Ch. 81..85: Fall For My Ex’s Mafia Dad Chapter 81-85
Chapter 81
Kent pushes his pants downward as he lays me down again on the blanket. I keep my eyes closed, but I can feel him moving his legs, kicking the pants off as he brings his body back to mine. Then, he lays the length of himself down on top of me and my eyes fly open as I feel the new sensation of his skin flush against mine.
As I feel feel...him. All of him, pressed against my hip.
I gasp a little, starting to tremble a bit at the newness of it all. He is...big. I can feel it. I mean, I never thought he'd be small - god damn it, I never thought about it at all - never really considered any of these sorts of things - Oh my god, was I supposed to think about this? Was I ready -
"It's all right, Fay," Kent murmurs to me, running a slow hand down my side, across my ribs and my waist and my hip. I snap my eyes to his, wanting and needing his calm. Kent looks at me steadily, his face serious. "It's all right."
I nod, a little shaky, but trusting him. I am happy, for once, to let Kent take complete control here. And from that moment forward, he does.
We don't move slowly, though, as I thought we might. Instead, Kent's slow caresses of my body with his calloused hand, his mouth hot against my mouth, against my neck, my shoulders, my b***** -
All of it makes me writhe beneath him, urging him onward with a fervor I didn't know I had.
He doesn't say a word, though, doesn't acknowledge my racing pulse, my harsh breathing, my tugs against his body to bring him closer against me as he slides one of his broad hands between my legs and slowly, torturously, draws one finger down the length of me. I moan, my body arching against him, twisting my head to the side as I gasp against the intensity of the sensation.
This, apparently, breaks his silence.
"God damn it, Fay," Kent growls as he watches me, doing it again, more deliberate this time, allowing his fingers to explore the wet core of me. I'm soaking for him, I know, already, and I press my eyes even more tightly closed as I feel him slowly press a finger inside of me. I gasp at the sudden rush of sensation, and then cry out as he moves his thumb upward at the same time, finding that precise spot on me that makes me shudder as he presses against it.
Kent lowers his face to my body as he slowly moves his hand, circling my c**t gently with his thumb, pulsing his finger inside of me in a way that I find... maddening, and incredible, and rich. Then, just as I'm starting to understand it, to feel the rhythm of him, to feel my own hips pulse against his hand, I feel him shift and then, slowly, deliberately, he slides another finger in.
My moan is feral and guttural this time, my eyes pressing more tightly closed as my head arches back on my neck. I didn't know - I had no idea it felt like this - I shake and cry out again, unable to help myself as Kent's fingers explore me, softly curling inside of me and hitting -
God damn it, a point I hadn't even known was there -
I shiver against his hand, making small gasping, desperate noises I didn't know I had in me before -
Suddenly, I hear Kent curse and pull his hand away from me. I begin to sit up, surprised, disappointed, my eyelids heavy - wanting more -
But Kent presses me back against the blankets, laying his whole body on top of mine. I gasp a little at the feel of his skin against my own too-bare, too-raw flesh, every single one of my nerves brought to their edge by the feel of him by what he was doing to me. "I'm sorry, Fay," I hear him murmur as he settles himself between my legs. "I should - but I can't - f**k, Fay, I can't wait any more -"
I nod, wanting it, understanding - but also - suddenly - anxious again -
I feel him reach down between us, his knuckles grazing the skin of my stomach as he reaches for himself, and then my eyes fly wide open as I feel him press himself against me. I look up into his face, suddenly scared at the feeling of his c**k at my entrance. Kent holds my gaze steadily as he moves himself slowly against me, letting me feel the hard mass of him straining against my core, sliding the head of his dick across my wet silky center. He takes his time there, though I can see the restraint in his expression, the way he's holding back. Still, he lets me get used to it, lets me feel the warm mass of him, lets me work through the newness of it all until I want it.
Until I'm begging for it.
"Please," I whisper, suddenly wanting more - more of it - more of all of it. And I reach out a hand to take him by the hip and pull.
With a heavy groan, Kent releases his restraint just a little and gives me what I want. And slowly, clearly still holding back for my sake, Kent slides inch by inch inside of me.
