Текст книги "Vintage (Volume Two)"

Автор книги: Lisa Suzanne

сообщить о нарушении

Текущая страница: 9 (всего у книги 13 страниц)

As I regained my normal breathing pattern, his eyes locked in on mine. He lowered my jeans slowly along with my panties, and then he freed his cock from the prison of his pants. He wasn’t gentle as his eyes stayed on mine and he shoved his cock into me. His arms held onto the arms of the chair where I was sitting. His thrusts were slow but forceful.

And as the man I was going to marry fucked me in the middle of my living room and I thought about how he was the last man with whom I would ever share this kind of intimacy, I tumbled headfirst into another shattering orgasm that perfectly punctuated my thoughts.

twenty-one

I must’ve tried on twenty gowns, and while they were all beautiful in their own ways, not one was perfect. Not one was “me.”

I had an idea of what I wanted, but I had to be honest with myself. The daughter of Gideon Price was going to be scrutinized on her wedding day.

I truly didn’t care about what anyone thought. The public could take it or leave it. What I did in my life, who I wore…frankly, none of it was anyone’s business. I was born to rock royalty, though, so I was thrust into a spotlight that I neither wanted nor liked.

And that meant, for reasons completely unknown to me, whatever I chose to wear on my wedding day would impact the fashion world.

I preferred my vintage t-shirts and jeans. I didn’t want the attention.

But it was my wedding day.

I wanted to be perfect, but not for the public or the media or the pictures.

I wanted to be perfect for Parker.

My appointment at the bridal boutique started with racks of dresses selected especially for me in my size. The shop owner, Camilla, showed me dress upon dress. I awkwardly chose the ones I found to be the prettiest while I tried not to insult the ones that I didn’t even want to try because they were so far away from who I was.

I was pretty sure my mom would have wanted to be there, but I had no idea when she was coming into town. I didn’t have a maid of honor, and my closest girlfriends were narrowed down to Virginia or Vanessa. I didn’t want to bother either of them for their opinions. On the one hand, Vanessa was still dealing with Keith’s attack. On the other hand, Virginia and Tim’s little flirtation was getting on my nerves. I didn’t particularly want her there with me for such an important occasion.

So I was bridal dress shopping solo with the exception of Bruno keeping watch near the door.

Solo, that is, until I saw a familiar warm face smiling back at me when I emerged from the fitting room.

“Kimmy!” I yelled.

She grinned as she stood to hug me.

I’d never expected to see Parker’s sister, but there she was in the flesh.

“I heard you might need some help picking out wedding gowns, and it just so happens that I’m in town.” She squeezed me, and it felt like a warm hug from my own sister. I’d always wanted one. While I’d only met Kimmy once, she already felt like family.

She pulled back and held my upper arms in her hands as she looked at the dress I was wearing. “That dress is gorgeous, but I’m telling you right now, it’s not the one.”

Camilla’s eyes narrowed in her direction, but Kimmy was right. It was beautiful, but I knew the second I put it on that it wasn’t the one for me.

Maybe I needed someone’s opinion after all. Having Kimmy there would make it a whole lot less awkward when I had to tell Camilla that I wasn’t interested in her gowns.

I headed back into the dressing room, a giddy smile on my face. I realized how lucky I was to have found Parker, but I had to admit that having his sister as part of the package was a pretty good deal.

Kimmy watched me try on five more gowns, and then she turned to the store owner. “Can you give us a minute?”

She nodded, and Kimmy whispered, “Maybe this isn’t even the right store for you. What do you think?”

I shrugged. “I need a dress. I’m getting married in five days.”

“That doesn’t mean you have to settle.”

I nodded.

“Why did you choose this store?”

“My dad recommended it.”

“Like dads know anything about wedding dresses,” she whined.

I laughed.

“He somehow knows the owner. She’s been very attentive. I just think I need something more…” I trailed off, not sure what I needed.

The problem was that these dresses were all the latest styles. They were fresh off the runway. My dad assumed that’s what all women wanted, and I should have been grateful.

But what I really wanted was a vintage gown. Vintage just fit me.

“Vintage?” Kimmy guessed, finishing my sentence.

“Vintage,” I confirmed.

“Do you have a designer in mind?”

I shook my head. “I’ve never been someone who cares about labels.”

“But…?” she asked, drawing out the word as if I had more to add. She barely knew me—we had only met twice now—but somehow she knew me well.

“But all eyes will be on the bride. And I don’t mean the guests we invite. I mean all eyes.”

“Do you care?”

“Not really, but I am representing my dad. You know?”

