CHAPTER 21

Boyce

I chatted with Bella as I finished the drive home, remaining silent as she talked about Vivian’s new boy toy. I’d never admit that I was just there with her. Bella sounded thrilled with the prospect of her best friend dating and I knew that we’d pop her bubble with our news. Bella moved on to ask if I was dating and I admitted that I had some casual things going on.

“Dad, Mom has been gone for a long time and you’ve sworn your life to me and Viv. It’s time for you to live again.” I heard the pleading in her voice and frowned as I thought about the restaurant with Vivian.

“I had no issues raising the two of you. I still worked a lot during that entire time.”

“Too much. Once we hit high school, you had plenty of time to date,” Bella told me as I thought back to the nights I brought women home when she wasn’t there. I felt bad about it now but the idea of Vivian touching herself to the sound of it made my cock hard all over again.

“I did here and there. I just hadn’t found anyone that came anywhere near to your mom. She was a special woman.”

“She was. If you got serious about someone, I’d never try to replace Mom with them. I just want you happy.” Bella kept talking and I stopped at a light as I considered her reaction to my seeing Vivian.

“I am not looking for it, but I won’t turn it away, Bella. Don’t worry about me. Tell me about the play.” I wanted to distract her from the talk about dating and she told me all about her part and the theater, clearly passionate about this aspect of her life. I was proud of her and it occurred to me that Bella might not come home. She’d rather be an actress in a big city than live a quiet life on the water.

“I can’t wait to see you on stage. Your first Broadway performance…it’s hard to believe that you’re so grown up,” I mused as I thought over the years.

“It’s off Broadway, Dad. This is the practice game,” Bella laughed as I mentally cursed myself for not knowing that. We finished the conversation before she told me that she had plans with friends, making me wonder if she was seeing anyone. I always knew that Bella was a bit boy crazy, but she seemed responsible enough with it. I talked to her as honestly as I could stand to and just hoped that she considered her future before making any permanent choices.

I drove down my street and pulled into the garage, turning off the engine and sitting for a few seconds. I knew the house would be empty and wasn’t looking forward to it.

I got out and walked inside and grabbed a beer. I took the small bag of clothes that I did bring back upstairs to add them to the laundry after pulling the tags off. I changed into some sweats, choosing to work in my office for today and just make it an early day at the office tomorrow. I sipped the beer and sent a few emails as I played back the weekend in my head.

I knew that the holidays would be here soon, and I’d have more time with Vivian. I looked forward to it and considered what to do for the trip away. I’d find the most romantic bed-and-breakfast that I could and have them set up the room for me. I had no limit to what I’d spend to make Vivian smile and I couldn’t wait to take her away.

I did some reports until I was yawning and went upstairs to my bedroom after locking up. I’d eaten lightly tonight but knew that Anne would be here tomorrow for the weekly prep. She was going to go crazy when the holidays came, and she knew that at least one of the girls would be home. I set the alarm for early in the morning, hoping to get a run in before work.

The week passed by quickly when I was at work but slowed down drastically once I was home alone. I talked to Vivian regularly and she planned to come to the house this weekend to visit. I could hear in her voice that she was as excited as I was to be together again. I told her that I’d make dinner for her Friday, so we could just stay in for the night.

The week dragged with the anticipation and I knew that I’d fallen hopelessly for Vivian. I feared what they entailed, but I was in so deep that I couldn’t pull away from her now. I made a point of leaving in time on Friday night to get home in the thick traffic, planning to cook some steaks and veggies and then take her to my bed for the night. I couldn’t wait to be inside of her again and every night away from Vivian seemed to get longer. I changed into some jeans before jogging downstairs and pulling out some beer before I checked on the food.

I glanced at the clock, assuming that she’d be here in about an hour. Anne had cleaned up for me when I told her that I was having a business associate over for dinner. I could see in her eyes that she wanted it to be more than that and said nothing to make her think any further about just what it was. I turned on the TV for some scores on the games tonight, knowing that my friends were watching some at the corner bar. They invited me, but I told them I already had plans. There was the usual teasing from Chris, but I just let it go as I told him I had to go.

