Halton: Vested Interest #6

by Melanie Moreland

  He laughed, his head falling back in amusement.

  “That’s the best part—you have no clue.”

  “Stop talking in riddles, old man. Spit it out.”

  “Nope. I am enjoying this way too much.”

  “Get out of my office.”

  His laughter haunted me the rest of the day.

  Fee was quiet all evening—contemplative. Her phone had rung a couple of times, then fell silent.

  “Anything wrong?” I asked.

  She shook her head with a grin. “No. Joanne is in town at a show, and she had an extra ticket. She wanted me to join her.”

  “You should go,” I encouraged her, thinking it would help distract her. “I can drop you off. Is it a play?”

  Her mouth curled into a grin. “Um, not exactly.”

  “A concert?”

  “Some might call it that. More of a revue.”

  I scratched my head. “A revue?”

  She laughed quietly. “Think the Men of Chippendales.”

  I widened my eyes in shock. “Oh, ah, I see.”

  “I said no.” She picked up her tablet. “I’m not interested.”

  I glanced back at my document, the words no longer holding my interest. I looked back up, curious.

  “Why not? I thought women liked those shows.”

  She lifted one shoulder. “Some women.”

  I frowned. “Not you?”

  She peeked up, grinning impishly. “Why would I want to go ogle some strange man’s abs when I have perfection in front of me?”

  I sat up a little straighter. “Perfection?”

  She snorted, the sound making me chuckle. “Give it up, counselor. You know you have a rocking hot body.”

  I shot her a leer. “A guy likes to hear it sometimes.”

  “You do. If you were performing, I’d go see you. Instead I’ll sit here and imagine it.”

  “How would I perform?” I asked, my interest piqued.

  She huffed out a breath. “Bare-chested, maybe a tie, and your briefcase. That hat I saw in your closet. Black boxers.”

  I raised one eyebrow. “No pants?”

  “Not for long.”

  I chuckled. “Okay, then.”

  “You would strut around flexing your muscles and doing that thrust-y thing.”

  I was enjoying this. “Thrust-y thing?”

  “You know.” She bent two fingers and waved them up and down. “With your hips.”

  “Right.”

  “You’d be a hit.”

  “I’ll keep it in mind in case the attorney thing doesn’t work out.”

  She giggled, once again looking down at her tablet. “Good plan.”

  Fiona

  My book wasn’t holding my attention, but Halton was still working on one of his files. He had gotten up a few moments ago to get a book from his office. I stretched my arms over my head, wondering how much longer he would be. I was hoping not long so I could tempt him into going to bed early. The talk about him stripping had cemented in my head, and now all I could think about was him naked and thrusting into me.

  Hard.

  With Halton, I had discovered a part of me I didn’t know existed. He brought out the sensual side I had denied for so many years. Sex with Scott had been tepid at best. Sex with Halton was mind-blowing. Thrilling. Addictive. He pleasured me in ways I didn’t realize could happen, and I found myself reciprocating, wanting to give him some of the ecstasy he so freely brought out in me. He made me feel sexy. Beautiful. Wanton and needy.

  I sighed and turned off my tablet. I was about to get up when music began to play from the speakers. A low, sensuous beat filled the room. I gaped when Halton appeared in the doorway.

  He held his hat dipped low over his eyes and wore only a bright blue tie and boxers. His briefcase was in front of him, and he posed in the doorway, his pecs tight, arms bulging, and abs crunched in a perfect six-pack. He raised his head, his lips curled into a devilish grin.

  “Welcome to the show, FeeNelly.”

  Then he began to move. Slow, sexy steps that brought him closer. He stopped in front of me and doffed his hat, placing it on my head. He bent and kissed me. “Private, for your eyes only, love.”

  I giggled and lifted my arms in appreciation.

  What a show.

  His briefcase was discarded, revealing a far more stimulating offering. His cock was erect, straining against the black cotton. He moved to the beat of the music, bending, stretching, arching, and yes—thrusting. He shimmied and shook, stopping to drop kisses to my lips and letting me stroke him.

