VEGAS follows you home (28 page)

"You need to get her under control," I chuckle to Hugh.

"Like that is even possible," Hugh laughs. "Though, trying is quite fun." It was his turn to wiggle his brows.

We both laugh harder.

"The game is starting!" Scarlett cheers, pulling Olivia from the couch to the large, full-length windows.

Hugh and I stay seated, watching the girls drink, laugh, and yell through the glass. Olivia and Scarlett are not only providing entertainment, they are getting along so well, as if they've known each other for forever.

"Swing-batta-batta-swing," Scarlett yells, her hand smacking the glass. "What the hell was that?" she growls after the batter strikes out. Pouting, she moves toward the small bar. "We need more drinks," she declares.

"I really need to stop," Olivia argues.

"Oh, heck no, we are going to eat nachos, hot dogs, pretzels, and drink," Scarlett orders. "Speaking of nachos and hot dogs…" she turns her famous pout on Hugh, "honey, will you get us something to eat?"

"What do I get in return?" Hugh leans forward in his chair.

"You get to have your way with my uninhibited body." Twisting her body, she wiggles her ass at him. "And you know I'm up for
anything
."

"I don’t want to know this," I groan.

"I'll be right back." Hugh stands from his chair, quick to run the errand.

"You're just jealous," Scarlett sticks out her tongue as she makes her way to get more drinks.

Olivia is bent over at the waist, laughing at the scene.

I can only stare at her smiling and enjoying herself.
Scarlett, you have no idea how jealous I am.

Hugh returns in record time, placing baskets and plates on the table between us. Olivia and Scarlett join us, both of them clearly buzzing from the alcohol. They giggle like schoolgirls and laugh over the most ridiculous things throughout the meal and the rest of the game. Hugh and I have to pull the two of them away from each other in order to leave.

With Olivia in my arms, guiding her to the car, she looks up at me with sleepy eyes.

"I love Scarlett," she slightly slurs.

"I can tell she loves you, too."

Having had a few drinks myself, I help Olivia into the waiting car and slip in next to her.

"She loves you, too, Damon." Olivia curls against my side.

Instantly, my body ignites. I want to touch, caress, and grip. Keeping my urges in check, I only allow myself to place an arm around her.

"Who? Scarlett?" I ask.

"Mmhmm," she hums. "She speaks so nicely about you."

"Really?" I ask, genuinely surprised. Though I know Scarlett doesn’t hate me, I never thought she would speak nicely about me to Olivia.

"Yes." She nods against my side. "She hates the sadness you've endured and wants you to be happy again." Olivia pulls her head away from me and looks up.

I look down and our eyes meet.

"She says it's been so long since she's seen you smile. Like truly and really smile." She gazes into my eyes for a moment longer before resting her head back against my side.

Every muscle in my body catches fire as her hand presses to my chest and slides to my opposite side. She's embracing me. Closing my eyes, I breathe in deep, only to become more aware of her scent and body surrounding mine.

Too soon, the car pulls up to my building. The driver opens the door. Assisting Olivia from the car, I'm a bit surprised that she is still awake. After all the drinks, food, and physical contact, I was sure she would have fallen asleep. Instead, she takes my hand and, with only a slight stagger, climbs from the car.

In the elevator, she leans against the wall and bends, taking each shoe off. The chime announces our arrival and, when the doors slide open, we walk the small distance to the apartment. As I work to unlock the door, Olivia catches me off guard — again. She leans against me from behind and presses her cheek to my back.

Taking a deep breath, I focus on the lock instead of the raging urge to ravage her body against the hallway wall. Twisting harder than necessary, I unlock the door and push it open.

Olivia pulls away and I want to yank her against me. She steps around me, walking into the apartment. I follow, closing and locking the door behind me. I continue to walk behind her, my attempt to keep her as close as possible, when she suddenly spins around to face me. Her hands plant against my chest.

"We should call and check on Alex." Her slight slurring reminds me of how much she's had to drink.

"I'm sure he's fine." I place my hands over hers, reveling in the feel of her touch.

"No, we need to check on him."

