“You didn’t have to get me this. I know our marriage isn’t a conventional one.”
It soon will be.
Sitting up in his chair, he glanced around the room. Where had that thought come from?
The waiter brought their food. He enjoyed watching her eat.
“I don’t want you to get a job,” he said.
“What am I expected to do with my day?”
“Whatever you want. You’re my wife, and like I said, I don’t want you working.”
“Can we at least talk about it?” she asked.
“We’re talking about it now. The answer is no.”
He saw the clenching of her jaw and couldn’t help but laugh. “You really want to skin me alive, don’t you?”
“I think you’re being unfair.”
“Think what you want to, baby. Eat up because then we’re going shopping.”
“Shopping?”
Tony signalled the waiter to fill their glasses. “Yes. I’ve got a charity ball this Friday to go to, and you’re coming with me.”
“I can pick out my own clothes.”
“I know, but this time I want to be there with you.”
Actually, he hadn’t planned to take her shopping. Sitting with her had made him open his eyes. He wanted to spend more time with her. He didn’t want the moment to end.
When she went to the ladies’ room, he phoned his assistant and told him to cancel all of his afternoon meetings.
Looking at her empty plate a deep sense of happiness overcame him. Opal wasn’t like any of the women he’d known in his life. She ate food and was kind. He wanted to be with her.
You’ll ruin her. What you want will destroy every part of who she is.
She walked out, and he ignored the warning within him. Opal brought out the good in him.
Chapter Four
She spent the rest of the day with Tony. He took her from one shop to the other for her to try on clothes. Not once did he look at another woman, even though they stumbled over each other to impress the man splashing his cash. The shopping experience was the best she’d ever been on. Usually her mother would bring clothes home, and she’d be forced to go on a diet until she fit into the small garments.
Once or twice the women made a comment about not having her size available. Tony smiled and said he’d find someone who wanted his custom. One store tried to make out she was his sister. That had been the funniest moment of her life. He’d kindly informed them to shut down his account with them as he didn’t take kindly to his wife being described as his sister.
Finally, they stopped at a more select store. She had felt like a fat whale when the women circled and assessed her. In the new store it was completely different. They escorted him to the dressing rooms where they had a private room for each customer. There were mirrors all around the room with a sofa in the middle.
“Don’t you have to wait outside or something?” she asked.
“No, darling. We’re married, and I get the opportunity to watch you get dressed.”
“None of the other stores let you in the room,” she said.
“That’s because I pay for the best. The other stores were a lot less than desired.”
The woman walked in with her arms laden with clothes. “I’ve brought several evening gowns. I don’t have your size, Mrs. Hunt, but I’m sure we can find you something more than suitable.”
Opal was thankful most of her body was covered when she tried different gowns on. Tony left part way through to answer a phone call. The lady didn’t change in her attitude.
“Thank you,” Opal said.
“What for, honey?”
“We’ve been to a lot of stores today, and you’re the first one that’s been nice to me.” Opal smiled at the woman.
“Don’t worry about it. We’re the best at what we do.”
Her gown was in place, a modest black evening gown that moulded to every lump and bump.
“You look stunning.”
“Don’t you think I look fat?” she asked the woman.
“Honey, you have curves, not fat. Curves. Some women would die for the body you’ve got.”
Tony walked into the room. She watched him stop and stare at her.
“What do you think?” she asked him.
“That’s the dress for the event. I’m feeling in a spending mood. Would you please find my wife some undergarments and more sociable clothing?”
The lady nodded her head and left.
Ignoring his presence, Opal turned back to the mirror, pulling her tummy in and trying to make her body look good.
Tony placed his hands on her hips. “What are you doing?”
“I feel fat in this,” she said.
Her nerves picked up as his hands ran all over her body. He stared at her hips and went down to where the dress ended at her knee, up and round. Her ass was squeezed before he moved up and rested his hands just beneath her breasts.
He stared at her reflection in the mirror. “I don’t think you look anything other than magnificent.”
She was falling. The way he spoke and looked at her she could imagine she was beautiful. Even with all of her weight. Someone knocked at the door interrupting the moment.
Tony answered and took the clothes out of the woman’s hands. “I can take it from here,” he said.
The door was closed and locked. They were alone. In private.
He placed the clothes on the chair, searching through them until he found something red. “Opal, I want you to do something for me.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“I want you to model these.” He lifted a red lace bra with matching French lace knickers.
A blush stained her cheeks. “Will you turn around?”
“No. I want to watch you get changed into them.”
She shook her head. “I can’t do that. We can’t do that.”
“We’re married,” he said.
In her heart she was shouting and punching the air for joy. In her head she knew otherwise.
“No. You still won’t try them on?”
She shook her head.
“How about I let you look for work.”
“That’s blackmail,” she said when she processed what he’d said.
“From what I hear it’s effective.” She frowned. “Never mind. If you try these on for me, I’ll let you look for work.”
