CHAPTER 16

Vivian

I dressed in a black pencil skirt and pale pink blouse for dinner, just for fun. It was cool out, but I had hose on and carried a warm, black coat out of my room. Boyce looked me up and down as he straightened his tie, looking delicious. “I don’t know how I’m supposed to keep my hands off you at dinner,” he told me as I smiled and walked forward.

“It’s just through dinner. We’re coming here afterward,” I assured him, trying to make light of our situation. Boyce insisted on taking me to a steakhouse in the city which was why I dressed up tonight. It was a nice place and he was sure to see a ton of people that he knew there. We left in his car and I leaned back in the passenger seat, imagining for a second that this was a date and we had a future. I didn’t talk about a lot of these thoughts with Boyce, trying to chalk it up as just sex until he moved on.

Boyce reached over to take my hand and I smiled at him. “You okay?”

“I’m fine. I’m just looking forward to dinner,” I assured him, squeezing his large palm. I remembered going with my parents as well as Bella and her family, so the memories were bittersweet.

“I just wish…I wish that we could be real there. There’s just so many people there that we know, and it would become something to gossip about quickly. I’d rather go about it slowly, if it gets to that.” Boyce took the exit needed and I looked over the lights of the city, hearing the doubt in his voice. I knew what he was getting at, but my insecurities were getting the best of me at times. I was young and hardly experienced enough to know the signs of love. I’d never felt anything like it before this.

We parked and walked into the restaurant where Boyce was greeted warmly by the hostess. She led us to a table on the edge of the room near a window and I slipped into my side of the booth after I removed my coat. Boyce already had people waving his way and walking over to our table to greet him and I watched quietly. Many of his friends knew our history and merely said hello to me, and the women that threw themselves all over him didn’t acknowledge me at all.

I wasn’t dumb, and I heard him with women in the past. It gave me a lot to fantasize about when I was fumbling through my hormones and a lot of disappointment with the men that I did have sex with initially. I could acknowledge his past if that’s what it was, but it seemed like some of them wanted to rekindle whatever it was they shared with Boyce. I felt every bit the teen that I was as I looked at their curvy bodies and confidence that I was still learning about. I felt like the most beautiful woman in the world when I was in his arms at home in bed, but reality hit me hard right now. Boyce talked for a few minutes and finally sat down with a rueful smile. “I’m sorry. I should have known better than to come here.”

“You’ve been coming her for years, Boyce. I’ve been coming here for years. It’s a great place so stop worrying.” I told him as I read the menu that I’d memorized years ago. I didn’t want him to see the emotions that I was hiding.

“Vivian, I can see in your eyes that you’re not okay.” Boyce stared at me as I gazed into his eyes and sighed. “I was an ass for bringing women home when you lived there before. I’m sorry that its being thrown in your face here. I’d take it all back if I knew that we’d be here tonight.” Ina few sentences, Boyce confirmed that he’d slept with these women I’d seen and that he cared for me. It was a lot to take in and I looked at him for a moment.

“I used to listen to you. I would listen and dream about it being us and I learned how to masturbate. I don’t regret hearing it, but I struggle with seeing them here. They’re beautiful and have so much more to offer than I do. They’re more like Nora was.” At the mention of his dead wife, Boyce scowled and took a controlled breath.

“They’re nothing like her. They were women to warm my bed and then gone. I didn’t sleep with many of them a second time.” Boyce looked back into my eyes after looking around the restaurant. “Furthermore, you’re better than any of them. You have more heart and I want you in my life for more than sex. I’ve come back for more many times.”

I looked at him in silence, feeling warmth wash over my body. I didn’t mean to mention Nora that way. After all, she was like a second mom to me before she died. I heard a voice and looked up to see a waitress staring at us.

“Are you ready to order?” Her voice was soft, and Boyce raised an eyebrow at me.

“Yes, thank you. I’d like the crab cakes with roasted potatoes and a salad, please. Water to drink.” It was almost automatic for me to order this dish and Boyce ordered his usual as well before she left us alone. “You’re not sleeping with anyone else?”

“No, Vivian. When would I have time with working and talking to you nearly every night?” Boyce demanded as I blushed and looked down at the table.

“I don’t know about that. You can be pretty fast sometimes.”

