No one will find out about us if Vincent gets a say—and me honestly—because he still has a semi-crazy wife in his background waiting to pounce at any minute. Vincent hadn't been in a relationship with her long, but it didn't mean they hadn't been married for the last however many years. And the city rumor mill definitely won't care to hear his side of the story once the truth comes out."I don't care anymore, Mackenzie. We can't live our lives worried about what Tiffany is going to do. I won't risk losing you because she still wrongly believes she has a hold over my life."I snuggle closer and his hand moves up my thigh, settling between my legs. "You're not going to lose me over Tiffany." At least not now that he finally opened up and told me the truth."How many orgasms will it take to get you to agree to this whole living together thing without complaining or making me eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches?"Any man who would put up with my horrible assistant skills and eat
I decided six orgasms were enough payment for the moving in together and first party thing, but as Vincent's sleek limo pulls up to the large Detroit mansion, I realize I should've held out for more. Lots more.The man beside me smirks at my scowl as if he knows what I'm thinking and doesn't care because he's gotten his way. Again. Only when my gaze falls to his neck and I get lost in the way his tux contrasts against his skin, making me want to lick his neck and bathe myself in his cologne, do I remember how good the orgasms were. The man has a way with his mouth… and tongue.The mansion is constructed from dark red brick with white trim around the windows and a wide staircase leading to the front door. Trees on each side have been manicured and fluffed. The grass remains a vibrant green even in Michigan's fall season, and pumpkins of various sizes and colors line the walkway while corn stalks wrap around the two light posts on each side of the steps."Are you sure about this?"
The man's eyes light up at the word girlfriend, which Vincent apparently wastes no time working into introductions now. He had dates before, but from the reaction of both people, I wonder exactly how those dates have been introduced. I'm guessing not as girlfriends.The older man with graying hair wears a suit that fits him perfectly. He must have been dashing in his day. He still maintains a silver fox aura to him as he latches on to Vincent's hand to shake. "Finally settling down. Are you?"Vincent looks to me and I swear his eyes twinkle. "She may be the one to do it.""I never saw you with a blonde," the older man shakes his head with a smile while his gaze lingers on me. "Don't listen to what they say. The good ones will kick your ass in the board and bedroom."Vincent laughs even as I cringe. It's not the first blonde joke I've heard, but I'd expect certain circles of society to know better."Stephen's wife is a blonde," Vincent explains, taking away some of the burn fr
With my mother not expecting me home until after six because of the hour-long trip from Lansing, I drive right to the doctor's office and park my car in the lot, making it there on time for the last appointment of the day. I begged for the 4:45 slot. Since I've been going to the same family doctor my entire life, they worked me in on short notice. Sometimes smaller towns were splendid for things. As long as the news of why I'm here doesn't seep out into the lobby, everything will be fine. I even made Vincent promise no more secret bodyguards.The doctor's office waiting room smells like someone just finished emptying a can of Lysol into the air. A mother and small child sit in one of the dark green padded chairs in the corner. The little girl rests her head on her mother's shoulder, her eyes slowly closing before they snap open again.An older man sits in the opposite corner, watching a show on one television hanging from the walls. My own spot puts me at an angle where I can see t
My parents' house looks the same as it always has growing up as I walk up to the front door. My mom opens it for me even though I have a key hanging from my ring, and I immediately hug her, squeezing tightly. I can't tell my mother about walking out of the doctor's office and I can only pray it doesn't make it out in the town gossip. Still, just being in her arms her love washes over me. Even though she's unaware of my issues, she's still trying to fix them and comfort me.I may argue and fight with my parents, but they're still mine and I know they have my best interests at heart."Thank fuck you finally made it so we can eat," my brother says, sprawled out on the couch in my parents' living room."Evan, watch your tongue," my mother scolds him, shaking her head in a silent warning."Glad to see you're here, sweetheart," my father adds, turning around from the small treadmill he walks on in front of the TV.It's an oddly comforting sight to see my father doing the exercises
Later, after the sky has grown dark and night has descended on the city, I park my car in my reserved space and take a deep breath. The overnight bag I packed because I planned to spend the weekend with my parents sits heavily in the passenger seat and I scoop it up before getting out of my car.Nerves tickle my stomach as I use the key card to access the elevator and select the penthouse. I texted Vincent when I got in the car in my parents' drive way, but for the entire hour drive back I haven't heard a reply. The elevator that never seems to travel a consistent pace inches up to the penthouse frustratingly slowly.I step off into the little hallway in front of Vincent's penthouse and take a few more deep breaths. I was determined in the car ride on the way here, but the closer I got to the city my nerves took over. Regardless of how I feel about the matter and my worry about how Vincent will respond, the time has come to tell him the truth. There's no wimping out now. No matter
He's picked someone to spend to life with? Who?I'm standing on the railroad track and there's a freight train full of bricks headed my way. Right as it's about to plow into me, the train derails and the bricks scatter the ground around my feet.Vincent picked me.The world doesn't stop while I come to terms with my life-altering realization. Vincent continues to hold me in his powerful arms, giving me the balance I need to stay on my feet even as I want to run to the bathroom and lose my dinner in the toilet.When he speaks again, his words are ice. "If you come near either of us again, I will cancel every single one of my deals with your family."Rachel gasps, seemingly surprised for the first time this evening. "You wouldn't. After something petty like this? You'd lose half your business value if you break the contract."With a firm sweep of his hand Vincent guides me behind his back once again. "You overestimate your family's importance, and I will do it if it means you
His eyes pop open and he looks at me as if seeing a complete stranger. "You're fucking kidding me?"Tears I worked hard to keep back even though I refused to cry make their way to the surface. "I'm sorry," I say around a choked sigh. "I'm not one hundred sure. There were no signs. I've not had any symptoms."Vincent tugs at his hair, and his expression is wild as he refuses to drop my eye contact. There's no look of sympathy in his eyes even as my tears grow faster. "Then why in the hell would you think you're pregnant?"I ring my hands together sniffling back the sobs. "I haven't had a period in a few months, so I took a test the other day…" My sentence trails off and it's met with nothing but silence, the air still between us.Why did I think this would be a good time to tell him? From the way the vein throbs in his forehead with each beat of his heart, Vincent is not taking the news well. Like I expected."And!"I jump back at his yell. "It was positive, but I haven't co