I was lying to my daughter, my house staff, and my friends. Well, not lying as much as concealing the truth so they’d have nothing to ask about. They all suspected something but could never guess the truth. I heard the garage and turned to look over as the door opened and Vivian walked in with a smile on her face. “Hi,” she greeted me as I stepped forward, grabbing her face to kiss her hard.

“I missed you,” I told her as I gave her a slight break before kissing her again. Vivian wrapped her arms around my waist and giggled as I parted her lips with the gentle touch of my tongue. She complied, and I tasted the coffee on her breath as she moaned against me. “I am going to cook before we run up to the bedroom or end up on the couch. We need some fuel.”

“I am a college kid that exists on the quickest and easiest food available. I want your good cooking,” Vivian told me in a throaty voice as I groaned and kissed her again. She pulled back and brought her bag upstairs to my room as I pulled out the steaks and set the plate on the counter. I reached into the cupboard for my cast iron pan and flipped on the stove to let it heat up. I was going to grill the veggies on my indoor grill and I looked up as she walked back in. “How was your week?”

“Long. But you already know that, don’t you? How did your Friday go?” Vivian asked as she sat down on one of the stools at the counter and smiled at me.

“The new account is taking off. I am going to be more involved with the team on this one, so the hours will be long. We can’t blow this client.” I leaned forward, and we stared at one another for a moment. “I’ll be finished by the holidays if it kills me. I want to take some time off.”

“Good. I want to see you as much as possible,” Vivian told me with a smile. “Do you remember the first holiday that I lived here?”

“I was scrambling to make it as normal as I could for you. We all were,” I replied, thinking back to that emotional time.

“I like that you made it more about tradition than presents. That’s what I was used to and it felt like home…when I wasn’t crying.” Vivian smiled weakly as she stared at the counter and I wanted to ditch dinner and take her into my arms. I wanted to make her smile. “You made it the best that it could be, Boyce. You saved me.”

“Should I feel bad that we’re here now?” I asked as she gave me a serious look for a moment.

“No. We both wanted this, Boyce. There was no denying it any longer.” I heard the oven beep and opened the heavy door to slip the pan inside to heat for a few moments. I warmed up the large grill and pulled out the marinating vegetables as I shook the bag around. “I love everything about us. Making dinner like this, watching movies…it is like before but better. It’s so comfortable and I just want to stop time, so we can spend more time together." Vivian blushed. “You are turning me into a sap, Boyce. I said I’d never do this.”

I kissed her again before I pulled the pot from the stove and cooked the steaks in it for a few moments. Vivian joined me to grill the veggies, sipping wine as we chatted about Vermont and the holidays. They were just around the corner and I thought about something that I’d seen in a store recently. I wanted to buy it for her, but it would be unwrapped in private.

We took the plates to the smaller table and ate slowly, sharing a lot of long looks. We washed the dishes together and I asked her what she’d like to do for the rest of the night. Vivian stood on her tip toes and kissed me softly before suggesting a movie on the couch before we went to our rooms for bed. I shook my head and kissed her harder as she moaned against my lips. Vivian changed into some leggings and a Henley before she looked at me, propped up on the pillows in bed. “I locked up. Get over here.”

Vivian laughed and walked over to me, crawling over my body to kiss me gently. I slipped one hand into her hair and the other slowly down her back, cupping her ass as our tongues danced together. I pushed her to her back and pressed my body between her legs as she pulled me closer. “I want you.” Her voice was a whisper and I hardened as she arched her back to rub my cock through the jeans that I was wearing.

“Fucking hell,” I moaned as I moved to slip her shirt off. “Why did you even get dressed at all?”

“I thought you might have stopped wanting me out of the blue,” Vivian teased me as we both laughed. I moved back and pulled down her leggings, revealing her bare body to me as I licked my lips.