Redemption: Part Five (The Vault Book 5)

by Kate Benson

  “Yes, Sir,” I confess, my insides quaking, only seconds away from begging for release once more with another thrust. “Oh, my God, yes.”

  “Are you ready to come on my dick, princess?” he hums against my lips, his hot breath making my walls contract as he slams in again. “Are you ready to give Daddy all your pleasure?”

  “Yes, Sir,” I rasp, my voice broken with need as he swipes his tongue over my lips, shoving in deep again.

  “Hmm… show me,” he hums, pushing once more. “Beg me to fill you, darling.”

  “Please,” I pant, my breathing shaky. “Please let me come.” He plunges hard, making my chest quake. “Adam…” I trail off, my eyes growing heavy as he gives my cheek a light smack and tightens his grip on my chin, pushing in again. I gasp. “Daddy…” I whimper. “Please…” His thrusts come harder, faster, making my mind blur, my limbs go numb and as he leans in, kissing me hard, he pulls away and there’s something in his adoring gaze as he slams into me that sends me over the edge. “Per favore,” I rasp, tears finally breaking free and streaming over my cheeks in desperation. “Usa la mia figa, papa. Lasciami venire.”

  “Good girl. That’s what I wanted,” he groans, flattening his tongue over my cheeks and tasting my tears. “Come for me, Bella.”

  My back begins to arch, and he raises slightly to grip the footboard in front of him, using it to fuck me ruthlessly as he watches me fall apart. By the time he tenses and relaxes with a low growl, his seed filling me, my voice is hoarse, my limbs burning and useless as they fall at his waist.

  We’re both slick with sweat and panting as he rises, gripping my hips and gazing down at me in reverence. He stares at me for a long moment, his hair hanging over his brow somewhat boyishly as his thumbs gently stroke my skin. He bends over me, holding me in place and running his nose up my neck before giving my jaw a tender kiss of adoration.

  “My sweet Bella,” he whispers against my lips, kissing me once more. “I love you,” he croons, one arm raising to gently cage me in, his head resting on my chest as his lips continue moving over me, gently lapping at my heavy breasts, humming as my fingers move to his hair. “I’m so in love with you.”

  “Hmm…” I hum, exhausted and sated in ways I’ve never known as I pull his lips to mine, savoring in his gentle kiss as he caresses me, cherishes me. “I love you, too,” I smile small, swallowing the emotion in my throat. “I’m hopelessly, ridiculously in love with you, Mr. Avery.”

  Chapter Four

  ISABELLA

  “Alright, darling. I have to go,” he says, his arm wrapped around my waist as he pulls me close, pressing his lips to my forehead. “I’ll be in and out of meetings most of the day, but if you need anything, I’ll have my phone.”

  “Okay,” I nod, leaning into his embrace and pushing up on my toes to return his kiss.

  “Do you have anything planned for today?”

  “No, Sir,” I shake my head. “I’m sure I’ll find a way to keep busy, though. There are a million things to do here, baby. You don’t need to worry about me.”

  “Well, I know I probably don’t need to, but I’m not sure it’s possible for me not to,” he admits, his eyes studying me with intent for a moment before he leans in to give me another kiss. “If you decide to leave, make sure you take Maya and Troy with you, okay?”

  “I will,” I promise. “I hope you have a good day. I love you.”

  “I love you, too, kitten,” he replies with a small smile, his sigh not lost on me. “I’ll see you tonight.”

  I stand inside the foyer, watching as he steps inside the elevator and smiling gently as he holds my eyes, winking just as the doors slide closed. I watch the numbers on the elevator tell me he’s made it safely to the lobby before I allow the long, low sigh to leave my chest, reluctantly turning and making my way back inside.

  I amble around the penthouse, finally stopping in the kitchen to help myself to another cup of coffee and slide onto Adam’s stool at the island. I’m losing myself in my thoughts when Vera shuffles in, pulling my attention away from the linen napkin Adam had left behind on the counter in front of me.

