โWhat if I say I want a long engagement?โ Creighton pulled out of the parking space and onto the road leading to the nearby town. He was silent for several minutes before he glanced across the seat to her.โIโve already told you, Iโm not a patient man,โ he said quietly, his face pulled in a slight frown, his eyes looked frightened and apprehensive. โAre you having second thoughts?โโNo, but I still think weโre rushing things a bit,โ she said, hoping her admission would calm the sudden tension that was filling the small confines of the car. โShouldnโt we at least know the basics about each other before we sign on the dotted line?โโWhy do I feel this is going to be an argument to take us into our senior years?โ Creighton teased as he pulled the car into an empty stall outside a modern fashion boutique, then shut off the engine. โLetโs go get you something to wear.โThe store was very trendy and had a number of odd-looking new designer-name fashions. Sandra looked at what she assumed w
The saleswoman returned with the boots and Sandra slipped her foot into them, zipping them up nearly to her crotch. Creighton smiled seductively at her, ignoring the saleswoman who watched the two.โNow, thatโs what I call tempting,โ he teased and chuckled at the blush she offered. โCan we go now?โ she asked, sitting down to remove the boots. โIโm tired of playing dress up.โโDo we have everything you need?โ he asked her with an underlying tone that asked more if she had everything he wanted.โI have everything and then some. I really didnโt need all this stuff, you know?โโI know, but they are things I wanted to get you. As your husband, I have a right to spoil you, so indulge me please. I like buying you nice things.โ Sandra rolled her eyes, slipping her new sandals on and standing up.โWeโve already been through all of this,โ she argued, hoping her reasons filtered through his stubbornness this one last time. โAs your wife, I appreciate all you do, but I am not for sale. Stop spen
โI canโt,โ she said quietly, and he smiled, reaching over the span of the seat and inserted his finger into her. He pressed it hard against the front wall of her vagina as he moved it in and out, causing her to moan softly. He pulled his finger out, wet with her moisture, then placed it into her mouth as she gasped.โSuck,โ he ordered, and she found herself obeying, tasting the salty moisture and blushing. โHow daring are you feeling right now?โ he asked her when he pulled his finger out of her mouth, watching her wiggle beneath her seat belt.โVery.โโGood,โ he said, signaling again and pulling off the main highway and onto a dirt road that led between a small patch of trees. He quickly shut the car off and opened the door, going around to the passenger side. He opened her door, pushing the button on the seat belt holding her restrained, then pulled her out.โI need you now,โ he insisted, taking her to the front of the car and laying her out across the warm hood. The heat stung her
Creighton pulled the small black Mercedes to a halt at the front of a large, luxurious hotel and stepped out, so the valet could park it. Sandra was amazed that such a grand place could be found among the old buildings of Loiret, France. She felt a sudden twinge of excitement, thinking about the road that lay ahead of them. She was going to see Paris! She had always dreamed of going there, but never imagined being able to afford such a feat and now, this wonderful handsome man whom she had fallen hopelessly in love with, was taking her there. She couldnโt imagine anything more perfect.โAll right?โ he asked opening her car door.โBetter than all right,โ she said with a wide smile. He held his hand out for her to take, helping her out of the car as the teenaged bellboy arrived for their luggage. Creighton opened the trunk and tossed the keys to the valet.โI thought we could get some lunch before we visit Orlรฉans .โ Sandraโs smile grew as the excitement mounted.โSounds wonderful.โ
Sandra walked down the narrow streets of Orlรฉans France; her hand securely tucked inside Creightonโs. The city was alive with excitement for the Joan of Arc Festival. Merchants of all kinds were dressed in medieval costume, selling their wares on the streets and in the shops. The smells of food, pastries and sweets filtered through the air as they made their way through the streets. They paused by the statue of Joan of Arc, where they had their photo taken by a local photographer for five euros, then toured Joan of Arcโs home. Afterward, they visited several shops and stores in search for souvenirs. Creighton found a delicate hand knitted shawl for his mother, and for his father, a pair of hand sewn leather gloves. Sandra bought Nana a needlepoint blanket and Papa a new riding crop, blushing as she paid for it. For Cathy, she bought a bottle of perfume and a pair of silver and crystal earrings. Creighton, too, bought perfume for Sabrina, a hand designed beaded bag for Irena, a book
Reluctantly stepping out of the tub, Sandra wrapped a large soft bath sheet-sized towel around her slender frame, unsure exactly how long she had lounged beneath the warm water. She loved taking baths, but she rarely did so at home. Her grandparents lived in an old farmhouse, complete with a claw foot bathtub. It was far from being large enough to relax in comfortably. She stepped back into the large master bedroom, opening the wooden armoire, where the majority of her clothes had been placed. Rummaging through the array of new items, she finally found the very erotic outfit Creighton had insisted she buy. Sandra was tired because of all they had done that day, but she was eager to be back in Creightonโs arms. Hurriedly, she slipped on the black leather panties with the heart-shaped front, making certain the string slid between her butt cheeks. She then zipped up the front of the matching bustier to just beneath her sternum, allowing her breasts to swell above the metal closure; hidd
