We are in the back of the limo alone together, Braxton’s fingers intertwined with mine, and it’s all I can do to keep from devouring him. I know it is a short ride back to his house from here, having made the journey earlier in the day. I do have time to kiss him, but not much more. I’m afraid if I start kissing him, I won’t be able to stop.“What would you like to do for dinner?” Braxton asks me. I am wondering if he is having the same problem I am. His eyes shift from my eyes to my lips as he speaks, and I have a feeling he wants to kiss me, too.“I don’t know,” I say. I can’t remember the last time Jeff asked me what I preferred to do about anything. From what we would eat to what we would watch on television, the choices were never mine. “Whatever you’d like to do is fine with me,” I said because it seemed like the polite thing to say and also because I had no idea what my choices might be.“If you’d like to stay in for dinner, I can have the chefs prepare something,” he says.“Th
I lead Julia down the hallway to the second surprise I have in store for her today, grinning from ear to ear as I anticipate how much she is going to love this. I hope that she does. It’s something I’ve had the staff put together while I was away, but I trust them fully to make sure that it is every bit as grandiose as I would’ve made it had I done it myself.Julia is giggling, her hand warm in mine, as I pull her along. She is not in as big of a rush as I am, and I suppose that’s because she’s just enjoying the moment. That’s yet another thing I absolutely love about her, the way that she savors everything that happens around her, how she never lets a minute pass by that she isn’t taking in the beauty of it, if there’s anything at all worth noticing. I can’t let my mind linger on all of the time she has wasted with Jeff, not having any moments worth savoring, not now, not when I am about to thrill her.We reach the room, and I wish I’d thought of bringing a blindfold. I am tempted to
I am taken aback by Braxton’s generous gift. I can’t believe the trouble he’s gone to in order to create this art room for me. Never in my life has anyone cared enough about me to give me something like this, and even if this is the one and only time I ever get to use it, I will never forget this night for the rest of my life.It’s been so long since I’ve painted anything, I was nervous to show Braxton my work, but I amazed myself, and it all came back to me, as if I have been painting every day for the last two years. When he admired my work, I couldn’t contain myself. He seemed to really and truly like what I’d painted.And now, he is kissing me, and his arms are around me, and I’ve forgotten all about the paintings, and the art room, and everything but him.His lips are on my neck, his teeth nipping as he sucks my skin. His hand slides up the bottom of my top, and I reach around and hold his head, my fingers tangling in his hair, moans escaping my lips as his hand finds my breast.
Making love to Julia in her art room was one of the most erotic events of my life. I’ve never been with a woman on a stool before. Having her legs wrapped around me as I filled her completely, balancing on that small piece of furniture, was amazing. Julia excites me and brings me to life unlike anyone I’ve ever been with, and I almost want to forgo dinner, sweep her into my arms, and carry her into the master bedroom where we can writhe in each other’s arms until dawn.Instead, after we are dressed, I take her hand and lead her to the dining room--not the formal dining room with the extra-large table that comfortably seats twenty-four. I am not that eccentric. Instead, I take her to the smaller dining room right off of the kitchen where I have asked the chefs to prepare our dinner. It is a different room than we ate breakfast in. I hope that she finds it cozy. I feel that, with the comfort food we are eating, it makes sense to be in a cozier setting where we can sit next to one anothe
I didn’t want to rush through dinner. I didn’t want to rush through anything with Braxton. I wanted to savor every minute, every second, that I was with him. But I have to accept the fact that this weekend will be over soon, and while we have to eat, it isn’t on the top of my list of things to do with Braxton.When he takes my hand and leads me to his bedroom, that is on the top of my list. It isn’t just that my body lusts for his, though that is true. I do want him in ways I never thought imaginable. It’s also the fact that, when I am with him, when we are making love, I feel more alive than I have in years. I feel safe and appreciated. I feel more loved in Braxton’s arms than I ever have in my husband’s.Those thoughts are scary when I allow myself to truly think about them, so I try not to. I try to focus on being with him while I am here. On Monday, when I am back home in my too quiet apartment with too much time on my hands, all alone, I may allow myself to ponder what it means t
Julia’s mouth is a wondrous place to be, and as her tongue rolls around my cock, her throat taking in all of me, I am unable to comprehend how so much pleasure can come from one woman. I am near coming undone when she lets me go, smiling at me, seeking my approval. I want to take her in my arms and show her just how much I enjoyed the best blow job I’ve ever had.Instead, I give her a moment to catch her breath and concentrate on coming down from my high. I’m glad she’s stopped now because I want to pleasure her. I want her to feel the euphoric experience I am coming down from, and if I had had a full orgasm in her beautiful mouth, I wouldn’t be able to show her the same courtesy for at least a few minutes. I don’t want my Julia to ever have to wait.As soon as she has caught her breath, she doesn’t wait for me. Instead, Julia slings her leg over my hips so that she is straddling me and kisses me passionately. He fingertips rake down my chest and stomach, and I reach for her breasts,
