Adjusting the Deal (The Vault Book 1) Read online

  “Good morning.”

  “Morning,” I say. “This looks lovely. Thank you for doing this.”

  “You’re very welcome. As you know, my staff, along with Jack, knows you’re here. I’ve hired a new driver for myself, and Jack will be here at your disposal. I trust you, Chelsea, and I know you won’t leave here without telling me. You’re free to leave, but you must always be with Jack. Not only is he your driver, but he’s also your bodyguard.”

  “So then, you don’t completely trust me?”

  He shrugs.

  “I’m not going to leave, Liam.”

  “I need to ensure your safety. I protect what’s mine, and you’re mine. So whatever you need. Whatever you want. All you have to do is ask. Roberta’s been with me since my parents passed, so I trust her completely. There’s Lark, the gardener and groundskeeper, and also, Roberta’s daughter, Connie. Connie’s deaf, but she reads lips. Everyone here can be trusted.”

  I nod. “So, you’re going to work, and I’ll be here?”

  “Yes.”

  “And we’re boyfriend and girlfriend. There’s no deal. And I’m living with you.”

  “Yes,” he says again.

  “I’ll keep the deal part a secret if you’ll do the same. My parents don’t need that bad light on them.”

  “I understand. I’ve also sent a check to your parents to pay out his partnership. I’m keeping the agency name the same, and maybe when you’re ready, you’ll take his place.”

  I’m in shock. In disbelief. “Are you serious?”

  He slides a folder across the counter toward me, the papers neatly stacked and divided by tabs. I thumb through the places he’s marked and quickly read over his notes.

  “I took the opportunity to go ahead and look through your plan. I know you wanted a meeting, and I’ve invaded your privacy. But it was sitting on your nightstand, so I took it.”

  My face heats up as I’m reading his comments. His constructive words are making the wheels in my mind turn. “This is so helpful.”

  “Whatever questions you have, we’ll discuss them.”

  Before I can say anything else, the doorbell rings, and I look toward the door then back to him.

  He sets his coffee on the counter. “Remember, don’t speak of the deal.”

  “Okay,” I mutter, and watch him leave the room to answer the door.

  I look down and notice I’m wearing a skimpy top and my shorts are short. Great. Wonderful. I press down on my hair and check my breath since I haven’t brushed my teeth. I grab the glass of orange juice and chug it.

  A few moments later, Liam comes into the kitchen with two other men and they’re both staring at me. Holy hell. The three of them are standing close together and they’re all gorgeous. I blink a few times and notice they share the same features. They’re his brothers. His very hot brothers.

  “Blake, Jared, this is my girlfriend, Chelsea. Sweetheart, these are my brothers.”

  This is so overwhelming. The man standing to the left of Liam—Blake, I believe—is staring at me with a crooked grin and raised brow. He comes over, takes my hand, and presses it to his lips.

  “Blake Donovan. So very nice to meet you.”

  “Hello, Blake.” I smile. “It’s nice to meet you, as well.”

  The second brother pushes Blake out of the way and does the same thing. “Jared Donovan. Aren’t you a sweetheart? How’d you end up with big brother?”

  “We’ve known each other for a while, and we saw each other a little bit ago, and you know how it goes.”

  “I don’t,” Blake chimes in, raising his hand in the air. “Do tell.”

  “Little brothers,” Liam interrupts and pulls them back. “Let’s head to the office, shall we?” Liam eyes them both and walks over to me. He presses his lips to mine then to my forehead. “Have fun, sweetheart. I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Okay.”

  Blake and Jared both hug me and follow Liam out the door. I turn and watch them, and once the door’s closed, I let out a sigh and fan myself.

  This is way too much to handle.

  Chapter Nine

  Chelsea

  Jack opens the door for me and helps me out. I’m walking to the cafe and see Allison sitting outside. She’s waiting for me, and I feel so much relief when I sit down and see her.

  “What the hell’s going on?”

  I don’t hold back, and I tell her everything. She’s my best friend and I trust her completely. I know she’ll have some kind of advice to help me understand all that’s happening.

  When I’m done telling her, I notice her wide eyes, pale face, and mouth agape. “Anything?”

