Consumed Read online

Chuckling aloud, I swivel my chair the opposite direction of Reg. I can’t erase the grin I’m divulging. Adrian’s message managed to erase the notion that this entire day sucks. As of now, it’s perfect.

  Me: I’m sorry, too, but I’m a virgin to ass biting. I don’t know if I’m ready to take it to the next level.

  Adrian: Maybe you need some romancing first. Would you go on a date with me tonight?

  Me: As long as this date involves food, I accept.

  Adrian: Pick you up at six?

  Me: Sure and thank you. Your apology couldn’t have come at a better time.

  Simon

  “He thinks she’s a cop?” I ask Kruse over the phone.

  “Look, I’m only telling you what Tommy saw. He claims some guy showed up at her place this morning. He said they looked like they were arguing on the sidewalk. Then, they rode together to the police station and went inside.”

  “That doesn’t make her a damn cop,” I say as I pull a piece of gum from the pocket of my pants.

  “He’s been by the place four times in the last five hours. The car is still parked there.”

  Interesting. I recall all my interactions with Victoria and what I’ve observed from her. Her kickass, fearless behavior does lean toward the suspicious side. My gut told me something wasn’t right the first time I spotted her in Elite.

  “Tell him to head back to Submission and follow her again tomorrow.” I end the call with Kruse and contemplate how I’ll proceed if Victoria is indeed a cop.

  Chapter Four

  Adrian

  After pulling up at Victoria’s apartment in the Aston Martin, I get out to go to her door, but she exits before I get there.

  “I’m beginning to think you don’t want me to see your apartment,” I say as I stand on the sidewalk.

  “Another day. I’ve barely been here, so it needs a thorough cleaning.”

  “I can arrange that for you.” I rub my forehead. “Shit, I should’ve thought to hire someone to clean for you after you were injured. I’m sorry.”

  A broad grin illuminates her young looking skin.

  “You’re sweet, but I’m not your responsibility.”

  I want to yank her ass to me after that comment, but I’m worried it could hurt her head. As soon as she’s close enough, I grasp her wrist and carefully pull her into my arms.

  “Like hell you’re not.” With a dire need to taste her sweetness, my mouth captures hers. Victoria’s fingers drift up my back and into my hair, eliciting a rumble from me in an instant.

  My dick is already rigid, twitching in search for her warm, tight pussy. “Dammit,” I say harshly after freeing my lips.

  “What’s wrong?” she asks alarmingly.

  “The only thing wrong is the fact I can’t bury myself inside you.”

  “You know, it’s only my head that is injured.” She’s smiling seductively, making this more difficult.

  “No, you have to heal first.”

  A grimace extinguishes her smile, and she separates us to stroll to the car. “Who said? I feel fine.” Her withdraw doesn’t go unnoticed. Anytime Victoria thinks you might be controlling an aspect of her life, she’s setting you straight.

  “Where are we going?” she asks once buckled. I glance over, and it dawns on me that she’s in a dress. Her smooth thighs are being flaunted, and damn, it’s going to be a long evening.

  “Aside from at Rick’s, I haven’t seen you in a dress. I didn’t get to admire you in the one you were wearing that night, and I’d like the opportunity.”

  “Oh, I borrowed that gown from Tara.” She tugs on the hem of her coral dress, trying to pull it down her legs. “I always wear jeans, but I thought I’d give this a try for you.”

  Cautiously leaning her head back against the seat, she turns it and smiles over at me. “It has easy access.”

  Growling under my breath, I squeeze her knee.

  “You look sexy, and I think you’re trying to pay me back for our argument this morning.”

  Fingers play with my hair, and the lust possessing her eyes is drawing me in, too. “No, I want to make it up to you. I know I was being difficult.”

  Her fingertips crawl down my arm before they spread over my hard cock. For what she’s been through, she’s in an aggressive mood. I cover her hand with mine and can’t resist pushing on it briefly.

  “Fuck, you’re killing me, Victoria.”

