“What do you mean Lucy? How could she have possibly known who Claire was and how to track her down?” He clenched his fist and looked pained at the idea of answering me. “Bryce, I want a straight answer.”
“Okay, okay. Lucy is capable of hacking computer systems. I guess you could call her a genius. She has an extremely high IQ. I told her to dig into Rick’s life and find anything she possibly could.”
“You what?” I couldn’t believe it. That was not normal.
“Look, I don’t want to go into detail in relation to Lucy’s talents. I will one day, I promise you, but not now, not until I have spoken to her about it. Okay?” He looked torn, torn between confiding in me and sharing a secret that was not necessarily his to share.
“Fine, but that’s not the end of it. I want to know exactly what Lucy has dug up about me and the people in my life.”
“That’s not all Alexis.” Oh shit, what else? My head started to spin and I felt dizzy. He knelt down in front of me.
“When you were away with your friends, I...I...”
“You what?”
“I went to see Rick.” He looked up, and I had never seen such terror on a person in my life. I could see now why he locked the doors, because this had to be the point he thought I would flee.
“You did what?” Again, I couldn’t believe it.
“I went to your house and told him I loved you. I told him you had feelings for me too and that I wanted to spend a week with you, one where you could feel guilt free and make whatever choices you wanted. He said no.”
“Of course he fucking said no Bryce. What were you thinking? You had no right to approach Rick, no right at all.” I put my head in my hands.
“I promised you my love, I promised I would make it happen and this was me making it happen.” He removed my hands from my head and held onto to both of them. “When he said no, I threatened to tell you about Claire.”
“Oh God.” I started to cry.
“Alexis, it doesn’t change anything, it doesn’t change the fact he cheated on you. Claire said herself that he initiated their whole relationship.” I stood up.
“Enough, I don’t want to hear another word.” I walked over to the apartment door and turned the handle, it didn’t unlock. “Open this fucking door. Now!”
“Where are you going? Are you leaving me?” He was beyond miserable.
“I’m not going anywhere, Bryce, I just need air and a moment to myself.”
He slowly walked over to the door and unlocked it. I entered the apartment and headed straight to the balcony.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
My eyes were tear soaked, making the view over the city of Melbourne from the balustrade quite blurry and distorted. I found myself trying to dissect how the hell my average, ordinary everyday life had turned to full, disorganised, and outrageously crazy chaos. I wasn’t angry at Bryce. Okay I was a little, because of his creepy research and his notion that he had a prerogative to do and say whatever he wanted. I guess I was more shocked that he would go to such lengths to ensure we could be together. It really shouldn’t have surprised me though, especially after the week we had just shared and seeing first hand all the amazing things he had done for me, time and time again.
The salty menaces began to escape the confines of my eyes and stream down my face again. I leaned over the rail, no longer afraid of the fact I was forty-something stories above ground. Perilous as it was, it was nothing compared to seeing photographic proof of my supposedly loving husband in the arms of another woman. Rick and I had not just been husband and wife, we had been lovers and best friends. And five years ago, during one of the toughest times in my life, he had chosen to give in to his curiosity of experiencing someone else sexually, betraying all these things we shared, and that cut very deep.
I heard slow and steady footsteps approaching me from behind. Bryce hesitantly stepped up to where I was standing and handed me a tissue. He was also holding a cup of tea in his hands.
“Alexis, I thought you might like these.” He passed over the cup of tea and touched my finger gently. “I’m sorry. I never should have gone behind your back.” I met his regretful and now insecure gaze.
“No, you shouldn’t have.”
“Alexis, I regret hurting you, but I don’t regret forcing Rick to be honest. If I hadn’t I would not have been able to experience the best week of my life, and I would not have experienced sharing every wonderful moment with you. I couldn’t possibly regret any of that.” I turned to him.
“If you and I have any chance whatsoever of a future together, you cannot keep secrets from me. I deserve better than that. I’m not angry with you, because your intentions were in our best interest, but you need to stay out of my relationship with Rick. It is none of your business, not at this stage anyway.”
