Vincent told me to take as many days I wanted, but I hadn't planned on a week. It went by so quickly with my father in the hospital and then my father coming home. After that I need an extra day to help get him set up to recover in front of his TV in the living room. My brother returned to school in Big Rapids to finish out the summer session and it left me and my mother to do the dirty work.I lean down, hugging my father in his chair and squeezing him hard, his face the constant reminder of how close we came to losing him. My family and I might not always agree, but in the end they're the only people we have in times of need. I vowed multiple times throughout the week to do a better job of being a good daughter."Stay healthy, Daddy," I say squeezing him one last time and pulling back."Of course, your mother will feed me nothing but broccoli for the rest of my life.""If that's what it takes for you to have the rest of your life then so be it." He needs to make sure and live
I tap my foot three more times on the carpet, but there's barely a noise. Nothing satisfying at least. An annoyed foot tap is only good when you can get a satisfying thunk from it as well. The tough Berber carpet doesn't create a sound, which forces me to tap my foot harder and harder to no avail.I stack the seven card on top of an eight in my solitaire game and a loud chuckle comes from Vincent's office. With narrow eyes, I whip around and stare at his door, trying my best not to think evil thoughts but failing.It's been five fucking days since I've been back to work. Every morning I place his coffee and his sandwich from the cafeteria on his desk as I've always done since accepting the position, and every morning he comes in, asks me how my father is while staring at a corner of the room and then goes to his office, closes the door, and I don't see him again for the rest the day.Five days.It is complete and utter bullshit. Vincent laughs again and I visualize myself stabb
I stand, ready to call security if she throws a bucket of water or something, but as I round my desk, Valiant stands from behind his with a big smile on his face greeting her as if they're long-term best friends. Our eyes connect, but his are empty and dead as he walks past his desk and closes the blinds tighter, not that I could see anything in their earlier position."How are you doing today," he says and closes the door, cutting off the rest of his sentence.Who is this woman and why is he so happy to see her this time? It's obvious the two of them know one another, but how closely? He hasn't said and I have no plans to ask.Or do I?... THE CLOCK CLICKS down another hour and I win my solitaire game, the sixth one in a row. I'm getting way too good, but the only other game preloaded on my office computer is minesweeper and no one knows how to play that one—even the people who created the game.The cars in the state employee parking lots have emptied, and the downtown ar
His words hurt and I do my best to lock up my heart the way I did earlier, but it's pointless now. I'm too far gone when it comes to Vincent Valiant. "Why am I the wrong choice?"Was Henry right and Vincent sees me as a plaything, and now he's having guilt over how far he's taken it? It's possible he doesn't feel anything like I do. This is my chance to find out the truth. If I tell Vincent exactly how I feel, he can too. The only thing at stake is a broken heart, and I'll end up with one of those anyway.He runs his hand over my face, cupping it. "Because you are too good for me. I'd stain you."Is that all? I sensed Vincent as a hazard the first time I set foot in his office. He's dangerous, but not like a man who runs a motorcycle club. His danger is wrapped up in thousand-dollar business suits and overpriced cologne. He's trouble you don't see coming. It swoops you up in the middle of the night and before you realize what you've done, it's too late because you're already lost
"You know I hate when you wear this skirt. It makes me want to do things to you all day long. It's much too short."I roll my eyes and then settle into his firm grasp as Vincent bites at my neck. "It's almost to my knees." The first stars pop out in the night sky and the lights in the buildings, apartments, and townhouses nearby flicker to life. I moan as Vincent's thick fingers find my clit and then slip inside my waiting pussy. It's like he already knows what I want."I've wanted you like this for so long," he whispers in my ear and then nibbles the lobe, pulling it tightly between his teeth.My body is Jell-O and I have trouble focusing on his words. With a moan, my hips move with his hand until his smirk tells me he's up to no good as he removes his fingers. He trails his digits up my leg and then sticks his two fingers in his mouth, licking them clean. His chest heats my back and I watch his movements from the reflection in his window. My stomach twists in excitement and fea
When I've gathered enough of myself, Vincent's body hovers over mine and the raw intensity of his stare pierces my mind."You're fucking amazing," he says, tucking my legs around his hips with his cock brushing against the small strip of hair at my mound.I blush, breathing deeply. Why do his words hit me so? Men have called me pretty before, but when Vincent says it, I want to record his words to hear them on repeat for the rest of my life. He runs his sticky finger over my collarbone, taking one of my breasts in his mouth, sucking on the nipple, and then releasing it with a pop."I've dreamt of doing that for so long. You taste of the best honey on the planet. Can you handle more?"He doesn't say what specifically, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure it out as his cock jabs against my stomach. I nod, still trying to find my voice. Vincent leans back, balancing himself on his knees, and with a quick rip of paper takes another moment to cover himself in a condom, t
My dad lowers the volume on the baseball game when it goes to a commercial."You've been home all day, sweetie. And I know you hate baseball. Go out with your friends or something. Be young."He throws his hands up in pretend aggravation but it only makes me smile. "I came home to see you, Daddy."I have no friends left in this town, anyway. I was only close to a few people in high school and all of them have moved on as well. The ones still here I've lost contact with over the years. Besides a Facebook emoji or a comment here or there, we don't talk any longer. Sometimes it feels as if Ashley is my only friend left in the world. Time and other commitments have whittled away many relationships over the years."Did you tell your boss thank you?" he asks during a rental car commercial.I blush, reminding myself to get a grip on my emotions. Vincent is an hour away, but he still has a profound effect whenever I think of him. "Yes, and Mom gave me a platter of cookies to take bac
I hate lying to my friend, but I'm not ready to examine my relationship with Vincent under a microscope the way Ashley will want and demand. It would take hours. She'd make me draw out a diagram and timeline of our relationship. Lying is easier. For everyone. "Yeah, I was helping my mom.""Stop at the store and pick up ice cream because tonight we're having a girls' night. I get to pick the movie.""But you always pick sad ones." I wasn't one of those women who wanted to watch a movie and spend the entire time crying.Ashley laughs knowing it's the truth. "This is a new one, about a royal who falls in love with a commoner.""Wasn't that made by Hallmark?""Shhh, don't hate. Life is simpler in the Hallmark universe."That she's got right. "Okay, I'll grab the sweets and meet you back at the apartment."We hang up and I take the offramp and exit earlier getting myself closer to the store. I planned to sneak up to Vincent's office, but a night with my best friend would be go