“Aren’t you afraid of someone coming in?” she gasped, listening to his deep chuckle.“Nobody comes in here without my permission.”“I came in.”“You have my permission to go anywhere and do anything you like on this yacht. As my wife, everything I own will be half yours.” He carefully cupped her breasts in his warm hands, smiling seductively at her as they spoke.“Shouldn’t we have a prenuptial agreement?”“No,” he said firmly, looking back into her eyes. “If you leave me, you take everything I have of worth. You will take my heart and my soul, anything less than that is of no importance to me.” Sandra was taken by surprise at the intense expression in his eyes and found herself mesmerized by the dark depths. “I love you, Sandra. I have since I first laid eyes on you. Someday you’ll understand just how deeply my feelings for you run.”“Have you always been a romantic?” she asked with an amused smile. He leaned closer to her, his eyes never leaving hers, brushing her lips very briefly
“That’s more than one memory for your boring meetings,” she teased, watching the brief glint of passion cross his eyes as he slapped his hand against her bottom, smiling brightly at the soft screech she supplied for his act.“Come,” he ordered lifting her to a sitting position. “Bedtime. I think we could both do with a bit of sleep.” Sandra giggled as she stood up, reaching for her robe, but not fast enough. Creighton snatched it out of her reach and shook his head.“I want you to remain naked. It will help with waking you up in a few hours.”“I don’t think I’m tired,” she said honestly.“No? Well, I suppose we can play some more if you’d like. I’m sure we can find a lot more to keep ourselves occupied until we pass out from exhaustion.”“Could I restrain you?” she asked him in a burst of courage, causing him to look at her in surprise.“Only if you think you can use the cuffs?” She smiled as they walked into the adjoining bedroom. Sandra hurried to the dresser where he had moved th
“Is that too hard?” she asked, and he smiled.“No, it’s fine. Actually, it’s quite exciting.” She suddenly felt braver and flicked the crop against the side of his hips, and up his ribcage, across his firm muscular stomach. He moaned and gasped as she caressed it across the dark nipples hiding beneath the spattering of hair. Biting her lip again to gain courage, she gently flicked his chest, striking the crop against one small erect nipple. Creighton moaned, rolling his head back when she did it again. She laughed at his reaction, knowing exactly what he was feeling. The tip of the crop moved slowly up as she caressed his sternum, and back down to his navel, stopping just above the head of his penis, pulsating against his stomach.“Try it,” he told her as if reading her mind. She gently flicked the crop against the side of his erection, and he groaned.“I’m sorry,” she said softly, afraid she had hurt him, until he shook his head.“Don’t stop,” he whispered in a deep husky tone, his
Somehow, just that simple sentence did things to her insides, and she stopped tormenting him with her mouth, crawling up to straddle his hips. She gently slid the tip of him into her, moaning as he pressed further up, his hips rising to meet her. Sandra hadn’t realized how wet she had become with the teasing as the heat of the gel and the firmness of his penis filled her. Sitting down across him, she began gyrating her hips, taking him into her deeper, causing her to moan nearly as loud as he did. Leaning back, she braced herself against his legs as she had earlier, riding him like a horse. His penis hardened, growing firmer inside her. She knew it was only a matter of seconds before they both exploded, and she felt the sudden urge to experience it together. Moving her hips up and down across him, she began to stroke him with her body, until she was dizzy.“Touch yourself,” he ordered in a soft growl. “Play with your clit, my love. Make yourself cum on me.” Sandra didn’t hesitate, s
Sandra sat next to Creighton in a late model black Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster convertible. The soft sounds of Kenny G echoed from the speakers, the warm sun shone through the open roof against her face and shoulders. Her hair hung loose, blowing freely in the breeze from the drive, the sights serene and breathtaking. The yacht had anchored in Nice where Creighton met with a delivery boy who brought the car to him. They drove along the middle coast road, he told her was known as Moyenne Corniche, or Highway 7, passing through Ezevillage and Grande Corniche. Creighton told her they would stop in Fontvieille for lunch before going into Monaco to meet with his sister’s seamstress. Sandra felt relaxed and happier than she ever remembered feeling. France was a marvelous place and she could easily envision herself coming back here. “What are you thinking?” he asked her over the sounds of the saxophone from the stereo and the wind from the drive.“I was thinking about how beautiful Fr
Two hours had passed before Sandra felt comfortable enough to think about the world around her. She had eaten her lunch in a daze, while Creighton ordered champagne to be shared with the restaurant’s customers and staff. She barely noticed the people who congratulated them, offering them their wishes for the future, or the way those nearest them hugged her and patted Creighton on the back.Once their lunch was eaten, Creighton walked her to the car and kissed her briefly before closing the door behind her. He climbed into the driver’s seat and easily pulled the car out onto the street. She sat staring at the ring, amazed at how beautiful it was and rather old fashioned in design. It fit like a glove and she couldn’t help but smile happily. “Do you like it?” he asked her from across the seat. Sandra looked up to him feeling slightly giddy.“It’s so beautiful,” she whispered, leaning her head against his shoulder. “But don’t you think we’re rushing things a bit?”“No, I don’t. My paren
