Sins from Her Past (Scandalous) (10 page)

“That was amazing, Vin. Thanks so much. I’m really excited about this project.”

“You can thank me by making this resort something people will talk about all over the world,” he told her, taking a step toward her.

Her eyes widened, but she remained in place. “You really put the pressure on, don’t you?”

He shrugged. “I just know that when someone has the ability to do something I want, I can demand it.”

She licked her lips, her eyes darted to his mouth. “Are we talking business now or personal?”

“What do you think?”

Slowly, he leaned in, keeping his eyes on hers, giving her that extra second or two to tell him to stop, but when her body eased forward, he knew she wasn’t going to stop him.

So he took everything she may have been offering and more.

Vin slid his arms around her waist and pulled her body flush with his, while remaining in the open doorway. To anybody walking by, they’d look like they were getting their foreplay on in the hallway, but Vin knew this wouldn’t go beyond the doorway…at least not tonight. He wouldn’t take advantage when she was obviously vulnerable, obviously still battling something he had no control over. All he could do was be patient and show her how special she was.

He captured her lips and slid one hand up to cup the nape of her neck as her hands gripped his biceps. When he thrust his tongue into her mouth, she met him with hers. When he changed angles, she was a step ahead. But when he tilted his hips, she jerked back.

“Vin…” A shaky hand came up to cover her mouth. “Damn, I can’t think when you kiss me.”

Such a high compliment, but with her body visibly shaking, he kept his thoughts to himself. He hadn’t meant to scare her, but his mind and his body were battling each other.

“I really enjoy kissing you, more than I should,” she muttered, eyes darting down.

“Nothing to be ashamed of.” He hooked his finger beneath her chin and brought her gaze back to his. “Just because we’re friends doesn’t mean we couldn’t be more.”

Her eyes searched his, and a shaky breath shook her body. “You don’t know how much I want to try, but…”

“What?”

Lids lowered over haunted eyes and Vin knew those nightmares she’d been having were seeping into their intimate moment.

“Whatever has happened before has nothing to do with now,” he assured her and not just because he wanted her in his bed—he wasn’t that much of an asshole. No, he wanted her to feel safe, to let go of whatever it was that kept her so guarded.

She opened her eyes and offered a sad smile. “But that’s just it. My past has everything to do with now, with this…whatever this is that is happening between us.”

“It doesn’t have to,” he assured her. “We all have pasts we’re not proud of.”

“I…I can’t talk about it.” Tears welled up in her eyes. “Please, just forget this.”

She all but shoved him back and closed the door, the resounding click of the deadbolt echoed in the empty hall.

What the hell had just happened? Just how damaged was she and why the hell hadn’t he heard about…something before now? Did Dylan know his sister was so broken? So tormented?

Then again, if Dylan knew it’s not like he’d be forthcoming in advertising his sister had issues with intimacy or sex.

Horrid images filled his mind as he made his way to his own room. Images that nearly brought him to his knees with anger, grief and rage.

Who the hell had hurt her? Vin wanted to get his hands on the person—or, God forbid, persons—and kick their ass. But that was the fighter side of him. The realistic side knew if he wanted to pursue any type of relationship beyond friendship or business with Evelyn, he’d have to really watch what he said, how he responded to and acted toward her.

And there wasn’t a doubt in his mind that he wanted something more with her. What, exactly, he didn’t know, but he knew he wanted to help her through this…whatever the “this” may be.

She was worth the wait, worth the cold showers. Because someone had obviously not taken their time with her, not shown her what intimacy should be…at least, that’s the conclusion he was drawing. He prayed to God he was wrong.

He stripped down to his boxers and lay on his bed, hands behind his head, staring at the ceiling. Was she next door replaying that steamy kiss in her mind? He sure as hell was. Did she fantasize about what the next step could be between them? Did she have any idea the lengths he’d go to in order to keep her safe?

Vin knew the answer to the last question. Probably not. In Evelyn’s world, Vin was just a friend whom her brother and Alan had brought home from college. They’d grown close over the years, but their bond wasn’t as deep as the ones she shared with the other guys.

Vin wanted to show her just how serious he was about getting to know her on a deeper level. He was dead serious on how much he needed to prove to her that he was the guy who could help her overcome whatever fears she faced. He was the one who would show her the tenderness she needed.

And he’d damn well slay anything else that crossed in front of her and caused her harm.

Chapter Nine

“Thanks so much, Marcia. I’m forever indebted to you.”

Evelyn hung up with Rick’s assistant and set her phone on the desk. Thankfully the elderly woman was going to send out a mass invite for the surprise party and Evelyn would just work on the catering. That she could do from a distance and it wouldn’t be so time consuming.

She stripped on her way into the hotel bathroom to grab a quick shower before she had to meet up with Vin. After last night’s kiss and then her clamming up, she hoped their day wouldn’t be too awkward. Vin made it no secret he wanted her. Hell, it was when he’d pressed himself against her last night that had freaked her out—and they’d been fully clothed. How in the world could she ever actually get naked with a man if she flipped out over an erection beneath jeans?

She hurried through her shower and wrapped a towel around her hair and body. As she stepped from the bath, her cell chimed on the desk. When she glanced at the screen, she didn’t recognize the number.

“Hello.”

“Evelyn.”

“Alan.” Her heart sank. Of course he had her number, but she’d never asked Rick or anyone else for his.

“I hope I didn’t interrupt anything.”

That low, menacing voice she’d come to loathe slid through the phone and sent goose bumps popping up all over her still-damp body.

“What do you need?”

