Merina stood in the bathroom, leaning against the stone counter. She avoided looking into the mirror because she knew she couldn’t face what she’d admitted. It was one thing to say it and pass it off as a joke. Admitting to Conner would reveal her experience. Was something else to her. Merina couldn’t stay in the room with him. He echoed what teachers, caregivers, and her father had said. ‘You are attention seeking Merina. Grow up and do better. Why are you like this? Mistakes happen, forgive and forget. Be the better person.’ Were things they said to make her accept others’ inappropriate behavior to her. She knew it all. For a long time, Merina believed it was her fault. If she improved, others would show her respect and recognition. But they didn’t and hadn’t. Nothing she’d ever done or not done before worked. Her intention was to show her usefulness to them, and then deprive them of that benefit upon her departure. In doing that, she’d prove to them she didn
“No, I couldn’t care less anymore. I don’t think I’m interested in helping anyone anymore.” Merina said to Conner. He heard Merina’s rebellious response and realized she had a second conversation going on in her head. She assumed he rejected her assistance and decided to leave. He’d not send her to jail, but as his wife, she was so much more useful. Conner’d not let her go. She had to know he’d not let her walk away. “Really, and why is that? I thought you’d want to know your father’s words. He knew everything pivoted on her, knowing how wrong she was. “What? That I’m a horrible daughter. Or I’m terrible for not going to bail him out of jail before your father showed up? No thanks I’m sure I know what he said.” She waved Conner off and dismissed everything he’d say in one fell shot. Conner frowned at her. She’d not listen to him, and whatever she looked for had more of her attention. He’d assume that she was looking for her identificatio
Merina looked at Conner and couldn’t believe he was using a sex toy as a fidget toy. He needed to understand and used intimidation to make her comply. He needed to know, using intimidation to make her comply.It did was make her wonder how he wanted to use it on her. Merina struggled not to cross her legs as she felt her body respond to her thoughts and memories of the things, he’d done to her since discovering who she was. She sneered at Conner before she flounced back onto the sofa. Which was a mistake. The lower half of her robe parted and exposed her from her bare feet up to her navel. Conner didn’t miss a thing, and Merina knew it when his eyes flared with heated interest. “Oh no love. Don’t be modest now. Leave it as is and don’t cross your legs.” Conner eased his shoes off, but did nothing more right now. “Your father has financial evidence that Lillian was playing fast and loose with the money he set aside for you. Vacation plans, gifts, and
“Torturing you with sex and pleasure will be enjoyable. Now listen and learn from my lessons. See love. Your body already knows what to expect from me. You can’t expect me to be your husband and not give you or your body what it craves. I couldn’t neglect you like that because I’d enjoy it too much.” Conner used one hand to untie the belt of her bathrobe and open it. “Move your feet onto the sofa seat, keep your knees pointed to the ceiling and let me explain why I’m giving you this lesson. Merina, listen and watch me, you will enjoy this.” Conner let the small vibrator do its job on her needy flesh. He felt his own need rise as her nipples hardened before his eyes above her nipped-in waist. Merina’s extra weight was an enjoyable sight for him, as it lay in the places where he enjoyed more padding. Her rounded belly rested above a plush Venus mound. That pink softness he encountered this morning, and watched the mirror as he enjoyed using it, was
“This in mine Meri. I’ll have it when and where I want.” He couldn’t wait any longer. “My Meri will inhabit this body again when I’m done. You will do as I want, or I can make sure you meet my needs and exceed them in a pleasure that crosses the line with punishing pain.” Conner said this to Merina. His lips were an inch from her mouth, his eyes staring into hers as his crown found its home in her depths. She stared back at him wide-eyed; she couldn’t stop panting and she groaned each time the crown of his shaft found its place deep inside her. Conner didn’t rush what he was doing to her. This was a pleasure in its pure form. His need pushed to send him over the edge within her. But he didn’t speed up his rhythm. Instead, he slowed to savor his reaction to moving within her. Watching her face as she felt everything. He learned how he could move within her to give her the most feeling. At one point, he knew he had her right where he wanted her. Her heels dug in
Gabriella struggled to get Joseph on the phone. She attempted for two hours. She had received no updates on where their contacts had secured bail money for him. Gabriella worried their contacts couldn’t give the money after everything else they paid for getting them this far. Her uncle was supposed to eradicate the market’s other competition and they secure their business as the market leader. She knew the truth: he ran the business for the money group. Her uncle just deluded himself into thinking he controlled everything when he controlled nothing. If she didn’t get the money from them. She questioned the purpose of it. Maybe she could get help from Galen. Could she secure him again and milk him for the money? Did he have access to enough money that he could use? She didn’t care if he had to steal it as long as he gave it to her. His potential trouble was acceptable to her. “I have five minutes Gabriella. Why did you have to answer my phone call li
