Interview with Love (16 page)

“She didn't believe you, did she?” he surmised.

Sienna shook her head. “No, she didn't. She and I got into a huge fight. She accused me of being jealous of her, of trying to take away the two things that mattered to her most. She…was so hurtful in the things she said to me, but what hurt the most was that she took his side. He told her that he thought it was her—and she believed him. He turned it around and made Sasha feel bad for us switching places. He lied. He knew it was me. I told him it was me, Vaughn.” She wiped the tears from her eyes. “Why would I make up something like that? The bastard knew it was me,” she cried.

Vaughn went to her. He knelt down in front of her. He gathered her trembling hands in his. “Sienna, listen to me. You aren't to blame for what the jackass did to you. Do you hear me? What he did to you was despicable, but it wasn't your fault. You switching places with Sasha made no difference. Nothing warranted him trying to force himself on you. You understand, don't you?”

Tears resumed sliding down her face. “I figured if I could make myself stand out less and blend in more…I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner.”

“Sienna, it's okay. I'm so sorry you had to go through that. That you felt there was nowhere you could turn. Do your parents know?”

“No,” she sobbed. “I couldn't…I couldn't say anything to them. My father would've…I just couldn't do it. Sasha would've denied it ever happened anyway. My father would've gone after him.” She shook her head. “Our family couldn't have survived it, Vaughn.”

“He thinks all the bad blood between you and your sister is about a beauty pageant?” Vaughn said, incredulously.

“More or less. He knows there's more to it than that, but he doesn't have a clue it's this serious. This would hurt him, Vaughn, badly. I couldn't do that to him. Regardless of our animosity, I know Sasha wouldn't either. We've seen him destroyed once, when our mother died. He can't go through that again.”

“So you're going to carry this burden all by yourself?”

Sienna looked at Vaughn with determination. “If that's what it takes.”

Vaughn guided her hand to his lips and kissed it. “I wish I knew you back then. I swear to you I would have broken his jaw—or worse. He'd have ended up in the hospital or the morgue.”

She touched his cheek with her other hand. “I know.”

Vaughn pulled her up to her feet and embraced her. He lost track of how long he stood there just holding her. “I'm here for you in any way I can be, Sienna. I swear to you that nobody will ever hurt you like that again.”

“I'm not afraid anymore, Vaughn. I just wanted you to know. I didn't want there to be any secrets between us. I wanted you to know that I trust you, and I'm sorry about not being open with you about Sasha.”

“I know.” He lightly kissed the bridge of her nose. “We're okay, sweetheart. Look, if you want to talk about it some more—”

She looked up at him. “Actually, I don't. It was in my past. I'm tired of living in it. I'd rather be here in the present—with you.” Sienna leaned up and kissed him on the lips.

When he went to end their embrace Sienna tightened it. Eventually, she released him. When Vaughn gazed down at her, he noticed she was wearing the necklace he'd given her. It hung low nestled in her open cleavage. Her plunging neckline made his fingers want to follow the path of that charm. His hands flexed at his sides. As if she had read his mind, Sienna guided his hand up to her chest and traced a path over her charm.

“It's where all the magic began.” She leaned in to kiss his neck.

Sienna walked an unhurried circle around him like she was an orbiting planet. She stopped behind him. His jaw ticked. Her fingers slid up the back of his shirt to his neck, and then ran slowly down his back. She stopped at his belt buckle. With deliberate movements, Sienna went lower until her hand cupped his rear end. Her fingers trailed lightly across his side and around to the front of his chest.

Sienna unbuttoned his shirt with precise, deliberate movements.

Vaughn stilled her fingers. “Sweetheart, we don't…if you're not—”

She walked around until she was back in front of him. “Shhh.” She whispered. “No words—not yet.”

With a slight nod, Vaughn remained silent.

After the task of unbuttoning his shirt was complete, she eased her right hand inside and caressed his chiseled pectoral. She gave the left side of his chest equal attention. Moments later, she slid his shirt down until it landed in a noiseless heap on the floor.

Her fingers played with the buckle on his belt. Eventually, she flicked the strap from the belt loops on his pants. She continued to apply tension until the belt was released. Sienna's eyes locked with Vaughn's as she unbuttoned his pants and unzipped them. The noise was a stark contrast against the silence. She moved back while Vaughn stepped out of his trousers. He watched with fascination as Sienna turned her back to him.

“Your turn.”

Vaughn ran a hand down the back of her dress. Ignoring the zipper for a moment, his hand trailed from the nape of her neck to the small of her back. It was his turn to outline her rear end with his hand. Just as she'd done, his fingers slid up her waist as he walked around to the front of her. His fingers teased her breasts through the soft leather. Sienna swayed against him. He moved until he was behind her again. His thumb and index finger slid the zipper of her dress down.

