by Melody Anne
“I am so happy for you. I’ll never forget the day I signed the papers on my house. It was a dream come true. There is just such comfort in knowing it’s yours and no one will take it away. It’s been a good house for me. Marco and I have decided to start fresh, both of us selling our homes and getting a new one together where we can make new memories, but I will always hold my first home close to my heart,” Sandra said as the two of them got into Ari’s brand-new Lexus, a wedding gift from her husband.
Ari would usually have been irritated he’d spent so much, but since it wasn’t in the six-figure range, and as the day was clear and sunny and she was driving with the top folded down, she couldn’t be upset. She loved the car way too much.
“This is wonderful,” Sandra said, relaxing in the passenger seat as they began moving slowly through the city.
“I know. Rafe spoils me,” Ari said with a smile as they pulled up to a store. “I love how much he loves me, Mom. That makes everything seem perfect, though I know it won’t always be that way. We will have our fights, but I believe we can make it through anything that comes our way.”
“Just remember that, and the two of you will have a good marriage. A lot of relationships fail because one or the other in the relationship tries to smother the other one or they don’t listen to their partner. That can only lead to resentment.”
“Is it difficult to marry a man when you are so set in your ways?” Ari asked.
“You would think so, but Marco and I have dated a long time now, and we both understand that we have businesses that are important to us. We get to share our days when we get home in the evening and it’s almost effortless. I truly love him,” Sandra said, a sparkle in her eyes that Ari hadn’t seen in years. “He can’t wait for us all to get together, but he went to a convention in Las Vegas. He’ll be home tomorrow and then we will all have dinner.”
“I’m so glad you have someone, Mom. Truly I am. I really like Marco. He’s a good man with a big heart. I love that he puts a sparkle in your eyes. Not to mention on your ring finger.”
“Thank you, Ari. That means a lot to me. You mean a lot to me, and don’t you ever forget that.”
They spent the rest of the day going to different stores and buying items that would make her feel at home, and then ended it by getting manicures and pedicures and having dinner together at their favorite Mexican restaurant. The food was greasy and cheesy — a perfect way to end their day. It was just what both of them needed; since they’d been so busy of late, they hadn’t spent nearly enough time with one another.
Ari had missed her mom. She was grateful that they lived in the same city, so they could visit often. Too many people failed to value the importance of family. Ari was lucky enough to have married a man who loved his family and understood how important her relationship with her mother was.
By the time their evening came to a close, Ari wasn’t quite ready to say goodnight, but she knew they’d see each other soon enough. After letting her mom tour her future home, she dropped Sandra off and then drove back to Rafe’s place. Soon, she’d be in the new house and she couldn’t wait.
“Mom absolutely loves the new house,” Ari said as she stepped from her car, seeing Rafe standing on the front steps to greet her.
“I hope you had a good day with your mother. It’s been a while and I can’t wait to see her again,” he said, coming down the steps so he could escort her inside.
“She feels the same about you. And it was a perfect day. I really enjoyed driving my sleek new car. I don’t think Mom wanted to get out of it,” she said, making him beam.
“I knew you would love it,” he said before kissing her, unable to hide the contentment he felt that she liked her wedding present so much.
“Yes, you know me well. We spent the day shopping and I picked out some great decorations for the house. They will look fantastic.”
“I can’t wait to see everything,” he said, taking her hand and leading her inside. She knew it would bore him to pieces, but she appreciated that he said it anyway.
They walked inside as the telephone rang, and after putting her bags in the living room, Ari stepped into the kitchen and sat at the island with a cool glass of wine while she waited for Rafe to join her.
When he entered the room, his smile was gone and she stood up, instantly concerned.
“Is everything OK?” she asked.
“No. That was my mother. She hasn’t heard from Rachel all week and she’s worried.”
“Have you tried to call her?” Ari asked, instantly on alert.
“No, but Mom has with no success. I think it’s time we head back over there. I don’t like this,” Rafe said.
“When do you want to leave?” Now that the euphoria of her wedding and honeymoon were over, the worry for Rachel came crashing to the forefront of everything. It was obvious that Rachel cared about Adriane, but maybe the king wasn’t capable of caring for Rachel in the same way.
Of course Ari would respect whatever decision Rachel made, but she had a feeling her sister-in-law needed her, needed all of them. If Adriane did reject her, it was going to hurt. Ari knew how much it hurt not to have the love of the man you were giving your heart to.
“Tonight?” Rafe said as he looked her way.
“Let me pack a bag.”
Family came first. Of course they would go to Rachel. There was no question where Ari’s priorities lay.
“What about Lia? Have you heard anything from her since she and Shane took off?”
“Nothing more than the email telling me they eloped. Shane has some explaining to do,” Rafe said, his eyes narrowing.
“It seems that eloping is the thing of the hour. My mother and Marco eloped, too.”
“That’s wonderful, Ari. We will send them a wedding gift,” Rafe said, though the smile didn’t reach his eyes. The call from his mother must have really shaken him up. She squeezed his arm as she tried to distract him.
