The Red Wife

by Tyffani Clark Kemp

  “He is not my boyfriend.” She stared at him. “That's the look you had the day that Holden banned you for life. What are you up to.”

  “Do you like Chinese?” B asked Sebastian.

  Mariss growled at Sebastian's triumphant look and turned away. She kicked her shoes across the room and let them land where they wanted before she sat on the sofa in a huff.

  “Don't be like that.” B leaned over the back of the sofa and kissed her neck.

  Mariss shuddered. She felt his lips turn up in a smile against her skin before he leaned away. He was putting on a show for Sebastian like he'd done for Holden, only when he'd done it years ago, it hadn't ended well. Tonight might be different.

  “We were about to play strip parcheesy,” B told Sebastian.

  “No, we weren't.” Mariss lifted the food out of the bags. Trying to ignore Sebastian as he picked up her shoes and set them neatly against the wall, she sorted through the meals they'd order. She found her food and popped the top off. “How's Brenda?” she asked.

  “I wouldn't know. She went back to her husband about a month ago. I haven't spoken to her since.”

  “That's interesting.” It was really anything but, though she'd expected Sebastian to keep the old woman around longer than that. “Did she get too old for you?”

  Sebastian sat on the floor across from her. She raised her eyebrow at him and he grinned slow and deliberate. She was still furious with him, but somehow, the butterflies in her stomach hadn't gotten the hint.

  “She got tired of living in your shadow, I suppose.”

  “You really are trying to get me killed,” Mariss muttered. “B, I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow to find out the sex of the baby. Do you want to come with me?”

  Sebastian looked from her to the man coming into the room behind her with plates. His eyes spoke of his desire to be the one to go with her, but she ignored him.

  “Sure. What will you name him if it's that boy you want?”

  Mariss smiled. “Holiss,” she said.

  “Been thinking about that hard haven't you?” B chuckled.

  “Not really.”

  “I like it,” Sebastian said. “It's a good name.”

  “Glad you approve,” Mariss said sarcastically. She knew he was trying, but her give-a-damn was broken. “Maybe I should run my parenting ideas by you and see what you think of those too.”

  “There's no need to be rude, Mariss.” Sebastian waved B away when he offered him a plate. “I won't be staying long if Mariss' insufferable attitude has anything to do with it.”

  “From what I hear, you deserve it.”

  B sat next to her and helped his plate with food. Mariss did the same. The smell of the food made her stomach growl.

  “Finally something that doesn't make me want to be sick. So far, it's red velvet cake and chinese food.”

  “You've been eating cake?” Sebastian asked.

  Mariss nodded. “Whenever I can. Red Velvet makes me want to smash.”

  B grinned. “I should have ordered Red Velvet cake.”

  “You don't need it.”

  Sebastian grunted and looked at his phone. “That'll be Nora,” he said. “I should go.”

  “Have fun,” Mariss said. He saw himself to the door.

  “I'll see you soon, Red.” His tone was clipped.

  “I hope not.”

  He was gone with the slam of the door.

  “Wow. So you really like him, then, huh?”

  “Shut up and eat, B.”

  Mariss carried the plates to the sink a few hours later. B had put on a TV movie for them to watch while they ate.

  “I have a dishwasher, you know,” B said from the doorway.

  “For two dishes?” Mariss pulled the dishwasher open to find it full. There was only room for about two plates left. “Been saving that up for a while, haven't you?”

  She slipped the plates inside in the only place they would fit. After she filled the soap dispenser, she closed the door and started the machine.

  “You're stalling,” B said. He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the wall. “You've changed a lot, Mare.”

  “I have. I had to. I run my own business. In New York.”

  “I like this new you, but it may take some getting used to.” B pushed away from the wall. Mariss could almost feel him as he approached her. He didn't hesitate to kiss her.

  Mariss leaned back against the counter. She wrapped her arms around B's neck and kissed him back. His hands rested easily on her hips, warm, solid, and familiar. He smelled and tasted like chinese food.

