The NOVA Trilogy Boxed Set

by Jayce, Aven

  “Bad business decisions. Poor choice in product.”

  “Drugs?”

  “No. Worse. But in the end it doesn’t matter what it was, it was illegal and my father was set up to cover his partner’s tracks. Your father never spoke up to anyone about it, and to this day he lets my father rot in prison. I’ve spent my adult years without my dad because of Paul Jameson. He’s a coward and a bully.”

  “So, is this when he came back into my life?”

  “Yes. When my father was arrested your dad made sure that my mother and I were taken care of. He’s supported us over the years, and when I had enough experience in his company, I started working for him as a partner instead of an employee. I was eighteen when all of this happened, just a year older than you were at that time, and I believe the entire situation, especially having me in his life, forced him to think about his own children.”

  “My father did this to your family?” I say, my tone direct; my eyebrows slanted in anger. “Why would you even think that I would hate you over this? My week has been spent trying to understand and forgive my father, and now I’m convinced that my heart was right. I can’t trust him.”

  “You should hate me. I used you to harm him. That’s not something that’s excusable.”

  “No, it’s not. But it is forgivable.” I caress his hand as he has done to mine.

  “Sophia,” my name spoken from his lips in a low and longing voice. “I want to touch you. I need to feel you, but I’m afraid. The feelings I’ve acquired over the past week for you are nothing like any I’ve ever experienced in the past. I’m worried that I may lose you and I don’t know what to do. I’m being as forthcoming as I can so you know where I stand, and maybe I’ll have a chance. We need to think about tomorrow, or if we stay here for more than a day, we need to figure out what we’re going to do. I know my mother will be working on a few ideas, but I need to know your thoughts on the situation.”

  “Do we have to jump back into reality so quickly? Maybe we should enjoy one another’s company this evening. We’re finally alone, and we can go back to the real world tomorrow.”

  A text comes through and I walk over to my coat, taking my phone out of the front pocket. It’s from Mera.

  TREY IN HALL, ALL IS WELL.

  “Everything okay?”

  “Yeah, it’s Mera. Our night patrolman is back in the hall, and she said everything’s okay. I guess we haven’t been discovered just yet.”

  A second text comes through.

  OPNED MAC TO NOVA TAT SEARCH – CALL ME

  “Still okay?”

  “Yeah. She’s just wishing me a good night,” I say, keeping the last message to myself. Now isn’t the time to change the subject.

  “I guess your relationship with your friend is like the one with my mother.”

  “No. It really isn’t, at least I hope not. Mera and I used to be lovers.”

  “Really?” Cove’s eyes widen in disbelief. “But, you do like men too, right? I’m not just imagining that you enjoyed what we did yesterday, am I?”

  “No, that part of my life with Mera is over. I’ve never experimented with any other woman besides her, and now we’re just best friends. Actually, she’s more than that. She’s my family, and the only person I can say that about.”

  “Since your phone is out, let’s do two things,” he says, taking his out of his pocket. “First, turn off your location services so no one can track us.”

  “Good plan,” I say, as I change my settings.

  “And second, let me set my number into your phone and you can do the same with mine.”

  Cove hands me his phone and I type my number into his contacts list. When I’m finished, his main screen shows a family photograph. It’s him as a teenager, his mother, and a man whom I’m assuming is his father. The three of them stand on the shore of a lake, and Cove is holding a small fish that he must have just caught. His parents are on opposite sides of him, each with one hand on his shoulder, and the entire family is smiling. His parents are in swimsuits, and Cove is wearing a pair of cut off jean shorts. His chest is bare and tan; he obviously spent a lot of time outdoors to achieve such dark skin.

  “That’s my father.”

  “You look just like him.”

  “That photo was taken the summer before my father met your father. It was our last vacation together before the business started.”

  “You look happy.”

