I groan. “Please don’t tell me that.” Stella has been the strongest of my kids since the separation, but that doesn’t mean she’s not feeling the emotional upheaval. She is just better at hiding it, which concerns me. I would rather she let it all out, but I suspect she’s trying to put a brave face on for me. West is crazy emotional and super angry all the time. Ridge is sad at times when he’s not distracted by school or sports or his friends.
Curtis took Ridge to his apartment in Denver last Friday night and kept him until Saturday evening. That is part of the interim agreement we have in place until we hash out the full details of the divorce. However, he is already breaking it. He texted me yesterday to say he couldn’t take him tonight, but he’d take him Saturday night instead. He just expects I have no plans and it’s okay to treat his son badly to accommodate his girlfriend. Not that he mentioned her, but I’m pretty sure she is the reason he switched the nights around.
“You don’t need to worry about Stella, Kendall.” Vander swipes some tomatoes from my board when he is finished cutting up his vegetables. “She knows how to handle herself. She might be a bit wild, but she’s smart. Besides, West has them all terrified. If anyone even thought of doing her wrong, they have to answer to us.”
That comforts me. I often wonder if I’d had a big brother would he have warned Curtis to treat me right or cautioned me against going out with him? “I’m glad Stella has people who care about her welfare.”
“You do too.” He looks over his shoulder, checking the coast is clear before he leans his face into mine. “Please say you’ll come over tomorrow night. We really need to talk. Curtis has Ridge, and I used my injury to bail on the party West and Stella will be attending at Shep’s house.”
“I’ll make you a deal.”
He props one hip against the counter and smiles at me. “Let’s hear it.”
“If you come with me to the retirement home tomorrow, I’ll come over here after.”
“What’s happening at the retirement home?”
I smother a giggle. “We’re throwing the old folks a Christmas party, and one of the volunteers had to bow out at the last minute.”
He shrugs. “Sure. I can do that if you promise you’re mine for the night.”
His wolfish grin does twisty things to my insides, and his eyes heat with dark promise. I want to give in to the amazing chemistry we share, but I’m not ready to rush into anything yet. I have loved having Vander stay with us, but it’s been torturous too because I had to keep it strictly PG, and the temptation was almost too much to bear. “We can spend time together, but I will be going home.” I subtly squeeze my thighs as my core throbs, and the devil in my ear screams at me for being a coward. “I’m coming over to talk, Vander. Nothing else.”
“Okay.” His impish grin pins me in place.
“Vander.” My tone contains censure.
“What?” His grin widens as he holds his hands in the air. “We’re only going to talk. It’s not like you’re hot for my body and afraid to admit it or anything.”
Before I can retaliate, West pops his head in the door and the moment is over.
“You have got to be kidding me,” Vander huffs, slanting narrowed eyes in my direction. “When you asked me to help, you failed to mention it would involve this!” He holds up the red and white Santa Claus costume and scowls at it.
“Where’s your Christmas spirit?” I struggle to contain the giggle that wants to break free. “It’s for a good cause, and I think you’ll make an excellent Father Christmas.”
“I think this deserves a reward.” He waggles his brows and licks his lips suggestively. “I’ll do it if you let me feast on your pussy after.” His eyes glimmer with dark intent, and my nipples instantly harden as desire coils in my belly. “Or you could always get on your knees.” His grin is downright wicked, and I’m throbbing down below, my neglected pussy rejoicing at the promise of some real action.
Jesus. I am so out of my depth with Vander. Curtis never spoke to me like this, and I didn’t think I’d like it. But I do. I really do. I’m still not giving in though. “Nice try, but no.”
“Say yes, baby, and you’ve got a deal.” He nuzzles his nose in my neck, and I shove him off before I do something reckless—like agree.
“We already have a deal, and I know you’re a man of your word, so prove it.” I thrust the fake belly into his chest. “You’re going to need that, and don’t forget to wear the beard,” I add, backtracking out of the room.
“The least you could do is help me to get dressed.” He clutches his side and bends over. “I’m still sore.”
His pout is adorable, and I burst out laughing. “You have been dressing yourself for school all week. I think you’ll manage.” The bruising on his face is barely noticeable now, and his black eye is fading. It’s nothing a little bit of makeup won’t hide today. I know his ribs will be sore for another few weeks, but he’s managing with a heating pad, anti-inflammatory gel, and pain meds, so he can’t pull the wool over this gal’s eyes.
His eyes flash with intent as he stalks toward me and reels me into his chest. “I know you’ve been daydreaming about your cock. Don’t you want to see it again?” He thrusts his hips at me, confirming he’s hard, and my legs almost go out from under me. “Touch it?” he purrs, grabbing my ass and pulling me firmly into his erection.
He is definitely getting braver, and I am falling harder.
He nips at my earlobe, and his warm breath sweeps over my cheek as he whispers, “I bet we could lock this door and grab some privacy.” He pivots his hips, rocking into me again. “It won’t take long. After almost two weeks in your house and not being able to touch you, I’m liable to explode the second you wrap those pretty fingers around my dick.”
“Oh my.” A quivering voice accompanies the words, and I shuck out of Vander’s hold like I’ve been electrocuted, glaring at him for putting me in such a spot. “Aren’t you quite the catch?” The older woman in the doorway swoons at Vander as she deliberately rakes her gaze over him from head to toe. “You’re a lucky woman, Kendall.” She waggles her brows at me, and it’s a surreal moment. “Tell me, lovely. How do I get me one of those?” She points at Vander and grins.
Beverly is at least seventy, and while her brain is sharp, her body is letting her down. She had a stroke two years ago, which left her paralyzed from the waist down, which is when she moved into the retirement home. She wheels herself into the room, stopping her wheelchair directly in front of Vander so she can get a better look at him. She is brazen and bold, and I kind of idolize her.
“Beverly.” I smooth a hand down the front of my dress and clear my throat. “I didn’t see you there.”
“I wouldn’t have noticed either if I had the attention of this young stud.”
Vander chuckles, extending his arm. “The name’s Vander though young stud works too.” He shakes her hand, laughing louder when she refuses to give it back.