Page 48 of Entwined
“Please,” he murmured, his voice low and urgent. “Don’t shut me out now.” He reached for me, his hand hovering just above my arm, as if afraid to push too far. “This had to happen, Joey. You know that.”
I pressed my lips together, trying to steady my breath. The adrenaline of what we’d just done still pulsed through my veins, but now there was something else—doubt.How could we just go back to normal after this?
“What happens after, Vaughn?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. I couldn’t meet his gaze, afraid of what I might see in his eyes—or worse, what I wouldn’t.
He didn’t hesitate. Vaughn moved closer, cupping my cheek with a tenderness that almost undid me. His thumb brushed across my bottom lip, the gentleness at odds with the storm of emotions swirling between us. His touch was grounding, but it didn’t make the uncertainty any easier to bear.
“I don’t want to stop,” he said, his voice thick with conviction. “I can’t.”
His words sent a shiver down my spine, and I found myself leaning into his hand, craving the comfort his touch offered. But the guilt, the weight of what we’d just done, hung heavy in the air.
“I don’t know if we can come back from this,” I admitted, my voice shaky.
“We’re past that now, Joey,” he replied, his eyes dark and serious. “There’s no going back.”
I swallowed hard, feeling the truth of his words settle deep in my chest. Vaughn wasn’t just talking about the physical connection we’d just shared. He was talking about everything—the unspoken tension, the feelings I’d been trying to ignore for so long.
“I never meant for it to get this far,” I confessed, dropping my arms from my chest, my fingers brushing the edge of his shirt. “But now…”
His hand tightened on my face, pulling me closer, his forehead pressing against mine. “Now we deal with it,” he whispered, his breath warm against my lips. “We don’t run, Joey. Not anymore.”
I closed my eyes, overwhelmed by the emotions swirling inside me. Vaughn’s presence was steady, grounding, but the fear of what we’d unleashed still lingered.
“And if I can’t?” I whispered, the vulnerability cracking through my voice.
His other hand came up, tilting my chin so I was forced to look at him. His eyes bore into mine, filled with determination. “Then I’ll fight for both of us,” he said, his voice unwavering. “Because I don’t want to lose you. Not again.”
His words hit me harder than I expected, and I felt the tears sting my eyes before I could stop them. Vaughn, of all people, was the one standing here offering me safety. Offering me something more than just lust or passion. He was offering me a choice—a future. One I wasn’t sure I deserved.
I shook my head, but he silenced me with a kiss—deep, slow, and filled with a promise I wasn’t ready to accept. But as his arms wrapped around me, pulling me close, I let myself sink into themoment. Let myself feel the warmth of his body against mine, the steadiness of his heartbeat under my palms.
Chapter 19
Vaughn helped me dress, his fingers grazing over my skin in a way that left trails of heat in their wake. Goosebumps rose along my arms, my body reacting to his touch even as I tried to steady my breath. His lips brushed against the side of my neck, soft yet purposeful, sending a shiver down my spine as he zipped up my dress.
"You don’t play fair," I whispered, my voice barely steady.
He chuckled, the sound low and rough in my ear. "I never claimed to."
I turned slightly, feeling the warmth of his body behind me. "Can I have my panties?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.
His hand tightened slightly on my waist as he murmured, "No. Those are mine now."
I shot him a warning look over my shoulder, but there was no real heat behind it. "Vaughn…"
His grin widened, a devilish glint in his eyes. "You don’t need them," he said, brushing a kiss over my bare shoulder. "Not with me."
There was something thrilling about the way he said it, like he had no intention of letting me have control. And the truth was, I didn’t want it—not with him. I liked the way he took charge, the way he made me forget everything else.
He helped me into my coat, his fingers lingering on my collarbone before he led me to the elevator. The moment the doors slid shut, he had me pinned against the wall, his mouth on mine. The kiss was hard, possessive, the kind that left me breathless and aching for more. I clutched his shoulders, my body melting against his.
When the elevator dinged, signaling our arrival in the lobby, I barely had the sense to pull away. My heart raced, my lips swollen from the force of his kiss. Vaughn straightened his jacket, looking composed while I struggled to regain my composure.
The cold winter air hit me as we stepped outside, a light dusting of snow covering the sidewalks. Vaughn’s driver was already waiting at the curb, the car door open. I paused, glancing at Vaughn, the unspoken question hanging between us.
"Come home with me," I said softly.
His eyes flickered with something unreadable for a moment, but he nodded, his hand finding mine as we stepped into the limo. The warmth of the car enveloped us, and the door barely shut before Vaughn’s hands were on me again. He pulled me onto his lap with ease, his fingers tracing along the edge of my thigh, brushing against the bare skin he had deliberately left exposed.
