Chain of Title

by Robyn Roze

  Frank huffed and took a step back, with a confused look. Shayna felt Danielle’s arm thread through hers.

  “Hot damn, Shay. I like the new guy more all the time,” Scott baited Frank, with his arms crossed and a gleam in his hazel eyes.

  Shayna told him to shut up with the flare of her stormy gray eyes and tightly set lips.

  Sean answered the question visible on Frank’s face. “News travels. Even in a city the size of Mt. Pleasant.” He paused intentionally. “I guess we both know people.” A hint of a threat lay hidden in the nuanced meaning.

  “Hey, let’s get to roasting marshmallows and making smores!” Jack called out nervously, herding the kids and adults nearest him down a couple of levels to the awaiting fire pit. Sean and Frank continued their stony stare-down, neither willing to be the first to blink.

  “Think you’d better tap out old man. Looks like you’ve met your match,” Scott taunted, with a laugh.

  “Scotty,” Shayna hissed, pointing with her eyes at Danielle.

  “Shit. Sorry, Dani,” Scott said apologetically, rubbing her shoulder gently. “You know I love you to pieces, sweetie. It’s just your dad I can’t stand.”

  “Oh my God, Scott! That’s enough!” Shayna snapped.

  He popped his hands up in surrender then winked at Danielle before turning and heading down to the fire pit.

  “It’s okay, Mom,” she whispered. “I think he’s just had a little too much to drink.” As Danielle stepped away to join the others at the fire pit, she glanced back to her father. “Hey, Daddy, come with me. Let’s go roast some marshmallows. What do you say?” Dani asked encouragingly, with a hopeful smile, her eyes begging him.

  Frank’s rigid demeanor softened marginally at his daughter’s invitation. He shook his head and reluctantly pulled his eyes from Sean, dragging them over Shayna, and finally resting them on Danielle.

  “Can’t, sweetheart. I need to leave,” he said resentfully, stalking over and hugging her closely before planting a kiss on her cheek and breaking away down the stairs to bid the Montgomery’s farewell. Danielle followed like a puppy dog trying to change his mind.

  Shayna turned and looked searchingly for answers from Sean. His expression was ineffable, a wall now seemingly between them.

  “What’s going on, Sean? How do you know those things?” she asked cautiously. He didn’t answer, just gazed at her for a few seconds before resolutely looking off into the distance, sliding his hands into his pockets, intentionally ignoring her question.

  “Are you ready to join your family around the fire?” he asked impassively, not making eye contact with her.

  She felt a sudden chill rolling off him, not understanding why. Shayna swallowed her confusion and blinked a few times, trying to make sense of the situation. Right now, she was furious with Jack for having put any of them in this spot.

  “No. I think we should go. I’ll say our goodbyes and meet you in the car.”

  “Fine,” he bit out, pivoting quickly and disappearing inside the house to exit out the front door.

  CHAPTER 20

  The car ride home from Jack’s had been unusually silent. Shayna kept rewinding the provocative words between Frank and Sean. She had read nothing in the papers about any problems that Frank was having with the business or otherwise, so what Sean had said took her by surprise. Her “friends” hadn’t said anything either, but after her public dismissal of them at the last luncheon she expected that the loop no longer included her. Was Sean privy to some information from a colleague or friend? Or did his knowledge somehow go beyond just hearsay? Her stomach knotted at the possibilities.

  Shayna also couldn’t understand why he seemed so perturbed, almost cold, with her. She didn’t know Frank was even going to be there, or she would’ve seriously reconsidered bringing Sean, or even attending herself.

  She hoped Jack would see the error of his choice and never do anything like that again. His intentions where Danielle were concerned may have been sincere, although she felt certain there was more to it, but he must see now that it wasn’t going to work in reality the way it had in his head. Or maybe it worked exactly as he had hoped—friction and discomfort all around, making the change, and Sean, seem onerous, more difficult than the familiarity of the status quo.

  She shook her head, closed her eyes and sighed. Somehow, they had all managed to make it through dinner without any harsh words or jabs, primarily because Frank and Sean had blatantly ignored one another. That was almost as uncomfortable as the exchange of words near the end.

  As Sean pulled into her driveway, she wondered if he was even going to come in tonight. He answered the unspoken question when he abruptly shifted the car into park, powered it off, and was out his door and at hers before she had a chance to open it herself. He followed closely behind her up the landscaped walkway, and she no more than opened the front door when he grabbed her keys and purse, tossing them on a nearby entry table, and kicked the door shut. Then his hands were on her—commanding her, pulling her backside against him, roaming down and up, gripping and kneading. Kissing her neck and biting at her shoulder, he unzipped her dress to expose more of her flesh to his demanding assault. He was frenzied in his attention, all the while guiding her into the kitchen.

