by Sarah Bale
His mom stepped from the shadows and he was relieved to see she didn’t have any new bruises. She still looked too damn pale though, her skin standing out against her worn-out moo-moo gown.
“It’s all over town, son. Everyone knows and the phone hasn’t stopped ringing.”
He knew then what his father was so happy about and why his mom looked as if she was about to cry. The baby. Everyone knew about the baby.
“How did everyone find out?”
He was positive the news hadn’t come from Shannon or her parents.
“Jean, from the clinic, told the pastor.”
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!
His dad spoke up. “Are you going to marry the girl?”
Dev had been asking himself the same thing since prom night. He loved Shannon and he wanted to be a family with her and their unborn child.
He nodded slowly. “Yeah, I think I am.”
“Her father is never going to give you his blessing.” His dad pointed out the obvious. “He thinks you’re white trash and not good enough for his princess.”
“You aren’t telling me anything I don’t already know.”
His dad nodded thoughtfully. “You were always brighter than I gave you credit for. Knocking up the lawyer’s daughter though? That’s pretty fucking ballsy, even for you.”
“We didn’t plan for this to happen,” he said defensively.
His mom whispered, “Didn’t you use protection? I always told you to use protection…”
His dad ignored his mom, as usual, and went on. “Of course it wasn’t on purpose.” He winked conspiratorially. “It never is. Just ask your mom.”
Dev was aware his mom had come from a well-off family, who cut all ties with her when she became pregnant with him. Fuck, talk about history repeating itself. He knew Shannon’s parents wouldn’t cut her off though. They wouldn’t want the gossip that would come from that.
“She wanted to hook me in so she didn’t take her birth control!” His dad was still talking. “And I was too horny to use a condom. You know…feels better without one.”
Dev closed his eyes and counted to ten before he said something that would set off his father’s temper.
“It wasn’t planned but we both couldn’t be happier.”
“I don’t know, son. I know the good lawyer and I bet he is going to try to ‘take care’ of the situation.” He made quotation marks with his fingers as he talked, using them correctly for once.
“What do you mean?”
His dad walked across the room and picked up a beer. He took a long drink and then said, “Mark my words…he will take Shannon to Dallas for a weekend. The excuse will be something no one will question, like visiting a cousin.” Another drink. “When they get back Shannon won’t be allowed to see you. She’ll probably even miss school and church. They won’t want people to talk you see?”
Dev rolled his eyes and started to speak but his father kept talking.
“Then it will happen. She will tell you she needs to talk to you. And that’s when she will split your heart open.” This time he took a long drink and burped before he went on. “Daddy doesn’t want me to keep it. I am so sorry.” He changed the pitch of his voice in a piss-poor imitation of Shannon. “And that will be the end of your little bundle of joy.”
Denial flared through his body like fire.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about, you bastard!”
The old man just laughed. “Oh but I do. We’ll see, son. We will see.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Shannon pushed her fork around her plate, moving her peas to another spot. Marco, Katie and Hugh chattered as if nothing was wrong. As if they couldn’t see she had finally been broken.
She took a sip of water. That’s what had happened. After eight years she had finally reached her breaking point. In a million years she would have never guessed that the final blow would come from him.
He cleared his throat at the other end of the table and she resisted looking up. She was sitting at the table, going through all of this misery because of him. After he’d walked out on her earlier she’d refused to cry anymore. Tears were pointless now.
She had found him sitting at the bar with a drink in his hand. He wouldn’t look at her and she had pleaded a headache. He turned his eyes on her and reminded her he was paying her to be at his beck and call. That she was his plaything for the month and to take a Tylenol. His curt behavior made her chest ache.
Hugh reached over and touched her arm. “Are you feeling all right, darling?”
She smiled up at him. “Just a headache. I’m sure it will pass.”
Dev made a sound in the back of his throat but she ignored him.
“So are you coming to Colorado for the fight?” she asked, trying to make polite conversation.
Katie and Hugh exchanged looks before Katie replied.
“We are actually flying back to Sydney tomorrow. Sadly I think we are going to have to miss this one.”
Marco said, “This is news to me.”
Shannon cringed as the room became static with uncomfortable tension. Great. Now everyone sitting at the table was unhappy.
“It’s not like that, Marco. Hugh has some business to take care of. We should be back in plenty of time for our cruise.”
Marco lifted a shoulder in a shrug. “It doesn’t matter, Katie. I know I come second.” He stood. “If you will excuse me, I need to make a phone call before we leave.”
Dev jumped to his feet too. “I have some calls to make as well.”
Shannon rolled her eyes.
“Bullshit,” she said under her breath.
When both men were gone Katie sighed.
“You’re right, Shannon. Their behavior is total bullshit. I’ve never seen such babies before in my life,” Katie said and took a sip of her wine. “Those two are more alike than they know.”
Hugh chuckled. “You can’t be too hard on Marco, love. He had his heart set on spending time with us in Colorado.”
Katie sighed. “I know and I am trying to remember that.”
