by Ashlyn Chase
“Why are you here? Shouldn’t you be in school?”
Kip looked at the sidewalk and scuffed the sole of her black sneaker. “I quit.”
“You what?” Vic was about to give her the lecture of her life until he noticed the black eye she was trying to hide with makeup and sunglasses. “Here. Sit down. Let’s talk.”
She lowered herself to the stoop gingerly. Her expression spoke of sad resignation.
“Are you hurt?”
“No.”
Vic sat beside her. “Look, I’m not going to tell you to stay in school, although I’d like to.”
She looked up at him, saying nothing.
He drew a deep breath, wondering what he could say.
“Can you tell me what happened?”
It took several moments for her to respond, and all she said was “Um . . . I’d rather not.” She winced and adjusted her position.
“Who gave you the beating?”
He sat through what seemed like ten minutes of stony silence.
At last the door opened. Vic was relieved when Savern appeared. He stood and gestured toward the despondent teen.
“Savern. Maybe you can talk to Kip. She seems to need a woman’s touch right now. I need to call Alex anyway. Is Michele out of the back room?”
“Yeah, she’s getting ready to open.” Savern leaned over and laid a hand on Kip’s slumped shoulders.
Vic whispered to her, “Looks like trying to help a troubled teen might not be as easy as you thought after all.”
She glared at him and shook her head. Turning her attention back to Kip she said, “How can we help, hon?” and took Vic’s place on the stoop.
Vic excused himself and went inside.
He sidled up to Michele, kissed her cheek and said, “I need to make a business call in your office.”
“Of course. I shouldn’t need anything in there, and if I do, I’ll knock.”
“Much appreciated, darlin’.”
They exchanged smiles and Vic proceeded straight to the office and closed the door. Trying to think of the right words, he dialed. He gripped the phone tight as he waited for Alex to answer even though he told himself to relax.
“Hello.”
“Alex, I’m afraid we need to talk.”
“What’s wrong?”
Vic raked his fingers through his hair and hoped he’d find the right words. “Well, nothing and everything.”
“Care to be more specific?”
“Yeah. I don’t know how to say this, so I’ll just say it. I’m having sex with your stepdaughter.”
No dial tone followed, but after a long pause, Alex uttered an icy, “Congratulations.”
“I’m sorry. That’s not the way I should have said it.” Vic sank into a chair and leaned over until his head was almost between his knees.
A smothering quiet stretched to the breaking point. Vic said, “I didn’t call for a pat on the back. I think you know that. I called to be honest with you. To tell you this is no longer a professional relationship, so I can’t take your money.”
“What are you saying? You’re quitting?”
“Not at all, but I can’t charge you. A professional responsibility is one thing. A personal relationship is another.”
“I don’t know if this is good news or bad news. It’s good for my bank account, but what about Michele? Is this going to distract you? I don’t want my step-daughter hurt because you’re unfocused.”
Vic stood up. He had to pace while he put his thoughts together. “I know what you’re saying. I’ve thought about it and decided that I’ll probably be more protective than before. Look, when you hired me you said, ‘Pretend you’re interested in her.’ Well, I don’t have to pretend. I am interested in her. I’m not going to let anything happen to her, Alex.”
A long sigh rippled through the phone lines. “Does this happen to bodyguards often?”
“No. Well, maybe. I don’t always know the personal details. But look, I didn’t call to excuse or justify what happened. You and I both want Michele safe. Isn’t that the goal?”
“So, how safe is she?”
Vic wasn’t sure what else Alex could be concerned about, and he really didn’t want to answer the question in case it had to do with magical wars. He needed a diversion.
“Would you like to talk to her?”
“And say what? How was your night? She might be more blunt than you were just now.”
“I’m sorry, Alex.” He quickly added, “Not sorry that something happened between us, but I didn’t mean to be crude. Just know I—care about her.”
