Adjusting the Deal (The Vault Book 1) Read online

  “All I want is for you to be happy,” he adds. “And I want to be the reason why you’re happy.”

  “Can I go to bed? It’s been a long day.”

  He nods. “Of course. I’ll show you where to go.”

  Liam helps me up. I follow him upstairs and we walk together down the hall. When he opens the door, I’m surprised to see everything nicely decorated. I touch each piece of furniture and open my closet to see my clothes are nicely hung up, but there’s still so much more space.

  “My personal shopper will meet with you tomorrow. I’ll have Jack take you and you can pick out whatever you’d like. Maggie knows what you’ll need so I’d like for you to enjoy yourself tomorrow.”

  “This is a lot to take in,” I admit and turn around to face Liam, and lean against the closet door. “I’m not trying to be ungrateful, so please don’t take how I’m reacting that way. It’s just a lot to take in.”

  “I understand. Take this at whatever pace you’d like. Remember, all I want to do is take care of you. This is your life now, Chelsea.”

  “So, since this is my life, then I get to make decisions that are right for me?”

  Liam crosses his arms and nods his head. He studies me and I look away. It’s too intense to have a stare off with him right now. “Yes. Within reason.”

  “I’m not going back to school in August, and I want you to hear me out when it comes to my business plan. I have all these ideas, and I’d like for you to help me.”

  He nods and pushes off the wall. “Okay.”

  “That’s it? Just okay?”

  When he shrugs, I notice he’s even more muscular than I first realized. His shirt clings to his broad shoulders and defined chest. It sends a ripple of warmth, desire, and fear through my body and settles in my gut.

  “I told you I want you to be happy, and if that makes you happy, then we’ll set up a meeting and we’ll treat it like any other business deal I broker.”

  As grateful as I am that he’s treating me with respect and not toying with my emotions, I can’t mistake this for anything. He keeps saying he wants me to be happy and he’ll do anything for me. Do I take this for what it is?

  Confusion hits me and I have to ask him if he expects sex. “What do you want from me? What are your expectations?”

  Chapter Five

  Chelsea

  He’s so calm and in control. It’s making me wonder what he’s hiding. What makes Liam the way he is, and will that part of him surface while I’m here? A warm shiver settles in my belly and I welcome it. I need it.

  “Right now,” he says, “nothing.”

  “That makes no sense.” I stare at him the way he’s staring at me. “You know what? Forget sleep. I need a drink.”

  “Come with me.”

  I follow him downstairs to the living room and relax back on the leather seat as I watch him pour us a drink. Straight liquor. I’m not a huge drinker, and if I do drink, it’s wine or something less hard like a Malibu pineapple—something girly.

  “Here,” he says, handing me the tumbler with two ice cubes. “I figured you’d want it on the colder side.”

  “Thanks.” I take the glass and press the edge to my lips, slowly lifting it so that the dark amber liquid travels up the glass, to my mouth, and down my throat. Holy shit, it burns. “Wow, that’s strong.”

  “A neat whiskey at night is good for relaxing and letting yourself go.”

  I’m taking in my surroundings, studying the glimmer of the fire and the soft piano playing in the background. Night has quickly fallen, and it’s nearly completely pitch black when I look out the window. I turn back to Liam, carefully scrutinizing him as he lifts the glass to his full lips. His eyes close and his head rests against the leather seat. I do the same and take another long drink. This time it’s not too bad and I find comfort in the burn.

  I can feel Liam’s eyes on me, watching me, waiting for me to say something, but I don’t dare open my eyes to meet his.

  “Keep drinking. It’ll help.”

  “Mmm,” is all I’m able to muster. “Tell me more about Sadie. Why’d you get a divorce?”

  “That’s a fair question. Sadie and I were married due to convenience. I wanted a wife for show. To better my image. But, Sadie had a change of heart and wanted more. She wanted a family and for me to get her pregnant. At that time, it wasn’t for me, and even today I’m not sure a family is what I want. So we went back and forth, meeting after meeting with our lawyers, and eventually she met another man and signed the divorce papers.”