  “I'm going to take you to bed now,” B chuckled.

  “You do that.”

  He took her hand and led her back to the bedroom. His hands were rough in hers. She smiled. Pulling him to a stop in the middle of the hall, Mariss backed herself against the wall.

  His hands against her skin where he pushed her blouse up over her hips reminded her of Holden's. The caluses abraded her flesh and sent tingles dancing across it. She unbuttoned her own shirt, let it fall off her shoulders and onto the floor. Her skirt followed.

  “You wear stockings?” B asked, breaking away to look at her mostly naked body. “That's hot. Leave them on.”

  Mariss chuckled and shook her head. She pulled his lips back to hers.

  B was gentle. Unlike Holden or Sebastian, he took his time. Petting, kissing, touching. She pulled his shirt over his head and dropped it to the floor as she backed to the bedroom.

  B scooped her up and carried her to the room. He lay her back against the bed. His body hovered over hers. Where Sebastian would have pulled her hair, B caressed her body with long, languid strokes. Where Holden would have bitten her collar bone, B pressed kisses along her jaw and down her throat. Where Mariss would have begged for him to go harder, she let him take his time. Slow and steady. It was a strange satisfaction. Neither Sebastian nor Holden failed to make her feel desired when they made love to her, but B showed her a new way to find satisfaction. Mariss didn't yearn for Sebastian's spicey scent to envelope her when B's cool musk assaulted her senses. She didn't need Holden's commanding voice in her ear when B whispered sweetly about all the ways he'd always wanted to be with her.

  B palmed her breast, running the pad of his finger over her nipple. Mariss shuddered at the simple arousal of it. She didn't need rough and forceful all the time. This time, she was content as he sucked her nipple into his hot mouth. She arched her back into him. Her hands tugged at his hips, uging him to enter her. He acquiesced, sliding gently into her depths. Mariss groaned.

  “Let me know if I hurt you,” he grunted.

  Mariss breathed a small laugh. “You won't. I promise.”

  B buried his face in her neck. “Do you know how long I've wanted this?” he grunted.

  Mariss felt him move within her. He wasn't as big as Holden or Sebastian, but he wasn't small by any means.

  “I think I have an idea,” she replied. His teeth scraped across her shoulder. Mariss wrapped her leg around his hip, pulling him deeper into her. Moaning against his shoulder, she matched his rhythm with her own.

  “Mariss…”

  His body tensed and she felt him come inside her. B panted, his heavy breath making her skin dewy, but he wouldn't look up. Mariss pushed at his chest, slightly disappointed.

  “It's alright,” she said softly. She pushed at his chest until he lifted his head.

  “Sorry,” he murmured. “I swear I'm better than that.”

  Mariss smiled. “I believe you. You've been waiting for a long time. Why don't we get a shower, relax, and try again?”

  B shook his head and kissed her shoulder. “Alright.”

  “Let me have a few minutes and you join me.” B rolled away from her. Mariss didn't look back at him as she walked naked to the bathroom and started the shower. She pushed the door to, and stepped under the spray. Breathing deeply, she forced her sexed up body to relax. She reached between her legs caressing herself. Mariss
moaned at the contact, even though it was self-induced. If Sebastian had been here she'd have at least gotten off. But he had been, and she'd run him off.

  It was better for her and the baby this way. Mariss leaned against the shower wall. She wasn't really trying to get herself off, but once she started she didn't really want to stop. She was so frustrated that it didn't take long to get herself off, though it was decidedly less satisfying than it could have been.

  B pushed the curtain aside a moment later and joined her.

  B's thumb stroked gently over Mariss' bare stomach where her baby bump seemed prominent after all the food she'd eaten.

  “Would Holden be mad at you if he knew about this?” he asked.

  Mariss turned to look at him. His dark brown eyes searched hers. “Why are you asking?” she wanted to know. “Do you feel bad about it?”

  “A little,” he nodded. “I mean, if I'm honest, he did say that even when he was dead I'd better never come around.” He shrugged.

  “You came around anyway.”

  “Not for this.”