Both hands went inside the dress to cup her shoulders. He eased her against his front and then lowered the dress inches at a time until it too littered the carpeted floor. Vaughn's arms encircled her waist while he buried his lips against her neck. He kissed her shoulder blade before retracing the path with his tongue.

He turned her around. His thumb traced a slow path across her lower lip. His eyes searched her face. “Sweetheart—”

“Yes, I'm sure.” She finished. “I want to make amends—for everything.”

“Baby, you were forgiven the moment I pulled into my driveway and saw you,” he confessed, and then sobered. “I'm sorry I haven't called you. It was childish of me, Sienna.”

She silenced him when her hand followed a deliberate path down his abdomen.

When she traveled lower Vaughn moved her hand and crushed her body to his. He kissed her with a force that made her grab onto him for support. In one swift movement, Vaughn picked her up. Her legs locked around his middle. He leaned her against the nearest wall for support. His lips found hers again.

“Are we all kissed and made up?” he grinned, lasciviously.

“Not yet. There's one more thing you need to do.”

“Name it.”

“Make love to me. I'm not leaving this house until you do,” she whispered in his ear.

“News flash,” he whispered back. “You aren't leaving the entire weekend. We're making love in every room in this house.”

She mentally calculated the square footage. Her hear skipped a beat. “Say that again,” she said, eagerly.

Vaughn let her down long enough to swing her up into his arms. He headed for the wide staircase. “I think I'd rather show you.”

Sienna was awakened by Vaughn trailing kisses along her back. She waited until he'd traveled the entire length before she murmured, “You missed a spot.”

“Is that so? Well, never let it be said that I didn't take care of my woman—thoroughly,” he said in a seductive voice. This time he slowed his progress, taking special care to give every inch of her warm skin his complete attention.

Unable to keep still, she turned over until she was facing him. “Good morning,” she beamed.

He kissed the bridge of her nose. “It's a spectacular morning, darling. How is my beautiful, sexy, intensely desirable girlfriend?”

She stretched languidly. “Pleasantly tired, yet incredibly happy to be waking up next to my virile, ultra handsome, hunk of an amazing boyfriend.”

“Ugh.” Vaughn made a face. “Somewhere there's a greeting card author that just ran for a pen and pad.”

Sienna giggled. “You think? I hope we inspire couples the whole world over to wake up just as happy and satiated as we are. You know it's odd. We've known each other for months and this is the first time I've ever been on the second floor.”

“That's probably because we both knew that if you'd gotten anywhere near this bed I wouldn't have been responsible for what transpired on it.” He trailed kisses down her face.”

“Whatever it was would have been fine with me.”

He burrowed his face into her neck. “Is that so?” he responded in a muffled voice. “Now she tells me.”

His five o'clock shadow tickled her neck. “Stop,” she laughed. “That tickles.”

“What? Did you say tickle you?” he slid his hands to her waist.

“No, don't you dare,” she screamed writhing underneath him. “Vaughn I mean it. Stop it right now.” She wrapped her legs around his middle.

The contact made them sober instantly. Their playful teasing quickly turned to burgeoning desire. Vaughn lowered his head and claimed her lips possessively before trailing down the nape of her neck. He moved lower still.

“Vaughn,” her voice took on a pleading tone.

When he traveled back up, Sienna grabbed his head in her hands and kissed him. Their contact was explosive. A few moments later, Vaughn lifted his head. “Come on,” he said, disentangling himself.

Surprise crossed her face when he rose off the bed and held his hand out for hers. She let her fingers settle into his grasp. He sauntered toward the bathroom with Sienna in tow.

When they reached it Sienna's eyes grew wide. “Vaughn, you could land a plane in here.”

He turned the shower faucets on. When the water was the correct temperature he slid under the hot spray. He helped her in next. “Not a plane, Doc. Maybe a Mini Cooper, though.”

Sienna turned in a complete circle in the seven foot walk-in shower. There was an oversized head cascading water over them like a rain shower. Her mouth was still hanging open. “This is awesome.”

He got in front of her and didn't stop walking until she was up against the wall. His fingers followed the trails of water running down her chest. “I think you might want to delay that sentiment—until later.”

Sienna's eyes fluttered closed as Vaughn caressed her wet skin with consummate detail. He tuned in to the changes in her breathing pattern. That acuity allowed him to concentrate on the places that gave her the most pleasure. When he picked her up, he wrapped her legs around his waist.

“Now you're killing me,” Sienna confessed in a shaky voice.

“Not yet, baby,” he whispered against her wet ear. He pulled back to look into her passion soaked eyes. “Soon.”

Vaughn took his time making love to Sienna. When they finally came together, Sienna's face mirrored the intense emotions consuming her from the inside out. She held onto him as if her life depended on their bodies remaining connected. Each thrust he delivered ignited a spark within her.

