by Lee, Nadia
He led her to one of the guest bedrooms. “Close your eyes,” he murmured into her ear.
“What is it?”
“A surprise.”
Her limbs loosened. He wasn’t angry with her anymore. Afraid to ruin the moment again, she shut her eyes and let him guide her inside the room.
“Now.” His hands wrapped around her arms. His breath tickled the back of her neck. “You can look.”
Amandine blinked. A big easel dominated the center of the room. A stool squatted in front of it, and four armchairs made a semi-circle around the easel. “Oh my.”
“If it’s no good, I’ll have it redone,” he said.
“No. This is great.” She turned and put her arms around him, holding him close. “Thank you.”
He hugged her back. “You’re welcome. So you like it?”
“I love it.” She looked around, examining the art supplies. “You have all my favorite brands here. How did you know what to get?”
“A little bird told me.”
“A little bird named Brooke?”
“Possibly,” he said, smiling.
“I see.” Amandine rolled a stick of charcoal in her hand, smudging her fingertips. She couldn’t believe his thoughtfulness. If his aim was to seduce her into spending time with him, buying her art supplies was definitely not a smart tactic. She could spend hours and hours in her studio alone, and he knew that. Was this a way to try to give her some space within the marriage?
Then she recalled how encouraging he’d been about her going to college. She’d panicked at the time, but thinking back on it he hadn’t said a single discouraging word. In fact, he’d even volunteered to relocate so she could study.
Buy a penthouse in Palo Alto…work out of there…
He hadn’t hesitated, even though buying the kind of home he was accustomed to would cost a fortune…and then offered to pay her tuition regardless of whether they stayed together or not.
Had she been wrong to think he’d spent the entire time they were married throwing money at her? Relocating was a big deal. He had no reason to want to finance her college degree if they divorced. Granted it would be pocket change to him, but so what?
Her knees wobbly, she walked over and sat in front of the easel. Maybe she’d been too harsh. Though Catherine was the one he’d wanted at first, he genuinely seemed to be invested in their marriage now, especially with the baby on the way. He was devoted to his family, and he’d never abandon his baby or its mother. It just wasn’t in his nature.
Victoria’s advice had been spot-on. Amandine loved Gavin, and she had to learn to be the kind of wife she wanted to be. It’d be unfair to expect him to distance himself from his friends and family just because she felt unsophisticated and unaccomplished around them. Going to college would be the first step, albeit a small one. She could learn to be comfortable in the fancy clothes she was expected to wear. She could learn about the wine vintages and classical music and jazz his friends liked so much. She could be more engaged and talkative around his family, rather than withdrawing, hoping nobody would notice what kind of a fraud she was.
Time to start being proactive.
She stood up and did a slow three-sixty of the room. “Gavin, thank you. This is great!” She went to him and kissed him deeply, with gratitude, affection, love and want. He responded, his tongue entwining with hers in searing desire. His big, hot palms skimmed over her sides and lowered until they cupped her butt and squeezed. She moaned, loving his blatant need for her.
Suddenly, he pulled away. “Before we get more carried away, I have something else I want to show you.”
“Is it going to self-destruct in the next thirty minutes?”
“No.”
“Then it can wait.”
She pushed him backward until he sat in one of the plushy armchairs and kissed him while settling herself in his lap. Another kiss. Everything about him fitted her perfectly, like he was a man tailor-made just for her. She loved it that for at least this moment, he was wholly focused on her and that nothing could divert his attention.
Mine.
His lips traveled along her jaw line, tracing the soft clean lines there. She spread her hands over his chest. Through the silken shirt, she could feel his heart thump against her palm.
Slowly, he pushed away the shoulder straps that held her dress up. His fingers ran along her body, dragging the fabric lower. He undid the clasp of her satin red bra, pushing it out of the way and cupping her breasts. “God, they’re stunning. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to their beauty.”
She blushed, his words turning her on more. Wet heat intensified in her sex, and she squirmed, wishing he were already inside her.
