Chapter 50: CopingIn her dream, her father was standing over her mother's casket, pointing at Bella. "You did this!" he screamed. "She died because you broke her heart!"She woke with a start, Luke dozing beside her. "I need more as alcohol," she muttered to herself, and she motioned to the flight attendant.They landed in Philly, the second layover before the last leg in the eternity that was their journey to Alabama. Waiting at the gate, Bella was restless. "Do you want anything? I can't tell if I'm hungry or thirsty…maybe I need a magazine…I'll be right back."Luke watched as she walked toward a shop down the concourse. She returned with two Diet Pepsis, a bag of Jelly Bellys, and the latest issue of Vanity Fair."I got you a drink," she said, handing it to him. She sat and thumbed through the magazine without reading. "How long to boarding?" she asked."Not long now," he answered. He regarded her carefully, noticing that the closer they got to Birmingham, the more agitat
Chapter 51: Waking Up in AlabamaShe stirred, then woke with a start. Her first thoughts were muddled. What time is it? Where am I? She remembered suddenly, seeing the familiar sight of her own bedroom in Birmingham. She glanced over at Luke who was still sleeping. She smiled to herself. I like the way he looks here, Bella thought. She slid out of bed and hurried to shower and get ready to leave.Freshly showered and wrapped in a fluffy cream-colored towel, she returned to the bedroom and kissed Luke lightly. "Wake up, sleepyhead. We need to go soon." He groaned softly before kissing her and rolling out of bed. She watched him stumble to the shower. "Jetlag is a bitch," she commented, laughing softly.While he showered, she finished getting ready. A few minutes later, her phone rang and she picked up. "Hello?""I'm out front, Sissy," Bubba said."Hey, Bubba. We were expecting Solomon," she said."He doesn't drive after dark these days," Tre explained."I see. Okay, we'
Chapter 52: Family DramaBack in the car on their way back to the house, Tre apologized again. "I didn't think he'd be that bad. Sissy, the cancer is making him more unpleasant."Bella snorted. "Seems the same to me."After riding in silence for a few miles, she said, "Luke, wait'll you get a load of the house. Growing up, I had no idea how incredibly obscene it is." Glancing at Tre, "No offense." Tre shrugged. "None taken." They all laughed.Pulling into the drive, they could see the house situated at the end of a long straight lane shaded by centuries-old oak trees that were draped with Spanish moss. The white antebellum home was two stories tall and fronted by six white columns. There was a broad front porch running the width of house with a matching veranda on the second floor. Bella felt a perverse sense of pride. Bad memories and associations aside, the plantation house was undeniably beautiful. Still, she was glad that Tre and his family lived there. She was perfect
Chapter 53: Karaoke Night at Pale Eddie'sBella closed her eyes for a moment. "I'm sorry, Bubba. I'll go apologize. Then let's head back to town." She left the table to find Cornelia.The three men look at each other. Tre cleared his throat. "Sometimes I think that Bella and Daddy don't get along because they're so much alike. They have that same stubborn streak."Luke pursed his lips. "I have noticed a bit of hard headedness." Smiling to himself, he thought of the bar in Edinburgh where she tried to match him shot for shot.T-Nathan scowled. "I think she's the only real person in this family," he said before stalking away from the table.Tre shook his head. "It's always…interesting…when she's here."Returning to the dining room, Bella said, "I apologized. I was out of line, I know it. Let's go. I want to hit Pale Eddie's." Tre looked at her incredulously. "Really? Don't you think you've had enough?"Bella laughed. "I have not yet begun to drink! Come on, Cowboy," ta
Chapter 54: Her Two Favorite PeopleBella finished her song to the raucous appreciation of the Pale Eddie's crowd. She returned to Luke and Tre smiling triumphantly."That was…impressive, m'lady," Luke smiled.She threw her arms around him and kissed his cheek. "Let's go back to the townhouse and open that bottle of Scotch," she said. "Luke, tell Bubba all about our time in Edinburgh." She turned and walked out of the bar, leaving the men to close out their tab and follow her out into the night.By the time they caught up with her, she was nearly to the townhouse. She unlocked the gate and the front door, and the men followed her in. She hit light switches and dropped her purse, followed by her shoes, leaving them where they fell. Motioning to the bottle of Scotch, she headed to the kitchen to fetch three glasses. Luke filled the glasses and handed one to her.Tre put up a hand. "I don't know, I've already had quite a bit," he said hesitantly.Bella rolled her eyes. "Don't be
Chapter 55: Hangovers and ConsequencesBella woke up aware of two things: an extreme headache and the need to have him. She glanced over at Luke. Asleep in her bed. In her house. And she wanted him.She tiptoed to the bathroom, found the ibuprofen, and quickly slammed three. She brushed her teeth and got into the shower. Hot water and lavender-scented lather washed over her body, and her headache was rinsed away as she imagined his hands on her, caressing her skin, cupping her breasts, teasing her nipples. And she wanted him.Her hands slid down her stomach then further down. She began touching herself, thinking of the last time they made love, on the plane home. Guess we're in the mile-high club now, she thought to herself, smiling at the memory. Turning off the water, she opened the shower door and reached for her towel. Her hand landed on an empty towel bar."Looking for this, baby girl?" Luke was leaning against the bathroom counter, completely dressed in faded jeans and
Chapter 56: A Final GoodbyeLuke glanced at Bella in the rearview mirror. She was watching him, so he winked. She smiled that lazy smile of hers that never failed to arouse him. If he'd had any apprehension about how she'd be able to transition into being his submissive, their time this morning reassured him. Afterward, he'd held her for a long time, and then soothed her stinging behind with her favorite lavender body lotion. He sighed with contentment.Tre was prattling on about something, but Bella wasn't listening. She appreciated Luke's wink. This morning had been startling, but it had also been amazingly erotic, and she'd thoroughly enjoyed herself. Now, though, she was feeling that familiar dread as she thought about seeing Daddy again. He's dying, she told herself. Just suck it up and go with it.She looked down, suddenly unsure about her choice of outfit, jeans with a red sweater and grey cardigan. Tre and Cornelia were hosting a barbeque in the afternoon and she'd t
Chapter 57: An Elegant BarbequeWhen they arrived at the house, preparations were well underway. The party had been planned for months, so even with their father in the hospital, canceling it had not been considered. Cornelia was, of course, having the event catered. Bella couldn't imagine why that fact surprised her so much, but it did. When Tre had mentioned a barbeque, she'd pictured them outside grilling. But of course, creating events was Cornelia's forte.A giant white tent had been erected on the back lawn. It was filled with large round tables covered with red and white checked tablecloths. A dance floor was placed in the center and a DJ was setting up at one end. Big Daddy's BBQ had been hired to provide the casual fare. They were set up discreetly off to the side under a smaller white tent and the aroma of roasting meat along with hickory smoke filled the air. Bella went to find Cornelia to see how she could help. Tre and Luke found the beer and settled on the back