Vested Interest Box Set: Books 1-3

by Melanie Moreland

  Yet, with every gesture, every brush of his fingers on my skin, every endearment, he proved himself to be more than capable. The fierceness of his protection, the need to look after me, it all showed his feelings.

  He came down the hall, extending his hand. “Come on, Sunshine, the water is ready.”

  I reached for his hand, letting him tug me down to the bathroom.

  I only hoped that one day he could say the words.

  Once again, Aiden had his body curled around me, his head facing me and his eyes gazing at my face. I glanced down from my Kindle with a smile. “You’re supposed to be relaxing, not staring.”

  He tucked himself closer, his head burrowed into my stomach. “I like looking at you.” He sighed as I ran my fingers through his hair. “I like being close to you. To be able to touch you.”

  “You can touch me anytime.”

  “I’m not good at this, Cami. I have never been part of a couple.”

  “Ever?”

  “No. I’m going to mess it up.”

  I shut the Kindle and gazed down at him. “So will I. No one is perfect, Aiden. We’ll learn together. All I ask is that you don’t shut me out. Talk to me. Share what you’re feeling and let me help you.”

  “You help me without even knowing it.”

  I ruffled his hair, then smoothed it away from his forehead.

  He played with a wrinkle in the T-shirt I was wearing. One of his that was too long, too big, and perfect. A frown creased his face, pulling down his lips, and his eyes grew tormented. “Today,” he whispered, “I-I thought I would be too late. That I would never have the chance to tell you how I felt and what I really wanted.”

  “It didn’t happen,” I soothed him. “I’m right here.”

  He pushed up on his hands, kissing me. It wasn’t his usual, controlling, passionate kiss. His mouth and tongue moved languidly with mine. He wound his hand into my hair, caressing my scalp, his touch tender. He tugged me down, hovering over me, his mouth never leaving mine. Endless minutes passed as we kissed. Never rough, never forceful, but passionate, claiming, and soulful.

  “I want you, Sunshine.”

  “Yes,” I pleaded. “Yes, Aiden.”

  He swept the T-shirt over my head, gazing down at me. “You are so beautiful. I’ve never told you how beautiful you are.”

  “Show me.”

  He kissed my cheek, his lips soft. He started at my mouth and slid down, every inch of my body touched with slow, sensuous drags of his lips. He whispered thoughts into my skin, his voice reverent, gentle.

  “These freckles drive me wild.” He traced them with his tongue, light and teasing. “Like a tiny patch of stardust on your skin.

  “Your breasts are perfect for my hands, Sunshine.” He licked and tugged on my nipples, making me groan. “The way your nipples swell for me, little buds just for me.”

  His mouth ghosted along my forearms, kissing the thin skin on the inside of my wrist and pressing his lips to my palm. “Your hands touch me with such tenderness.” His awed and shy gaze met mine. “I had only ever known harsh touches until you.”

  “Aiden,” I breathed out, cupping his face, tugging him to my mouth for another kiss.

  He swirled his tongue down my torso, his fingers dancing on my skin. He kissed the arch of my foot, teased the back of my knee, and slid his tongue up my thighs. He didn’t rush, and I let him do what he wanted. He would stop and lean forward, capturing my mouth with his and kissing me, then with a grin, go back to the body part he was worshiping. Because I realized… That was exactly what he was doing.

  He stopped at the top of my right thigh where I had a beauty mark. Lazily, he traced it with the tip of his tongue, making me shiver.

  “You like that, Cami? You like my tongue there?”

  I gripped the sheet, fisting it tightly in my hand. “Yes.”

  He slipped his hands higher, pushing my legs apart. “Is it because you know, once I’ve been there, where I’m going next?” His hot breath drifted over me. “What I’m going to do to you next?”

  He had me so turned on; I couldn’t take it.

  “Please, Aiden—”

  “Shh, baby. I’m gonna take care of you.”