  “Holy. Shit. Liam Donovan? Your dad’s super-hot and sexy best friend, who is also mega successful and mega rich, is your boyfriend, and he has brothers? Girl, as your best friend, you need to bring me over and introduce us. Holy hell. Okay, let me stop. First, are you okay?”

  “To be honest, I really am. I mean, it’s only been a day, but last night he held me and didn’t try anything. I believe him when he says he wants to give me the world. And I want that from him, too.”

  “I’m not going to lie, but I’m totally jealous. I’m also really happy for you. Do me a favor, okay?”

  “Of course.”

  Allison sighs and places her hand on mine. “Please be careful. Go at your pace, and don’t think you need to do something you aren’t comfortable with.”

  I smile and nod. “I know, babe. Thank you. So can we order now? I’m starving!”

  “Ah, yes!”

  After saying bye to Allison, I follow Jack to the SUV and climb in when he opens the door. “After shopping, can you stop by the market?”

  “Chef Michaels typically does the shopping.”

  “I know,” I say, “but I’d like to pick something up for Liam.”

  “Sure thing, Chelsea.”

  It’s nearly six when Liam comes back home. I’m in the kitchen with Chef Michaels, watching him put together a simple salad, and I’m so interested in the way he’s putting together the lettuce, strawberries, cucumbers, and mixing the vinaigrette.

  Liam wraps his arms around my middle and nuzzles his lips to my neck. “Hi.”

  “Hi,” I respond, and fall back into him. “How was your day?”

  “Great. Yours?”

  “The same. I went to lunch with my best friend, Allison, and she wants to meet your brothers now. Shopping was fun, and they delivered my things, and Roberta helped me organize my closet. I hope everything’s to your liking.”

  Liam laughs and his stubble grazes against my bare neck. “I’m sure it will be. I have no doubt, Chelsea. And speaking of your friend and my brothers, well, we can make that happen.”

  “Dinner is ready,” Chef Michaels announces, and Liam takes my hand and leads me to the table.

  When we finish eating, I take Liam’s hand and pull him upstairs. Roberta has everything ready for us, and I’m so thankful for her. The bathroom door is open, and I look to see Liam’s smile as he takes in the numerous candles in the bathroom surrounding the tub filled with bubbles.

  “I figured you’d like to relax with whiskey, and I like to relax with a bath, so…” I let go of his hand, sashay over to the counter, pick up the decanter, and pour him a glass of whiskey. “Come relax with me, Liam.”

  I do my best to steady myself. This is what I want. This is what I’ve been fantasizing about for the last few years. Even though I’ve never had sex, I’ve been naked in front of guys before. If I want to be what Liam needs then I have to push aside my nervousness and be confident.

  His lazy smile lights up his face and he slowly takes off my clothes, starting with my shirt. Then he tugs down my leggings and kneels before me, his lips close to my virgin pussy. I’m wearing black boy shorts and a black bra. I know I said I need to be confident, but that’s so much easier said than done. My hands try to cover myself and I try to move away from his closeness.

  “Don’t,” he commands. “
You have a beautiful body, Chelsea. Don’t hide from me.”

  “I’ve never done this before. I mean, I’ve been naked in front of my boyfriends, but nothing this intimate. I’m going to need you to tell me what I have to do.”

  “You don’t have to do anything,” he explains to me and gets up from his knees, reaching behind me to unhook my bra. Then he skims down my sides and to my hips, tucking his fingers under my waistband and pulls my panties down. I’m completely bare in front of him. Bare. Naked. For him to see. All of me.

  “If I’m naked then you need to be as well.”

  “That’s fair.”

  Liam peels out of his clothes in a matter of seconds. I peek down and notice his rather large cock, and my mouth waters and my pussy is instantly wet.

  Sweet baby Jesus.

  Liam gets into the tub first and holds out his hand to help me in. With one foot in, followed by the other, the warmth calms me down and steadies me. The bubbles float between us as we slowly sink in until we’re covered. The bubbles serve as my wall. The lavender and peach scents envelop me, calm me, and I let out a contented sigh. I rest my head against the rim of the tub and the aroma of the candles fills the bathroom.