  Moving her hand off of me, I adjust my cock in my black cargo shorts and turn over the ignition. She’s snickering as I take hold of her fingers to hold them.

  Yeah, long–fucking–night–ahead. I see what she’s doing. If she gets me to have sex, then she’ll be calling the shots. Not happening.

  Victoria

  “Please tell me where we’re going.”

  “You’ll see,” he says. My hand is brought to his lips, and he kisses it without taking his gaze off the road.

  “There is food in here. I smell it.” Feeling hungry, I keep looking behind his seat.

  “There is food in here,” he says, chuckling. “Since the curiosity is obviously killing you, I will disclose we’re having a picnic.”

  “No one has ever taken me on a picnic before. That’s … romantic.”

  He glances over a couple of times.

  “Is that OK?”

  Hmm … did I make it sound like that’s not OK?

  I’ve gone without a boyfriend for most of my adult life, and I spend my weekends playing poker and drinking beer with the guys from the station.

  Before Adrian, I hadn’t experienced many romantic gestures. Flowers and a heart-shaped container of chocolates at Valentine’s Day pretty much summed it up.

  “It’s not OK,” he says before he’s releasing my hand and gripping the steering wheel. Grabbing his fingers, I peel them off of it and kiss every knuckle.

  “It’s wonderful, Adrian. It’s new to me, is all. I’ve never received the special treatment you want to give me, and I was simply recalling that I never have.”

  He’s grinning now, and I believe this might be the “stupidly happy” grin he has made reference to on a few occasions.

  “Prepare yourself, my Queen of Hearts. I’m determined to ‘wow’ you every chance I get.”

  “You already do. ‘Holy shit’ was my first thought when you turned around in your chair the day I met you. It’s been a wild ride ever since, and I don’t see a dull moment in my future.”

  His eyes go back to the road as his grin hangs on tightly. He makes a turn into a driveway and comes to a stop in front of a gate.

  A code is punched in, causing the black rod-iron to slide open. We proceed ahead, and at the end of the long driveway is a monstrous home.

  The European architecture is evident from the tan, stucco exterior to the clay roof tiles on the two-story masterpiece. Stone ledges and palm trees are an accent to the Tuscan feel of the property.

  Once we’re almost to the house, the drive splits off to the left, and Adrian veers that direction. It goes over a small hill and back up before we stop about an eighth of a mile from the mansion.

  A massive garage sits before us that is surrounded by a tall, rod-iron gate, similar to the one at the entrance of the property. The roof even has the same red, clay tiles as those on the main home.

  After Adrian types a code into another keypad, the gate slides open for us to enter. I count eight doors going across the garage.

  “Are you going to explain soon?”

  “This is Theo’s property, but this garage is mine. My babies are kept in here.”

  “I think you can go to jail for that, especially if they’re left unsupervised.”

  He smiles before unbuckling. “No children have been harmed. I promise.” Stepping from the car, I shield my eyes from the western sun. Adrian points to the first garage door as he walks to the second.

  “The Mustang is in there, but I have a different ride I want to show you.” He approaches yet another keypad and punches in a number. The door slowly
rises, and I stroll over until I’m centered in front of it.

  “Adrian, I can’t believe I’m seeing this.” I cover my mouth and stare. Before me is a rare, classic Ford Roadster. “What year is this? No, let me guess … 1937?”

  Striding back to me, his arm wraps around my waist before his lips meet my temple.

  “Correct, and I can’t even describe how cool it is that you know that and are interested.”

  “Interested, obsessed is more like it.” A peck on the cheek is all he gets in return before I’m bustling into the garage to inspect the exquisite vehicle.

  The two-seater is pristine with its milky white paint and black convertible top, which I help Adrian lower. The wheels are covered by wide fenders, giving it an edgy appeal.

  Concentrating, I stalk alongside the vehicle manufactured by Ford Germany, and I store to memory the sight of such a rare vehicle.