She nodded like she understood, even though she couldn’t have. No one could, really. She smiled warmly. “Let’s get out of here. Let me take you to lunch and we can figure out a game plan.”

At lunch, I learned that Kimmy was an interior designer who had an eye for fashion. She was elegant and chic, but she was down-to-earth and fun. She was the type of girl who I could see myself gossiping or laughing or crying with. A real, actual girlfriend. A real, actual sister.

After lunch, she said she had somewhere to take me. She didn’t know the streets of Los Angeles very well, so she had me drive while she navigated from the front seat.

We ended up at another bridal shop, but this one specialized in vintage dresses.

The first one I tried on was off the rack, but it was gorgeous. It was made of tulle and had a slip underneath. It had a simple v-neck, and the back mirrored the front. Small flowers and tiny white beads created an arabesque design. When I emerged from the dressing room to stand on a small platform in front of three full-length mirrors, I knew it was the dress for me before I even looked at my reflection.

The price tag was under three hundred dollars, a far cry from the first shop my dad had recommended.

I was pretty sure I’d known it was the one for me the moment I spotted it on the hanger.

I heard Kimmy’s gasp behind me.

“Oh my God! Yes, Roxy! That one! For sure, that one!”

I caught sight of my reflection in the mirror, and I had to admit that Kimmy was right.

This was the one.

I turned and looked from all angles. The three foot train behind me made me look somehow taller. The fabric was feminine against my skin. It fit like a dream. It was like someone made it for me and left it there. It wouldn’t even need alterations.

It was perfect.

Dresses are a lot like the man you’re going to marry.

When you know it’s right, you snap it up the second you realize it.

I paid for the gorgeous gown and some white undergarments to accompany it. I found a barrette made of crystals that would be perfect for any hair design, opting out of a veil that would take away from the intricate femininity of the gown, and I was good to go on my bridal wear.

While I was out for the afternoon with his sister, Parker was squaring away his own formal wear. With my dad’s credit card, the time factor became a complete non-issue. Anything could be done in a short timeframe for the right price.

As I drove Kimmy back to her rental car parked outside of the restaurant where we’d eaten lunch, I asked, “Do you have some place to stay?”

She shrugged. “I’ll get a hotel.”

“Don’t be silly. Stay with me.” I blurted it out without thinking. I didn’t take into consideration how Parker would feel about it, but I knew he’d love it. I found it funny that I’d invited his sister to my house so quickly, but it had taken me some time to open up enough to allow Parker into the very same place.

She giggled. “That’s a really kind offer, and don’t take this the wrong way, but no thanks.”

Despite her telling me not to take it the wrong way, I sort of did. “Why not?” I asked indignantly.

“Because I know what goes on behind closed doors when people are engaged. That’s my brother, Roxy. No thanks.”

I laughed. She had a point. “Then at least let me pay for a hotel. Are you in town until the wedding?”

She nodded. “I head back to Chicago on Monday morning.”

“Come home with me now and we’ll book you something. Have you seen Parker yet since you’ve been here?”

She shook her head. “He texted me your location literally when I landed. I plugged it into GPS and here I am.”

I smiled. “I wonder if he’s done with his tux.”

I dialed his number, and a moment later we heard his voice through the speakers of my car. “Hey Jimi.” He sounded tired.

“Hey. Your sister is here with me.”

“Kimmy!” he yelled, a little perkiness back for a fleeting moment.

“PJ!” she yelled back.

“Welcome to California,” he said.

“Thanks! It’s so perfect here. It makes me wonder why I live in Chicago.”

“Then do what I’ve been telling you since I came out here,” Parker said.

She rolled her eyes at me. “We’ll see.”

“Are you siblings done talking so I can ask a question?” I finally interjected.

“That sounded like a question to me,” Parker answered, and he and Kimmy both laughed. It was my turn to roll my eyes.

“Did you get your tux?”

“Yep. On my way home. Did you find a dress?”

I smiled at his use of home. I knew he was talking about my place even though we didn’t live together. Well, technically. At least not yet. “Yep. We’ll be on our way in a little bit. Stay out of the guest room because that’s where my dress is going.”

Kimmy fiddled with her phone while we chatted.

“Okay, babe. Any other instructions?”

I pulled into the spot next to Kimmy’s. “Hold on, your sister is getting out of the car.”

I smile and waved as she shut the door, leaving Parker and me alone. “I have some more instructions for you.”

“Oh?” he asked.

“Tonight you are going to fuck me so hard that I’m not going to be able to walk tomorrow.”

“Christ,” Parker muttered. “I think I can probably manage that.”

