Coming Home

Chapter 4

"Thank you, Miss. Zane for coming tonight." They stood outside her door as the cold wind pricked her skin. Goose bumps appeared on her arms as she gazed up at him in nothing but the thin material of her dress. The clothing he'd sent her didn't come with a shawl or some type of protector against the low temperature. She had no choice but to go without a jacket when they'd left her apartment.

"I was only doing my job, sir." She hoped he would take the hint and leave so she could head inside. She tried her best to stop the grinding of her teeth, wrapping her arms around herself to stop the cold from seeping further into her bones.

"Well, then. I'll see you in the office." He turned on his heels and she watched him descend the stairs. He didn't belong in her neighborhood. His expensive suit shone brightly against the moonlight hanging from the darkened sky. He was probably on a rush to get back on the car since Shirley was waiting for him. There was an after party that one of the hosts held annually at their mansion. As expected, only the richest and popular people could attend. Including Shirley Jones and the Smiths.

Sighing, she jammed her key into the door and slipped inside. Her feet ached from a night of dancing, her body itching to get out of the dress. She padded toward the bathroom, ran herself a bath before stripping herself bare. The warmth of the water comforted her, easing the pain in her joints as she closed her eyes, relaxing.

As soon as the gala had ended, the Smiths filed out one by one. George and Janine were the first to leave the party, followed by Richard and his wife while Caleb and Eunice stayed behind a little longer. They accompanied her as Max finished whatever business he had with Shirley. The brunette was practically beaming with joy when she walked away. Although the look of disappointment was evident on the two younger Smiths. Her boss seemed oblivious to their expressions or he just chose to ignore them.

Eunice had wanted her to come to the after party, but it didn't feel right to go. It was like invading someone's personal event. Besides, no one had invited her. She wasn't a party crasher and didn't want to ruin anyone's night. And she'd sworn to stay off alcohol since her late aunt had disapproved of it. She wanted to respect her wishes.

Caleb had offered to give her a ride, something she appreciated, but Max had insisted he bring her home instead. His younger brother had shrugged and walked away instead. Though, Eunice still begged her to come and spend more time with her.

"You don't know how it's like to be surrounded by men all the time." She had pouted then, her green eyes wide and lonely.

"I can only imagine," Venice returned.

"Having you around tonight made the gala bearable. I'm usually alone at the table while my brothers danced. My parents are out there talking to important people about boring stuff."

Venice's brows shot up in astonishment. "No one asks you to dance?"

Eunice shook her head. "I'm only eighteen, Venice. I think I'm the youngest in almost every party we attend. Most of the guys my age are out clubbing and having fun, while I get to go to these things and dress up to impress other people. It gets boring after a while."

She was of age. Venice didn't understand why the Smiths didn't let her out from time to time. She may be a few years older than Eunice but she have had her fair share of parties in her teens. Though she could only imagine how hard it was to grow up around men. Max was surely the toughest one out of all of them. He seemed the type to lock up his sister at home, and never let her out.

Her thought was confirmed when the young girl spoke again. "Max is the toughest out of all my brothers. He might not be the first-born but he sure acts like it. Richard passed down the responsibilities to him as soon as he married and had a family. I don't mind, though. Richard is nice but Max is nicer in spite of what others think. He's not so bad when you get to know him."

Eunice was young and naive. She praised her brothers as if they were saints. Venice wouldn't know what it was like to have a complete family. She had grown up with her aunt and she'd been more than enough to play the role of both parents.

"Max is considered ruthless at work. I think it has something to do with his work ethics and how he rules his employee." She didn't understand why she was telling the young girl this. But an abrupt feeling to protect her burned brighter in her veins. Eunice was sheltered by her family. The way it should be. But she was innocent and naive to predators out there in the world, always thinking the best in people. Things didn't work out like that. It wasn't a fairytale. Venice had learnt that a long time ago.

"To me, he's everything." Eunice said with a stubborn tilt of her chin. "Anyways, I hope you're coming with us. I don't want to go to that stupid after party but my parents forced me because Caleb's there. Someone has to keep him out of trouble."

"I'm sure you'll manage just fine," Venice reassured.

"Max is going so why can't you?"

"Because I only agreed to this gala because your parents expected him to bring a date."

Eunice's face contorted into a frown. "I don't want to talk to Shirley. She's fake and not nice. You're way better than her."

Something inside her melted as she regarded the red-head. "Shirley doesn't seem so bad. You should give her a chance and speak with her. It seems like she's going to stick around for a long time."

