Second Chances

by Leigh Morgan

  Didn’t anyone understand it was a mother’s solemn duty to ask questions? To nurture and protect?

  You mean mettle.

  Shut up, she told herself.

  And Ram? Well the man clearly didn’t understand how this whole marriage thing was supposed to work. It was his job, no, his obligation, to tell her everything he knew. Especially if it related to her children. He knew what was going on, probably heard the whole story from that cretin Ben Stark, but he wasn’t talking.

  She’d even tried to call Ben, but Ram got to him first and instructed Ben not to answer her calls. Damn the man anyway. He was sneaky, closed mouthed, and irritating. Rhia hated the way Ram answered her questions with a kiss on the top of her head and a smile. Nothing more.

  The wait was driving Rhia insane.

  She’d tried everything to get Ram to talk. Rhia even danced in nothing but those damned boots, but the man was unwavering. He’d simply thrown her on the bed, kissed her senseless and left, just when she was getting into it.

  Ram wasn’t angry when he left, but his parting words stung, ‘You’re not any damn good at deception Rhiannon. I’ve had a hell of a lot of practice on both ends of this little game. If you want something from me, ask. If you’re in bed when you do it, you’d better be asking ‘Faster. Harder. More. Spank me’."

  He’d looked at her then and she could see amusement mixed with disappointment in his eyes. He was clearly aroused but he was going to walk away because she’d attached strings to this perfect part of their relationship. His next words confirmed it. “I don’t mix making love with my wife and manipulation. My cock is smarter than that. ”

  She hated him.

  No you don’t. He’s doing the one thing that you demanded all along. He’s putting your children’s needs before his own.

  “Ah hell.” She hated it when the Jiminy Cricket part of her was right. That usually meant she’d acted like a complete ass.

  Bingo.

  “Oh shut up.” Rhia muttered to herself, rushing to the bathroom to grab her robe and wash her face. She left the boots on, but added the pearls. Ram liked her pearls.

  She found him wearing only his jeans playing his guitar in the massive living room. He hadn’t noticed her, he was lost in the music and his eyes were closed, so Rhia took a moment to simply listen and watch him play.

  His strong, callused, fingers strummed and plucked and she was suddenly hot all over. She’d had those hands playing her the exact same way, quiet determination and reverence in every touch.

  God, she’d missed him.

  They hadn’t made love in days. There was simply too much going on for them to do anything but fall asleep when they finally made it to bed. The fact that Ram refused to make love on the same mattress she slept on with William had also curtailed their opportunities. Once Ram raised the issue, Rhia felt the exact same way. She had a new mattress delivered the same day she decided to sell the house furnished. They’d never gotten a chance to sleep on the new one.

  Ram’s golden waves brushed his shoulders as he moved in time with the music he was making, his foot tapping the long white carpet. Everything in the room was white or ivory. Rhia hated it all, except for Ram. Her husband provided the only color in an otherwise sterile environment. He brought color to her life too. She was so sorry she tried to manipulate him.

  “Are you coming in or are you just going to stand there Rí?” Ram asked neither looking at her nor missing a note he was playing.

  “I thought I was being quiet.”

  “I didn’t hear you babe. I felt you. I can smell you from here, but I’d like to smell you a hell of a lot closer. Come here.” He patted the over-stuffed white leather couch. “Sit with me.”

  Rhia loved the husky tone of his voice, low, deep and just loud enough for her to hear. She moved into the room and sat next to him.

  “What is that you’re playing?”

  “It’s my version of an old Link Wray tune.” Ram opened his eyes and grinned at her. “It’s called Rumble. It seemed to fit the way I was feeling.”

  Rhia wasn’t sure what to say about that so she ignored it. “I’ve never heard of Linkray.”

  “Link Wray. And you hadn’t heard of me either before we met. Although Hunter told me you took her to a Purple Orchid concert when she was fourteen.” There came that melting smile again. “She said you wore ear plugs through the entire show.”