“Mom did love my car…” she said with a teasing grin.
“Done.”
“I was kidding, Rafe. She will beat you over the head with a cast-iron skillet if you buy her something so extravagant,” she said. She should have known better than to make that kind of joke around her husband.
“Then I’d better get a helmet.”
Ari knew she wouldn’t be able to talk him out of it. Secretly, she was pleased with his generosity, but she didn’t want him thinking he had to do things like that. Still, her mom had given up a lot to raise Ari, and Ari could hardly deny her such a wonderful gift.
“You know, you should give Lia a break. She loves Shane and he loves her.”
The two of them were moving to the stairs as they spoke. Getting to Rachel was important, but they didn’t think that she was in danger, just that she needed them to be there with her.
“I have no issue with them marrying. But my mother is crushed that she wasn’t there. She would have liked to help Lia plan the wedding and to see her walk down the aisle.”
“Some women don’t want a fuss made,” she told him as they entered their bedroom.
“When you have a family as big as ours, that just isn’t an option,” he said.
“You’ll forgive her because you love her and Shane.” She leaned up on her tiptoes to nuzzle his neck.
“How can I stay irritated when you keep touching me?” he asked, finally softening just the tiniest bit as he wrapped his arms around her.
“You can’t. That’s the plan,” Ari told him. She reluctantly pulled back, loving that she’d been able to pull him from his dark mood.
“Thank you, Ari.”
“For what?” she asked as she reluctantly let him go and moved toward her closet.
“For knowing exactly what to say to take my stress away. You are good for me in so many ways.”
She turned and faced him. “I’m a better person for having you in my life. Now, you call the jet and have your staff ready it, and I’ll gather our clothes.”
Ra
fe smiled and grabbed his phone. They had a long night ahead of them, and he wasn’t about to waste it.
Chapter Forty-Three
Adriane stormed into the palace, heading straight for his study with a scowl on his face. How dare she!
He’d been more than accommodating. He taken time out of his day for Rachel, much to the distress of his council during a time that his brother was making a bid for power. He had shown her his country, taking her deep into the heart of the island, showing her the farms, the small factories, the people. He’d showered her with gifts, attention, and anything else her heart desired.
Why did she have to be so contradictory? Why couldn’t she just accept that this was her life now, this was the way it needed to be?
Because she was a woman — irrational.
Adriane was glad his mother wasn’t around, and very grateful he hadn’t said his thoughts aloud. If his mother overheard him now, she’d wither him with a single look.
Rachel was in no way being abused, so what was wrong with her that she couldn’t just accept they were to wed?
He would raise his children!
Through with his chaotic thoughts, Adriane decided to douse his foul mood with a few shots of whiskey. Walking to the nearest liquor cabinet, he poured himself a generous amount and moved over to the couch.
This would all be so much easier if he could keep his feelings separate from the situation. But he couldn’t seem to do that; he couldn’t stop thinking of her, day and night.
The past few nights had been spectacular. Sex was certainly not something they had any trouble with. Quite the opposite, in fact.
All Rachel had to do was enter a room and his body hardened and his heart rate accelerated. Even after their passionate encounters, several times a day over the last few days, he hadn’t had enough — not nearly enough.
Even with anger wreaking havoc inside him, he was still hard for her, still wanted to haul her off to bed and ravish her again and again. Perhaps it would be easier for him to tie her up in the bedroom, the only place he seemed to have any control over her.
Would their children suffer if he continued to insist on this marriage? Was she really that unhappy with him? He’d thought he was being good to her, but maybe she still believed him a monster.
How could she make love to him night after night if she despised him?
Even as the thought flitted through Adriane’s mind, he knew he had used women before. He’d lain with many — a long line of nameless faces — just to have his needs met.
Walking away from those nameless faces hadn’t been difficult to do, not even a little.
So was that what she was doing? Was she scratching her itch, so to speak?
The thought made his chest feel hollow. But why should he care? If it made her stay, he didn’t need to have her be in love with him. Love could end in hate; it could end in bitterness and divorce. Wouldn’t it be even harder for him if he got to spend every day with his children for a few years only to have them taken away when she decided she’d had enough?
No, it was wiser to not involve love.
He felt confident in his conclusions.
But as he stood there, he felt somehow empty at such a thought. Gazing out the window, he realized it was too late for him. He didn’t know if this was love, but he did feel something for her. It wasn’t just friendship, and it wasn’t just great sex.
There was more to what he was feeling for this woman who defied him every chance she got. Was this what love was all about? Was this that mythical emotion people spoke of?
It couldn’t be, could it?
How could he be in love with her? She exasperated him — tormented him — angered him almost as much as she heated his blood. If she weren’t carrying his children, he wouldn’t even think of marrying her, would he?
That thought caused physical pain to rip through his stomach.
What was going on with him? Adriane took another long swallow of his whiskey, hoping it soothed this strange emotion inside the hollowness.
“I see my sister isn’t making life easy for you.”