  “Good morning, Miss Isabella,” she smiles warmly. “How are you doing today?”

  “Good morning, Vera,” I smile, hoping for the same sweetness, sad when my voice tells me I’ve fallen short. “I’m okay. How are you?”

  “I’m doing just fine, doll,” she promises, moving slowly around the kitchen to clean up after us. “Are you looking forward to some time off?” she asks, trying her best to put a positive spin on my impending misery. “Lord knows you need it with all those extra hours you’ve been putting in.”

  “No, ma’am. Not really,” I admit, putting a sympathetic smile on her lips. “Aside from a short vacation and one particularly bad bout with the flu that had me out of commission for three days last winter, I’ve not had more than the weekend off since I graduated from college. I’m not really sure what to do with myself.”

  “I understand,” she replies with a sigh, patting my hand. “And it’s a shame Mr. Avery can’t take a few days off with you, but if there’s anything I can do to help you feel more at home, you know I will.”

  “Thank you,” I smile, this time more genuinely. She moves away from me, placing the last of the dishes into the sink before she turns on the hot water, pulling me from my thoughts once more. “You don’t have to clean up after me. I’m happy to wash the dishes.”

  “No, ma’am,” she shakes her head and gives me a playful smirk, gesturing toward the stool I’m lifting myself from. “You may not help me with the dishes. You sit back down and relax.”

  “I really don’t mind,” I argue, but it’s no use.

  “That’s a sweet and gracious offer, but no thank you,” she insists, smiling in approval when my butt returns to the stool.

  “Well, if you have anything I can help with…”

  “I’ll be sure to let you know, honey, but I’m sure there are other things you’d find more appealing than both watching and helping me with my duties,” she laughs, making quick work of the dishes before she dries her hands. “If you think of something special you’d like for dinner, please don’t hesitate. Otherwise, go enjoy the penthouse. I’m not here all the time, but I’m here enough to know there are close to two dozen rooms in this place and I’d be willing to bet you’ve seen no more than five of them.”

  I finish my coffee and decide she’s right, returning to my bedroom and throwing on a pair of shorts and a comfortable off-the-shoulder t-shirt before stepping back out into the main living area. I move from room to room, marveling at the organization Vera must have to maintain a home like this, even if it’s just been for one man up until recently.

  When I make it to the library, I take my time, slowly tracing the shelves in awe of the books that line them. His collection is extensive, complete with first editions and signed copies of some of the world’s most renowned fictional works just at my fingertips. I carefully lift a few of them from the shelves, scanning their pages before replacing them perfectly.

  The game room is a room I’d not only visited before but have managed to create some stimulating memories in with Adam. My cheeks heat as my eyes fall on the felt cover pool table he’d taken me on only a few weeks before and I can’t help the way my thighs clench together.

  I’m studying the chess set in the corner when my eyes fall on a small picture in the corner, a younger Richard and a small boy, presumably Adam, playing chess in his office at Avery. I study the image, my eyes tracing the edge of his boyish grin making my own lips spread into a soft smile as I swallow the emotion building in my chest.

  It pains me to know that my relationship with Adam has caused such turmoil in his life, both personally and now professionally. While we both have known the potential consequences of having such a complicated love story, we’d be naïve not
to, I don’t think either of us every could have predicted things would ever slip this far out of our control. Now that they have, it’s hard for me to think about what negative impacts him loving me could bring into his life, especially when all he’s ever brought into mine is happiness and love beyond measure.

  I stay locked on the image, hoping silently for us to find out way to the other side of this disaster with both our relationship and our sanity intact before I clear my throat and step away. I blink away the tears that threaten and slowly make my way around the large room, glancing at the pinball machine and the small arcade area in the corner. I try hard to imagine my daring and dominant beau as a teenager as I step out into the hallway and smirk at the images swimming in my head.

  I spend time in his spa, the gym, three of the four spare guest rooms and have fallen into the wide, leather cushions of one of the seats in his private theater before I glance down at my phone, willing the time of his return to be near.

