She is. She’s having a hard time of it, but I think she’ll come out of it okay. I’ll be there to be her friend if she needs me to be. That’s what friends do.”

  Natalie nodded. “She didn’t want you? She wasn’t jealous or hurt?”

  “I don’t think she was ever drawn to me. And I’m not sure if I was attracted to her because I thought she was my Mate, or because I just felt the need to protect her. Honestly, it’s probably a little of both. My friend, Bam, says that there are different levels of Mate. And maybe if I’d never have met you, I could have forced something between us, but it would have been forced and honestly, she was not in any hurry to commit to me or anything I offered. And she was right, we didn’t fit.”

  “She said that?” Natalie asked.

  “She did, those were her exact words. ‘We don’t fit, Vince.’ And she’s right. When I was all tied up inside because I wanted you, needed you, but I’d already promised Brandi. Bam said there is only one true One. And if you are fortunate enough to stumble across your One, the only one made for you and only you, all others disappear, and your One is all you can see. And that’s what happened. I stumbled across you. I came here to find you because I couldn’t wait any longer to talk to you. I was waiting outside the employees’ entrance for you, and when you came out, you were crying.” Vince shrugged his shoulders. “And here we are.”

  “Then I’m not the cause of any woman’s heartbreak. No relationship I’m breaking up?”

  “Not at all. And you wouldn’t be doing it anyway if that were the case, I would.”

  “Would you? I mean if you were in a relationship, would you leave it?” Natalie asked.

  “I’d like to tell you no, that I’m a better male than that. But for you? I’m afraid I’m not. I’m yours, Natalie. Plain and simple. I’d walk through hell and back just to stand at your side. I can’t walk away, Natalie. Please don’t ask me to.”

  Natalie just nodded slowly, her mind putting together all the pieces of information she’d learned over dinner with Vince.

  “I’m sorry I’m so mistrusting,” she finally said.

  “You don’t owe me an explanation,” Vince answered. “I’m glad you are conscientious enough to care about another woman to make sure you’re not going to be causing anyone pain.”

  “But I want you to know. I’ve always been so trusting, just taking everyone at face value. I’ve been hurt too many times. My last boyfriend ended up marrying my best friend after he got her pregnant despite the fact that we were talking about marriage. I promised myself that I’d never let it happen to me again. And I’d never be the woman that causes another to hurt. I just have a hangup over making sure that I’m never the other woman. I won’t do that to anybody.”

  “I understand,” Vince said sincerely.

  Natalie shook her head, looking down at her plate before raising her eyes to Vince’s again. “I want you. I do. I’ve wanted you since we first met. I’ve never wanted anyone like I do you. I’ve felt drawn to you. So much so, that it makes no sense at all. But I’m afraid to trust myself again. I don’t want to be hurt again,” she confided.

  Vince reached across the small table and took her hand in his. “You are my only One. There will never be another.”

  “We shall see,” she answered softly.

  “We already know,” he tossed back at her.

  She met his eyes, offering him a shy smile for a moment more before he finally spoke again. “When you’re ready, you let me know. I’m not going anywhere.”

  Natalie nodded, watching him, still feeling that she was in a dream with Vince sitting across from her.

  “Finish your meal, honey,” he encouraged.

  Vince picked up his knife and fork and finished his steak.

  Natalie ate a little more of her pasta before she reached for a dish of creme brulee’.

  Vince watched her dip her spoon into the sweet treat and smiled at her when she finished it and reached for a bowl of spiced rice pudding.

  “You like puddings and custards,” he commented.

  “I like anything sweet, but puddings, custards and pies are my favorite,” she confirmed. “What do you like for dessert?”

  “Apple Pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.”

  Natalie looked around. “Do we have that?”

  He took the cover off a plate. “We do,” he said, revealing a warm slice of apple pie. “And the ice cream is in the fridge,” he said getting up to reach into the refrigerator and take out the bowl of ice cream.

  “Want to finish these in front of the television?”