  The older style components, including the gauges, have been modified some, but the German script is still visible inside the facing.

  “Original steel body,” Adrian says. “Get in the passenger seat.” I do as he says and inspect the interior with more scrutiny as he treads back to his Vanquish.

  Returning with a wicker picnic basket and beige blanket, he sets them down on my lap before getting into the driver side.

  The brown, woven basket is closed with leather straps and gold buckles. I hold it still in my lap as he starts the car, which I’m reluctant to be sitting in.

  “Are you sure you want to put another mile on this?”

  He frowns as if I have irritated him.

  “We’re going to have to break you of this anxiety over putting wear on these vehicles.” Slowly, he pulls out of the garage and continues along the road we came in on, heading farther away from the house.

  We ride up a hill on the paved drive until the home is distant behind us. Once again, I cover my mouth in amazement when we reach the top.

  The road comes to a dead end and makes a circle similar to the one in front of Theo’s home, but there is no mansion before us; it’s the entire city of Las Vegas.

  In a beat, I’m out of the car. I view the bustle of a city from above instead of being immersed in it for a change. The remarkable view below gives me a sense of separation from the chaos of life. It’s the daily living that keeps interfering with the happiness I feel in Adrian’s presence.

  It also gives clarity to how alone I am with him at this very moment. His arms encircle me from behind, his heated breath in my ear.

  “Being able to take you away from there and view it from here might make this my new favorite place.”

  “Wow, I was thinking something similar.”

  “Let’s eat while we enjoy the view.”

  Releasing me, he goes to retrieve the basket of food and blanket, which matches the dirt terrain. After spreading it out, we take a seat, and I notice the patches of Bermuda grass that have found an escape to grow around us.

  Unsure of how to sit in this sundress, I stretch my legs out in front of me and cross them at my ankles. Adrian withdraws two black containers and hands me one of them.

  Upon removing the round, plastic lid, I inspect the colorful salad. Chilled, poached shrimp sits to the side of crisp, green and purple lettuce. There are pear halves, hearts of palm and grape tomatoes.

  “Cilantro-lime dressing,” he says with a smile as he hands me another small container. I’ve never seen a fancier salad, and it reminds me of the two different worlds Adrian and I live in. “I have something more sinful to feed you for dessert.”

  My eyes lift and watch as his travel up the length of my bare legs. They roam over my stomach, his gaze dragging a heat along with it that is scorching my body.

  If we don’t return our attention to salad, neither of us will be having dinner.

  Adrian

  My eyes are eating up the sight of Victoria’s body, elongated on the blanket. The setting sun’s light is casting on her shimmering skin and dress, encasing her in a lustrous glow.

  It’s as if the sun is projecting her image, so I run my hand up her calf to reaffirm she’s real and here with me. It still amazes me that I love her.

  It’s by far not because she isn’t loveable. It’s just been so long since my heart has made room for anyone other than family.

  Victoria takes a bite of her salad and looks over the city. She’s attempting to distract herself from the passion swarming between us. I know since the desire I feel for her is trying to split apart my restraint, too.

  “Tell me more about your family,” she says. “What is your mom like?”

  My body stiffens. “What did your investigation tell you she was like?” Her smile disappears, and I instantly regret my reply. “I’m sorry, Victoria. I shouldn’t have said that.”

  A crease forms on her forehead, and she sighs as she sets her salad and fork down onto the blanket.

  “She struggled with her mental health during your upbringing. That’s all I know, and that doesn’t define someone, so I’m honestly interested in learning about her.”

  “Denise’s mental illness does define her.” I’m gazing out over the city now, wishing I had simply changed the subject.

  Victoria scoots on the blanket until she’s sitting directly next to me. Her hand laces with mine, and she stares at the hectic world with me. “Adrian, you’re a remarkable person, and I imagine you’re like her in some way. She must possess a good quality or two.”

  A heaviness inhabits my chest and crowds out the safe comfort I was feeling. I might as well be dangling from this cliff we’re at the edge of, my nails digging into the side of the dirt.

