Vested Interest Box Set: Books 1-3

by Melanie Moreland

  Everything from the past few days disappeared. She always made the world disappear. All that existed in the moment was her touch. How she felt sliding on my cock. The way her breasts pressed to my chest, her nipples hard pebbles on my skin. Her mouth melded to me, her velvet tongue twisting with mine.

  She was all that mattered.

  She was here. I didn’t have to leave her. The enormity of it, the relief, washed over me. I tightened my arms, feeling my orgasm approaching, desperate to feel hers.

  “I need you, baby. I always fucking need you.”

  She whimpered, burying her face into my neck.

  “Maddox…oh God!”

  “Give it to me, Deirdre. I want to feel you.” I bit down lightly on her neck. “Come for me, baby. Come with me.”

  She cried out, her arms gripping me tightly, her voice shaking. I couldn’t speak, the only sound leaving my throat a long, deep groan.

  We stilled, and carefully, I laid her down, straightening her legs and rubbing them. Separating myself from her was difficult, so I stayed close, grabbing the blanket and drawing it over us. I settled beside her, wrapping her in my arms. We were quiet, letting our bodies settle. I kissed her head, nuzzling into her hair, inhaling the scent of fresh citrus and sun.

  “You smell like summer.”

  She hummed.

  I ran my fingers over her shoulder, enjoying the feel of her silky skin. Her fingers traced lazy circles on my chest. I liked how her touch made me feel.

  “You were angry with me earlier, Dee.”

  She stilled her movements then tilted her head, meeting my gaze. “Yes,” she answered honestly.

  “Tell me why. Talk to me.”

  She shifted, sitting against the headboard. She tugged up the blanket, tucking it under her arms. I moved myself beside her and turned to face her. She remained silent, her fingers bunching the blanket in a restless, repetitive motion.

  I was surprised at her hesitance. Dee always spoke her mind with me. “Tell me why you were angry.”

  Her eyes flashed to me. “I still am.”

  “Okay. Because of Jill? What she did? What I did?”

  “I hate what happened, but I told you before, I’m not angry over your past.”

  “You’re upset over what I did to stop it?”

  “No.”

  “Then explain, because I can’t fix it if I don’t understand.”

  “You can’t fix it, Maddox. You don’t see it!”

  “See what?”

  “You were going to leave—walk away from your life!” Her voice caught. “From everything—including me.”

  I grabbed her hand closest to me. “I didn’t want to.”

  “But you would have.”

  I studied her. “The thought of me leaving made you angry?” I offered her a slight smile. “Bentley and Aiden certainly told me off for my stupidity.”

  She pulled her hand away, crossing her arms. “It’s just—” She stopped speaking.

  Instantly, I knew. My thoughtless reaction had brought out some deep-seated pain she hid. But I needed her to tell me.

  “Say it, Deirdre,” I murmured. “It’s going to fester, so let it out.”

  “Everyone leaves,” she whispered. “My dad walked away without a thought, my mom didn’t love me enough to fight, the one person I cared for used me, and…”

  “And?” I prompted

  “And I found out you were going to go too. Just walk out of my life and leave me behind. Like everyone else.” Her head bowed. “Even Cami.”

  I knew what she felt wasn’t about Cami, but I also knew she was struggling.

  “I didn’t want to leave, Dee. The thought of doing so was killing me.”

  She lifted her head. I was shocked to see the tears flowing down her cheeks.

  “But you would have.”

  I slid my hand up her neck, wiping away the tears. “No, baby, I don’t think I could have. It was a knee-jerk reaction caused by panic. The thought of not seeing you, not being with you, was tearing me up inside. Just thinking about it wrecked me. When I told Bent and Aiden what happened and they laid into me, I was relieved. All I could think about was they would help and I could stay.”

  “And next time?”

  “There won’t be a next time. I promise.”

  “I-I’m afraid to trust you.”

  “And that’s on me. But don’t shut me out, and don’t walk away. Give me another chance.” I pushed up on my knees and straddled her, gazing down into her face.