  “Don't lie to me, B. We both know that you wanted this to happen.”

  “Okay. I've always wanted to be with you, but I see now that we were always going in opposite directions. We still are, but I'm in town for a while with work. I thought we could get to know each other again.”

  “B, I'm not interested in starting a relationship with you.” Mariss rolled onto her side so she could see his face. “We're friends and we can be sex partners, but I don't feel anything else for you.”

  “You're in love with Boa, aren't you?”

  Mariss chewed the inside of her lip. “I'm not ready to admit that yet.”

  He grinned. “You always were careful to give your heart away. Is it true what they say about you and Boa? About the threesomes and stuff?”

  Mariss nodded. “Holden took me to one of Sebastian's fetish clubs.”

  “And he let you have sex with another man?” he asked. His tone was disbelieving.

  “Yes.”

  “And you're into that?”

  Mariss took a deep breath, trying to reign in her fury at the judgmental tone in his voice. “B, if you have a problem with it, I can go.”

  “I didn't mean it like that. I just… I don't think I can do that.”

  “I'm not asking you to.”

  “Will you go elsewhere for that? Is it something that you need or you won't be satisfied?”

  “No,” she said honestly. “It was something I wanted to try and liked, but I'm satisfied with one dick.”

  B smiled. “Well, I've been told it's good dick, so.”

  “I need to get home,” she said. “I need my rest with the baby.”

  “The baby doesn't bother me,” B said, his eyes tender. “I just want you to know that. I don't know what happened with Boa, and I know you don't need my help, but if you need anything, I will help you.”

  “Thanks, B.”

  Sebastian's tall form leaned against her apartment door when Mariss arrived home that evening. It wasn't very late, but she was too tired to deal with him. She didn't say anything as she unlocked the door and let them both inside.

  Mariss dropped her bag and keys on the table behind the sofa and turned to the silent man in her home. She watched Sebastian take in the space. His eyes roamed over everything, missing nothing.

  “You decorated this,” he said simply, but the words held more meaning than Mariss got out of them.

  “Yes. Holden approved.” She folded her arms over her chest. “Why are you here? I thought you had Nora for the evening.” Her tone was flat as she fought to keep the anger from her voice.

  Sebastian leveled his eyes on her. The way he looked at her… He was so unsure. Second guessing wasn't in his nature, but if Mariss had to guess, she was sure he was rethinking his position on his feelings for her.

  “Tonight was the first time in my life that I've lied about being with a woman.” He dropped a piercing gaze on her. “Nora didn't call.” Sebastian took a couple steps to close the space between them. “Did you fuck him?”

  Mariss nodded. “I did.” She watched a furious fire turn his face into a rage-filled canon.

  “How was it?” he sneered.

  “He was a little excited. It was alright.”

  Sebastian coughed a gruff laugh. “In other words, he finished. You didn't.” The satisfaction in his voice did nothing to cure her anger.

  “What do you care? I left you in London with no intention of ever speaking to you again.” Mariss turned away from him. She kicked her shoes off, leaving them in the middle of the floor. She half expected him to pick them up and set them against the wall again.

  “Must I continually be forced to tell you how I feel about other men putting their hands on you.”

  Mariss turned at his unexpectedly hostile tone. “What reason do you have to be angry with me?” she said. “I'm pregnant. You made it resoundingly clear that you want nothing to do with it. B would be the baby's father if I asked him.”

  “You're using him, is what you mean.”

  “No. I'm telling you the difference between you and him.”

  “The difference between he and I is that I can give you what you need.”

  He pressed farther into her personal space. Mariss hit him hard in the chest with the heel of her hand. Sebastian grabbed her wrist, growling with supressed fury. She jerked away from him, but he held her fast.

  “Why are you here?” she asked again, her voice rising.

  Sebastian forced her against him. His lips took hers in a ferocious kiss that had her kissing him back with a flurry of emotion. She didn't know exactly what she was feeling except that she wanted him inside her. Mariss almost ripped her blouse trying to get it over her head without undoing the buttons.