I awake to a sobering realization. This is my last full day here. Tomorrow morning, I’ll wake up in Braxton’s arms, and then, I’ll have to tell him goodbye. He’ll take me back to my old apartment, to my old life, to my old husband, and all of this will fade away, like a wonderful dream, one that couldn’t last.I am somber as we eat breakfast. Braxton had paid attention the day before and just asked the chefs to prepare my favorites, so there isn’t quite so much waste, though I could never eat all of the food that he’s had spread before me. We chatt, and he makes me laugh, but in the back of my mind, I can’t shake the idea that this will all be coming to an end far too soon.Then, we walk along hand in hand through the stables. He is introducing me to all of his beautiful horses. I am petting them and running my hands through their manes. They are wonderous creatures, and I would love to ride one of them one day, but I have turned Braxton down each time he’s offered to have a pair sadd
Julia looks divine in a beautiful white bathing suit. It is a one piece, but the center is cut out, so I can still see all of her beautiful curves. I’ve had the pool heated to ninety-seven degrees so that it is plenty warm enough, even though the spring air is a little cool. While the pool is large, we choose to stay in one area where it is only about five feet deep, sitting on a ledge I had built into the design for just this purpose. The waterfalls are on and add to the ambience of paradise. They cascade over carved rock, making a slight splash as they enter the pool. Julia watches them, smiling, likely remembering the natural waterfall we saw the day before. She smells of coconuts and vanilla, and I want to kiss her, to take her here in the pool, but I don’t think she will like that, even though I could assure her of our privacy. The servants wouldn’t dare snoop or try to watch us. I keep myself in check, though, only holding her hand beneath the water’s surface, letting her come t
I am the woman in the painting now. It’s finally happened. When I first envisioned this beautiful scene, a man and woman with their arms around one another, standing in front of an ancient landmark with the Italian sun glinting as it dips below the horizon, I didn’t know for sure that I would ever occupy this space. But here I am, my arm around Braxton, his around mine, as we gaze at the sun setting behind the gorgeous scene before us.What makes it even more amazing is that we are not alone. In front of us, our children, our daughter Braxi and our son Julian, are running around, playing chase, and having the time of their lives. I never knew true romantic love until I met Braxton, and I never knew how full my heart could be until four years ago when the twins were born.Sometimes, I think back to my life before Braxton, when my days consisted of staying at home, cleaning, cooking, doing laundry, only getting out to go to the grocers. It was a meager existence, one that would’ve never
I’m fine. I feel fine, anyway. My hand is still wrapped in gauze, and I’m told I may need more surgery down the road. I will definitely need physical therapy, but that’s okay. Braxton says he’ll pay for the person to come to the house so I don’t have to go to a clinic for my treatments. He’s even volunteered to find a therapist who will move into the house so I can have it every day. It amazes me how different it is to have a plethora of money at one’s disposal, but I will have to get used to it because, as the wheelchair takes me to the waiting car, I know I will be with Braxton forever now.I get out of the wheelchair, which I’m only sitting in because the hospital staff insists it’s part of their dismissal policy, and Braxton helps me into the car. It’s been three days since I was rushed to the hospital, and I am anxious to get out. I am anxious to go home--back to the place where Braxton and I fell in love.Once I am in, Braxton closes the door behind me and slides in on the other
“Mr. Merriweather, perhaps it would be better if you waited in the hallway,” Detective Margaret Folk says to me in a no nonsense sort of tone that tells me she is not used to having anyone disagree with her.I might be the first.But before I can even open my mouth, Shawna is speaking up on my behalf. “I see no reason why Mr. Merriweather can’t be in the room while you question Mrs. Thompson, unless of course, she would prefer for him to leave,” my lawyer says.Det. Folk arches an eyebrow, but it’s clear that Shawna is just as bold as the other woman, and when the investigator looks at Julia to see what she would like to do, Julia says, “I would like for him to say.”Shawna doesn’t gloat, but she does take a moment to introduce herself to Julia. “It’s nice to meet you,” she says, offering her hand. Julia shakes it lightly as Shawna tells her her name and says, “You have nothing to worry about.”Julia smiles at Shawna, but I can tell she’s nervous. She doesn’t want to be having this co
