by M. A. Foster
I curl an arm around her waist and tug her to my side. “Heritage Bay will always be my home. I’m pushing thirty. I think it’s time I have my own place when I come home.”
Her throat bobs, and I can tell she’s trying not to cry. “This is really for us?” Her voice cracks as she turns her face into my shirt and bursts into tears.
“If you don’t like it—”
She jerks her head back and stares up at me with teary eyes. “I love it.” She looks over at the house. “You did good, Baller.”
My heart skips a beat. Hell yeah, I did good. “What do you say, Freckles? Will you live here with me?”
She curls her arms around me. “Yes.”
“Come check out your new house.” I lead her up the steps to the long front porch and open the front door. “It’s not really furnished. I thought you’d want to pick out your own stuff.”
Vanessa gasps as she steps inside and takes in the space. “This house is perfect.” She grins at me. “I can’t wait to live here.” Her brows pinch. “Wait… where exactly are we?”
“We’re in Heritage Bay, just off the main strip.” I chuckle. “Max lives in this neighborhood.”
I show her the rest of the house, and she laughs when we get to the master bedroom to find only a bed in the middle of the room. “Presumptuous much?”
“Oh, we will be christening this house all weekend,” I inform her.
We make our way out back, and she lets out another gasp. “I can’t wait to swim in that pool this summer.” She leans over and skims the water with the tips of her fingers. “It’s warm.”
“It’s heated.”
She straightens and flashes me a devious smile. “Interesting.” She drops her jacket on the chair and begins removing her clothes.
I quirk a brow. “What are you doing?”
“You said you wanted to christen the house. I say we start with the pool.” She strips out of the rest of her clothes, then sashays her naked ass over to the shallow end, easing her way to the middle until the water is up to her shoulders.
She looks up at me through her lashes. “Get that fine ass in here and let’s christen this pool.”
Kicking off my shoes, I reach behind me and tug my shirt over my head before shoving my sweatpants and boxers down to my ankles and kicking them to the side.
The air is crisp and chilly, so I move to the deep end and dive in before my dick shrivels up.
The water is warm, and I swim over to where Vanessa is leaning against the wall. I drop my feet to the bottom and move to stand in front of her. She loops her arms around my neck and wraps her legs around my waist.
“I know it’s fast, but I’m really trying to do everything right like I should’ve done the first time. If it’s too much, just tell me and I’ll slow down. These last couple of months, I feel like we’re Liam and Vanessa again. My heart doesn’t hurt anymore. The weight I carried on my chest is gone. Everything just feels right.” I look up at her and see tears in her eyes. “Babe, why are you crying?”
“Because I love you so much,” she murmurs. “I’m sorry I hurt you. I wish the last five years never happened. I wish I wasn’t so stupid and insecure. I wish I’d never left. I hate that while we were apart, there were other women—”
“Vanessa, stop.” I press my forehead against hers. “Everything that happened while we were apart doesn’t matter. Those other women, Jake, Mia, none of it matters. But this—” I move her hand and place it over my heart while putting mine over hers. “—has always belonged to us.” I press a chaste kiss to her lips. “We’re not perfect, but we’re perfect for each other. I will always regret letting you go, but at the time, it was the right thing to do.”
She shakes her head. “You let me go because my father asked you to.”
I jerk my head back. “He told you?”
“The day you went to see him.” She sniffs. “I thought you didn’t care.”
“I did care. I called you a hundred times a day. I left messages and texts.”
“I know.” She exhales a shaky breath. “I listened to most of them. You stopped asking me to come back after the first week. I know now it was because of my father. But at the time, I didn’t.”
“Would it have mattered?” I ask, sincerely.
She looks away while considering my question. “Probably not,” she whispers before turning her face to me. “I was young, angry, and heartbroken. I filed for divorce because you broke your promise—”
“Vanessa,” I warn.
