Vintage (Adrenaline Series Book 2) (13 page)

In a hushed tone she confesses, “I wanna go away to college. I wanna go to this school so bad. I always have. I thought if I left here I would finally get a chance to live. To have some fun. To enjoy everything everyone else was, but I was wrong. I don't have to leave this place to live. I've been living these past few weeks. Ever since I've met you, I've been more alive than a Van Gogh painting. I feel like I've been flying off the canvas! Leaping and twirling,” her description everything I've been wanting to say, but not sure how. “Truth is...I don't wanna give that up. I don't wanna give you up.”

Once the light turns green, I turn left into an apartment complex. I don't say anything until I'm parked in a garage. I unbuckle myself and reach over to turn Jovi's face to me. “You don't have to give me up baby. I'm not going anywhere.”

“But I am.”

“And I'm gonna be right there with you in Highland. Finding new places for me to make my mark on their walls. New trouble to cause. New nachos to discover. You know not all nachos are created equal.” As soon as she cracks a smile I slip a soft kiss on her lips. On a sigh, with my thumb stroking her cheek I inform her, “I understand what you're going through though. I'm worried about you leaving me too. Finding someone new your father doesn't hate. Who you can bring home without worrying about his background checking out. I'm worried that the high of me will wear off and you'll find someone less...complicated to be with.”

“Not a fucking chance,” Jovi answers quickly. Sliding her lips back on mine, she wastes no time offering me her tongue. It's blazing. Desperate. Demanding.

Fuck. Me. How are we supposed to finish her project?

Groaning, but being just as forceful with the kiss I wrap a hand around the back of her neck, latching her to me. Latching us together. Her whimper urges me to kiss harder, faster, to consume everything she's offering.

In a pant she says, “Are we...can we...”

My bottom lip lands between my teeth trying to regain my focus. I loosen my grip and reply, “After we finish your project. I swear.” With an innocent giggle she nods. “Now grab your bag.”

Both of us grab our shoulder bags as the garage door closes. With our hands folded together, we head in the dark garage for the door that will lead inside. I unlock it and let us into a stairway.

“Every artist has their secret. Ready to see mine?”

She lets out a light giggle. “Show me...”

At the top of the stairs, I unlock another door and hit the lights. Watching Jovi's immediate reaction I smirk proudly at the idea I will be the only one to ever make her smile that way.

“Oh my gosh,” she whispers out in disbelief. “Oh my gosh...”

Dropping my bag by the door, I lock it behind us. “I take it you like it?”

“This is unbelievable.” She takes one more step before grabbing her camera from her bag, dropping the strap around her neck, but lifting it up to take photos. “Did you...did you paint all this alone?”

“I did.”

In a surprised voice she whispers, “Incredible.”

My lips gently press to her ear as my arms slide around her waist. “Astounding.”

Jovi leans back into my embrace. “I was talking about your artwork.”

“And I was talking about you.” I gently nip at her neck. She giggles but it transforms into a moan almost instantly. “You're so remarkable, baby.”

After one more kiss on the neck, I let her go and pull her into the living room where the last piece of the art project is waiting to be seen. The second Jovi gets sight of it, her jaw falls. Her hands cover her mouth barely muffling her gasp.

Proud I stand beside her, “So...what do you think?” Staring at her reaction is fueling the hunger to devour her again. “It'll never be as beautiful as you, but...I tried.”

“This is...” She shakes her head at the sight of her face tagged on the large living room wall. The portrait has her in jeans, an orange tank top, looking off to the side with a smile. It's created with the same reds, oranges, and yellows Van Gogh was famous for. I even added some depth and texture by mimicking the swirls of Starry Night. Swiftly she turns to me, tosses her arms around my neck, and kisses me. Deeply.

Fighting the urge not take her once was hard. Fuck if I'm doing it again.

Eager, I kiss harder, tugging at her jeans, desperate to get them off. In a rushed moment, we become a tangled mess of hands and gropes, kisses, sucks, and moans that shake the entire apartment. Once we are naked, I help Jovi bend over in front of me on all fours as I position myself behind her.

She rubs herself against my cock causing a deep groan out of me. In a weak whimper she begs, “Merrick...”

“Goddamn,” I mumble almost losing my cool. “You need me baby?”

“So bad,” she moans tempting my dick to break the McCoy rule.

I may break many, but I won't break that one.

Running fingers softly over her perfect ass, I enjoy her shivers before sliding two fingers in her pussy. She squeaks and I use my free hand to guide her back onto my fingers. Another moan slips out of her and submerges into me. With the hand that's on her hip, I move it to use a finger to toy with her clit until she's trembling at my touch.

She pleads again, “Merrick please.”

Satisfied with the rashness in her voice, I question, “Please what baby?”

“Please...”

“Please what?”

“Please get inside me.”

