Van: Vested Interest #5

by Melanie Moreland

  She leaned forward, kissing me, her tongue languid and exploring. Her lips trailed down my chest, her teeth biting teasingly at my nipples, making me hiss. She sank down on my cock, slowing taking me in.

  I gripped her hips. “Ride me, baby.”

  A slow, sexy smirk pulled at her lips. “Oh, I intend to, Van. It’s your turn to hold on tight. It’s gonna be a bumpy ride.”

  The rain finally let up, and regretfully, we rose from the lounger. Few words were spoken as we searched for our clothing. Liv grimaced at her shirt, shivering as she pulled the still-damp material over her head. Her tank was a torn scrap of fabric on the floor. She lifted it, meeting my pleased expression with a raised eyebrow that looked sexy on her. I dug into my bag and handed her a long-sleeved plaid flannel shirt of mine.

  “It’ll be too big, but it’s dry and warm.”

  “What about you?”

  I held up an extra Henley. “I’m good.”

  I chuckled at the size of my shirt on her. With a grin, I helped her roll up the sleeves. “I like you in my clothes. It’s my second favorite look on you.”

  “What’s your favorite?”

  I kissed the end of her nose. “No clothes and your skin pressed to mine.”

  Two bright spots of color appeared on her cheeks, and she dropped her eyes. I slipped a finger under her chin. “What did I tell you about hiding your smile? Let me see it.”

  It lit the gloomy room. I loved seeing it, and I loved the fact that I was the one who made it happen.

  Her stomach growled, making me laugh. “Come on, Liv. Let’s lock up, navigate the driveway, and I’ll take you to eat.”

  “Is it safe?”

  “Yes. I promised you it was.”

  “By getting something to eat, you mean stop at a drive-through, right?”

  “No,” I frowned. “I mean I’ll take you out for a meal. I saw a cool-looking pub in the town we passed. We can try it out.”

  “I can’t go out like this,” Liv protested. “I’m a mess!”

  “No, you’re not. You’re gorgeous.”

  She snorted. “I’m hardly gorgeous when I try, Van. I’m certainly not when I’ve been caught in a storm, fucked repeatedly for hours and have no way to get cleaned up.”

  “Stop it.”

  “What?”

  I crowded her to the wall, kissing her hard. “First off, I didn’t simply fuck you. It was way more than that, and you know it. Stop belittling yourself. I hate it. Do you have any idea how beautiful you are to me? How incredibly sexy and perfect you are?”

  “I am?”

  I dropped my head to her neck. “Jesus, woman, how can you not know?”

  “I-I’ve never…no one has ever…”

  I pulled back, meeting her gaze with a fierce one of my own. “I am.” I lifted her, punching my hips forward. “Do I need to prove it to you again? Because I will. You’re not leaving this cabin until you believe me.”

  “You already had me. Many times.”

  “Not often enough apparently. For either of us.”

  “But my hair’s a mess, and my clothes are wrinkled.”

  I bent low, my voice firm. “Your hair is a mess from my hands. Because it’s soft and rich and I love touching it as I make love to you. Your clothes are wrinkled because I took them off you to see your beautiful body. What you see as a mess, I see as my job well done.”

  Her eyes widened, her head falling back. A small purple bruise stood out on the base of her neck. I lowered my face, running my tongue along the edges of the blemish. I traced the mark, a sense of smugness filling my chest.

  “I marked you,” I murmured.

  “You did?”

  “Mmm-hmm,” I mumbled, licking up her neck to her ear. “If I marked you, that means only one thing. You belong to me. My beautiful, sexy woman.” I bit down on her lobe. “All mine.”

  She groaned, and I smirked against her skin. “I think my woman needs me to prove how beautiful and sexy she is.” I ground my pelvis against her.

  “Yes, Van, show me,” she pleaded. “Make me yours.”

  I laughed against her mouth. “Oh, Liv, you already are.”

  We found the pub and hurried to the door as fast as Liv could hobble. It was deserted due to the time of the day and the weather. After a quick glance at the menu, we ordered a late lunch and mugs of steaming coffee. I added a shot of Bailey’s to Liv’s but kept mine plain. The heat would help chase away the last of the remaining chill.