  I wished I had a bunch of bills to stuff into his waistband. Instead, I clapped and whistled, slapping his ass when he turned and bent, the offering too good to resist. He turned, his eyes dark. “Touching the merchandise, Fee?”

  My breath caught as he pulled his tie over his head and dropped it around my neck, tightening it so it rested on my collarbone. “I like my clothes on you.”

  I looked down, blushing. I had grabbed the T-shirt he had discarded earlier and worn it after dinner. It smelled like him and was so long, it brushed low on my thighs.

  He bent and laid his hands on my knees, pressing his thumbs into the dimples and then pulling my legs apart. He eased closer, his crotch at eye level as he gyrated, moving his hips in time to the beat of the music. He ran his hands over his torso, lifting his arms in the air and thrusting his pelvis.

  “You want to touch, baby?”

  I nodded, my throat too dry to speak.

  He flexed his pecs, making me whimper.

  “Are you wet for me, Fee?”

  “Yes.”

  “You like what you see?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Show me how much you like it. Spread those legs wide for me.”

  I did as he instructed, shimmying forward and pulling up the T-shirt. He traced the edges of my lacy underwear.

  “You are wet,” he moaned. “Fuck, I love that.”

  He wrapped his hand around the tie and tugged me closer. “You know what else I love, Fee? Rewards. Rewards for a job well done,” he murmured.

  “I have no money.” I played along, knowing exactly what he wanted.

  He yanked on the tie, and I slid my hands around his waist, dropping them to his tight ass and squeezing.

  “You have something I want much more,” he rumbled, stepping closer so his cock grazed my mouth.

  I yanked down his boxers, his erection springing free. I wrapped my hand around it and stroked the velvet steel. “Then let me reward you.”

  Seconds later, I had his hot, heavy cock in my mouth. He groaned as I glided my tongue along the underside, teasing the crown, then took in as much of him as I could. He slipped his hands into my hair, not pulling or yanking, but guiding and light.

  “Oh fuck, Fee. Yes. Like that.”

  I gripped his ass tighter, slumping down farther into the sofa.

  He fell forward, resting his hands on the back of the sofa. I arched closer, never releasing his cock from my mouth.

  “Don’t stop, Fee. Don’t you dare stop,” he grunted.

  I loved his reactions. The way I could make him fall apart. I sucked and licked. Teased and stroked. Moved one hand from his ass so I could play with his balls. He cursed and praised. Begged me to stop. Pleaded with me not to. I dug my fingers into the hard curves of his ass and swallowed.

  He flung his head back, shouting my name as he came down my throat, the hot liquid filling my mouth. I took all he gave me, moaning around him and digging my nails into his firm ass.

  When he was done, he stepped back, his semi-hard cock slipping from my lips. He gazed down at me, his chest heaving, his cheeks flushed from exertion.

  “That was some reward.”

  “That was some dance.”

  “Was the thrust-y thing good?” He grinned.

  “Meh, I think so.”

  He bent, lifting me into his arms. I wrapped my legs around his waist, gasping as he carried me to the close
st wall. The cold, smooth surface hit my back, his erection already growing between my legs. I rubbed my wet center against him.

  “Let’s see if I thrust-y better when I’m balls deep inside you.”

  I held on for dear life.

  This was going to be an even better dance. I knew it.

  I was looking forward to feeling the rest of his moves.

  Halton

  I stared at the documents in front of me, drumming my fingers on the desk as I went over them. Seeing the settlement for Fee typed out, the documents signed, and the offer in black and white disturbed me somehow.

  I wasn’t sure if it was due to the fact that it wasn’t the amount I had wanted to get for her, the fact that Scott had followed through and signed the papers, or what it meant, knowing her divorce would move ahead and she would be free to live her life how she wanted.

  With whomever she wanted.

  The implications of which pressed at the corners of my mind.