  “I do!” she agreed, standing and reaching for her dish to take it with her.

  Vince took a seat on the couch and set his pie on the coffee table. Natalie sat next to him, and he put an arm around her, scooting her in even closer. Once she was settled, he reached for his pie and sat back, his feet propped on the coffee table, his woman tucked into his side licking the pudding from her spoon before she swirled it through her pudding for another bite.

  Vince scooped up some of his pie and ice cream and held it out for her offering her a bite. She happily took it, then offered him some of hers.

  He swallowed the pudding she offered, then looked down into her eyes. “I’ve never in my life felt so at peace. So calm, so at home.”

  Natalie looked up at him. The look on her face said she was afraid, but she powered through it anyway. “I feel the same. I feel like I belong here.”

  “You do.” Vince smiled at her and kissed the tip of her nose before he returned his attention to the movie.

  <<<<<<<>>>>>>>

  Barron’s wail filled the quiet house, followed immediately by Kaid. “Delilah!” Kaid called from the living room.

  “Coming!” she answered.

  Kaid could hear her footsteps echoing down the hardwood of the hallway floor. Barron was crying again, his little fingers burning from his belches. “He’s burned his fingers again,” Kaid said as she entered the living room.

  “It’s okay. Mama’s got you,” Delilah cooed, taking Barron from Kaid. She sat down on the edge of the couch and very, very gently blew a chilled breath across his fingers. Barron’s eyes flashed from ice blue to gold.

  “Yes, see, my little love? There is no reason to cry, Mama will make it all better.”

  Barron smiled at Delilah, which sent her into all kinds of giggles. “Look, Kaid, look! He smiled at me!”

  “Of course he did. He knows a good looking woman when he sees one,” Kaid teased.

  “I am not a good looking woman. I am his mother,” Delilah snapped.

  “He knows that, too,” Kaid answered patiently.

  “What do you think his beast is?” Delilah asked, watching his eyes flash as they changed colors again, this time from gold to violet.

  “I don’t know. I sometimes think I scent Bear on him, then other times… Dragon. But he’s happy, and he’s growing, and when he’s ready to let us know, we’ll know,” Kaid answered.

  The front door opened dragging both their attentions from Barron. Goldy and Sadie walked in followed by a young man.

  “Hey, ya’ll up! Good, I was hoping you’d be up,” Goldy said in his booming voice.

  “Yeah, Barron’s got that reflux again. Only Delilah can soothe him when he’s hurting. And only I can soothe her when she’s hurting, ‘cause Barron’s hurting. So it’s a family ordeal,” Kaid explained.

  “The first of many,” Sadie commented.

  “Who’s this?” Kaid asked, standing up to greet the young man.

  “This is Jobe. Me and Sadie thought maybe he could live here with us for a while. Do some work around the house in exchange for room and board, maybe even gopher around the construction sites for a little cash.”

  “Hello, Jobe. Why do you look familiar to me?” Kaid asked, holding out his hand to shake.

  Jobe looked embarrassed. “Ma
ybe from Maia?” he said hopefully.

  “Oh, you a friend of Maia’s?”

  “Yes, sir. I was a couple of years behind her in school though.”

  “Hmm. Okay. You ever been by here?” Kaid asked.

  “No, sir.” Jobe hung his head. “Most likely, you know my brother. But I ain’t nothing like him, sir. All I need is a chance!” Jobe said defensively.

  Goldy and Kaid locked eyes. “Who is your brother, Jobe?”

  “My brother is Jude. He’s made some really bad decisions lately, and I decided I didn’t want any part of them. Then Mr. Goldy and Ms. Sadie found me. But if it’s not convenient for you, I don’t have to stay.”

  “Hold on, now,” Kaid said. He looked at Goldy, silently asking what the hell was going on.

  Goldy sent him mental images of the boy wrapped in a blanket in the sleet. He sent him images of the boy refusing to accept help until he was told he could earn his way in exchange for a safe, warm place to stay.