I cry out, my eyes pressed shut, as he fills me, as I feel myself stretch for him, as I feel the incredible sensation of him hot and thick inside of me. I throw my head back and feel Kent tuck his face against the skin between my neck and shoulder, undone by the feel of me wrapping tight around him. It feels endless, that first entrance, as Kent slowly slides the whole length of himself into me for the first time.
He moves a hand down my body to hold my ass, pulling me tight against him as he sinks to the end of him. I feel him shudder, his whole self, and my own body gasps against him, my hips pulsing, wanting more, greedy.
Kent complies, shifting his hips to pull out just an inch and then slamming home again. My eyes fly open, seeing stars at the intensity of the feeling, and then he does it again. And again. My body responds without me telling it what to do, wrapping my legs around his waist, meeting Kent stroke for stroke as he pounds himself into me, each pulse longer, harder - his breath hot on my skin.
I feel something building in me then as I wrap my arms around his shoulders, as my whole body is swept away in Kent's rhythm, something twisting in my core and my stomach, building, slow. I lean my head back, letting Kent take over, do whatever he wants to me - carried along with it, seeing an incredible shift of colors passing across the inside of my closed eyelids -
I'm arching against him now, breathing fast, wanting - god I don't know what - when -
"God, Fay," he gasps - "I can't -"
And then his thrusts are suddenly deep and slow as Kent's whole body clenches, as he comes to his end. My eyes fly open at the unique sensation of him spilling himself inside of me. Surprised, panting, I turn my face to his, but Kent's eyes are closed as his body collapses against me, as he tucks his head against my shoulder and pants heavy against my skin.
Breathing hard, I staring at the ceiling of the barn, trying to put myself back together. As I come back to myself, I find one of my hands gently resting against the swell of his bicep, another wrapping in the curl of his thick hair as we both find our breath. There are... tiny holes in the ceiling, I notice. Though which streams of light enter the darkness of the barn, this secret space that feels...
Totally different, from the rest of the world.
And suddenly, I don't want to move, not at all. Not an inch.
Because I know that for now, in this moment, everything is good and safe and warm.
But the moment we move - the moment we get up, and put on our clothes, and go downstairs...
Everything will be irrevocably changed.
Chapter 82
"What are you thinking about," I whisper a few minutes later, when our breathing and our heartrates have returned almost to normal. Kent has shifted himself to lay at my side, though I'm still on my back, one of his warm arms wrapped around me and pulling me close to his body. Kent doesn't say anything for a second, and then he gives a warm little laugh. "Nothing, Fay. I'm thinking about nothing. That's sort of the point."
"Is it?" I ask, turning my head fast towards him. Because I - I am thinking about everything. My thoughts are going wild right now - does that mean I did it wrong?
Oh my god.
Did I do it wrong?
Kent slowly opens his eyes a little and looks at me, his arm tightening to bring me closer. "Yes, Fay," he whispers. "It's supposed to be relaxing. Peaceful." "Oh," I say, slowly, my face confused.
He smiles at me, amused, and I bite my lip a little, unable to help my little smile in return. It's so rare to see Kent smile - it pleases me to be the one to make him do it, I realize. "What," he asks. "You're not feeling relaxed?"
"No," I whisper, my smile broadening. "I feel...kind of crazy."
"What?" he asks, surprised and a little worried. His eyes open fully now. "What -"
"I mean," I say eagerly, turning my body towards him. "Was it any good? Did I do it right? Did you - did you like it? Was I supposed to -"
"Fay," Kent groans, laughing again and closing his eyes, a wider smile on his face now. He takes a deep breath, collecting his thoughts, and then he opens his eyes again to look at me seriously. I note, however, that he still has a little curve at the corners of his lips. "It was good if you enjoyed it. It's not really about what I experienced - or it shouldn't be, for you. That's not what I want."
"But," I say, hesitant. "I want you to enjoy it." And as I say it, I realize it's true. I want him to like it. I want him to want to do it again.
"Fay," Kent says seriously, reaching out a hand to brush my cheek. "Trust me. I enjoyed it. A lot. You don't have to worry about that."
"Okay," I say softly, smiling to myself as I press myself closer to him, tucking my head beneath his chin. Kent wraps his arms tightly around me, running a hand down my spine. I enjoy the little tingle that his touch brings to me as he traces his fingers up and down the length of my back.
