Selby's arms wrapped around her like a familiar blanket, keeping her warm against the coldness of her thoughts. She told him everything about her trip, including how Morgan had went down on her a couple of nights ago. Selby hadn't been mad she did it, only that she waited to share it with him. "I'll ask for the kinky details later when we're naked in bed," he said while he smiled at her. He kissed her on the forehead and tightened his grip on her. She just dropped her head on his chest and breathed in the scent of him."Tracey says I'm not to hog you all weekend. She needs some Faith time, too."Faith gave him a tiny smile. "Tomorrow. Tonight, I want it to be just us."He kissed the top of her head. "I like that."So did she. It seemed like forever since it was just the two of them. If someone wasn't visiting, then someone was texting. Faith knew she allowed her fascination with Edwin and the chase to consume her. Selby hadn't complained; at least, not until he discovered Cherish's aff
Selby groaned as someone persistently pushed the doorbell, sending its ding-dong chime throughout the house. Through blurry eyes, he tried to focus on the time. Eight twenty-seven. He dropped his head back on the warm pillow. He wanted to kill someone.He glanced over at his wife who was totally unaffected by the constant chime. They had talked way into the night and made love in front of the fire and once more when they finally slid under the covers. They had not decided the future of their game, but at least, she wasn't still angry with him. And she was home. He brushed a stray strand of hair from her face as he smiled at the pillow marks on her cheek. He had needed her back home. The doorbell screamed again. Selby slid from his side of the bed and grabbed his robe. As he covered his naked body, he stumbled to the front door, forcing himself awake and out of a murderous rage for the intrusion. As he peered through the peephole at the perky face on the other side, all he could think
They spent the entire day dragging poor Selby in and out of every store that came into their minds. Faith could tell that, although he wasn't complaining, her poor husband was foot-sore and tired. Finally, the girls surrendered, picking up Chinese for dinner, and allowed him to take them home. He deserved a drink and his back deck. She had to admit; she was ready for another quiet evening with those closest to her heart, as well. However, when she saw her mother's Buick in the driveway, she knew quiet just flew out the window."Were you expecting your mother?" Selby gave her a puzzled look as he pulled in behind Tracey's vehicle. "I never expect my mother.""I'm sure she just missed you and wanted to see how your trip went," the redhead said from the backseat. Faith and Selby just turned and stared at her. "You don't know my mother.""Oh," Tracey said. "Oops. This will be an experience then."Selby popped his door open, and the ladies followed suit. "Well, it was a nice day," he said
Sunday dawned with the temperature already pushing toward eighty. Winter in Florida was always short. Tracey spent the night, nuzzled on Faith's right while Selby had draped her left. After Valerie Driscoll left, Faith had remained quiet in a numb aftershock. The others hadn't forced her to communicate, and when she did speak, it was to vent about her mother's audacity at blaming her for Cherish sleeping with Edwin. Faith never had to do anything for her mother to paint her out as the bad guy. What she ever did to earn her mother's scorn, she would never understand. And now....Now, Faith didn't care. She was through being pushed around and made to feel inferior by her family. She didn't feel bad about standing up to her mother. However, Faith didn't feel good, either.She felt lost. Separated. The gulf that had been there between her mother and her was now a chasm, and Faith doubted it would ever be different. Cherish was the one who had screwed up her life, and yet, it was Faith who
Selby watched his wife climb the stairs, arms still folded across her chest. He motioned for Tracey to follow and keep an eye on her while he turned and faced his sister-in-law. Cherish watched Faith's departure, and when she turned around, it visibly startled her that he still stood there.With a sheepish look, she ducked her head. When she spoke, her voice was a bare whisper against the ocean breeze. "I'm sorry. I'll get out of your hair.""Not yet." He stepped in front of her, blocking her from walking way. His patience with the Driscoll family was at an end. "I have tried to keep my mouth shut, but you and your mother have pushed too far. I don't know where either of you get off blaming Faith for you cheating on Glen, but it's total bullshit.""My mother blamed Faith? When?""Last night. She was here when we got home. Seems none of you know to call first." Selby stood with his hands on his hips. "Faith never did a damn thing to you or your mother to deserve the abuse you both give
She felt his legs press against her thighs as his arms wrapped around her chest, his breath warm and steady against her cheek. She fell back against him and willed some of his strength into the coldness of her heart.Faith knew what her husband thought, that she took her family's words as proof she did something wrong. He had watched her practically grovel at her mother's feet all these years for just an inkling of acceptance from the woman. Faith had tolerated her sister's harshness to be close to her mother, afraid that angering Cherish would anger her mother and cause Valerie to push her away even further. Faith didn't doubt at all the course of his thoughts. The sad thing was, a few days ago he would have been absolutely right.But not that night. Not then. Not ever again. When her mother stood there the previous night accusing her for Cherish's indiscretion, a switch inside of Faith flipped. Her mother accepting her no longer worried her, because at that moment, Faith realized sh
The offices of Rutherford Construction were quiet, almost in a funeral home sort of way. Even the ever-perky Ashlynn seemed to sense the underlying mood and reined in her bubbliness. Faith waved at the buxom blond as she passed her and received a limp wave back. Something must have happened before Faith made it to work. She wasn't sure if it had to do with her or not. How far had Cherish taken her accusations?As she stepped into the hall behind the front lobby, purse and lunch box dangling from her fingers, she noticed Morgan talking in hushed whispers with Jed Jorrell. She gave Morgan a curious glance when he looked her way, giving her a quick nod in greeting. He shouldn't be there. Something was definitely off. She said good morning to both and then passed by into the Girls' Den. Nessa was already there, but Cherish wasn't. Actually, as Faith took a closer look, nothing of her sister's was there. Her desk had been completely cleared off. That could explain why Morgan was there. Thi
Selby hung up the phone with a feeling of pride for his wife. She deserved the promotion. Faith had always been a hard worker, throwing herself into whatever anyone asked of her. He understood the conflict going on within her, however, an inner sense of betrayal to Cherish for stepping in where her sister had stepped out. Yet, Faith deserved the new position and the pay raise. She deserved the recognition. The morning had been slow at the bookstore. Only one visitor had graced his door, and they had only purchased a small paperback for fifty cents. He hoped his entire day wouldn't follow the same track. Soft jazz played in the background as Selby sat and stared at the picture of Faith in Key West that he kept at his crowded desk. He gave her permission to keep seeing Edwin if she wanted, but the truth was he wanted the relationship to end. It had already wreaked havoc within their family as well as Rutherford Construction. He wasn't sure where the damage would end or how Glen and Che