  Liv glanced up from her phone. “Aiden says Emmy is still in labor but doing fine.” She smiled. “Better, apparently, than Bentley is doing.”

  I swallowed a long sip of coffee with a chuckle. “Not surprising. He is rather protective. He’d hate seeing her in any sort of pain.”

  “Like you,” she observed, wrapping her hands around her mug.

  I studied her over the rim of my mug. She looked different. More relaxed. There was color in her cheeks, and her eyes were gentle as they regarded me.

  “Like me,” I repeated. “Which bothers you.”

  “No,” she insisted. “I like how you make me feel, Van. I reacted to a memory the other day, not you,” she admitted and pushed her hair over her shoulder. “Every so often, my past creeps up on me, and I need to remember not to let it control my life.”

  “Can you tell me, Liv?”

  “My father,” she stated simply.

  I nodded. I had figured that much already.

  “He was a control freak. He ordered my mother around as if she were an employee. Everything had to be perfect. In its place. She had to look perfect. The house. Me. Nothing was ever good enough, though. He was never pleased, and he liked to express his displeasure.” She huffed a long breath. “I was a kid. A chubby, shy kid. I was far from perfect. He didn’t like that. He was critical and mean. Put me down all the time. How I looked. Spoke. Acted. The clothes I wore, my hair. Everything.”

  I frowned. Her voice dropped, her gaze fixed on the table.

  “He questioned every decision my mother ever made. He made me so frightened, I stopped talking. He told me everything I said was wrong, so I stopped trying.”

  “Liv, baby…” I murmured, reaching for her hand to stop the constant movement of her fingers. She stared at our hands, clutching my fingers like a lifeline.

  “I don’t know what caused it, but one day he was starting in on me, and my mother snapped. She told him off in no uncertain terms. There was a huge screaming match, and he stormed out. She didn’t hesitate. She packed a bag, and we left. She kept saying it was one thing to criticize her, but she was done with his treatment of me. We went to my uncle’s place, and he helped us. She filed for divorce right away and I never saw him again.” She met my gaze. “It took me a long time to talk again, to be able to speak for myself. Chris tried to take my voice away too, and I almost allowed it. I can’t let it happen again.”

  “And it won’t. I love your strength and independence. I will never try to take that away from you. I overreacted to Vicky as well. It was a lapse, not a normal kind of behavior for me.” I squeezed her hand. “You know me better than that. I promise.”

  She leaned over the table. “I know I do. You aren’t like either of them.”

  “No, I’m not.” I regarded her in wonder. “I’m surprised you’re willing to even try, given your history, to be honest.”

  She lifted one shoulder. “My father was controlling and mean. His words were meant to hurt, and he knew how to use them. Chris was controlling but more cunning. The way he spoke and the things he said were insidious. They got in my head and festered and ate away at me, making me feel worthless. That was how he controlled me until he decided he no longer wanted me. And Evan, well, he was simply selfish. Three men all of whom liked to use people. You aren’t a user.”

  “I try not to be.”

  She waited until our food was delivered before she spoke again.

  “I’ve had enough experience with them to know.” She picked up her fork. “A
nd you are not one,” she added vehemently, stabbing her salad.

  “Okay, Livvy. Don’t take it out on the poor lettuce.”

  She grimaced. “Sorry.”

  Unable to resist, I leaned over the table, clasped the back of her neck and kissed her. “Don’t be sorry for feeling so strongly about me. I’m good with it.”

  I sat back, grinning at the flush spread across her cheeks. I took a big bite of my burger, chewing it slowly. She ate quietly for a moment, then met my gaze.

  “My mom leaves in a couple of days for Florida. I’d like you to meet her, if it isn’t too fast. Would you…would you like to come to dinner tomorrow?”

  I dragged some fries through the ketchup on my plate. “Not too soon, and yes. I would love to.” I paused before taking another bite. “She has Mouse all night, though, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “So I get you until tomorrow morning.”

  “Oh, ah…”

  “Is that an issue?”

