by Rachel Angel
Taryn quickly realized that her own problems were not significant at that moment. Darren began talking about how her family was struggling with the vineyard and things had been going down quickly since she’d left. Her brother’s just didn’t have her discerning taste and her parents seemingly had lost a bit of their heart and energy for the business since she’d been gone. He knew how important the family business was to her and wanted to let her know because he suspected that her family’s pride would prevent them from doing so.
The news about her family was horrible to Taryn, but when Darren reassured her he was doing everything he could to help because they were all so important to him it made her feel better. She was so wrapped up in talking with him that she didn’t even realize that the limousine had stopped. As the conversation was wrapping up Darren asked one last question. “When are you going to be coming home for a visit?”
“It turns out that my employment opportunity here wasn’t quite what I’d thought it would be. I took care of what needed to be done and I’m going to be making arrangements to head back home first thing in the morning.”
Darren immediately told her that he’d send his dad’s private jet to get her in the morning and that she didn’t need to do a thing. She’d been through enough. Taryn ended the call with a smile on her face and a renewed sense of purpose. Sylvain might not want her, but Darren and her family did want her and need her. Going home was the right decision.
Jacob was leaning against the limousine outside and texting away on his phone as fast as he could type.
Damn it, Sylvain. Where are you, bro?
No response. He couldn’t believe what a dolt his brother was being, letting Taryn go back because he was afraid. It was obvious that he had feelings for her and if Jacob could see it the other staff members surely could too. What was he doing? Jacob had gotten a report on that Darren and why he was turned down for the BBBBC. He was a rude womanizer who hit on every waitress and female bartender that was in Sylvain’s clubs when he met for a meet and greet event. He was a Class A sleaze ball and thought he was superior. He had no work ethic of his own, choosing to live life large off of his dad’s hard work and good reputation. What a slime! And Taryn…why would she let a broken heart take her back to someone she had obviously ran from for a good reason?
Unfortunately, Taryn was ready to get out and there was nothing Jacob could do to stop her from checking into the hotel. The two hugged goodbye and Taryn went in to find that the concierge was standing there with a key for her.
Jacob drove away, growling at the stupidity of his older brother. As he pulled back up to the penthouse he received a text. It was from Sylvain.
Son of a bitch!
* * *
Taryn was surprised how well she’d slept that night. The overwhelming rollercoaster of emotions must have exhausted her. She woke up feeling better, but not all that fantastic. She was definitely hungry though, but there was no way she was going to go and eat alone. Room service was the best option that morning.
She ordered room service and quickly took a shower, hoping Darren would call and let her know when he’d be able to get her out of Vegas. Thoughts of their logo lingered in her mind—What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Good, she thought. She wanted to forget about the entire experience and chalk it up to a last fling before going back to a simpler life, one which she was better suited for.
As soon as she got dressed she heard a knock on the door. “Just a minute,” she called out. She made sure her wet hair wasn’t a mess and went to open the door. It was not room service.
“Darren, I wasn’t expecting you,” Taryn said. She looked at him and saw the startling good looking guy that she’d first been drawn to. His sandy blonde hair, blue eyes, and short cut were very appealing on him. He really was a good looking man even if he couldn’t deliver her certain things. She’d probably been too demanding to expect that she should have that sort of sex all the time. Married couples couldn’t always have mind blowing sex after all.
“Taryn, you look beautiful,” Darren said. He came up to her and hugged her closely, making her relax in the warmth of his embrace.
Room service came from behind him and the door was still open. “Bring it in,” Taryn said, smiling. The room service worker came in with the tray and set it on the table in the corner.
“Will there be anything else, Miss?”
“No, no thank you.”
Darren handed the worker a generous $20 tip for the meal and Taryn smiled, knowing he was trying to impress her. She didn’t care though…him being there to take her home was impressive enough.
As soon as the door was closed again, Darren looked at Taryn from head to toe and had a sexy smile on his face. “You truly are a gorgeous woman, Taryn. You look better than ever. So beautiful. So sexy.”
Taryn wasn’t sure what to say, but didn’t have to say a word. Darren came up to her and cupped her face gently between his hands and began to kiss her. She didn’t know if it was a good idea, but she wanted to feel desirable at that moment. She responded to his kisses and he began to travel down her neckline with his lips, making her shudder from his determination to give her pleasure…pleasure she longed for.
“Darren…” Taryn began. He put his fingers up to her lips to silence her. She listened.
Darren didn’t waste any time unbuttoning the green blouse that Taryn was wearing and caressing her cleavage, which he’d always loved. According to him, it was so full and sensual, making her one of the most curvaceous and desirable women he’d ever seen.
“Taryn, you think I can’t give you passion? Is that the reason you left me at the altar? Is that why you’re here in seedy Vegas? I can give you those things. I didn’t know you wanted them and I know I can satisfy that intensity that you long for. Give me a chance,” Darren said.