  He dipped his head and found me wet and ready, aching for him. He groaned, his mouth and fingers working in tandem. I cried out with the force of my need, but he refused to hurry. Gradually, he built a rhythm, until I shattered, my cries of his name echoing in the room.

  Then, for the first time, Aiden made love to me. He showed me with his body what he wasn’t able to say out loud. Pulling me up on his thighs, he filled me inch by inch, claiming the last part of me. He moved leisurely, his hips curling in tight circles, his mouth covering mine. He wrapped his arms around me, holding me close, our bodies fused together so tight we moved as one, never apart. We rocked, our eyes locked on each other, desire and need overriding all else.

  “Cami,” he moaned. “I need you. All of you. Oh God, baby…”

  I wrapped my arms around his neck, clutching on tight. Tears spilled from my eyes at his need, the way he whispered my name, his breathless words of adoration.

  I felt the tremors of my orgasm begin. I held him harder, surrendering to his body. Giving him everything he needed. Letting him have everything.

  His arms became vises. He buried his face in my neck and stilled. A long, low groan escaped his mouth. He jerked, his cock kicking up inside me, triggering my release. I sobbed his name, my orgasm washing over me the same way he had loved me. Long, slow, peaking, and ebbing like the tide.

  I collapsed into his chest, spent.

  He lowered me to the bed, keeping me close, refusing to release me.

  “Sleep, Sunshine. Know I’m here, and you’re safe. I’ve got you.”

  I flexed my arms, sated, sleepy, and content.

  “I have you too.”

  I felt his smile.

  “I know.”

  Mr. Hob and my favorite teacher, Madame Franklin, were aghast when they learned what had occurred. I was grateful Aiden was with me. I began to talk and became overwhelmed, my voice shaking, and I knew I was going to cry. Aiden picked up my hand and took over when I faltered. He used words I never would have, which made the story seem scarier. Words like perpetrator, terrorized, stalker, and victim, all peppered his statements.

  “What is the next step?” Mr. Hob asked.

  Aiden frowned in displeasure. “It’s in the hands of the police. Louisa’s parents have been contacted. She is in a locked medical facility.”

  “I don’t want to press charges,” I murmured.

  Aiden huffed, already knowing my thoughts.

  Madame Franklin looked puzzled. “Why ever not, child?”

  “I think she needs help, not jail.”

  Aiden spoke. “I explained to Cami it may not be her decision, but we will see what the police decide.”

  “And from us?” Mr. Hob inquired. “What do you need?”

  “A chance to do my presentation,” I requested. “I know, usually, once you miss it, you are deducted marks.”

  “Of course. No marks will be deducted. The circumstances are rather…unique.”

  Aiden smirked. “A fact I pointed out last evening.”

  We stood, and Aiden shook their hands.

  Madame Franklin hugged me. “Come and see me after class, Cami. We will pick a new date.”

  “Thank you.”

  I walked Aiden out to his car. He held my hand within his, strong and firm.

  “I’ll be here to pick you up later.”

  “Okay.”

  At his car, he bent and kissed me. Sweet and soft. He lingered, his hand resting on my neck, his fingers tracing circles on the skin, holding me close. With a satisfied smile, he stepped back. “Have a good day.”

  I couldn’t help beaming at him.

  He grinned back widely. “There’s my smile.”

  Laughing, I turned and began to walk away, when he called, “Hey, Sunshine?”

&n
bsp; I spun around, waiting. He didn’t say anything, but he shuffled his feet and dragged a hand through his hair. I hurried back to him, laying my hand on his arm.

  “Aiden?”

  He met my eyes, anxious and worried.

  “What is it?”

  His expression tugged at my heart. Bashful, fearful, yet determined. He cupped my face with both hands and leaned close.

  He spoke three small words. Three words that seeped into my heart, stitched the worn edges, and mended the cracked and beaten shell.

  “I love you.”

  Aiden

  I sat at my desk, unable to concentrate. I knew I would never forget the look on Cami’s face when I finally got the balls to tell her what I felt.

