“No. Of course not. I just forgot that I had several tests to study for.” I forced a smile on my face.
Boyce stared deeper into my eyes as he cupped my face, making me tremble.
“I don’t believe you,” he told me as he leaned forward to press his lips to mine. “Something has you ready to bolt and sadly, I can think of a few incidents that happened. I know that you need to get back, but I’ll be calling you later.”
“Okay,” I replied as I felt him let me go. He offered to help with my bag, but I assured him that I had it and headed towards the garage. I started the engine and backed my car out onto the driveway, telling myself that I was going to take some space from Boyce and the turmoil that he caused me. I was going to live life on my own for a change and see what else it had to offer.
CHAPTER 17
Boyce
I looked out of the window as she left the house. Vivian could deny it all that she wanted, but she was scared. Unfortunately, I knew that both the restaurant and Anne showing up here could be the reason or maybe it was both. I couldn’t change the fact that I’d slept with several women in my single years and I wondered why I brought them home. I knew in the beginning that it was to erase the memory of Nora from my mind but that didn’t work. I’d always love my wife, and nobody made me feel much of anything until now.
I looked around the empty house and sighed as I walked back to the couch. I was hoping for one more time with Vivian before she returned to school. I was addicted to her and I stared blankly at the TV.
I worked out in my home gym for an hour that evening, hoping to get her out of my system. I planned to shower and get some sleep and throw myself into work this week but once I was watching TV in my bed, I was wide awake. I reached for my phone and dialed Vivian’s number, waiting for her to answer. When I got her voice mail, I left her a message to call me and dropped the phone on my bed. She was avoiding me.
I slept fitfully without a return phone call and woke up early to shower again for work. I was the first one in the office and I made coffee and warmed up my computer as I looked around my large office. I’d made it mine when I started the company and it reflected every part of my life. I was proud of this accomplishment in my life, but I knew that at some point I would want more. Maybe that time was coming sooner than expected.
“You’re here early,” Max told me from the doorway. He headed one of the most successful teams in the company and was moving quickly to the top. He worked as hard as I always did.
“Figured I would start the week right,” I joked as he frowned and looked at me closely.
“Are you okay? You look like there’s something on your mind.” Max told me as I looked out of the window to the city.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I just need some more coffee,” I replied, reaching for my cup. “How does your week look?”
“I am handling the new bank in New York. It’s going to be beautiful.” Max boasted as I thought back to getting that account. It was going to do a lot for the company and at the time, I was excited. Now it just seemed dull and I took a slow breath as I leaned back.
“I’ve seen your plans. They’re impressive,” I complimented Max, wanting to fill the silence. “You’re turning into me, Max. Don’t live here and let life pass you by.”
“That’s how you became successful, isn’t it? You’re here now, earlier than everyone else. I haven’t seen you working every weekend, but you put in your time during the week.” Max reminded me as I remembered why I wasn’t here on this last weekend. “You balance it all. The guys talk about you around here. You’re living the life.”
“I suppose,” I replied as Max gave me a surprised look.
“I heard that your daughter is off to college. That must be great to have the place to yourself. Is that why you’ve been gone on the weekends?” Max asked me as I smiled weakly.
“Yeah. It’s been nice,” I lied, knowing that I needed to act like the man that they all thought I was. I couldn’t tell anyone about Vivian. “I actually had another daughter that moved out as well.”
“The cute redhead? Haven’t you been taking care of her since she was just a kid?” I stared at Max, still stuck on his first words. “She works hard around here. She’s going to make a great graduate someday. Is she going into Architecture as well?”
“Graphic Design,” I responded as Max said something about that being a promising field.
“What about your daughter? What is she going to do?” Max asked as I realized that I didn’t talk about Bella too much around here. I always kept my private life separate from work and I smiled.
“She’s in New York at Julliard. She’s going to be an actress and she’s already in a play on Broadway this holiday season.” I told him, feeling the pride swell inside of me. “She’s always been fairly dramatic. Her mother…her mother told her to go into acting from the beginning. I’m glad that she’s seeing it through.”
“They both sound great. Good job, Dad. I don’t know how you did it with your hours.” Max complimented me, and I gazed at him.
“You’re not married?” I asked, and he shook his head. I knew so little about my staff’s lives outside of this building.
“If you ever meet the right woman, give her some of your time. It flies by too fast and…it just goes too fast.” I smiled slowly and looked at him as confusion crossed his face. “I wasn’t home for so much of life and now I regret that. I can’t change it but just take my advice.”
“I’m dating a great girl. Her name is Melody and it’s been a few years. I was thinking of proposing,” Max seemed to drop his shoulders after telling me this. “When the hell did it get so serious in this place?”