  Sebastian lifted her onto the table. He yanked her slacks down her hips and, with a mighty yank, her panties ripped away from her body. Mariss kicked her slacks onto the floor. This time, she braced herself, but there was no need. With a hand gripping her jaw so she was forced to look into his burning eyes, Sebastian pushed inside her, nice and slow. A growl rumbled in his chest, the pleasure of the moment doing nothing to abate his fury.

  Sebastian didn't release her as he picked up his pace. His hand stayed steady while his expression wavered, becoming one of desire and need. He was still angry. She saw it on the fringes, a steely presence behind his eyes. He pulled a ragged cry from her as he took her body, which she freely gave.

  They came together. Sebastian's body stilled over hers.

  “He can't do you like I can,” he whispered triumphantly.

  “Get out.” Anger and guilt rose up inside her. “Get out,” she said again, shoving him away.

  Sebastian turned from her, tucking himself away as he strode to the door, his gait steady and composed. He left her alone with the slamming of the door.

  Mariss let her useless legs give way and she fell to the floor in a puddle. It was several long moments before she was able to carry herself to the guest room to bed.

  CHAPTER TWENTY NINE

  THE PIANO

  The Red Wife, the book Mariss wrote chronicaling the pain of losing her husband, launched a month later. She'd rented a warehouse space for the release party and invited everyone she could think of. It was the first time in a few years that she'd put out a new book of her own.

  A red crystal chandelier hung over a sitting area or stark white sofas. A deep red rug covered the floor

  “So, great space,” Juliet said as she sipped her martini. “Great party. Great book. The only thing you need is the icing on the cake. Where's Bassy Bear?”

  Mariss shook her head. “The last time I saw him he was leaving my apartment. I doubt he'll come.”

  “But you invited him, right? How is he supposed to refuse, knowing you want him here?”

  “I don't want him here, the little fucker.”

  Juliet laughed again. “Yes, you do, or you wouldn't have invited him.”
>
  “I invited him because I knew he'd come even if he wasn't wanted.”

  “Perhaps. Where's B?”

  “He'll be here soon.” Mariss sipped her own virgin drink.

  “Oh look,” Juliet's tone went flat. “Sebastian's here. I told you.”

  Mariss looked up as Sebastian walked through the door. He'd dressed down tonight. He wore a red t-shirt under a white dress shirt that he'd left unbuttoned and a redish-brown leather jacket. And jeans. Sebastian was wearing jeans in public. Mariss smiled into her drink before she could stop herself.

  They hadn't left things on good terms. The last time they'd seen each other was at her place that night they'd had the best sex ever. He'd been texting her and sending her gifts of baby clothes and stuffed animals. Somehow, he'd found out she was having a boy. He'd probably charmed it out of Herbert.

  There was a smile on his face as he approached her. “Lovely party, Red.”

  Mariss stared, unsure of how to take his syrupy pleasant attitude. “Thanks.”

  Sebastian's smile widened. “You look lovely as well. I would expect nothing less from you.”

  “Listen, we need to talk,” she said before he could go any farther.

  “Absolutely. What is it you wish to discuss?”

  “Uhm.” Mariss faltered. What did she want to discuss? Technically, he hadn't done anything wrong. “Stop sending me stuff,” she blurted. “You can't just send all that stuff to my house like it's nothing.”

  “Sure, I can.” Sebastian tipped his head to the side, daring her to refute him. “Why can't I? You're having a baby, I'm sending you baby stuff. Did you get the gold pacifier yet?”

  “The one with the diamonds?” she asked. It had been delivered that morning. Mariss had every intention of keeping that one.

  “That's the one. I had Holiss' name inscribed on it. I saw it while I was in France and thought you might like it.”

  “Oh.” Where else would you get a gold, diamond encrusted pacifier?

  “Hey, Mare.”

  Mariss blinked. B approached her, coming around Sebastian's side.

  “Hey, B. Excuse us, Sebastian.” Mariss took B by the arm and tried to lead him away.