  “Wow,” is all I can say. I take a drink and let it trail down my throat until it hits my empty stomach. I pray that it doesn’t grumble and make embarrassing noises.

  “Is there anything else you’d like to know?”

  I want to know so much more and delve into his mind. This will probably be one of the only times we’ll be like this…sitting here with drinks and relaxing, like he says. It’ll probably be a good idea to let him in on something I’ve been keeping to myself, too. It’s on the tip of my tongue, and whenever I feel like telling him, I don’t know, something stops me.

  Chapter Six

  Liam

  Even with my eyes closed, I can feel her staring at me, willing me to talk so we can get to know each other. After tonight, this is all I can handle. The debacle of events is more than I want to deal with. More importantly, it’s something I’ve never done before. I don’t adjust any deals. When a deal is made, that’s it. There are no adjustments. No special requests. If the deal can’t be met, then there are consequences.

  Something tells me Chelsea’s going to be more than I bargained for. I’m not used to women wanting to talk and know more. It’s refreshing.

  I release a heavy sigh and open my eyes, taking in a long drink, and swallow the dark liquid so it smoothly slides down my throat. The dull crackle of the fire is calming me. Calming the tension in the room.

  I glance over at the girl I took and she’s holding an empty glass. “Shall I get you another?”

  “Please.”

  I get up and take her glass along with mine, pick up the decanter, and pour our drinks. She’s comfortably sitting on the leather chair, her knees pulled to her chest, and her arms tightly wrapped around her legs. Her eyes watch the fire, as though she’s trying to summon some sort of answer for what’s going on. Answers to help her understand why she traded herself to save her parents. It’s admirable. Honorable. I can already tell I’ll grow weak when I’m with her.

  She’s the youngest woman I’ve ever had an interest in. We’re almost twelve years apart, and that fact alone should stop me. She’s not even of legal age to drink, yet here I am, feeding her whiskey so she’ll be calm.

  When I sit back down on the chair and hand her a drink, I decide we should talk. Get to know one another. The whole concept of being a couple is foreign to me. With my booming business and constant travel, I don’t have time to put in any sort of effort to be in a relationship or have a girlfriend. When I meet a woman, I take her to a hotel, fuck her, and leave. I don’t stay to cuddle. I don’t stay for round two. They never know where I live or how to get in touch with me again. It’s easier to leave and forget the woman.

  With Chelsea, it’s different. She screams innocence with the way she’s huddled in the leather chair. The little boy inside me wants to keep her forever, and keep her shiny so no one else can play with her.

  I want to be the only one.

  “Tell me more about yourself. I’ve heard stories from your parents through the years.”

  She sighs, rubbing her face and running her fingers through her hair. “I’m nothing too special. A typical twenty-year-old who can’t stand college. I have dreams and aspirations. My friends are everything to me, and I have no idea what I’m even going to tell them. I mean, can I tell them anything?”

  “That’s up to you. In the eyes of my associates, clients, and friends, you’ll be my girlfriend. Someone I deeply care about.”

  �
�Oh. So since we’re adjusting the deal then that means it’s not final.”

  “Yes. Our deal, in many ways, is final. I’m open to adjustments if you see that it needs to be done.” I move in closer until my hand rests on hers. “I do care about you, Chelsea. Let’s take this time to get to know one another since you’ll be here for an uncertain amount of time.”

  “I’m not sure where to start, Liam. I mean, this is all so new to me. I’ve had a few boyfriends before, but nothing like this.”

  “What do you mean?”

  I see the hesitation in her face. Her brows are knit together and she avoids eye contact with me. “Your expectations are most likely more than anything I’ve ever done.”

  “Are you a virgin?” I let the question slip, and now that it’s out, she probably feels obligated to respond.

  “Yes,” she answers without hesitation. “Yes, I am.”