“Patience,” he murmured. “Let me make it good for you.” He pulled a pointed nipple into his mouth and trapped it between the roof and tongue and sucked hard, the edge of his teeth scraping the sensitive tip.
She threw her head back and moaned as fiery sensation unfurled inside her. Careful not to dislodge her nipple from the heaven that was his mouth, she shimmied out of her dress and panties and tossed them aside. She unbuckled his pants, going by feel, and ran the backs of her hands over the hot, hard shaft. Her sex pulsed in anticipation.
She ran her forefinger over the head of his cock, spreading the fluid from the tight slit. He groaned, the vibration from the strained sound making her toes curl with pleasure. She pulled upward then seated herself slowly on his erection. It was almost effortless, but nonetheless delicious. She felt herself being filled and stretched; a breath shuddered out of her. She was so primed for him, she could come in no time at all.
“Jesus, you’re hot. Tight.”
Her sex clenched. “You feel incredible.”
“Use me.” His hands gripped her ass and helped her move up and down his cock. “Make yourself come.”
She set the pace, trying to draw out the moment as much as possible. He was large and iron-hard, and the friction of his flesh sliding against hers made her tighten her inner muscles, trying to grip him harder.
He thumbed her clit and rubbed it to the rhythm she set. “Oh my god,” she moaned.
“Come on, my sweet. Come for me.”
At his darkly whispered encouragement, a tidal wave of orgasm engulfed her. She arched her pelvis, grinding against him, as she threw her head back and screamed her pleasure.
His arms tightened around her, and he buried his face in her breasts as a loud groan tore from his chest. He plunged hard into her body once more and lost himself.
Yes, yes, yes!
“Oh my,” she said when the fiery haze had cleared. “That was amazing.”
He kissed her on the mouth. “You’re amazing.”
She snuggled closer. Something square in his pants poked her leg, and she pulled back. “By the way, what was it that you wanted to show me?”
“Oh yeah. It arrived while we were out.” He took out a white box from his pocket.
Her heart sank a bit. “Gavin, the studio’s more than enough. You don’t have to get me stuff like this.”
He chuckled. “It’s not for you.”
“Oh?” She opened it and saw a simple white gold wedding band that matched the one on her finger. “Yours?”
He nodded. “I got a new one made. I know you’re upset about my losing it, and I should’ve been more careful. But since I can’t seem to find the original anywhere, I figured it was better to get it replaced than to go around ringless.” He wriggled his ring finger. “Looks lonely, doesn’t it?”
“Definitely.”
“Put it on.”
She pulled the shining band out of its slit and put it on his hand like she had at their wedding ceremony.
“There,” Gavin said. “Perfect.”
“It is.” Amandine smiled, though she couldn’t help a tiny little unease settling in her gut at the thought that Catherine must be keeping Gavin’s original ring. “It is.”
* * *
Gavin and Amandine settled into a da
ily pattern fairly quickly. She liked that more than forcing themselves to be on some kind of special honeymoon schedule, where they frenetically spent all their waking hours going from one diversion to another together, especially since Gavin said the second honeymoon would last as long as she wanted.
Their routine was leisurely and more like the life they could have had if Gavin would just cut back his working hours. They got up at around eight, shared a breakfast platter on the balcony together, then Gavin worked on whatever that required his attention while she spent the morning in the temporary studio. Months without painting had apparently produced a pressure cooker situation for her creativity. She couldn’t stop coming up with ideas for things she wanted to paint. Gavin insisted on lunch at twelve thirty sharp. Amandine was certain he never ate this regularly in L.A. Most likely he was doing this for the baby in her womb.
Fern always prepared something both tasty and nutritious. Though Amandine was no expert, she could tell by looking at the variety of lean meat and fish, fresh vegetables and fruit served every day. After lunch, if they were up for it, they’d go to the beach or look for Lou so they could spoil him. Sometimes they lounged by the pool with cold drinks made of young coconut juice, just to relax. Oftentimes Amandine dozed for an hour or so in the afternoon. She wasn’t a napper, but these days a little extra rest felt right.