He could hear another long exhale. “So what happens when the sexual heat burns out? Are you made for each other? As far as I can see, you two have nothing in common.”
“We don’t know that. We’re still getting acquainted.”
“I have to say, I’m surprised how quickly you two are ‘getting acquainted.’ I wish you’d tell me your secret sometime. I could use it.”
Vic smiled. “If we’re still friends . . .”
“All right, I’ll give it a chance, but I’m counting on you. If you can keep her safe, fine, but if not, I’ll hire someone else. Don’t forget to give two weeks notice if things don’t work out.”
“Alex . . .”
“And just so there’s no temptation to let me down, I’m going to keep paying you.”
“Please don’t . . .”
“If you won’t take my money, then I’ll have to get someone else.”
“No.” Vic clenched his fist and squeezed his eyes shut, searching for an equitable solution. “Let me reduce the price, then.”
“Oh, that’s right. I was paying extra, wasn’t I?”
“That’s so I wouldn’t tell her about the arrangement. I still won’t and I’d rather she didn’t know until I can find the right words.”
“Good luck finding the right words, Vic. Are you sure you want to tell her?”
“As sure as I can be in unfamiliar territory, I guess. I’ll wait for the right opportunity. Meanwhile, I’ll amend the contract we signed and you can initial it.”
“A contract seems a little foolish now.”
“I’d like to keep it professional. I have to pay taxes.”
“You may pay in other ways if Michele finds out now. She might run again—from both of us.”
* * * * *
Michele’s mood was blissful all day. Work was fun, people were sweet, and everything seemed brighter. She didn’t question any of it. Smiling to herself, she chalked it up to fabulous sex in copious quantities that made up for the past two years of living in limbo. Of course, just thinking about it made her want more. When the workday was over they grabbed take-out seafood and went straight to Vic’s house.
“So, did you get the oysters I asked for?” she said with a grin.
“Something tells me we won’t need them.”
“What about your housekeeper? Is she going to walk in on us?”
“No. I called her from the office and gave her the evening off. She had some sort of standing invitation to see her grandson and was quite happy.”
“Good. In that case, can we wolf down dinner and make love in the hot tub?”
“I don’t know about wolfing our food, but we can definitely make love in the hot tub. As long as the neighbors don’t hear us. We’ll have to be quiet.”
“I’ll do my best.” She reached over and stroked his bulging crotch.
“Yeah, I think I’m going to eat quickly,” he said, with a glint in his eye. “In fact, let’s eat on the deck.”
The evening was cooling off, but Michele was just heating up. They carried their paper plates and plastic silverware to the deck. Vic went back inside and returned with a bottle of Champagne and two crystal flutes.
“I hope you don’t mind. I couldn’t find any plastic glasses.”
“Mind? The way I’m feeling, plastic might melt.”
Vic grinned. “Oh, yeah. I’m going to eat very fast. And when I ge
t you in the hot tub, “I’m going to eat nice and slow.”
True to his word, Vic devoured his fish and chips. Michele ate half of hers and tossed the rest in the trash barrel by the cabana.
“Race you,” she said.
Even though she had more clothing to strip off, Vic had more buttons. They were running and tossing clothes at the same time. Michele may have thought she had a slight advantage, but Vic unbuttoned only the top of his shirt and pulled it over his head.
Vic was out of his jeans and briefs in one swoop and leaped over the side of the tub sending water splashing out. Michele was just pulling off her jeans and panties when the wave soaked her.
“Hey,” she cried.
“Sorry. You were gonna get wet anyway, though.”
“That’s true.” She stepped in and eased down into the warm water. “I thought I might try to see how long I could hold my breath underwater.”
“Oh, please do.”
Michele inhaled, held her nose and dove straight for Vic’s cock, which was already hard. She wrapped her lips around it and tried to give a blowjob, while literally blowing air out of her mouth.
She surfaced too soon. “I don’t think it’s gonna work.”
“Maybe if I stand up?” he suggested.