  It’s quiet in here. I can’t stop looking at Liam and the way he’s reclining back with his eyes closed. His chest rises and falls. I lean forward and glide toward him, place my palms on his face, and bring my lips to his in a sensual kiss, and his tongue pushes its way between my lips. I moan at the feel of his silky tongue, and gasp when he caresses my boobs. I don’t stop him. His kiss and touch are cautious and slow, but I want more. So much more. He’s testing me, so I float closer to him. Water sloshes and my pussy brushes against his hard cock. His hot mouth moves faster with mine, and his hands travel from my breasts to my hair. The grip is hard and I love it.

  Just when I’m about to break the kiss, he’s the one to end it before he quickly stands up. His very erect cock is at full attention right in front of me. I lick my lips, wanting to taste his hard length and suck him. Then my nerves hit me. I didn’t take into account how big he is and how small my mouth is. The possibility that I’ll hurt him with my teeth is very real.

  Shit.

  I don’t want to seem inexperienced, even though I am. Oh, I so am. I’ve only given a blow job a few times, and neither of those guys were big like Liam. There’s no comparison.

  “Come here, Chelsea,” his commanding voice demands, so I listen and feel the warm weight of his hand pushing me toward him. He adjusts himself while holding onto me, and I watch him stroke his length.

  My body pulses with need. With desire. Electric heat fills me, and I’m fully aware how badly I want him. How badly I want to hear him moan and bring him to his knees.

  Without thinking, I wrap my lips around his dick and slowly suck. I do my best to relax and push my mouth farther down so he’s slowly hitting the back of my throat.

  “Oh, fuck, Chelsea. Yes. Just like that, sweetheart.”

  His words motivate me to keep going and to keep doing what I’m doing. He releases a small grunt and I curl my fist around the base of him, working my mouth up and down his length, coating him with my saliva so I can easily stroke him as I’m sucking him.

  I swirl my tongue around his tip and gently suck while massaging his balls. I ease my jaw again and taste the saltiness of his warmth. I become even more eager and bold, and I quickly slide my tongue up and down while sucking and massaging him.

  “That’s it. Fuck.” Liam moans, and his deep voice rumbles. Soon hot, sticky wetness pulses into my throat, and I willingly gulp down every drop.

  As soon as I swallow the last of it, he pulls me up to a standing position, pushes me against the wall until my back smacks it, and slides his fingers inside me. I gasp, grip his shoulders, and close my eyes to the intense euphoria.

  “Oh, God,” I moan, and within seconds, I explode on his hand and fingers. Okay, that was a little too fast.

  Liam leans down and kisses me, leaving me breathless as he brings his fingers to his mouth and sucks my juices.

  “Sweetness.”

  Chapter Ten

  Liam

  I’m home early from work. I can’t stop imagining Chelsea and how her tight mouth sucked me off and the way she tasted on my fingers. I’m a very hungry man, and only she can satisfy my appetite.

  When I realize she and Jack aren’t home, I take out my phone to text her while going up the stairs and toward her bedroom. The door is wide open, and I step inside and head to her dresser. I open each drawer until I find the hidden treasure. A slinky black, lace thong catches my eyes, and quickly I grab it, shut the drawer, and stroll into my bedroom.

  My phone vibrates inside my pocket and I retrieve it and open her text message.

  Chelsea: We’ll be home later. Out and about with Allison.

  Me: Sounds good. Hope you’re having fun.

  Chelsea: I am. I’ll see you in a few hours.

  Me: Sounds good.

  I place my phone on my nightstand, slip her thong from my pocket, bring the lacey material to my nose, and breathe in. The soft fabric makes my dick throb. I unbuckle my belt and undo my pants, then free my hard cock and stroke it. The thong’s in my face—under my nose and in my mouth. Fuck. My hand moves faster until I rub the thong over my cock and cum all over it. The release eases the tension in my body and I relax. My eyes are still closed, remembering Chelsea, and obsessing over everything about her. Her lips. Her eyes. The way her long, wavy, blonde hair cascades past her shoulders and down her back.