  It’s only nine-fifteen.

  “Oh, my God,” I groan, pushing back on the reclining seat with a long, drawn out sigh.

  This is going to be the longest week in the history of ever.

  By Wednesday, I’ve succumbed to my boredom.

  The sound of my phone ringing loudly pulls me from my slumber and the sight of Clark Gable in front of me disorienting, forcing me to remember my surroundings before I pull the phone to my ear.

  “Hello?”

  “Hi, princess,” he starts, his deep voice low against the bustle behind it. “Did I wake you?”

  “Yes, Sir, but that’s okay. I didn’t intend on falling asleep anyway,” I admit, rubbing my eyes awake. “Are you on your way home?”

  “No, baby,” he says, the smirk obvious in his voice. “It’s not quite lunchtime. I was just calling to check in on you.”

  Jesus Christ, I think to myself. I still have seven hours of this today alone.

  “I’m sorry. I wasn’t sure how long I’d slept,” I confess, sitting up straighter. “How is your day going?”

  “Very busy, as usual, but good. How are things there?”

  “Fine,” I say, withholding the sigh in my chest. “I snooped too much yesterday and Monday and ran out of rooms to explore, so now I’m watching Gone with the Wind.”

  “Gone with the Wind, huh?” he asks. “I always thought it was a bit overrated.”

  “Of course, you did. Scarlett never minded very well. I’m sure she drove you crazy,” I smirk as I lean against the lounger. His deep chuckle across the line warms my chest and I can’t help the way my lips quirk up on either side. “Anyway, it’s one of my favorite movies. I’ve always found Rhett Butler to be quite dashing.”

  “I didn’t know that,” he admits, his low tone holding an amused edge. “You might be more of a natural than I realized.”

  “Huh…” I murmur, my mind drifting to the movie I’d watched a million times, images of my favorite scenes slipping into my mind to prove Adam right once again.

  “I’m sorry you’re bored, darling,” he says, gently pulling me from my revealing thoughts. “If you’d like, tonight we can go out. Maybe have a late dinner or something like that.”

  “Okay,” I say, nodding dumbly to myself as I shift against the leather seat behind me, tracing the seams. “If Maya comes with me, is it alright if I see about meeting Christie for lunch? I’ve barely spoken to her and I’m getting restless.”

  “Of course. Do whatever you’d like, pumpkin. Just let me know where you’ll be and make sure you’re home no later than six.”

  “Yes, Sir. I will,” I promise, turning the movie off before I stand. “I love you.”

  “I love you, angel. I’ll see you in a few hours.”

  After a quick text to Christie, I dress in something more appropriate before I slip into the Lexus, Maya and Troy filing in once I’m settled. It’s not long before we arrive at Moxies and to my surprise and relief, there aren’t many reporters on the edge of the street.

  Christie rises from her seat at our usual table, giving me a wide smile as she pulls me in for a hug.

  “I miss you,” I admit, hugging her tighter when she starts to pull away. “I know it’s only been a few days, but…”

  “It’s been a pretty hectic few days, honey,” she cuts me off, her eyes shifting between sympathy and understanding. “I miss you, too, but I get it.”

  “Thank you,” I smile, taking my seat across from her.

  I introduce her quickly to Maya and Troy, not missing the way her eyes widen slightly when I explain why they’ll be hovering over us for the duration of lunch. Once our food is ordered and we’re as alone as we’re going to get, she settles in across from me and we release a simultaneous sigh.

  “So, tell me what’s going on,” she starts, holding my eyes. “I’ve seen a ton of stuff in the news, but I want to know what’s actually happening. I know most of those reports are diluted as hell.”

  “Or completely false,” I offer, pulling a nod from her.

  “Yes, so you tell me,” she replies. “What actually happened?”

  I give her a quick rundown of the last few days, relieved that for the first time, I can speak freely and leave out nothing. I’m almost done when Troy’s voice distracts me, pulling my eyes from my friend.

