Opulence

by Angelica Chase

  I stepped out with a smile. "Devin," I said in greeting.

  "Where the fuck have you been? I told you I needed to talk to you!" He was beyond angry. In fact, I’d never seen him so upset.

  "I’m here, talk," I snapped. "And just so you know, you have no say now or ever in anything that goes on in my life, including knowing my whereabouts and who I’m fucking. We broke up, and we were never really together," I said, looking up at him.

  It still hurt. His deep blue eyes studied me.

  "Nina, I don’t blame you for ending it. I don’t blame you for hating me, but this is important," he pressed as he pulled me by the shoulders so I was standing closer to him.

  "What?! Damn it, Devin, spit it out!" I said, exasperated.

  "The land you saw today, you need to get rid of it. My firm has made an offer. We want to buy it back." In his face, I saw fear quickly replaced by anger. "What the fuck were you doing there, anyway?"

  "That would be none of your business," I said defiantly. "The land is not for sale."

  He jerked me up by my arms, bringing me close to his face. "Listen to me, sell it to me. I’ll pay double."

  "No." I jerked my hand away. "What are you hiding, a dead body? I know that land has been sold and resold several times. What exactly is your issue with it?"

  "You cannot own it, Nina. It’s dangerous for both of us," he said, taking a cautious step toward me. "It belongs to Eileen’s family and when she finds out I flipped it for a profit and you are the current owner it will be hell for the both of us."

  "Oh, God, of course the wife." I rolled my eyes. "So this is why you needed a few extra days?"

  "Yes," he hissed, bringing me closer to him. I looked up into his eyes and was immediately transfixed. Devin was beautiful in any mood, but especially when he was angry. It turned me on the most. A whispered thought of Aiden drifted through my mind but I ignored it as the deep blue sea encompassed me. Devin leaned down and brushed his lips against mine, renewing my arousal.

  Still a shark, Nina?

  "Who you fuck is none of my business," he said, digging his fingers into my shoulders. "I’ve lost you."

  I snorted, quite unattractively. "Don’t play concerned now."

  "For a smart woman, you really are so naive."

  "Well, how about for just once you enlighten me!" He leaned in and bit my lip, sucking mercilessly before covering my mouth and taking it completely. I pushed at his chest and he didn’t budge as I kissed him back. His kiss deepened and gentled slightly as he fully tasted me. I moaned into his mouth as his arms trapped me to his body, a body I’d seen a thousand times and would never tire of.

  "Nina, ask me inside," he said, lifting me slightly so I felt the bulge in his pants. "I’ll be more than happy to enlighten you."

  "No," I said, pushing him away and taking several steps back, putting much needed space between us. "I am with someone else, fucking someone else. We are over, Devin. Stay away from me."

  His face twisted in rage as he took menacing steps toward me, making me flinch. Seeing my fear, he stopped where he was and stood, his hands on his hips, shaking his head as if he couldn’t believe my confession. I was no longer his possession. With a deep breath, he looked up at me.

  "Sell the property. Please just get rid of it. Save us both the hassle," he pleaded as all the fight left him.

  "Why do you stay with her?" I asked for the millionth time since the night I discovered them together.

  "Goodnight, Nina," he said, turning from me and getting into his car. He sat staring at the wheel before looking back up at me one more time and turning the ignition. I realized then that Devin was just as infuriating to me in his refusal to answer my questions as I had been to Aiden.

  Aiden. I needed to call him back.

  Devin sped away as I drug myself up to the door, dreading the conversation. Devin would always have a certain effect on me if I let him. And I had just let him. I couldn’t in good conscience call Aiden with my head swimming with Devin, his kiss still fresh on my lips. I opted to text.

  Nina: Wicked fight, I won. Call you tomorrow.

  Aiden: Not good enough.

  My phone rang and I considered ignoring it. But Aiden deserved better. He had been nothing but good to me.

  "Hi," I whispered, throwing my purse on my kitchen counter.

  "Do you love him?"

  "Don’t ask me that," I said with a sigh. "You won’t like my answer."

  The silence on the line lingered.

