Salvage Her Heart

by Shelly Pratt

  ‘That would have everything to do with my dear wife.’

  Normally I would not discuss my marital problems with anybody, and I do mean anybody. That said, there is no point in trying to keep things from Stavros, because he’s too damn perceptive. He also possesses the tenacity of dog with a bone. If there is something to be found out, he will be the first to know exactly what you’re keeping.

  Despite the distance, over the years he’s always seemed to know when I’ve needed a confidante. That in itself is probably a little dangerous of me to allow the man I see as a nemesis to know the inner workings of myself and my business. The flip side is that I also see him as my mentor. In that capacity, spilling my guts gets me good advice and helps me become like him.

  The revelation that I have marital problems seems to delight him no end. I wonder absently just how much shit I have just landed myself in.

  ‘Tsk, tsk, trouble in paradise? Don’t tell me you’re letting her get the best of you? Last time we spoke it appeared as though you had her under the thumb, quite literally if I remember correctly.’ He chuckles to himself, amused with the concept of me having no control over my wife. His attitude only serves to make me madder. It’s not that I seek his approval, but… fuck, I want it.

  ‘A minor setback, I’m sure.’

  ‘Why don’t we discuss the matter? I’m sure I could help. In fact, I may just have the solution you’re looking for.’

  ‘Actually, I’m here for other matters, remember?’

  ‘Oh yes, our little business deal. Well, if you’d like to bring that up we’re going to have to discuss your wife anyway.’

  He watches me, waiting for my reaction. I try on my poker face, knowing I have only mildly succeeded in convincing him I’m not shocked by what he’s insinuating.

  ‘Why do you want to discuss Evie?’

  ‘Let’s start at the top shall we. What problems is she causing?’

  ‘Until recently I would have said she was faithful and compliant.’

  ‘But not anymore? What changed?’

  ‘I’ve had one of my security staff follow her. It would appear she has another male companion.’

  ‘How devilishly naughty of her. So, the question begs answering… why is she still breathing?’

  ‘A stroke of luck on her part, I’m sure. I only found out as my flight was lifting of from Brisbane.’

  ‘Indeed, that is good luck. Perhaps I could offer a solution?’

  ‘Which is?’

  ‘First, let me ask you, after discovering this betrayal, how do you feel about her?’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Well, do you still want her?’

  I hesitate just a moment while Stavros still stares at me intently.

  ‘A part of me wants to teach her a lesson, the other part of me wants to discard her like the rotten, spoilt, tainted goods she is.’ Even just talking about her is making me seethe with anger. I don’t know how in my right mind I could ever continue things with her—certainly not as a man and wife relationship.

  ‘Excellent! That’s just what I wanted to hear. Now we can move forward with my business proposition. You want my company which, as you know, has some of the most influential clients in the finance world of today. The company is strong because I have developed close personal relationships with those clients, and, built a solid foundation of trust. So, for my own personal financial gain, and to eliminate any negative repercussions from removing me as CEO, I’m suggesting the following. I remain a shareholder. You can buy fifty-one percent of my business, but I will remain on as a passive consultant. This will allow clients to confide in me should they wish to do so.’

  ‘That’s not quite what I had in mind, Stavros.’

  ‘It’s all I’m offering, so you can either take it or leave it. But I’m not done. Your percentage is going to cost you seventeen million dollars. In addition, each time I consult with a client, I will take five percent of the earnings.’

  I just about gag on the sip of scotch I just took. His price is steep to say the least; certainly much more than I had in mind. That being said, the fact that we are even sitting here discussing the deal is a monumental step in the right direction. I know Stavros will only put this deal on the table once, and I’m not fool enough to waste it.

  ‘You mentioned Evie.’

  ‘Ah, yes, your little minx. When I laid eyes on her I could instantly spot the same spirit that you must have seen when you met her for the first time. I must admit, my girls of late haven’t been… challenging enough. I need more, if you know what I mean.’

  ‘You’re saying you want Evie—as yours to keep?’ I must admit, I’m not completely shocked by the suggestion.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘In addition to payment and a kickback for consulting?’