  Rene walked in, setting a cup of coffee on my desk. “What’s with the face?”

  I reached for the coffee, glancing around Rene. Fee was still out, her desk chair empty.

  “Fee’s divorce papers.”

  He sat. “Ah. Not good?”

  “It’s fine. Two million. She assumes none of his debt but claims nothing against the business.” I snorted. “And a nondisclosure about their marriage, the settlement, and everything surrounding it.”

  He nodded slowly. “Given what you found out, it’s not a bad offer.”

  I scrubbed my face. “No, it’s decent. Given his behavior, the drug issues, and the fact that his partners are at war with him over his drug use, I’m not surprised Jonas added a non-disclosure. Not that Fee would ever discuss any of this with people. She’s too private a person.”

  “Why do you look so pissed off?”

  “I wanted to get her more. I could push and get her twice this, if she allowed me to. I could bankrupt them all.”

  “At what cost?” he asked, sounding so much like Fee that my lips quirked. “She doesn’t want blood, Halton. She wants to be free. This settlement can do that for her.” He cocked his head. “I’ve said this before. Don’t make this about you or your pride, or even what you want for her. Fee wants it done. Let the decision be hers.”

  He was right. I flipped over the documents. “Okay. I’ll go through them with her when she returns.”

  “What will happen next?”

  I frowned in confusion. Rene knew as well as I did the next steps in divorce proceedings. He rolled his eyes at my expression.

  “Not legally, Halton. With Fee.”

  “As you pointed out, her choice.”

  “Does she have a job here?”

  “If she wants it. I thought you liked her.”

  “Very much. She’s a hard worker and makes things easier around here for me.”

  “Then she stays.”

  “And your personal relationship?”

  That was a far tougher question to answer, and I knew I had to proceed carefully.

  “I’m something—someone—she needs right now, Rene. Once her life settles, she’ll find the person she is meant to be with.”

  He arched his eyebrow at me. “Who is to say she hasn’t already found him?”

  I shook my head. “She knows my limitations. I was clear with her. We’re both on the same page. I won’t hurt her, Rene. Once she lands on her feet, she’ll walk away and find her life.”

  He stood, staring at me, perplexed.

  “When will you find yours, Halton?”

  I waved my hand, indicating my office. “This is my life, Rene. That hasn’t changed.”

  “No?”

  “No, it hasn’t.”

  He shook his head and headed toward the door. “For an incredibly smart man, you are extremely dense at times, Halton.”

  I glared at his retreating figure but didn’t comment. We had two very different views on this subject. Rene saw what he wanted, what he hoped to see.

  My view was based on one thing—reality. He simply didn’t want to accept it.

  * * *

  Fee looked over the papers, studying the areas I had marked. A curl escaped her hair clip, falling over her face, and she pushed it back, sighing when it fell back over her forehead. I thought of last night. My impromptu dance to make her smile and forget all the shit swirling in her head.

  I smiled as I remembered the epic blow job and wild wall sex that followed. As always happened with Fee, I got carried away. She brought out the caveman in me, whether it was seeing another man look at her, me touching her body, or simply the thought of her walking away.

  I tried not to think of what the papers she was holding meant for us.

  She set down the papers and held out her hand. “I need a pen.”

  “Are you certain, Fee? We can push back. There’s nothing else you want?”

  She paused. “I need to return to the house and get a few boxes from the basement.”

  “I can arrange that. Nothing else?”

  “No.” She met my gaze with a sad look. “Let it be done, Halton. I need it to be over.”

  I handed her my pen. “Okay, Fee.”

  Two weeks went by, and nothing changed. Nothing. The apartment I rented for her sat empty and unused, and I didn’t care. Fee was still at my place, sleeping beside me every night, at my side during the day. I knew things would change soon enough, but I hadn’t yet brought up the subject. When she had hesitantly suggested leaving, I informed her I would prefer to watch over her until the papers were complete and Scott was removed from her life totally.

  She hadn’t argued.