Adriane turned to find a smug-looking Rafe standing in the doorway, looking pointedly at Adriane’s nearly empty glass. How the man had managed to charm his staff enough to get in to his private study unannounced, he didn’t know.
“Your sister is certainly a handful,” Adriane said as he moved back to the cabinet and refilled his glass before offering one to Rafe.
“Don’t mind if I do,” Rafe said, stepping up beside him.
A deep panic started in Adriane’s stomach as he began to wonder why Rafe was there. Had Rachel called him — asked to be picked up? Hadn’t he decided that if she refused to stay past this point, he would let her go? What else could he do, after all?
Just the thought of her leaving stirred him up within. No!
“What are you doing back here so soon?” Adriane asked, trying to control his tone.
“Can’t a friend stop by for a visit?” Rafe asked instead of answering.
“I’m not in the mood, Rafe,” Adriane said.
Rafe studied him for several long moments before downing the contents of his glass and walking over to the sofa to make himself comfortable. Adriane couldn’t sit, not with the way his gut was churning. He almost wished it were olden times, and he could hop on his trusty steed and ride off to do battle with the enemy.
Even going mano a mano with modern-day terrorists seemed pretty appealing at this particular moment. Anything to work off this frustration.
“Do you love my sister, Adriane?”
Stunned that those words had come from Rafe’s mouth, Adriane turned toward the man who had been his friend for so many years — actually, he’d really been more of a cold and calculating business acquaintance. Rafe had changed.
Yes, there was still the gleam of the ruthless businessman in his eyes, but if you looked a little deeper, there was a peacefulness there too. Adriane didn’t know what to think about that, but obviously Rafe had been hit by Cupid’s arrow.
“We’re having twins together,” he said, avoiding Rafe’s question.
“That’s not news, Adriane, and also not what I’m asking, as you’re well aware.”
“I don’t love anyone,” Adriane said, though that was possibly a lie. His feelings were none of Rafe’s business.
Rafe was silent as he studied Adriane, who suddenly felt as if he was being carefully scrutinized beneath a high-powered microscope.
Adriane was king of Corythia. He didn’t squirm!
Standing tall, he squared his shoulders and owned his answer. It might not be the answer Rafe wanted to hear, but at least he was being honest. OK, a nagging thought in the back of his mind told him he was being anything but honest — which was the heart of his problem.
“I don’t think you’re telling the truth, Adriane. I think you have deeper feelings than you care to admit. Whether or not you want to share them with Rachel is up to you. Man to man, though, I’ll be honest with you. If Rachel wants to go home, nothing will stop me from taking her with me.”
“I appreciate the warning,” Adriane said, his voice dull. “It is her choice to leave or not.”
With that, Adriane walked from the room. He couldn’t stand there with her brother any longer. He couldn’t face being reminded that she might leave him.
He was sure his strange reactions were really nothing — a temporary spike of insanity brought on by the strange and fraught circumstances.
If only he could convince himself that’s all it was.
Chapter Forty-Four
Taking a breath of courage outside of Rachel’s door, Adriane felt his irritation grow. Why should he fear speaking to her? They were both adults.
Maybe if the two of them had been more honest with each other from the start, he wouldn’t be standing here afraid she was going to leave. He’d tried to be honest, surely he had, but what he was feeling was overwhelming. He didn’t understand it, didn’t trust it.
&n
bsp; The two of them would have a wonderful existence together, raising their children, and enjoying a healthy sex life. They had that department nailed down. Why couldn’t that be enough? Why did these strange emotions have to seep in and make him worry?
When he opened the door, she was in the middle of the room, her eyes slightly puffy — he assumed from lack of sleep. It certainly couldn’t be attributed to crying. She was strong and had nothing to cry about. Up until their fight earlier, they’d been getting along perfectly, for the last few days, at least.
As he moved near her, the scent of her shampoo drifted around him, making him lose track of what he’d just been thinking about.
Damn!
Focus, he ordered himself silently.
Rachel didn’t say anything; she just waited to see what he’d come to her for. Her expressive eyes seemed almost haunted, afraid. He couldn’t understand what had happened this afternoon, why she’d had such an about-face in moods.
He could understand her silence after their fight, though he still didn’t understand the fight itself, or how it had started. Why was she so angry with him for caring about how she was feeling? If she was sick, he wanted her treated. It was ridiculous that she should take offense at his concerns.
“Your brother is here.”
That isn’t what he’d intended to say, but it came out anyway. Walking to her wide windows and looking down at the grounds below, he told himself to breathe deeply and remain calm. It didn’t behoove a king to feel such a lack of control.
When he turned back to face her, she wore an impenetrable expression. Normally, he could read her fairly easily, but not now. Fear still shone in her eyes, but he didn’t understand what she was afraid of. Surely not him.
“I know. I just got done speaking with Ari, but I appreciate that you came here to tell me,” she finally said, with just the slightest hitch to her voice.
“I’m sure he would enjoy your company when you feel up to it.” They were both being so formal, it was ridiculous.