She grinned and nodded. Good Goddess, he looked hot standing there with water dripping off of his thick erection. Michele floated over to him and took him in her mouth as far as she could.
“Ohhh . . .” he moaned. “Yeah, baby. Just like that.”
As she sucked harder and faster, he steadied himself by gripping the metal handrail meant to help people as they stepped in and out. He groaned a couple of times, which was very encouraging.
“Shit, woman, you’re good.”
She continued with fervor, glad she could pleasure him as much as he did her.
His breathing deepened and he rasped, “Better stop. I’m gonna come.”
Michele stopped only long enough to say in a sexy whisper, “Go ahead.”
Vic progressed quickly to the point of no return, spasmed, and let out three short grunts as he shot into her mouth.
She swallowed.
He panted for several seconds, then asked, “Are you all right?”
“Of course,” she said. She leaned back, reached across the fiberglass side and said, “Why do you ask?”
“I don’t know. It’s just that other women I’ve been with spit it out.”
She shrugged. “I don’t want to spit you out.”
He grinned. “I’d never spit you out either. Now it’s your turn, lover.”
* * * * *
Vic awoke with the sun streaming through his bedroom windows. Blessed with the most satisfying night’s sleep he’d had in a while, he stretched and rolled up on one elbow to look at the gorgeous body he’d spent hours loving last night. No, it wasn’t just about Michele’s body.
There were other things he loved about her. Her responsiveness to him. The complete trust and enjoyment she gave him. Her undivided attention to his pleasure, and being sure he experienced the best orgasms he’d ever had.
There were also her natural traits of grace and sensuality. He loved the way she touched his face, and trailed her fingers down his chest. And, oh, what she did to him when she reached his sensitive shaft. He loved how she would look in his eyes while she was sucking his cock. His breathing increased rapidly just remembering her generous attention to his needs. He couldn’t help smiling down at her as he watched her sleep.
Her breathing was slow and regular. One arm curled just above her head and the other rested across her torso. The sheet only covered her to the waist. He watched her beautiful breasts rise and fall. He didn’t even need to touch her. He was enjoying the way his eyes could travel over her shamelessly. The expression on her face was peaceful and showed a hint of her satisfied smile. How did two people who were so different fit together so perfectly?
That was a puzzle he didn’t care to answer. He only wanted to imprint the memory of her at this moment in his mind, and let himself warm to the way she made him feel. He was experiencing sensations that had been missing with other women. When had he ever felt like sex was a transformative experience, rather than just a physical one? He was a better lover with her. Attentive. Unselfish—and that was a new one. He realized that she was making him a better person. He was relearning how to trust a woman.
He’d become so jaded, because the women he’d been with always wanted something from him. Status, jewelry, bragging rights . . . Michele only wanted to be with him, because she liked him. She was genuine. Even when she was angry, she was honest about it.
His wife had been passive aggressive. She’d grin-fuck him to his face and turn around and fuck him in his wallet with her credit card.
He didn’t want to go back to the old cynical Vic. He wanted to stay with Michele and see what happened. Sure, she could change completely, but he doubted she would. Ethics were ingrained in her very nature, as much as her vibrant sensuality.
Chapter 9
As if sensing his gaze, Michele lazily opened her eyes. She returned Vic’s lopsided smile and reached for him. They said good morning with a slow, sensuous kiss. When Vic had finished giving her the last little nibble on her lip and had pulled back, leaving only his hand resting on her stomach, she stretched and asked, “What time is it?”
“Well, the sun is up. I’d guess it’s morning.”
“No, silly.” She chuckled, but she didn’t have a lot of time to be playful this morning. She needed to know the time. “What do the big and little hands on the clock say?”
Vic leaned toward his side of the bed and looked over his shoulder toward the digital clock. “Hmm. There’re no hands. Just some red numbers.”
She gave him a playful swat. “C’mon, Vic. I have someplace I need to be today, and I don’t want to leave Savern waiting.”