“You can’t stop me looking if I try those on or not.”
“Do you really want to see the power I have over stopping you from looking? I could make your life a little difficult,” he said.
“Why?”
“Because I want something, and I’ll do anything until you give it to me.”
“But you said you didn’t want me in that way.”
“I’ve changed my mind. Take the underwear and try them on, Opal.”
Something had changed in him. His eyes were darker, and the way he walked was filled with a purpose. This wasn’t the happy-go-lucky Tony she knew. This was a predator intent on getting what he wanted.
He passed her the underwear. She took them and watched as he went and sat down. Red wasn’t her colour. She tried to avoid the colour because of her lighter skin tone. What did she do?
Taking a breath, she placed them on the stool. The dress had a zipper in the back, and no matter what she did, she couldn’t unzip the dress on her own.
“Could you help me?” she asked.
“Come here.” His voice sent a thrill of excitement through her.
She moved to where he sat. Tony stood and eased the zipper down. She felt his hand touch her back. The heat of him spread through her body.
“Thank you.”
But she didn’t pull away. He held her, his other hand circling her waist. She heard him inhale as his lips brushed her neck. “You smell so good.”
“I need to go and get changed,” she said.
“I know. I like having you in my arms. It’s where you’re supposed to be.”
He let her go, a
nd she walked back up. There was no way she could work around putting the underwear on without looking like a complete clown. She would have to remove everything.
Was she ready for him to see her body?
****
Tony put his hand on his knees, his palms sweaty. The touch of her silken skin almost undid him. He closed his eyes to gain his control for a second, and when he opened them, Opal was removing her dress.
She’d turned to the side, and he smiled. No way would she be able to cover up that glorious body. He wanted to see her naked. To see her in beautiful clothing and to show her how gorgeous he thought she was.
If he didn’t get some relief soon he would burst at the seams. With her gaze away from him, he touched his stiff cock, biting the inside of his mouth to contain the moan which threatened to escape.
The dress fell to the floor. She wore a simple pair of cotton panties and unappealing bras. He didn’t want to see this. Opal deserved lace and silk. He’d be the one and only man to give it to her.
In this early stage, he let keep as much of her body covered as possible. She removed her bra. He didn’t see the proper size of her or how her nipples looked. She changed her underwear in quick time. Nothing in her movement was meant to tease or tantalise.
In that moment he hated the decision he’d made on his wedding night. Nothing could keep him away from her. He wanted her with desperation.
Not Richard or himself could keep him from claiming what was his.
“Turn around,” he said.
Slowly, Opal turned to face him. Running a hand down his face, he got up out of his seat and walked over to her. She stared at him. Her eyes glazed, and he was sure it was with arousal.
“I want you to wear these for me on Friday,” he told her.
“But I’m wearing a black dress.”
“I don’t care. Wear these for me, or there will be hell to pay.” With his final warning spoken, he slammed his lips down on hers.
One taste was all he needed. Her body started out stiff against him. Taking hold of her hair, he pulled, causing her head to tilt, and a gasp escaped her lips. He took full advantage of her vulnerability.
Plunging his tongue into her mouth, he tasted her. Her hands stayed by her side. Tony kept one hand locked in her hair while the other gripped her ass. He wanted so much more. Rubbing his cock against her stomach, their moans mingled.
Only when she began to respond did he set her loose.
“Get dressed. I’ll meet you outside.”
Chapter Five
On the day of the charity ball, Lily and Scarlet visited Opal at home. They helped her with her hair and make-up.
“I can’t wait for Tony to show you off to his friends,” Lily said.
Opal smiled and didn’t say anything. Her nerves had been fried ever since he’d left her after their shopping trip. He’d ordered plenty of clothes for her to enjoy. The problem she found with the clothes was every time she looked at them she thought about the way he’d made her dress for him. Did every man do that?
Scarlet put a hand to her back and moaned.
“Are you all right?” Opal asked, concerned for her sister-in-law.
“Fine. This baby is just making his presence known more than the others.”
Lily left the room.
“Can I ask you something, Scarlet?” Opal asked. She didn’t feel comfortable talking to Lily. The other woman was nice, but she preferred to speak with her sister. Well, not completely a sister, but a sister by marriage.
“Sure, darling.”
“Can men be attracted to a woman who is a little heavier than his other dates?” Ever since he’d rubbed himself against her stomach, she’d been confused.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Well, what if a guy kisses you, and you know....rubs up against you and his erm....bit is hard, is that a good thing?” Her cheeks were hot, and she wished she’d kept her opinion to herself.
“Are you talking about Tony?”
“No. No. Don’t worry about it. Just me and my curious mind, which I’ve been told will get me into trouble soon. Not like you and my brother.”