She brings a hand to my jaw, her thumb stroking softly over my cheek. “But you did. And more than that, when you didn’t come for me, I thought you didn’t care anymore. I thought you gave up. Then when you didn’t show up for our divorce hearing, I knew it was really over. Seeing those pictures online of you coming out of a club with that trashy woman didn’t help.”
“I wasn’t with that woman,” I admit. “We just happened to be leaving the club at the same time. I saw the paps outside, so I grabbed her hand just before we stepped into view.” My stomach knots and I grimace. “I did that to hurt you and I’m sorry.”
She closes her eyes briefly, pain crossing her features as she processes my admission. “I spent the next few years letting that hurt and anger fester. I hated you. But I hated myself more, because even though I hated you, I couldn’t stop loving you.”
“You didn’t hate me. But I broke a promise and you had your pride.” I shake my head slowly. “I’ve never met a woman with more pride than you, Vanessa Abbott. As much as I regret the years we lost, I think we both needed that time to grow up as individuals, and the best part of all of this is that we found our way back to each other. Because we’re Liam and Vanessa.”
A smile tugs at her lips. “Always.”
“Now kiss me.”
She leans in and kisses me with so much passion and love that I can feel it down to my toes. I fucked off a lot over the last five years, but this is exactly where I’m supposed to be. Where I was always meant to be. Who I was always meant to be with. It’s always been Vanessa.
As soon as she’ll let me, I’m going to put a ring on her finger and make her my wife, one last time. Forever.
Breaking the kiss, she asks, “What about when you go back to California and the season starts again?”
“Let’s get through Christmas and then we’ll have that conversation, but just know that no matter what, it’s you and me.”
“Always,” she agrees.
Sliding my hand between us, I position my cock at her entrance and push only to be met with resistance. Pool sex isn’t as easy as it looks.
Vanessa laughs against my neck. “This isn’t working.”
“Hold on.” I grunt as I move us to the shallow end of the pool.
Careful so as not to bust my ass or break something, I step out of the pool and move over to the lounger as Vanessa grinds her hot pussy over my cock.
“Oh my God, it’s freezing,” she shrieks.
“I’m gonna warm you up in about two seconds.”
I lie back on the lounger, and Vanessa straddles my hips, positioning herself over my cock. “How about I warm you up first?” she purrs, locking eyes with me and then gasping as she slowly sinks down, drawing me into her hot, tight core.
A deep groan rumbles in my chest as I slide my hands up her thighs, feeling the goose bumps pebbling over her skin. Gripping her small waist, I hold on until she finds her rhythm.
Arching her back, she places her hands on my thighs and rolls her hips like an exotic dancer. For a moment I’m entranced and almost forget she’s riding my dick. Her head is thrown back, mouth open, as she moans softly into the chilly night air.
Holy fuck.
Jerking upright, I circle my arms around her waist, anchoring her to me as I suck a nipple into my mouth, dragging my teeth over the hardened peak before moving to the other.
She leans forward, raking her hands through my hair, and curling her fingers into the strands before tugging my head back. She tilts her
head, softly brushing her lips against mine and breathes, “I’m gonna come.”
As the words leave her mouth, I feel her pulsing and tightening around me. She bears down, her hands moving to my shoulders, nails digging into my skin as I pump my hips. Our mouths fuse together as an electric current shoots through our joined bodies and together we explode.
I fall back on the lounger with her on my chest, panting. “One surface down, so many more to go.”
VANESSA
“Get up.” Liam smacks me on the butt. “We need to be there in an hour.”
He heads into the bathroom, and a second later, the shower turns on. It’s Christmas morning, and we’re having brunch at Cam and Emerson’s.
We’ve been in the new house for a few weeks now. After our first weekend, I didn’t want to leave, so after work on that Monday, I went back to Katie’s to pack up my stuff and feed Rocky. She won’t be back until after the New Year, so I’ll have to go over on my lunch breaks or after work to check on him. Which reminds me….
I reach for my phone and call Katie on FaceTime.
“Merry Christmas,” she cheers in greeting.