Sandra found herself standing on top of a small stool, a pair of white shoes poking out from beneath it, so the gown was extended to its full length. The train was draped around the small platform in front of the mirrors, that had been covered with thick black cloth, to prevent reflection from the camera’s flash. She had yet to see how she looked, other than from her own perspective, but assumed it would be wonderful just from everyone’s expression. The veil was a wreath of white silk flowers and rhinestones with a long lace trail that hung down to her hips. It was slipped carefully over the bun that Marie had pinned her hair in, and a pair of pearl earrings and matching necklace had been used to complete the picture. Marie told Creighton there were gloves, but she would rather Sandra hold them with the bouquet as not to hide the beautiful ring she wore.The pictures took another forty-five minutes to complete, and by the time she was allowed to step down from the stool, Sandra found
They stepped into the lift, pressing the button for her floor and were whisked up to the second level in a matter of seconds. Sandra walked hand-in-hand with Creighton to her room, pausing momentarily so she could remove the key card from her purse. His warm hand fell against her bottom, causing her to bite back the giggle.“The last time we were here, I was having a hell of a time keeping my hands to myself,” he said softly, wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her tightly against his heat. Sandra felt the hard desire of his erection straining through his pants as he pressed himself against her bottom.“We haven’t done it in a hotel yet,” she said in a soft whisper as he leaned down, kissing her neck, trapping her between his hips and the doorframe.“Are you trying to tempt me, Miss Dennis?” he asked her, receiving a giggle in response.“Let’s discuss this inside where we won’t have visitors spying on us,” she whispered, hearing the laughter of a woman from somewhere down th
Sandra hung up the phone with a slam, then glanced to her grandparents who were sitting at the kitchen table. She was starting to get angry with all the rejections and dead-end avenues. She called Davies and told him she wanted him to get the plane ready to go to France, only to be told the police had restricted his flying. They were concerned that whomever it was that had killed her husband would try and sabotage the jet.She was getting frustrated and felt like she was being held back. If she didn’t know better, she would think she was being placed under lockdown. She could understand the police’s concern, but she had more men around her then they had at Fort Knox, and she would be willing to take all of them with her if she needed to.“I can’t leave the house, I can’t go to France, I can’t even gather eggs,” she grumbled as she joined the older couple. “What am I supposed to do? I can’t sit here and wait until doomsday to find out what happened to my husband.”“Honey, you’re going
The room was warm as the setting sun shone through the blinds. Two detectives sat on the sofa, watching as the man continued to pace the floor. Trying to keep him calm was growing increasingly harder with each hour.Creighton could only assume the horror his family was going through, not to mention Sandra. They had been having difficulties, but this made all of that seem trivial. He had to call her, he had to contact her somehow and let her know he was alive, but the police were refusing to allow him the chance. They had to keep him concealed for the time being, though it was steadily becoming impossible. The man was acting like a caged animal, anxiously trying to find a means of escape.“How much longer do we have to sit here?” he growled, looking to those gathered around.“We need you to remain patient for a little longer,” a bald-headed man told him. “Monsieur Ashford, we understand what you’re going through…”“Like hell you do,” Creighton snapped. “I have a pregnant wife at home w
“I know she’ll be happy when it’s over,” Emma said, returning to the room, her eyes red from the tears she’d been wiping away. “She can’t let Brandon go to school, and she has to keep the children inside instead of letting them go out to play.”“I’m sure they are going stir crazy,” Cathy said with a frown. “Especially Grace. That little girl is used to having the freedom of the farm to run and play.”“The only good thing is the weather,” William told them. “It’s been really wet, and she doesn’t like getting her dresses dirty.”“Sounds like her aunt,” Andrew said with a soft chuckle.“Maybe we should take this meeting over to my sister’s,” Cathy suggested with a sideways grin.“Let me call Derek and Kristin,” William said, standing and walking to the phone on the wall. “They wanted to know what you found out.”“Just have them meet us at Sandra’s,” Andrew told him. “We can discuss this all there.”“I thought Sabrina and Irena would be here,” Cathy said, looking at Emma who was wrapping
Parker and Harvey held off the reporters for as long as they could alone, then eventually had to call NHT’s security. Within a few short hours, there were enough burly looking men to scare off anyone trying to get near the house. Sandra kept her children inside, though it really wasn’t difficult. The rain had eased by supper, but just like the past several days, it picked up again this morning.Max growled as he laid of the entry. The noise of cameras clicking, and the soft hum of voices mingled among the breezes of the day. She had tried to watch television, but every station was reporting on the accident. Eventually, she had no choice but to surrender and put on Grace’s favorite princess movie. At least it kept them from listening to those who insisted that there was no hope in finding any answers this soon.Sandra drew a deep breath as she wiped the moisture from her forehead. She had decided to keep herself busy and baked two apple pies, along with nearly a hundred sugar cookies.
