“Was there something you thought of me doing to you?”
She nodded again but didn’t elaborate.
“I wish you’d tell me so I can make sure it happens.” He smiled as he looked down at her.
She saw him from the corner of her eye but was too chicken to glance up. Was he laughing at her? How could she answer him without saying the words? “Have you ever heard the song “Sweetest Sin” by Jessica Simpson?”
“No, but I’ll gladly listen to it if you want.”
“Yeah, the words…just yeah.” She nodded again for emphasis.
“I’ll listen to it today.”
“Sounds good.” They walked a little farther in silence. “Um, how long are y’all staying today?”
“Trying to get rid of us?” Nathan asked through a chuckle.
“No, I was thinking about lunch. I don’t have a lot of food.”
“How about we go to lunch then stop by the grocery store. And I think we should talk about my hunch from the other night with Sam as well. Would you be willing to give a blood sample that we can check?”
Vanessa gasped before she regained her composure. “Do you think that’s necessary?”
“I don’t know. If it was poison, it’s probably out of your system, but maybe a trace of something will still be in your blood.”
“Oh, God.”
Nathan stopped walking and waited on her to turn around. “We probably won’t get anything, but let’s check to make sure, okay?”
Tears flooded her eyes, and she couldn’t stop them even if she wanted to, so she wrapped her arms tightly around herself. “Yes, okay.”
“Let’s turn back. I thought we would’ve run into Sam by now.”
As they approached her house, Sam was coming from the opposite direction. “Is everything all right?”
Nathan nodded. “Let’s go to lunch then we can take the sample.” Nathan’s tone was low.
“You asked her?” Sam looked from Nathan to Vanessa. “Are you sure, Vanessa?”
“If it can possibly prove something, then yeah. I just can’t believe I never thought he could stoop that low.”
Sam looked at Nathan. “If we can make all the logistics work out, we can drop the sample off this afternoon.”
Vanessa looked at Sam with confusion. “How?”
“If we get to Charleston before five, I’ve got some friends who can start running tests through their lab. We won’t get the answers tonight, but it’ll start the process sooner,” Sam said.
They went through her home and locked all the doors before they loaded into Nathan’s truck to find lunch.
When they returned two hours later, she had several bags of groceries that the guys carried into her house. While Nathan helped her put things away, Sam prepared his kit to take her blood.
“Ness, it’ll just be a prick in the arm. Sam only needs one vial, and that will be enough for them to run several tests.”
Her hands shook as she closed the refrigerator. “You’d think I would be used to giving blood, but it scares me every time.”
“I’m right here for you, beautiful.”
Vanessa and Nathan walked into the sunroom when Sam was ready. “Sit over here, Vanessa. It’ll be more comfortable and easier if I sit on the trunk,” Sam said.
Vanessa sat down and looked at Nathan who stared at her with confident eyes and appeared to be willing his strength to her. A flashback to an earlier conversation flooded her mind. “I’ll give you all of my strength. Anything you need.”
Nathan’s phone rang and their connection was broken.
“Cox.” There was a long silence as Nathan’s brows furrowed in concentration at the words being spoken. “All the food. Test for any kind of poison. Something that’s tasteless.” Nathan looked directly at her. “She said her stomach would hurt after he fixed her breakfast. Sam’s taking a sample of blood now, and we’re running it to Charleston this afternoon. Thanks.”
Nathan disconnected the call. “Evan and Rodney are on their way to your house to gather the food. You heard what I said, did I miss anything?”
“No,” she said with a smile of gratitude that she hoped he understood. “Thank you.”
Sam finished. “Vanessa, it was good seeing you again. I hope to see you real soon.” He smiled at her then turned to Nathan. “I’m waiting in the truck.” He slapped Nathan on the back as he walked past.
Nathan lifted his chin to Sam then turned to Vanessa. “Alone again,” he quietly said.