“Maybe you should go find him and talk to him before we have to leave.”
Katie nodded and stood. She left the room and went to find Marco. Shannon took another sip of her water. She didn’t want to be rude and ask but obviously something was going on with the three of them.
Hugh softly chuckled. “I’m sure this all seems very strange to you.”
“Beg your pardon?”
“The situation between my wife, Marco and me.” He sighed. “Our arrangement may not be normal but it works for us.”
She smiled. “It’s none of my business.”
“Ah, but it is your business. Katie considers you a friend and that means you have a right to know. We don’t make friends easily because people are quick to judge us so I want you to understand.”
She looked him in the eye and nodded. “Okay. I’ll listen to whatever you want to tell me without judging.”
“Katie and Marco used to date. When I first met them, they were so in love it hurt to watch them. The type of love you dream about, you know. And I wanted that kind of love too.” He smiled. “Don’t get me wrong, I wanted to find someone who could love me in the same way.”
“I know what you mean.”
“I saw Marco and Katie on and off for the first year, mostly at fashion events. I was modeling a lot so our paths crossed. Everything was innocent back then. I was friends with them and that was it.” He paused. “One day Katie showed up at my penthouse in tears. She gave Marco an ultimatum and he turned her down. I couldn’t believe it. How could someone be so stupid concerning the love of their life?
“I told her to come in and one thing led to another. While I was holding my dream girl in my arms, I kept expecting Marco to break the door down and take her back. As you know he did not.” He smiled to himself. “Two months later Katie moved in with me. Six months later we married. And I don’t regret a single moment.”
&nbs
p; “How does Marco fit into your relationship?”
Hugh’s smile grew warmer. “After Katie and I were married we ran into Marco at a fundraiser. The sparks literally flew between Katie and Marco but what surprised me was how much I had missed him too.
“The three of us went for drinks and we caught up. There were no hard feelings from Marco. Katie had simply wanted more than he could give at the time. But he missed us too.” He paused. “I couldn’t believe he included me in that statement.”
The love in Hugh’s eyes made Shannon’s chest ache in longing. Why couldn’t someone feel that way about her?
“We had never acted on our feelings before that fateful night. I swear to you, Shannon. People…god do people like to speculate about what happens behind closed doors but that is one thing they are wrong about. Until that night we were never together.”
She nodded. “And now? How are things now?”
“Things are complicated. They always will be since there are three people involved. But I can tell you one thing. I love both of them with all my heart. And even though we don’t see Marco as much as we would like, our love is as strong as it was that night.”
Shannon put her hand on his arm. “Then that’s all that matters. I’m the last person you have to explain anything to, Hugh.”
“I’m glad. And I thank you for listening to me.”
“It’s not a problem. Sometimes a friend who will listen is all a person needs.”
At that moment Katie came back into the room smiling sadly.
Hugh stood. “How did it go, love?”
“He is still upset but I think he will forgive us.” She turned to Shannon. “I am sure my dear husband informed you of our situation. Do you hate me now?”
“No, quite the opposite, Katie. I want you to know I will always be here if you need a friend.”
“Thank you, Shannon. I may take you up on that sometime.” She smiled up at Hugh. “Darling, I think we need to leave. I would hate for Marco to say something else out of anger and regret it tomorrow.”
“I think that’s a good idea.”
Shannon stood and gave each of her friends a hug before they let themselves out of the suite. They promised to keep in touch but she wouldn’t hold them to it. When the month was over and she was out of the picture, they would probably forget about her. She went back to the table and sat down.
What a night. Marco’s untouched wineglass caught her eye. Her mouth watered at the sight. She swallowed loudly and turned away. Sometimes the cravings for a drink amazed her—that sobriety was still one day at a time.
She had not had anything to drink since she got out of jail. Drinking hadn’t solved anything and she would never make that mistake again.
The phone rang next to the couch, causing her to jump.
“Hello?”
“Good evening. The cab Mr. James called has arrived to take you to the airport. The bellhop will be up momentarily to collect your bags.”
Dev, who must have picked up the phone too, said, “Thank you.”
The front desk hung up but she and Dev remained on the line.
She finally said, “I don’t want to fight.”
“I don’t either,” he replied. “And I’m sorry for throwing our arrangement in your face.”
She was about to reply when she heard him hang up. She blinked tears away and stood. Time to see what else she could do to break her heart before the month was over.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Shannon glanced over her book as Dev unbuckled and went to the little room at the back of the plane. Though he was talking to her things still felt tense between them. She looked at the other end of the plane where Marco sat with his back to her, typing on his laptop.
She licked her lips and unbuckled. Time to stop apologizing and start acting. She reached the closed door and softly knocked. He didn’t answer so she opened the door. Dev lay in the middle of the bed with his cock in his hand. His eyes were shut as he pumped himself up and down slowly.
Her heart panged as she closed the door behind her. Quiet music filled the room and she understood why he hadn’t heard her knock. She stepped out of her heels and unbuttoned her blouse as she watched him.