Evenings, however, was something else. They put everything away and shared a relaxing meal of whatever Fern made, then walked along the beach and made love, whether on the beach or back in the house.
He was an unpredictable lover. Some nights he was ravenous for her, others lazy and slow. But no matter his mood, he was always careful not to be too rough with her and to be thorough enough that she couldn’t even think straight from pleasure.
The pregnancy was changing Amandine’s reaction to Gavin’s touches. Her breasts were heavier and more sensitive, while her womb seemed to have expanded already, although she wasn’t showing yet, making Gavin feel bigger and fuller inside her.
“It’s worrisome,” she remarked when she could speak again after a particularly strong orgasm.
Gavin traced a gentle curve along her breasts and stomach with a long-stemmed plumeria. “What is?”
“I seem to have grown smaller.” When he looked at her inquiringly, she added, “Down there.”
“Oh. I don’t think it’s anything to worry about. You still feel incredible.”
She chuckled. “I wasn’t worried about that. I was thinking about the delivery.”
He buried his face in her neck and inhaled her scent. “Don’t worry,” he whispered in her ear as he teased her nipples.
Every tweak sent streaks of electricity throughout her body, all the way to the tips of her toes. Her breathing grew uneven; heat pooled between her legs again.
“I’ll make sure you have the best medical care in the world. You and the baby are going to be fine.”
He kissed her softly at first, then deeply, hungrily, as though they hadn’t just made love only moments before.
She pulled his tongue, sucked on it. The more he wanted her, the more she wanted him back. Was it the same for him? Were they fueling each other?
His hand slipped between them, and he groaned. “God, you’re so wet.”
“And you’re so hard,” she whispered, feeling his thick erection pressing against her.
She spread her legs eagerly in welcome; he pushed in gently and smoothly, helped by her desire-slick heat.
The lines of his face grew sharper and starker as he moved. The muscles in his shoulders flexed, sweat beading on his taut skin. “Amandine…Amandine, my sweet.”
Her name was a mantra on his lips as he took them both to the pinnacle. She clung to him, her nails digging into his shoulders as she convulsed around him, her teeth cutting into her lower lip.
With a shudder, he emptied into her, his mouth pressed against her bare neck. His hot breaths fanned her pulse. “My sweet, my sweet. Mine.”
She stroked his head, tunneling her fingers into his thick, soft hair. At moments like this, nothing could stop her from feeling desired. Almost loved.
Chapter Fifteen
ONE EARLY MORNING while Amandine slept, Gavin tapped a few keys on his laptop and studied the spreadsheet that came up. Unbelievably enough, not only was his firm still functioning, it was making a great deal of profit. He had to give credit to Pete. The kid was doing a bang-up job. Maybe Gavin had underestimated his brother-in-law’s initiative and hunger. It was clear that Pete should be given more responsibilities.
Gavin leaned back, experiencing a vague sense of discontent mingled with relief. Not that he was unhappy that the firm could run without him, but he felt vaguely…superfluous.
His phone rang. Ethan.
“Where are you?” Ethan asked.
“Our place in Thailand. Why?”
“Because you aren’t at the firm. Hilary emailed me you were out of the office indefinitely when she got my package. I thought you got hit by a truck or something.”
Gavin snorted.
“Don’t ever worry me like that again.”
“I do occasionally take a vacation here and there, you know.”
“For weeks at a time? And without a definite end date? It’s never happened before.” Ethan paused. “You’re okay, right?”
“What else could I be?” My wife wants to leave with my baby, and I have less than three months left to convince her to stay.
When she clung to him in passion every night, he could almost believe he would be able to change her mind, that she knew how much he treasured her. Women like Amandine didn’t quiver in desire at just any man’s touch. She had to feel something for him. The question was: was sex, however good, enough to sustain their marriage?