We stay there, like that, for a long time. His body keeps me warm as I let my mind wander, as I enjoy the feeling of him holding me tight. I never thought, really, what it would be like to have someone's whole body pressed to mine, skin-to-skin. I never knew I'd like it as much as I do.
But as I lay there, feeling and wondering, questions...crop up.
"Kent?" I ask again a few minutes later, hesitant.
He makes a soft noise of acknowledgement deep in his throat, inviting me to continue.
"Why is there a blanket here?"
He turns to me, confused.
"Like," I say, smiling at him, a little roguish. "Like, did you plan this? Did you put this blanket here just in case -"
He laughs now, a true, real laugh, and I smile to see him do it. "No, Fay," he says, his eyes peacefully closed again and his face turned up to the ceiling. "I'm smooth, but I'm not that smooth. It's probably one of the stable hands - sometimes someone has to stay with the horses all night, and one of them probably comes up here for some peace and quiet."
"Oh," I say, looking around and considering the place anew. Actually, I can see and understand that now - it's quite nice up here. Peaceful, like Kent said.
I look at him again, though, biting my lip and trying to work up the courage to ask the real question on my mind. How was I the same girl who stood up to him downstairs in the stall? Where was she now when I need her?
"Go ahead, Fay," Kent says, his eyes still closed, startling me a little. "Ask your question."
I stare at him, surprised. "How did you know I have another question?" I ask, suspicious.
He peeks at me through one half-opened eye. "I can just feel it. Sixth sense. Fay sense."
I swat his arm, hating that he's right, making him laugh as he closes his eye and waits patiently.
"Um," I say, a little awkward now. "What are we going to do about...pregnancy?"
He laughs a little again, which makes me feel embarrassed and a little mad. "Well it's a serious question -" I huff. "We never talked about it before - and I don't want you like, slipping birth control into my morning coffee without asking me -" He laughs harder then, and I go still with shock.
"Wait -" I start, pushing away from him and looking him dead in the face. "You aren't already doing that, are you - because that is a violation -"
"No, Fay," Kent says, laughing harder and shaking his head. He presses a gentle thumb to my mouth, stopping my tirade, the rest of his hand wrapping warmly around my face. "It's all right," he continues. "I had a vasectomy - years ago. There's nothing to worry about."
"Oh," I say, my eyebrows going up in surprise. I had never thought - had never even begun to think... "So," I say carefully, "you don't want any more kids?"
"No, Fay," he says, considering me gently. "Daniel is enough. Do you?"
I shrug, biting my lip. I honestly hadn't thought about being a mom too much - I've been so focused on my career, and I hadn't really had a mom for much of my life...
"I don't know," I murmur, looking at him seriously.
"That's all right," he responds, nodding, understanding. He drops it there and I find that I am grateful. I'm not sure I want to be pressed, right now, on this point. Though I admit, I am glad that I don't have to worry about being knocked up.
"Is it always like this?" I whisper suddenly, curling up against him and asking the question before I even realized that it was growing in me.
Kent tilts his head to the side, studying me seriously, curious. "What do you mean?"
"Like this," I breathe. I hesitate then - not really knowing...how to explain what I mean.
Slowly, Kent shakes his head side to side. "No, Fay," he answers seriously. "This was...totally unique."
Then, quite carefully, as if I were very delicate, or he risks breaking some spell, Kent leans forward to bring his face close to mine. And slowly, gently, he presses his lips to my mouth, carefully kissing me with a warmth and deliberation that...I've never felt before. Not from him.
Not from anyone.
And when he pulls away, he's smiling at me.
And I feel a fluttering in my stomach that lets me know that I am on quite dangerous ground.
Luckily, Kent spoils it.
"Next time," he murmurs, moving his hand lower to grip my ass, using his leverage there to pull me tight against him, "we're going to make sure that you finish too."
"Wait," I say, cocking my head at him, confused. "I didn't?"
Kent laughs at me before kissing me soundly, firmly, with complete control. I let him, allowing the kiss to sweep through me, losing myself to it until I'm almost panting again. Then he releases me, smirking down into my face, the controlling Kent I know suddenly back. "Oh Fay," he teases, arrogant, as he squeezes my ass. "I am going to have a good time, showing you this new world."