  I refused to delve into my insistence at her staying with me and what it meant. I was simply being cautious, I told myself.

  I ignored the laughter in my head that followed that thought.

  Late Tuesday afternoon, Jonas reached out to let me know that Scott had signed himself out of rehab.

  “A little soon for that, isn’t it?” I asked, feeling anxious at the thought of him out and free to “bump into” Fee.

  “He signed himself in freely, so he could leave anytime,” Jonas stated mildly. “He insists he’s fine. Scott knows what he needs to do to stay clean.”

  “I hope he stays that way.”

  “The papers have been signed. I will courier them over tomorrow, along with Fee’s settlement. Since neither side is arguing, the divorce should happen quickly.”

  “Good. I’ll let my client know. I’ll send my bill to you. I’ll have Rene prepare it.”

  “Fine.” He paused. “She got her things?”

  Jonas had arranged for Fee to have access to the house. I accompanied her, and a lawyer from Jonas’s firm had been present. Fee took six boxes that had her name on them from the basement, which I carried out to the car. I found her in the dining room, holding a small vase, the crystal dull in the light, dusty from neglect.

  “Do you want that?” I asked.

  She sighed. “Scott gave me this on our first anniversary. I had seen it in a window of a little secondhand shop, and I thought it was beautiful. He filled it with flowers and promised me he would always keep it full.” She traced the rim with her finger, looking sad.

  “Another promise broken,” I muttered.

  She stared down at the vase. “It’s hard to reconcile the man who swore to love me and never forgot to bring home a bunch of flowers every week with the man I know now. Sometimes I wonder if he ever remembers that I was once important to him.”

  I had no response for her.

  “Is it silly to want this—to want to remember a time when he wasn’t the man he is today?” she asked, her voice shaking with emotion.

  I hated the thought of her having anything from him, but I knew that was my own resentment talking. For some reason, when it came to her, I felt incredibly possessive, even though I didn’t have that right.

  “No, Fee. It might be nice for you to keep a good memory. You can take it. I’ll ad
d it to the list I’m sending his attorney,” I advised. “Anything else?”

  She looked around and shook her head.

  Looking around the cold, austere house, it didn’t surprise me. I saw none of Fee’s warmth in the place. It was decorated to impress and didn’t feel like a home. I was glad when she announced she wanted to leave.

  “Yes. She doesn’t need to go back.”

  “The house is going up for sale next week.”

  I didn’t really care, but I made an appropriate remark back to Jonas. He said goodbye and hung up. I sat looking at the phone, wondering how this would affect Fee. Affect us.

  I had my answer the next day.

  Fee stared at the draft, holding the narrow paper in her hand.

  “This is a lot of money. Is it customary for a person to get the settlement before the divorce is final?”

  I shrugged. “Depends on the case. Scott wanted it this way. I wasn’t going to argue since I wanted you to have the money as soon as possible.”

  “Have you been paid?”

  I grinned. “Rene sent my bill.”

  “Should I pay you as well?”

  “No, that is part of the agreement. Scott pays the legal fees. He did this, so he is paying. It’s all good, Fee.”

  “All right.” She looked back at the draft, still unsure.

  “I can recommend a financial person. A woman, actually. I use her. So does Rene. She can advise you regarding taxes and investments.”

  She met my eyes. “I’ve been looking at houses online.”

  Something strange happened in my chest. It pinched and burned, tightening and making me uncomfortable. I picked up a glass of water and drained it, hoping the feeling would go away.

  “A house?” I repeated.

  She nodded, looking past me to the window and the skyline. “Obviously, I need a place, and I don’t think I’m a condo person.” She looked at me. “Not that I haven’t appreciated your hospitality. But I know you want your space back. I’m sure I’ve imposed long enough.”

  My hospitality.

  Why did those words rankle so badly?

  I cleared my throat, unsure how to reply. Fee had never “imposed,” as she called it. I couldn’t recall thinking I wanted her to leave, although I knew eventually it would happen.