Vintage (Adrenaline Series Book 2)

by Xavier Neal

Gently she pulls back and looks up at me. Her sweet joy is quickly replaced with concern. “What's wrong?”

  I stare deep into her brown eyes that could have no trouble untangling the turmoil going on inside.

  That's all that should matter. This moment. This. Right now.

  “Nothing anymore.”

  She pulls her lips into a wide smile. “You missed me?”

  “Always.”

  A small but sweet kiss finds it's way to my lips. “You ready?”

  Nodding I walk around to open her door noticing something in the parking lot. Quickly I ask, “Is Ben here?”

  “Yeah,” she answers sliding in.

  “Has he been here long?”

  “All afternoon.”

  I shut the door and go to get in myself. Once I'm inside I ask, “Doing what? Are Ben and Hayli hooking up?”

  Jovi shakes her head slowly. “No. It's weird 'cause I wondered the same thing, but they're just friends. Strange, unusual friends. They've just been kicking back a couple beers. Nothing too terrible. You didn't know?”

  Cautiously I question, “And how was Ben around you?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Was he...rude? Or disrespectful?”

  “Of course not,” she giggles. “Why would he be rude? It's Ben! He was just as sweet and goofy as ever.”

  “Sweet?”

  “In a most likely to molest you while you're sleeping kind of way.” The phrasing makes me snicker, but doesn't distract Jovi from my line of questioning. “Spill. What's going on between you and Ben?”

  “Nothing.”

  “You promised if I asked you something you'd always tell me the truth.”

  “I am,” I quickly respond. “At least I think I am. I don't know. I think he's pissed because we spend so much time together.”

  “Oh no, am I breaking up the band?” Jovi says playfully, but I can hear the true sadness in her tone.

  She'd never try to tear my family apart. Why do they have to try to tear us apart?

  Slightly I chuckle, “No Yoko.”

  “Then what?”

  “I don't know. I guess it's just an adjustment. Not having me at his beck and call,” the truth sounds harsh, but accurate. “Can we let it go now? We have a project to finish.”

  Jovi tilts her head at me. For a moment she just says nothing, but finally caves. “Sure...bossy.”

  Chuckling I start the car. “Excited.”

  Along the drive Jovi talks about how terrible she think she's done on her English paper. She describes what her teacher wanted, why she finds it difficult, and how some kid named Eric keeps coming to the library needing her help.

  Not sure of the jealousy twisting my system back up is from the fact the dude is looking for an excuse to be around my girlfriend or the fact she has a college life, I merely grip the wheel tighter.

  It's gotta be the dude thing. I've never wanted college life. Why are you looking at me like that? Yeah I mean, it would be cool to learn more about famous artists and less famous ones without the internet, but...that doesn't mean I wanna be stuck in a classroom listening to lectures.

  I open my mouth to ask a question when the sound of car beside me shuts it. Glancing over I notice the Honda Civic with it's window down trying to grab my attention.

  Jovi stops her story. “Why's he doin' that?”

  “Doing what?”

  “That vroom vroom noise thing.”

  Fucking adorable.

  “Revving his engine you mean?”

  “That's what I said.”

  “No you said vroom vroom.”

  “Merrick.”

  “Jovi.”

  Giggling she huffs, “Fine. That. Why's he doing that? Your tail light out or something?”

  “He-” the car revs again and I roll my eyes. “He wants to race.”

  “Right here? Right now?” Concern is skipped over and she immediately goes to panic. “You can't! It's not safe! It's not set up! It's not-”

  “Something I was going to do,” I cut her off. “I told you, I don't race like that. That's why Vinnie goes to the lengths he does. So no one has to be put at risk for dying while we do what we love to do.”

  Eventually the Honda gives up and speeds off weaving around cars.

  He'll get caught by the red and blues in about a mile. Did I mention my cop detector is better than yours?

  Jovi sighs and relaxes back into her seat. She nibbles on her bottom lip as she looks out the window.

  I let my hand slide over as I take my foot off the gas. “You wanna tell me what's eating you?”

  In a quiet voice she admits, “I totally just sounded like my dad.” A small chortle comes from me. “Not funny Merrick.”

  “A little funny.” She flashes me a seriously unhappy expression. “So what's the big deal?”

  We pass the cop who has the Honda pulled over before I change lanes to take an upcoming exit.

  Told ya.

  “I don't wanna sound like him! I don't wanna end up like him! I don't wanna think like him!” The words fly out of her mouth. “He runs this city like a dictator and doesn't even realize it any more. All he says, all he believes in, are the dangers and the crimes. He doesn't see...people or hope or fun anymore. He's miserable. I don't wanna be miserable, Merrick. If I stay here...that's what I'm afraid I'll end up like.”