I narrow my eyes at him, half resenting his smugness, half excited to see what's next. I snap my teeth playfully at him and he laughs, pulling me close for another kiss.
Chapter 83
A few hours later, I stand in the cool white space of my bathroom, staring at my freshly-showered reflection in the mirror. I'm wrapped in a towel, another one twisted around my hair, and I can't stop...looking at myself.
Wondering if I'm...different somehow.
I drop my towel and pull the other from my head with a frustrated sigh, turning and trying to get a look at my naked body in the mirror from different angles, working to truly see...
But then I give up, glaring at myself in the mirror a little bit. Because I know that I don't look different - not really, not at all. Because that's impossible.
But I do know that, inside...I am different. Things have changed - I have changed. And I don't know at all how I feel about it.
Everything just feels so...strange. And new. When I had left the house this morning, I was one person and now...am I someone else? My body keeps reminding me that things are different too, with a low ache between my legs a constant reminder of how I spent the afternoon. And my thighs keep shaking a little, just tiny tremors, probably because I had my legs wrapped around Kent's waist all day, and I was using muscles I haven't had to use before...
I blush, thinking about it, and then I scowl at myself in the mirror for blushing and pull my robe off of its hook, tugging it over my arms and knotting it tight around my waist.
Honestly, I'm a mafia mistress now. A real one. Shouldn't I be beyond embarrassment?
A knock comes at my bedroom door and, eager for the distraction, I move to it quickly. I don't have plans for the evening - but did Kent...?
When I open the door, I'm surprised but not displeased to see Jerome standing there, looking bored. I give him a happy smile and he opens his mouth to say something, but then he freezes after he takes one look at me.
"What?" I say, taking a step back, my hands flying to anxiously twist the ends of my wet hair. "What's wrong?"
"Oh my god," Jerome whispers, leaning forward and grinning at me. "You actually did it, didn't you?"
I freeze - no way - there's no way he knows so fast-
"Oh my god, you totally did!" Jerome hisses, gleeful, "You actually boned Lippert! -"
"Jerome!" I gasp, looking out into the hallway, frantic. "What the - are you serious - how did you?!" Then, desperate, I tug him angrily into my room, slamming the door shut behind him.
"Fay, please, I'm dying," Jerome laughs as he stumbles across my floor, his voice half whisper and half glee. "Please, you have to tell me everything -"
"I'm not telling you anything!" I hiss, giving him a little shove so that he falls back against the bed. "Even if there were anything to tell - I'm not going to - I mean, I wouldn't -" I blush now, pursing my lips, realizing that...well, that it's no good. Jerome sits perched on the end of my bed, leaning forward, grinning at me as if it's Christmas morning. "Come on, Fay, I won't tell anyone - I can keep a secret!"
"We're not girlfriends, Jerome!" I huff at him, "this isn't a slumber party - I'm not telling you my deepest darkest just because you ask!" I cross my arms but I can't help smiling a little. Honestly, I am dying to talk to someone about it, and I do like Jerome. "Oh, it's not a slumber party?" Jerome asks, smirking and raising his brows. "Like the one you had last night with my boyfriend? Really, Fay, you do like to have Lippert men in your bed -"
"Ew!" I say, dashing forward to smack him on the arm. "You of all people should know that it's not like that between me and Daniel and - wait -" I freeze, my arm raised to smack him again. "Did you just did you just call Daniel your boyfriend?" Now it's Jerome's turn to blush. "No - I mean, it was a slip - we're -"
"You're what?" I breathe, dying to know, leaning towards him.
"Quid pro quo, Miss Alden," Jerome snaps, quickly pulling himself back together and retaking control of the conversation. "I'll tell you if you tell me."
I stand up straight, folding my arms over my chest studying him. "Fine. You tell me first."
"No way you go -"
"No!" I interject, laughing. "You tell me, or I'll make Kent fire you -"
"Unfair!" Jerome cries, jumping to his feet. "You can't leverage your sugar daddy's -"
"I can do as I please! I -"
We're both silenced, suddenly, by a hard knock at the door, both of our heads spinning towards it. I'm faster than Jerome, though, using this to my advantage. "You know that's Daniel, right?" I say, smirking as I reach for the handle. "Maybe we should just...let him in? See what he thinks?"
