The Santinis: Vicente, Book 4

by Melissa Schroeder

  “Quit making it sound like a death sentence. Of course, if there was a way to die I wouldn’t mind dying in bed with a man like that.”

  “Good lord. Does your mother know you talk like this?”

  “Where do you think I learned to talk like I do? And, there’s Rick.”

  “What’s your brother doing here?”

  “When Major Hunkmeister came in, I called him. I had a feeling I was going to close up alone, so I told him he had to come up here.”

  “Only you would order a Marine around.”

  She laughed. “Of course. Now, go.”

  Jules shook her head. “Okay.”

  As Jules shut down her computer, she formulated a plan. Taking Rufus worked because he could be a buffer. He wasn’t enamored with men to begin with. In fact, the first few times Jesse came over, he peed on his shoes. So, he might ward off Vince at least for tonight. Jules knew he wanted more, wanted to at least take her to bed. If she had any doubts, that kiss last night had blown those to bits. She closed her eyes as she thought about the way it felt to have his mouth on hers again.

  He had been a good kisser years ago, but now…he knocked her socks off. Okay not her socks, but she wasn’t that far from offering her body up in exchange for more kisses like that one.

  Sadly, sex wasn’t something she had ever really enjoyed. She had only been with one man and from her point of view, Mike had been a very selfish lover. She had thought it would get better with time, but Mike…well, he didn’t get any better.

  Sighing she looked down at Rufus. “I have a feeling that Vince wouldn’t be the same…but he might just be worse.”

  She was very nearly in love with the man. She had been years ago but thought him out of her league. Now, though, he was determined to get her in his bed. She knew Santini men and their belief in home and family. It wasn’t in her to get serious about a man again and it would kill her when he walked away.

  She pushed that thought to the back of her mind. As she walked Rufus out to her car, she convinced herself she was just going to talk to him about those flowers and nothing else.

  And if anyone believed that, she had some oceanfront property in Arizona to sell to them.

  * * * *

  Vince kept it light as they talked about his shrubs. Jules was very knowledgeable but he expected nothing less. She had always been a go-getter in high school. But, it was kind of hard to be too serious with her. The distressed noise she made when she saw his shrubs and flowerbed was well, cute. He couldn’t think of another word. Okay, sexy. Good lord, the woman was sexy. Crap, she was asking him a question.

  “What?”

  “I asked how long have you ignored this?”

  The accusatory tone in her voice surprised him.

  “I moved in this fall. There wasn’t much I could do.”

  She snorted and crossed her arms. Damn, he just wanted to eat her up. Now that he had decided to go after her, he couldn’t think of anything else. He wanted to have her in his bed. And his shower. And damn, he would love to take her in every room of the house.

  “Santini if you aren’t going to pay attention to me, I’m leaving.”

  “Sorry. I was thinking about something else.”

  She gave him a look that told him she wasn’t buying that. “There is always something you can be doing in the garden. All year.”

  Vince smiled. He had her now. When Jules was passionate about something, there was no stopping her. She had been so involved in high school. Drama, choir, and student council had filled her time. Now, all he had to do was get her passionate about him and everything would work out fine.

  “That’s why I need your help. I’ve never owned a home before. Actually, I’ve only lived in apartments until now.”

  “Why would you do that?” she asked, frowning at him.

  “Special forces don’t spend a lot of time at home. It was usually safer to have an apartment than a house sitting there for weeks or months at a time without an occupant. But, when I got this assignment, I decided to take the plunge. Truth is, I’ll probably end up retiring here some day.”

  “Hmm.” He could see she was working things out in her head. Probably calculating how much money she was going to charge him. He didn’t care. If it meant she was going to be at his house on a regular basis that was fine by him. Sad to admit, but true.

  “Why don’t we have something to drink and you can tell me what I need to do?”

  She gave him a skeptical look but she nodded. He held the door open for her, then shut it behind her. Rufus gave a huff, and laid his head back down. He’d wondered when she showed up at his house with her dog, but the animal just made himself at home.

  “I can’t believe he’s so calm,” Jules said.

  “What do you mean?”

  “He doesn’t like change and he really doesn’t like men.”

  He glanced at her. “Is that why you brought him?”

  Her face flushed. “Not really. He was mad I left him for so long yesterday, so I brought him to the shop with me. He was very agitated last night.”

  Vince looked at the old dog that was already snoring then looked back at Jules. “He has the energy to get agitated?”

  “He does. I swear. He has a particular distaste for Jesse.”

  He smiled. “I might have to buy that dog a steak.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Where is this drink you promised?”

  He nodded and headed to the kitchen. The sound of the wooden floor beneath is feet was one of Vince’s favorite sounds. He could have bought a newer house, but he wanted something old, something he could put his own stamp on.

  “Wow,” she said walking into the kitchen. He couldn’t help but feel a small sense of pride. He’d worked hard at getting the kitchen redone the last three months.

  “Thanks.”

  “You did this?”

  “Some of it. I had to hire contractors for most of the wiring and plumbing. If you think the garden is a mess, you should have seen this.”