  After I clean myself up and place the panties in my laundry basket, hidden in my closet, I change into loose sweatpants and a plain white tee. Since she’s out, I have time to get some work done and review a few files. I head down to my office, turn on my laptop, and wait for it to boot.

  Thinking about Chelsea makes me wonder why I’ve never had any interest in other women or in settling down.

  Being with Sadie was out of convenience. I never loved her. Our marriage was for my benefit, and I never wanted nor expected her to fall in love with me. She wanted more, more than I could give her. After the finalization of our divorce, the idea of settling down never crossed my mind. Everything in my life has been about the company, and furthering my father’s dream of expanding across the nation and making money. I’ve accomplished what I set out to do, and then some. I have more money than I can imagine. The sudden need to take care of someone hit me out of left field. Just like she did. I only want to take care of her.

  A few hours pass before there’s a light knock on my office door. I lift my head and wait until it opens.

  In walks Chelsea. “Hi.”

  I swallow hard, taking in what she’s wearing and how the light-pink dress fits her, hugging every curve and accentuating her collarbone. I notice it sticks out. She’s far too skinny. I’d love to see her fuller and softer. When she comes closer to me, I lean into her, and catch the smell of vanilla. She smells like dessert and it makes me want to eat her. Lick her. Cherish her. The way she tastes is on my tongue and I want more. I’m starving for her.

  “Have you eaten?” I ask.

  “Not since this morning. Jack drove me and Allison to Syracuse so we could do some shopping. Honestly, I don’t have much of an appetite.”

  “Why?”

  She shrugs. “Just don’t.”

  I push back from my desk and stand. We meet in the center of my office and I place my hands on her shoulders, drink in her soft features, and raise my finger to trace her full bottom lip. “I’m going to have Chef Michaels bring us food. You need to eat. You’re far too skinny.”

  She thrusts out her bottom lip against my finger in a pouty gesture. “Don’t you love skinny women?”

  “What makes you say that?”

  She shrugs again, her small shoulders barely lifting my heavy hands. Her gaze shifts away from mine. “I…I’ve seen some pictures of you on social media sites, and every time you’ve been photographed, the woman on your arm is a
twig, like she needs to eat a freaking cheeseburger. I don’t compare to those beautiful woman.”

  I put my hand up, stopping her right there. “Those women were merely arm candy. I don’t remember anything about them, not even their names. I believe a woman with curves is beautiful and sexy. If you’re comfortable in your skin, then that makes you beautiful. That is what’s appealing.”

  She sighs and her eyes flutter closed. “I’d actually love a bacon cheeseburger if he can make it.”

  “He can.” I smile, walk back to my desk, and pick up my phone to call down to the kitchen and ask Chef to make us bacon cheeseburgers with French fries and a batch of cookies. When I put the phone back down on the receiver, I turn around and see Chelsea still standing by the door, looking nervous and unsure.

  “You ordered a lot for us,” she finally says.

  “Not really. It’ll be a normal-sized lunch. You shouldn’t skip meals, and don’t worry about eating in front of me or being on a diet.”

  She doesn’t say anything, and I notice the way her blonde hair seems lighter and how her clear-blue eyes are searching my face.

  “I’ve explained that I’m responsible for your well-being, that you’re under my care. If you skip meals, there will be consequences,” I explain and walk over to her. “Don’t try to lie, because I’ll find out.”

  Her cheeks turn crimson, and I notice the way her hands are knotted together. “Of course. I’d never lie or try to deceive you.”

  “Good. That’s what I want to hear.”

  When her eyes are on mine again, the heat between us builds. I reach over, cup her cheek in my hand, and feel the way she relaxes at my touch. I’m aching to do more, but the sound of knocking pulls me away from her and I call out, “Come in.”

  Roberta wheels in a cart with our food and beverages. She places the plates, glasses, silverware, drinks, and napkins on the long wooden table against a sidewall of my office.

  “Anything else?” she asks, and I shake my head. “Very well. Enjoy lunch.”

  When she leaves and it’s the two of us again, I place my hand on the small of her back and escort her to the table. I pull out the chair and gesture for her to sit down. She obeys.