“No, it’s about assuming you knew what I would want. You did this, claiming it was for us when it was for you. You can’t stand the idea that your little sister has something you never would. It was bad enough when I felt like I was competing with Creighton for your attention, but now I’m watching you compete with Sandra for the mother of the year award.”“Stop comparing me to Sandra!” Cathy screamed. “It’s not my fault she’s perfect. She’s always been everyone’s favorite. I can’t tell you how many boyfriends I’ve dumped after I found out they were using me to get close to her. I didn’t want Creighton, but after he chose her over me, it made me angry. I was competing with her again, and she was too stupid to realize it. He chose that simple, no makeup, no fuss girl over me. She shares his bed, when I’m a better lover then she would ever be. She has his money, his admiration, your parents’ admiration, even my grandparents enjoy spending time with her over me. She even has a perfect body
“Maybe Michelle heard from him,” the boy said hopefully.“I haven’t spoken with her, but I want to call in the morning. She may know something more than the police do.”The two were silent for a long time as they considered their own thoughts, until Sandra realized the tea was gone. She looked to Brandon who looked like he was finally able to fall asleep, then stood and took the cups to the sink.“Come on, son,” she told him, wrapping her arm around his shoulders. “Let’s see if we can get some sleep.”“Mum, can I come sleep with you?” Brandon asked once they reached the second floor of their house.Sandra smiled and hugged the boy, nodding as he looked up to her.“You can sleep on your daddy’s side,” she told him. “Just don’t tell him I let you in our bed. He may get jealous.”Brandon smiled as he walked with her into the bedroom. Sandra helped him between the covers and tucked him in, then left to check on Grace. The house was silent and soft snores of her little girl could be heard
Sandra paced her bedroom trying to stop her mind from racing through the events of the day. Derek had come home after his mother called him, insisting on picking up Brandon from school. Sabrina called to say the reporters were going crazy with the news of the Tornado’s fire and that she and Giovanni would be home as soon as they could get there.Irena spoke with her parents and insisted on calling in a prescription for Sandra’s nerves, though she refused to use it. She needed to stay alert and concentrate in order to determine what was going on. The last thing she needed was to surrender to the effects of a drug.After speaking with Andrew, William informed the rest of the family about Cathy’s surgery, though he wouldn’t go into detail. He assured them he would check into the reports from his end and stay abreast of the investigation. Once Cathy felt like traveling, they would drive out to Yorkshire to be with the family.Nana tried to get Sandra to let her stay overnight, but she was
Sandra opened her eyes and looked around. She was in her bedroom, yet she couldn’t remember laying down. The house was silent and the soft pattering of rain outside reminded her that the dog had made a muddy mess of the entry. Then she remembered her grandfather and William coming over, and slowly began to piece together the last thing she remembered.There had been an accident on the Tornado and three bodies were found. She knew in her heart it wasn’t Creighton. She couldn’t even begin to guess who would have been on their ship, or how it ended up at sea, but she knew her husband wasn’t the one killed. Now all she had to do, was convince the others into believing her.Sandra stepped down the stairs to hear Grace talking to her great-grandfather, the dog running from one room to another as he chased his rope and the smells of food drifting out of the kitchen. She stepped into the living room and saw Papa sitting beside Grace, one of her own books open in front of him as he listened to
Sandra stared at the two men for a long moment as their words began to sink in. When she spoke with her husband earlier that morning, he was still at the hotel. He didn’t mention having plans of returning to the yacht. Why would he go back there when he told her he was packing to come home?Then she thought about the bodies found. One was female. Who was it? Did Creighton lie to her about not being involved with Garcon’s assistant? Had he gone there to meet with her, perhaps a final rendezvous before coming home to his family?“Did you hear what we said?” Papa asked her.“It’s impossible,” she began, her anger taking over her words. Sandra looked down at Grace who was trying to wipe the muddy water from her little dress. She hadn’t understood what her grandparents were saying. All she cared about was her soiled outfit.“Sweetheart, go upstairs and find a clean dress,” Sandra told the little girl. “Put that one in the hamper and warsh your hands. We’ll make lunch when you’ve finished.