  Taking a left at the light off the access road, I state, “But you're not staying here. You're leaving.” The pain of my words slows my own sentence down forcing the thoughts that I can't get a handle on to swirl around faster. More intense. “You're...” I clear my throat. “You're getting out. You're leaving for college in a few weeks, Jovi. It's not like you changed your mind and were contemplating staying.”

  When she doesn't deny what I said, misguided selfish hope floats around.

  I know it's wrong and that she needs to go, but I wish I was at least worth the idea of sticking around for.

  “Jovi...”

  “I...”

  “Tell me.”

  “I...”

  At the red light, I turn my face and repeat, “Tell me baby.”

  In a hushed tone she confesses, “I wanna go away to college. I wanna go to this school so bad. I always have. I thought if I left here I would finally get a chance to live. To have some fun. To enjoy everything everyone else was, but I was wrong. I don't have to leave this place to live. I've been living these past few weeks. Ever since I've met you, I've been more alive than a Van Gogh painting. I feel like I've been flying off the canvas! Leaping and twirling,” her description everything I've been wanting to say, but not sure how. “Truth is...I don't wanna give that up. I don't wanna give you up.”

  Once the light turns green, I turn left into an apartment complex. I don't say anything until I'm parked in a garage. I unbuckle myself and reach over to turn Jovi's face to me. “You don't have to give me up baby. I'm not going anywhere.”

  “But I am.”

  “And I'm gonna be right there with you in Highland. Finding new places for me to make my mark on their walls. New trouble to cause. New nachos to discover. You know not all nachos are created equal.” As soon as she cracks a smile I slip a soft kiss on her lips. On a sigh, with my thumb stroking her cheek I inform her, “I understand what you're going through though. I'm worried about you leaving me too. Finding someone new your father doesn't hate. Who you can bring home without worrying about his background checking out. I'm worried that the high of me will wear off and you'll find someone less...complicated to be with.”

  “Not a fucking chance,” Jovi answers quickly. Sliding her lips back on mine, she wastes no time offering me her tongue. It's blazing. Desperate. Demanding.

  Fuck. Me. How are we supposed to finish her project?

  Groaning, but being just as forceful with the kiss I wrap a hand around the back of her neck, latching her to me. Latching us together. Her whimper urges me to kiss harder, faster, to consume everything she's offering.

  In a pant she
says, “Are we...can we...”

  My bottom lip lands between my teeth trying to regain my focus. I loosen my grip and reply, “After we finish your project. I swear.” With an innocent giggle she nods. “Now grab your bag.”

  Both of us grab our shoulder bags as the garage door closes. With our hands folded together, we head in the dark garage for the door that will lead inside. I unlock it and let us into a stairway.

  “Every artist has their secret. Ready to see mine?”

  She lets out a light giggle. “Show me...”

  At the top of the stairs, I unlock another door and hit the lights. Watching Jovi's immediate reaction I smirk proudly at the idea I will be the only one to ever make her smile that way.

  “Oh my gosh,” she whispers out in disbelief. “Oh my gosh...”

  Dropping my bag by the door, I lock it behind us. “I take it you like it?”

  “This is unbelievable.” She takes one more step before grabbing her camera from her bag, dropping the strap around her neck, but lifting it up to take photos. “Did you...did you paint all this alone?”

  “I did.”

  In a surprised voice she whispers, “Incredible.”

  My lips gently press to her ear as my arms slide around her waist. “Astounding.”

  Jovi leans back into my embrace. “I was talking about your artwork.”

  “And I was talking about you.” I gently nip at her neck. She giggles but it transforms into a moan almost instantly. “You're so remarkable, baby.”

  After one more kiss on the neck, I let her go and pull her into the living room where the last piece of the art project is waiting to be seen. The second Jovi gets sight of it, her jaw falls. Her hands cover her mouth barely muffling her gasp.

  Proud I stand beside her, “So...what do you think?” Staring at her reaction is fueling the hunger to devour her again. “It'll never be as beautiful as you, but...I tried.”

  “This is...” She shakes her head at the sight of her face tagged on the large living room wall. The portrait has her in jeans, an orange tank top, looking off to the side with a smile. It's created with the same reds, oranges, and yellows Van Gogh was famous for. I even added some depth and texture by mimicking the swirls of Starry Night. Swiftly she turns to me, tosses her arms around my neck, and kisses me. Deeply.

  Fighting the urge not take her once was hard. Fuck if I'm doing it again.

  Eager, I kiss harder, tugging at her jeans, desperate to get them off. In a rushed moment, we become a tangled mess of hands and gropes, kisses, sucks, and moans that shake the entire apartment. Once we are naked, I help Jovi bend over in front of me on all fours as I position myself behind her.

  She rubs herself against my cock causing a deep groan out of me. In a weak whimper she begs, “Merrick...”