  “Baby, I know your parents were shit. What that asshole did was unforgivable. But I’m not any of them. I’m here. I’m not going to leave you. Give me a chance to prove it.”

  “You-you make me want things I don’t think I can have, Maddox.”

  My heartbeat picked up. I wanted to wrap her in my arms, tell her I loved her and she could have anything she wanted. Show her everything she needed was right there with me. But I knew if I pushed it, she would run. Still, her words alone gave me hope. She was feeling more for me than she was ready to admit.

  Yet.

  But I could be patient.

  I inhaled deep. “You do the same for me, Dee. Why don’t we take it as it comes, okay? You stop being angry, and I’ll stop being an unthinking asshole, and we’ll just be us.”

  “Us?”

  “Yeah.” I lowered down and kissed her gently. “Us. We’ll figure it out.”

  “Okay.”

  I kissed her again, smiling against her mouth.

  “Was that our first fight? Because I think make-up sex is in order.”

  “Of course you do.”

  But she kissed me back.

  Maddox

  I was anxious for the next couple of days, but I finally started to relax. Aiden had one of his security guys, Joe, follow Jill, and he reported she went to the theater every day, hung with the cast, and spent a lot of time at the bar in her hotel. She flirted with many men, picked up a few, but was always alone the next evening. Nothing seemed out of place. Joe had seen her toss a bag into a dumpster the day after our confrontation, and he grabbed it. It was her laptop, broken and useless. He removed the USB and hard drive and tossed the laptop back into the dumpster. Reid destroyed the drives, showing me the fragments left in the aftermath. Somehow, it made me feel better knowing they were gone.

  Aiden lifted an eyebrow at me. “So?”

  “Sorry, I was elsewhere. What did you say?”

  “I asked if you wanted Joe to keep following her—or actually, Simon, since I need to switch them up now.”

  “Why the switch?”

  “She noticed Joe last night and came on to him at the bar. He, ah, doesn’t really want to have to pretend an interest. He says she’s not the type of cougar he likes.” He made a pawing action. “She’s got claws, and he thinks she’ll use them.”

  Reflexively, I brushed the corner of my eye. It was healing but still ached. “Yeah, I don’t blame him. Don’t worry about having Simon take it on. I think we’re good. Jill was always reactive. I think if she had Plan B, she would have done something by now.”

  “Okay. I checked, and the show she is in ends soon and goes to the States, so she’ll be gone.”

  “I’ll feel better once she is,” I admitted. “You were right, though. I pushed back, and she walked away.”

  He leaned forward. “I’m sorry, what? I didn’t quite hear you. I was what?”

  I lobbed a pen at him, which he caught deftly. “Get out of my office, Aiden. I have work to do.”

  He stood, pocketing the pen. “You still said it.”

  “No proof of that.”

  His laughter echoed down the hall.

  “You of all people should know better than to say that.”

  I had to smile.

  Fucker was right again.

  Days passed and life resumed. I relaxed and stopped looking over my shoulder. Jill’s show was over, and she had departed. I didn’t hear from her again, and I was grateful to put it all behind
me.

  The office was busy, and plans were full steam ahead for Ridge Towers. Richard and Becca were in constant contact with us, and we all looked forward to the final reveal of their campaign. Richard and I kept in contact personally, our relationship evolving into a real friendship. He reminded me of Bentley, his private persona different from that which he presented to the world in general. He was loyal and supportive, and I enjoyed our varied conversations. His wit made me laugh, and his passion for his work and family was infectious.

  Reid was especially excited about Becca’s arrival in the office. He’d never seemed so invested in any other equipment as he was for her usage. Nor could I recall the outfitting of one office requiring so many phone calls to check on details, as he made to her. It was going to be interesting when she arrived.

