by Amy Brent
“I don’t vacation a lot, Rayna. When I do, I prefer to go big and enjoy myself. I have no problems taking you along with me.” His eyes twinkled as I nibbled on my lip. “I know that you’re trying to save your money for your future and I want you to do that. I want to spoil you.”
“Why?” I asked as I stared at him.
“I don’t understand. You grew up in a wealthy family, and your husband is rich, but nobody seems to have spoiled you,” he told me, cupping my face. “Nobody sees your worth.” I trembled as he kissed me gently. “Let me spoil you. Let me make love to you in bed with the ocean waves beneath us, take you to dinner at fancy places and take you away from everything. Just give me that honor.” He kissed me again as I nodded, giving in to his wishes as desire washed over me.
We took our wine to the bedroom, and he undressed me quickly before I crawled onto the bed, making my way to the pillows. He grabbed my ankles, burying his face between my thighs as I groaned his name. I reached out to hold onto the sturdy oak headboard, grabbing on as his tongue stroked me just where I needed it most. His arms spread me open and wrapped around my thighs tightly, holding me in place as he continued his torture.
It was that night that he tied me to the bed for the first time before making me come against his tongue for the second time. I dropped down to my back and felt him slide inside of me slowly, knowing how tight I was after an orgasm. I tugged uselessly at the binds, wanting to pull him closer as he leaned over me and started to take me harder with every thrust.
Declan slid a hand over one nipple as he rested on the other arm, pinching me tightly as I whimpered. “You’re so fucking hot,” He told me as he thrust again. “I am going to fuck you everywhere I can in France.” Another thrust. “I am going to show you how much I want you.” He thrust again, and I dropped my head back as I screamed out his name. “Fuck. Come for me, baby. Come all over my cock.” I felt my body move forward sharply as I yelped, feeling him thicken inside of me before coming deep inside of me. “Rayna. Rayna. Rayna.”
Declan dropped beside me on the bed with his hand splayed over my chest. I let out a breath, letting my arms drop down as I stared at him.” I like your idea for the trip.”
“Good. I am going to get the tickets tonight, and the room is booked.” He chuckled as I smiled, moving closer to me. “I want you to get some sexy bikinis for the trip, and lingerie.”
“Am I even going to be dressed through most of it?” I teased as he looked thoughtfully at me.
“Not a lot of it, no. On second thought, save the sexy stuff for me. I don’t want other men ogling you,” He winked and leaned over to kiss me as I laughed.
“They won’t.” He raised an eyebrow at me as we settled in bed for the night, snuggling together. My mind raced with things that I had to do before we left and I remembered the phone in my purse. I asked him if he wanted to mess around with it and Declan asked where it was before jumping out of bed. I laughed as he walked back in with the phone and cord, dropping beside me as I curled up on the pillow.
He set up his number on the contacts list, adding a silly picture that he snapped sitting beside me. Declan and I decided what apps to put on it together, though I avoided all my former social media accounts. It was better to stay under the radar for now with the changes that I was making, appreciating that Declan felt the same way about mentioning me on his own. He told me that his accounts were mostly business and that someone was paid to update at the right times anyway.
“You don’t post about your life?” I asked as he shrugged.
“That was Claire’s thing. She wanted everything to look perfect at all times for her friends, which is bullshit. Nothing is perfect all of the time.” He shrugged.
“That’s what all of my accounts are about. False perfection, complete with happy family photos of people that I barely speak to. That I honestly talk to, if you know what I mean. I don’t want that life anymore.” He nodded as he looked at me.
We finished with the phone, and I thought of the one that was turned off in my purse. Would anyone figure out soon that I wasn’t answering it anymore? Would they care?
I pressed close to him with a yawn once it was dark and quiet, enjoying his warmth. I slept soundly, waking up as I felt him stretch in the sun beside me. “Coffee?” He asked as I nodded. Declan rose and went to the kitchen as I closed my eyes just a bit longer.
We had some breakfast, a habit that I was thoroughly enjoying. He got the plane tickets afterward, and I smiled at the idea of flying away three days from now first thing in the morning. It was going to be amazing, and I planned to buy some things online if I had time to have them shipped since I’d been keeping up with my moderate weight loss. I wasn’t the type to dress in skimpy clothes outside so it would be tasteful apart from the things that I bought for Declan to see alone.
I left for the office after a long kiss goodbye, walking inside excitedly to turn on my computer and start my day. Lana was there, and she came into my office to ask what I was so happy about. I whispered about the trip as I slid my new phone across the desk for her to put her contact info in, watching her smile. “France?” She asked as I nodded with big eyes. “Ray, you know that this is more than just a fling to him. Right?”
“Why do you say that?” I asked as she smirked.
“I saw the messages and the way that he looked at you that day he surprised you. He has feelings for you.” Lana smiled as I stared at her.
“I told him that the trip is too much, but he says that he never travels. He wants to do it in style, and he wants me there with him.” I nibbled on my lip as she nodded.