  “I didn’t say you had to go. I’m just trying to figure out why you look so familiar to me.”

  Delilah stood and walked over to them. She looked into Jobe’s eyes, scenting him, feeling him out. Her motherly instincts and those of her Dragon on high alert since giving birth. “You are a good boy,” she said.

  Jobe just stood there, watching this striking woman watch him.

  “You should not be sleeping in an alley. Your parents would not like that.”

  “My parents are dead,” he said in a hushed tone, still in awe of this woman.

  “I am aware. You will live here with us.” She walked away from the group, her decision made. “Welcome to our home, Jobe,” she said over her shoulder as she disappeared down the hallway, bouncing Barron in her arms as she walked.

  “You heard my wife. Welcome to our home, Jobe. Make yourself comfortable on the couch tonight, and we’ll get the office cleared out tomorrow for you. It used to be Maverik’s old room, and I'm sure it’ll be fine for you. It’s even got its own private door. The back door opens into the room.”

  “I don’t want to be any trouble, Mr. Kaid,” Jobe said.

  “Son, it’s no trouble at all. And my name’s Kaid, not Mr. Kaid.”

  “Yes, sir,” Jobe said, nodding his head in agreement.

  “You got any clothes in that bundle you carrying?” Kaid asked.

  Jobe looked down at his blanket and the few items tied up in it. “Not clean ones, sir. I hadn’t had access to a washing machine in a little while.”

  “I’ll go find you some of mine to sleep in tonight. Ms. Sadie can wash what you got on and whatever you got with you. We’ll take care of the rest later.”

  “Yes, sir. Thank you, sir,” Jobe answered. “I’ll be sure to pay for it all.”

  Kaid was headed to his bedroom. He stopped and looked over his shoulder at Jobe. How one brother could be such a good kid, and the other a piece of shit, he’d never understand. “It’s fine, Jobe. Stop feeling like you owe us anything. We all chip in here and all help each other out. It’s how things work here.”

  Jobe smiled shakily and nodded.

  “I’ll go get you some blankets and a pillow. Why don’t you come along with me and you can get a shower and I’ll get you something to eat, too,” Sadie offered.

  “I’d appreciate that,” Jobe said.

  “Well, come on. We’ll show you where everything is and get you all set up on the couch for the night,” Goldy added.

  Chapter 15

  Vince sat on the couch, Natalie leaning against him, snoring softly. He managed to use his foot to bring his phone closer to himself, so he could reach it without waking her up. There was no way in hell he was going to wake her up. He pulled up his messaging app and typed out a quick text to Maria letting her know that he’d be out of pocket for a while and that Kaid was going to be bringing Eustace by. It was important for Eustace to think that he earned the job, not that it was being handed to him, and he explained that to Maria.

  His phone pinged almost immediately with a reply from her telling him not to worry, she and the girls had it covered — both the bar and the position for Eustace.

  Vince put his phone on the couch where he could easily reach it, then lifted his arm to allow Natalie to fall further into him. He smiled when she brought up a hand and scrubbed at her nose before settling back into his arms. Vince only waited until she was once again snoring before he gathered her gently to him and stood. She began to wake and he soothed her. “Shh. I’ve got you, honey. Sleep.”

  Natalie tangled her hand in his hair and settled back to sleep as he carried her into the bedroom.

  Vince held her tightly to him with one arm as he grabbed the edge of the comforter and sheets that had already been turned down, and pulled them toward the foot of the bed. He settled her in bed, smiled down at her as she burrowed into the pillow and snuggled the comforter all the way up to her chin before sighing and relaxing into sleep again.

  Vince went back into the living room, turned off the T.V., put the remaining food away as best he could in the little fridge, then headed into the shower for a quick clean up before he climbed in bed himself.