I grinned. It always felt good to shock him.

He was quiet for a moment before speaking again. “What else do we have to do for Saturday?”

“My dad has people taking care of everything for the reception. We’ve got our clothes, music, and food. We’ll hit the florist tomorrow. There are only two important things left that I can think of.”

“What?”

“Rings and vows.”

“I have your ring.”

“You do?”

“I bought it when I bought your engagement ring. It’s a set.”

“Oh. So you were pretty sure it was a yes?”

He laughed. “I knew I had it in the bag.”

twenty-two

After our flowers were sorted, Parker’s ring was purchased, and our entire ceremony was planned out, I only had one thing left to do: write my vows.

I wanted traditional vows, while Parker wanted to write our own.

Since he was a writer, I agreed to it.

And as I sat staring at empty sheet of notebook paper, I completely regretted my decision.

We opted out of bachelor and bachelorette parties. Instead, on Thursday night, Parker went out to dinner with Fitz, Vinnie, and Garrett. Kimmy was getting some work done at her hotel.

We’d made an appearance at Damien’s memorial earlier that day. It had been bizarre. I kept expecting him to pop out of a corner and surprise us.

But he hadn’t.

I stayed long enough to offer my condolences to his family, and then I left. I’d gone with both Parker and my father. It had been a quiet ride to and from the funeral home. I was glad I had gone, and I was glad the two most important men in my life had accompanied me.

It felt strange sitting home alone after going there. Parker had asked me about a thousand times if I was okay on my own. I didn’t want him to miss out on his last chance for a singles night out with his friends, so I said I was. My dad had stayed to hang out with me for a little while, but he had work to attend to back home. After ensuring I was okay on my own, he left, too.

My house was eerily quiet. It had been just me for so long, but I’d become used to Parker in my space. I liked his presence. I liked feeling like I wasn’t alone.

I wasn’t alone, technically. Bruno was standing guard just outside the door to my condo. Someone was always there, even if they weren’t actually inside my place.

I really was fine. I was handling things better than I could’ve expected.

I’d heated a can of soup for dinner. I washed out my bowl. I wiped down the kitchen counters. I checked through the food in the fridge for expiration dates.

I was about to mop the floors when I realized that I was wasting time.

Sure, my house needed to be cleaned, but more importantly, my vows needed to be written. I just had no idea where to start.

I needed music.

It was perhaps the first time in my life that I actually felt the need for music. I’d never fit the mold of a rock star’s daughter—or, for that matter, a rock star’s girlfriend and eventual wife. I’d never needed music. But suddenly, I did.

I clicked the music app on my phone. I scrolled through my collection, looking for the exact right song to inspire me. I saw Flashing Light and thought that their album could work, but I needed Parker’s voice out of my head for the project of writing my vows. It would only distract me.

I needed something neutral, something that didn’t make me think of anything or anybody in particular but had a beat that could get my mind working.

It was when I got to “N” in my music library that everything changed.

Every time I heard Nirvana, I thought of Damien.

Every time I passed Nirvana merchandise in the store, I thought of Damien.

And as I came across the letter “N” in my music library and saw their most famous album title staring me in the face, I was frankly shocked that I hadn’t decoded Damien’s message earlier.

It was so simple.

Nevermind.

The album that featured songs like “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and “Come as You Are.”

I ran to the bedroom and pulled Damien’s letter out of the top drawer of my dresser.

I reread the final paragraph, even though I’d read it enough times that I had it memorized.

Something in the way you loved me will always remain in my heart. I’d tell you to come as you are, but it’s probably better if you stay away.

“Something in the Way,” “Come as You Are,” and “Stay Away” were all songs on Nirvana’s Nevermind album.

It had been a Sunday when I’d first received the letter, and now it was a Thursday. It had taken me more than four days to stumble on the answer that had literally been right in front of me the entire time.

But what message was he trying to send me?

And why hadn’t my father or my fiancé, both musicians, figured this out before I had?

I heard my favorite Black Shadow song coming from the kitchen. It was the ring tone indicating that my dad was calling me.

I ran from my bedroom to the kitchen and got to the phone just before it went to voicemail. “Dad?” I answered breathlessly.

“CC, do you still own CDs?” He didn’t even say hello. He just cut straight to the chase.

“Yeah. Why?”

“Thank God I have a daughter who is technologically challenged.”

“Excuse me?”

“You know what I mean. Do you have Nirvana’s Nevermind?”

“I just figured it out, too,” I said as I hurried across the room to my entertainment center.