Hearing her innocent way of asking for my dick causes it to twitch in compliance. My fingers pump a little more determined to bring her right to the brink of coming. At that moment, I slip inside her, the invading pressure bringing out the orgasm that feels like it's doing more than just welcoming my cock. It's worshipping it.

Fuck it feels good to be worshipped.

I grip her hips and pull her back onto my dick to meet each thrust I'm delivering. My focus should be on making her come again, yet I can't help getting lost in watching her tremble as wave after wave of pure sexual energy tries to rip her to pieces. Her wavy hair is draped by her face that's fallen backwards to let her moans free while her hands are pounding on the hardwood floor looking for leverage. The sight has my nuts swelling for release, but I bite back the instinct. I shut my eyes tightly and get lost in the sounds that are swallowing the two of us whole. Mercilessly I pump again and again dying for her to come on my cock one more time. When her body finally gives into my demand, I shatter right along, clutching her so tightly I swear we've melded together.

Can come actually do that?

Sliding out, I enjoy the shudder she lets go of from the emptiness. I hustle over to the bag I brought up, grab the towel in it, and wipe off the wet tip of my cock before using it to clean her up.

In a stoned post pleasure voice she questions, “Always prepared...you a Boy Scout?”

“I think you can safely say nothing about me is a boy. I'm all man.” Jovi softly snickers as I wipe away the beautiful mess I created between her legs, the erotic picture of something that will never be painted over in my mind.

Everything about her, about us, is permanently painted there. No matter what happens, it's artwork no one can demolish and there's a comfort in that like no other.

Jovi

Once Merrick and I get cleaned and make out a little more, I grab my camera to take the final pictures for my project.

When I agreed to let him paint me, I didn't think it would be anything like this. I'm not exactly sure what I thought it would be, but this...there are almost no words for it. I mean look at it. I'm not that gorgeous in real life. No way.

Naked, per his request, I start capturing the mural on my camera, still speechless about the sight. Merrick who has spread out pillows and blankets for us to camp out on, merely watches with a wide grin on his face.

Not sure if it's me naked or me fan girling over his artwork. Yeah. You're right. It's probably both.

Slowing down my rapid clicking finger I toss my head at the gorgeous woman’s portrait beside mine on the wall. “Who's that?”

He answers quietly, “That's my mom.”

I stare at the tagged painting of the woman. Her skin is a cream colored tone, her eyes bright blue, her hair bobbed, but her smile is the most enthralling part of her.  Not being able to resist I take a couple pictures of her as well.

“She was beautiful.”

“Dad was lucky.”

“Of all the places you could put my portrait around the city...Why'd you paint me next to her?”

“Aside from the fact this is one place I know no one can erase you, it's where you belonged. The woman who gave her life for me to have one.” His answer turns my face to look at him. “And the woman who risked her freedom to save mine.”

There's a small knot building in my throat. Quietly I argue, “It was just a text message.”

“Maybe to you.” He shrugs. “But to me...you put yourself on the line to save mine. I know what your father is capable of. I know the lengths he goes to protect you from...everything. And you risked that text for me anyway. I would've found a way back to you despite his efforts to keep you locked up permanently, but you risked your chance at, phone privileges. Time with Hayli. Hell even leaving for your dream school. You risked that for me to stay out of jail. So...that's exactly where you belong. Beside her.”

I didn't even think about those consequences before-hand. It's not like it would've changed my mind. I still would've sent that text. But, he's right. I risked my future for his now. For him. Without so much as an additional instinct other than to protect him. Holy shit. That's not just love any more is it? That's something deeper.

Extending my hand for him I command, “Show me the rest of this place.”

Immediately he rises to his feet linking his fingers with mine. “This is obviously the living room.” He leads me back the direction we came in the tiny apartment over to the kitchen where there's two men back to back with their arms folded firmly across their chests. “The kitchen.”

I lift the camera to take a photo of them, men who look like aged versions of Merrick and Ben. “Who are they?”

“That one's my dad.” He points to the man on the right. “That one's my uncle. Ben's dad.”

“Your dad died in prison, right?

“Yeah.”

“What about Ben's?”

“Died in a drug deal, about a week after being out.”

The reply has me lowering the camera with a sad expression. Unsure of what to say I squeeze his hand for support on the sensitive subject.

Silently he leads me down a thin hall allowing me to stop along the way to take pictures of the random cars he's painted on the walls. Sure they have meaning, but not as certain I can handle learning more heartbreaking tales, I follow him into the bedroom where the moonlight leaking through the bare window is enough to illuminate the entire room.

In a short gasp I stutter out, “N-N-No way.”

He states proudly, “Yup.”

There's a mural of all five of the McCoy brothers along with Ben and Knoxie as kids with the adult versions of them hovering over like protectors.  Like his other work, it's of course graffiti painted, but the way he's played with colors is different. Almost as if he was trying to create a signature to his own work. The younger versions are used with basic colors while their counter parts are used with the bold bright colors. Some even neon.