  “No, if that’s what you want. I didn’t want to presume.”

  I chewed and swallowed before replying. “Presume away. It’s what I want. I am nowhere close to being finished with you today.”

  Her cheeks grew even darker, but she met my eyes, her golden pupils glowing in the light. “Maybe I should have ordered something other than a salad.”

  I cut my burger in half and slid it onto her plate. “Start with this. You’re gonna need it.”

  Van

  I stepped outside, the air cool and clear from the rainstorms that had swept the area yesterday. It was barely after five a.m.—the sun still a long way from being visible, but it might as well have been beaming down on my face, given the mood I was in.

  Euphoric would be an understatement.

  I left Liv slumbering in her bed, her sleepy goodbye kiss still lingering on my mouth, her double-sized bed that was too small for me. The only way I fit was angled across the mattress, and even then, my feet hung off. Liv slept draped over my chest, her silky, sweet-smelling hair spread out on my skin. I was as stiff as fuck, exhausted from lack of sleep, my shoulders ached from the odd position I had forced myself to lie in all night—and I couldn’t stop smiling.

  We had spent the evening talking. Laughing. Confessing. Making love. I finally let her sleep around three and left even earlier than we agreed to make sure Mouse and her mother didn’t catch me leaving. It was too soon to try to have to explain to either of them.

  I climbed in my truck, the sight of a parking ticket on my dash not even enough to dampen my mood. I had remembered I should go and move my truck but hadn’t wanted to disturb Liv, so the fine was worth it. I liked how it felt to have her sleep on me. She was warm, smelled good, and, every time I nudged her awake, was more than receptive to my advances. In fact, she woke me once, her talented mouth teasing my nipples as she stroked my hard shaft.

  “You were poking me,” she explained with a wink.

  I dragged her up my torso, settling her on my thighs, my cock at her entrance. “I’ll show you poking.”

  She was astounding.

  I glanced in the rearview mirror, her building fading from sight. I already missed her, which meant only one thing.

  I was a goner and already totally pussy-whipped.

  Surprisingly, I was good with that.

  I heard her voice in the hall during the day. I saw her by Sandy’s desk, chatting excitedly about the birth of Bentley’s daughter, Addison. She glanced up as I passed, our gazes locking and a thousand silent words passing between us. The slight flush on her cheeks made me grin, and I winked but kept walking. If I stopped, I knew I wouldn’t be able to resist touching her, and Sandy was too perceptive not to notice the change in our relationship.

  Around four, Liv knocked on my door, hesitating. I leaned back in my chair, smiling.

  “Hey, Liv. Come in.”

  She glanced toward Jordan’s desk, and I rolled my eyes.

  “He’s in with Aiden.”

  “Okay.” She entered and sat across from me, looking unsure. “Um, having a good day?”

  Amusement burst from my throat. “Yeah, you could say that.” I hunched closer over the desk. “You could say you had a lot to do with my good day.”

  “Oh. Ah, good. That’s good.”

  “What about you, Livvy? You having a good day?”

  “It could be better.”

  I frowned. “What’s wrong? What do you need?”

  “I’d like to kiss you, but I know that’s inappropriate here.”

  Her words were unexpected since she was adamant our relationship remain private.

  “I’d like to kiss you too.”

  She nodded, tapping her chin and glancing around. “Do you have a pencil I could borrow? I seem to be fresh out.”

  “Ah, yeah, we keep them in the cabinet behind the door over there.” I pointed to it, confused by the sudden change in conversation.

  She pushed the door to the hallway closed. “This cabinet?”

  “Yes.”

  She opened the door and peeked in. “I don’t see them.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Maybe you can find them.”

  I crossed the room and looked over her shoulder. “Right there, Liv. There’s a whole box on the top shelf.”

  She rose up on her toes, tilted her head back, and leaned into me, her eyes dancing. “Right where?”

  I started to laugh, realizing how slow I was being to her broad hints. I wrapped my arm around her waist, dropping my face to hers. “Right here, Liv.”