Vanessa smiled and bowed her head as she tucked some hair that had fallen from the ocean breeze behind her ear. She was nervous but excited too. When he held his hand out to her, she willingly took it. The relief that washed over his face was as clear as glass.
“So it seems.”
For the first time, he pulled her to his body and held her close. “Ness, I know I shouldn’t, but I’m going to kiss you. Tell me now if you don’t want me to.”
“I want you to.” She tilted her face toward him.
He gently laid his lips on hers then slowly deepened the kiss as he held her head in place. Just as he was pulling away, his tongue licked her bottom lip, and a soft moan slipped from her. “Beautiful, I could do that all day.” He rested his forehead against hers.
“Nathan,” she whispered.
“I better go before Sam comes back in here.”
She nodded and backed away. “Thank you for today.”
“I’ll see you soon. I think you’ll have a delivery by the next time I come back.” Nathan smiled.
“Really?”
He nodded.
She walked him to the door and watched as he pulled out of the drive. She touched her lips for what seemed like the hundredth time today.
Was this what love felt like?
10
Nathan and Sam had no sooner left her driveway when Nathan tossed his phone to Sam. “Go to iTunes and find a song called “Sweetest Sin.””
“And why am I looking for that?” Sam chuckled.
“Just do it. I told Vanessa I’d listen to it.”
“Who’s it by?”
“Jessica Simpson.” Nathan winced.
Sam burst out laughing. “Are you fucking kidding me? The girl that played Daisy Duke?”
“One and the same. Just do it while I drive. I’m dying to know what turned her on so much.”
Sam searched for several minutes. “Gotta cord to plug your phone to your truck speakers?”
“Console.” Why the hell was he so nervous about this song? “I don’t want to hear any shit about this song, Sam. I just need to see inside her head. I’m scared it’s going to be something some teenager would listen to since sexually, that’s where she is,” Nathan rambled.
“Dude, let’s just listen to it.” Sam cued the song on Nathan’s phone.
The first few bars of music started, and Nathan rolled his eyes, but when the female voice came through his speakers, he started paying attention. The words were provocative and sexy as hell. By the time she got to the chorus, Nathan was hardening and had to adjust himself. Fuck!
“Oh hell.” Sam shifted in his seat, too. “Why would she tell you to listen to this song?”
“Um, because I asked her about her thoughts this morning before we got there. She told me to listen to the words of this song.” Nathan rubbed his hand down his face. “Son of a bitch.”
Sam’s head jerked toward him. “What the hell is wrong with you? She wants you to make love to her. She’s dreaming about it. Damn, dude, you ought to be flying high right now.”
“Yeah, except she told me that she’d understand if I needed to be with someone else because she doesn’t think she’ll be enough for me. Not to mention, she’s scared to death of sex because of that asshole.” He slammed his hand on the steering wheel. “Now, I’ve got a raging hard-on and can’t be with the woman I want to take care of it.”
“Calm down. We should be in Charleston before four. Let’s call the guys from ATF and DEA. We’ll dro
p off the sample then go have a few beers.”
“Yeah, a few beers sound good. Maybe something stronger,” Nathan said contemplatively.
The rest of the ride was silent. Nathan replayed Vanessa’s words over in his head. “It’s okay for you to be with someone else. What if I can’t? You’re scaring me. I’ve never felt the urge before. I want you to.” God, the mixed signals were driving him crazy. He hadn’t felt this knotted up by a woman in a long time. He pulled his lip between his index finger and thumb, deep in thought. Each time an image of Vanessa flashed in his mind, his balls ached and his cock hardened. At this rate, it was going to have permanent zipper marks on his dick by the time they got into Charleston. Dammit! He had to get her out of his mind.
Nathan drove to the building where they were dropping off the sample while Sam sent texts. They made it with plenty of time to have the sample run, but knew the results may not be back for a few days. From there, they drove to a parking garage and walked to a bar on East Bay Street. They were seated at a table in the back with enough room for several people to join them. As soon as they sat down, a waitress walked over.