  The best thing that had happened since the turmoil with Jill was the subtle shift in my relationship with Dee. There was no doubt we had grown closer. We were similar in so many ways, including the fact that we liked order and we both preferred routines. Ours had come easily. Tuesdays were tacos and often bowling or some silly activity with our friends. Thursdays became family dinner night with Aiden and Cami. Dee seemed more at ease with them as a couple and the change in her role in Cami’s life, and the evenings were fun. Sundays were brunch with Emmy and Bentley. Aiden and Cami were often there too, the six of us a lively group around the table. The past couple of Sundays, we guys had spent the afternoon watching sports in the media room, while the girls worked on wedding plans.

  Dee and I arrived and left together, often sitting with our fingers intertwined. I enjoyed being able to drop a kiss on her cheek or forehead, and she always accepted the hand I offered when we were ready to go. She was relaxed and seemed content. It was rare I ever had to pull her thumb away from her mouth anymore, letting the tender skin finally heal.

  I found myself looking for ways to make her smile. To show me the one smile she had that was only for me. The right side of her lips would curl up slightly higher than the left, creating a tiny dimple by her lopsided mouth that made me want to kiss it. So I would. Her eyes shone every time I did, which made me look for another reason to get her to smile.

  But it wasn’t only the times with our friends when she was different.

  When we were alone, she was more open…softer. Wanting to be close. Seeking my affection. And for the first time in my life, I wanted to give it. I found that any chance I could get to touch her, I took it.

  “Taste this,” she requested, lifting a spoon.

  I wrapped my arms around her waist, sampling the sauce.

  “Good?” she queried. “I wondered if it needed something.”

  “It’s great.” I dropped my lips to her neck. “Almost as tasty as you are.”

  Her laughter was always my reward.

  It was rare a day passed when we didn’t see each other. Texts happened several times while we were at work, and my favorite moment of the day was when she walked in my door.

  I smiled at her, dropping a long kiss to her mouth when she entered the condo. It was late and I knew she was tired, but I was glad she had come up to see me.

  I offered her a sip of my whiskey, and she let me hold the glass to her lips as she tilted her head back. I watched her swallow, the movement of her throat muscles oddly arousing. I held up the glass, the slight imprint of her lipstick visible. I turned the glass, lifting it to my mouth directly where her lips had been. Keeping our gazes locked, I drained the glass. “Now that was incredible,” I spoke quietly. “Dee-enhanced flavor.”

  She gave me that smile, then stepped back a few feet.

  “I bought you something today.”

  “Oh?” I asked, bemused, looking for a bag. “What was that, my Dee?”

  Her eyes never left mine as she reached to her hip, tugging at the bow resting on the side. In one fluid movement, she shrugged off the silky dress she wore and stood in front of me.

  Red satin, black lace, and ribbons met my eyes. Her breasts overflowed the demi-cup corset. Her waist looked tiny, held in by the rigid structure of the design. Black stockings, red high heels, and lace garters encased her legs. And she was bare.

  My cock lengthened, desire pumping through my blood fast. Blindly, I set the glass on the ledge beside me. I closed the distance between us, circling around her, running my finger over her bare back and shoulders. A delicate shiver ran down her spine, her chest moving fast with her rapid breaths.

  I leaned down to her ear. “Do I get to unwrap my present, Deirdre? Or do you want to be fucked like this?” I kissed her neck lightly, swirling my tongue on her skin.

  “Yes.”

  “Greedy girl tonight, aren’t you?” My laughter was low and earned me another shiver.

  “Maddox,” she whispered. “Please.”

  “Hmm…Unwrap you now…or after?”

  “Whatever you want.”

  I snaked my arm around her waist, pulling her close.

  “Both.”

  She stayed again that night. In fact, she stayed a lot of nights. Some of the best ones were when we were quiet, reading or working, but in the same room. She would sometimes stroke my head while we talked about mundane topics or plans. She fell asleep several times, and I scooped her up, carrying her to my bed.

  She never left without a kiss.

  I never wanted her to leave at all.

  And I was ready to tell her. I hoped she was ready to hear it.

  Aiden came in, interrupting my thoughts. He flung himself into the chair, munching on a huge sandwich.

  I glanced at my watch.

  “Bit late for you for lunch isn’t it?”