Merina still struggled with how Conner’s personality changed. Now he demanded she change her personality, and he’d use cruel and unusual punishment to get his way. Merina didn’t understand what he meant by her self-destructive behavior, was something he’d not put up with going forward. She worried he’d act as an overbearing, misogynistic husband from the past who’d treat his misbehaving wife. Who was he to dictate her actions? That was now a stupid question. She’d made a habit of herself. He was her husband. Worried, she feared his reaction, reminiscent of a misogynistic husband from a bygone era. They were taking the elevator up to the top floor where the hotel’s restaurant was. “I hope you’ll put a smile on your face love. We’ve just married, and we want to present a happy relationship.” Conner sounded as if they were trying to get their stories straight. “I think my father will see something’s off, Conner. I’m sure he remembers that he and your f
“Father, our perspectives diverge now and forever.” Merina said. She reiterated their disagreement on her father’s wishes. When did he have any interest in understanding or believing her? She’d seen him a month ago. Yet he looked as if he’d aged since then. His arrest didn’t do that to him. “Now Merina. What was our previous conversation about? We were going to let by gone’s be by gone’s.” Conner said from the chair beside hers. He sat closer to her than he’d ever had before this. He wants to flaunt their intimacy. Merina wondered why he had to speak as if he scolded a child. Her slender eyebrows formed into a frown when she stared at him. “As you wish Conner. I’m sorry father but it’s been a difficult time the last few days. I wasn’t myself.” Right now, she’d not argue or cause a scene. She refused his attempts to appear perfect alongside his untamed wife. Merina hated the entire narrative. Why’d he make her appear as though she were an unruly wife
[SIX MONTHS LATER] The family piled out of the limousine. Baby seats and gear carried by a happy Conner, Ian, and Andre. Merina noticed her father wave at a man in a wheelchair who was being pushed by a female attendant. That was Ana’s father. He appeared to be headed into the house from somewhere in the garden. Today was Ana’s wedding and the hive of action revealed how close the ceremony was to take place. Merina and Conner had to hurry to get ready. The two grandfathers were taking care of their two little bundles, which worried Merina a little. Merina caught sight of their fathers showing off the babies to everyone who showed any remote interest. With that, the wedding planner whisked her and Conner off for the final preparations. Hair, makeup, dress, champagne, photographs became a whirlwind of excitement and activity. Security was exceptional, with news of Jeff’s wedding and news leaking about his new album. “It’s a perfect day for your weddin
[SIX MONTHS LATER] “That goes into the front living room by the main table. Please place gifts at the entrance. There’s a table for them there. Until it’s time to open them and then, while we are in the dining room having lunch, you’ll bring them into the front living room. Oh, I must go, the special guests have arrived.” Joyce said to her housekeeper as her staff rushed through her home, performing the last-minute preparations for the party. Many guests were here already and gathered in the front living room. Joyce, Merina, and Ana were all surprised to receive acceptance responses from RSVPs for their invitations. Instead of rejections or being ignored all together. Merina avoided the public eye as much as she could for the long months that the arrests and crimes made news. She didn’t want to deal with the media and the questions. Joyce could understand for Merina it’s far more complicated. She could only imagine an interview being like walking th
Jeff wanted to celebrate. His plans were going as expected. Ana agreed to marry him. He wanted everything perfect. Later that week after the party, Merina held her housewarming for their condo rebuild. Despite Merina being a wreck, it went off without a hitch. He’d learned from Conner that they’d confirmed that afternoon that Merina was pregnant. However, they didn’t know how far along she was yet. They’d have those results in a few days. He showed Ana around his home, pointing out the details he had overlooked before because of other priorities. She’d returned to the house and come prepared not to feel impressed about what he showed her. This house stood for their future and his first step towards stability in life, which Ana came to accept. “I don’t understand. If you record your album at the studio at the production studio, why do you need this room here?” “I don’t write in the studio. I don’t enjoy writing with background noise as it
Doctor Sutton arrived in less than an hour after his father called. Their fathers sat in the living room, refusing to leave until they learned what Merina had. They’d made a bet that she might be pregnant. Conner admitted they weren’t doing anything to his knowledge to prevent the pregnancy. But with all the stress and anxiety, she could have worn her immune system down and caught something. He didn’t remember her avoiding food or being ill. But Andre claimed her mother didn’t have morning sickness, so that changed nothing for him on what the cause of her illness could stem from. “Conner, I thought I said not to bother the doctor about this? If I still feel like this tomorrow, I’d make an appointment.” Merina said. Her voice appeared groggy and disgruntled to everyone. “It’s alright Mrs. O’Keefe. It’s better safe than sorry. I’m Doctor Sutton and I’m well paid for nights like this. It’s fine. Do you have any idea why you feel well? What
For the first time, Merina stepped inside the condo. He’d found an experienced designer to remodel it into a fashionable, spacious home for their needs. She moved through it. The movers had already done their job. She had only her business things needed to move in, and she had a company licenced to do that coming in later that day to set up her office. They didn’t keep a physical office because they ran on word of mouth. That meant they could work wherever their secure files were. Now she walked through the top floor of O’Keefe Industries Office building where Conner set himself up with his condo a decade ago. He liked the ease of commuting, and they were downtown with a private elevator. Staff wouldn’t be knocking on their door at all hours. The chef and housekeeper were present as day staff. They’d leave after they served dinner most nights. They had space to grow and entertain. But Conner insisted this would be their home until they had children.