  A virgin. What the hell have I done? She won’t be capable of handling me. I don’t know how to go slow. Fucking is what I do best—when I’m not in the office. This isn’t a project that I wanted, nor do I need it. I’ve become a damn babysitter.

  But wait a second… I pause my racing thoughts. I’m the one in control, and she’s well aware of that. So…

  My cock perks up when I examine her body. She’s petite with an athletic frame and curves to die for. Her tits are at least a C cup, and they look soft and full. My mind takes me back to seeing her ass, and my hand twitches with the urge to spank her and see my bright-red handprint on her butt cheek. Long, curly, blonde hair hangs loose over her shoulders. My gaze travels toward her face and I take in her heart-shaped, pouty lips, small nose, high cheekbones, and compelling, clear light-blue eyes. She’s watching me the way I’m watching her. Is she wondering the same thing I’m wondering? Is that one important question burning her up inside like it is me? Does she long to know…what are the next steps, and what do we do next?

  Chapter Seven

  Chelsea

  Liam closes the distance between us and cups my face in his hands. “I don’t know where to go from here. I can see the wheels in your mind turning. Stop thinking that all I want is your body. Well,” he smirks, “that will happen in due time. But, I will never pressure you or make you feel uncomfortable. If you truly want to leave, which I don’t think you do, then all you have to do is say the word, and Jack will take you home. This is your new life now.”

  “It’s just hard, Liam. I don’t have my parents anymore, and my life is over.”

  “How so?”

  “I’m your property or whatever.”

  “No. You’re a woman, Chelsea. I know it sounds like you’ll never have a life since you’re mine. But that’s not the case. If you want to be with your friends, then you can. I trust you because I think you feel the same for me as I feel for you.”

  Whoa, what? Liam Donovan has feelings for me? He wants to take care of me and give me everything?

  “Why me?”

  His lips softly touch mine. It’s gentle and slow. I like this. “Why not you? You’re the one who took the place in the deal.”

  “I’m adjusting the deal,” I tell him. “Adjusting it to help my parents, but I think I still want this. You’ve always been so confident and alluring. But now I think the whiskey’s making me confident,” I admit.

  “Keep drinking.” He winks and leans back, finishing his drink.

  “You can have anyone, though.”

  “But I want you. There’s a difference between being able to get anyone I want and truly getting someone I need.”

  “You need me?”

  Liam nods slowly, burning his sights into me.

  Unable to wait much longer, I crash my lips onto his. We’re instantly wrapped up in each other. When his tongue slides into my mouth, it’s a dangerous tango we’re playing, and I love it. This man can kiss! He gently sucks on my bottom lip, eliciting a soft moan from me. He cups my face in his hands and deepens the kiss.

  I’ve never been kissed like this before. There’s so much emotion, desperation, and passion. Each movement of his tongue against mine sends my body to the edge and I’m falling. The exhilaration is too much and I want more. My panties are wet and the ache is screaming for more. Feeling bold, I straddle him, my fingers in his hair and my mouth claiming his. I move my tongue with his as I rub myself on him.

  When I break the kiss and lean back, my hands are on his chest and his are on my waist, holding me tight. He’s watching me; our eyes are on each other, searching for answers, and unsure of what’s happening between us. In all the years I’ve known Liam, this is the first time I’ve seen him in this light.

  “Is this what you want, Chelsea?”

  “More than anything.”

  He pauses and lets out a heavy sigh. “You should go to bed. I’ll see you in the morning. If you need me, I’ll be down the hall.”

  “Okay.”

  I take the cue, leave, and head upstairs to my new bedroom. I’m left horny and pissed. Why would he kiss me like that and then make me leave?

  I slip out of my clothes and take a long shower, letting the spray wash away the stress of today. The warm water calms my senses and soon I can breathe easier. I’m standing beneath the showerhead, letting the water fall down my body. I’m doing everything I can to stop my mind from going to dark places and thinking I’ll be his sex slave. He’s already explained that I’m not, so I need to trust him. I need to trust he wants the best for me and he’s going to take care of me.