  Rhia flushed and Ram’s laugh washed over her heated body like a snifter of Drambuie before a slow burning fire.

  “Wray was the architect of heavy metal and punk. He was the master. Here, listen to this.” Ram played a riff, and it did rumble.

  “Hear that? How it thunders through you? Wray created that by playing two notes, five notes apart, with the lower note doubled an octave above. The guy was a genius with a guitar.”

  “You lost me, but I could feel the reverberation in my heart.”

  “That’s all that matters. Rock was meant to be felt as much as heard. All music, if it’s any good, should be felt first and heard second.”

  Rhia ran a hand through his hair enjoying, as she always did, the cool silkiness of it. It was a tentative touch, she was uncertain of his mood, and he hadn’t stopped playing although now he was playing something softer.

  “You said ‘was’. Is this man dead?” Rhia asked, wanting to prolong their conversation while she figured out how to set things right with him.

  “Yea. Link Wray died near the end of 2005. He was seventy-six and still touring. I want to be playing that long. It’s who I am, and what I do best. I want to branch out, record with other artists. Music is in my blood. It’s all I know...all I’m good at.” His voice trailed off.

  Rhia stilled his hand and gently took his big, blond guitar from him, setting it out of the way. She cupped his face with both of her hands and smiled into his eyes.

  “That’s where you’re wrong, Ramsey Macleod. Music may be in your blood, and there’s no doubt you’re very good at what you do. But...” She brushed a soft kiss on his cheek, butterfly light and over before he could do anything about it.

  “But, that’s not all you know or all you’re good at. You are a good man. Some people live their entire lives and can’t say that deep down they were decent people. You are, fundamentally good. To the bone.”

  She smiled again and Ram was momentarily side tracked by her open robe. She was making sense to herself, he was sure of that. Unfortunately he didn’t have a clue what she was trying to tell him. That didn’t matter all that much when she wore her heart in her incredible eyes. He’d just nod and let her sweetness wash over him. It was enough. He didn’t need to understand.

  “Ram, I’m in love with you. Not your ability to play the guitar, or the fact that you have enough cash to rent this uniquely pretentious monstrosity of a house.” She was teasing him, but then her voice got very serious and she lost her smile.

  “You protected my children today. Even though it cost you, you chose to do what was right. You put Hunter above yourself. You are a good man. And I love you. I’m sorry I pressured you.”

  Ram watched as pink stole up her cheeks and her aqua irises were swallowed by black pupils. She was obviously embarrassed, but she didn’t look away.

  “Especially that last part. I won’t do that again. I promise.”

  He knew what she was talking about but he wanted to hear her say it. He doubted she would, but he didn’t want her coming to him with anything more than love and lust in her heart ever again.

  “You won’t do what?”

  She didn’t miss a beat, she didn’t even blink. “I won’t use sex. Not at all. Not ever.”

  Ram smiled wolfishly and pulled her into his lap. He wasn’t nearly the person she thought he was and he prayed he could keep her from realizing that for the rest of her life. But that didn’t mean he wouldn’t play on her faith in him. It was the only thing that really mattered. His music would be hollow without her and the completeness she brought to his life.
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  “Not ever?” He parted her robe revealing her lush body. He licked the side of her neck and the pad of his thumb rubbed one erect nipple.

  She was shaking her head. In answer to his question? He wasn’t quite sure.

  “Come on baby. Right now I want you to use me. My hands...my tongue...this...” He said pushing her down on the couch, rubbing his denim clad erection over the heart of her.

  “Use me Rí. Let me be your tool, baby.”

  Ram kissed her deeply. Once she started rubbing against him he moved down the side of her neck, so slim and pale. He licked the small mole behind her ear, pleased by her swift intake of air.

  He made his way down her body until he reached her belly button. He dipped his tongue inside and nipped gently at the flesh surrounding it. Rhia had gained a few pounds since Wales, her belly was soft and round. It looked good on her and it turned him on in a way he couldn’t name, but loved anyway.