A very delicate smile appeared on his face. “At this stage? Does that mean we will experience more stages then?”
I moved my line of vision to the Yarra River and away from his. “Yes, Bryce, I hope to have many more.” He gently moved behind me and enclosed me with his warm, safe, and secure arms.
“There is nothing else I want my love, just you and your happiness.” I stood there in his arms until the tears ran dry. I realised that by him revealing the pictures and confessing his secret, that I was now ready to face Rick. Strangely enough, the shock and hurt of Bryce’s disclosure had been exactly what I needed.
***
Bryce had tip-toed around me for most of the afternoon and it was starting to piss me off. This was our last night together for who knew how long, and I didn’t want to spend it playing silent games with him. Dinner time was fast approaching and he had been preparing something in the kitchen. I think he was also hiding from me out of guilt.
“Can I help with anything?” The smell was glorious, and his graceful kitchen elegance had returned. He really did look so comfortable and at ease, like he was conducting an orchestra of simmering pots and chopping knives.
“No, Hunny, I’m nearly finished. Are you hungry?”
“Yes, a little.”
“Good.”
“What are we having?” I could see the deep-fryer bubbling away.
“It’s Saturday night, I always have fish ‘n’ chips on Saturday night.” Oh how cute, I often do Schnitzel Sundays at home! “Lucy and Nic normally join me, but I rescheduled them for next week.”
“You didn’t have to do that Bryce, I feel bad now.”
“Don’t, Hunny. Anyway, I want to spend tonight alone with you and you only.” He dished up a big plate of lightly fried tempura calamari, scallops, prawns, and snapper, surrounding them with chunky wedges of potatoes and a homemade tartare sauce. Looks like the best fish ‘n’ chips ever!
“What would you like to drink?” I asked.
“There’s a bottle of Crown Ambassador Lager in the bar fridge. Grab that and a couple of glasses.” I love how he just assumes what I like and don’t like. Assumption or not, he normally gets it right. I found the lager he was referring to as he set up the plate of seafood and chips on the coffee table. I smiled at his laid back—sit on the floor—approach to fish ‘n’ chips.
I opened the fancy looking bottle. I would normally sink a stubby when consuming beer, but this particular ale looked very swanky, and was probably meant to be consumed from a glass. I poured us both a glass, tilting it as I poured. I remembered seeing this technique on TV. Apparently it reduces the froth on the surface. We sat down on the floor on either side of the coffee table, thoroughly enjoying our fish and chip picnic. He dipped his prawn in the sauce and consumed the entire thing.
“You just ate the tail!” I screwed up my face at him and he laughed.
“Yes, you are supposed to.”
“Really?”
“Here, try it.” He picked up another prawn, gently dipped it in the sauce and moved it to my mouth. I bit down on it and consumed the first half; he smirked as if to say that was pathetic.
“What? I have a small mouth
.” I defensively chomped the second piece from his fingers. Yum, the tail is actually really crunchy. He smiled and licked them.
“You have a magnificent mouth, Ms. Summers.”
“As do you, Mr. Clark.”
“I want your mouth now, Ms. Summers.”
“You are going to have to wait, Mr. Clark. It is currently occupied.”
“Then un-occupy it.”
My body began to react to his intense and wanting stare. “No, I’m hungry.”
“So am I. I’m hungry for you.”
“I’m enjoying your seafood and sauce.” I selected a piece of calamari and dipped, then licked off the sauce and dipped it again, teasing him with my seductive display.
“You just double dipped.” He crossed his arms. Oh you are one of those are you?
“Yes, I know, I can’t help it. I like sauce.”
“Do you like my sauce?” His cheeky game face momentarily appeared before he pulled it back in again. I took hold of the small dish containing the tartare and poked my finger in it. I swirled it around then put it in my mouth and very slowly pulled it back out again, licking my lips when I was done.
“I do like your sauce.”