  ‘It’s a steep price, Alex, but one well worth your investment. To sweeten the deal, I’m also offering you a gift of sorts. I can imagine that you’ll be quite lonely without your dear wife, so I’m going to send you a new woman each month—one that is carefully selected by me. I think you’re ready to delve a little deeper into the depravity you keep so safely locked within, don’t you think?’

  I did think. Coming out and saying it was another thing altogether. Stavros can see my indecision. It’s not just about the money, but in a sense giving up the one woman I really wanted to control. In giving her up, am I admitting defeat? Whatever the end game I want Evie to suffer and I know that will happen if she is with Stavros.

  Breaking my reverie, Stavros claps his hands loudly, apparently summoning someone. He’s watching the doorway like a hawk, eagerly anticipating another guest.

  ‘Perhaps a little incentive, yes?’

  ‘Yes,’ I agree.

  I’m not expecting what I see next. A tall, dark, exotic woman joins us in the bar. She is completely naked, her black nipples hardened from the cold. Her pussy has a mass of hair neatly shaved in an elaborate fashion, the lips of her labia peeking through and enticing me to wet my lips. Her body is completely unmarked, the flesh of her skin like smooth, black coffee. She has perfect bone structure and a long neck that I can imagine my hands around, squeezing roughly.

  For the first time since I left home, I feel completely and utterly aroused. I want to fuck and beat the shit out of this woman, using her body to free all the aggression I’m holding inside. The fact that she doesn’t look willing makes the thought of it all the more enticing. The fact that her wrists are bound together suggest she’s not here of her own volition.

  ‘Kora, stop looking so miserable! You’ll put Mr Stratford off our deal!’ He laughs loudly, knowing full well the girl has no choice in the matter.

  ‘I have to admit, I’m pretty enticed,’ I say, staring lustfully at the beauty before me.

  ‘Well, I’ll get Winston to show you to your quarters. He can stock you with some of my very best champagne and of course, Kora here will be there for your entertainment. Relax, enjoy yourself, do whatever you want with the girl.’

  I watch as Winston appears from nowhere. He ushers the girl away, always doing his master’s bidding without question. I stand up to follow but Stavros grabs my arm tightly as I walk past him.

  ‘Do we have a deal, Alex?’

  I look from him to the empty doorway, knowing what awaits me on the other side. I not only want this, but I need this. My darkest desires will not be tamed or caged anymore. It’s time to release the animal inside of me and evolve into the person who wants to emulate Stavros on so many levels. I shake my arm loose from his grasp and offer him my hand to shake.

  ‘We almost have a deal. Give me time to think it all over.’

  The delight in his eyes is unmasked as all the possibilities for his own pleasure with Evie are realised.

  ‘Well since we almost have a win/win scenario, let me give you the paperwork to read over.’

  He takes a thick document out of his suit jacket. He pushes it towards me and allows me time to scan over each page. I know
that if I sign Evie will no longer be mine. My world would change irrevocably. I know it’s time to start the next chapter in my life, which I have a feeling is going to go off with a bang.

  Nineteen

  GRAYSON

  While I’m desperate to touch her, be with her in every way possible, I by no means want to rush ‘this’. I know that Evie has suffered too much at the hands of an aggressive, sexually charged coward and I want her to know that our relationship means so much more than that to me.

  I’m not sure how long we have, but I want to make memories here together that are unforgettable; memories that could last a lifetime. Our first night here, falling asleep next to someone like her, made waking up to seven angry, missed calls from Jean so worth it.

  After listening to the messages on my voicemail, Jean’s intention is pretty clear. She thinks I’ve lost my mind to run away with a married woman. Hell, when you put it like that, even I think it sounds bad. But I know Evie’s story, I know she was bought, not lovingly wooed, but sold like a bloody slave to a man who wants nothing more than to mark her beautiful body.

  I know hiding from Jean and ignoring her phone calls will only make her all the more determined to harass me with continuous phone calls until I answer it. So, while Evie’s in the shower, I call Jean. It’s not easy to concentrate when Evie’s a few meters away and utterly naked but I throw a cold bucket of water over those thoughts for the moment. Jean answers on the first ring, as though she’s been poised and waiting to attack.

