Текст книги "S.O.B. "

Автор книги: J. C. Valentine

сообщить о нарушении

Текущая страница: 8 (всего у книги 16 страниц)

16

When Vista came down the stairs in her little red polka dot bikini showing plainly through a flowing sheer dress, I thought I’d mixed the wrong pills and was hallucinating. Turns out she was serious when she said she wanted to use the pool. Indulging her, I put on my swim trunks and escorted her downstairs to the in-house pool. It’s fancy, even by my standards. Made to look like some Roman bathhouse, it’s decked out in imported tiles with reliefs on the ceiling depicting what I assume to be mythical gods, and there are potted ferns every-freaking-where.

Even a rich prick like me has to shake his head at the sight.

“This is where we’re going to do it?” Vista’s eyes are wide, darting everywhere as she tries to soak it all in at once.

“As many times as you want,” I tell her, smirking when she levels me with one of her disapproving frowns that make her forehead wrinkle adorably.

“I’m not even going to dignify that with a response.”

With her chin held high, she takes the lead. There are chairs set up around the entire perimeter of the pool for the residents, and Vista chooses one¸ dropping her towel at the foot and, no lie, when she strips off the sundress, I think I have a stroke.

She has the most beautiful body I have ever seen on a woman. Fit, firm, curvy in all the right places. I love her ass most of all. At the pond, I had my fingers buried in those cheeks so hard she probably had bruises for days after, and I’ve been anticipating when I can do it again. Despite her determination to keep me at arm’s length, I can’t get her off my mind.

Approaching the edge of the pool, she dips her toes into it to test the temperature. “I’m assuming you know how to swim?” she asks sarcastically over her shoulder.

“Like a fish.” Dropping my towel at the foot of the chair next to hers, I stand facing her with my arms folded over my chest.

“I think we’ll start with a couple laps to get your blood pumping.”

“I can think of a few other things that will get my blood pumping.” She casts me another look over her shoulder and I wink at her, which only irritates her more. Or so she pretends. Personally, I think she likes it when I play with her. I know I do.

“So laps. I think one or two should do it. Just remember to take it easy. The water provides a natural resistance. You won’t realize how tired your muscles are until you get out of the pool.”

“I know how it works, princess. Are you planning to join me?” Taking the hem of my shirt between my fingers, I pull the material over my head and toss it aside with my towel. When I look up, I find Vista’s eyes on my chest, openly staring.

A small smile forms as I walk toward her. “If you want it, don’t be ashamed to ask for it.”

Blinking up at me, that deer in the headlight look she has from being caught quickly morphs into a death glare. “I’m not asking.”

“Maybe your mouth isn’t,” I say, leaning down and placing mine next to her ear, “but your body definitely is.” Turning my face toward hers, I let my beard scrape gently across her flushed cheek before placing a light kiss beside her mouth. Her lips part slightly, and I hear the sharp intake of breath at the contact. She wants me. I don’t know why she resists so hard.

“We already did it once. What’s one more time?” I hold her gaze in mine for a few beats before backing off. “When you’re ready to live again, let me know.” Then I dive into the pool and let the water envelope me.

My breath momentarily evaporates as my lungs constrict and my body adjusts to the change in temperature. Kicking my legs, I push myself through the water at a furious pace, making it to the opposite end of the pool in a matter of seconds. I haven’t been swimming like this in a while, unless hot tubbing with super models counts. It’s nice to be back in the water, the smell of chlorine everywhere.

When my hands touch the smooth tiled wall, I flip deeper beneath the surface. Once I’m turned around, I kick off, using the wall to jettison me back to the opposite side and returning even faster than I went.

When I come up for air, I see Vista’s feet on the concrete lip in front of me. Wiping water from my eyes, they travel up the length of her toned legs to her flat stomach and round breasts. When I reach her face, I’m not surprised to find her scowling.

“I told you to take it easy.”

“Didn’t I?” Lifting my arms out of the water, I prop them on the edge of the pool.

“No, you didn’t. You completely ignored my instructions.” Huffing, she stands there, looking out across the water and taking deep breaths to compose herself. “Look, maybe you don’t care if you recover or not because you don’t plan to go back to playing soccer, but I do. Healing properly takes time and patience, and if you think you’re in pain now, just wait until you’re fifty.”

Normally, I like riling her up, but this time something about her tone makes me bristle. “I appreciate what you’re trying to do, Vista, I really do. But it’s my body and I know my limitations. Don’t forget, I’ve been here before. Numerous times.” Dropping my head back, I dip down into the water, soaking my hair.