She slips her hands down my chest and into my pockets.

"What are you doing?" I ask, attempting to keep her hands from my full erection. Once touch and there is no telling what I'll do to her — drunk or not.

"I need your phone," she grumbles.

"He was fine when we called to tell him goodnight." Slipping my phone from my jacket, I hold it out to her.

"I just need to be sure." Her long fingers slip across the screen before she looks up to me, pouting. "I don't know your security code"

I want to suck her bottom lip into my mouth.

"6548," I breathe.

"What kind of code is that?" She twists her face, entering the numbers.

"O.L.I.V." I answer.

Her fingers freeze as her eyes widen and mouth parts on a sharp breath.

Taking the phone, I call Heidi and Olivia checks on Alex. Once she is satisfied, she stumbles toward the couch and lies down.

"I love Scarlet. She is so much fun." She throws an arm over her eyes.

I sit near her, pull her feet into my lap, and begin rubbing.

"Oh God," she moans, "that feels amazing."

My cock springs back to life. I move my hands up her calves, kneading the muscles. She moans and my dick throbs. By the time my hands reach her thighs, my jeans are the most comfortable item of clothing I could ever own.

Inching higher on her thighs, I quickly release her and move down the couch to calm myself.

"What's wrong?" She lifts her head from the couch, her large eyes focused on me.

"I…I just need to stop."

"Oh." Her lips press into a fine line.

She sits up slowly and tries to stand. Her balance wanes and she tips back.

Reaching out, I catch her before she falls.

"Thanks," she giggles.

Her hands grip my biceps and my breathing labors. Pulling her toward me, it's almost too much — too tempting. Her hip presses against the raging hard-on I've been trying to quell and I pull back.

"Oh." Her eyes widen.

I eye the round ‘O’ her mouth has forms, wanting to lick her lips, her skin. Reminding myself of how much she's had to drink, I step back further.

"You should go to bed," I growl, fighting the need to strip her bare and own every inch of her body.

"Okay," she whispers.

I must be delusional to think I hear disappointment in her voice.

Before she makes it to the stairs, I catch up, making sure she doesn't stumble.

"I'll bring you water and Tylenol." I leave her at the end of the bed, heading into the bathroom.

After retrieving the items, I step back into the bedroom. My hold loosens, causing the water and pills fall to the floor. She spins around when the glass clinks against the carpet.

She’s wearing nothing but a thin, white, cotton tank top and panties.

In a flash, she snatches the black yoga pants from the bed and holds them in front of her chest as I stalk forward.

"I was about to—"

With my chest heaving and my breathing ragged through flared nostrils, I strip the pants from her hands.

"Damon—" She steps back, her calves pressing against the bed.

"Fuck, Olivia. You are absolutely beautiful." Dropping the pants to the floor, I grab her arm, pulling her back to my chest. My hands find purchase on her soft hips.

"We shouldn't—"

"Don't finish that sentence."

Sweeping the hair from her neck, I latch my mouth to her glorious skin. Fuck if the taste of her doesn't bring back memories of our night in Vegas.

She gasps.

Slipping my left hand from her hip, I cup her bare breast. I knead, sweeping my thumb over her hard nipple.

She moans.

Releasing her other hip, I slide downward. My fingers press against her cotton covered lips and rub.

She bucks her hips on another moan.

Turning her to face me, I capture her panting breaths with my mouth and press her toward the bed, laying her beneath me. Her weak protest is conquered by my tongue.

Our tongues thrust against each other, battling for dominance. Her hands caress my neck, slipping into my hair.

I hover over her body, tearing at my clothes. With limited space between us, I pull myself up to strip away my shirt and pants.

Staring down, Olivia's breasts rise and fall heavily. I climb over her once more, my mouth watering.

"Damon, stop." She uses her elbows to crawl back from me.

Grabbing onto her hip, I pull her underneath my naked body.

"Please, Olivia," I beg, kissing her neck. "You want this, too. I can feel it."

I run my hand from her hip, under her shirt, and feel her nipple pebble under my touch.

"This—" she presses at my chest.

"Is meant to be," I finish.

