She's a moaning mess already, her ass restless on the carpet, her inhibitions probably lopped in half, thanks to the pot and her unfamiliar surroundings. Her excitement is running down my chin, and I can't get enough. I slide my middle finger into her clenching entrance and flick my tongue against her clit, groaning when her cunt starts to tremble along with the rest of her. The arches of her feet curve around my shoulders, toes digging into my muscle. "Ramsey! Oh … I can't. I can't stop it. I can't wait."
My tongue is playing her clit like a violin solo, and I don't stop, don't stop until she sucks in a huge breath and holds it, her stomach going concave. Her scream vibrates in perfect harmony with her thighs as they shoot forward and hug the sides of my head. Beside our boat, the barge is still there, the men not quite finished in their attempts to see inside. From my vantage point, I watch her look over … and get struck by a second climax, thanks to my still-working tongue and the illusion that we're being observed.
"Ramsey," she gasps, her fingers threading and tugging in my hair. "I … I only want you to see me now. Hold me."
She's in my arms before the request is even half issued. I wrap them around her and shield her from the onlookers, pressing kisses to her hairline. "I goddamn love you, Veda."
"No matter what?"
"Yes. Always." For a long time, we lie there, our bodies meshed head to toe, Veda's heart beating-racing-without slowing. "No matter what."
How soon until I have to prove it?
Chapter Five
My hand rides on the small of Veda's back as we enter the restaurant, De Kas, an upscale eatery designed to look like a greenhouse and situated in the center of one of Amsterdam's largest parks. Although my inclination is always to reserve a private room, I've booked a table within the dining room instead, off in the corner but still within the main restaurant. Perhaps it's wrong of me to feel such animosity toward Veda's father, but my possessive streak for her knows no bounds. I don't want to give him an opportunity to be anywhere alone with her should I need to leave the table for any reason. In that vein, I've also positioned security throughout the restaurant, posing as diners, but prepared to act if Jack attempts to take Veda away from me.
Am I going too far? Yes. Ask me if I care. I've been without her once before, and I don't intend to live that way again. A deranged man mired in hysteria.
Although, Jack might not even need to take her. She could walk at any time.
I'm maintaining the outward appearance of calm for Veda's sake, but on the inside I want her home with me in bed. As the hostess leads us to our table and every eye in the room lands on the outrageously beautiful and obviously young blonde on my arm, I am hyper aware that she is now eighteen and can leave me if she chooses. I thought bringing Veda to Amsterdam and showing her my contrition over how she came to be with me would be the ultimate way to earn her trust once and for all, but now I'm wondering if I had an even more recent lapse in sanity. She could very well see her father and realize she misses him more than she loves me.
If she really loves me, that is. No one has ever loved me. Why would this incredible girl be the first? Can I believe her when she says it?
When Jack comes into view at our table in the far back corner, Veda's hand holds on tighter to mine even as she smiles, confusing me further. What am I missing? I resent there being a single mystery between us, even though I realize I was the deceptive one in the beginning and this is my due.
As we draw closer, I see that Jack looks like shit. He has grown a beard, but his red-rimmed eyes and failure to stand and greet his daughter makes me think he hasn't shaved out of laziness. Finally, the glare he's directing at me ticks away and softens, landing on Veda.
"Veda." He lumbers to his feet and skirts around the large, round table. "I feel like I haven't seen you in years. You look so pretty."
My muscles tense as she releases my hand and goes to him slowly, wrapping her arms around his waist, albeit hesitantly. "Hey, Dad."
There is a definite note of awkwardness between them, very likely stemming from the fact that the man who is fucking her stands in their midst. I have been since he signed the contract making me his daughter's legal guardian. He knew that would be the case as I never once lied about my urgent need to take her to bed. I know Veda was hurt by her father's actions, as well as mine, and God, I'm proud as hell of her for attempting to forgive us both. At least, I think she's making the attempt. There's a set to her chin I recognize as stubborn as I reach out to shake Jack's hand.
He stares at my offering in distaste, but Veda murmurs "please," and he finally accepts the greeting before we all sit down.