Raising my hips, I lowered my bottoms but still kept one leg in, easy to put back on afterward.
There was no kissing, barely any moans, and he was quiet after save for his shallow breathing. He’d always been silent, and it made me feel like shit. We weren’t experienced with other people, only being with each other. I wasn’t counting the bitch at his work until my proof was solid.
My hands gripped his strong arms, legs wrapping around his thighs as his body moved against mine. Closing my eyes, I laid here wishing…wishing for what wasn’t. I couldn’t have faked it anymore if I tried. This wasn’t lovemaking. It was a job. As husband and wife, that’s what we were meant to do—have sex.
Brody’s hips began to move more forcefully, hurrying himself up. His breathing picked up slightly, and just when the actual pleasure began to sink into the pit of my stomach, he climaxed. I was too embarrassed to speak up, to tell him what I needed and wanted. It was okay, though. We’d have sex again in a month or so…whenever the urge came on.
His heart was racing, beating faster as his breathing slowed down. My arms draped around his neck, wanting to keep this closeness for just a moment longer before he pulls out and walks back to the bathroom. I knew that the second he moves, it would be gone. At least this way, we could pretend. Well, I could.
He didn’t pull away, letting me relish in this small connection for a moment more than he possibly wanted. He was doing this for my sake. I felt his fingertips tracing against the nape of my neck. My eyes opened to darkness. I inhaled his scent, a strong musk of the aftershave I’d bought him for Christmas. I tasted the sweat on his skin as I pressed my lips to his shoulder, kissing him softly.
I began to feel a mere comfort. That feeling went as soon as it came when he began to move off my body.
I already rolled over and pretended to be asleep when he returned from the bathroom. He was spending the night in here, always in here after we’d slept together. Otherwise, he’d be in the spare, and I would end up with Noah or Lila, whoever wanted to snuggle with their mama that night.
I didn’t stop them from coming in. I liked that they still needed the comfort of me.
My parents had been furious that we weren’t raising them with Italian traditions. Hell, they were still furious that I hadn’t married an Italian boy. What did they expect, though? They had come home from a holiday and announced we were moving to an island called Tasmania. I had not ever heard of the place before. My papa quit his job, found work over here, and the next thing I knew, we were moving, and I was enrolled at the school. It was rushed. I barely spoke any English and was the only Italian in my school. How could they not think I would fall in love with an Australian boy? I was fifteen for crying out loud. My hormones were raging all over the place for him once I laid eyes on his cute face.
I knew it broke my mama’s heart when we had children even naming them Noah and Lila. She never mentioned it, but I knew she was disappointed with our choice of names for them. We didn’t care. We loved them.
Waking early the next morning, I started my morning routine of getting ready: hair up, face washed, and the usual baggy clothes on which was a loose-fitting shirt paired with a pair of black mum jeans that sucked in my gut. Black was my choice of colour. It was more slimming.
Brody was still asleep when I entered back into the bedroom. His snores were the only sound filling the room of silence. I could have woken him up, but I didn’t want to. He worked hard, providing for his family. I was just the housewife, not that it bothered me as I loved being able to take our children to school and clean our home, but still, he earned the right to sleep in more than I do.
Flipping the pancakes over, Noah was telling me about school when he brought up playing soccer. It caught me off guard, as he’s never shown any interest in playing school sports. “Really?” I asked, genuinely surprised. “That’s great.”
“What’s great?” His voice deep, masculine voice startled me as he entered the room.
Lila was already jumping up to run over to him. “Daddy!” She beamed, hugging one of his legs tightly. “Good morning.”
Brody smiled back at her, bending down to her level and kissing her cheek. “Good morning, princess. Did you sleep well?”
“I did,” she replied, going back to her plate of pancakes. She poked her brother in the arm on her way, trying to provoke him. He ignored her.
“Eat your breakfast and leave your brother alone, Lila,” he lightly scolded, shook his head. “Morning, Noah.” He went over to the breakfast bar where the children both sat, kissing them on the head while they both kept eating.
Noah had a mouthful of food, mumbling back, “Morning, Dad.”
I set his coffee cup down on the white marble counter, poured milk into the boiling hot caffeinated water, and gave it a stir. Turning my back, I reached for the metal spatula and flipped another pancake. “Your breakfast won’t be long,” I said, getting ready to plate them.
Clearing his throat as he sat with the kids, I glanced up and watched the three of them chatting away and laughing. It made me smile on the inside that our children were happy with no idea about their parents. I felt like I was failing them. My eyes crossed back over to Brody, and I couldn’t deny that he wasn’t extremely attractive in a suit because he was. We were a mismatched couple. He was handsome, and I, just bland. Quickly, I looked away when I noticed him watching me.
“I might be late home tonight,” he started, coming over with his empty coffee mug. “I have dinner with a client. I only just received the email.” Pulling out his phone, he raised a brow. “Want to check for yourself?”
It was to mock me for not believing him the last time he had mentioned a work dinner. I had called bullshit, accusing him of heading out to screw the blonde at work and proved me wrong as he dialled his boss’s number to confirm the meeting was an actual work one.