  “I was. We all were happy at one time. My father’s a good person and he was just trying to give us the best life possible. When he found out what was going on he tried to step in and change the company, but your father has all of the power and control in this business. My father is guilty of knowing what happened and ignoring the situation. I’m angry at him for that, but I also understand he really didn’t have any way out. When you work for Paul Jameson, you’re no longer a human being. You become an item for consumption.”

  “Cove,” my voice wavering in fear as I say his name. “Are you saying that you were his employee before you were eighteen?”

  “Yes.”

  “How old?”

  “I’m not ready to go there with you yet, Sophia.”

  “So it was child pornography that my father was involved in?”

  “Yes. Can we leave it at that? It’s hard for me to talk about it.”

  I look down at the photo on his phone once more. Cove said that it was taken right before the business started. He looks like he’s around twelve, just skin and bones, his ribs poking out of his chest like you see on most pre-pubescent boys. My stomach ties into a tight knot as I envision Cove forced into my father’s corrupt world at such a young age.

  “Don’t think about it too much. It will haunt you if you do.”

  “God, Cove. How can I not think about it? I can’t believe my father would do something like this to a young teenager.”

  “A few,” Cove says shaking his head in disgust. “It wasn’t just me, there were a few of us.”

  “I’m sorry. I need a moment to let all of this sink in.” I move away from the couch as Cove looks at me with worried eyes. “Give me a second,” I tell him.

  I run into the bathroom and lock the door. I sit on the edge of the tub, bringing my head down into the palms of my hands. A tear forms, and then another. I begin sobbing, for Cove, for myself, for mistreating my body and using people for so many years.

  Cove knocks on the door and asks if I’m okay.

  “Do you mind if I take a bath? I really need to be alone.”

  “You sound like you’re crying.”

  I try to hold in the tears, but at this point, I’m unable to stop my emotions from pouring out.

  “I’ll be okay,” I say, sputtering out the words.

  “Sophia, open the door. I don’t want you to be alone when you’re hurting so much. Give me a chance to help you.”

  “Five minutes, and I’ll let you in. I promise. Just give me that time alone, please.”

  There’s no sound after that. He’s giving me the space that I need.

  I slump to the floor in front of the jetted tub with my arms wrapped around my knees. I turn my head to the side, rest my cheek on my kneecaps, and stare at the marble wall. I wish I were in another city, just me, Cove, Mera and Lewis. We could all live together in one big house.

  Oh hell, what am I thinking? This isn’t a fairy tale. My life is fucking dark. I’ll have to face my father at some point, and the reality is neither Cove nor I may be living in St. Louis after he finds us. I sob more, allowing the pain in my stomach and heart to flow out. How can I help Cove move past his years as a teenager in my father’s business? Won’t he always be reminded of my father when we’re together? Won’t he see my father in my features? My face? My eyes?

  “Cove? Are you there?”

  “Yes. I’m still right outside the door.”

  “What we’re doing right now in this hotel, hiding out, is this another way for you to hurt my father like you did yesterday? Are you usi
ng me again to get back at him?”

  “No,” he whispers. “I understand your concern and why you might question my motives right now, but I really do like you. I’m not here with you to get back at him. I’m here because I want to spend time with you, get to know you, and unfortunately your fucking father is interfering with my life once again.”

  I had to ask, and I believe him. He’s sincere when he talks about me, the tone of his voice changes and he speaks much slower than when he’s talking about my father, and the business.

  I watch Cove’s shadow move under the bottom crack in the door. He paces, waiting for me to let him in. I close my eyes and try to think about what I’m doing, what I need to think about and process while I’m sitting in here by myself, but there’s nothing. My father is an ass and he broke the law, it’s that simple. He destroyed a young boy and an entire family. Half of Cove’s life has been spent in the porn industry and the only thing I can do is to show my support to him. I can’t change what he’s been through, or what I’ve been through. I can’t change anything from the past, I can’t stay angry, and I have to stop hiding.