  The words hung in the air between us. For some reason, I couldn’t let her walk away without saying them. Without letting her know how much she meant to me. As they sank in and her expression changed from confusion to understanding, euphoric was the only word I could think of. Never mind sunshine; she transformed into a fucking sunbeam as she clutched my wrists and tears spilled down her cheeks. I had braced myself for the panic, the denial that uttering the words would bring, but there was none. Instead, there was only a strong, abiding feeling of it being right.

  We were right.

  She was what I needed in my life, and I was done denying it.

  Denying her.

  Laughing, I swung her around in my arms, then cupped her face again, dropping light kisses all over her cheeks, eyes, nose, and finally, kissing her hard, pouring all the love I felt into that kiss. Though I was not one for public displays, even the catcalls directed our way couldn’t stop me.

  I set her back on her feet, meeting her glowing eyes. “I love you, Sunshine.”

  “I love you right back.”

  “I know.” I exhaled hard. “It’s the greatest thing in the whole fucking world.”

  My phone beeped, and I shook my head. “That will be Bent. You need to get to class.”

  “You’ll be here later?”

  I pulled her in for one last hug. “I’ll always be here, Sunshine. You’re stuck with me now.”

  She winked and turned to walk away. “I think I can handle you,” she threw over her shoulder.

  I had to laugh. If anyone could, it was Cami.

  I lifted my phone to my ear. “I’m on my way, Bent. Hold your horses.”

  He chuckled. “Just letting you know Maddox showed up. He’s better, but he looks like hell. We’re meeting over lunch.”

  “Okay.”

  “Everything go all right?”

  I glanced toward Cami’s disappearing figure. From across the parking lot, she turned and waved, then hurried into the building. I already missed her.

  I climbed into the car, shaking my head over how pussy-whipped I had become overnight. I grinned, though, because I didn’t really care.

  “Yeah. Everything’s good. See you soon.”

  I hadn’t seen anyone except Sandy, who handed me some files and offered a cup of coffee, which I gratefully accepted. When she brought it in, she slid a plate onto my desk with two of my favorite lemon Danish pastries on it.

  “Special occasion?”

  She grinned. “I think it must be. Cami called and asked if I would get these for you.”

  I looked down, and the horrible feeling I was about to blush in front of Sandy filled my head.

  “What else did she say?”

  “Nothing. I was pleased to hear she was doing well considering what she went through yesterday. I’m not blind, Aiden. I have never seen you look this…happy.” She patted my shoulder. “Just remember, you deserve to be.”

  With a wink, she sashayed out of my office, leaving me to my thoughts.

  A few minutes later, Bentley strolled in, promptly sitting in front of my desk. I finished swallowing my treat and grinned at him. “Sorry, all gone.”

  “Big surprise.”

  Maddox walked in, looking terrible. His nose was red, and he looked tired. He sat down heavily, regarding me seriously. “Are you all right?” he rasped out.

  “Better than you.”

  He waved his hand. “I’m okay. Cami? She okay? Dee was freaking on the phone last night.”

  I exchanged a glance with Bentley. I wondered how often the two of them spoke while she was gone.

  “I spoke with Dee this morning. Cami is fine. She’s strong.” I rubbed a hand over my chin. “Although I’m not sure she will ever want to live in that apartment again. She couldn’t go into her bedroom to get some clothing. I had to do it for her.”

  “Dee said the same thing.”

  I glanced at Bentley. “I was thinking of the two-bedroom units in the building Maddox lives in. We keep a couple of them for out-of-town business guests. We rarely use them. Do we really need two?”

  He didn’t hesitate. “No. We could let them have one.”

  Both Maddox and I spoke at the same time. “They won’t accept it for free.”

  He chuckled. “Of course not. They’re as stubborn as Emmy. We’ll charge them what they pay now. It sits empty anyway, so really, they’re helping us.”

  Maddox cleared his throat and popped in a lozenge. “That would work.”

  “You want to talk to Dee about it?”

  “Sure.” He coughed. “You’ll, ah, handle Cami?”