  He shook his head, swallowing. “I had lunch. I needed a snack, so Sandy got me a sandwich to tide me over.”

  I snorted. “Some snack.”

  “I worked up an appetite. I was out with Van earlier, looking at Bentley’s newest project. He wants to put a small workout room in the basement, so I went to give him some advice. Gonna be great when he’s done.”

  “That will be an added feature.”

  “Yeah. There’s a built-in sunroom in the rear of the house with a hot tub in it Van’s going to remodel. It’ll add another level to the place.”

  “Great. Bentley’s found some terrific properties lately.”

  He wiped his mouth, crushing the napkin and tossing it into the wastebasket. He lifted his arms. “All net!”

  He slouched in the chair as I chuckled.

  “He has some great projects on the go. I talked to Van about the cottage too. We’re going to go up this weekend and have a look at the property.”

  “Awesome.” I picked up a folder. “Have you seen these leads for other pieces of real estate?”

  He took the folder, shaking his head. “Anything good?”

  “I like the one on page two. Great potential for investment.”

  He opened the file and began studying it in his unique, methodical way. I knew not to rush him, so I opened my copy, rereading the particulars.

  Aiden and I looked at the door as Bentley hurried into my office.

  “What are you two doing tonight?”

  We shared a glance, both of us knowing we now had plans.

  I relaxed in my chair, twirling my pen. “What’s up?”

  “Emmy had the sniffles this morning and when I spoke to her just now, it’s a full-blown cold. She can barely swallow, and her taste buds are nonexistent.”

  “And?”

  “Tonight is cake testing. She can’t taste anything, so she can’t go. I don’t want to go alone, so I’m using you two as backups.”

  Aiden grinned and clapped his hands together loudly. “Cake? I’m in.”

  “The consultant is going to work with us on our tuxedo choices while we’re there as well. Save us another trip. The girls are coming after for a dress fitting.”

  “We all own tuxes. Why do we need new ones?” I asked.

  Bentley ran his hand through his hair. “I don’t know. I’ve nev
er been married, or been involved in all these decisions. Something about special occasion and custom fabric—really, I have no idea. I’m simply doing what I’m told to do.”

  “You said this was going to be small.”

  “It is small, but I want her to have everything she wants. This woman, Jen, is simply taking the little stuff off her plate. I have to admit, since the girls met with Jen, Emmy has been more relaxed. She tells Jen what she wants, and Jen handles it all.” He smirked. “I pay the bills. It works out well for all of us.”

  “Okay, what time?”

  “Seven. She works from her loft. Emmy’s message says the cakes will be waiting, we’ll do the tux thing, and after, I can go back to being blissfully ignorant of the entire procedure. My other job is to show up and say I do.”

  We all laughed, because it was true.

  “Okay. I’ll drive us over,” Aiden offered.

  “Great. I’ll let Emmy know, and she can contact Jen. I’ll get the address.”

  “Okay. Tell her I hope she feels better.”

  He frowned. “She looked bad this morning and I was worried. If she gets worse, I’ll take her to the clinic.”

  “I’m sure she’ll be fine,” I assured him. “Lots of colds going around. Maybe take her some soup later.”

  “That’s a good idea. In fact, I’ll call Andrew and ask him to go get her some now. And ginger ale. She likes ginger ale when she isn’t feeling well.”

  I hid my grin. Bentley always fussed over Emmy. I didn’t bother to tell him his houseman, Andrew, was probably ahead of him. He was very fond of Emmy too, and I knew he would look after her well.

  Bentley left, and I grinned at Aiden. “I’m surprised you didn’t demand dinner first.”

  He chuckled. “Nah, the sandwich was a good snack. We can grab dinner after we’re done. I want room for cake. Lots of cake. I hope there’s chocolate.”

  “You are such a girl.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Like you weren’t thinking that too.”

  “I was hoping for carrot cake, actually.”

  His eyes lit up. “Maybe we can request it.”

  I picked up the file I’d been reading when Bentley came in. “We’ll see, I guess.”