He held her hand out flat and opened the bottle of gel, slowly dribbling it onto the golden spheres. He smiled at her as he wrapped her fingers around them.โMassage them,โ he ordered in a hushed tone. โMake them warm and slick.โ Sandra did as she was told, her hand quickly warming under the gel. Creighton went to the dresser and picked up Sandraโs iPod, shuffling through the songs until he found the playlist he wanted her to dance to. A variety of todayโs pop singles. He went to the bed and gathered the handcuffs together then quickly attached them to the rich wooden bed frame. He looked back at her as she continued to play with the golden balls and smiled.โReady?โ he asked her, and she nodded anxiously. โCome here and stand next to me.โ Sandra walked to him as he sat on the edge of the bed, standing in front of him, blushing. Creighton glanced up at her, running his warm hands up her boots to her hips and then to her exposed butocks, massaging them gently.โYou are absolutely ama
Moving and swirling to the music, Sandraโs pulse increased as did her breathing, her hands sliding up and over the leather that encased her slender frame, then back down across her torso and bottom. She was growing more urgent for release with each movement until she was dizzy with passion.โNeed some help?โ he asked a few moments later, stepping up behind her and wrapping his arm around her waist, holding her tight against him. His erection pressed into her behind as his other hand reached around and cupped her curls. He massaged the leather between her legs, feeling the heat radiate from beneath it, making her moan and wiggle against his touch. She was wet, very wet and it took all of thirty seconds before he had her quaking in his arms, crying out her release.Creighton held her tight, supporting her with his weight as he quickly pulled the beads from her bottom, making her cry out his name, her fingers digging into his forearm and wrists. He unzipped the leather bustier just enou
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 didnโt know better, she would think she was being placed under lockdown. She could understand the policeโs 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.โI canโt leave the house, I canโt go to France, I canโt even gather eggs,โ she grumbled as she joined the older couple. โWhat am I supposed to do? I canโt sit here and wait until doomsday to find out what happened to my husband.โโHoney, youโre 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.โHow much longer do we have to sit here?โ he growled, looking to those gathered around.โWe need you to remain patient for a little longer,โ a bald-headed man told him. โMonsieur Ashford, we understand what youโre going throughโฆโโLike hell you do,โ Creighton snapped. โI have a pregnant wife at home w
โI know sheโll be happy when itโs over,โ Emma said, returning to the room, her eyes red from the tears sheโd been wiping away. โShe canโt let Brandon go to school, and she has to keep the children inside instead of letting them go out to play.โโIโm sure they are going stir crazy,โ Cathy said with a frown. โEspecially Grace. That little girl is used to having the freedom of the farm to run and play.โโThe only good thing is the weather,โ William told them. โItโs been really wet, and she doesnโt like getting her dresses dirty.โโSounds like her aunt,โ Andrew said with a soft chuckle.โMaybe we should take this meeting over to my sisterโs,โ Cathy suggested with a sideways grin.โLet me call Derek and Kristin,โ William said, standing and walking to the phone on the wall. โThey wanted to know what you found out.โโJust have them meet us at Sandraโs,โ Andrew told him. โWe can discuss this all there.โโI thought Sabrina and Irena would be here,โ 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 NHTโs 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 wasnโt 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 Graceโs 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.
โNo, itโs about assuming you knew what I would want. You did this, claiming it was for us when it was for you. You canโt 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 Iโm watching you compete with Sandra for the mother of the year award.โโStop comparing me to Sandra!โ Cathy screamed. โItโs not my fault sheโs perfect. Sheโs always been everyoneโs favorite. I canโt tell you how many boyfriends Iโve dumped after I found out they were using me to get close to her. I didnโt 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 Iโm a better lover then she would ever be. She has his money, his admiration, your parentsโ admiration, even my grandparents enjoy spending time with her over me. She even has a perfect body
โMaybe Michelle heard from him,โ the boy said hopefully.โI havenโt spoken with her, but I want to call in the morning. She may know something more than the police do.โThe 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.โCome on, son,โ she told him, wrapping her arm around his shoulders. โLetโs see if we can get some sleep.โโMum, can I come sleep with you?โ Brandon asked once they reached the second floor of their house.Sandra smiled and hugged the boy, nodding as he looked up to her.โYou can sleep on your daddyโs side,โ she told him. โJust donโt tell him I let you in our bed. He may get jealous.โBrandon 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 Tornadoโs 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 Sandraโs 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 Cathyโs surgery, though he wouldnโt 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 couldnโt 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 wasnโt Creighton. She couldnโt even begin to guess who would have been on their ship, or how it ended up at sea, but she knew her husband wasnโt 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 didnโt 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 Garconโs assistant? Had he gone there to meet with her, perhaps a final rendezvous before coming home to his family?โDid you hear what we said?โ Papa asked her.โItโs impossible,โ 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 hadnโt understood what her grandparents were saying. All she cared about was her soiled outfit.โSweetheart, go upstairs and find a clean dress,โ Sandra told the little girl. โPut that one in the hamper and warsh your hands. Weโll make lunch when youโve finished.