“Enjoy it. Come back and move your ass in with him,” Lana urged me as I glanced at my computer screen.
“James isn’t going to let me go that easily,” I told her as she tilted her head in disbelief.
“He doesn’t act married at all. Why would he care?” She asked, and I made an appointment as I considered my answer.
“Family money and business,” I responded as she made a gagging noise.
“Hell, no. That’s not you, Ray. You look so damn happy now, and that’s who you are. Let him find another trophy.” She stared into my face as I glanced back at her. “Stand your ground, and he’ll give up.”
“It’s my parents too. I might lose them in the process,” I grumbled as she shrugged.
“Blood is not family, Rayna. You’ll be better off if they don’t support you and you have all of us here,” Lana urged me as I thought over her words. She was right, but it was a painful thought. “Declan has loads of money, and he’ll take care of you, plus you’ve saved a bunch working here. Even if you don’t want to move in, get your own place. Just don’t leave him because he is good for you.”
She left after another half an hour to go work, and I pulled up some shopping sites on the computer. In between bookings, I bought some sun dresses and a few bathing suits. I found some tops and skirts, along with shorts. I found shoes to wear on the trip; choosing something for the beach, dinners, and another pair for anything in between.
I asked Declan if I could ship things to his house and he told me that was fine. I asked for everything to be shipped the following day before I went to a new lingerie site and placed a large order there, asking for the same fast shipping. I wanted to be ready for this and to be the sexy girl that Declan seemed to see in me.
I nibbled on a salad for dinner as I looked at pictures of our destination, marveling at the beauty. It was going to be incredible, and with a drive, we could even go to see the Eiffel Tower, if we chose to.
I found Facebook and typed in his wife’s name, finding her profile open. She had pictures of herself with a guy now that looked at least a few years younger than she was, but there were a lot of her and Declan as well. He was right. Everything looked happy and flawless in her pictures and her words, even though I knew that she lost a great man in Declan. I wondered if she knew this as I glanced at one of the pictures of her and the new guy. He looked a little arrogant
and nothing like her soon to be ex-husband. I didn’t understand her, but I was thankful to her for letting him go as I went back to a beautiful shot of the blue ocean that would be my temporary home for a few weeks.
I couldn’t wait to get the fuck out of here.
CHAPTER 20
Declan
I did a little shopping while Rayna was at work for the trip. I wanted a few casual outfits to wear, and I also bought Rayna a few things that reminded me of her. I knew that she’d complain and tell me that I was already spending enough money on her, but I had it to spend. It was nice being with someone that appreciated it, loving the flush that covered her cheeks as she smiled gratefully whenever I did something kind for her.
She was beautiful when she smiled when she was coming…anytime. I thought ahead to when we came back home and wondered what would happen. I didn’t give a shit that I was in the middle of a divorce. I wanted this woman in my life.
I returned home with the bags and put away my stuff, leaving Rayna’s in the closet in a bag. I’d surprise her later with them, maybe when she got the things that she was having shipped to my house in the next couple of days. I hoped that there were some sexy lace and silk included in it, imagining seeing her body in the outfits that I imagined in my head. I looked down at my groin, knowing that it would be hours before I’d be seeing her.
I got her something in one of the stores I came across, a black lace teddy that was going to look amazing on her.
I got some work done on the laptop for a few hours, sitting at the table in the afternoon sun. It was gorgeous out today, and I got a hold of some managers on the phone to let them know that I was taking a vacation. After the email, my cell phone rang, and I checked the screen with a laugh. “Yes, Matt?” He was one of the best local managers, and I knew just what he was going to say to me. “Declan is taking a vacation? Is the fucking world ending?”
“I’m allowed to do that, right?” I asked as he chuckled.
“Hell, yes. Where are you going?” He asked, and I told him the plans, leaving Rayna’s name out of it. “Are you going with someone?”
I paused for a moment and tried to think of what to say. “There is a girl, but I’m going to keep that on the down-low. Claire might have a shit fit.”
“Why? She cheated on you. Good for you. I hope she’s a good one since you deserve it.” He sounded happy, and I smiled.
“She is.” We chatted about work for a bit longer, going over some of the active accounts before I ended the call. I glanced at the clock, seeing that I still had a couple of hours before I needed to start dinner. I kept working, wanting to get as much in as I could before we left but I also sent her messages on her new phone throughout the afternoon. Having that freedom was great.
I decided to do tri-tip and salad for dinner, starting it in time to be close to done when she got back here. I added some sweet potatoes and popped them in the oven to cook while I did the rest. I was anxious to see Rayna, and I took a slow breath and admitted that I was falling for her. I was doing so from the very start, which had driven me to pursue her after what was supposed to be our one night together.
