Chapter Three

Valerie spent the day helping Justin sort through the stuff he brought back from his dorm, determining what would go back into his room for now and what he would stuff up in the attic. When she wasn’t helping him, she helped his father in the kitchen, fixing lunch and then dinner. She found herself more and more intrigued with the man the more time she spent with him, and soon, she was helping him with things around the house more than Justin. He seemed so unlike Justin that she had to believe Justin took more after his mother than his father, even in appearance. Justin was tall and lanky, his shaggy dark hair a constant mess even after a shower and combing. He was serious, even during sex, with goals in mind he wanted to achieve, and he followed those plans to the letter, again, even during sex. It kind of took the excitement out of it at times. Not to say Justin wasn’t hot when they fucked; it was just sometimes getting her to orgasm seemed more like something for him to check off a list than getting her to scream out his name because the sex was that damn good. Of course, he was sweet and cuddly, so she could forgive him the other aspects. Sometimes.

She finished washing a plate, slipping it into the sink beside her where Richard picked it up to rinse it off. Chancing a glance at Justin’s father, she highly doubted he did things according to a list, especially sex. “Are you sure I’m not in the way?” she asked, handing him another plate. “I’m happy to go home if I am.”

Richard looked over at her, his eyes widened. “Go home? Are you crazy? You’re the best part of Justin coming home.” He winked at her and then chuckled as he stacked the plate in the drainer. “No, you’re not in the way. Hell, you don’t see Justin here helping with the dishes, do you?”

She laughed, grabbing a glass on the side of the sink and starting to wash it. “No, no, I don’t. He does seem to know when to make himself scarce, doesn’t he?”

Richard laughed again, taking the glass from her. “That he does. But, then again, that’s always been one of his hidden talents. Avoiding manual labor. I’m sure you can break him of those habits, though.”

“Oh, right, no pressure on me,” she said. “You had him for how many years and couldn’t get him to do the dishes. Now, you expect me to get him to get his hands dirty? Don’t think it’s in the cards.”

“No, probably not,” Richard said, and she could hear the merriment in his voice. “Still, a pretty girl like you is sure to be able to get him to do things a crusty old man couldn’t.”

She picked up another plate as she turned and looked at him. “You’re not a crusty old man in any way, shape, or form, and you know it. I was actually surprised that you were Justin’s father, to be honest. You two look so different. He’s tall and lanky, and you’re…”

“Round with a bulging belly?” He winked at her again. He nodded. “Justin always took after his mother. She was a slender woman, taller than most others. I’m just over six feet, and she was almost as tall as me.” He glanced down at his torso, smirking. “I’m more on the thicker side of things.”

“And it looks like it’s all muscle from here,” she assured him, and then blushed that she said it out loud, turning back to the dishes. Yet, she couldn’t stop the words that tumbled out of her mouth. “I mean, you’re in great shape, and far from old. Justin told me you’re not even fifty yet. I’m sure women are lining up for a chance to be in those strong arms.”

Richard made a soft laugh. “Well, thank you for your kindness, but no, no one is lining up for anything.” He glanced down at the glass he was drying. “To be honest, since Jean left, I haven’t actually been putting myself back out there. Not that I expect her to come back—or want her to for that matter—I just decided to focus on me for a while, get some things done I’ve wanted to do for some time now. It’s been good not answering to anyone.”

She turned to him, one eyebrow cocked. “And the nights don’t get too lonely?”

This time, he blushed a little as he ducked his head. “That part has taken some getting used to, I’ll admit, but, well, there’s always time for that later.” He glanced back up at her, his emerald eyes sparkling as he spoke. “Plus, I’d rather it be with someone special, not just a random hookup.”

Okay, she wasn’t sure why, but that sent heat straight to her sex. She turned her gaze back to the dishes, hoping he wouldn’t see the color warming her neck and cheeks.

When the dishes were finished, he thanked her, folding his towel and draping it over the edge of the sink. “How about joining me on the porch for a drink? Glass of wine? Cocktail? Cup of coffee?”

“Sounds like fun,” she said, smiling over at him as she dried her hands. “Let me check on Justin, and then I’ll join you out there. And wine would be great.”

“Good. Try and drag that son of mine away from his to do list and get him to come outside for some relaxation. It’s time he stopped working for a while.”

“I’ll do that,” she said, watching as Richard walked over to the counter and grabbed a bottle of Merlot. She stared for a moment at the way his jeans cupped his firm ass, hugging him in just the right way. Giving herself a mental shake at the dirty thoughts that filled her mind, she turned and headed for Justin’s room. Why was she having such thoughts about his father? The man kept referring to her as a girl, so there was no way he saw her as a real woman, someone he could fill the lonely nights with. Oh, my god, Val! You’re dating his son, for crying out loud. You shouldn’t be thinking this way at all. After the mental scolding, she entered Justin’s room, unable to deny the wetness that pooled at her pussy.

“Hey,” she said, walking over and plopping down on his bed. “Your dad’s asking us to join him on the back porch for a drink and some more catching up. You about through here?”

He shook his head. “Not really. There’s more I want to get done in here.” Placing his hands on his hips, he turned his gaze to her. “You can go and have a drink with him. I’m sure he could use the company after having the house to himself so long.”

She clasped her hands together, placing them between her knees as she stared at him. “You have all the time in the world to get this done. You haven’t seen your father in a while. Come sit and visit with him. I’m sure he would rather talk to you than me. You’re his son, after all.”

“I know, and I’ll talk to him tomorrow,” Justin said as he moved over to another box. “I just don’t want to wake up to this in the morning.” He smiled at her, moving over and kissing her on the forehead, a soft, sweet kiss. Not what she really wanted. She wanted him to take her, throw her down, demand she stay up there with him while he drove his cock into her over and over. That’s what she wanted, but it isn’t what she got. “It’s all right. You go have fun, and I’ll be down when I get this finished.” He leaned back, smiling at her. “You know how I hate things out of sorts. My dad does, as well. He’ll understand, I assure you.”

She nodded, forcing a smile onto her face. She wasn’t sure which disappointed her more: the fact that he didn’t just rip her clothes off and fuck her or that he wouldn’t stop unpacking long enough to visit with his father, who he hadn’t seen in several months. Pushing herself off the bed, she leaned in and kissed his cheek. It was his decision, and she wouldn’t force him to do it if he wasn’t interested. He had to want it, and for whatever reason, it was obvious he didn’t want it. “Come down when you can,” she said as she turned toward the door. She pointed to a box as she crossed the room. “Don’t let your past keep you from enjoying your present.” And then she left his room, heading for the stairs.

And Justin’s father, her cunt throbbing at the idea of spending time alone with the powerful-looking man.