"No, Fay -" Jerome says, his face worried. But I just grin at him and whip open the door, turning to face Daniel with a wicked grin.
That falls immediately from my face.
Kent is standing there, his arms folded, glaring at me. And then his eyes flicking dangerously to Jerome, standing behind.
"Sir," says Jerome, putting his hands out where Kent can see them, like he's being questioned by the police. "I'm sorry sir - I meant to get her for you, like you asked - but we got distracted -"
"Distracted by what?" Kent says, his voice slow, even. Perilous. I take a step away from Kent, freaked out by the violence on his face. "What distracted you, Jerome?" Kent asks again, taking a step into the room, his eyes flicking to me once as he prowls closer to his prey. "What distracted you so much that you came into Fay's room? Alone? And shut the door? When she's undressed?"
"Please," Jerome begs, quailing a little under the force of Kent's stare. "I promise - it was nothing - we're - we're friends -"
Kent doesn't acknowledge a word that Jerome says, just continues to stalk closer to him until their faces are inches apart. "Get the f**k out, Jerome."
Jerome immediately flinches away, nodding and dashing for the door, clearly scared - perhaps even for his life. He doesn't even look at me as he goes. I watch Jerome's form disappear out my door and down the steps, shocked and freaked out myself. Then I turn back to Kent, my eyes wide. "What the hell is going on, Fay?" Kent asks, arms crossed, glaring at me.
"Nothing," I insist, staring at him, shocked. "Seriously, Kent, there's nothing going on between me and Jerome, there can't be, he's -"
And then I stop realizing...
Realizing that Kent actually doesn't know. That he wouldn't be this jealous, this enraged, if he knew that the bedroom that Jerome is actually secretly visiting is...Daniel's.
"Kent," I say, crossing the room to him and putting my hands flat on his chest, looking up into his face. "Seriously, you've got to believe me - there's nothing going on between me and Jerome. He's my friend - one of my only friends, in this house." I bite my lip at him, knowing - well, knowing that that's worked in the past. Hoping it works again. "Please - just trust me. It was an innocent visit."
I can tell by the stony nature of Kent's face that he doesn't quite believe me. I frown a little, confused. Why - if we just slept together hours ago - if he just took my virginity - why would he think I was sneaking Jerome up into my room for some kind of tryst? "You'll have to forgive me for doubting your fidelity, Fay," Kent sneers. "Especially considering that your boyfriend is downstairs. Waiting for you. To take you on a trip."
I blink at Kent, totally confused.
Then I take a step away, anxious. Is this...is this some kind of trap?
"Kent," I whisper. "What are you talking about?"
Kent cocks his head to the side, studying me, but I look at him with honest confusion on my face. He assesses me for a moment and then nods toward the door. "Come and see for yourself," he says, stepping towards it. I follow, eager to understand, padding after him in my bare feet until we're both standing at the top of the steps. I'm still looking up at Kent, though, when he stops and gestures down to the first floor.
And then I look and my mouth falls open.
Because Ivan is standing there, smirking up at me.
"Are you ready, Fay?" he asks, all brash assurance. "Time to go."
Chapter 84
"Ivan," I say, my voice hardly more than a whisper as I stare at him from the top of the steps. Then, realizing that I'm standing here basically naked in my tiny robe, I clutch the fabric closed at my throat and take a deep breath, trying to figure out what the hell to do next. What is he doing here!? "I take it," Ivan says, his smirk deepening, "by your state of dress that you are...not ready yet? Do you need a few more minutes?"
"A few more minutes?" I ask, baffled. And then, fully aware that Kent's eyes are on me, I flit down the steps until I'm eye-level with Ivan. "What are you talking about, Ivan? Why are you - what are you -
Seeing that I'm not playing coy and that I'm genuinely confused, Ivan frowns at me. "Didn't you get my texts, Fay? Or your dad's? This was...all set up."
I slap a hand to my forehead, groaning. Texts. My phone. You know, communication with the outside world?
"Ivan," I explain, shaking my head. "I haven't checked my phone since like...yesterday afternoon. I'm sorry I've been...distracted."