  ‘I’m not even gonna start in on you about why you’re not at work today, but I do want to know what the hell you were thinking when you decided to run off with that pretty little lady. You know, the one who has a husband!’

  ‘Calm down, Jean, I’m a big boy and can take care of myself.’

  ‘I’m sure you can, dearie, but have you thought about the implications for Evie if she returns to her abuser?’

  ‘She’s not going back to him.’ Silence hangs in the air as we both process what that means.

  ‘She’s not? Has she told you that?’

  ‘Not exactly, but there’s no way I’m letting her go back to that life, Jean, I just can’t.’

  ‘Look, darlin’, I know you want to help and I bet you’re probably a little bit smitten. Think of the ramifications, though, of her leaving a husband.’

  ‘I’m not saying it’s going to be easy, but I’m willing if she is.’

  ‘That’s exactly what I mean. I think she’ll be harder to persuade than you think.’

  ‘Well you know me, Jean. I don’t fall easily but, when I do, it’s for keeps.’

  ‘That’s just what I’m afraid of, son.’

  ‘It’s too late. I’m already falling for this girl. I can’t and won’t abandon her. I don’t want that life for her.’

  ‘Just see you don’t do anything stupid, Grayson. It could end up costing you and the girl your lives. Men like her husband do not mess around. They mean business. I don’t mind you taking the week off, or whatever, but I by no means want you getting yourself into trouble, do you hear me?’

  ‘Yes, ma’am. I’ll let you know when we’re heading back, okay?’

  ‘You do that.’

  She disconnects the call, temporarily satisfied that she’s given me a good earful. I know she worries dearly about me, but I also know that what I’m doing is the right thing for me and for Evie.

  The running water from the shower stops, telling me that Evie will be out any minute. I quickly scramble to throw on shorts and a tee before I’m busted getting around in my underwear again. My appetite could rival a bear’s, so I decide to get breakfast ready while Evie slips some clothes on. There’s that word—slips. It makes me think of slipping something else, somewhere else. Shaking my head to clear that little image from my dirty mind, I head outside to start a camp fire in the pit already dug out.

  I’ve got bacon and egg sizzling in a pan before Evie joins me outside.

  ‘Hey there, I was just about to check on you.’

  ‘Sorry, I was taking a while. I know it sounds really lame, but I’m not used to picking out my own clothes. I don’t really have anything… casual.’ She looks self-conscious standing there in denim cut-offs with a fitted, pale yellow tank top, a black bikini top showing underneath.

  ‘You look gorgeous just the way you are. Heck, you’d look great in a potato sack,’ I say with a grin.

  ‘Well, you’ll be thankful that I don’t own one of those,’ she smiles.

  ‘Are you hungry?’

  ‘Yes, please.’

  ‘Just as well I made plenty of breakfast then. You better tuck in, I’ve got plans for you today.’

  ‘Oh, really?’ she blushes. I smirk in response.

  ‘I may be male, Evie, but I do have a little bit of self-control.’

  ‘I was sincerely hoping you didn’t.’

  I just about choke on the bacon in my mouth. Holy hell, if that’s not a green light then I don’t know what is. The little mantra just be good, just be good is getting fainter and fainter in my head. She grins, knowing full well that I’m affected by her. We finish breakfast, her last statement hanging in the air. When it comes to self-restraint I can only be so good. Sooner or later, I’m gonna cave.

  ‘What are we going to do today?’

  ‘See those kayaks down on the lake?’

  ‘Uh-huh…’

  ‘We’re going off on a little adventure.’

  ‘Great! Let’s get going.’

  She sprints off, leaving me in her wake. I wonder if, given a lifetime to be with her, I’d ever tire of chasing her. I take off after her feeling youthful and full of life. How I ever thought I wouldn’t want love in my life again I have no idea. Feeling this way makes it so worthwhile.

  When we get to the water’s edge, she hesitates, which gives me enough time to catch her around the waist and drag her in with me. We both crash under the surface, the cool water making my breath hitch. We surface, Evie looking completely stunned that I just dunked her under.