“This apartment, was the first one I ever lived in. I don't remember it all. But Drew tells me before I was born that this is where they all slept. Mom worked nights. Dad days. So they took turns sleeping on the couch. This room was where all the boys slept. Played. Lived. After Mom died we lived with Aunt Kelli and Uncle Darius for a while.”

“So now you own the apartment?”

“Kinda.” He lets me go to snap pictures. “I rent it. Permanently.”

“Does the apartment know you do this?”

“Yeah. Carl, that's the head guy. He knows. And I pay him extra not to care.”

On a giggle I zoom in on Knoxie in disbelief she would ever wear pig tails. “Your brothers know?”

“Nah,” he whispers out. “We all have our own secrets. This one's mine. Besides I come here to be alone. To paint away the woes of being a McCoy.”

Understanding the need for space I add, “I get it. I just...I think they'd love to see not only what their baby brother is capable of, but how much he cares not just about where you are all now, but where you came from.”

Merrick offers me a short smile and moves to wrap me in his arms again. “Maybe someday...”

I close my eyes and enjoy the feeling of being in his grip again.

Ever get the feeling we're constantly having to say maybe someday? It makes me wonder if some day will ever be a real day.

After a few more photos, the two of us return to our pallet in the living room where we sprawl out under the moonlight that's pouring into the room from the window.

Don't worry. There's nothing but trees behind us. No one can see in.

Finally feeling this is a good time to confess the fact I'm going away for a few days after classes are over, I pop my head on his chest and offer a weak smile.

As if he's always in tune with what I'm feeling he sighs, “Tell me.”

“How do you know I have something to say?”

“Because I just do.”

“That's it?”

“That's it.”

“What's next? Because you said so.”

“Yup.” He chuckles. “Now tell me what's got your pretty face struggling to stay bright, baby.”

“It's nothing terrible...”

“Then why are you having such a hard time telling me.”

I should've told him right after I found out, but I don't know...I guess I felt this would crush him a little. Hell, it crushes me to have to say it out loud...No. It's fine. He'll be fine right?

“Jovi.”

“Really. It's just...the week after I finish classes, Nadie is flying us out to tour the school and my new apartment complex. I may look around for a new job. Been looking online and it's been harder than I thought.” Merrick's hand that was stroking my back starts to slow down but he remains silent. “It'll just be for a few days. We're leaving that Thursday night. We'll be back Sunday night.” His hand still continues to move, but his breathing has changed. Trying my best to ease the situation I continue, “I don't think we're going to do anything too crazy. Maybe we'll even come back early. Maybe-”

“Baby,” he finally speaks up, his face finally looks at mine.

“Yeah?”

In a swift motion he pulls me onto his lap so I'm straddling him again. Having his hard body between my legs creates an immediate wetness.

How can my body think about sex at a time like this? Shouldn't my body be more...less one minded?

Merrick's thumbs stroke my sides softly. “Why don't you sound excited?”

“I am excited.”

“Then why don't you sound like it?”

I shrug.

“Jovi...”

“Because...because maybe I'm a little worried with us being apart that long.”

“Why? We're apart a few days at a time every week.”

“But not days
and
states?” I argue. “It's everything we talked about earlier. That's what's bothering me. Or why I waited so long to tell you.”

His eyebrows furrow. “How long have you known that you were going on this trip?”

“Since you had breakfast at my house that morning.”

Sitting up so our faces are closer together and my legs can wrap around him he says firmly, “Don't ever feel you have to keep something like this from me.”

“I was trying to protect your feelings.”

“Don't,” he harshly snaps. “Don't do that. I've had enough of that shit in my life. Look me in the face and always tell me what it is you wanna say. What I need to hear. And I promise I'll always do the same for you.” After I nod, his hands slowly start stroking my back, which causes my hips to rock on top of him, awakening his cock.

Not sex time! That's a bad body!

In a whisper he declares, “I'm happy you're going to go check things out.” His heated breath moves to my neck where he plants a kiss. “And as long as you're coming back home to me that's all that matters.”

“Of course,” I whimper at the feeling of his lips on my earlobe. “You are my home.”

“And you're mine,” he replies sliding inside.

A deep moan slips out of me as I arch into him, riding his cock slowly. My arms wrap around his neck as he continues slowly pumping into me, dick hitting a magical button inside that keeps my body tensing like every push is the one that will break me. With my eyes closed I let my body enjoy the ride slithering into an other-worldly existence. I moan louder. Breathe heavier. Muscles clenching so hard to enjoy every stroke I swear I'll snap his dick off before I ever come. Suddenly Merrick's hands are on my lower back forcefully burying himself deeper. In an intense mix of deep moans and groans, the two of us come together, the combined erotic sound enough to pull a second one out of me seconds after the first one.

Our bodies stay tangled as I drop my head to his shoulder and whisper, “I love you, Merrick.”

A kiss finds its way onto my forehead. “I love you too, Jovi.”