  “It’s nice. Not too big, but I love the granite countertops. Oh and a gas stove. I have an electric. It sucks.”

  “So, want a beer.”

  She shook her head. “No. I have to drive and I’m not much of a drinker. I’ll take some ice water though.”

  As he went about getting her drink, she walked around the kitchen. He had started on the kitchen first because to him, it was the heart of the house. Plus, he loved to cook.

  He handed her the glass of water then got one of his own. He watched her while she drank, unable to do anything else. She looked good in his kitchen, in his house. It was like it was made for her. She had a love of antiques and history. The house was built at the turn of the last century with a large wrap around porch. It was one of her real loves.

  They were the same age, but he felt older, and he knew he looked older. Jules looked the same. That alabaster skin was as sooth as it was in high school. And he adored those freckles across the bridge of her nose.

  “Stop.”

  He blinked. “What?”

  “Stop staring at me like that.”

  “Like what?”

  “Like you’re the big bad wolf and I’m your next meal.”

  The minute she said it, the air between them grew heavy. He did want to eat her up. Damn, if she didn’t get that right. He set his drink down on the island and walked toward her.

  “Now, Vince…”

  He didn’t give her time to finish. He grabbed her glass and set it down, then grabbed her.

  “This isn’t smart,” she said, but she was breathless as he pressed his body into hers.

  “Nope, but it feels good.”

  She hesitated for a second, and for that small amount of time, he was sure she would say no. Then, her resistance faded and she slipped her arms over his shoulders.

  “You’re right, Vince. It does.”

  His arousal soared, his head spun. He bent his head.

  “And it’s about to feel whole lot bett
er.”

  He bent his head, crushing his mouth against hers, determined to prove it.

  Chapter Six

  Vince lifted her off her feet and into his arms as he continued to kiss her. Her world spun as he walked down the hall.

  “Wait,” she said, though it sounded weak even to her. Maybe that was because she was weak.

  He stopped at the entrance to his bedroom. “What? Are you going to tell me no now? You want me. I want you. Don’t play games. If you don’t want to do this, I can still walk away right now.”

  Jules knew she should say no. She had never been one for casual affairs, and there was nothing casual about Vince Santini. She couldn’t remember wanting something this badly in her life. So, for once in her life, instead of doing what she knew she should, Jules did the opposite.

  “Yes. I want this as much as you do. Just know…”

  How did you tell someone you weren’t any good in bed? It was something that had been a problem in her marriage. It was one of the things that Mike had thrown in her face when she caught him cheating. She was lacking in bed so he had to go elsewhere. It had hurt at the time, and she had believed him.

  Since he’d been her only lover, she didn’t have any other opinions on the matter.

  He kissed her then, slowly, sweetly. It wasn’t as carnal as his other kisses, but it moved her even more. When he pulled back her body was humming and her heart was melting.

  “Don’t worry about anything, Jules,” he said walking into the bedroom and laying her on the massive California king bed. “You let me worry about it and you just enjoy.”

  She sighed as he covered her body with his. He kissed her, not on the mouth, but on her neck. It sent a wave of heat rushing over her flesh. He tugged on her earlobe. She shivered.

  “Ahh, you like that?”

  She couldn’t speak because he was already slipping his hand under her t-shirt and cupping her breast. She’d always felt she was lacking in that department, as did Mike.

  She banished that thought. She would not let bad memories cloud this one. Mike was a bastard and this…this was special. Instead, she did just as Vince told her to do and enjoyed.

  He worked her shirt up and off her and easily undid her bra with one hand.

  “Wow,” she said impressed.

  He smiled down at her and the air backed up in her lungs. He looked so young, so carefree, so like the boy she knew all those years ago.

  “Hey, I’ve gotta have some moves. I am a Santini.”

  She started to chuckle, then gasped as he pulled her bra away and took a nipple into his mouth. Slowly, he teased her with his mouth, his hands…there wasn’t anywhere he didn’t touch her. Before she realized it, she was naked.

  He worked his way down her body between her legs. She opened her mouth to say something—she didn’t remember what—but he set his mouth on her sex. The feel of his wicked mouth on her wiped out any and all thoughts. Her need grew as he slipped his tongue inside her. She went from hot to screaming in just a minute. Waves of ecstasy pummeled at her as he slid his hands beneath her ass and continued his assault on her.

  Just as the first orgasm was fading another hit her, this time more intense. She screamed his name as she came this time, shuddering against his mouth. Little bursts of pleasure sparked through her as he slipped out of bed. By the time she opened her eyes he was already gloriously naked.

  Good God. The man was all sinewy muscle and beautiful flesh. She sat up, resting her weight on her elbows.

  “I take that expression as a good sign,” he said.

  She glanced up at him. Joking in bed wasn’t something she was used to, but apparently Vince was. He was grinning down at her and she smiled.

  “It is.”

  He grabbed a condom out of the bedside table drawer. He ripped open the foil package and pulled out the condom. She watched, mesmerized by his large hands rolling it down his penis.

  She licked her lips.

  “Lord, don’t do that, Jules. I’ll never last.”

  She glanced up at him.