“Oh, well then, it’s 8 a.m. Where are we going?”
“Eight! Oh, no. We’re supposed to be at the psychic fair at nine to set up.”
“Psychic fair? What psychic fair?”
She threw the sheet off and leaped out of bed. “If we hurry, we can still make it in time.”
Vic hated being blindsided, but even with the new information to process, he couldn’t help the involuntary clenching in his groin as he caught sight of her naked bottom. She ran to the dresser and yanked open the drawer that contained a few of her clothes.
“Damn,” he muttered. “I was hoping to wake up slowly with your body underneath me.”
“That’s a nice thought, Vic. Save it for tomorrow.” She had already jumped into her underwear.
This morning the black lace panties and bra going on didn’t hold the same appeal as they had last night coming off. For Christ’s sake, Matthews. Get your head in the game. Vic frowned, sat up, and threw the covers off. His cock was stiff.
She didn’t even notice. She was busy pulling on her jeans.
Vic headed for the shower. “So why didn’t I know about this?”
Michele shrugged and said, “I’ll wash up in the other bathroom.” She grabbed an embroidered blouse from the closet and headed down the hall.
He clenched his teeth, and his mouth turned into a thin line. He strode into the master bath and turned on the shower wondering if he even had time to let the water warm up.
Michele hadn’t answered his question. Why hadn’t she told him about this psychic fair? She didn’t say she forgot, or that it was a last minute thing. She’d just said that she had somewhere to be today. Did that mean he wouldn’t be welcome to go with her? Not all the steam coating the glass door came out of the showerhead. Some of it might be coming out of his ears. It stung that she didn’t bring it up—maybe she didn’t want him there because he wasn’t into the witchy stuff. Well, no matter, he was going anyway to keep her safe. Stalker boy might be lurking around.
Once he was through with his three-minute shower, he dressed in faded jeans and an old Bronco’s T-shirt and m
et Michele in the kitchen. She was rifling through the pantry.
“Where does Carmen keep the English muffins she gave us yesterday?”
“I don’t know.” His eyes narrowed. “Are you sure we have time to toast them?”
She halted. “What’s that tone of voice about?”
“I thought you were in a hurry to get out of here. By the way, I’m coming with you.”
She’d found a box of donuts, ripped it open, and handed two to Vic. “You can if you want. It might be boring for you.”
“Michele, I think this psychic fair is a bad idea.”
She shrugged.
“Is that why you didn’t tell me about it before?”
She didn’t answer.
Vic raised his voice. “Don’t you realize that psycho-stalker could be looking for you there? I’ll ask you again. Why didn’t you tell me about this before?”
“I knew you’d try to squash it, and the store needs the business and publicity—badly. Besides, I didn’t think I had to report my business decisions to you.” Her voice was rising to meet his.
“Jesus, Michele. A psychic fair? This is bound to attract every black, white, or pink magician out there. How am I supposed to keep track of you in a crowd like that?”
“You don’t have to. I’ll be fine.”
He couldn’t very well tell her that Alex had paid him to protect her. He took a few deep breaths and forced himself to calm down. “Seriously, babe, you’ve got to tell me about things like that. I can’t let you put yourself in dangerous situations.”
“It’s not like I’m running with scissors in traffic.”
“Uh huh. This must be the obstinate streak Alex told me about.”
She munched on the donut so fast she didn’t even take the time to chew and answered with her mouth full. “So you and Alex are discussing my idiosyncrasies?”
Vic let out a deep breath. He wasn’t getting through to her. What other tactic could he use?
“Alex loves you and wants what’s best for you. And he’s my friend. He knew I might run into your declaration of stubborn independence, so I guess he wanted to warn me ahead of time.”
She shrugged. “My stepfather thinks he knows everything about me, but he doesn’t. For instance, I’m an adult and can weigh my own pros and cons when it comes to my job and my safety. He’s never understood that.”