Biting my tongue, I wouldn’t fall for it. “Fine, are you going to eat your breakfast? I didn’t make it for you to watch it go cold.”
His jaw twitched as his blue eyes glanced over at the plate of pancakes covered in maple syrup. “No.”
Rolling my eyes, I snatched the plate up. “Asshole,” I muttered, walking over to the cupboard and pulling out the bin.
“Bit dramatic for eight in the morning, don’t you think?”
I spun around, glaring. “I should have known better than to think that you’re going to eat breakfast with your family for once.”
Pushing up his black jacket and white sleeves, he looked down at his watch. “Gabriella, I need to leave. I’m running late.”
“More like running to your whore,” I muttered under my breath.
Judging by the scowl on his face, I knew he had heard me. He ignored it and walked to each of our children again, giving them a kiss goodbye. I began to stack the dishwasher, just wanting him to go and get out of my face.
“Don’t forget to kiss Mama, Daddy,” Lila pointed out.
I froze. “Daddy needs to go,” I reminded, looking ahead out into the garden.
She was stubborn, not letting this go. “Kiss Mama like in the movies, Daddy.”
Sometimes I thought they knew just how bad their parents hated each other. Was it hate? I didn’t know. It wasn’t what it used to be, though.
Brody was already walking towards me when I had turned around. My heart pounded as his hand curled around my hips and he pushed my back against the sink with his strong top half and his leg between my thighs. I wanted to scream, “Get off of me,” but the other part desperately wanted him to stay like this.
He was mad. I could tell by the way he stared into my eyes. His breath was minty across my face as he spoke softly, “The kids want a kiss, Gabriella. Are you going to say no?” He was pushing me, knowing I wouldn’t refuse in front of the kids.
“Go to work,” I said, keeping my voice low and quiet from the kids who were watching us. “I have beds to make since I guess you didn’t do ours.”
“Why should I? That’s y
our job,” he shot back, cocking a brow.
I could just slap that smirk off his face. I wanted him out of my face. “Asshole.” I pushed my hand against his chest, trying to make him move, but he didn’t budge.
“So I’ve already been called,” he smirked again, fingers tightening against my hip to hold me in place as his other hand came up, cupping my cheek with a gentle caress. My eyes softly closed a moment as I felt his lips skimming against mine before he pushed them against nothing—just an open mouth. It was simple and enough to make Lila squeal with delight and Noah the opposite.
Pulling back, his eyes appeared darker as he brushed his lips against my ear. I thought he was going to kiss me. He didn’t. His breath hit my ear as he spoke. “Unlike you, my dear wife, I’m not fucking anyone on the side.” Letting me go, my body went cold as he picked up his black case and car keys, made his way towards the door, and left for work.
Hard to believe all those years ago, we were madly in love and inseparable.
If you enjoyed this sample then look for Forgotten Sweethearts on Amazon!
Other books you might enjoy:
The Assistant
Elle Brace
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Meeting Mr. Mogul
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Acknowledgements
Le-an - You are amazing! Thank you for all that you do. Every single day. I am lucky to have such an incredible woman to work with and your constant motivating photos are always appreciated {wink}
Aycee - I'm sorry for causing you to blush {not} Thank you for all the incredible and amazing work you have with done editing this book.
BLVNP - Thank you for wanting more, for taking another chance on me.
Bailey, Mason and Everly - I love you three more than anything. You're what I do this for, to show you that you can have it all!
Mitchell - Another book!! You must be so proud to have a wife with such skill and talent. Ha! I love you, and Thank you for always encouraging me to keep going and being supportive of my dreams.
Elwood - I love you! You truly are the greatest unrelated sister I know and I am blessed to have you and your children in our lives.
Mum - Get that wine glass out! Actually knowing you, I bet you've got it filled to the brim already. Thank you for being here for me and always encouraging everything I do. I love you.
Grandma - Let's celebrate with scones and tea the next time we see each other. I miss you every day.
My next door neighbour - You asked, and I have delivered… this is me mentioning you in my book!
You - Thank you for buying this book! Without you, none of this would be possible.
Sweetly, Mel xx
Author’s Note
Hey there!
Thank you so much for reading His Rebound Love! I can’t express how grateful I am for reading something that was once just a thought inside my head.
I’d love to hear from you! Please feel free to email me at [email protected] and sign up at http://melissa-bender.awesomeauthors.org for freebies!
One last thing: I’d love to hear your thoughts on the book. Please leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads because I just love reading your comments and getting to know YOU!
Whether that review is good or bad, I’d still love to hear it!
Can’t wait to hear from you!
Melissa Bender
About the Author
I’m wife to a FIFO miner. Mother of three. Passionate foodie and a vivid dreamer. Living in a small beach town in the lovely Tasmania. I spend my time between home and down at the beach, making memories and capturing the moments.
When I’m not glued to my laptop, I’m either in the kitchen creating recipes, cooking, or having a Netflix binge session. Often, I find myself drifting off into the world of make believe, getting lost inside the stories I write. I write because it’s my passion. I want to create a world for my readers to get lost in. For them to swoon and fall in love the way I do with each character made. Oh, and I love starbursts!
Sweetly, Melissa xx
His Rebound Love Page 29