Rich laughter mocked her. “Oh, the list is endless, Evie. I can see you’re not in the mood for small talk. I called to see if you were able to contact any caterers.”

“Not yet,” she told him. “I already spoke with Marcia and she’ll issue the invites. I’m calling caterers after Vin and I meet today.”

“And how is your little project coming? The two of you getting along okay?”

The tone in his voice implied something dirty and Evelyn refused to let him make her feel dirty ever again.

“Everything is great and I need to go.”

“Wait,” he stopped her. “I hate that you don’t talk to me. You just got back into town and I’ve barely seen or spoken with you.”

Shock filled her a second before she let out a burst of laughter. “Are you for real? You sexually assaulted me, you bastard. You’re lucky you’re not rotting in a prison somewhere, spending your days as Bubba’s sex toy.”

“We had a good thing,” he growled. “You know it.”

“Your mind is warped, you sick pervert.”

Evelyn ended the call and with a shaky hand she laid the cell back on the desk and slid the switch to Vibrate. She didn’t want to hear any more.

Was his mind really that deluded? What they “had” together was a one-sided control issue filled with sex and dirty mind games.

And after thousands of dollars and countless hours on a sofa, Evelyn knew none of what happened was her fault. Not one bit of it.

She eased onto the side of the bed and took a moment to breath. Okay, so his call and accusations had rattled her. He’d known when he called that no one would be around to hear. Sneaky bastard.

Evelyn nearly jumped out of her skimpy towel when the loud knock on her door jarred her thoughts. It wasn’t a knock on the main door, but on the adjoining door to Vin’s room.

With a sigh and legs that were a little sturdier, she went over and opened the door.

“Ready to go?” he asked.

She glanced back to the clock and realized more time had passed than she’d thought. “Oh, Vin, I’m so sorry. Give me fifteen minutes. I was on the phone and lost track of time.”

His eyes traveled over her, down to her hand where she clutched the towel between her breasts and then back up to her face. “I can wait.”

Evelyn shivered at his soft tone that implied so much more than just waiting for her to get dressed. How could three men spend so much time together and one be so evil, so corrupt and different?

“I’m sorry…about last night.” She rested one hand on the doorframe and held on to her towel with the other. “I don’t want you to think I’m a tease or that I don’t like kissing you. I just…well, it’s complicated and to be honest you may want to run fast and far.”

Vin reached out, slid a fingertip over her bare shoulder and across to the other. “I’m not running anywhere and maybe it’s time you stopped doing the same. Whatever it is that’s eating at you, let me help.”

If only things were that simple. The complications were beyond just leaning on a friend for moral support. Besides the fact that Alan, Vin and Dylan had been friends for years, Alan’s dad was a state senator and one of the investors in Vin’s new resort. Not to mention the next election was in a few months. And as much as she hated and despised Alan, she’d never do anything to hurt Rick or his career. He’d loved her like his own and had taken her in without hesitation.

“You don’t know what you’re asking,” she told him. “Believe me, Vin. The world you’re used to with your women is nothing like my world. Do yourself a favor and forget this attraction between us.”

He took a step forward, forcing her to back into her room. Now she held on to the towel with two hands as he loomed over her.

“Don’t,” he said. “Don’t look at me like I’m going to hurt you. Damn it, Evie. What the hell happened? I can’t help if I don’t know. And as for forgetting this attraction? That will never happen because I’ve been infatuated with you since I met you. How’s that for honesty? So you can figure out if you want to get past your problems with my help or go through life running scared. But know this, if you let me in, I’ll never let anything or anyone hurt you again.”

When she didn’t say a word, he swore, raking a hand over his nearly shaved head. “Get dressed. I’ll wait downstairs in the lobby.”

And with that he went back into his room and slammed the door.

After his encounter with Evelyn this morning, Vin was thankful for the reprieve when they spent a few hours on the site. Afterward he’d led her back to her room with the promise he’d take her to dinner later.

Later was now here and he surveyed his room one last time before going to knock on the door separating them. He always kept his door open, but hers remained closed.

Evelyn opened the door and smiled. “Why do I even need a door to the front of my room?”

“Exactly. Are you ready for dinner?”

She nodded. “Let me grab my purse.”

“You won’t need it. We’re not going far.” He stepped back and gestured toward the living area near the window. “I thought we could stay in.”

Her eyes rounded as she stepped into his room. “But…”

He laid a hand on her shoulder. “Relax. We’re just going to enjoy dinner. Okay?”

Her eyes found his, locked on as she nodded. “Okay.”

As she moved to the table, Vin checked her out. At least with her back to him he could take in his fill and not freak her out. She wore a pair of white capris and a light blue tank. She’d piled her hair up on top of her head and had silver flip-flops on. She may look like a teenager, but Vin knew better. This was all woman—all curvy, vivacious woman who deserved to be treated with respect and care.

Vin was not only the right man for the job; he was the only applicant. He was going to make damn sure she realized that what they had could be something fantastic. He certainly had his work cut out for him.

“Did you know we weren’t going to go out when we were together earlier?” she asked, standing beside the table.

“Yes.”

“Why didn’t you say anything? If you didn’t want to go anywhere I could’ve ordered room service for myself and you wouldn’t have had to go to the trouble.”

Slowly, he closed the space between them. “First of all, I have to eat too. Second of all, I’m selfish and I didn’t want to share you with a restaurant full of people tonight.”

“I know you have questions, but for tonight can we just be Evie and Vin? That’s all I can handle right now.”

In an attempt to get those stiff shoulders to relax, he smiled and nodded. “I’ll be whatever you need me to be, but I won’t let this go. Can I just ask one more question?”

“I can’t guarantee an answer.”