Images flash through my mind, suddenly, of precisely how distracted I was. Images of Kent pinning me up against the wall of the stable - his mouth hard on mine while he carried me upstairs - the feel of his body against mine as he pressed into me -
Despite myself, I blush, which only makes Ivan grin. "Ah, that's all right, Fay," he says, giving me his patented cocky half-smile. "It's a surprise then. Go get packed - I'm taking you away for the night. A little mini-break, just you and me. So we can, ah...get to know each other." His eyes move, at his last words, to Kent standing at the top of the stairs. Ivan's smile deepens, bringing out a dimple on his left cheek.
Slowly, I turn to follow Ivan's gaze. Kent doesn't look at Ivan, though - only at me. Then, he twists his head quickly to the side towards my room, his meaning perfectly clear.
"Give me a minute," I murmur to Ivan as I run up the stairs, past Kent and towards my room. I can hear Kent's heavy footsteps behind me as I fly into my room and spin to face him. He slams the door shut.
"Kent, I swear -" I say, all in a rush. "I had no idea - I did not plan this -"
"Give me your phone," Kent commands, interrupting me, apparently having no interest in what I'm saying. I nod quickly and rush to my desk, grabbing the phone he gave me off of it and handing it to him. Kent glances at it and then tosses it on the bed, glaring at me. "Your other phone, Fay," he demands, his voice starting to get angry.
I purse my lips together, a little frustrated, and then nod. I kneel down and open the bottom door of my desk, pulling out the burner phone Janeen gave me. I glance at it, seeing that I have several unread messages. I start to open them but Kent grabs the phone out of my hand.
"Hey!" I protest, but he just flicks his eyes at me once, annoyed, and then ignores me, opening the messages and reading through them. I cross my arms over my chest as I stand up, angry at Kent for not letting me have privacy, but then also angry at myself for thinking he would. And then again for thinking that I was clever enough to have a second phone without him knowing about it.
"What the boy says checks out," Kent says, tossing the phone onto the bed with the other one and then turning to glare at me. "You didn't plan this?"
"I swear," I say, pressing a hand to my chest. "I didn't know anything about this - you didn't either? Usually my dad would call you to like...ask permission or something."
"My last phone call with your father didn't go well," Kent says, looking away from me and clenching his jaw. I blink in surprise, thinking that the last phone call was when...well, when my father called to tell Kent that I'm a spoiled, ungrateful whore. But Kent was calm and collected when I saw him later that afternoon - I had assumed...
"Are things...okay? Between you two? Between the families?"
"That's not your concern," Kent replies rigidly, turning to meet my eyes again, his expression harsh. I huff a little laugh, opening my mouth to say that it very much is my concern, considering I'm the one stuck between these two families, but he continues on. "Well?" Kent asks. "Do you want to go?"
I freeze and stare at him, my eyes wide, wondering if this is some kind of trick question. "Do...I want to go?"
"That's what I asked you, Fay," Kent snaps. "Don't play stupid now, we both know you're not."
I don't let his tone phase me, I'm used to it by now, and instead simply stare at Kent, trying to figure out what the hell I'm supposed to do now. Because part of me - a big part of me - just wants to go to bed right now, to curl up in the dark and give myself a minute to contemplate this insane day.
And another part of me - well, another part...likes Ivan. Likes the idea of him standing downstairs, all handsome and cocky, waiting to take me away. The dangerous part of me - which I am now starting to realize is more powerful than I thought it was really wants to see what Ivan has in mind for the evening.
But still another part...
I look at Kent, then, and suddenly all I want him to do is to wrap his arms around me and tell me not to go. To pick me up, and carry me downstairs, and tell Ivan to f**k off, and then take me to his bed - wherever that is in the house - and lay me down in his sheets and -
"What do you want me to do?" I hear myself ask, my words tentative.
Then I hold my breath, wanting his answer. Needing it.
I see Kent's minds moving as he studies me. I see him take a deep breath in through his nose and then sigh, shaking his head a little.
"I need you to go, Fay," he says, his voice a little...rueful? I don't know. I can't parse it. "I'm cut off from intel about your father right now, all my men are, and...things are getting complicated. It's bigger than me and Alden - there's a rift starting between all of the families..." Kent sighs and scrapes his hand over his face from top to bottom. "If you went, Fay, you could try to discern the sentiment. That would be helpful."