  "He was nothing but a damn bad idea. He’s the bad guy and in some fucked up way I’m drawn to it. He’s a shark and I let him turn me into one as well. I saw the signs and ignored them. I know that’s not what you want to hear. I don’t think I’ve ever made a good decision when it comes to a man. I kissed him, Aiden. But I won’t do it again."

  More silence.

  "Look, Aiden, if you don’t want to see me again, I’ll understand. I didn’t realize how much baggage I was bringing into this."

  "Come see me tomorrow," he said and hung up.

  I spent the next morning thinking about my next move. I should just sell the land. I didn’t want to give Devin any more reason to approach me. I was confident Violet could find me a similar plot. After all, Savannah was beautiful and full of similar places just as captivating. I fancied the idea of owning a small part of it, of developing, contributing something.

  That’s very unsharklike, Nina.

  I smiled.

  I texted Devin.

  Nina: Have your office send over the paperwork for the sale. One condition, you NEVER contact me again socially or otherwise.

  Devin: I’ll miss you, Nina.

  I laughed as I read it. Prick.

  All at once, I felt free. I spent my day at the gym thinking about Aiden and the apology I owed him. I didn’t want to lose the small connection we’d made. The sex was phenomenal so far and I was craving his touch. I hadn’t lost sight of how often I smiled when I was with him, how much more of myself I bared to him when we were together. I fucked up kissing Devin. I might have lost the only real shot at a relationship I’d had in years.

  But Aiden was still a mystery to me.

  I walked into The Mystic and immediately spotted Aiden. He was chatting up a beautiful blonde as they sat in the table next to the stage. I was unsure whether or not to approach him. I opted to sit at the bar and greet Dave.

  "Nina," he said with a wink.

  "I live here," I admitted.

  He laughed loudly. "I assumed as much," he said, grabbing the twenty I handed him as he sat my beer down. "I won’t ask."

  "Thanks." I smiled, my heart not behind it. I waited ten minutes, only looking over at Aiden once. I refused to let the jealousy seep through me. I had no right. Letting out a sigh, I finished my beer then picked my purse up to leave when I heard his voice behind me.

  "Naughty Nina," he greeted with contempt in his voice.

  I turned to look up at him. "I’m not playing games tonight, Aiden. If you are angry with me then just say so. You don’t have to parade around, flirting with other women. I am well aware you have the power to get laid anytime you want."

  "Aiden," the blonde from the booth whined as she walked up. "I didn’t think we were finished talking." She glared at me as I stared at her blankly.

  I braved a look at him and my lips parted. His eyes were fire, his jaw set like he was ready for war.

  "Karina, I will call you," he dismissed her as he kept his eyes on mine. She stomped off, grabbing her purse from the table and pushing past us as she left.

  "I’m sorry, Aiden," I said softly, "it was just a kiss. I am sorry, though. Excuse me." I stood to leave, knowing I wouldn’t be back.

  Seconds after I walked out I felt his hand take mine as he led me around the corner in the alley behind his club. He positioned me against the brick wall as he stared at me. I looked up at him, completely weak.

  "It really is ironic that you think you are a shark, Nina Scott," he said before backin
g me up, his fiery eyes ablaze with need.

  Well, he knows my last name.

  "I know I made it clear to you that I wanted to own this body, maybe I should have included this sexy fucking mouth, too," he said, sliding his hand up and cupping my chin. "But you never did give me an answer, did you?"

  My panties were soaked. I moaned as his breath hit my skin with every word.

  "No," I answered. "I didn’t." His smirk was full of menace. He wanted me to pay, of that I was sure.

  "Allow me to clarify which parts I want to own," he said, lifting my skirt slowly inch by inch. A group of people walked by laughing and turned our way. Aiden didn’t stop as he lifted it up further, exposing my white silk panties.

  "This." He cupped my sex roughly and I gasped out as the onlookers quickly walked past us. I stood, completely frozen, both mortified and absolutely on fire. I reached up to pull him to me to cover myself as he reached around, gripping my ass and squeezing with both hands. "This," he said pulling me to him and grinding into me slightly before thrusting me back against the brick.