I am floating. I don’t feel as if I have a body anymore. I am only a spirit, hovering above the earth a little ways. I can’t feel a single thing--not my hands or feet or inner organs. Even my head feels lighter than air. My memory is hazy, and all I can recall is that something awful has happened. For a few moments, I try to remember if there’s a chance I am actually dead, and I feel like I am hovering above the ground because I am doing just that. Slowly, the memories come back to me. Just as they sink into my mind, reminding me about the window, about the pain and the blood, about the horror of seeing Jeff lying there, not on top of the car but partially through the roof of the vehicle, the feeling of my body begins to sink in as well. I can feel my eyelashes fluttering on my cheeks as I attempt to open my eyes. I can feel my hand resting on something soft. A bed, I think. My legs are stiff. My other hand… I can’t feel it at all. It’s as if I only have one now. Remembering what hap
I lie awake, staring at the ceiling above my bed, unable to sleep, though it’s getting late, and I know I have to go to work tomorrow. I can’t help but stretch my arm out across the bed, which I find cold and empty. Julia should be here, but she’s not. My thoughts return to her. Where is she now? How is she doing? Is Thompson with her? Is she hurt? Does she need me? My mind refuses to slow as all of the possibilities circle around. I wonder if I will ever be able to get her back.My phone is on, just in case she calls. I get all sorts of emails all time of day, so it is constantly chirping. I have learned to ignore it. Until I realize it isn’t just chiming to let me know an email has arrived. The phone is ringing.Hastily, I pick it up from my nightstand, praying that it’s Julia, but when I see that it is Stringer, my heart races just the same. I pray he has good news, that he’s gotten Julia back, and they are on their way to my home.“Stringer?” I say upon answering. “What’s going on
Glass grinds into my knees as I am tugged against the windowsill. Jeff is doing his best to pull himself back up into the apartment, but my grip on him is slipping. My knees are on fire as the glass slices deeper and deeper. I grab the windowsill with my free hand in an attempt to keep myself from flying out into the night air, but the broken glass cuts deep into my palm. Blood coats the window ledge and begins to drip down, red raindrops flying toward Jeff’s face.He is terrified. No longer drunk, the reality of what is happening has him sobered. He has my wrist and is trying to pull himself back up, but he is too heavy for me to lift. I hear Stringer coming to my aid, but Jeff reaches up with his other hand and grabs hold of me, and I am pulled further out the window. Glass digs into my chest, scraping down my stomach. I see the street below, and terror grabs hold of me even more strongly than my husband. With my last effort, I grab ahold of the window with my other hand as my legs
The driver wanted to help me carry my stuff up the stairs, but I insisted that he leave me. Now, I am standing outside of the familiar apartment door where I lived with Jeff for over two years. It seems foreign to me, like a place I was never meant to be in the first place. The fact that I’ve come back here of my own choice seems surreal. I stand staring at the door for a long moment, unable to force myself to take this last step. I’ve made it this far. I just need to go inside. I just need to speak to Jeff and let him know that I’ll stay with him as long as he promises to leave Braxton alone. The fact that he didn’t choose the money tells me that he’s so focused on winning, he isn’t thinking straight. I know this isn’t about me. It’s about allowing another man to dictate his fate. Jeff refuses to let that happen, even when that other man is a billionaire and his boss.I hear footsteps echoing up the nearby stairwell and know I need to go in. I don’t need neighbors seeing me standing
She’s gone. I can hardly believe it. I’m still standing in the foyer, near the window, where I watched my driver take her away, wondering how in the world I’m going to function without Julia here.I have no idea. Everywhere I look, I’m going to see her. Every room I walk into, I’ll smell her perfume. Every time I lay down in my bed, I’ll feel her beside me. I’ll see her near the pool, at the dining room table, in the gardens. And… in her art room. How can I possibly go into that room again without feeling the ghost of her?It’s obvious to me that Julia is making a huge mistake, but I can’t change her mind. It was clear to me when I saw her face that she was resolved and wasn’t going to be swayed. The idea of her walking back into that apartment, of her trying to live with Jeff Thompson again, as his wife, makes my skin crawl. I can’t bear to think of him touching her. Tears sting my eyes, and I have to rest my hand against the windowsill to keep from doubling over as a wave of nausea
Braxton’s face has my heart leaping up into my throat. After my initial statement, letting him know that I have to go, I don’t know how to explain myself to him, to tell him that I can’t stay or why.“What do you mean you have to go?” Braxton asks, taking a few cautious steps toward me but stopping well short of touching me. “Why would you need to go?”I clear my throat, swallowing hard. “Because… it’s for the best if I do.”His eyes widen in shock. “For the best? For who?”“For everyone,” I tell him. “Especially you.”“No, Julia,” he says as he shakes his head emphatically. “It is most definitely not best for me.”I disagree with him. “Braxton, I heard what happened today. Jeff didn’t take the settlement, right?”He doesn’t answer, only continues to stare at me, unblinking. I don’t need him to answer. I already know I am right.“For him to turn down that sort of money, it tells me he will be relentless, Braxton. He’s never going to stop. Never. He won’t leave us in peace. I need to g