  Exhaustion overtakes me, and when I step out of the shower, I wipe the moisture off the massive, foggy mirror and study myself. My wet hair is dripping, and the plush, yellow towel lies softly against my skin.

  Not comfortable with continuing to analyze myself and how I’m feeling, I change into shorts and a tank, and grab my phone before climbing into bed. I check my text messages and see one from Allison.

  Allison: Is there something you need to tell me?

  Me: Oh, you won’t believe me unless you see it.

  Allison: Ah, what’s going on?

  Me: So much shit. It’s too much to text. Are you busy tomorrow?

  Allison: I don’t think so. Lunch?

  Me: Please.

  Allison: Should I be worried...

  Me: No. I’m safe. I’m okay. Just need my gf...

  Allison: I’m here for you, babe. No worries. Get some sleep. Talk tomorrow.

  Me: K.

  I check my missed calls and notice there are so many from my parents and countless voice messages. I delete each one and put my phone on silent. I don’t want to deal with them or anything else tonight. There’s only so much a woman can take before she breaks.

  The comfortable bed takes me whole, and I turn on my left side, facing the large windows, and try my best to find sleep. I count sheep. I try to count the stars. I even get out of bed and attempt to do some pushups to tire myself out. I’m pretty sure my body is past exhaustion but I’m still too stimulated to sleep.

  Once I’m back in bed under the warm blankets, I close my eyes and pray for sleep.

  An hour passes and I’m awake again. I take my phone to check the time and it’s nearly one in the morning. No matter what I do, I can’t turn off my mind. I throw off the covers, get up, open the bedroom door, and walk down the hall. There’s something on my mind and I need an answer.

  When I’m in front of Liam’s bedroom, I knock on the door and wait until it opens. He’s standing before me without a shirt on. My eyes skim over his toned and tanned body. And what? He has an eight pack? Eight.

  “Chelsea?”

  His voice brings me out of my eye fucking and I look up at him, into his deep, brown eyes. “What do you want to do to me? I know you know, so tell me. I can handle it.” I try my best to keep my voice steady so he doesn’t know how nervous I am.

  “Everything.” His voice is thick and full of promise. “There’s nothing you won’t enjoy.” He leans down and gently presses his lips to my forehead. “Go to bed.”r />
  Chapter Eight

  Chelsea

  I’m standing before him, not wanting to move, and gently place my hands on his bare chest.

  “Can I stay with you tonight?”

  He opens the door wider and lets me inside his bedroom. I should make it clear I only want his warmth, and not sex. Not yet. I don’t think.

  He pulls back the navy blue comforter and watches me as I place my hand on the bed, wondering if he’s expecting sex tonight.

  “You’re more than welcome to sleep in my bed. We don’t have to do anything. We’ll go at your pace, Chelsea.”

  It makes me feel a little more human hearing him say this to me again. The bed is big enough for both of us, so I climb in and tug on the edge of the bed. I’m not sure if I want to cuddle or do anything like that. Plus, he doesn’t seem like someone who likes to snuggle and wrap their arms around a woman. A sigh releases from my lips and suddenly my back presses against his warm chest.

  “I want you in my arms, sweetness. This is what I like. I didn’t think I would, but seeing your back and how far away you were wasn’t sitting right with me.”

  I slowly exhale and hold onto his strong forearms, tracing his smooth skin with my fingers. He holds me tighter and I feel his lips against the back of my head.

  “Sleep.”

  I nod and gently close my eyes, letting everything go dark.

  The next morning, I wake up to an empty bed, and I’m not sure how to feel, so I get up and head downstairs. The strong aroma of coffee fills the air, and when I enter the kitchen, Liam is standing at the counter, holding a mug and reading the paper. There’s a mug for me with creamer and sugar to the side, and a plate of fresh fruit and a bowl of yogurt with granola in a smaller bowl. I fight the smile until I lose, and when I look up, he’s staring at me.