He didn’t dump it on his older brother. Ethan had more than enough on his plate already.
“What was in the package?” Gavin asked. “It must be important.”
“It is, which is why I sent it to your office. That’s the only way I can be sure you’ll get it.”
“Hey, I’m not that bad at checking the home mail.”
“Yeah, if you’re ever at home. I’m calling a meeting with The Lloyds Development’s board of directors,” Ethan said. “There are some things we have to discuss. Publicly. About The Lloyds Development’s financials.”
Gavin scowled. If his older brother felt the need to call a board meeting, then the situation must be pretty serious. “Let me guess. Jacob fucked up.”
“Basically.”
“How bad?”
“Well…‘Uncle Tony may have to give up his new yacht’ bad.”
“You gotta be kidding.”
The Betsy Doll was Tony’s latest love. Ever since his doctor put him on a horrific deprivation diet and forbade him from eating the bacon, sausages and other rich food that had nearly destroyed his heart, Tony had decided he’d make up for the loss by spending as much money as possible on all sorts of frivolous crap. It was fine when Tony was flush from the quarterly payments from The Lloyds Development. But if the cash dried up, he was screwed. He didn’t have any other source of income and was too old to rejoin the workforce, not that there were jobs around that would pay him enough to maintain his current level of consumption. Gavin didn’t have to be his uncle’s accountant to know he was heavily leveraged and most likely overextended.
Then there were the others in the family. Some had separate income streams, but many did not. They weren’t as leveraged as Tony, but it’d hurt to lose the money coming in from The Lloyds Development.
A first-world problem, but a problem nonetheless.
“Anyway, the meeting’s going to be in Houston,” Ethan said. “We can talk more later, but check your email for the deets.”
“Will do. By the way, has Pattington managed to locate Jacob?” Pattington headed the PI firm the Lloyds had on retainer. He was the only one discreet enough to handle the matter with the delicacy that the family expected.
“Nop
e. Nothing yet.”
“Have you ever thought about hiring other firms?”
“What would be the point? If Pattington can’t find him, nobody can.”
Gavin sighed. That was probably true enough.
“Gotta go. I have a meeting. See you in Houston.”
Gavin rubbed his temples. God damn it. A private family disgrace apparently wasn’t enough. He couldn’t tell which was going to be worse, the scandal involving the bigamy or the fallout from the poorly run family business. Either was humiliating enough, but both together? Exponentially so.
He should get ready to go back to the States, look into the funds he was setting up for the family. It had been on his agenda, though not at the very top of his priorities given the situation with Amandine.
But he should move things along faster. Why should Uncle Tony have to give up his lifestyle? Gavin considered his own bulging bank account. Nobody from the family would suffer any more than they had to because of Jacob’s mistakes.
* * *
Amandine drew back from the canvas, studying her work with satisfaction. Flecks of gold, orange and red and every other shade in between mixed with multiple shades of blue. The latter was inspired specifically by the gorgeous Andaman Sea. She’d never realized how ever-changing the color of an ocean could be until she and Gavin had come to the family vacation home.
Yawning, she stretched. Fatigue weighed on her body, and her head seemed as sluggish as a cold engine. How crazy was that? She’d slept over nine hours the night before. Painting always energized her, but apparently pregnancy hormones trumped everything now. Maybe after a light snack and a short nap she’d be able to get back to the canvas with more enthusiasm.
“New?”
She started and looked over her shoulder to find Gavin studying her painting. “Yeah. I started it after we got here.”
Gavin looked ruggedly yummy in an un-tucked khaki safari shirt and old denim pants. She’d always thought it was his suits that made him look unapproachably elegant and sophisticated, but the casual clothes he’d been wearing for the past few weeks didn’t lessen his impact. Instead, they seemed to accentuate a different facet of the man—something that reminded her of a blunt instrument that would destroy everything in its path to get the outcome it wanted.