  He pulled open my blouse button by button as I quickly looked around us, realizing we were being watched by every single passerby.

  "Aiden," I said, giving him big eyes.

  "I don’t give a fuck. I’m not finished," he said, completely oblivious. Once he finished the task of opening my blouse, he gripped my breast roughly. "These," he said as I moaned, arching my back into him.

  "And most definitely these," he said, biting my lips hard and punishing. I cried out, my eyes watering as he bruised them. He pulled back and ripped the silk of my panties completely away. I slid down against the wall and he brought me back up. "I think it’s time you gave me an answer," he said as he unzipped his pants. He turned us around quickly so his back was against the wall and lifted me up so my legs wrapped around him. I frantically looked around us until I felt the thick head of him invade me. Then nothing else mattered. I bit his shoulder as his slid his rock hard cock into me. Once fully connected, we both stared at each other in awe. My body vibrated around him.

  "So fucking good, Nina. Did you forget?" he slammed into me hard as I heard a gasp or two pass us by. I couldn’t stop him and I didn’t want to. Aiden slid down to the ground with us still connected.

  "I need you to give me an answer, Nina," he said, cupping my head and bringing me in for a kiss. Anyone who saw us now would simply see me straddling him, my skirt covering our indiscretion. He was deep as I writhed on top of him, but he wouldn’t move.

  "It was always going to be yes," I said quickly. Aiden had just completely claimed me. I didn’t need any more reasons to give in. I wrapped my legs around his back against the brick wall as we began to move.

  "Fuck, you feel so good. This pussy is so fucking perfect," he said as he eyed my chest. "Still, I’m so fucking mad at you," he warned, gripping my hips and slamming himself into me. I gasped as his eyes lit with satisfaction. He clenched my neck tightly, bringing my lips to his. His tongue traced my mouth before invading it as I got lost in his cock buried deep inside of me. "When you come all over my dick, naughty Nina, just remember you don’t deserve it, not tonight." He slammed into me again by gripping my thighs pulling me rougher to him. He licked his index and then stuck it into my mouth. I sucked it greedily as I rose and fell on his stone dick, the fire in his eyes spurring me on. "But I can’t help myself tonight, and I think I might have started a slight addiction of my own." He slipped his hand beneath my skirt, cupping my ass, spreading moisture over my back entrance. I gasped as he plunged his finger in without warning. I buckled and came with a scream as he clamped his hand over my mouth, bucking furiously as he spilled into me as we both rode it out. When we had both caught our breath, he slowly started buttoning up my shirt as we stayed connected.

  "You fucked me in the street," I breathed out, open mouthed and dazed.

  "Maybe it’s time you start taking me at my word," he said with a sardonic smile.

  "Maybe I will," I murmured as he got to the last button and kissed me gently.

  "So what’s your last name?" I sighed as he placed a soft kiss on my chin.

  "McIntyre."

  Nina, Devin and Aiden’s story continues in

  Reverence, Book 2 in The Excess Series, Coming Soon!

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  Anne Morrillo, my UK best friend. You pushy, pushy bugger! You are an amazing friend. Thanks for pushing me when you weren’t satisfied. Only you can get away with it because you know me so damn well, and when I have more to give you make sure to press it out of me. I love you for that.

  Stacy Hahn, you are the epitome of what a friend should be. I’m sorry you got stuck with me (LOL). I would be so lost without you.

  Julie Kerchof (seriously, Julie, you make me happy), Lina Linalove, Cindy Gordanier, Robert Williamson, Heather Oregon, Jessica Call and the rest of my Sexy Stalkers, thank you so much. It’s just amazing to have you rocking my books daily. Your support means everything.

  Christine from The Hype PR, thank you so much for teaching me the art of finesse, and for all of your amazing help.

  Edee M. Fallon, what can I say that I already haven’t? I guess I could just tell you that you are a genius and I love you.

  Yamara Martinez, I’ll always need your brutal honesty and gentle way of holding my hand. You amaze me with your patience. I love you and thank you.

  Juliana Cabrera, I would like to thank your son Matty this time. He lends you to me selflessly so that you can work your amazing magic. Thank you, Matty.