“I make another really good sauce you know?” I bet you do. He smirked, forked a piece of snapper and downed it with a long swig of beer. I followed his choices.
“Really? What do you dip in that sauce?” I loved his ability to be able to play this game with me.
“It’s not for dipping my love.” Not for dipping, ay? We both selected a couple more chips.
“How do you eat it then?” I popped a chip into my mouth and raised my curious eyebrow at him.
“You savour it.” Savour it? I’ll savour you in a minute.
“And how do you make your sauce, Mr. Clark?” My mouth was beginning to parch at the very thought of his sauce making abilities.
“I make it with love, with passion, and I only make it for one person.”
I was biting the inside of my bottom lip, anticipating the consumption of him and his sauce. “Will you make it for me?” I ask with a demure smile.
He lifted his finger and signalled for me to go to him. “Only you.” I snatched my glass and drank the last of the beer, in the hope it would douse the fiery burn that had formed in my mouth and throat. Then, I dropped down on all fours and crawled around the table to his side, climbing into his lap.
“I want you to make the best sauce you have ever made.”
“Anything for you, my love.” He seized my mouth, confirming that it was only his lips that could extinguish the fire within me, and as his tongue explored every inch, the burning I felt for him subsided and was replaced with a pure delightful lull. I laced my hands through his hair, shifting a few strands away from his forehead. His cut was healing over nicely, so I kissed it, and trailed a few more kisses down the side of his face. As I got closer to his mouth, my kisses became more impatient and needy. I desperately fumbled with the buttons on his shirt, eagerly removing it and exposing his delectably smooth chest. Holy Fuck, this sight floors me every time. Already my pussy was responding by lusciously pulsing and moistening in preparation for him to enter me. My breasts were also reacting with a sensational firmness as he pulled my lemon coloured cotton blouse over my head, exposing them within my bra. I went to assist him with my bra’s removal, but he firmly moved my hands away and took control of its undoing himself, unleashing my breasts for him to devour with his mouth. Oh, Mr. Clark, you and your truly mind-blowing mouth. I whimpered as he tongued my nipples, one at a time, and I moaned unashamedly when he grasped my shoulders and leaned me back, allowing him to trail his tongue from my neck to my navel.
He gripped me tightly, stood up, and began to unbutton my denim capris as I panted from his oral exploration of my chest. I stepped out of them after they fell to the ground. Then he scooped me into his arms and gently laid me back on the sofa. We paused momentarily, and looked deep into each other’s eyes. Here we were at the beginning of our relationship, freshly discovering each other and the burning passion that came with that process. It was not only hot, but exciting and new. However, the exchange of looks and feelings between us defied normality, because what progressed more dominantly was admiration, acceptance and comfort—comfort that a couple who had been together for many years would display. It blew me away, the level of connection we shared. It was just inconceivable. And as if he was thinking the same thing, he lightly kissed the tip of my nose and slowly stood back.
I sat up and watched him with delight as he unbuttoned his jeans and removed them, exposing his highly desirable body, a body I both wanted and needed as close to my own as much as humanly possible.
“Bryce, you render me speechless.” He dropped to his knees, opened my legs, and slid me forward on to his ready and waiting erection; making me exhale in relief that we were again joined as one. Our eyes watched each other’s intently as he slowly thrust his pelvis back and forth. I could feel every inch of him as he glided in and out, satisfying the yearning sensation within me. I put my arms on his shoulders and pulled him in for a kiss, he obliged bringing me onto him as far as I could go, forcing me to gasp aloud as his length reached farther inside me than ever before.
He stopped moving and held me completely still, allowing me to engulf him entirely. It was utterly raw and pure. And savouring each other by mouth and eye contact only added to this sexually precious moment. Our motionlessness seemed to last a long time and the anticipation of when he would resume his pelvic thrusts was killing me.
I pleaded with him. “Please, Bryce.”
“No, Hunny. I don’t want my cock to leave you.”