She presses against my chest harder.

"Stop!" she demands.

I comply, dropping my head onto her chest. Taking deep breaths, I try to calm the fire raging beneath my skin. Shifting my hips to move away, I briefly press against her.

She moans, thrusting forward.

"Olivia?" I look up, meeting her blazing eyes. "I don't know what you—"

Her hips press against me once more, her wide eyes full of confusion, lust, and desire. I flex my hand, brushing the pad of my thumb over her nipple. She tosses her head back with a whimper.

My hips press between her thighs, rubbing my bare flesh against the cotton barrier between us. Pushing the thin tank top up, I wrap my lips around her nipple — sucking, nipping, devouring her skin.

"Oh God," she cries.

Bringing my knees higher, I push her legs apart and steadily massage, cock to pussy.

"Fuck!" she wails, meeting my thrust.

Spurred by her response, I reach between us and push the cotton panties aside. Pushing the head of my cock inside, I press my forehead between her breasts. Slipping my hands behind her, I brace myself on my forearms and grip her shoulders.

Olivia pants and writhes beneath me, trying to push me further inside.

In a motion smoothed by her arousal, I'm buried to the hilt.

"Ah!" she exclaims, moving to meet me.

I pause for a moment, savoring the feel of her wrapped around me, pulling me deeper inside, before starting a slow rhythm.

Olivia, wanting more, drives her hips against mine — hard.

"Christ, Olivia," I growl, clenching my jaw, fighting the urge to pound into her.

She thrusts up again, breaking my restraint.

I grasp her left ankle and place it on my shoulder. Gripping behind her knee, I rock in and out of her, hard enough to press her thigh to her chest.

"Yes, shit, right there!" The fingernails of her right hand dig into my left bicep.

Pulling my right knee higher on the bed, I move faster. Raising my upper body just a little, I watch as the force of my thrusts causes her breasts to bounce. The sight almost undoes me.

"Oh, yes." Her left hand grasps the comforter.

"Right there, baby?" I angle, moving the weight of my body to my hands to get even deeper. "Is this what you want?" Rising up to both knees, I press both of her legs up and out, plunging inside the depths of her.

"Oh, yes, Damon. Right there, please!" she begs.

Chest heaving, she arches her back as her orgasm invades every part of her being. She cries out my name, wailing her release.

I look down as her pretty little cunt contracts around my cock. Watching the sheen of her come coat me with each thrust, I release with a roar of her name.

Allowing her legs to drop back to the mattress, I wrap her into my arms and roll us to our sides.

With our breathing labored and sweat coating our naked skin, we lie in silence, sated.

Soon, Olivia's breathing is even, her body lax. Cradling my head in my left hand, I gaze down on her, brushing her hair from her face.

"I can't let you go," I whisper, planting my lips to her forehead.

Olivia

My head throbs and the soreness in my body immediately assaults me with flashes from last night. Baseball game, drinking with Scarlett, Damon helping me into the apartment, and then we…
oh, hell!
I slap my hand to my face and rub.

Not again, Olivia. What the hell is wrong with you? Why do you keep doing this? What is it about this guy that allows you to turn into a wanton sleaze in the matter of one evening?

Peeking through the fingers currently covering my eyes, I see Damon sleeping peacefully. In the relaxed state, I see more familiarity between Alex and him. Everything from his marriage trick in Vegas, to barging in on my life, to having sex last night rushes to the forefront of my mind.

Anger begins to simmer and knot my stomach. Yes, I drank too much in Vegas and last night, but that didn't stop him from getting me into bed either time. Anger grows to rage and I react. Reaching out, I roughly shove Damon away from me and climb out of bed.

"You asshole!" I scream, standing next to the bed, naked. The shriek reverberates throughout the room and I grab my head, trying to calm the hammer thrashing my skull.

"What the hell, Olivia?" he croaks, his voice still full of sleep.

"You had sex with me while I was drunk — again! What's the matter with you?"

Stomping to the bathroom, I slam the door. The sound echoes around my aching skull, causing me to wince once more as I lock the door.

As I turn on the shower, Damon begins knocking from the other side of the door.