He pumped himself at a pace she knew all too well. He was teasing himself, just as he loved to tease her when they made love. His hand tightened at the base and loosened when he reached the tip. A hiss of air left his lips as his hips lifted. He paused and took in a deep breath before starting again.
Her pussy grew wet as she watched his show. A groan left his mouth as his pace picked up and then slowed. She took off her blouse and then her bra. The air was cold against her nipples, causing them to harden. Oh she was sure her arousal helped.
She reached under her skirt and removed her panties but didn’t take off her skirt. She wiped her juices onto her thong. She had plans for Mr. James that would rock his world.
She made her way to the head of the bed.
“Keep your eyes closed until I tell you to open them. Do you understand?”
Dev’s body jerked but he obeyed her and didn’t open his eyes.
“Keep playing with yourself. I enjoy watching.”
He resumed his slow pumping and sweat pooled in the hollow between his pecs. She leaned forward, letting her breasts brush against him, and licked the salty moisture.
“Were you pretending your hand was my pussy?”
Dev moaned and she grinned. One of his fantasies had always been for her to talk dirty. She had always been too unsure of herself but not tonight.
“Could you almost feel my juices coating your cock?” She lifted the thong over his face. “Take in a deep breath and smell my arousal.”
He inhaled and she let the thong fall to his face.
“I could always give you a taste though. Have you been a good boy or a bad boy, Dev? Do you deserve a reward or punishment?”
“Oh, I’ve been bad, Shan,” he rasped out. “Very bad.”
She chuckled at his admission.
“Good boy,” she purred. “Give me your free hand.”
He lifted his hand and she took it into hers. She ran his fingers over her mouth and then nipped him lightly before lowering his hand to her breast.
He cupped her bare breast and flicked his thumb over her nipple.
“Oh, no you don’t. This is my game and you are my pawn. Do you understand?”
“Yes, mistress,” he replied, laughter in his voice.
The word “mistress” did something strange to her and she grabbed his face, kissing him roughly on the lips. Their tongues clashed in a battle of wills. She reached down and cupped her hand over his cock and squeezed, gaining control again.
She kissed him until she felt breathless and then pulled away, panting. She moved his hand lower to her skirt.
“Hold your index finger out,” she ordered.
He pointed his finger and she held onto his closed fist, making sure he didn’t try to get sneaky. She ran his finger through her juices until she felt them dripping on her hand and then she pulled his hand back.
“Open your mouth.”
His body tensed as he did as she asked. She put his finger into his mouth.
“Now suck, you dirty boy. Suck as if you were sucking on my clit.”
His hot mouth closed around his finger and he began sucking. The sight was so erotic she had to hold back her own moan. She pulled back until she could gather her composure.
She glanced down. His cock stood fully erect. He hovered on the edge of an orgasm.
“Stop playing with yourself and lie back.”
Dev grinned and did as he was told. He looked incredibly hot lying on his back with her thong still across his upper face but she needed it out of the way for what was going to happen next.
She pulled the thong off and tossed the garment aside.
“Hey,” he said with a lazy smile. “I wasn’t done with that.”
She climbed onto the bed and lifted her skirt around her wa
ist.
“Why would you want that when you can have the real thing?” She crawled on her knees until she was next to his head. “I’m going to sit on your face and you’re going to eat me out. Understand?”
“Shan, are you trying to kill me here?”
She chuckled. “Just making up for lost time.”
She straddled his face and lowered her ass until she felt his hot breath against her skin. She braced herself on one knee and propped her weight by pressing her other foot into the mattress.
“Open your mouth and stick out your tongue,” she told him.
His tongue skimmed the lips of her pussy. Thank god she had a wax the other day. She had heard pubic hair could rub a man’s face raw and she didn’t want to hurt Dev. She merely wanted to have a little fun with him.
“Are you ready,” she asked.
“Hell yeah I’m ready.”
“Then hold onto my hips and enjoy.”
Dev’s hands went to her waist. He lowered her slowly until his mouth touched her pussy. He kept her propped up enough that his tongue only skimmed her every once in a while.
She let out a frustrated groan. “Dev…”
He pulled her lower and his tongue grazed her clit. He held her in place and showered her sweet spot with attention. Her head fell back and her nipples budded to the point of pain. God this was so hot.
After a moment he began moving again, keeping his pace steady. As his tongue lapped at her pussy she grew wetter and her legs felt weaker until she sat entirely on his face.
Fuck, he was killing her. He caught her clit between his teeth and tugged gently. The pressure against her budded clit was enough to cause her to scream as she came. Vaguely she could feel Dev lapping up her juices as they drizzled into his mouth.
His lifted her up and pulled her lower, down his body. With one quick thrust he entered her and began furiously pumping. She held onto his shoulders, still reeling from her last orgasm, and her body exploded again. She cried out his name and he came too, filling her pussy until it dripped.
When she could function again she collapsed next to him on the bed.