Taryn was pretty sure she’d mumbled okay, but whatever she did or didn’t do really did not matter. Darren took and pressed her against the wall of the room and began to massage and manipulate her body aggressively, biting at her and spanking her ass as he peeled off her jeans. She was shocked to see him acting that way, but it felt so good and the roughness of it all made her feel invigorated, making the numb feeling from the night before disappear.
“You like it rough. I wish I’d known that,” Darren said. “My sweet Taryn isn’t all prim and proper. I love it. This is what I like too. Now that I know, we can be perfect together. I always held back, thinking you were too delicate, but now I know what you want, I’ll satisfy you, baby. I’ll satisfy you.”
And that’s what Darren did. He went on to give Taryn the best orgasm he’d ever done and she released everything to his control, welcoming every bite, spank, and forceful thrust he delivered, shouting out in relief when she exploded on him. No sooner than she was done he said, “Looks like we really are meant to be together.” As his last word sounded out he came inside of her.
After they were done, Darren began talking about everything that had been going on and casually mentioned that they should spend one more night in Vegas before returning to get reacquainted. Taryn agreed, not minding how quickly her life had changed yet once again in the matter of a day. This life was the one that was obviously meant for her.
Chapter 16
Before heading back home, Darren took Taryn out on the town in Vegas and they went to a show and did tourist type things. He stayed clear of any club that Sylvain owned and Taryn was grateful for that because she had no desire to be there, even if it would be interesting to see Sylvain’s reaction about seeing her with Darren. Would it drive him crazy? Stop it, she thought. It doesn’t matter.
By the time it was time to go back to California, Taryn couldn’t believe that she’d actually put Sylvain out of her thoughts and realized that she did still have romantic and loving feelings for Darren. Knowing that, combined with solving the lack of rocking orgasms problem, had made a big difference and she knew she was ready to pick up on the life she’d left off. It was a good feeling
and it made her feel better about escaping. Sometimes you don’t know what you have until it’s gone and that was what Taryn believed to be true.
Although Taryn was delighted with the way that her and Darren had progressed in just a bit over a day’s time she was a bit hesitant about moving too fast, not knowing if that was wise either. As Darren slept that night, Taryn was wide awake and stared at him, thinking about waking up by his side every day. He liked to sleep so he wasn’t touching anyone, saying he slept more soundly. Taryn had liked touching someone when she slept, but understood his reasons for it so she didn’t mind giving that up. The improved intimate connection would also lessen that feeling somewhat, she suspected.
Thoughts of wanting children came into Taryn’s mind. She had always wanted to be a mother and the thought of having kids was something that brought her true happiness. Even if things had worked out with Sylvain would he ever want to have children? His childhood had been so harsh and made him likely not someone who would ever want a family. Not to mention the fast paced Vegas lifestyle he lived.
The realization that Sylvain and Taryn hadn’t been destined to have a future together became obvious to her at that moment. She wasn’t sure why she hadn’t seen it, but she realized it now. It was best not to think about it and torture herself. Darren had forgiven her and didn’t even seem to mind that there had been someone else the past month when she’d told him. Now that chapter had closed, and a familiar chapter was about to reopen.
Chapter 17
Darren hadn’t wasted any time in letting everyone know that Taryn was back home once again. On the jet he told her that there was a welcome home party being held at the vineyard in her honor that evening. Taryn smiled, thinking about how nice it would be to see everyone, but how awkward it would be if they asked too many questions.
“I hope they don’t want to know too much,” Taryn said, blushing slightly.
“Everyone is just glad you are returning. Your parents, your brothers, my parents, and the rest of my family. You are invaluable to all of us,” Darren said.
“That’s so sweet to hear,” Taryn said. “I don’t know what I did to get so lucky to have such an amazing group of friends and family, but I’m definitely appreciative of them.”
“You didn’t have to do anything. It’s who you are naturally and certainly what you deserve. Selfishly, I deserve it too,” Darren replied.
“You do selfish well in this case,” Taryn said, laughing softly. She loved to laugh so much and this was one of the rare times where Darren seemed every bit as giddy as her. It was good. Life was getting back to normal.
* * *
The party at the vineyard was small, just Taryn’s closest friends, Darren, his family, and her family. They all laughed and sat around the large tasting table on the backyard, just by the al fresco dining kitchen. It really was an amazing setting and one that made her feel more connected with the world than she felt anywhere else. Including the helicopter? She asked herself this question and shoved it out of her mind, not daring to go there.
Darren’s parents were more flattering and kind than they’d ever been to Taryn, commenting on her loveliness and how happy they were to have her back. Poor Darren had been miserable, but he understood and only wanted what was best for Taryn. Conversations about wine and many questions about it were thrown her way casually, making her feel special and welcomed. It was nice that there were no hard feelings for her and she did appreciate it.