Sienna could feel each spec of desire mounting to form one massive explosion.
Never in her life had she felt this way.
When she opened her eyes their gazes locked. In that moment she knew. Vaughn was the difference. It would be this way with him, and only him. “Pleasurable torture,” she whispered. After that she lost herself in the escalating currents that short circuited her senses. Last night she was in control, but this time Vaughn took the lead. He brought Sienna to heights she'd never encountered. Slow and deliberate was how he loved her. When the world faded and nothing remained but Vaughn, Sienna embraced the maelstrom washing over her. Sure and steady. Like the unyielding waves of the evening tide hitting the shore. He consumed her.

 

This time when Sienna awoke hours later, Vaughn wasn't by her side. Closing her eyes she stretched languidly. He may not be there, but she could still smell his scent. Smiling she wrapped herself tighter in the bed covers. The last two days replayed in her head. Her body tingled just thinking about him—and the things he did to her. “He really is going to be the death of me,” she moaned, aloud. Sitting up, her eyes focused on the nightstand clock. It was almost dinner time.
I can't believe I slept this long
. She said to herself. Realizing that her suitcase was still in her car, Sienna got up and practically floated to Vaughn's dresser. She found a pair of cotton pajamas. Eagerly she put them on tying the drawstring at the waist as tight as it would go. Next Sienna slipped on the shirt. She buttoned it up and rolled the sleeves to her elbows.
Perfect.

She went to the bathroom to check her appearance. Thankfully, her hair wasn't a complete disaster. It was slightly damp from their assignation in the shower, but it would air dry. A blush suffused her face. Consummating their relationship had exceeded her expectations. Thus far everything about their relationship did.

When she arrived in the kitchen she found Vaughn cooking hamburgers on his indoor grill. He looked up when she entered. Their eyes connected across the room. Vaughn's smile was blinding. So was Sienna's blush.

He studied her, an appreciative glint in his eyes. “You look sexy in my pajamas.”

“Thanks,” she said noting the pajama bottoms he wore were similar to hers. “You don't look to shabby, either,”

“Are you hungry?” he inquired.

“Like a bear in the springtime.”

“Good. I made burgers.”

She walked further into the room. When she came to his side he grabbed her and sat her on the granite countertop next to him. “Feeling okay?”

Her teeth clamped down on her lower lip before she broke out into an ear splitting grin. “You mean now that I have feeling back in my legs and can speak coherently?”

Vaughn didn't try hiding his satisfied smile. “Me, too.” He kissed her soundly before turning his attention back to their dinner.

“What can I do to help?” she asked him.

“That depends. Which room would you like to eat in?”

“I guess the kitchen is good. So what would you like me to do?”

“You can gather the rest of the condiments. They're in the fridge.”

After washing her hands Sienna got to work. She sliced tomatoes and onions, tore a few leaves of Romaine lettuce and arranged the ketchup, mustard, relish and kosher pickles on the counter. She perused the pantry and located a bag of tortilla chips. When the burgers were ready Vaughn brought them over to the island. They each built a burger and laughed at how similar they were.

Sienna eyed the loaded hamburgers. “It would appear that we like the same fixings.”

“Hey, we can't fight it. We've got good taste,” he bragged.

They laughed and talked while they ate. When dinner was over, Sienna helped Vaughn clean up the kitchen. Their task complete, they went downstairs to the basement. He convinced Sienna to play him in a game of pool after which she promptly lost her shirt.

“Good thing it wasn't literally,” she mused after they'd finished.

“Strip pool,” he slapped his forehead in mock chagrin. “Now why didn't I think of that?”

Agreeing to watch a movie, Sienna made popcorn while Vaughn picked a DVD from his library. They met up on the couch.

“Having a kitchen down here definitely has its advantages,” she observed between mouthfuls of food.

“I thought so. What would you like to do tomorrow? It's supposed to be a wonderful day. How about a picnic after the game? We could go to the lake?”

“Hmm…Sounds like fun.”

“That'll work.”

They decided to go to Falls Lake, and then go visit her parents. With their day planned, they returned to the movie. When it was over, Vaughn turned off the projection screen and DVD player. He encircled her shoulder and pulled her into his lap.

“So, do you want to go to bed now or are you open to other…suggestions?”

“I don't know, Mr. Deveraux,” she smiled, innocently. “What other things did you have in mind?”

He lay down on the couch so that she straddled him. “There was that one idea I had earlier about christening every room in the house. So far we've only broke in two. We're behind schedule,” he said, lasciviously. “Batter up.”

Sienna's hand caressed his chest. “I think we'd better rectify that situation immediately, don't you?”

His eyes glowed like smoldering embers. He rose up to meet her for a searing kiss filled with promise. “Absolutely,” he breathed against her lips. “Absolutely.”