  He was standing beneath the hot, steamy spray from the multiple shower heads, resting his head on the tiled wall, thinking about all the drastic changes his life had taken, when he realized he felt like he was no longer alone. Vince turned around quickly, his Lion now on alert. What he saw had his heart in his throat, but not due to danger. It was the look in her eyes — pure lust.

  Natalie was standing outside the glass enclosed shower. Her eyes were heavy from sleep, her hair mussed. And the look of hunger that shone in her eyes was like nothing he’d ever seen before. He felt himself growing harder as her eyes roamed the length of his body and returned to his face. His woman wanted him. He’d planned to take his time, wait until Natalie was completely at ease and secure in the fact that they belonged to one another. She’d been lied to and cheated on, and she had an absolute need to make sure she was not the cause of another woman’s heartache. So, he’d planned to go slow. But tonight, seeing her standing in front of him, watching him shower with that look in her eyes — slow was the last thing on his mind.

  Vince reached out and opened the latch on the glass door, gently pushing it open. Otherwise he didn’t move, he didn’t say a word.

  Natalie’s eyes never left Vince’s. She tugged on the belt keeping her bathrobe closed and as the belt fell away, she shrugged her shoulders and allowed the robe to fall to the floor. She reached out, steadying herself by placing her hand against the outer glass wall of the shower and stepped into the shower with Vince.

  He stepped back to make room for her and took her hands in his to make sure she didn’t slip. “I thought you were sleeping,” he said.

  “I was. But then, you weren’t there anymore and I woke up.”

  Vince looked down into Natalie’s eyes, she looked up into his, and slowly their mouths met in a tentative kiss. He gently pressed his lips to hers, once, twice, before holding her head where he wanted her to kiss her the way his Lion demanded. His tongue slipped out and teased the seam of her lips, waiting for her to invite him in. And she did, she grabbed his head the same way he held hers and refused to let go. She suckled his tongue into her mouth and devoured him as though she was starved for any contact with a male at all.

  Vince allowed her to take control of the kiss, to steer him wherever she wanted him to be. His hands stroked her sides and her ass seductively, pulling a soft mewl from her lips.

  Natalie pressed her body as close to Vince’s as she could and felt his cock snuggled up against her belly. She shivered, the anticipation of what she needed this male to do to her making her turn into a thoughtless, shivering, feeling, pile of need.

  Vince pulled his mouth from hers and looked down at her. Her lips were swollen from their kisses, her eyes hooded with passion. He lowered his face and rubbed his nose along side hers. “I was going to go slow with you,” he whispered.

&nb
sp; A wicked smile graced Natalie’s pouty lips. She reached down and wrapped her long, graceful fingers around his cock. “I don’t want slow anymore, Vince. I heard your words. I believe you. I want now, hard and fast. I need to feel you. Need to know you want me as badly as I do you.”

  Vince let out a snarl that would have scared the hell out of anyone else. But Natalie just grinned at him as he lifted her off her feet and turned her all in one motion. He pushed her back against the rear tiled wall of the shower, using his hips to hold her in place and one hand to cushion her head.

  Natalie wrapped her legs around his waist, linking her ankles together to help hold herself in place.

  Vince leaned forward and kissed her shoulder, her throat. “I don’t know how gentle this will be,” he whispered into her ear.

  Natalie twined her hand in his hair and pulled his face from nuzzling her ear and side of her face to look at her. “I don’t want gentle. I want you. Show me you, the you no other woman has seen. I want you,” she said as she stared steadily into his eyes.

  Vince’s Lion started up a steady rumble, his idea of a purr. Vince rocked his hips back and forth, stroking his very engorged, very large, very hard cock through her folds and against her clit.

  Natalie’s eyes rounded, and she tried to rock her hips with his to heighten the stimulation.

  Vince felt her angling her hips, trying to capture his head at the mouth of her sex, trying to suck him in. He prodded at her, just enough to make her think this was it, then he’d back off and stroke her clit again.

  “Please!” she begged breathlessly.

  “There’s no going back from this,” he said in a growly voice.

  “I need you,” she answered.