I stare at Kent, shocked that he has such a business-like reply, that his motives for wanting me to go or stay have absolutely nothing to do with...us. With this afternoon. With whatever our personal relationship is.
And then I remember that we have two contracts. And that one of those contracts was to be a mistress, but the other - and frankly, the more lucrative one - was to be his spy. So quickly, I nod. I wonder if he can see the disappointment on my face before I replace it with a little smile. "Sure, Kent," I say. "If that's what you want."
He studies me for a moment and then steps closer, taking me by the hand and pulling me against him. "Remember that this is a business trip, Fay," he growls, close enough that I feel his lips move against mine. "I absolutely forbid you to enjoy yourself." I feel a little laugh ripple though me as I tilt my head up, meeting his eyes. "Whatever you say, boss."
Chapter 85
Twenty minutes later, Fay slips out of her room, dragging a little powder-blue wheeled suitcase behind her, dressed in a casual white tennis skirt and an oversized varsity sweater that Kent picked out for her before he left her room. At the bottom of the stairs, both Ivan and Kent watch her descend. They've been there the whole time, waiting. They didn't say a word to each other.
"Bout time, gorgeous," Ivan says with a smile, coming forward and reaching out a hand to help Fay down the last few steps. She beams at him. "Oh, come on," she replies, wrinkling her nose playfully. "I'm worth the wait."
Kent feels fury build in him as he forces himself to watch the exchange. He wants nothing more than to step forward and punch that satisfied smirk right off of Ivan's face as he looks Fay over from head to foot. But Kent does nothing, doesn't move at all, burying the desire deep inside. It's not worth it.
There's the creak of a door, then, and Ivan, Kent, and Fay all turn towards the kitchen as Daniel comes into the hall, taking a big bite of the sandwich in his hand, his mind clearly elsewhere. Daniel stops in his tracks when he sees them all staring at him and slowly swallows his bite. "What's...going on?" he asks, wary.
"Hey Daniel," Ivan calls, raising his chin to him, not letting go of Fay's hand. "Nice to see you again."
"Daniel, come here," Kent commands, not giving Daniel a chance to respond. "Come say goodbye to your fiancé. She's off for a little...trip."
Both Daniel and Fay raise their eyebrows at Kent's use of that word, Ivan looking between them, but Kent ignores them all. He has his own reasons. Daniel crosses to the unlikely group, his eyes on Fay.
"Where you going?" Daniel asks with a confused frown.
"Away for the night," she replies, attempting a little smile. "It's a...surprise?"
"With Ivan?" Daniel pushes, starting to get mad and moving to stand next to his father. Fay shrugs and nods a little. Daniel glares at them all. "Why!?" Daniel demands, his voice angry.
Kent expertly changes the direction of the conversation, though, snapping his fingers towards the open doors of his office. Two men come out, backpacks slung over their own shoulders. "These men are Fay's body guards," Kent explains, his words directed at Ivan. "I'm sure you can accommodate them."
"Sure," Ivan says, unphased. "We've got plenty of room. Hey guys." He lifts his chin towards each of them in a friendly greeting. Kent notes the little smile that forms on Fay's face as she watches Ivan, pleased, apparently, at his ability to meet Kent's demands with a cool head.
Kent nudges Daniel hard in the arm. "Say goodbye to your girl, Daniel. I'm sure she'll miss not having you so close by tonight."
Daniel glares at his dad a little and then, sandwich still in hand, goes to wrap Fay in an awkward hug, his sandwich getting dangerously close to her hair. "Have fun, Fay," he says blandly, clearly not meaning it and giving Ivan a bitter little glare over her shoulder. "See ya, Daniel!" Fay says cheerfully, giving him a squeeze and then letting him go. Ivan smirks at both of them, not missing that there was no good-bye kiss. Kent grits his teeth at his son's inability to read the room. As Ivan moves to open the front door, Kent moves to Fay's side, partially wanting to cover for Daniel's mistake and partially wanting...well.
"Have a nice time, Fay," he half murmurs, half growls, placing a hand on her waist to pull her to his side. Then, he places a fatherly kiss on her forehead.
As Kent pulls away, Fay looks into his eyes, disbelief and irony written all over her face. She shakes her head at him while Ivan's back turned. "Sure thing, daddy," she whispers, taking the opportunity to fist a hand in his shirt and pull him hard against her. "Don't miss me too much."
