by Jewel, Bella
It was reckless.
Idiotic to be so giving.
The human race were notorious takers and she would be taken advantage of until she had nothing left to give. As much as I understood her drive, I also didn’t want her to fall into financial ruin. One day a few months ago, I’d even seen her help out a stray cat that no one claimed and neutered it free of charge so it could be rehomed easily.
That sort of dedication went above and beyond a career.
Now I understood why she had no clothes in her wardrobe and no food in her fridge.
Money.
The little she had she gave to those creatures in need.
Pulling to a stop outside the main veranda, I turned the key and the engine quieted. We sat there in silence for a second or two before I raked both hands through my hair and shot her a smile. I had a lot more questions and we had to discuss it. But not tonight. “I didn’t really give you a choice, but I hope you’re okay spending the night with me?”
Vesper tilted her chin. “Depends if you have running water or not. I have work tomorrow and need a shower to wake up. Plus, dog’s have keen sense of smell. I can’t stink for their sake.”
“I doubt you stink.”
She huffed. “Girl’s stink just like boys.”
“I’ll take your word for it.” I laughed.
“So? My answer hinges on your ability to provide basic facilities.”
“Well, that works in my favour as my foreman assured me the plumber finished his duties this afternoon. Showers, baths, and any other aquatic activity should be no problem whatsoever.”
“In that case, I’ll stay.” She smiled. “I don’t want to come across as a sex hungry diva but I packed my scrubs and fresh underwear with my toothbrush in my handbag, just in case you pulled a stunt like this.”
I chuckled. “I don’t know if I should be happy for your forward thinking, your ability to second guess my next move, or horrified I came across as such a sure thing.”
“Oh, you’re a sure thing, all right.”
I lowered my voice. “What does that make you?”
“Just as easy?”
“Not easy.” Taking her hand resting in her lap, I kissed her knuckles. “How about hot for me? Just like I’m hot for you.”
“That works.” She added in a husky whisper, “I truly am hot for you, Ry. You do things to me.”
“I’ve done a few things to you but I have plenty more to try out.”
“Promises, promises.” She mimicked me, bringing my hand to her mouth and kissing my knuckles. The sensation of her lips on my skin made me almost jerk her across the gear shift and sink inside her.
“Not just promises. A few dirty things will be done tonight. You have my word.”
“What are we still doing sitting in the car then?” Her hand moved to the door handle. “Let me out and do dirty things to me.”
“Your wish is my command, my sexy little vet.” Letting her go, I opened the car door and leapt out. Slamming it home, I headed to her side and gave her my hand again to balance.
Once she’d unfolded gracefully from the bronze coloured Mustang, she whispered, “By the way, you’re not easy to predict your next move. I’ve been trying to guess what you’ll do the entire drive here, but I’m stumped.”
“That I am happy about.” I grinned, tucking her palm in the crook of my elbow and escorting her up the steps and through the front door. I didn’t bother locking it. I probably should with the priceless chandeliers and countless workmen tools, but if anyone wanted to rob the place, all they’d have to do is rip off one of the plywood boards haphazardly placed over already broken windows or just pry open some other rickety part of the house.
Locks were useless on this thing.
“Are you going to tell me or do you want me to die of anticipation?”
Wrapping my arm around her shoulders, I corralled her through the foyer, around the pyramid of paint buckets, and over a dust sheet protecting the parquet floors in the lounge. “I don’t want you dying. That would be very inconvenient.”
“Inconvenient for the zoo you collect or the greedy thing in your trousers?”
Inconvenient for my heart.
“Both.” I smirked. “And other reasons that won’t be discussed tonight.”
“Oh, so secretive.” Her teeth glowed in the dimmed lights above. “I’m not a girl who likes secrets—see evidence of spilling mine—so spit it out.”
“Okay, secret number one.” Marching her toward the couch, I pushed her into the soft cushions. “You’re to sit here while I go make us a drink.”
She immediately tried to stand. “Let me help you.”
“No chance. I want you to relax. Tonight, I’m waiting on you for a change.”
“Okay…” She eyed me dubiously as I back-stepped from the lounge into the kitchen that was now visible thanks to the dividing wall being removed. Wires still dangled from the ceiling from where we’d cut some of the electrics.
Scar appeared, rousing from his bed beneath the dining room table. He wheezed his way toward Vesper. The poor dog was worse for wear with his war wounds and laboured breathing but he had a death grip on life and hadn’t kicked the bucket yet.
I still managed his pain every day, doing everything I could to grant him happiness.
The moment she saw him, Vesper slid off the couch and kneeled on the floor. The ex-fighter immediately clambered onto her lap, licking her chin.
My heart melted at the scene.
Goddammit, this woman just got to me. She did things to my body, my soul, my mind. Having her sitting on my furniture, drinking my alcohol, eating my food, and hugging my pets…it just made me want it forever.
I wanted to provide for her.
I wanted to care for her like she cared for so many others.
Clearing my throat, I turned away. And to stop myself declaring all sorts of stupid things, locking the doors so she couldn’t leave, and getting on my knee to ask her a question far, far too soon to ask, I left drink arranging for the moment and headed back out to the car.