  He dipped lower, licking the line of her c-section scar. He wished it had been his children plucked from her, his seed that made her belly blossom and her breasts heavy. Ram shook off the thought. It didn’t matter, not really. She was more than enough and Ram genuinely liked her children.

  God, she smelled good. He wasn’t kidding before. He could smell her when she entered the room. It wasn’t her perfume, although he liked that too, it was her. Her musky, sweet arousal hit him like a burst of sunshine on a cloudy day. It was as necessary to him as his next breath.

  Ram threw her legs over his shoulders and dove in. “I love the way you taste.” He growled, easing his hands under her bottom, holding her to him firmly. He knew how to make this last. He also knew how to have her screaming in seconds. He was hard as a rock and there was more he wanted to do so he chose to make her come hard and fast.

  He went right for the gold, laving her erect clit until the small hood retracted and he knew she was feeling nothing but pure sensation. He drove one finger inside her and she was contracting around him in seconds.

  She was pushing him away, but he held on a few more seconds taking her farther than she wanted to go, but not too far.

  Ram smiled up at her, in no hurry to leave. There was no blue left in her eyes as she tried to focus. He watched her shudder at his pleased laugh and that made him laugh again. He nipped an inner thigh before getting up to shuck out of his jeans.

  “Don’t quit on me now, darlin. We’re just getting started.”

  Ram watched as Rhia’s eyes began to focus again. He stood, cock throbbing in front of her, silently daring her to move. She let her robe fall from her shoulders, then on her hands and knees she moved down the couch toward him with a satiated smile and a determined twinkle in her eye. She was stalking him and with every move he got a tantalizing glimpse of dark blond thatch, black boots and pearls.

  Ram had seen raunchier sights, but he’d never seen one more erotic.

  When she reached the end of the couch she sat back on her knees inches from him and rubbed her small hands from her thighs to her breasts, where they lingered, before she trailed them back down again.

  “You make my body sing.” She purred.

  She was killing him, and judging by the pleased smile on her face, she knew it. Ram didn’t smile back but she couldn’t have missed the bounce in his cock, she was looking right at it.

  Traitor. He thought.

  She stood, slowly and stretched. Ram decided then and there he was ordering her a dozen pair of PVC boots in every color, and more pearls. She needed a choker and a few strands long enough to reach...

  She was on her knees in front of him and whatever he was thinking went out his ears. Her small tongue darted out and he was lost. She licked up and down, she mouthed his sack, and she did it all over again.

  Her mouth was too small to take all of him, but that didn’t matter. Not with her hands stroking his shaft as she sucked and soothed the head of him. He was going to explode in her mouth, the one thing he didn’t want to do. He wanted to come pounding into her sweet channel, but she was holding him tight.

  “Rhia...ah baby...stop...Rhiannon...”

  Ram pushed away just in time. He could feel his body fight for release and he bit the inside of his mouth as hard as he could. Next time, he promised himself. This time he wanted more.

  Ram pulled Rhia to her feet and kissed her deeply. “You have no idea what you do to me.” He whispered against her hair. He held her like that until the roaring in his ears subsided and he was in control once again. He had no idea how long they stood there holding each other. Seconds? Minutes? It didn’t really matter.

  Ram looked down into her pixie face wondering what it was about her that moved him so. If she knew half the things he wanted to do to her she’d be running for the hills.

  Ram smiled and rubbed her lower lip with the pad of his thumb. She bit him. Maybe she wouldn’t run after all, she had more backbone and imagination than he’d given her credit for.

  Ram turned her around quickly, clearly startling her. “Go to the piano.” He ordered giving her a little push. Rhia looked over her shoulder at him, silently questioning, but she did as he asked. Ram watched her hips sway and her corkscrew curls bob. He liked watching her ass as she moved, particularly when she was naked and he could see her shake.

  She stopped when she reached the bench. “No. Don’t sit down. Walk around to the other end. There. That’s it. Now put your hands on top and bend over.”