  “Goddamn,” I mumble almost losing my cool. “You need me baby?”

  “So bad,” she moans tempting my dick to break the McCoy rule.

  I may break many, but I won't break that one.

  Running fingers softly over her perfect ass, I enjoy her shivers before sliding two fingers in her pussy. She squeaks and I use my free hand to guide her back onto my fingers. Another moan slips out of her and submerges into me. With the hand that's on her hip, I move it to use a finger to toy with her clit until she's trembling at my touch.

  She pleads again, “Merrick please.”

  Satisfied with the rashness in her voice, I question, “Please what baby?”

  “Please...”

  “Please what?”

  “Please get inside me.”

  Hearing her innocent way of asking for my dick causes it to twitch in compliance. My fingers pump a little more determined to bring her right to the brink of coming. At that moment, I slip inside her, the invading pressure bringing out the orgasm that feels like it's doing more than just welcoming my cock. It's worshipping it.

  Fuck it feels good to be worshipped.

  I grip her hips and pull her back onto my dick to meet each thrust I'm delivering. My focus should be on making her come again, yet I can't help getting lost in watching her tremble as wave after wave of pure sexual energy tries to rip her to pieces. Her wavy hair is draped by her face that's fallen backwards to let her moans free while her hands are pounding on the hardwood floor looking for leverage. The sight has my nuts swelling for release, but I bite back the instinct. I shut my eyes tightly and get lost in the sounds that are swallowing the two of us whole. Mercilessly I pump again and again dying for her to come on my cock one more time. When her body finally gives into my demand, I shatter right along, clutching her so tightly I swear we've melded together.

  Can come actually do that?

  Sliding out, I enjoy the shudder she lets go of from the emptiness. I hustle over to the bag I brought up, grab the towel in it, and wipe off the wet tip of my cock before using it to clean her up.

  In a stoned post pleasure voice she questions, “Always prepared...you a Boy Scout?”

  “I think you can safely say nothing about me is a boy. I'm all man.” Jovi softly snickers as I wipe away the beautiful mess I created between her legs, the erotic picture of something that will never be painted over in my mind.

  Everything about her, about us, is permanently painted there. No matter what happens, it's artwork no one can demolish and there's a comfort in that like no other.

  Jovi

  Once Merrick and I get cleaned and make out a little more, I grab my camera to take the final pictures for my project.

  When I agreed to let him paint me, I didn't think it would be anything like this. I'm not exactly sure what I thought it would be, but this...there are almost no words for it. I mean look at it. I'm not that gorgeous in real life. No way.

  Naked, per his request, I start capturing the mural on my camera, still speechless about the sight. Merrick who has spread out pillows and blankets for us to camp out on, merely watches with a wide grin on his face.

  Not sure if it's me naked or me fan girling over his artwork. Yeah. You're right. It's probably both.

  Slowing down my rapid clicking finger I toss my head at the gorgeous woman’s portrait beside mine on the wall. “Who's that?”

  He answers quietly, “That's my mom.”

  I stare at the tagged painting of the woman. Her skin is a cream colored tone, her eyes bright blue, her hair bobbed, but her smile is the most enthralling part of her. Not being able to resist I take a couple pictures of her as well.

  “She was beautiful.”

  “Dad was lucky.”

  “Of all the places you could put my portrait around the city...Why'd you paint me next to her?”

  “Aside from the fact this is one place I know no one can erase you, it's where you belonged. The woman who gave her life for me to have one.” His answer turns my face to look at him. “And the woman who risked her freedom to save mine.”

  There's a small knot building in my throat. Quietly I argue, “It was just a text message.”

  “Maybe to you.” He shrugs. “But to me...you put yourself on the line to save mine. I know what your father is capable of. I know the lengths he goes to protect you from...everything. And you risked that text for me anyway. I would've found a way back to you despite his efforts to keep you locked up permanently, but you risked your chance at, phone privileges. Time with Hayli. Hell even leaving for your dream school. You risked that for me to stay out of jail. So...that's exactly where you belong. Beside her.”

  I didn't even think about those consequences before-hand. It's not like it would've changed my mind. I still would've sent that text. But, he's right. I risked my future for his now. For him. Without so much as an additional instinct other than to protect him. Holy shit. That's not just love any more is it? That's something deeper.

  Extending my hand for him I command, “Show me the rest of this place.”

  Immediately he rises to his feet linking his fingers with mine. “This is obviously the living room.” He leads me back the direction we came in th
e tiny apartment over to the kitchen where there's two men back to back with their arms folded firmly across their chests. “The kitchen.”

  I lift the camera to take a photo of them, men who look like aged versions of Merrick and Ben. “Who are they?”

  “That one's my dad.” He points to the man on the right. “That one's my uncle. Ben's dad.”

  “Your dad died in prison, right?