Darren stood up in front of everyone and got their attention. Taryn stared at him, along with every other set of eyes. “I have something that I’d like to say to Taryn with all of you present.”
Taryn looked at him, wondering what it could be. He looked into Taryn’s eyes and said, “Taryn Summers, will you please do me the honor of marrying me?”
Before she could even take a breath, Taryn found herself stating, “Yes.” She stood up and Darren kissed her on the lips briefly.
“Yes. Just what I wanted to hear,” he said, laughing. “In that case, I do believe this belongs to you,” he said. He pulled out the ring that Taryn had worn for over a year and handed it back to her. It looked a bit different though. He’d made the center diamond larger.
Everyone began to clap and from inside the winery, a few of the workers brought out some bottles of champagne and everyone toasted. The evening was fun and under the table, both Darren and Taryn found their hands roaming to the others body, sending signs of what they also had on their mind.
As Taryn and Darren headed back to the place that they’d started to call their home a few weeks before the wedding. On the way home Darren began to talk about the vineyard and winery.
“Isn’t it exciting that our two vineyards will be merging. Together, nothing can stop our families and the rebound of your family’s business, plus the emergence of ours on a more global market.”
“Yes, I guess so,” Taryn said. She still felt horrible that her family was in this situation due to her abrupt departure, but was also so thankful that someone her family loved and trusted like Darren, not to mention his family, had been good fits for a merger of business, as well as marriage.
There was a part of her that was beginning to wonder if this marriage was more about the wine than her, but she didn’t welcome that notion or thought into her mind. She looked over at Darren, biting her lip gently like she did when contemplating something, and found him looking back at her. There was a mischievous glint in his eye and it made her forget about her concerns for the moment. She could see that sex was on his mind and it instantly was on hers too. She wanted him again and to keep experiencing his more intense sexual side because it appealed to her down to her very core. Right or wrong, it was something she wanted in her life always. Sexual intimacy and exploration made her feel invigorated and alive.
Chapter 18
Taryn quickly realized that planning a wedding to the same man for the second time was considerably easier. Conveniently, the quick wedding that Darren wanted fell into place without a hitch. The same place was available too. The only difference was that this wedding was going to be smaller, just close friends and family. Everyone decided that would be best and Taryn didn’t mind not having to face all of the people that had watched her haul ass out of her first wedding attempt with Darren.
The day of the rehearsal was fun and festive. All day long, Taryn and her friends had pampered themselves, going to the spa and stylist, plus drinking wine and having awesome appetizers and chocolate along with it. They were laughing and giggling, feeling the joy of the occasion.
One thing that Taryn had forgotten at Darren’s parent’s winery was the menus for the next day. She had a few minutes before her last two brides maids would be meeting her and decided to quickly run to their winery and grab them. She’d tried to call, but hadn’t gotten any answer from Darren or anyone else.
Taryn walked into the room where the menus were and heard a noise coming from the attached meeting room. “Hello,” she called out. There was no answer so she walked over to the door and heard it again. She knocked on the door and opened it at the same time.
She shouldn’t have done that. As soon as the door opened, her mouth fell open in shock.
There was Darren, along with two of her best friends—the missing brides’ maids. They were all naked and in insane sexual poses. One of them was tied to a post and Darren was thrusting his cock into her while holding out a whip of some sorts and smacking the other one on the ass as she bent over. They were all moaning, showing that they were into the graphic show they were creating together.
Taryn gasped, clamping her hand over her mouth. “I think I’m going to be sick,” she said and she turned around.
Her words had captured Darren’s attention and he shouted out for her to stop. She forgot all about the menus and began to walk more quickly, afraid she’d fall down if she tried to run. It felt like her legs were going to give out on her.
I’m such an idiot! How could I not have seen this? Taryn’
s inner voice was screaming, sounding out the pain that Taryn was feeling. Why was her life so messed up?
She leaned over, feeling bile rise from her throat and threw up on the stone courtyard of the winery, not making it to her car in time. She could hear Darren calling for her and she put her hands over her ears, not wanting to hear a word that the bastard had to say.
Chapter 19
Darren reached out for Taryn, grabbing her arm and whipping her around. She looked at him, appalled at his naked body and that he’d even have the courage to look at her at that moment or try to explain what she’d just walked in on. No words he had would change what she’d seen.
“Leave me alone and let me go,” Taryn sneered. “I’m sure you can guess that this wedding is off again and this time it will be permanent.”
“No, please don’t say that. I love you so much, Taryn. I want to marry you.”
Taryn didn’t say a word, feeling anger at herself in that moment. She had fallen into that good girl trap, so eager to please everyone else instead of following what she likely knew was right in the back of her mind. Why didn’t she ever learn? Well, she was stepping up to the plate and learning now.