Medina observed men with their differences in appearance and demeanor. “It’s like they’ve left all serious business at the door.” They’d seen Conner drop an ice cube into Dan’s lap and then they were wrestling. Jeff proposed to Ana in an unusual manner, but she still had to respond. The position he put her in. Merina was like Ana. She didn’t know how she’d respond. Conner gave her a choice that wasn’t a choice. “So, you won’t punish me or give me grief for working? You won’t belittle me in front of other people for having goals in life that don’t include what you want?” Ana asked. Her questions revolved around how he’d treated her and how he wouldn’t do it again. “That’s right. I promise there won’t be any extra details.” Jeff said to Ana. He aimed to calm her thoughts, enabling them to move forward, and for her to feel at ease enough to agree.“What about your photos with other women?” Will they end too?” Ana hated seeing those photo
Merina sat eating dinner with everyone. They ate in a more relaxed setting. They forgo the dining table for the living room. Staff disappeared, leaving Merina unsure as everyone began eating. Conner had something planned. She knew he must. That was Conner. Conner had reasons for his actions, often known only to him. It didn’t take long for Merina to notice Ana’s change in mood and her disposition changed toward Jeff. He’d worked some kind of magic on her. Merina heard something, unable to distinguish between Ana’s joyful cries and Joyce’s sounds. Conner held her back, saying they’d have fun later with everyone. Two of his friends came without lovers. When she asked how this worked. Conner said they enjoyed watching and acting as coaches. He claimed it gave an impartial opinion on how to become more creative. He offered to call someone in to show her how it worked. But Merina couldn’t see herself as the hostess getting off and ignoring her guests. Th
Jeff smirked as he followed Ana into the guest room. “What are you doing?” Ana said. Her tone demanded an answer as her eyes flashed with fury. “They told me to use this room. It’s not like we haven’t seen each other naked before. Live a little Ana.” Jeff caught Ana’s arm as she tried to leave. “Hey, you don’t want your friend and host to feel horrible, do you? We’re all adults here.” “Some more than others it seems.” Ana pulled her arm from his hand, but he didn’t step back. Jeff let his height give him the advantage. “It’s time to stop this, Ana. Sometimes I forget to drop the persona because people prefer it over the real me.” “I’ve always kept that I didn’t care for the persona or the job. You never got it, did you? I wasn’t dating you for others to see me with you. I didn’t see you for your money or your capabilities. Yet, you tell me you believe I’m lying to you. Fine, I have lied to you about two things. But only two t
Ana watched the men come toward them. A worried woman trailed behind men ready for battle. “Ana, we need to talk.” Jeff said. “You need to hear me out.” He looked stern and foreboding when he said that. Joyce came around the men and tried to avoid notice or interrupting the drama. “Nice romantic setting. It’s a pity we can’t distract the gaggle of ganders behind him. They don’t need to see this.” Merina nodded, where she stood off to the side in Ana’s peripheral vision. “We didn’t plan this, but it’s like an Edwardian romance scene. This’ll become lost on them. I believe. They won’t see the chance to use it to their advantage.” She said, her voice was low to not interrupted Ana’s words. “Sad, I agree with you. It could have become a fond memory.” “Jeff, I don’t need that. You’ve made it clear that I filled gaps in your life, but there weren’t many. But heaven forbid that my time doesn’t align your schedule. Then I