  I stand, blow my nose, fix my hair, wipe the rest of the tears from under my eyes, and take a deep breath. This is life. What I need is outside that door.

  I hear a beep come from the other side and Cove’s voice enters my space again.

  “Sophia. It’s been five minutes. Time’s up; now let me in. I’m worried about you.”

  I open the door without hesitation and Cove immediately wraps me in his arms.

  “Please don’t be sad about this. You can be angry, but don’t be sad for me.”

  “I’m sick to my stomach about this… about everything; my father, and my feelings for you.”

  I see that he has taken the comforter off the bed, along with the pillows, making a relaxing place for us to lounge in front of the fireplace. Good, and escape from reality. I step out of my shoes, and he does the same, taking his shirt off next as I pull my sweatshirt over my head.

  Our eyes lock, as he approaches me in long, fast strides, and his lips lock onto mine.

  “I can’t imagine a more beautiful and caring woman in this world,” he says between deep kisses. His large lips embody mine, tugging, nipping, licking, until I feel the area between my legs moisten. He uses his tongue in a swirling motion, taking command of my mouth, charging deep inside. God, he must be in so much pain. His mouth, jaw, and lips must all hurt like hell.

  He leaves sweet pecks along the side of my neck, down to my chest. His mouth reaches my breast and he flicks a nipple with his tongue. His hand cups it, and pulls it upward into his mouth. He sucks hard and bites my skin, sending shivers down my body.

  “Beautiful,” he says again, before walking into the bedroom to pull a pair of red and black flannel pajama bottoms from his suitcase. I watch as he takes off his jeans and socks, folding the clothing, and placing the items on the bedroom chair. His erection is pushing out of his boxers, the size impressive and something I forgot to mention to Mera. “Would you like to put on something more comfortable for the night?” he asks.

  I nod yes, and he lifts my black yoga pants out of my pile of clothes.

  “My mother didn’t feel right about rummaging through your intimates, so it looks like she only packed these for you, I hope they’re okay,” he says, handing them to me.

  I smile, thinking about Leondra going through my closet. He looks confused about the humor I find in his mother’s apparent modesty.

  “So Cove, you know your mother has seen me naked, right?”

  “She didn’t have much of a choice when your father demanded to speak to me. She had to interrupt us.”

  “No. I mean she’s really seen me naked. She was at my figure drawing class, the one I model nude for, she studied my most intimate area for over an hour.”

  Cove laughs, falling down onto the couch and holding his ribs and stomach, as he enjoys the image I just placed in his head. He gasps for air, trying to deal with the pain from his injuries as he attempts to control the movement of his chest with each burst of laughter. He tries a giggle but resorts to a giant smile to ease the pain.

  “No, I’m serious, it was embarrassing. I find it bizarre that she didn’t want to touch my night clothes and other intimates, but she’s okay with looking at my vagina?”

  “Stop,” he says, laughing some more. “Please, it’s too much.” Cove’s eyes tear and I join him on the couch, smiling at his amusement about the situation.

  “Okay, you knocked me off my feet with that one,” he admits. “If I didn’t know my mother, I might be embarrassed too, but she’s been working with nudes since she was a college student years ago. Those photographs hanging on my wall were all shot by her. The nude black and white photograph above my fireplace is also of her. It’s her self-portrait from when she was a student.”

  “At this point, with everything else you’ve told me, I’m not surprised you have a nude portrait of your mother hanging on your living room wall.”

  “It’s not like that,” he says, no longer laughing, but still relaxed. “It’s art, and I think she’s good at what she does, so I show my support for her, just like she does for me.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it.”

  “I know. She was trying to be polite by not going through your private belongings in your home. It’s different from you putting yourself out there in front of her.”

  “You’re right, Cove. You’re absolutely right.”