She gives him a look, then, that twists Kent stomach and sends all his blood rushing for his c**k. But before he can respond, she's let him go and is moving through the door, not even looking over her shoulder as she leaves, the guards following after her. When Fay takes Ivan's hand and smiles up at him as they walk down the front steps, Kent grits his teeth and slams the door behind her.
He takes a moment to collect himself, breathing hard, and then turns towards his office to see...
Daniel, standing there, his expression a little scandalized. "You okay, dad?" Daniel asks slowly.
Kent says nothing, just turns and storms into his office, slamming that door as well.
"So, where are we off to?" I ask, eagerly smiling as I buckle my seatbelt in the front of his car. But while I was expecting words, Ivan's response is to place a gentle hand on my cheek, turning my face to him. "Hey, are you okay?" he asks, searching my face. "That was...intense in there. Weird."
I melt a little, looking into his pretty grey eyes, and nod my head. "It's...always weird in there. Casa Lippert is a strange place."
"I'm starting to get that impression," Ivan mutters, still staring at me. "It's really good to see you Fay," he continues quietly, sincerity all over his face.
I take a deep breath, suddenly relaxed, more relaxed maybe than I've been all day, which is weird considering...well. I push that thought from my mind and give Ivan a real smile. Not the fake ones I've been pasting onto my face since he came into Kent's house. "It's good to see you too," I sigh, taking his hand. "Really good."
"Good," he says, grinning at the redundancy in our conversation. Then, he turns his attention to the road. "You want to go eat some seafood?"
"Always!" I reply, suddenly eager. "Are we going to the beach?"
"Mountains, actually," he says as he pulls out of the driveway, Kent's guards following behind us in a black SUV.
"Seafood in the mountains?" I ask, wrinkling at my nose. "When we live so close to the shore?"
Ivan just gives me a little wink. "Trust me," he says. "You won't regret it."
Two hours later, we pull up to the most gorgeous mountain house I've ever seen. I'm gaping as I step out, taking in the amazing vista behind the house as well as the fantastic architecture of the home itself, which looks like it has about a dozen decks and balconies. "Oh my god," I whisper, staring up at it. "Is this...is this your place?" I ask, glancing at Ivan as he comes to stand next to me. "Yours, actually," he relies, slipping his hands into his pockets and staring at the house.
I frown at him. "What?"
"This is your dad's place," Ivan explains, turning to me with a smile. "He loaned it to me for the night. Told me to take you up here, enjoy ourselves."
"Oh," I say, shrinking away from him a little, surprised. "I thought that you..."
Ivan turns his head a little, waiting for me to continue.
"Well..." I hesitate, "my dad and I, the last time we met, we didn't...end things on very good terms. And he was mad that I was seeing you. And I kind of thought that you brought me up here because you wanted to see me..."
"Fay," Ivan says gently, taking my hand. "Nothing's changed. I'm still on your side. Your dad loaned me the house because I flipped out on him - I heard what he said to you -"
My mouth drops open, wanting to ask how, but he just smirks at me and puts a hand up, asking me to let him finish.
"I have my sources, Fay," he continues, "and I went to your dad's house, demanding that he apologize to you. This," Ivan says, shrugging and looking towards the house again, "is his apology. As well as his blessing, I guess. For us to see each other." He turns to look me in the eye then. "Though none of that matters to me, though. I'd have come for you tonight whether he'd loaned me this house or not."
"Oh really?" I ask, finding myself drawing closer to him unconsciously. "And without this house, where would you have taken me?"
"Cheap motel on the boardwalk," he says, shrugging with a smirk. "I would have treated you to the finest fries that a five dollar bill could buy - taken you fishing on the pier with nothing but a piece of corn as bait-"
I find myself laughing, suddenly, charmed by him again. He wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me close, and I let him. "Seriously, Fay," he says. "Forget your dad - he's a jerk. I brought you here because I thought you'd want to know that he was sorry. But if you don't like it - we can go right now."
"No," I murmur, smiling at him, our faces close. "Let's stay. I want to check out my property, after all."
Ivan nudges my nose with his, sending a little flutter through my stomach, and then pulls me towards the house.