  I chuckled. “I’m not sure anyone can handle Cami.” I became serious. “I don’t think she’ll object. If she never went back there, she would be okay with it.”

  “Is she okay?”

  “She will be.” I sucked in a deep breath. “Bent, could you, ah, give me that number again? For Chloe?”

  “For Cami?”

  “For both of us.”

  He dug into his pocket, bringing out his phone. “Absolutely.” He stopped. “You’ll really go and see her, Aiden?”

  “Yes.”

  “Cami’s staying with you again?”

  I dropped my eyes. “Yeah.”

  “For how long?”

  I lifted my gaze. “For fucking ever if that’s what she wants.”

  “Holy shit,” Maddox muttered, repeating the words I had said to Bentley on Sunday. “You did it, didn’t you?”

  “I love her,” I said simply.

  He sat back, shaking his head. “Jesus, I get sick and miss a couple of days, and look what happens. Bentley gets engaged, you declare your love.” He grinned. “Thank God I came back before Reid stepped up to the plate.”

  We all started to laugh.

  Maddox leaned forward, his hand extended. “Congrats, Tree Trunk. You deserve it.”

  I shook his hand and met Bentley’s gaze.

  “So the engulfing happened.” He grinned.

  “Yeah.” I grinned. “It did.”

  Bentley stood and rounded the desk, waiting.

  “What?”

  “I’m proud of you, Aiden. For taking care of Cami, admitting your feelings, and for facing your fears. I know none of it was easy.” He held out his hand. I stood, shocked, when instead of a handshake, he pulled me in for a hug.

  “I’m proud of you,” he repeated in my ear.

  His words were simple but profound, and they meant everything to me.

  He stepped back and slapped my shoulder.

  Maddox looked between us. “I am not hugging you. Even if I didn’t have a cold, I am not doing that shit.”

  “Whatever, Mad Dog. You’re just jealous Bent got in first.” I held out my arms. “Come on, you know you want to.” I pounded my chest. “You want a little piece of Aiden loving too.”

  “Fuck you.”

  I started to laugh, and they joined in. Of the three of us, Maddox was the least fond of PDA. Bentley sat down and sent me Chloe’s number.

  “Let’s get down to business so Maddox can go home. The last thing I need is to catch his cold.”

  Sandy entered, a hand on her hip. “You know, if the three of you behaved like normal businessmen, I wouldn’t have to walk around the office trying to
find you. You don’t have to sit around a desk having your little powwows. I set up the boardroom with your lunch.” She fixed a stern eye at Maddox. “I got you chicken soup. Eat it.”

  “Thanks, Sandy.”

  “You love it, woman.” I grinned at her. “Keeps you on your toes.”

  “Whatever. Do you need anything else?”

  “Can you dig out the files on the apartments we keep on Westside?”

  “Yes, and 1740 is the nicer of the two. Better view and a great layout.”

  “Okay. That one, then.”

  “All right.”

  We all exchanged a glance when she left. “She’s scary good.”

  Bentley chuckled and stood. “Yep. And she is all ours.”

  Maddox followed Bentley, and I was behind him. At my doorway, he stopped and turned sharply, grabbing me in a fast, hard hug.

  “Way to go, Tree Trunk. I’m proud too.”

  Then he hurried away.

  Dee came home a few days later, an unexpected end coming to the case she had been working on. One female member of the family had exploded outside the courtroom, refusing to have any part of the proceedings. She had told the various family members exactly what she thought of their greediness, and somehow managed to do what no one else had done—open up the lines of communication. They settled the disputes themselves, splitting everything in a peaceful manner and bringing the tumultuous situation to a close.

  We picked Dee up at the airport, with Maddox tagging along. The emotional reunion between the two sisters was touching. Dee enveloped Cami in her arms, rocking her like a child, tears running down her face. Cami’s shoulders shook with sobs. The stress of the past weeks showed in Dee’s fatigued posture and unusual emotion. She was always stoic and calm.