  Shayna tried to catch her breath, but he was stealing it from her, not giving her a chance to think, react. Turning her, pressing her hard against him, he lifted Shayna gruffly onto the countertop grinding his hardness between her legs, one hand fiercely gripping her hip, the other steely hand closed around the nape of her neck giving her mouth no reprieve from his punishing kisses.

  Then his hand at her hip shifted quickly under her dress, moving aside the flimsy material of her panties. They swallowed each other’s moans as his fingers delved inside her slick center stroking, inflaming, his thumb circling and pressing against her swollen clit. As the wave readied to crash over Shayna—everything stopped.

  Everything.

  Sean’s hands slammed onto the countertop beside her and his head dropped to her shoulder, as he tried to gain control over his hot labored breathing. Then he pulled away from her and left the kitchen without a word, without a look.

  Shayna’s hands gripped the edge of the concrete top, her breath coming in hot, deep bursts, trying to adjust to the orgasm that almost happened. Her feet finally made contact with the tiled floor and she stumbled across to the sink where she ran her hands under cold water, patting some on the back of her neck and sides of her throat. She zipped her dress back up, adjusted her garments and turned to see Sean in the other room, his back to her. He was staring out the wall of windows, hands clasped tightly behind his head, elbows out, with a wide stance.

  She tentatively positioned herself a few feet from him, gauging him circumspectly for a moment or two. She had understood his behavior since they walked in the house tonight—up until he stopped, that is. No matter how long humans educated and civilized themselves, sometimes the animal still broke free. After what happened at Jack’s cookout, Sean’s animal wanted to reestablish dominance over her, wanted to reclaim his territory from other encroaching males—Frank, to be specific. Unfortunately, his rational, domesticated brain had been able to restrain and lockdown the lust-filled animal, much to the disappointment now throbbing impatiently between Shayna’s thighs. She rather liked the animal in Sean. She sighed loudly, in needy exasperation. Swallowing hard, she licked her suddenly parched lips, trying her best not to sound agitated.

  “What’s wrong, Sean? Why’d you stop like that?”

  His hands unclasped from behind his head and slid into his pants pockets as he tightened his stance. The moonlight bathed him in a milky haze.

  “Why’d you look at him like that, Shay?” he asked solemnly without turning to look at her. He seemed to be contemplating his own reflection, questioning it.

  Squeezing her eyes a bit and shaking her head in puzzlement, she replied, “What? What’re you talking about?”

  He chuckled mirthlessly.
“You don’t even realize it, do you?” He shook his head sadly. “I saw the way you looked at him, Shay,” he said in a strangled voice, “and I know he saw it too.” He huffed in disbelief and turned to face her. “You still love him!” he barked. “Do you really think I’m an idiot?”

  Shayna began shaking her head frantically. “No! No, of course not! It’s not what you think, Sean!”

  “Really, Shay? Are you sure about that?”

  She exhaled sharply. “Yes, I’m sure. You don’t know what I’m feeling better than I do, Sean! I wasn’t expecting him to be there today, you know that. Seeing him with my family...with Natalie—it reminded me of how he was with Danielle when she was young. He was a good father, and we spent a lot of time with Jack and his family all those years. It’s no surprise that I’d be reminded of all that today.”

  “So you weren’t wishing that you were back together with him? Seriously? It sure looked like a helluva lot more than old memories resurfacing to me—and if I think that, you can bet your ass he does too.”

  An irritated breath pushed past Shayna’s lips. “As much as you want it, Sean, I can’t erase twenty-five years of my life, or pretend that I was miserable the entire time and that Frank was a despicable monster I’ll hate until my grave. That’s not how it was. That’s not how it is.”

  Sean eyed her suspiciously. “So you’ve forgiven him then? You don’t hate him anymore?” he asked accusatorily.

  Shayna grew increasingly aggravated and bored with this line of questioning. “I never hated him. I hated what he did. I hated how little he thought of me, of us, to willingly risk our marriage.” She paused. “Never him,” she said barely above a whisper.

  His expression indicated she should’ve kept that last sentiment to herself, but it was true. As angry as she had been over the last three years, the one thing that frustrated and exacerbated her outrage was the annoying fact that a part of her would always love him. She simply could not will it out of her heart. She had been trying unsuccessfully for three years to do just that. There had just been too many good memories. Not to mention, the warmth and tenderness he had shown when pulling her from the chilling darkness after Wes’ death.

  Shayna sighed softly, moving to peer out into the moon-lit landscape. In return for saving her, she had given Frank the child he wanted so badly—a child she loved more than life itself and always would, a child that bound them together, forever. She could never really be completely free of Frank Chastain.