Eunice faked a shudder. "I sure hope not. I wouldn't wish to have a sister-in-law like her no matter how much Max likes her."

Max liked her? If he seemed interested in the supermodel, then why didn't he ask her as his date instead? Realization hit her. They'd worked together for a campaign and she remembered reading briefly through the contract the Millani Inc. and Smith Incorporation had drawn up. There shouldn't be any way of contact on both parties unless it had something with business.

Their conversation had stopped as soon as Max sauntered over. He'd told his sister to find Caleb and stick by his side at all times. Eunice complied leaving the two of them alone. Her boss had made sure his little sister found Caleb before grabbing her wrist, feeling the tingle that spread out in her arm, warming her skin, before he rushed to the parking lot.

"You seem to have acquainted yourself with my family," he said as soon as they were out of earshot.

"They were nice to me. They made me comfortable throughout the night." She didn't know why she was defending herself. She'd told him the truth. His family was wonderful to her. Wasn't that her role? To play her part as the obedient date?

"Eunice is captivated by you," he observed. "And so is Caleb."

"They're great people. Eunice is young and feels lonely because there's not another woman in the house other than your mom. But I can only imagine how tough it must be for her." Venice hoped that would put his mind at ease. "And as for Caleb, he's a great guy. Sweet and kind."

"He's a playboy," was his sudden reply.

Venice jerked her head to the side in surprise. Darkness covered half of his face, covering whatever emotion in his eyes. "I'm not going to latch onto your brother, Mr. Smith if that's what you think."

"You should know by now I don't think of you like that." A muscle ticked in his jaw, showing the granite-like hardness that most women swoon over. "I was just giving you a fair warning about my brother."

"Your brother seems fine," she added heatedly. "And you don't have to worry about me, sir. I can look after myself."

He didn't say much during the car ride after that. It was only when he'd dropped her off at her house, got out and thanked her that she realized he'd been pissed at her. For what, she didn't know.

The memory rolled away as quickly as the water run cold. She got up, reaching for her towel and wrapping it around her. The bath hadn't done much to ease the ache in her feet, but at least it had calmed her. She walked back to her bedroom, slipping on a pair of black, lace underwear before shrugging on her robe.

She fell on the bed staring up at the ceiling. Turmoil filled her mind as she reached for her phone, going through the text messages Jill had sent during the evening. None of them were important so she ignored them until tomorrow. She wasn't ready to face anyone just yet. She had to declutter the mess her brain seemed to be in.

***

Strong, calloused hands caressed her body as Venice moaned. Male fingers dipped in her inner thighs, touching, exploring as she writhed beneath him. Need took over. Desire running dangerously through her veins. Her mouth parted in a long breathless groan when that familiar hand skimmed upward, closer to the place where she needed him to be. Disappointment settled over her when he didn't touch her there.

"Please," she begged.

"What do you want, baby?" his voice slid over her skin like silk.

"I want you," she whispered.

Lips replaced the hands. It travelled from her ear, to her cheek and down to her jawline. She waited for him to kiss her but it was as if he had a different plan in mind. Warm, soft lips grazed her collarbone before going downward. His mouth touched the valley between her breasts, sending her nerve endings on fire. Venice shivered. Her arms linked around his shoulder blades, holding on as his mouth found her breast.

Her back arched from the bed, her toes curling when he took one n****e into his mouth. Her nails dug into his scalp, unable to stop the rush of wetness dripping between her legs. He paid all of his attention on her breasts, tweaking, nibbling gently on the pebbled tips until she could no longer take it.

"More, please. More!" she was never one to beg but the words slipped out so easily like water sliding into the river.

She heard him groan before settling himself between her legs. Decency flew from her mind as she accomodated his broad shoulders. His face slid closer to her wet heat. He dipped the tip of his tongue into her navel, licking away until she was begging him again and again.

Her panties were already gone by the time he reached his destination. A wet tongue swiped at her lips, her hips jolting upward as sensations spiraled down on her. Those pair of hands tightened around her hips, keeping her in place as her lover ate her up. Her screams bounced off the walls, her mouth parted, trying to inhale as much oxygen as she could. The butterflies in her belly threatened to explode, her eyes rolling at the back of her eyes.

A faint sound of ringing broke her out of her reverie. The pleasure between her legs disappeared and she held on tightly. But the loud sound was sucking her back to reality. Venice bolted upright, eyes looking around as she realized it was all a dream.

Fuck.

She just had a wet dream.

The loud ringing penetrated through her brain as she reached for her phone. Max was calling at three in the morning again.