  Danielle Lefave, your enthusiasm for me and my writing makes every single headache worth it. I love you dearly, woman!

  Daizy Zorman, you rock my socks off. Thank you for loving me and my dysfunction.

  Beatriz Perez, what would I do without you? Thanks to your watchful eye, I never feel alone and

  I thank you for that.

  Sue Bee, Christy Baldwin, Beverly, Kelli C, Pam, Louise, Milasy, Sabrina, Allison, Cathy, Michelle, Suzanne, Marie, Lisa, Linda, Cindy, Patty, Heather and Robert — Thank you for giving this new one a whirl and for all your support on the last one. I’m so grateful.

  And to all the bloggers who have given this new series a chance and have taken the time to post a review, thank you so much. I really can’t believe how lucky I am.

  Did You Like Violet?

  Violet And Rhys Story Begins in Sexual Awakenings Series,

  Book 1 – The Waltz

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  I lit candles all over the house in only the scents he would tolerate. I covered our topiaries with soft, clear lights, and arranged fall flowers and large cornstalks into vases around the living room and porch. I loved fall, and by the way the house now smelled and had been transformed, it showed. Grabbing my pumpkin spice latte, I sat in my reading chair on the porch, watching the leaves sway in the cool breeze. I was already cold, but refused to go inside, soaking up the last of the sun as it made its way behind the trees, basking in the feeling in the air. Everything seemed clearer, crisper, and cold days were rare in the south this early in the season. Receiving an incoming message on my tablet, I tapped it, finding nothing new. He wouldn’t be home for dinner. It was a good thing I hadn’t bothered to cook. I knew better. A year straight of eating alone will do that to a woman. I opted for another night of wine and my vibrator.

  Once inside, I chose my favorite bottle of red and poured a healthy glass. Surveying my beautifully decorated home, I rolled my eyes. What was the point? Maybe he was right. The last time I had decorated for the holidays, my husband had asked that same question.

  “We don’t have any children. We hardly have company. Why even bother?”

  Prick. We didn’t have children because he had a vasectomy three weeks after our wedding without telling me, only for me to find out in the first of many viscous arguments that ensued. We didn’t have company because he wa
s too occupied keeping his own, busy with his constant need to stick his dick in their throats. It wasn’t enough for my husband to have one affair; he was in the midst of two.

  I was not a woman scorned. Fuck that. I was a woman who had been freed, and too lazy to leave him, having no desire to start another relationship or leave my beautiful home. Alex was never here, ever. What was the point of giving up my life for a ghost I barely lived with? I took my wedding ring off months ago. He never noticed because, in all honesty, I couldn’t remember the last conversation we had.

  And then I remembered.

  “You never loved me did you?” I asked as he entered the house after another late meeting.

  “Sure, I love you. Why are you acting so out of sorts?” He ran his hands through his hair, a signature move on his part that I used to find sexy. A stranger to me at that point when we had originally been so close, he stared at me as if I disgusted him, and I returned it. We had been best friends before we were lovers. We’d shared everything. I didn’t even recognize the man who now took his place. There was not a damn thing wrong with me or the way I looked. All of his fucked up issues of infidelity were his own.

  “I’m not an idiot. Don’t play innocent, Alex,” I snapped.

  “Drink your wine, honey,” he said dryly, pushing past me.

  That was our last conversation. When he was home, he called his mistresses from his office. I heard every word, because I listened. I listened to strengthen my resolve. I had already decided to ask for a divorce after Christmas. New Year, new life, I guessed. He would let me keep the house and I would let him keep most of his money. He had plenty of it, due to old money passed down from his parents, and his newfound success at his advertising firm. I supposed he thought that since I wanted for nothing, I should just accept my circumstances as a good little wife, go shopping, get pampered. The truth was, I mourned my relationship with my husband, or at least the man I knew before things fell apart. The most frustrating aspect was he refused to admit anything was wrong; the man that had proposed to me knew something was wrong with me before I did at times. He was attentive and nurturing and…human. My tears saddened him, my smiles and laughter fueled him. He’d loved me.