“That’s the point though, isn’t it? You’ve been here numerous times. Isn’t that the reason you have a fully stocked medicine cabinet?”

She’s so smug, looking down on me as if she’s the authority on my life. I just fired my father from that role. I’ll be damned if she steps in to fill his shoes. “Do you know what I think, princess?” I ask, smiling slyly back at her. “You’re so busy handling everyone else’s business that you keep forgetting to live your own life.”

My hand shoots out before she can realize my intention. She jumps when I grab a hold of one of her hands that hangs at her side, and the scream she belts out when I give it a yank, sending her sailing forward into the pool, bounces off the walls.

“You son of a bitch!” she splutters when she breaks through the surface. Her dark hair is plastered to the sides of her face, and she frantically rubs at it to clear it of water.

Laughing, I float just out of reach in case she gets any bright ideas and tries to slap me. “What’s wrong, princess? I thought you liked when I make you wet.”

Growling, she sweeps her hands through the water, tossing waves of it into my face. Thankfully, I see it coming, giving me just enough time to turn my head away. “I don’t think you want to start a war with me, princess,” I warn her.

“You don’t know what I want,” she returns with another wave.

I shake my head, feeling water pooling in my ear. Such a defiant brat. I love it. “If that’s how you want it...Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Spreading my arms out, I drag them back in fast, gathering up so much water that when I release it toward her I can’t see her through the thickness of it. I repeat the process a few more times, giving her no time to recover. She wanted a war, so I’m giving it to her.

“I give up! I give up!” she yells, her voice garbled from a mouth full of water.

Freezing with my arms out and ready, I give her a look of warning. “What was that, princess?”

“I said I give up!” Dragging her hands over her hair, she slicks it back from her face. Her makeup is long gone and she looks completely worn out. I feel a twinge of guilt when she looks up at me and I see that her eyes are bloodshot.

“Are you really done or just playing possum?”

“I swear,” she says, holding up her right hand. “I’m done. You made your point.”

Satisfied, I float over to her and slip my hand around her waist. She looks like she wants to protest as I pull her to me but when I cradle her face in my hand, her words stall out. “Do your eyes hurt?”

She seems confused by my concern but her body is way ahead of her brain. She’s already molding to me, her hands cuffing my biceps and her chest and stomach flattening against mine. “They’re a little irritated from the chlorine. I’ll put some drops in them when we get back.”

“Do you want to go now?” I don’t like the idea of her being uncomfortable or in pain.

“No, we’re already behind with the workouts. We should get started.”

“Screw the workout,” I snap. “If your eyes are bothering you, then we should go.” I start swimming toward the side of the pool, hauling her along with me. In truth, I’m pissed at myself. As usual, I wasn’t thinking, and now Vista is suffering for my actions.

Tugging herself free of me, Vista’s expression is a mix of amusement and annoyance. “I said I’m fine, Levi. It happens any time I get into a pool. I’ll worry about it later. Now, let’s get the show on the road. We’re killing daylight here.”

Skeptical, I join her back in the middle of the pool, ready to haul her out of here if I catch any sign that she’s lying to me. “If you’re sure...”

Rolling her eyes, she huffs. “I’m sure, okay? Now shut up about it already.”

My lips twitch. This is the Vista I enjoy being around. She’s as sexy as she is feisty and it turns me on like nothing else. “Okay, princess, but before we get started...”

“What are you doing?” she yells, laughter and disbelief ringing in her voice.

Tossing my shorts onto the side of the pool, I smile unabashedly. “Getting comfortable. Now, it’s your turn.” I reach out to help her with her top, but she slaps my hand away.

“The hell it is! You stay away from me.” She backstrokes away from me and, judging from the smile on her face, she wants me to chase her.

“I’m just trying to help you with that bucket list. Don’t be shy now, princess. You don’t have anything I haven’t already seen before.”

“Go away!” Flipping onto her stomach she rotates her arms through the water to get away.

I dive after her. Just like before, she doesn’t get far before I’ve caught up with her. Grabbing her ankle, I tow her backward until I have my arms around her, her back fastened against my chest. We’re both breathing heavily and water drips into my eyes, but the only thing I care about right now is how she feels in my arms—smooth, slippery, and warm. She’s pure temptation.

My cock stands at attention and I rock my hips to show her the effect she has on me. “Didn’t your mother teach you not to run from a predator? It makes them want to chase you more.”

“Didn’t your father ever teach you that sometimes prey want to be caught?”