“I’m Carrie. I’ll be helping you tonight. What can I get you, gentlemen?”
“Gentleman Jack on the rocks for me,” Nathan said.
“Whatever you’ve got local on tap,” Sam said. When the waitress walked off, he turned to Nathan. “A little early for the hard stuff, don’t you think?”
“Not today.” Nathan typed out a quick text to Vanessa:
In Charleston. Won’t get home until late. Call you tomorrow.
“What the hell is the matter with you? You spent hours with her today. You should be happy,” Sam said.
“No, I spent hours with her and you. Believe me, that doesn’t make me happy. Content that she’s okay but definitely not happy.”
The waitress showed back up with the drinks, and Nathan gave his credit card to her. “Start a tab for us, please.”
“Sure thing, handsome,” she said then flashed Sam a smile.
Nathan looked at Sam and followed his gaze toward the girl. He took a sip of his drink. “Are we staying in Charleston tonight?”
“We’ll see how the night goes.” Sam chuckled.
Nathan took a healthy swig of his drink and felt the burn all the way to his gut. You’re scaring me. He turned the glass up and downed the remainder then flagged the waitress back over.
When she walked up, he smiled. “Another one, but make it a double.”
“You may want to bring a couple waters too, please.” Sam smiled at her.
When she walked past Sam, her hand brushed his. “You okay for now?”
Sam tilted his head down and gave a playful smile and wink. “For now.”
The look on the girl’s face didn’t escape Nathan. “You going to fuck her?”
“Nathan…” Sam said in warning.
Vanessa’s words rang in his head. What if I can’t. “Yeah, maybe that’s what I need to do,” Nathan said.
The waitress brought the drinks over, and Nathan couldn’t help but notice how she flirted with Sam. Vanessa wouldn’t do that. He didn’t think she even knew how to flirt. She was denied the opportunity.
“Nathan, what are you talking about?”
“Getting laid.” He took another large gulp of the amber liquid.
“What?” Sam asked.
Before Nathan could answer, they heard their names being called. “Nathan, Sam! How the hell are you guys?” someone said as a group of men and women approached the table.
Nathan glanced at Sam with trouble in his eyes.
“Hello, Nathan.” A voice he hadn’t heard in over a year seductively tempted his ears.
“Diane,” Nathan quietly said as he looked her in the eyes then scanned her body from head to toe. Damn, she still looked good.
He stood so she could have his seat. When she placed a hand on his, his eyes went straight to where their bodies touched and stayed there. He didn’t get the same thrill as when Vanessa touched him, but a familiar pull.
“How have you been?” Diane asked.
His eyes rolled up to meet hers. It’s okay for you to be with someone else. “Busy. How about you?”
Her finger started drawing circles on his hand in the sensitive spot between his index finger and thumb. “Lonely. I’ve missed you.”
I don’t know if I can. He slammed back the rest of his drink and signaled for another.
“Nathan, what the hell are you doing?” Sam leaned over and spoke directly into his ear.
“Sam, I’d like you to meet Diane.” Nathan looked pointedly at Sam.
Sam reached out his hand to greet her. “Nice to meet you,” he politely said as he shot daggers at Nathan.
Nathan chugged half of a glass of water while he waited on his drink. The rest of the group was talking among themselves while Diane was smiling at him. Fuck! He’d been horny for days and couldn’t touch Vanessa. She wanted him to be with someone else. He and Diane had a past so it would be easy with her. It wouldn’t mean anything, just a release, he reasoned.
As the waitress slid his drink in front of him, Diane whispered in his ear, “When you finish that one, why don’t we go back to my place?”
Nathan turned in her direction but didn’t quite look at her as he nodded. He took another huge gulp and felt her hand slide over his thigh. When he looked at Diane, she had a flirty smile on her face, and he knew exactly what was on her mind. The liquor was finally helping him relax, so he didn’t remove her hand. It’s okay…
Nathan put his glass on the table and said with a slight slur, “Write down your address.” He slid a napkin to her as she dug a pen from her purse. She scribbled down an address and handed it to him.
