Page 50 of Entwined
I snorted, crossing my arms over my chest. "Conflicted doesn’t even begin to cover it, Vaughn."
He raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth twitching. "You regret it already?"
I paused, staring at him. Did I? I didn’t know. Regret felt too simple for something this complicated. "I don’t know," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "Shouldn’t I?"
Vaughn’s smile faltered, and for a brief second, I saw a flicker of something—uncertainty?—in his eyes. But then it was gone, replaced by that familiar confidence, the kind that made me both hate and want him at the same time.
"No," he said softly, reaching out to brush a strand of hair behind my ear. "You shouldn’t. This…" he gestured between us, "was inevitable, Joey."
"Inevitable?" I echoed, narrowing my eyes. "How can you be so sure?"
He chuckled, his fingers trailing down my arm, leaving a path of warmth in their wake. "Because I know you. You wanted this just as much as I did. You fought it, sure. But deep down, you knew this was where we’d end up."
I wanted to argue, to tell him he was wrong, that I didn’t know anything. But the truth was, he wasn’t entirely off base. I had wanted him. From the moment I saw him, there was something between us, something dangerous and forbidden, something I couldn’t resist.
I looked away, focusing on the sunlight spilling through the window. "What happens now?"
Vaughn’s hand slipped under my chin, tilting my face back to his. "Now?" His gaze darkened, the playful edge to his voice fading. "Now, we keep going."
"Going?" I repeated, my heart skipping a beat. "Vaughn, this… what are they going to say when they find out I’m fucking my… stepson?"
His thumb brushed over my bottom lip, his touch featherlight. "Do you care?"
Did I? I was a billionaire. Women who looked down their nose at me all my life now were bowing at my feet. But would they continue when they found out I was sleeping with Vaughn? It would eventually get out that we were together.
"Suppose I do?"
Vaughn leaned closer, his breath warm against my cheek. "You have nothing to feel guilty for. I know that’s your problem."
I shivered, caught between the logic of my mind and the pull of my body. He was right—this wasn’t simple. Nothing about us ever would be. But part of me, the part I hated to admit, didn’t want it to be over. Not yet.
"I can’t think straight with you like this," I whispered, my voice barely audible.
He smiled, pressing a kiss to the corner of my mouth. "Then stop thinking."
It would be the easiest solution if I just turned my mind off and enjoyed what Vaughn and I shared. As he threw the covers back and crawled down my body, I let myself go.
Chapter 20
The next month was a blur of secrecy, stolen glances, and nights tangled in Vaughn’s arms. I couldn’t get enough of him, especially after being deprived for so long. Every touch, every kiss felt like a forbidden thrill, and I craved it.
To keep up appearances, I spent more time at the mansion than I had in months, using the excuse of renovations in the bedroom I once shared with Colson. I retreated to my old room, but the nights belonged to Vaughn. He would slip in after everyone had gone to bed, and we’d lose ourselves in each other, the danger only heightening the attraction.
When Easter arrived, it brought with it the Ashworth and Shaw families under one roof, a tradition none of us dared break. The mansion was filled with the buzz of family, preparing for Sunday breakfast like we always did. But even with everyone there, all I could think about was Vaughn.
Saturday evening, while the rest of the house slept, my phone buzzed, the screen lighting up with Vaughn’s name. I answered, pressing the phone to my ear, keeping my voice low.
“Why are you calling me?” I whispered, glancing at the closed door as if someone could hear.
A soft chuckle came through the line, the sound wrapping around me like a tease. “Why are you whispering?”
“I don’t want to wake anyone,” I murmured, feeling the tension coil low in my belly just hearing his voice. Vaughn had that effect on me—effortless control.
There was a pause, then his voice took on a dangerous edge. “I could come down there, and we can wake everyone.”
My breath hitched, my nipples hardening at the thought. The idea of him sneaking into my room with our families just down the hall sent a thrill through me, but I wasn’t ready to blow the lid off our affair. Not yet.
“Don’t you dare,” I hissed, though my pulse quickened at the idea.