“Merry Christmas. I can’t talk long, but I wanted to call you before the day got away from me.”
“What are you doing today?”
“We’re going to Cam and Emerson’s for brunch, and then I’m gonna stop by and check on Rocky before we head over to Dad’s. What are your plans today?”
“I’m working.”
I push out my bottom lip. “I hate that you’re alone on Christmas.”
She scoffs. “I’m not alone. I’m in a hotel full of people.”
“You know what I mean.” I roll my eyes. “I have to get up and ready to go. I’ll text you a pic of Rocky.”
She grins. “Please do. Love you.”
“Love you.” I blow her a kiss. “Bye.”
I end the call, and immediately my phone vibrates in my hand and Jake’s name flashes on the screen. I fight back a groan because it’s probably LJ calling to wish me a merry Christmas.
“Hello?” I answer sweetly.
“Vanessa.” It’s Jake’s voice that comes through the line.
“What?” I snap.
“Well, Merry Christmas to you, too.”
“Merry Christmas, Jake. Why are you calling?”
He sighs. “I miss you.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, but I left this number open for LJ, not for you, and since he’s only called me once in the last four months, I think it’s safe to say he doesn’t need me.”
“I can’t call you just to say hi and see how you’re doing?”
“No, because it’s none of your business. Don’t you have a baby to worry about?”
“The baby isn’t mine,” he admits.
I choke on air. “You’re kidding.”
“Nope. I asked for a paternity test, and it turns out it’s not mine.”
“Well, if that isn’t Karma at its finest. However, I don’t wish you any ill will. I wish you all the best, but I’ve moved on, and I think you should do the same.”
I hang up on him and toss my phone on the mattress, then drag my hands down my face.
“Are we done with Jake?”
I jump at the sound of Liam’s voice.
I look over to see him leaning against the doorway of the bathroom.
“God, yes,” I cheer, pumping my fist in the air. “Merry Christmas to me.”
“You look good with a baby on you, Liam,” Cam says. “Makes you look like less of an asshole.”
Turning, I laugh into Liam’s arm so as not to startle baby Trace.
Liam replies with a middle finger.
The Mackenzies usually fly to New York the day after Christmas and stay through the New Year, but with the new baby and Jay just coming off a three-month tour, no one wants to go anywhere. Which reminds me, I need to talk to my friends about the change in my New Year’s plans.
Kennedy and I had exchanged a handful of texts since she was in town back in August. After Liam surprised me with the house, I finally broke down and called her to tell her we were back together. I was expecting a long lecture, but I think the fact that Liam bought me a house threw her off. Wait until she finds out I’ve changed my mind about London. As much as I’d love to be with my friends on New Year’s, I want to soak up every minute with Liam before he leaves in a few weeks.
“Any idea when baby Cameron will be arriving? Trace needs a cousin.”
Liam narrows his eyes at Cam. “Bro, I just got her to live with me. Give me some time.”
I school my expression. “Who says I want kids?”
Liam and Cam both look at me as if they’d never heard such a thing. “Do you?” Liam asks.
“Of course I want kids.” I snort a laugh. “The looks on both your faces are priceless.”
“I want a house full of babies,” Jay says, and every head within hearing range turns to look at her. “I didn’t say right now.” She rolls her eyes.
Zach curls his arms around his wife. “Babe, wait a few years and I’ll give you all the babies you want.”
After brunch with the Mackenzies, Liam and I stop by Katie’s to check on the squirrel. I give him his treats, and he disappears inside his tree house. The weather has been cool, and even though the patio is enclosed, it’s still a little chilly, so I expect he’s spending all his time hanging out in his tree.
We go to Dad’s once we leave Katie’s. He bought me an Apple watch and a bunch of clothes. No doubt Kelly picked them out. I told her she missed her calling as a personal stylist. Dad gifted Liam with a set of golf clubs so they can play whenever he’s back in town. Afterward, Liam and I bring Princess B back to the house to spend the rest of Christmas with us.