“I have no idea, but I like it. Maybe we should make this more of a family business. Holiday parties, barbeques, and that kind of thing.” I offered as he shrugged. “Go create a building, Max. Make it the best building in the city.” I watched as he left the office and took another sip of coffee. I liked the idea of my company being geared towards family and wished that I’d thought of it earlier. The only view into my personal life here was the scattered pictures set around and the fact that Vivian worked here during the summer and holidays when I needed her to.
I focused on work and answered some emails and scheduled some meetings. I was thinking about Vivian the entire time but knew that she might need some space right now. Things were getting intense between us and she had to be worried about that. I knew that I was. I’d leave her alone for a few days and do what I did best. I’d work my ass off.
Friday came with no word from Vivian and no answering of my phone calls. I put in days and nights at the office, going against my own advice to Max. I didn’t have anything at home to rush off to, so I kept myself busy here. By Friday evening, I was pacing the floors and trying to decide if I was going to break this no contact game that we were playing.
I looked through the building as other staff left for the night and tried to call her again. She let it go to voice mail and I closed my computer and prepared to leave. I pulled on my coat and shut off the lights to my office before walking to the car and heading towards the University. I’d never been to her apartment, but I knew where it was.
I pondered the idea of her having someone over, but Vivian didn’t seem like the type to jump into bed with another man after a week. Granted, she did the one time, but I could see the regret in her eyes after that. I pressed down on the pedal and the car moved faster after I pictured her gorgeous face in my mind. I needed to see Vivian, to touch her. I pulled into the little college town and moved through the traffic as my GPS guided me to her place.
Once I was in the parking lot, I hesitated. I didn’t want to go storming to her door and invite unwanted attention so instead, I sent her a text telling her that I was outside. I didn’t get a response, but I stared at the building with brightly lit windows and the sound of students talking and laughing around me. I was so far separated from this life now and I blinked as I waited for Vivian.
&nbs
p; I watched every movement outside as the moments passed. I looked at the stairs where I guessed her apartment was, waiting to see her red hair coming towards me. My phone chimed, and I glanced down, seeing her name on the screen.
Vivian: Why?
I had the sense to look up, seeing her standing at the top of the stairs with her phone in her hand. Vivian took that first step and came towards the car with a wan expression on her face.
CHAPTER 18
Vivian
I stared at him as I approached the Escalade. His face looked pale and the circles under his eyes became more prominent as I got closer to Boyce. It had been the longest week of my life and I knew that I didn’t look much different than he did.
I walked to the passenger side and tested the door, finding it unlocked. I slipped inside and stared at his profile for a moment. “What are you doing here?”
“I haven’t spoken to you all week. I needed to see you.” His voice was rough, and I leaned against the seat gently. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, Boyce. I was just busy with school,” I assured him, watching as he turned to stare at me.
“We’ve been talking nearly every night for the last few weeks. You didn’t contact me at all after leaving so abruptly last weekend.” His eyes were hard as he held my gaze with his and I licked my lips slowly. “What bothered you about it?”
“I…I thought about Anne walking in on us. I saw how wanted you were when we were out to dinner. I felt like I wasn’t enough for you and so many things. I was so embarrassed when I saw her in the kitchen. How would we explain that?” I asked with wide eyes as he let out a breath.
“I have a feeling that I can’t hide this for too long for either of our sakes. There’s too many fucking feelings involved on my end now and I see the same ones in your eyes. This is going to come to a place that we have to tell people,” Boyce told me as I looked forward and watched the students walking through the parking lot. I knew he was right but there was a part of me that wanted to stop this.
“Is it?” I asked weakly as he reached out to stroke my cheek.
“You know it.” Boyce touched me gently for a moment more and I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Want to grab dinner somewhere?”
My stomach growled in response and I blushed. I hadn’t eaten a lot this week with the stress. “Sure. What do you want?”
“Are there any good pizza places in town?” Boyce asked as I smiled at him. He knew that it was my favorite takeout food and I nodded. I glanced at my worn jeans and college sweatshirt, deciding that it would do. I didn’t worry about makeup when I went to class and this was no different. “You look gorgeous, Vivian. I mean that.” I stared at him. “You are one of the most beautiful women in the world.”
“Boyce…” I let my voice trail off as he reached for my hand.
“Don’t ever doubt that. I mean it. I haven’t stopped thinking about you all week.” Boyce said as I felt my skin heat up. “It was hard not to call you, but I wanted to give you your space.”
“I’ve never been in anything quite like this. It’s overwhelming for me sometimes.”
“We can slow it down. I don’t want to stop seeing you, but I can ease back.” Boyce offered, and I smiled. “Let’s go eat. Where is this place?” He started the car and I directed him there, looking into the crowded building while we parked. He got out and I jumped out of my side, not wanting to draw attention to us. Boyce raised an eyebrow at me and we walked towards the door where he opened it for me. I looked around, not seeing any familiar faces eating here tonight despite it being Friday. I was relieved, and I smiled as we approached the counter, deciding on a thick crust all meat pizza and drinks before Boyce paid and we found a table in the corner. He set the number on the table and we moved into the seats across from one another as he reached his legs out to touch mine. It was dark, so nobody would see, and I smiled at him. “How’s this?”