"Olivia?" He knocks hard. "Open the door. We should talk."

"Go to hell!" I shout.

The knocking ceases.

Slipping into the shower, I try to let the water rinse away last night. The way he caressed my body, tasted me, took me, claimed…

"Stop it, Olivia!" I say out loud, shaking my head as I begin scrubbing my body.

As soon as I turn the water off, his knocking resumes.

"Please open the door!"

"Go to hell, Damon!" Grabbing the toothbrush holder, I throw it at the door. Brushes scatter in opposite directions as the holder breaks into two pieces.

"I'll break down the door if I have to!" he shouts.

"Go ahead, dickhead. Break down your own bathroom door! Cause that screams sane, you psycho!" I snort, laughing at his threat.

Wrapping a large towel around my body, I meet my own eyes in the bathroom mirror. A memory of us in bed pushes its way into my mind.

What did I do? This isn't just his fault. He stopped when I told him and then I…

I cover my face with my hands and a heavy thud begins against the door. Jerking my head to the door, I step back until I'm against the far wall.

The hinges give way after the third hit. Damon shoves the broken door out of his way.

"You are insane," I seethe, no longer caring who is right or wrong. "You need help, Damon. Serious fucking help!"

"I warned you," he growls. "You aren't going to run and hide in the bathroom this time."

He crosses his arms over his chest.

"I know you feel more than you let on. I could tell last night."

"That was the alcohol, jerk." I step forward, squaring my shoulders. "What does it say about this
relationship
if I have to be drunk to fuck you?" I raise one eyebrow in challenge.

Pain flashes across his face and I want to instantly take back the harsh words. I'd been drinking, but he'd stopped. I'd been just as weak.

"Yes, you had been drinking, but you seem to only let your guard down when you’re drinking. You know, they say there is truth in
drunk talking
." He raises his own challenging brow.

Part of me wants to slap it off his face, the other wants to straddle his face and fuck it.

Shoving his chest, I maneuver around him and the broken door, making a beeline for the annulment papers. Once in my hand, I turn to find Damon's scowling face less than a foot from mine.

"Sign them," I order, shoving the papers into his chest.

He doesn't even look down, his eyes remaining focused on mine.

"Sign them, Damon. You promised. I came out here as you asked and I've lived with you
like a family
, now I want you to fulfill your part," I say, shoving the papers at his chest once more for emphasis.

He grasps my hand and pulls me to his chest. The papers crumple between us.

"I can't," he says on a sigh. "Can't you see how much I feel for you?"

His eyes search mine.

"Don't do this to me," I whisper, tears stinging the corners of my eyes.

His other hand comes up to caress my cheek.

"Olivia, I can't let you go. I need you."

Slapping his hand away, I shove him back.

"No, you need help. Professional help. You just busted down a door," I spit out.

"I know you feel more than you—"

"You're delusional." I step back from him.

His jaw clenches, the muscles twitching.

"I won't sign them, Olivia. You might as well throw them away."

"You bastard." Stepping forward, I slap his face. "I hate you," I growl.

He turns and calls back to me over his shoulder.

"I'll be in the shower." He stops at the broken door. "We need to leave in a bit to get Alex and meet my mother this afternoon."

He disappears into the bathroom.

Sinking to the floor, tears stream over my cheeks. Fighting to calm myself and not wanting to be in the room when he's done, I grab clothes and dress quickly.

In the kitchen, the smell of coffee fills the air. With a heavy sigh, I pour myself a cup and carry it to a large leather chair at the far end of the living room.

The blinds, still half shut, dim the morning light. Pulling my knees to my chest, I sip at the hot, black, liquid caffeine and reflect on everything.

Knowing there would be a risk to playing along to this family fantasy of his, I stayed strong to the task of getting the papers signed. Even when he brought up my painful past and I wanted to call it off, I pushed on toward the goal.

However, I hadn't expected a different side of him to emerge. There are moments, more and more each day, where I see
him
and not the stalker. His genuine desire to please Alex and me, to take care and make us happy, and the way Alex has bonded with him in return. For Alex to have someone to call dad…it feels better than I thought it would. It's something I hadn't realized was missing before.