  I planned to kiss her fast. A swift meeting of our mouths to stop the craving to feel her. Except, once our lips touched, fast went out the window. I slid my tongue into her mouth, gliding with hers, both of us groaning with relief and desire. I cupped her face, angling her neck and kissing her deeper. Harder. She gripped the back of my neck, returning my passion fully. Every rational thought evaporated, and all I could think of was taking her right there. Against my door. Burying myself inside her and hearing her moan my name.

  Then I heard Jordan’s voice humming as he walked down the hall. He often hummed as he walked, a fact that I was grateful for since it gave me a chance to move. I tore myself away, hurrying back to my desk. I was glad for the thick wooden surface hiding my throbbing erection. Jordan pushed open the door as I sat down and reiterated, “There’s a whole box of pencils on the top shelf, Liv.”

  “Oh, found them!”

  Jordan stopped. “Sorry, Liv. Didn’t see you there. I thought maybe Van was catching a nap at his desk and pushed the door shut so not to be disturbed.”

  She laughed, lifting one shoulder. “Hardly surprising. Such a slacker.”

  “Hey,” I snarled playfully. “Some respect. If I’m going to nap, I flake out in the chair—never behind my desk.”

  Jordan chuckled, dropping his armful of files on his desk. “Of course. My bad.”

  I gazed at Liv, wondering if Jordan saw what I did. Her bright eyes and full lips that screamed, “I was just kissed,” or if he noticed anything at all.

  “Anything else you need, Liv, or is stealing my last box of pencils enough for today?”

  “Nope. This is good. I have to get to work. I’m having dinner with my mom at six sharp, so I need to be out of here at a decent time.”

  I tried not to chuckle at her covert message. “Sounds good. Enjoy your evening.”

  She waved and hurried off. Jordan flipped open a file, scanning the contents, while I reached for the next week’s schedule I’d been working on when Liv came in. For a few moments, the only sounds in the office were the scratching of pens and turning of pages.

  Then Jordan cleared his throat. “Van…”

  I glanced his way. “Yeah?”

  He never looked up, his eyes fixed on the file in front of him. “Call it experience or friendly advice, but if you’re gonna kiss your girl in the office, make sure to wipe the lip gloss off your mouth before pretending it never happened.” A chuckle burst from his mouth. “Pink isn’t
really your color.”

  I swiped at my lips, cursing when I saw the pink streak on my hand. “I, ah, we—”

  He held up his hand, meeting my eyes. “Your business. I think the two of you work great. I also appreciate the need for privacy, so this stays between us. But next time you’re gonna kiss her, I suggest shutting the door completely. Watching you tear across the office to your desk was amusing.”

  “You saw that?”

  “You aren’t exactly easy to ignore—or the lightest person on your feet. Good cover, though. Pencils.” He stared to chuckle again, picking up his file. “Too bad she took a box of Sharpies.”

  I began to laugh.

  Apparently neither of us were good at cover-ups.

  “Thanks, Jordan,” I muttered, grateful for his friendship, humor, and understanding.

  He grinned and went back to work.

  “A coffee and a snack wouldn’t go unnoticed,” he said.

  I stood.

  “On it.”

  Liv’s mom was an older version of her. In fact, watching the three of them across the table was like seeing the same person at three stages of their life. They shared the same body type, hair color, mannerisms, and smiles. And although the shape of their eyes was the same, the main difference between them was the color. Liv’s mom had hazel-colored eyes, Liv had the gorgeous golden-brown, and Mouse’s eyes were a deep chocolate. I had to assume both Liv and Mouse had inherited their father’s eye color. I enjoyed watching them together. It was easy to see their closeness.

  Liv’s mom, Eleanor, or Elly, as she insisted I call her, was intelligent, direct, and blunt. I liked her. She refused the hand I held out to shake, instead enveloping me in the kind of hug only a mom could bestow. I had a feeling she and my mom were going to get along well.

  Dinner was a loud affair, Mouse excited to have a captive audience at her disposal. She was lively and chatty, often making me laugh with her drollness. She watched me eat, her eyes wide with amazement.

  “Are you sure you’re not a giant, Mr. Van? You eat like one.”

  Liv groaned and Elly chuckled.