“It’s great.” I sipped my soda and felt happiness race through my veins. Being without Boyce for a week was unbearable. He asked me about my classes and I told him about the tests and constant homework that I had, mentioning that I was so grateful for the fact I didn’t have to work my way through college.
“That isn’t all me. It’s your parents that planned for your future.” Boyce reminded me as I smiled sadly.
“I know. I am appreciative of them, taking care of things so early. They couldn’t have known that the accident was going to happen.” I said softly as I felt him stroking my calf with his shoe.
“We had the same brilliant investor. He led us all in the right direction and they loved you. We spoke about it when you and Bell were small, and they asked if I’d take you if anything happened. They trusted me and knew that I…that I loved you as well.” Boyce stumbled over his last words and I looked at him. “I don’t think that they meant in this way. I hope your dad isn’t cursing me out up there.”
“I think that he knew you were a good man. He knows that you will take care of me well. You do, you know.” I reminded him as his eyes darkened.
“I fuck you more than anything else. We don’t go out that often. I feel bad about that sometimes.” Boyce sipped his soda and I frowned.
“It just happened that way and I know it’s more than that to both of us. We entered this with pent up feelings on both sides and that turned into a wildfire. I can’t regret that.” I shrugged and longed to reach out to take his hand, but I fought it. Boyce glanced up as someone approached the table with our pizza, setting it down in the middle before they gave us plates, cheese, and peppers. “This does look good.” Boyce eyed the pie hungrily and I felt my body clench inside. He got my plate first and then fixed his, adding a lot of peppers to his slice as we started to eat. “Are you staying here tonight?” I asked as Boyce looked at me curiously.
“At your apartment?” He questioned as I considered that. As many students lived in the building, I kept to myself. I also had a two-bedroom as well, so I could reasonably have guests. I planned for Bella to visit but time got away from us. I nodded. “I never thought I’d even consider that.”
“We can go back to the house tomorrow if you want. I just know that I’m going to be tired after this and not want to make the drive. It’s been quite a week," I offered, and he shrugged as he took another bite.
We finished dinner and boxed the rest without seeing anyone that I knew. Boyce drove back to the complex and I led him to my door, unlocking it as the sound of parties echoed through the air. “Isn’t this too noisy for you?” He asked as I closed and locked the deadbolt.
“No. You mean the parties? The bedrooms are away from all of that, so it doesn’t bother me at all. If anything, I appreciate the noise when I’m going to sleep alone. It’s hard after I’ve slept in your bed.” I walked the pizza to the fridge and set it inside as I heard Boyce walking around, certain that he was checking the place out. I was surprised that he didn’t do that with both my new apartment and Bella’s before we left for college. “Does it meet your approval?” I asked him as I walked into the living room.
“It’s a nice place. I’m glad you’re not living in the dorms,” Boyce replied as he walked down the hall and switched the lights on in my room as well as the guest room. “Nobody has stayed here before?”
“No,” I assured him. He was asking if I slept with Billy here, but I hadn’t, and I wouldn’t. That was at the party in some random bedroom and I left as soon as I felt ready to. “I can’t imagine having anyone here but you.”
Boyce turned to me, striding down the hallway until he was cupping my face and kissing me. I wrapped my arms around his waist and pulled him against me, tasting the peppers on his tongue. I knew that there was no way that I could stay away from him as our tongues danced together. We made out in the hallway for several moments, in no hurry to stop. We moved slowly to my bedroom, undressing each other in between long kisses before he pushed me back on the bed. I watched as Boyce parted my legs and moved between them, tasting what he did to me over
the last couple of hours. He teased me with his tongue before sucking my clit into his mouth, bringing me close to release before he’d pull away and make me beg.
I finally came when he told me to, slipping a finger inside of me and curving it against my wall as I cried out his name. He moved over me, making his way to my mouth to kiss me hard, my taste still on his lips. I managed to tell him to get on his back and dropped over his cock, taking him inside of my mouth as I dragged my fingernails down his chest. Boyce arched his back and pushed deeper into my throat as I felt him grasp my hair tightly. He came for me, filling my mouth with his taste as I drank him in.
Once I pulled away, I collapsed in his chest and took a deep breath. This felt so right, being in my home with him and knowing that I was going to wake up with him in the morning. Eventually, I stroked him again and mounted his cock before starting to ride him. He felt so good this way and I leaned forward as I pressed my hands over his hot skin. My pussy was slick with heat and he filled me as we moved together, needing to come together.
We did, moaning and crying out as he held my hips and rose up to take me hard, coming hard as I joined him. We felt so good together and I breathed in deeply as I stared into his face. “I love you,” I whispered uncontrollably as tears filled my eyes. I did, and I pressed my lips together.
My Best Friend's Dad Page 10