  Ram didn’t know how far she’d go but he was enjoying the show. “Put your head down sweetheart...and spread those pretty legs.”

  She did. Oh God.

  Ram tried to take a step closer. He couldn’t. Then she turned her head, nestled into the curved end of the piano, her ass in the air, and smiled at him. It was a sweet smile, trusting smile.

  “What’s next stud?” She asked, her voice low and warm.

  Ram was across the room and behind her before she finished her sentence. That smile got him moving. He ran a single finger down the seam separating her until he reached her wet core. He kept going until he reached her clit, lingering there until she moaned. Then he pushed against her. Before he could do it himself, she reached for him and guided him in.

  “Oh God... Rí... you’re so tight...” And then he was home.

  He pounded into her from behind holding her still with one hand on her hip while his other hand stroked and plucked her until she came pushing back against him with as much force as he was pummeling her with.

  She was still milking him when he pushed one last time and shot his load deep into her quivering body. He collapsed on top of her knowing he’d never lost control like that in his life.

  As soon as he was able to Ram pulled out of her, as gently as he could. He’d battered her and he prayed he hadn’t hurt her with the red-hot need that rode him.

  He turned her around carefully, praying as he did that he wouldn’t see tears. Her eyes were closed. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?” He asked, worried.

  She opened those lovely eyes and made a satisfied sound deep in her throat as she smiled at him.

  “I’ll be sore tomorrow, but that was...sooo worth it.” She went up on tiptoe and kissed him before closing her eyes again. “As soon as I recover let’s do that again.” She purred collapsing against him, trusting him to take her weight.

  Ram decided to buy the white piano, no matter how much it cost. The thing was out of tune and ugly as sin, but every time he looked at it he was going to see Rí bent over in her pearls.

  His very own puss-in-boots.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  “You’re not pregnant are you?” Rhia didn’t mean to blurt that out, she meant to say ‘Hi sweetheart. How are you?’ Instead, she’d said the first thing that popped into her head.

  Ethan choked on his milk and Hunter shot him a killing glance. “No mom. I think it’s safe to say I’m not pregnant.”

  Rhia visibly relaxed. “Well, that’s good. We would have dealt with it honey...I hope that...It’s just I wa
s hoping you’d finish school...and preferably have a husband before you made me a grandmother.”

  Oh God, I’m making a hash of this. If you’re not going to strike me dead will you at least strike me mute? An hour...that’s all I ask Lord.

  “Rhiannon, stop praying and listen to your daughter.” Ram looked at Hunter. “Do you want us to stay? Would you rather talk to your mother alone?” He shot Rhia a warning look before he looked at Hunter again. “I could gag her.”

  Hunter looked like she was considering his offer. “Ben already told you everything didn’t he?” Hunter asked not able to hold Ram’s gaze.

  “Hunter, honey, look at me.” Ram waited until she did before he continued. God she looked young, and scared, yet there was a streak of defiance there too. It was defiance that reminded him so much of her mother. He felt his heart open up and let her in completely.

  “I know it all, and I’m behind you one hundred percent. I think you’ll find your mother will be too if you give her a chance. Do you want me to stay?” Ram asked again.

  Hunter nodded.

  “Him too?” Ram asked pointing at Ethan.

  “Yea. He’s known forever.”

  Ram slapped Ethan on the back of the head lightly. “Then shut up puppy and let your sister say what’s on her mind.” Ethan grinned at him and made a zipper motion across his mouth. Ram rolled his eyes at him.

  Rhia willed herself to silence. Everyone, it seemed, knew why Hunter ran away but her. She wasn’t angry about it, but she was hurt. She thought her children trusted her. There had never been a problem they hadn’t been able to work out together before, so why the reticence now?

  Hunter took a deep breath and looked at her mom. “Dad found me in bed with someone. He said some very ugly things and he kicked me out of the hotel. I don’t know how, or when, I’ll be able to forgive him. I don’t even know if he wants to see me.”