  “Also, she hasn’t seen your most intimate area like I have. You’re mistaken if you think that it’s here,” he says, placing a hand down into my crotch, applying pressure between my legs. “It’s actually here,” he moves his hand up my stomach and rests it over my heart. “And it’s here,” his tone passionate as he brushes his fingers along the side of my cheek, looking directly into my eyes. We lean in and kiss. Cove moans this time as my hand reaches down his length. He’s rock hard and I’m still worried about hurting him. My hand slides into the slit and I pull him out of his boxers. I lower my head and lick the pre-cum from the tip of his throbbing head. He takes my chin in his hand and guides me back up to his lips for another deep kiss. His mouth is moist and warm and we moan in unison at one another’s touch.

  “Sophia,” he whispers. “I’m sorry, but I’m not sure I’m going to be able to do very much this evening with you. I mean, I want to, but I don’t know how much I can take. I can’t tighten any muscles in my abdomen, and my lips are already sore.”

  I place one finger in front of his mouth, hushing him without touching his lips, and then I undress and slide into the yoga pants. Cove puts the flannel pajama bottoms on before the two of us settle on the comforter in front of the fire. I lay in front of him, his arm wrapped over me, and we spoon, finally enjoying some down time in silence. He teases me, nibbles at my ear every so often and kisses the back of my neck. His fingers run through my hair as we stare into the fire watching the flames flicker and the wood crack. His erection stays firm, pushing into my back. It’s the last thing I feel and remember as I drift off to sleep.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  It’s dawn when I open my eyes. There are only a few smoldering embers left in the fireplace as the faint light of day struggles to break through the edges of the closed curtains on the windows. Cove and I slept through the entire night, his arm wrapped around my chest, leaving for only a moment to use the bathroom. I turn to face him, his eyes are open, and we both smile. I nestle my forehead into his chest, and he places a kiss on the top of my head.

  “How’d you sleep?” I ask; my voice muffled in his chest.

  “Surprisingly well. I was glad to hear you did too.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You have the cutest little snore. You sounded like a kitten with a cold,” he laughs.

  “I’m sorry. I hope I didn’t keep you awake.”

  “Just the opposite. You pacified me to sleep with each high-pitched snort. It was comforting.
”

  “You look better, but also worse than yesterday.”

  “I’m not sure if that’s a complement or not, Sophia.”

  I study his face for a moment. “The swelling’s down, which is good, but your bruises are darker, more of a reddish-purple color. Especially the one next to your eye.” I lift my hand up and follow the outline of the bruise.

  “They’ll all go away soon enough, then you won’t have to look at me and be reminded of your father.”

  “Ha. I was thinking last night that you have to be reminded of him every time you look at me. I am his daughter after all.”

  “I don’t see one small ounce of Paul Jameson in you. I see you, and only you.”

  He leans in and brushes against my lips, placing little pecks around my mouth. His tongue sweeps inside, encircles mine, and sucks on it like it’s a sugary treat. I let out a whimper as the entire area between my legs begins to flutter. I push my pelvic bone into his groin, longing to feel his hard erection once again.

  Cove thrusts his body over mine, my back on the floor; face up, looking into his eyes. A few of his dark locks fall forward as he leans down for another deep kiss.

  I yearn for this man to be inside of me and decide to make a move. Lowering my hand down to his flannel bottoms, I reach for his stiff cock. He exhales when I latch onto him, lifting his hips so I can stroke him while he bites my lips. His breathing synchs with each movement and he watches my hand pleasure him from below.

  Cove moves his body away, forcing my hand to detach from his shaft. He takes my wrist and lifts my arm above my head, keeping it from his flesh.

  “I want more than that,” he says.

  “Are you feeling better? Can we fuck?”

  His eyes have a look of disappointment after he hears those words. He sits up and positions himself between my legs in a kneeling position. He stares at the floor between us, almost as if he’s looking right through our clothes.

  “No. I’m not feeling well enough to do anything like that, and I’m a little confused by what you mean by fuck.”