Read First Sight (The Ivory Series, Book 1) Page 14
14
“Did you have a nice night?” Vaughan asked as we drove the few short blocks to his apartment.
“It was pretty boring actually.”
“Why?”
I tried to suppress a laugh “My instructions were to stay out of trouble.”
Vaughan nodded his head in understanding, a wicked smile on his lips.
“Cassie said Ivan worked behind the bar tonight.”
“Yes, given the latest events with Heidi, he didn’t really have a choice” his voice was stern and I knotted my fingers together, feeling guilty.
Once inside the elevator Vaughan looked at me, concerned “Is everything alright?”
“Is Ivan mad at me?”
His face was puzzled “Why would Ivan be mad at you?”
“Because Heidi left.”
He stepped forward and tilted my face up, so I could not escape his eyes “Heidi didn’t leave because of you.”
“Then why did she leave?”
He hesitated a moment before answering. “Because of me.”
“What?”
He took a deep breath “Trust me. It has nothing to do with you.”
This didn’t answer my question, but it put me on the right track “Heidi has a thing for you, doesn’t she?”
Vaughan dropped his hand from my face and leaned back onto the rail in the elevator, his hands resting either side of my waist.
“I’m right, aren’t I?”
Still he said nothing.
“Have you ever reciprocated those feelings?”
Vaughan shifted uncomfortably as he pushed himself away from the rail and stood in the centre of the lift. “It was a long time ago… and not in the way she wanted me to.” The doors of the elevator opened on Vaughan’s floor “Can we drop this, please?” He mumbled as he stepped out and along the hall stopping at the door to his apartment “Vaughan, I don’t care that you’ve had other girlfriends.”
“It’s not that. I don’t want to talk about it now. Tomorrow, or any other time, fine, just not now.” The keys in his hand were shaking, he seemed almost nervous.
I nodded my head “Ok.”
Slowly the door swung open and the most wonderful floral aroma wafted through, greeting me. As I stepped inside I saw in the kitchen a vase full of Oriental Orchids. My fingers brushed gently over the fragile pink and white petals and I took in their fragrance. “They reminded me of you. Beautiful and delicate. The pink is the same blush as your cheeks” he fingers brushed softly across my cheek.
Slowly I turned and whispered “Thank you.”
His arms encircled my waist and guided me to him, brushing a strand of hair from my face, the cool touch of his skin against mine made a pleasant shiver run down my spine.
“So, you said something earlier about making it up to me?” I teased.
Vaughan shook his head; mockingly “I don’t remember saying anything about that.”
“Let me jog your memory then.” I pulled myself up towards Vaughan and kissed him, my lips felt hot against his perfect mouth. Hands ran up my back and then back down, my body pressed against Vaughan’s. I guided him slowly backwards into the bedroom. Beside the bed on either side were two large vases filled with Oriental Orchids. Vaughan lifted me up in his arms and lay me gently down on the bed. This time Vaughan was looking at my body with satisfaction, not repulsion. “Are you ok?” I asked.
He seemed nervous; his mouthed opened to speak, and then closed. It reminded me of Justin.
“I trust you.” I assured.
Vaughan’s eyes were burning into mine “I love you, Nicola.”
“I love you too.”
He kissed me, slowly and softly. For the first time in my life I felt worthy of another man’s love, the mutual respect we had for each other. I was no longer the pretty girl on the arm anymore.