Leaping down the porch steps, I opened the back door and grabbed the bag with dog and cat toys.
The idea I had for tonight was naughty. I had no idea if Vesper would be in to it. Normally, there was no way in hell I would risk asking. But she was different.
We were different.
Different was good.
And if she wasn’t into it, then no big deal. At least we were honest with each other and adult enough to respect each other’s opinions.
Listen to me.
Adult and compromise and marriage.
Those words were a different language to me a few weeks ago; now they were firmly implanted in my brain.
What the hell are you doing to me, Vesper?
Heading back into the kitchen, I poured her a vodka pineapple and myself a cold pilsner and carried the bag and beverages back to the lounge.
Hippo had joined the duo on the floor.
The first time the pigmy pig went near Scar, I’d been petrified. I wasn’t too proud to admit my balls clenched at the thought of the killing machine tearing into my pet piglet like she was honey smoked bacon.
But by some miracle I couldn’t understand, Scar didn’t make a move to hurt her. He’d growled, no doubt wondering what the hell she was, but after one truffle nudge from Hippo he’d shut up and deemed her worthy enough to be his friend.
I couldn’t explain it.
And if I was honest, I didn’t trust him with her. Not after the sort of life he’d lived. But at the same time, I couldn’t lock him up and Hippo had free range of the house. The only concession I’d done was put a bell on her purple collar so I could hear if she went near him and keep watch.
Vesper looked up. “This pig is the most adorable thing I’ve seen.”
“Don’t let her fool you. She’s a mastermind at manipulation.”
“She sounds like Visa.”
“They’d probably plan a world take over if
they ever met.”
She laughed. “True enough. Let’s hope they never do. We don’t want pigs and cats ruling us.”
I hope they do meet.
Because that would mean she’d moved in with me and the damn cat would be my permanent house guest—bloody knuckles or not.
Passing Vesper her drink, I purposely kept the bag tucked down the side of the couch so she didn’t see it. Even though I was willing to put my neck on the proverbial chopping block, it didn’t mean I’d stopped doubting how she’d feel about this. But then again, look at how adaptable she was.
I mean, shit—we were hanging out in a rundown building surrounded by a killer dog and a beloved pig. That shit was different in anyone’s book.
Vesper took a sip of her drink, looking over her shoulder where I sat behind her on the couch while Scar kept her locked on the ground. “Tasty. What’s in it?”
“Your poison of choice.”
“How do you know my poison of choice?”
I smirked. “I cleaned your kitchen for you, remember? While you were sick? I noticed three different vodkas in your cupboard: apple, kiwifruit, and strawberry but no wine or beer or other liquor.” I chuckled. “And so, with the powers of infinite deduction, I came to the conclusion you must drink the Russian’s favourite and bought some for your next visit.”
“Wow, I’m impressed.” She smiled softly. “What else do you already know about me that I thought I kept a secret?”
“Probably quite a lot.” I took a swig of beer, not mentioning the fact that I now understood why she had no clothes, hand-me-down furniture, and a shitty car. In fact, her only splurge was the vodka and who the hell knew how old those bottles were in her cupboard.
I wouldn’t bring up the fact that she was irresponsible with her money because her reasons behind it sucker-punched me in the gut and made me feel so unworthy.
I helped animals. I sheltered them. I protected them. But what did I give them that I couldn’t already afford to give?
Nothing.
It was thanks to my parents that I was able to do this and their stipulation that I do but if I was like Vesper and living below the poverty line, would I still be so damn selfless?
I wanted to know so I could look myself in the mirror and be proud of myself. I also didn’t want to know because I was afraid I wouldn’t have a satisfactory answer.
“Sorry, I don’t have fancy surround sound or a completed fire to make the mood more romantic.” I pointed at the colossal marble fireplace I’d recently finished restoring. “That thing will be a beast once the chimney is rebuilt.”
“Rebuilt?”
I nodded.
“The chimney fell down?” Her gaze flickered to the cavernous hole just waiting for cheery logs to burn in ambiance.
“Yes, decades of bird nests and no maintenance meant the mortar crumbled away. I’m guessing in one of the high winds, the bricks just gave up and toppled. It’s on my to do list this week.”
“You juggle a lot of things.” She sipped again. “Dog care, house maintenance, perfect boyfriend.”
My heart fisted. “Say that again.”
“Dog care—”
I bent over, stroking her hair. “No, the boyfriend part.”
Her eyes glowed. “Ah, you want positive acknowledgement that we’re a thing now?”
“A thing?”
“Two consenting adults agreeing to spend allotted amounts of times together in a fun and mutually enjoyable way.”
My gaze dropped on her blouse. “Did you pack a dictionary in your bra? Is that the current Webster’s definition?”
She shuddered as my fingers massaged her scalp. “No, just my own conclusion.”
“Conclusions being…I’m your boyfriend?”
“You’re mine, yes.”
My cock stiffened. “I like hearing that even more than the juvenile title of what our relationship is.”
“Juvenile? Wait, you don’t like the word boyfriend?” Her eyes flittered closed as I continued to knead the back of her neck.