And then there’s last night.

Groaning, I rub my face. Yes, I drank too much — again — but I remember everything. I've been so focused on playing along, somewhere along the way, he's slipped in.

He didn't force me to cuddle against him in the car, allow him to massage me on the couch, or to slip his hands over my body next to the bed. Last night, the alcohol released all the repressed feelings — my attraction to him, how endearing I find him, and the security I haven't felt in forever. He wouldn't leave us and I find comfort in the fact.

How the hell did I let this happen? Did I really want him to stop last night, to sign the papers this morning?

The answer hits me so quickly, I almost dump hot coffee on myself.

No, I didn't.

This realization infuriates me, but doesn't stop the memory from my conversation with Scarlett.

"Olivia, he is so different with you. Hell, he wasn't this attentive to Rebecca — at least not when I was around. Things were so upside down with those two, not that I was privy to the details of their relationship. We weren't very close."

"What do you mean?" Looking at her, she shoves another drink at me.

"Rebecca didn't want to come around much." Scarlett shrugs. "You've met Mama Millie, right?"

The look on her face makes me burst out in laughter. I nod.

"Well, she was never a big fan of Rebecca, and with the way Millie is with Damon…I mean, you have to know that—"

"The way she is with Damon?" I ask, glancing over to Damon while sipping the delicious drink.

"Ah, you have yet to get the full experience. I'll just apologize now for what's to come." Scarlett smiles. At my confused expression, she huddles closer to me and continues.

"Mama Millie is a controlling bitch who has run Damon's life for him since he was a child. You know he started medical school, right?"

I nod.

"Okay, well, like his father, medicine was Damon's passion. Millie was not having that. He met Rebecca in college and she became his everything. This rebellion of Damon's, as Millie called it, was not taken lightly. However, she's smart. She didn't want to risk pushing Damon away, but when she wants something, she makes sure as hell she gets it." Scarlett sighs heavily. "Olivia, Millie basically forced Damon into taking charge of B.I.G."

"I thought she was ill and he stepped in to help?"

Scarlett snorts.

"That's what Damon thought, too. Hell, that's what everyone still believes."

"It's not the truth?"

"Hell no!" She snorts again. "She is an amazing actress. Didn't she put on a good show when you met her?" She raises her eyebrow.

"Sort of. She started coughing and Damon called her out for faking—"

"Oh, she's good." Scarlett grins. "That woman is something else." She shakes her head.

Before I can ask anything further, she jumps from the seat, pulling me with her. Next, we are pushing against the large glass windows and screaming toward the field.

Bringing the mug back up to my lips, I realize it's now cold. With a sigh, I set it down on the table beside the chair. My thoughts drift back to before the baseball game and the phone call I walked in on. He was clearly trying to hide something.

Had it been about Rebecca and DJ? Why would he keep more from me instead of being open when I gave him the chance?

The sound of Damon descending the stairs prevents me from dwelling on my thoughts any longer. Looking over my shoulder, he stands at the bottom of the stairs, eyes locked on mine. Unable to handle the weight of his stare, I look away from him. Anger boils in my stomach. All the confusion, lies, drama…I just want out.

"Olivia?"

I ignore his attempt for my attention. Instead of leaving me alone, he comes closer.

"Olivia, last night—"

"Last night is yet another example of how you take advantage of a situation."

Still not looking at him, I keep my tone level and cold, emotionless. Slowly, I take a deep breath and stand, facing him.

"Last night is not, was not—"

I don't allow him to finish.

"I don't know why you think I want to be with you."

This time, my words not only feel like acid on my tongue, they also act as another slap to his face. A small twinge of regret and guilt knot my stomach; regret for the words I just said and guilt for unleashing my frustration with myself and the situation on him.

"I know I said I would sign the papers, but I know you feel the change. You feel our connection, even if it’s just a small one. But that is enough to try, isn't it?" His hands grab my shoulders, holding me tightly. "I'm falling in love with you and I can't just let you walk out of my life without a fight, Olivia."