  “I’ve been waiting for this for a really long time. I’m riding a hair trigger right now. One little move from you and it’s over.”

  Instead of being embarrassed by his frank talk, she felt powerful. She had never had a man say those kinds of things to her before. There was enough light to see the humor in his eyes and she smiled and held out her hand. He took it, joining her back on the bed.

  He kneeled between her legs, and entered her swiftly. She was prepared but not for his size. It had been years since she’d had sex and she was just not ready for the intrusion.

  “I’m sorry, Jules.” Apparently picking up on her discomfort, he gave her a long, wet kiss before he started moving again. With each thrust, she felt more and more relaxed. Soon she was moving in rhythm with him. He still had his hand in hers as he bent down to kiss her.

  “Come with me, Jules. Come.”

  He whispered the words against her mouth and she could do nothing more than follow his orders. The orgasm burst through her, pushing her to the limits. She bucked up against him as he thrust one last time, her name on his lips as he followed her into bliss.

  * * * *

  Vince wrapped an arm around Jules and pulled her close to him. It hadn’t been anything like he expected. It had been better.

  She sighed and lifted herself up. “I guess I should get ready to go.”

  “Why?”

  “Well…I don’t know why. Isn’t that what people do?”

  He frowned at her. “You don’t have a reason to go home, do you? Rufus is here.”

  “I just thought that maybe this…”

  She didn’t continue and he realized she seriously wanted to leave. Or thought she should leave. He leaned over and turned on the light. She blinked and that’s when he got a full view of her.

  Damn.

  All those dark red curls were a tangled mess dripping over her shoulders. Her lips were swollen from his kisses.

  He was never going to get enough of her.

  “Tell me why you think you should leave.”

  She shrugged and sat up pulling the sheet up to her chin, unfortunately. His fingers itched to yank it from her grasp but she looked too vulnerable. Now was not the time to insist on nudity. But, damn, he wanted to.

  “I just never did this before. I don’t know how to handle it.”

  “You’ve had sex before.” He was starting to get irritated. It was stupid and completely irrational but he had been blown away from their lovemaking. The fact that she was trying to skip out on him bothered him.

  “Yes. It’s just that there’s only been Mike.”

  That had his anger fizzling. “You’ve never been with another man? You’ve been divorced for years.”

  She pulled her knees up as if to protect herself. She didn’t look like the savvy business owner at the moment. Instead, she looked like the girl he left all those years ago. It tugged at his heart.

  “I wasn’t really in the mood to date after the divorce, then, the business took up all my time. I don’t know how to have a casual relationship like this. I was a virgin when I got married.”

  Which hit him. Mike had lied to him about that. He’d claimed they’d been having sex for years. Then, he realized what she said. He opened his mouth to tell her there was nothing casual about what they had but knew she would freak. Her unsteady gaze told him that she was ready to leave as fast as she could. She might have enjoyed herself, but their connection was still fragile. Vicente didn’t want to do anything to scare her away.

  “We do what we want. There are no rules.”

  Her shoulders relaxed and she gave him a shy smile. “Yeah?”

  She was naïve in so many ways and he laid the blame at Mike’s feet. Jules wasn’t that experienced, but she had been married. She should know more about her power over men if she’d been married to the right man.

  Now that she seemed relaxed, he tugged on the sheet. She gasped, and giggled whe
n he pulled her over on top of him. “Yeah.”

  He pulled her bottom lip between his teeth and she shivered against him. He couldn’t stop his reaction any more than he could quit loving her. When his cock hardened against her, her face turned red. He laughed.

  “I’m sorry, Jules, but I hate to tell you I’m in a state of almost constant arousal around you. Now that I have every gorgeous inch of you against me while we’re both naked, it’s gonna happen.”

  She smiled. “So everything was okay?”

  “Okay?”

  She rolled her eyes. “I don’t have much experience so I don’t have any idea.”

  “First, for most guys it doesn’t take much. Seriously. But, you blew my mind.”

  And she had. He’d been confused about her reactions but now they made sense. There was an element of…innocence and when she had her first orgasm, she’d sounded surprised. He wanted to know what went on in her life and her marriage but he couldn’t ask her now. He didn’t feel he had a right. Besides, he was feeling too good to bring it down with questions. So, he kept it light.

  “Now, what about me?” he asked with a smile.

  “What?”

  “Well, I said nice things to you. Now tell me how wonderful I am.”

  Jules settled her forearms on his chest. “You were wonderful?”

  She tilted her head to the side as if giving the question great thought. Her silky tresses slipped over his skin.

  “What did you exactly do?”

  He leaned up and kissed her then swatted her on the ass. “I rocked your world. Three times if I counted correctly.”

  “You kept count?”

  “All men keep count. At least the good ones.”

  “What do the bad men do?”

  “They don’t rock your world three times.”

  Then, she laughed. That Jules laugh he loved so much. Over the years, he would hear a woman laughing that almost sounded like Jules and he would search for her. Didn’t matter where he was, he would think she was there. And now, she was lying on top of him, naked, and laughing. A man couldn’t ask for much more.