“Nope.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m not a boy and you’re not a girl. We’re adults doing adult things. We fuck and go to work and juggle hard as hell lives while doing our best to remember how to be stupid and fun.”
My lips ached to kiss her as her head fell back. Scar looked peeved as her cuddles dropped away, distracted by my petting.
“So…what are you?” she murmured.
“Yours.”
“Mine?”
“Yep.”
Guiding her floppy head, I kissed her.
She sighed into my mouth, her body lethargic as I held up her skull and kissed her deep. Heat siphoned in my veins and my thoughts switched to a well-played and single track song of ‘sleep with her, sleep with her.’
However, I wanted to show her a piece of my life before we got to the good stuff. She’d shared a little of herself tonight.
It’s my turn.
Breaking the kiss, I stood and pulled her from the floor. “Come on, woman who is mine. I want to show you this house you don’t appreciate.”
Her gaze widened. “I do appreciate it. I’m just in awe of how much work you’re doing to fix it.”
“It’s worth it. Simple. I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t enjoy it.”
She smiled. “In that case, I would love a tour.”
The house was a neutral topic and for the next hour Vesper and I made small talk about window glazing, floor coverings, and interior decorating, slowly moving around the bottom level as I showed her nooks and crannies and painted the vision of what I held for this grand lady and her new future.
By the time we made it back to the lounge, I’d had three beers and Vesper three vodkas. We were lethargic and happy. The fact we hadn’t eaten before our shopping trip meant a slight buzz affected both of us. Nothing crazy—we were still in full control of decisions—but it had taken the edge off being awkward.
For some reason, the ease we normally had around each other had vanished ever since I’d hugged her in the pet superstore. The knowledge that something had happened between us on a deeper level than what we were ready for hung around like a cloud. And the fact we both skirted heavier issues wasn’t unnoticed by either of us.
Vesper yawned as we reached the kitchen. Scar had retired after a dose of painkillers and his dinner and Hippo had waddled off in her tinkling bell to bunker down for the night—most likely pressed against a heater. She gave me a damn heart attack every night that she’d somehow slow cook herself and I’d wake up to a roast pork dinner.
The nightmare was surprisingly realistic.
“Wow, is it really past midnight?” Vesper blinked hazily at the glowing oven clock.
I yawned too, unable to stop the universal desire when another did. “Guess so.”
“I better go.”
“Why?”
“Well…it’s late. And I have work tomorrow.”
“What time do you have to be in?”
“It’s Sunday so we open at ten instead of eight. And so far, touch wood—” She pressed her fingertips to the scuffed counter top. “—we have no scheduled surgeries. Most likely it will be admin day and pop ins from animals either eating something they shouldn’t or owners catching up on check-ups.”
“So what you’re saying is tomorrow isn’t too crazy.”
“I guess…” She cocked her chin. “Why?”
“Just checking.” I gave her a secretive smile and headed into the lounge. “I agree that it’s late and we should head to bed but I thought we agreed when you first got here that you were spending the night.”
She laughed quietly. “I was wondering if you’d forgotten that stipulation.”
“I never forget.” I tapped my temple. “Elephant.”
Shit, really shouldn’t have said that.
Elephants were my deflating tool not to be used to get me in the sexy mood.
Shaking the image away, I fisted the plastic bag hidi
ng the pet store goodies and took her hand. “Bed time?”
Her eyes zeroed in on the purchases. “Eh, why are you bringing that with us to bed?”
Rubbing her knuckles with my thumb, I dragged her toward the staircase. “How about you don’t ask questions and just say ‘yes, Ryder, please take me to bed. I trust you. I don’t care whatsoever what’s in the bag.’”
She rolled her eyes. “I suppose you expect me to lie down and present my belly for a rub too while you’re wanting the impossible.”
I chuckled. “It would go with the theme I had in mind. If you feel inclined…go for it.”
Our foot falls echoed in the huge foyer as we climbed the circular staircase. She didn’t pull away, keeping pace with me even if curiosity mixed with apprehension on her face.
“Oh!” She tugged on my hand. “What about Scar?”
I shook my head. “After that first night of labouring up the stairs, I couldn’t put his heart under such stress. I relocated his geisha tent under the dining room table. He’s content.”
“Geisha tent?”
“Well, it sounded better than pimp tent.”
“He’s a pimp now?”
“He wishes. He hasn’t had his balls cut off so I’m guessing the desire to use the force with a few bitches is strong in that one.”
“Did you just twist a Star Wars reference and use the word bitch in a sentence?”
I laughed as we entered my bedroom. “Damn, I can’t get anything past you.”
“No, you can’t.” Snatching the bag, she wriggled from my grip and darted to my bed. “Just like you can’t hide what’s in here forever.”
“Hey!” I chased after her.
Too late.
She upturned the bag, sending a flurry of colour and surprise onto the black sheets. At least I’d made the bed and put fresh linen on. Not that I had a choice. Repairing the roof yesterday meant I accidentally put my foot through the ceiling when checking a rafter inside.
Rubble and debris landed squarely on the same mattress I had full intentions of taking Vesper on.
“What exactly is this?” Vesper held up a feather attached to a bendy wand with silky ribbons.