Oh, this woman. Running my mouth up the side of her neck, I kiss her lightly beneath her ear. “Have you ever done it in a pool before?”

“No, but I’ve done it in a pond. Does that count?”

“No,” I breathe against her moist skin. As we talk, I begin moving us closer to the edge of the pool. When we reach it, Vista grabs onto the side, pressing her front into the wall as I crowd in behind her. Flashbacks of doing her in the pond hit me and goosebumps break out over my skin.

“I’m going to fuck you on every surface of this building,” I promise her as I pluck the bow holding her top up free. The strings fall uselessly into the water and my hands move up to cup her perfect breasts. “Have you ever fucked in a public place before?”

Her head moves from side to side and a small moan leaves her when I pinch her nipples. I’m more than ready to introduce her to a few new things.

Releasing one nipple, I run my hand down her stomach. The muscles clench beneath my palm when I reach the top of her bikini bottom and slip inside to cup her. “You’re so fucking beautiful,” I tell her as I slid a finger between her lips and spread her cream around. “Do you know how much it pleases me to know how hot and wet and ready you always are for me?”

Her breathing deepens as I circle my finger around her clit. She’s already swollen, so eager to be touched and needing release that I can’t restrain myself. Needing to feel more of her, I release her other nipple and peel her bottoms off. As soon as they plop onto the floor, I have my dick between her thighs. With my hand between her legs, I press my cock tighter, running the head through her wet folds as I rock my hips.

“Oh, Jesus, Levi,” she breathes, pressing her ass back into me and forcing me to hold onto her hips to keep control of the situation.

“You want my cock inside you, princess? You’re gonna have to beg me for it.”

“Please.” The request flows from her lips automatically, but where would the fun be in it if I didn’t make her sweat it out a little longer?

Faster, I pump against her. Her lips encompass me, wrapping my dick in their heat as I slide against her. Every time the head makes contact with her swollen clit, we both moan. I feel the familiar tingle in the base of my spine begin to build, and I know I’m not going to last much longer. But I refuse to come until she does.

Replacing my hand between her legs, I fit my length up nice and tight against her, forming a seal, and pound away. Every thrust forces a squeak of passion from her chest, and when she’s moaning in earnest, her body trembling from the need to come, I pull back and slide into her.

“Oh, God!” Her shouts fill my ears, spurring me on, amping me up until I’m shouting right along with her. We’re too loud, and we’re probably calling the attention of everyone on the first floor, but who the fuck cares?

“Baby, I’m about to come.” Grabbing her chin, I turn her face to mine and smash our lips together. The instant her mouth opens and she starts panting and moaning into mine, I know she’s coming. It triggers my own orgasm, and I pull out at the last possible second. Fisting my cock, I pump it, washing her ass with hot jets of semen that are immediately absorbed by the water.

This is the second time I’ve come into my hand with her. I’ve always used protection with other women, and I’ve never gone in without first checking to see if they were on the pill. I’ve done neither with Vista. Gathering her to me, I rest my head against hers and close my eyes as I collect my breath and wait for my heart rate to come down. “We seriously need to get some condoms.”

“No kidding,” she laughs. “Can you imagine what the headlines would read if I got pregnant?”

“Rich soccer player impregnates little sister,” I imagine. I can laugh about it now, because it’s never going to happen, but a small part of me cringes on the inside. It would be a total nightmare to deal with that kind of blowback.

Turning in my arms, Vista loops hers around my neck, smiling. “We’ll use protection next time.”

“So, for the record, there is going to be a next time?” I ask, hope filling me up.

“Maybe,” she says coyly, “if you’re good.”

“Baby, I’m always good.” Taking her mouth, I slip my tongue inside, licking and sucking at her lips until we’re both worked up again and she’s lifting her legs to hook around my hips.

I’m hard as a rock and ready to go again, sliding into her with ease, when I hear a throat clearing above us. Every muscle in my body tenses and Vista goes stock still, not even risking lifting her head at the sound. Knowing one of us has to deal with it, and not being one to be ashamed of my actions, I look up, expecting to tell some uptight granny in residence to fuck off, only to have my blood run cold.

I’d recognize those polished black loafers anywhere. Sure enough, as my gaze travels higher to the pressed black pants and matching suit jacket, all the way up to the cold blue eyes I share, there’s no mistaking who our intruder is. Or the company he brought with him.

“Dad, Lara. I’d say it’s good to see you both, but...”

Eyes stormy, my father looks like he wants to murder me. And Lara? She just looks humiliated. “To think I came here to apologize,” my dad says caustically. “I told you to stay away from her, didn’t I? I made myself very clear. I should have known you couldn’t be trusted. To think I actually fought for you. I should have sent you to live with your whore mother—”

“David, stop.”