“I haven’t looked at another woman since we began sleeping together much less been with one. Have you been with another man?” Boyce asked as I shook my head rapidly.

“No. You’re all I think about. I swear.”

“We can’t make any decisions right now about this, but I think we both understand that we both feel something. Let’s enjoy dinner.” Boyce suggested, and I nodded slowly. The woman brought our drinks and I sipped my water, letting the cold liquid slide down my throat. I was feeling torn inside, both happy about what was said as well as scared. We started making small talk about life in general while we ate, and it felt so normal to be with him. I turned dessert away, feeling full and weary as we stood to leave the building.

Boyce must have made plans with ten people before we walked outside, my heels clicking on the sidewalk. He opened the car door for me and I shook my head as he tilted his head at me. “You’re a popular guy.”

“Only in the world of business. I don’t have many people that I would call real friends.” He closed the door with that and I realized that I didn’t have to many myself. There were some at college that I spoke to in class and hung out with Miranda that night, but I was hesitant to do so any more. Boyce got in the driver’s side and started the engine, looking at me for a long moment before pulling out of the lot. I was quiet on the drive home as Boyce held my hand the entire way. It was late once we pulled into the garage and I eased out of the car and walked into the house. I slipped my shoes off and walked to my bathroom, filling the huge tub with hot water and vanilla bubbles. Living in my apartment with a standard tub and shower, I missed this luxury.

“I have a tub in my bathroom,” Boyce reminded me as I smiled at him, slipping off my skirt.

“I know. I just miss my big bathroom and these baths so much. It feels like home here.” I unbuttoned my shirt and slipped it off as his eyes darkened.

“Is there room for two?” Boyce asked hoarsely as I nodded slowly. We both undressed, and he slipped into the bathtub first before I moved in right in front of him. The water was warm, and the room smelled amazing as I looked around at the dimmed lights. Boyce slipped his hands around me, cupping my breasts as I whimpered softly. My nipples hardened under his fingers and he pinched gently as I jerked before him. “These are what I think about at night. This body is the only one that I crave.” One of his hands slipped between my legs and stroked my slick folds. “This pussy is the only one that I want to fuck senseless.” I arched my back and spread my legs open, needing him after tonight. Boyce stroked me harder, focusing on my clit as I slipped my hands around his thick thighs. He made me come easily, keeping his hand cupped over me as I rocked against his hand.

We relaxed together after I was still, just enjoying the atmosphere. “I want us to be exclusive, Viv. In saying that, I don’t want to publicize the fact. I’d prefer to tell Bella first and then family members. That way, it doesn’t get to them through the gossip mill.” I nodded in agreement, feeling the same way.

“I’ve already mentioned that I was casually seeing a guy to a friend at school. I won’t say who to anybody.” I slipped my hands over his and clasped them with a big smile. I could live with this for now. Once the water started cooling, we got out and dried off before making our way into my bedroom, where he pulled me against him to kiss me hungrily.

“We’ve never been in here together,” Boyce said suggestively before claiming my lips again. He pushed me gently back to my bed before he sat me down and spread my legs open. Boyce moved to the floor and leaned in to kiss my inner thighs as I looked down at him.

“I always wanted you in here with me. I used to get myself off so much imagining it.” I felt his tongue on my clit and moaned as I dropped my head back.

“I thought of you down here a lot myself. I pretended that every woman was you,” Boyce confessed before he locked his mouth against me and worked his tongue against me.

“You did?” I asked as he pulled me closer.

“Much earlier than I should have, Vivian. I never planned on this happening between us.” I blushed as he went back to my pussy and eased me towards a release. I came crying out his name before he pulled away and told me to get on my knees further up the bed. I giggled and hurried up to get into position and arched my ass up as I felt him moving on the mattress. Boyce smacked me, making me jerk forward with a laugh.

The giggles stopped when I felt him inside of me, sliding deep. I closed my eyes and focused on the way that he always stretched me open. He touched every part of me, body and soul and I rocked against him and he groaned as he held my hips tightly. It felt different now that we had talked a bit and I knew that he was it for me. I knew Boyce well enough to understand that he wouldn’t put me in any kind of danger or risk and I loved feeling him bare inside of me. We fucked for a few minutes before I caved and called his name, knowing that my room would forever be connected to him now. Boyce followed as he thrust inside of me and filled me as I let out a grunt. We dropped down to my mattress and breathed in as I looked through the windows to the sky.