He swayed as he dug his keys from his front pocket and placed a hand on Sam’s shoulder to get his attention. When Sam turned, Nathan put the napkin and keys in his hand. “Be at that address in two hours.”
Sam’s eyes went wide as his brows rose.
“Well, it may be more than two hours. We’ve been known to go all night,” Diane said with a wide smile.
Concern washed over Sam’s face. “Nathan, this isn’t a good idea.”
“Probably not, but she told me to,” Nathan drunkenly said.
“Who told you to?” Diane asked.
Sam narrowed his eyes. “Do you really think she meant it?”
“I don’t know.” Nathan steadied himself with the table.
Diane put her arm around his waist. “I’ve got him.”
“Nathan, you need to think about Vanessa, dude,” Sam said a little louder as Diane walked him around the table. He slung his arm over her shoulder.
Vanessa.
When they got to Diane’s car, Nathan leaned up against it. “Vanessa,” he softly said.
“Who’s Vanessa?” Diane asked.
Nathan inhaled deeply and looked at Diane. She looked nothing like Vanessa. Diane was tall and blonde with curves that went on for miles. Vanessa was shorter. He didn’t know if she had curves, but she had a cute ass in a pencil skirt. What the hell was he doing?
“Who’s Vanessa?” Diane asked again with irritation lacing her voice.
“She’s definitely someone who deserves better than me, and she’s definitely not someone who killed our baby,” Nathan spit out realizing how close he’d come to fucking everything up.
“You’re never going to get past that are you?”
“No, because I was never given the opportunity to have a say in the matter.” Nathan slurred most of the words.
“I couldn’t be pregnant and be in the field, Nathan. I did what was best for my career.” Venom coated her voice.
Nathan ran his hands through his hair. Vanessa wasn’t selfish. Diane killed his baby for her career. “This was a bad idea,” he softly said as he pushed himself off her car and stumbled toward the bar. Before he made it to the door, he pressed a speed dial button.
“Why the fuck did you leave?”
“I’m outside. Get my credit card and sign the tab,” Nathan managed to say as he leaned against the building.
A few minutes later, Sam walked out and stared at Nathan. “I’m glad you didn’t go. You’d feel like shit tomorrow.”
“Take me to her house.”
“What? I threw the napkin away, asshole.”
Nathan shook his head. “Vanessa’s.”
“Dammit, Nathan. It’ll be almost one in the morning when we get there.”
“Sam, I need to see her. I’ve got something to tell her. Please,” he said on an exasperated breath.
“Fine,” Sam said through gritted teeth, “but you better not make me regret this.”
11
“Charles, that hurts!” Vanessa screamed.
“Good, then you won’t be in a hurry for this to happen again,” he said as he pushed into her. “You’re not even wet. I told you to touch yourself because I wasn’t doing it. If you’re too stupid to listen, then you deserve for it to hurt.” He grunted as he tried to push in deeper.
“I…I thought once we were married you’d want to be with me, your wife. Ahhh!” she screamed as he pushed in with more force and broke her membrane. She reflexively tried to close her legs.
Her hands were pinned down as he pumped into her, and she cried the whole time. What seemed like an eternity was truly only a few minutes. “I’ll never want you, and this’ll be the last time I look at your face when I have to fuck you.”
Her mind closed down as her body started to relax, and he withdrew from her as her eyes popped open.
“I’ll always wear these,” he said as he removed the bloody condom, “because my father doesn’t want you on birth control.” He disappeared and left her crying. When he walked back into the room, he had an obvious erection. He pulled on clean clothes then cupped himself where she could see him.
“You’re no longer a virgin. I’ve done my job, so don’t wait up. I’m going to be with a real woman who’ll let me put my cum anywhere I want.”
“But, this is our honeymoon.” She sobbed.
Unbridled Passion: A Riverton Crossing Novel Page 5