It’s been the perfect day.
“It’s okay, Vanessa,” Katie says.
“Promise you’re not mad.”
“I promise. If it were me, I’d do the same.”
I poke out my bottom lip. “I feel like a bad friend.”
“You’re the best. I’m flying back with Gabbi, so we can have a girls’ night at your new house.”
“I have two bedroom sets on order for the guest rooms, just in case.”
“Works for me.”
“Are you working in the club right now?”
“Yeah. You want a sneak peek?” she offers.
“Please.”
“This isn’t a typical nightclub. I did something different with this place. It’s daylight, so imagine it at night.” The camera flips, and I gasp as she moves her phone, giving me a 360-degree shot of the room. It looks ritzy, with chandeliers and plush sofas.
“Oh my God, Katie. I can’t believe you did all that. I mean, I can, but wow.”
The camera flips back to her face. “I figured with it being a hotel, they’d get more use of the space than just a nightclub.
Shaking my head, I say, “I can’t imagine what it’s like inside your brain.”
Her lips pull to the side. “Imagine Wonderland, and the Mad Hatter as your tour guide.”
I snort. “I believe it.”
Katie’s attention shifts from the camera, then back to me. “Okay, V. I gotta get going, but I’ll see you soon.”
“Good luck,” I say. “Take lots of pics and send them to me so I can be jealous.”
She laughs and blows me a kiss. “Love you.”
I return the gesture. “Love you, too.”
JANUARY
VANESSA
“What are you doing?” Liam purrs, wrapping his arms around me from behind and kissing my neck.
“Katie got back a few days ago, so I invited her and Gabbi over for a girls’ night. I’m gonna cook.”
He moves his hand up to my breast, pinching my nipple through my shirt. I fight back a moan. “Sounds like a good time. What are you cooking?”
“Chicken and steak kabobs and asparagus on the grill.”
“Yum.” Sliding a hand into my yoga pants, he cups my pussy whi
le grinding his hard cock against my ass. “Do you need help?”
Setting the knife down, I turn in Liam’s arms and wrap mine around his neck. He dips his head, sealing his mouth over mine. The kiss starts out soft, almost teasing, his tongue licking at my bottom lip. My lips part and I flick my tongue out, brushing it against his in long, languid strokes. Tilting his head, he pushes his tongue farther into my mouth and slides it against mine. When we start out like this, it never ends with just a kiss.
He grabs me by the ass, lifting me off the ground, and I wrap my legs around him. He carries me down the hall to our bedroom and lowers me to my feet.
“Get naked,” he commands in a husky voice.
He doesn’t have to tell me twice.
Whipping my shirt over my head, I drop it to the floor before removing my bra. I push my yoga pants down to my ankles and kick them off to the side before climbing on the bed.
Liam hooks his thumbs in the waistband of his sweatpants and shoves them to the floor before stepping out of them and moving to stand at the foot of the bed with his hand around his cock. “Spread your legs, Vanessa. Let me see that pretty pussy.”
I let my legs fall open and he groans.
The sight of him naked and hard, stroking himself, has me so turned on, one touch from him will most definitely set me off.
“Touch yourself,” he commands.
“Where?”
“Start with those perfect tits.”
I move my hands to cup my breasts, caressing them before pulling my nipples between my fingers.
“Good girl,” he says huskily. “Now touch your pussy.”
I keep one hand on my breast and move the other down to my sex, sliding my middle finger through the soft, sensitive skin before bringing it back to circle my clit.
I press my head into the pillow, closing my eyes as I let out a soft moan. The bed dips, and my eyes pop open to find Liam hovering over me with a carnal look in his eyes that says when he’s done with me, I’ll be feeling him for days.
My hands fall to my sides, and he lowers himself between my legs. Dipping his head, he sucks my nipple into his mouth, tugging it between his teeth. I gasp as I shove my hands into his hair, raking my nails over his scalp.