The only thing keeping me from leaping out of this pool right now and starting a war is my stepmother’s soft voice and the fact that I’m the only thing keeping what’s left of her daughter’s dignity intact. I tighten my arms around Vista’s trembling body to remind her that I’m still here with her.

Her hand on his arm, Lara becomes the voice of reason as she speaks to my father in that way of hers that always seems to calm the beast. “We should take this someplace private, so we don’t attract any more attention.”

Attention? Glancing over, I realize we’re far from being alone. The building manager is standing in an alcove with his hands on his hips and wearing a deep, disapproving scowl.

To me, Lara says, “You’re father and I will have a talk with him,” she says, indicating the manager, “and we’ll meet you back in your apartment as soon as we get this handled. You two go get dressed.”

I search her face for any kind of anger or judgment. I’ve only known Lara a few years, but out of all the women my dad has married, she’s the only one I’ve ever liked. She’s the only one to treat me like a son.

I’m not used to feeling ashamed of my actions, but when she looks down at me like that, I only see sadness and disappointment, and I feel like hanging my head. What have I done?

17

“They’re adults, David,” my mother reasons. “They’re not even blood related.”

Rounding on her, my stepfather’s face contorts with rage. “You’re taking his side now? He’s fucking your daughter, for Crissake! DNA is beside the point, Lara! Do you know what would happen if the media got ahold of this? They’d run this whole family through the mud. Him, her, me, you, all of us would be ruined, and I’ve worked too damn long and too damn hard to have it all thrown in the trash because my worthless son can’t keep his dick in his pants!”

I’m horrified by all of this. The second everyone left us alone in the pool, Levi rushed to assure me that everything would be okay. He was determined to make everything right and ensure that he took the blame. I wouldn’t let him. How could I, when I’m a willing participant?

We haven’t been in Levi’s apartment more than ten minutes, but already his father has gone completely off the rails. I’ve never seen someone so irate and, to be honest, it’s scary as hell. Making it even more unbearable than it already is, is David’s constant need to belittle his son. It’s as if he doesn’t even care that he’s sitting right here to hear it.

Every name that’s called, every ounce of anger that’s directed his way, Levi shrinks just a little more. Why does he just sit here and continue to take it? It hurts my heart to hear these things said about him and watch the devastation slowly sink in. I can literally see the words chipping away at his soul and it burns me up inside. It’s not right.

As David continues to pace the floors ranting and raving, I reach out and take Levi’s hand in mine. He shouldn’t feel alone in this. We’re both to blame here, and I’ll be damned if he has to take the punishment alone. His blue eyes find mine from beneath a thick row of lashes and through it all, he somehow manages to muster up a sad smile for me, and that’s when I know I can’t continue to sit here and be quiet. Someone has to stand up for this man.

“I think that’s enough for today,” I speak up. The sound of my voice slices through David’s rant faster than a hot knife through butter. He spins around, looking every bit the dangerous businessman he’s rumored to be. I get the impression that he’s not used to being interrupted. He’s probably not used to being kicked out of places either, but that doesn’t stop me from asking him to leave.

“Excuse me? Just who the hell do you think you’re talking to, young lady?”

Lifting my chin, I force myself to stand tall and will my voice to remain strong. “You might be married to my mother, and I respect you greatly, but I can’t tolerate listening to you stand there and belittle your son like this. It’s not right, so I’m asking you to please leave.”

“You’re asking me to leave?” He barks a short, sharp laugh that holds anything but humor. “Just where do you get off talking to me that way?”

“I live here,” I inform him, as if he doesn’t already know the living arrangements. “As long as I have a bed here, I hold the right to say who stays and who goes.”

“This is Levi’s home, not yours. If he wants me to leave, then he should be the one asking, not you.” Tilting his head, he peers past me with a condescending smile. “And I don’t see him asking.”

“That’s probably because he’s too busy licking his wounds. It’s no wonder he’s hesitant to stand up to you. Considering what I’ve witnessed of your relationship, you’ve probably drilled those vile lies into his head so deep that he actually believes them.”

David’s eyes light up. He takes a threatening step toward me and my mom jumps in front of him at the same time Levi leaps to his feet to jerk me behind his back.

“My family,” David snarls, pointing at me, “and how I handle my business has nothing to do with you, so keep your comments and your theories to yourself.”