She noticed her brother’s wife held a frown and didn’t say anything else. Lily walked back in with a glass of water. Opal wondered what could be wrong. As always, time was flying by, and she didn’t get chance to ask. The two women left early, and she had time to put on her gown before the bell pinged to let her know Tony had arrived.
She opened the door with a smile on her face. Pausing, she stared at him. He looked extremely handsome in a black and white tuxedo.
“Wow. You look handsome,” she said, then proceeded to blush at her childish words.
“Not nearly as beautiful as you.” He held out his arm. She took it, grateful for his support. The heels she wore, which she’d been practising in ever since Tony had made her buy them, were dangerously high. He helped escort her to the limousine he’d brought with him.
“In you go. Frank will take us where we need to go.” Tony got in beside her. The glass sheet was up between the driver and passengers.
“This is nice,” she said.
“I love your hair.” He leaned over and wound a lock around his finger. “So silky.”
When they were together like this it was like they were in their own little world. Tony changed with her. As if he could be more of himself when the world was shut away.
“Scarlet and Lily helped me,” she said.
“You look nice. Your hair reminds me of when I found you on the swing on your wedding day with that loser. The spiral locks are the same. All you’re missing are the flowers.”
The drive didn’t last long before Frank was pulling up outside a really fancy looking house. “This is someone’s house?” she asked.
“The event is being hosted by his wife. There will be media present, so try to act your part as my adoring wife.”
The moment the doors opened, the flashing of the light bulbs started. Tony reverted back to his old self, laughing and smiling for the camera. She didn’t get him. One moment he was really intense, while the next he was the happy-go-lucky man.
“Sir, your parents are here,” she heard a man say into his ear. He froze up in front of her.
He took her hand to help her out of the limousine. An arm went around her waist.
The media went into a frenzy. She hated the attention of the media and tried to stay out of it as much as possible.
“Sir, with your wife present does this mean your relationship with Rita Brooke has come to an end?”
“Are you and Miss Shaw back together?”
Questions were bombarded at them. Opal recognised the name of the model he’d been having an affair with. The security team got them inside the main doors.
“Savages,” Tony growled.
She stayed quiet. Ever since they’d been married, she’d attended a few parties with him but nothing else.
People stopped to greet him. Opal stayed behind him not wanting to get in the way. She wished she’d told him to go alone. Parties like this didn’t suit her. Like her mother said, occasions where you had to prove your worth and beauty were not fit for a person like her.
“I don’t think I should be here,” she said.
He spun and glared at her. “You’re supposed to be here. You’re my wife.”
At the present she sure did not feel like much of a wife.
When they entered the main hall where the charity event was taking place her tummy took a nose dive. Everyone in high society was there. The only consolation was when she saw a table with his friends in attendance.
The moment Richard saw her, he stood to greet her. As with proper protocol, she smiled and took the seat offered to her.
Tony sat down for all of two minutes before he got up and left. Business, he said. Opal sat staring at her lap, her hands shaking.
“How is he treating you?” Richard asked.
“What?”
“Tony. How is he treating you
?”
“Fine.” She needed to check her vocabulary. All she seemed to say was fine. “I’m going to get up and move around.”
The two couples smiled at her. Feeling like a fifth wheel, she found some solace in an alcove hidden away from most of the room. From the viewpoint she could watch everything around her.
There was a point in her life where she’d been happy being who she was. What had changed from the happy go lucky sixteen-year-old to the incredibly depressed twenty-two-year-old?
Looking out over the dance floor she saw her answer. Her husband. What had started as a stupid high school crush had escalated into something deeper.
She watched as a woman approached him. Her arms wrapping around his neck. She saw the way the woman touched him. The brush of her hand along his arm. Familiarity was in each touch. Who the woman was she didn’t know, and she couldn’t put a name to the face. Unless the woman in question was Rita Brooke, the glorious super model of the month. The slender woman looked ready for everything, while Opal stood in her long black dress feeling like a sack of potatoes. Lily and Wayne sat together. She watched the couple with envy. He didn’t leave her side. Any woman who approached did so with caution. Her brother sat with them, Scarlet staring down at her hands.
Had her brother and Scarlet argued?
At another table, she’d spotted her parents with Charles. What was it about that man they loved so much?
Tony danced with the woman who loved touching him. A waiter passed, and being twenty-two she took a glass of champagne even though she hated the stuff. The humiliation of being brought to an event and seeing her husband pawing at all the other women was too much for her.
Leaving the room, she made her way out onto the patio overlooking the expanse of garden. A water fountain was alight, and there were guests walking round. She sipped the liquid from her glass with a wince. She’d never developed a taste for the vinegar tasting stuff. Moving round, she found a secluded area where no one stood. The night looked clear. No one to disturb her thoughts.
Should she ask for a divorce? Annulment was out of the question. His words came back to haunt her.
“....I’ll fuck you before you get an annulment.”
Claiming His Wife (Unlikely Love) Page 3