I felt like it was my first time as I felt my body still pulsing from everything with Boyce.

We decided to sleep upstairs since Boyce was used to his room and his bed. I snuggled beside him, still naked and exhausted now. I kissed his chest before I drifted off, waking up later than Boyce did. I looked around the room and found it empty. Rising slowly, I went to get a robe and use the bathroom before I headed downstairs. I heard silence when I descended the stairs and walked into the kitchen, looking for coffee. “Vivian?”

I jumped at the sound of Anne’s voice and panic filled me. “Hi, Anne. I came home for the weekend to get some peace and quiet.” I offered as my heart pounded in my chest. Did she hear me come downstairs? Had she been in my room at all? “What are you doing here on the weekend? Isn’t your hubby home?”

“I found some vegetables at the little stand nearby and wanted to get them into the kitchen. I’d like to think that he’s at least attempting to eat healthy with the house empty.” Anne hugged me before she pulled back and looked closely at me. “You look like college is treating you well.”

“It’s busy. I am always going,” I ran a hand through my messy hair that was pulled into a bun for our bath and then messed up during sex. I didn’t think that anyone would be here, and I checked the robe to make sure it was tied well with slow movements. “Studying and classes are my life now.”

“I do hope that you’ve met some guys. It’s quite something to be on your own in a new setting. You should enjoy it.” I winced inside but kept the smile on my face.

“Casually, sure. I don’t need anything serious at this stage of my life.” She smiled and nodded as I went to get some coffee.

“I had a ball in college. I felt so free after living with my parents and sisters and I went a little wild. Meeting Mike calmed me down a lot and I was ready for that.” They had two grown children that lived in the area and she spent a lot of time with them.

I wondered if I could ever tell the story of Boyce and I to anybody down the line. Would it always be our little secret?

“I love it. The campus is amazing, and I love my classes. I just like to come back for some peace here and I also miss the water…a lot.” I hadn’t been to the water once since coming back but I smiled at her, nonetheless.

“I can imagine that after living here for so many years.” Anne took the bag that was on the counter and started getting the vegetables into the fridge as I sipped my coffee. I heard the front door open and glanced over to see Boyce coming in from a run, smiling as he walked towards me.

“Look who came by to bring you some veggies,” I offered as he paused and looked into the kitchen to see Anne.

“Hello there. This is a nice surprise,” Boyce changed his expression and walked over to hug her. “What did you bring?”

She showed him her purchases and I wandered over to sit at the bistro table to drink my coffee. The view was stunning from here and I looked out to where the water was as I listened to them talk together. I was relieved that Anne didn’t seem to understand what I was doing here. I felt like she might understand but then again, she looked at me like a daughter. I got lost in my thoughts until I heard her voice and glanced over. “I am going to go now. Mike wanted to go to the movies today while he was home. it was lovely to see you again, Vivian.” Anne hugged me again before walking out the front door and I let my shoulders drop.

“I didn’t know she was here. I came downstairs dressed like this to look for you and she scared me so much. I acted as normal as I could.” I started to talk as he walked over to me, stroking my hair back.

“She was acting completely normal. I’m sure everything is fine, Viv.” I could see the wrinkle in Boyce’s forehead as he spoke and stared into his eyes.

We walked down to the water once I calmed down and while we acted normal, I could tell that things were off. I packed my bag in the early afternoon and told him that I needed to get back to study for some tests. Boyce looked at me with surprise from the couch where we’d been watching a movie and stood up. “Did I do something wrong?”

“No. Of course not. I just forgot that I had several tests to study for.” I forced a smile on my face.

Boyce stared deeper into my eyes as he cupped my face, making me tremble.

“I don’t believe you,” he told me as he leaned forward to press his lips to mine. “Something has you ready to bolt and sadly, I can think of a few incidents that happened. I know that you need to get back, but I’ll be calling you later.”

“Okay,” I replied as I felt him let me go. He offered to help with my bag, but I assured him that I had it and headed towards the garage. I started the engine and backed my car out onto the driveway, telling myself that I was going to take some space from Boyce and the turmoil that he caused me. I was going to live life on my own for a change and see what else it had to offer.