“Why should I?” I bite back, pushing at Levi’s back to move him out of my way, but he’s an impenetrable wall of muscle and doesn’t budge an inch. “You treat him like he’s just another one of your pawns, here to fill your pockets instead of being your flesh and blood.”

“You think you know so much,” David throws back at me. “You don’t know a damn thing. Why do you think I handle everything? Levi’s never bothered with running his life or his finances because he’s too busy screwing his way through the female population and partying.”

“He’s more than that,” I argue. “If you took the time to actually get to know him, you might realize that, too.”

“Oh,” David says, as if he’s just uncovered the world’s largest secret. “I see what’s going on here. You think that he actually cares about you.” He laughs, and it’s so full of cruelty, that my stomach drops. I don’t want to hear what he has to say, but I can’t make myself turn away.

“Dad, just stop. This has gone on long enough,” Levi urges him.

But David looks right through him to me. “Did Levi tell you about that night, the first time you two were together?”

I swallow, my throat suddenly thick. Making it worse, my mother’s eyes dart frantically to each of us, eventually landing on me in askance.

“First time? Vista, what’s he talking about? What first time?”

I don’t have the words, but being the gracious man he is, David fills in the silence. “Four years ago, on the night before our wedding, I came home to the sound of our children having sex. I waited in Levi’s bedroom and, hours later, when he snuck in, I told him to cut her loose or else.”

“What?” I gasp, looking up to Levi for answers.

His pained eyes fall on mine and the hand he’s using to hold me back flexes around my thigh. “It’s true. He caught me and told me I had to end it.”

“Or what?” I ask, hurt and anger flooding me. Four years. I went through so much turmoil, thinking something must be wrong with me, because of that man. To know that I might not have had to makes me want to drive my fist through David’s face. He has no idea what Levi was to me, how many nights I stayed awake thinking about a future together after long talks and stolen moments. No idea at all.

“That’s the most interesting part,” David comments. “I didn’t have to threaten him with anything. I told him to end it, and he did. Just like that.” He snaps his fingers, and the finality of the sound causes me to flinch.

It was that easy? All he had to do was tell him to walk and he did? God, I didn’t think there was a worse heartache than the one I already went through, but this...this has claws that dig deep.

“It wasn’t like that,” Levi insists. Turning on his heel, he takes my face in his hands and forces my head back. “Vista, princess, look at me.”

“Princess? Give me a damn break,” David mutters behind him. “Now you’re assigning pet names to the notches on your bedpost?”

His worry-filled eyes never leaving mine, Levi’s entire body vibrates with rage as he shouts, “Get the fuck out! You’ve done enough for one day.”

David says a few more things that I tune out because I’ve heard enough of his nastiness for one day, too, before heading for the door. “And just so you know, management has banned you both from use of the pool. Indefinitely.”

Just icing on the cake, really. The doors slams shut behind him and in the pervading quiet, I assume he’s taken my mother with him. I’m glad they’re gone. I don’t think I could handle another second of being the subject of disgust, disappointment, and ridicule.

Levi’s whole attention is focused on me and I can tell by the look in his eyes that he’s terrified of what I’ll say or do. I don’t know why. It’s not as if we were ever together in the first place.

“Talk to me, princess. Tell me what you’re thinking.”

“I’m thinking this has all been a huge mistake,” I tell him honestly. Covering his hands with mine, I pull them off and take a step back. “I never should have come here. This was all a mistake.”

Shaking his head, Levi closes the distance. “No, you’re wrong. You told me once that everything happens for a reason,” he reminds me, taking me back to when we were just a couple of kids who stayed up late talking about our futures. “Well, this is where you’re supposed to be, right here, right now, with me.”

“You’re right,” I croak, my throat clogged with emotion. “I was supposed to be here because now I know that the last four years I spent trying to forget you weren’t a total waste. Thanks to you, I’m stronger now, and when I walk away this time, I’ll know that it wasn’t me.”

I head for the stairs. I haven’t completed my job, but I’m sure David will understand why I have to leave. I never should have agreed to come here in the first place. Levi is my past. I never should have tried to make him part of my present. Some things just weren’t meant to be revisited.

“What do you mean, it wasn’t you?” Levi calls after me.

Pausing at the top of the stairs, I take a deep breath. “It wasn’t me who wasn’t good enough.” It’s a low blow, especially after the hits his father delivered, but it shuts him up.

Once upon a time, I blamed myself for being left behind. I cut myself down and decided that I simply wasn’t good enough for someone as high standing as Levi Black. But I was wrong. I am good enough. It’s him that doesn’t deserve me.