“I know, my love, but you’ll be inside me of me again.” I smiled seductively at him, but I could feel felt his doubt. “You will, I promise. Now please, give me your bloody sauce.” He smirked, and began thrusting until I was vocalising my climax, forcing him to collapse on my chest and rest his head on my shoulder. I held him there until our breathing returned to normal. “You’ll be back, Bryce. You belong inside of me.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Both of us were up bright and early the next day. Bryce had cooked me breakfast in bed accompanied with roses and a gorgeous little gold and diamond ring with a star on it. He had placed the ring around my knife and fork and waited patiently until I had made the discovery. It hadn’t taken me long because the diamonds had caught the light, sparkling brightly and revealing the ring’s hiding place. I picked the ring up to inspect it.
“It’s to remind you of me when we are apart.” He seemed a bit shy. I’m not sure if it was because of the ring itself or the fact he was giving it to me for a specific purpose. This gift of jewellery seemed very different from the other two.
“It’s beautiful, Bryce. I love it, but I really don’t need anything to remind me of you, you are permanently tattooed on my heart and in my mind.” He seemed happy with my response and the shyness he possessed moments ago vanished. “Thank you, it means a lot to me.” I put it on and found that it fit perfectly causing me to smile even more. “So, Mr Astrology Teacher Clark, what is this star called?” I asked, batting my eyes at him.
“Ms. Summers, this is a very special star. It’s known as the Brylexis” I giggled and he shrugged his shoulders. Oh my goodness he is just perfect. The Brylexis! He’s combined our names to form a star just for the two of us. Now I’m the one in need of medical assistance for heart failure, because he just made my heart well and truly stop.
“Oh Bryce, that’s so beautiful.” I got up on the bed, crawled across it and placed a soft peck on his lips. “Thank you. I love it.”
“You’re welcome, Hunny.” He held me tightly, and I could tell he didn’t want to let go. I didn’t want him to either, but ahead of me was one of the most difficult and exhausting days I would ever endure. I had to step out of this wonderful romantic world, and back into reality to face it. He pressed his lips firmly on the top of my head then released me. “Now, I have a few things in my
office to take care of...So I’ll let you get ready, my love.” I watched him leave the room, then fell back onto the bed holding my hand up with the ring glistening beautifully on my finger. I shook my head in disbelief, and then headed for the shower.
***
The welcoming hot water ran over my body as I thought about what the next few hours would hold for me. Of course I was nervous, apprehensive, and anger fuelled, but as a result of Bryce’s revelation yesterday, I now possessed a sheen of clarity. The pictures were fool-proof, they were what they were, and Rick could not deny them, not that he would because he confessed in the first place. I guess all I wanted to discuss with him was why he couldn’t have come to me first, before having a fucking affair and to tell him to pack his shit and get the hell out of our house until we sorted it out.
I dried myself off and got dressed in a pair of jeans, knee high black boots, and a tight grey tank top. There was no real need for makeup, so I only applied a gloss for my dry and overly kissed lips. Looking around the room, it dawned on me as to just how at home I had made myself, or more to the point, how at home Bryce had made me in his apartment. I loved it here but there was no place for my children. So I was saddened at not knowing when I’d be back to stay. Don’t worry about that, Alexis, you will sort everything out. I sighed disappointedly and walked out of the room dragging my small suitcase behind me.
***
It was just after 8 a.m. when I walked into Bryce’s office. He was at his desk buried under a pile of paper work.
“Wow, the price you pay for a few days away.” He looked up and cocked his head to the side. I loved the signs he displayed when I had a positive effect on him, they were a clear indication that the little things that made me who I was, were what he liked and appreciated the most.
“A price well worth it, Hunny. Are you ready to go?”
I pouted. “No, but I have to. On a more pleasant note, I will see you in less the 24 hours.”
“It’s not soon enough.” He looked a bit flat, it was probably a combination of me leaving and the extensive amount of business he had to attend to. I walked over to his desk and sat my arse on top of it squashing his paper pile.
Satisfaction (The Temptation Series #2) Page 15