I had a fairly small collection of CDs. I’d gotten rid of most of them when I’d moved. I kept only a few: Black Shadow, Madonna, Nirvana, Metallica, Garth Brooks, Stone Temple Pilots, Led Zeppelin, and Jimi Hendrix.

I flipped through the discs with shaking hands until I found Nirvana.

Nevermind. The familiar cover of a baby underwater with a dollar bill floating next to it stared me in the face.

It was a really odd cover, I briefly thought, and then I opened the case.

Inside was the actual Nevermind CD. I felt my chest heave in disappointment. I’d really thought I would find something in there.

And then, as if some supernatural force was at work, the disc fell out. Behind Nevermind was a DVD. It had no writing on it, nothing to make it recognizable in any way.

“Dad, there’s a DVD in here!”

“CC, stay right where you are. I’m on my way over with George.”

I wanted to know what the hell was on the DVD. Clearly it was something Damien had left for me. It had to have something on it that he wanted me to see in the event of his death.

My entire body trembled with nerves as I waited for the longest fifteen minutes of my life to pass. I paced back and forth across my living room, never setting the DVD down.

And then my dad walked through my front door with George trailing close behind. My dad pulled me into a tight embrace while George closed my door. He didn’t say anything, but his arms were comforting all the same. He was tense.

A bag was slung over George’s shoulder, and he went to my kitchen table, where a disaster of crumpled up papers and half-started attempts at vows littered the area.

I ran over and cleared a space while George pulled a laptop out of his bag.

“The DVD?” he asked formally. No greeting from him, either.

He sat in front of the laptop while it fired up, and I handed him the DVD. It was the first time it had left my hands since I’d discovered it.

My dad and I stood behind George. My dad’s arm was tight around my shoulders, his fingers digging into the skin of my arm. I knew if I looked over, his knuckles would be white.

Not one of us in that room knew exactly what to expect, and the tension hung heavy in the air between us.

The laptop seemed to be state of the art, and it recognized the DVD quickly. A folder popped open. There were several PDF files and a MOV file. The MOV was titled “Watch First.”

George clicked the icon, and a moment later, Damien filled the screen.

It was the same Damien who had left me over a year earlier.

His face was bruised and bloody. His left eye wouldn’t open under the shiner just below his eyebrow. His nose was broken, and his eyes were red-rimmed and watery. I couldn’t tell if they were watery from emotions, tears, or something else.

When he started speaking, though, it was clear that it was from his emotions.

George turned up the volume.

“Where do I even start?” he asked.

It was surreal watching this video of Damien from beyond the grave.

“I need to find a way to say goodbye.”

His voice cracked, and he paused and wiped his good eye.

“Roxy, I’m leaving because I love you. This isn’t just what’s best for you or for us. This is what I have to do because you’ve been threatened. And because of that, I’m doing what I have to in order to protect you.”

I glanced over at my dad. His eyes were trained on the screen, his mouth set tight and his eyes hard. His strong jaw covered in stubble worked back and forth. He looked like he’d lost someone he cared about greatly, and it hurt to watch him like that.

“This is between Randy and me. I’m the one who got myself into this mess, and the only choice I have is to keep you safe. I’m going to put everything that you need onto this DVD in case you ever need it. I have no idea what’s in front of us, but I know that I need to let you live your life. I have records of every transaction I’ve ever had with Randy. I have additional video footage, too. I’m going to leave another copy of this DVD in a safe deposit box. At some point, I’ll get the key to your father, and I’ll mail the bank and the box number to my parents separately. Use whatever you need. I just ask that you keep yourself safe, because I love you. You’re my best friend. Keep everything we have in your heart and move forward. Run forward. Live your life. Love. Love harder and love stronger than what we ever had, because you deserve it.”

He stood and shut off the video recording.

The three of us stared at the screen for a moment.

“What are the other files?” I finally asked, voicing what was in my head while breaking the silence.

George clicked one open.

It looked like an email, and I stared at it as I tried to figure out what the hell it was saying. The body of the email was Damien’s message to Randy.

I’ll take $5K on the Cowboys for this weekend.

Gambling. I’d already known that, and I wasn’t thinking clearly enough to put the pieces together. I couldn’t figure out why I would need this.

Thank God for my dad and George.

“Holy shit,” my dad murmured. “It’s all here.”

“This is what they were looking for,” George interjected.

My dad nodded. He backed away from the computer and paced a few steps, rubbing the palm of his hand down his face.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

My dad stopped pacing and rested his hands on the back of the chair in front of him. He leaned forward, using the chair to support his weight.

He spoke to George, not to me. “It’s time to tell her.”