I didn’t know if it was a good thing. I was uncertain if the trip would be a mistake but it was what I wanted, seemingly what Rayna wanted as well. Even through her protests, I saw that she was excited about it. It showed when she spoke of it and particularly when she told me about her shopping online. She seemed to have plenty of money saved and deserved to use some of it for herself. Hell, she could use it all for herself because I was willing to take care of her as long as she would have me. I was willing to give Claire a little money to get her started on her own if she was even alone. I was a fair man, and she was my wife for a while, but she did not shape my career and assist in my earnings.
I thought about the gift that I’d purchased last with a smile. It was for the end of the trip and would come with a question if the trip went well. I wanted to see how we were together away like that, in a place where she could relax.
I was cooking outside when I heard someone call my name, looking into the house with a grin. I frowned when I saw that it wasn’t Rayna. “What are you doing here?” I asked Claire as she stumbled into the kitchen, clearly intoxicated. I didn’t get her key, thinking that she wouldn’t be back.
“I left him at a bar and took a cab here. I don’t have anywhere to go,” she mumbled as I stepped inside the house.
“Claire, you have a job. Go to a hotel,” I told her as I glanced at the clock. I had about twenty minutes before Rayna would be here. “You can’t stay here.”
“I’m sorry,” she said, impulsively throwing her arms around my neck as I stilled. “I miss you, Dec. I miss us.”
I heard the garage as I tried to push her away, wondering how I was going to get her out of here. I had to find a way out of this before Rayna got the wrong idea. “It’s not going to happen, Claire. You made your choice, and we’re over.” She looked up at me with a pout, something that would have worked once upon a time.
“Hey…” Rayna said as she walked through the door, just as I pushed Claire away from me forcefully. I looked at Rayna as she paused and took in the scene in front of her, seeming to recognize Claire. “Am I interrupting anything?”
“No,” I said curtly as Claire looked at Rayna curiously for a long moment. I knew if she found out the situation, Claire would tell everyone that she knew as well as any mutual friends. “I am going to get you a car.”
“Hello, there. I’m Claire,” my wife stepped forward, smiling a sugary sweet smile as she took Rayna in. “I didn’t know that you were seeing someone new, Declan.”
“I’m…Rachel,” Rayna said slowly as she stared at me. I saw hurt in her pretty eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose before I grabbed my phone. I made quick work of getting an Uber for Claire, not giving a fuck where she stayed tonight.
“She’s leaving,” I assured Rayna as she kept standing in the kitchen. “Come outside, Rachel.” She stared for a moment before stepping forward and following me, and all the hurt showed once we were alone. “She just came here. I forgot that she had a key. She’s barely been here.” I stepped over to the grill, checking on the meat to keep myself busy. I also didn’t want it to burn, since I was determined to have a decent dinner somehow with all of this happening.
“Are you sure?” She asked as I stared at her. “She’s your wife, Declan.” He voice lowered as she looked at the ground. “I am someone else’s wife.” Her voice was low, and I grimaced.
“I don’t want her back. She’s regretting her choice now, that’s all. She left me for a child,” I said, touching her chin to make her look at me. “The car will be here in ten minutes. I am taking the damn key from her tonight.” Rayna looked like she was going to cry and I sighed as I glanced into the kitchen to see Claire looking through the fridge. She had the wine, and I moved towards the door. “Claire, you don’t need any more alcohol.” I opened the door and yelled inside as she jerked her head up. “You are leaving, and I don’t care where you go. I just want you out of here.”
“Please forgive me,” she asked as she stared into my eyes. “Please. I messed up, Declan.” I was well aware that Rayna heard all of this and I shook my head.
“It’s over. We’re getting a divorce, and nothing will change that, Claire. Go to a hotel and sober up, figure things out for yourself.” I took the wine and set it on the counter, making sure that she didn’t open it. That wine was for dinner. “You have a great job, and you’re a good person, just not the one for me.”
“She is, though?” Her tears slid down her cheeks as I nodded, unable to lie to her.
“It would seem so,” I replied softly as I walked back out to plate the steaks as I glanced at Rayna sitting in a chair with her purse in her lap. She looked miserable, and I glanced at my phone.
Soon.
I got Claire to the car and knew that it was going to take her to a good hotel if she chose that. I sighed as I ran my hands through my hair, pre
paring to walk back inside. This night was a train wreck, and I had to fix that. “Ray?” I called out as I walked back into the house and looked around. She was nowhere to be found, and I looked outside to see her sitting and staring at the ground. “That was completely unexpected. She just showed up whining about her boyfriend, since she realized that he’s not a great guy. I told her that she had to leave from the start.” I knelt before her, and she looked at me with tears sliding down her cheeks. “Oh, Rayna.”
“She was in your arms.” I stared at her for a moment, not saying anything. “The way that you pushed her away when I walked in looked…bad. It looked like guilt to me.”
“I just wanted her the hell out of here. There’s nothing about Claire that I miss. I have moved on,” I assured her as I slipped my arms around her waist, resting my head in her lap as she froze. “Do you think that I would be the way that I am with you and then sleep with another woman, Rayna? Do you?”
“No, I don’t want to think that,” she said as she sniffled.