  I’m clinging to the strength that keeps my shit together, and I have to decide if loosening my hold will make me fall.

  “Adrian. Adrian.” It registers that Victoria is saying my name as she pulls on my chin, forcing me to look at her. “I’m so sorry. Forget I brought her up.”

  My body is shaking, so Victoria’s hand has been trembling in mine. She’s genuinely interested in learning more about my family and me. Once she knows my weaknesses, would she ever use them against me?

  I don’t believe she would, and it’s likely why this conversation has gone as far as it has.

  Victoria

  Adrian doesn’t notice that his hand is squeezing mine hard. I feel shitty for bringing up his mother. I had no idea it would affect him this negatively.

  He’s looking through me again, making a decision as to whether or not he wants to explore this topic with me. I won’t take offense if he isn’t ready yet. I completely get it.

  “She’s witty and has an astounding memory. Simon has the same memory, and all my siblings have her wit.”

  I smile at him, ready to combust with joy. He’s trusting me. After everything I had to keep from him, he trusts me enough to discuss something that brings him great pain.

  “In case you had any doubt, you’re witty, too,” I say, “and it definitely turns me on.” My smile widens, and I’m relieved when he smirks.

  “I guess I should thank her then.”

  “Do you see her?”

  Adrian’s eyes bolt from mine. “It’s been two years. Agatha, my sister, lives in New Jersey with her, and we share power of attorney over my mother.

  “She ensures Denise is cared for properly, and my brothers and I pay all of Mom’s expenses.”

  “Can I ask her diagnosis?”

  “Schizophrenia.” Adrian gazes back at me. “It’s severe, Victoria. Theo says she is even paranoid of Agatha most of the time, and there isn’t another person on this planet she could count on to be there for her more than my sister.”

  I smile again. “Are you close to your sister?”

  “No, I haven’t seen her in two years, either. I’ve been angry with her for a long time now, so when I do see her, we only discuss our mother and her care. She relays a lot through Theo.”

  While squeezing his fingers, I pull his chin back to me with my other hand. “I’m sorry. Th
ese are obviously difficult subjects for you to discuss, and I appreciate that you are opening up to me about them.”

  “You’re genuine, Victoria. It makes me want to show you the real Adrian.”

  My fingers trail down his chest, and I kiss him. Pulling his hand free from mine, he wraps it around my waist and brings me in against his side. I need to be physically closer to him, so I shift and straddle his lap. Groaning, he fists the blanket on each side of him.

  I plunge my tongue back into his mouth, and roll my hips forward and back ever so slightly, rubbing against his cock that’s rapidly hardening beneath me.

  “No, baby, we need to wait longer.”

  “I’m fine. Please, Adrian.”

  Grabbing me by the waist, he lifts me off of him.

  “No. You just went back to work today, and you’re not overdoing it. I have something that might satisfy your craving.” He begins reaching for the picnic basket, but I grab his palm and cover my breast with it, squeezing over his hand.

  “Dammit, Victoria, I said you need more time.” He yanks his hand free. “I think we should go.”

  “No, I want to stay.”

  I’m scowling as he throws stuff into the basket. Once everything is put away, he stands, so I do, too. The second I’m off the blanket, he’s folding it up.

  We are not leaving like this. He’s sexually frustrated, and so am I. We slept next to each other the entire last week after I was injured, and I saw how crazy it drove him not to touch me.

  Aside from his pain over his mom and sister, our date has been perfect, and I’m not letting something spoil that.

  Opening the passenger door on the Roadster, Adrian gives me a stern look, signaling for me to get inside, but I don’t move.

  “Victoria, get inside the car.”

  “Not until you fuck me.”

  His eyebrows lift. “You’re something else, and as appealing as that sounds, I’m not risking you ending up back in the hospital or worse.”

  “I mean it,” I say.

  Setting the basket in the seat, he shuts the door and goes around to the driver’s side. “Fine. You can stay here.”