We are in the back of the limo alone together, Braxtonโs fingers intertwined with mine, and itโs 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. Iโm afraid if I start kissing him, I wonโt be able to stop.โWhat would you like to do for dinner?โ 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.โI donโt know,โ I say. I canโt 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. โWhatever youโd like to do is fine with me,โ I said because it seemed like the polite thing to say and also because I had no idea what my choices might be.โIf youโd like to stay in for dinner, I can have the chefs prepare something,โ he says.โTh
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. Itโs something Iโve 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 wouldโve 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 thatโs because sheโs just enjoying the moment. Thatโs 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 isnโt taking in the beauty of it, if thereโs anything at all worth noticing. I canโt 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 Iโd thought of bringing a blindfold. I am tempted to
I am taken aback by Braxtonโs generous gift. I canโt believe the trouble heโs 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.Itโs been so long since Iโve 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 couldnโt contain myself. He seemed to really and truly like what Iโd painted.And now, he is kissing me, and his arms are around me, and Iโve 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. Iโve 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 Iโve 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 otherโs 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 didnโt want to rush through dinner. I didnโt 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 isnโt 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 isnโt just that my body lusts for his, though that is true. I do want him in ways I never thought imaginable. Itโs 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 Braxtonโs arms than I ever have in my husbandโs.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
Juliaโs 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 Iโve ever had.Instead, I give her a moment to catch her breath and concentrate on coming down from my high. Iโm glad sheโs 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 wouldnโt be able to show her the same courtesy for at least a few minutes. I donโt want my Julia to ever have to wait.As soon as she has caught her breath, she doesnโt 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, Iโll wake up in Braxtonโs arms, and then, Iโll have to tell him goodbye. Heโll 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 couldnโt 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 isnโt quite so much waste, though I could never eat all of the food that heโs had spread before me. We chatt, and he makes me laugh, but in the back of my mind, I canโt 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 heโs 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. Iโve 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 donโt think she will like that, even though I could assure her of our privacy. The servants wouldnโt dare snoop or try to watch us. I keep myself in check, though, only holding her hand beneath the waterโs surface, letting her come t
I am the woman in the painting now. Itโs 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 didnโt 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 wouldโve never
Iโm fine. I feel fine, anyway. My hand is still wrapped in gauze, and Iโm told I may need more surgery down the road. I will definitely need physical therapy, but thatโs okay. Braxton says heโll pay for the person to come to the house so I donโt have to go to a clinic for my treatments. Heโs 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 oneโs 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 Iโm only sitting in because the hospital staff insists itโs part of their dismissal policy, and Braxton helps me into the car. Itโs 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
โMr. Merriweather, perhaps it would be better if you waited in the hallway,โ 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. โI see no reason why Mr. Merriweather canโt be in the room while you question Mrs. Thompson, unless of course, she would prefer for him to leave,โ my lawyer says.Det. Folk arches an eyebrow, but itโs 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, โI would like for him to say.โShawna doesnโt gloat, but she does take a moment to introduce herself to Julia. โItโs nice to meet you,โ she says, offering her hand. Julia shakes it lightly as Shawna tells her her name and says, โYou have nothing to worry about.โJulia smiles at Shawna, but I can tell sheโs nervous. She doesnโt want to be having this co
I am floating. I donโt feel as if I have a body anymore. I am only a spirit, hovering above the earth a little ways. I canโt 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 thereโs 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 handโฆ I canโt feel it at all. Itโs as if I only have one now. Remembering what hap
I lie awake, staring at the ceiling above my bed, unable to sleep, though itโs getting late, and I know I have to go to work tomorrow. I canโt help but stretch my arm out across the bed, which I find cold and empty. Julia should be here, but sheโs 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 isnโt just chiming to let me know an email has arrived. The phone is ringing.Hastily, I pick it up from my nightstand, praying that itโs Julia, but when I see that it is Stringer, my heart races just the same. I pray he has good news, that heโs gotten Julia back, and they are on their way to my home.โStringer?โ I say upon answering. โWhatโs 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 Jeffโs 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 Iโve 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. Iโve made it this far. I just need to go inside. I just need to speak to Jeff and let him know that Iโll stay with him as long as he promises to leave Braxton alone. The fact that he didnโt choose the money tells me that heโs so focused on winning, he isnโt thinking straight. I know this isnโt about me. Itโs 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 donโt need neighbors seeing me standing
Sheโs gone. I can hardly believe it. Iโm still standing in the foyer, near the window, where I watched my driver take her away, wondering how in the world Iโm going to function without Julia here.I have no idea. Everywhere I look, Iโm going to see her. Every room I walk into, Iโll smell her perfume. Every time I lay down in my bed, Iโll feel her beside me. Iโll see her near the pool, at the dining room table, in the gardens. Andโฆ in her art room. How can I possibly go into that room again without feeling the ghost of her?Itโs obvious to me that Julia is making a huge mistake, but I canโt change her mind. It was clear to me when I saw her face that she was resolved and wasnโt 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 canโt 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
Braxtonโs face has my heart leaping up into my throat. After my initial statement, letting him know that I have to go, I donโt know how to explain myself to him, to tell him that I canโt stay or why.โWhat do you mean you have to go?โ Braxton asks, taking a few cautious steps toward me but stopping well short of touching me. โWhy would you need to go?โI clear my throat, swallowing hard. โBecauseโฆ itโs for the best if I do.โHis eyes widen in shock. โFor the best? For who?โโFor everyone,โ I tell him. โEspecially you.โโNo, Julia,โ he says as he shakes his head emphatically. โIt is most definitely not best for me.โI disagree with him. โBraxton, I heard what happened today. Jeff didnโt take the settlement, right?โHe doesnโt answer, only continues to stare at me, unblinking. I donโt need him to answer. I already know I am right.โFor him to turn down that sort of money, it tells me he will be relentless, Braxton. Heโs never going to stop. Never. He wonโt leave us in peace. I need to g