  “Miss Baxter will not be speaking to anyone this afternoon,” he insists, taking a quick step to the left to block me from the reporter approaching our table.

  “Well, you can’t stop me from taking pictures. If she’s out here, I’m well within my rights to report about it.”

  “And if you harass her, I’m well within my rights to defend her by any means necessary.”

  “It’s not like you can physically stop me from talking to her,” the guy declares, the taunting edge to his voice surprising me. “You can’t hit me.”

  “That doesn’t mean he won’t,” Maya replies bluntly, slowing his steps once and for all.

  “You wouldn’t,” he argues, his eyes narrowing in challenge.

  “One more step toward Miss Baxter or her friend and I can promise you’ll find out,” Troy winks, making my eyes go wide as they turn back to Christie, her expression mirroring mine.

  “Should we go inside?” she asks quietly.

  “That won’t be necessary, Miss Mitchum,” Maya answers for me, giving Christie a warm smile. “Enjoy your lunch, ladies. We’ve got everything under control.”

  “Okay,” Christie nods, returning her smile before she glances back over at me, eyes wide as she leans forward, whispering. “Holy shit.”

  Chapter Five

  ISABELLA

  Once it’s time for Christie to return to work, the number of reporters who are standing at the edge of the curb outside Moxies has more than doubled, making my head spin.

  Why the hell are any of these people interested in watching me eat a veggie wrap? I wonder to myself as I slip into the backseat of the car with Maya.

  “Thank you for driving this time, Troy,” I offer, glancing anxiously around us. “This is insane.”

  “You’re welcome, ma’am,” he nods politely.

  “Are you alright, Miss Baxter?” Maya asks, pulling my eyes to hers.

  “Yes,” I nod, giving her a small smile of appreciation for her concern. “Yes, it’s just a bit overwhelming.”

  “I can imagine,” she offers. “They just want a little insight into who you are. Unfortunately, they don’t have the most respectful ways of showing it.”

  “I’m not sure I believe that,” I smirk. “I think it’s more than obvious that they’re only interested because of who this attaches me to, but I do agree with the latter.”

  “Everyone loves a scandal,” she muses, making me nod instantly despite the way I roll my eyes in annoyance at the situation.

  �
�You ain’t lyin’, girl,” I reply, making her giggle.

  “It will pass,” she promises, pulling a nod from me. “In the meantime, is there anywhere else you’d like to go this afternoon before we take you back to the penthouse?”

  I think on the question, eager to kill some time before Troy’s voice breaks my thoughts.

  “Mr. Avery asked me to remind you that he’s got accounts all over the city if you’d like to do some shopping.”

  “Everyone loves retail therapy,” Maya winks, making me smile.

  “Well, that’s very generous of him, but Mr. Avery has a habit of spoiling me enough as it is. I think for today, I’ll pass,” I begin. “I would like to go to my apartment if that’s alright. I have a few things I’d like to pick up to take back to Adam’s.”

  “Of course,” he says, pulling his phone from his pocket. “Let me just clear it with Mr. Avery.”

  “I don’t think you have to bother him,” I shake my head, stilling his movements. “He’s in a meeting right now and I have you both with me. I can just send him a text to let him know where we’ll be. I’m sure that will be more than sufficient.”

  “Are you sure?” he asks, the internal struggle obvious in his eyes. “He was very clear about us taking you-”

  “I don’t see why not,” I shrug, cutting him off. “I mean, he hired you both to look after me, right?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “So, even though I’m not your boss or anything, I should be able to give you the go ahead to do something as simple as taking me to my place for a few things,” I reason. “I’ll just text him. I live in a safe area, Troy. I’m sure it’s fine.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he nods, reluctantly as we pull out into traffic.

  “Thank you,” I smile, quickly typing out my message and sliding my phone into my purse before I relax against the seat. I glance over to Maya to see her chewing on her lip in thought and I can’t help the gentle laugh that slips from my chest. “Would you two calm the hell down? Geez! You’re taking me to my apartment, we’re not making a drug deal. What’s the worst that could happen?”