  ‘Sorry, I got a little carried away,’ I grin.

  ‘I don’t mind.’ Her tone is bashful, yet seductive. She swims confidently towards me, surprising me by wrapping her legs around my waist and her sinewy arms around my neck. She has hold of me and it doesn’t seem like she’s about to let go.

  There is so much I want to say, to reassure her, promise her, but any words are lost as her soft lips zero in on mine. My eyes close, even before she places them on mine. The heat from her body radiates towards me and I feel my dick respond to her warmth. Everything around us is so still. The water barely has a ripple, the wildlife quiet enough to be only heard faintly on the wind. Everything I can smell, touch and hear is Evie.

  Her breath has quickened, a sure indicator her heart is racing, too. Gently her nose nudges my head back so that she can access my lips better. All that guides me to them is instinct. My arms are wrapped around her back, tracing tiny circles up towards her shoulder blades. I gently hook my arms over her shoulders and pull her in closer so that I can finally melt into her kiss.

  Droplets of water trickle over my face as her warm breath mingles with mine. Even just having my lips connected with hers makes me feel things I’ve never felt before. I kiss her hungrily, passionately, her tongue only too eager to dance around mine as our kiss becomes more feverish. It soon becomes so much more than that.

  Unable to contain myself anymore, I grab her around the arse, pulling her pelvis towards my own. Any contact at the moment is enough to drive me wild. Regardless of the flimsy clothes between us, her body grinding against my dick is enough to make me want to be the bad boy that needs to rip her panties off and make love to her regardless of the consequence to my heart or my life.

  Needing more, I tear myself away from her lips and cup her arse in my hands to take her weight. Walking back out of the water I gently lay her on the grassy water’s edge. She looks just as drunk as I am from the passion that’s been lit between us. Without
any care or hesitation she rips off her tank top, leaving her with just her bottoms and bikini top. The swell of her breast peeking out from the swimsuit material is enough for me to fantasise about sucking on her nipples.

  She can see me staring, so reaches behind her neck to free the straps that are holding her bikini top in place. As the material falls away, pale, pink nipples beg me to pay them some attention. Unable to resist the tease any longer, I bow down and suck greedily on her flesh. A low moan escapes her lips, making me desire her even more. Her fingers interlace behind my head pulling me as close as I can possibly get. I lick the buds of her flesh, thoroughly enjoying the taste of her skin. She pulls my hair, desperately guiding me to the other breast, demanding I pay it some attention, too.

  A loud cough interrupts our fevered attempt at trying to make it to second base. I pull away as Evie hurries to cover herself with her hands. Pissed off at being interrupted at what would have to be one of my top ten ranked moments of my life, I glare up into the sun which is blazing blindingly behind Callum.

  ‘Morning,’ he says, suddenly eager to look anywhere than at us two. ‘I can see you, er… found the kayaks. All good then, shall we expect you for dinner tonight?’

  ‘Sure,’ I say. Callum starts to walk away, clearly embarrassed enough for the three of us, but I stop him in his tracks. ‘Oh, and Callum?’

  ‘Yeah?’ He spins around, but tries to ignore that I’m still on top of a very mortified Evie.

  ‘Knock next time, won’t you.’

  ‘You got it… you know, if there’s a door and all.’ He saunters off before I feel like getting up and kicking his arse.

  To save Evie any humiliation, I tie the straps of her bikini top back up before offering her a hand up. She looks just as sheepish as I feel.

  ‘Come on, we better get out on those kayaks and tire you out.’

  ‘How come?’ she asks.

  ‘Because if you come at me like that tonight, there’s no way I’m going to be able to knock you back.’

  Twenty

  EVIE

  Such a small amount of time out at the lake and I already feel like I’ve been here a lifetime. It’s amazing how much you can find out about a person when you are the only two present. It forces you to talk, and talk some more. You connect on a completely different level. I find that no matter how much I want to hide the shame of my marriage to Alex, Grayson is willing to listen without judging. I’ve needed that for such a long time—a confidante—that I have grabbed hold of my new friend with such intensity that when it comes time, I don’t think I’m going to be able to let him go.