  She finally spoke the unsettling truth, “He’ll always be a part of my life in some way, Sean. Like it or not, it’s not for you to decide,” she blurted harshly. Shayna’s gaze drilled into his. “Jack never should have put Frank and me together like he did today. But you have to understand something: Jack’s in the majority. He thinks, like all of my friends, that I made a mistake.”

  Doubt and pain shaded quickly on Sean’s face and then just as swiftly ducked below the surface.

  “I don’t,” she said with a crack in her voice that belied her confidence.

  “Scotty doesn’t think you made a mistake. He said he never liked your ex. Thought he was smug asshole. A user,” Sean spat out.

  Shayna raised her hands. “I’m done with this, Sean. I had a pretty shitty day in case you hadn’t noticed.” She began counting off on her fingers. “I walked into what I already knew would be a tense situation with my family. I find out Abigail flew the coop—again; hurt my brothers—again! And then Frank shows up, which made for an incredibly awkward, uncomfortable dinner, followed by a heated exchange between you two. Now you tell me that you’re upset because of some look on my face.” Hot air blew out her nostrils as her teeth clenched and her breathing quickened. “And what was that by the way? Huh? How do you know things about Frank’s business that haven’t even been reported in the paper?”

  His expression was unreadable.

  She closed the space between them further. “Understand something, Sean. Anything that hurts Frank also hurts Danielle.” She shook her head in warning. “You don’t want to be a part of that.”

  Sean cocked his head and smirked. “That’s real sweet. You’re worried about your ex,” he said mockingly.

  Shayna’s lids narrowed and she huffed indignantly. “This isn’t about Frank. It’s about you—your jealousy and insecurities.”

  He erupted. “He had twenty-five years with you! Twenty-five years!” he roared. His hands cut through the heavy tension surrounding them. Then he stepped into her space, gripping her face in his hands, tilting her head back, and baring her neck to him. “Twenty-five years to learn everything about you,” he muttered distractedly, gazing at her as if for the first time, his thumb brushing gingerly across her lips, “to learn what you like...” he trailed off roughly, his hand gliding down and around her neck to cut a path between her aching breasts, molding the ample flesh to his hungry hand. A soft moan escaped Shayna’s lips, as she felt unable to do anything but watch, riveted by his emotion and demeanor.

  “Learn what makes you laugh...cry. Take you on vacations...holidays.” He closed his eyes as if in pain. “Twenty-five years to get under your skin.” He swallowed hard, repositioning his hands firmly around her face and bringing them almost nose to nose. “Like a poison,” he said sharply. “And I want him out, Shay. I want him gone,” he said menacingly. Her brow furrowed and she started to speak. “I want you to look at me, the way you looked at him,” he said forcefully. “I waited my whole life for you. Before you strutted into my restaurant, I was a confirmed bachelor. I had a good life. Figured I’d retire early, sell the business, and take over my legacy.” He shook his head in distress. “You changed everything. Everything, Shay. Suddenly, the plans I had aren’t good enough anymore—not without you,” he whispered roughly.

  He paused and looked longingly at her. “God, I wish it’d been me.” He shook his head despairingly. “I wish it was me you couldn’t get out of your system, couldn’t let go of.” He dropped his hands and stepped away looking lost, hopeless. “I wish I’d had the last twenty-five years with you,” he confessed poignantly. Sean dragged his hand roughly down his face and then exhaled loudly, bracing his hands on his hips, turning his head and staring out the glass panel.

  Shayna felt dumbstruck. Unable to string words together, not even sure where to start. Collecting her thoughts and taking deep breaths, she noticed Sean watching her reflection in the glass. She felt rooted in her spot, unable to move. She didn’t know if there was any way to assuage him, and she struggled to catalogue his impassioned words.

  She finally uttered softly, “I’m in love with you, Sean. You know those aren’t words that I just throw around.”

  “But you love him too. Stop denying it,” he said soberly.

  Shayna’s shoulders slumped slightly as she sighed in resignation. “It’s not the same thing, Sean. It’s not,” she repeated with conviction as he shook his head in disbelief. “Every relationship, no matter what kind, deepens with time. The history, shared memories, and all of the nuances add layers over time. It’s like a book that you just keep adding chapters to. You and I will have that—our own book, and we will keep adding new chapters.” She paused to see if she had made any headway with him, but couldn’t be sure.

  “I don’t love him the way I used to, and the way you think I do.” She moved closer, trying to catch his eyes with hers. “I love the memories. That’s different.” She reached out to touch him, but thought better of it. He appeared coiled tight and ready to spring.

  He spoke as if he had heard nothing she said. “I want everything, Shay,” he rumbled, while staring out at the inky sky. “Everything you gave him and more—and I’m not waiting. I’ve waited long enough,” he whispered hoarsely, turning and gripping her upper arms, pulling her closer. Shayna winced from the pinch of his tight grip. “I’ll make sure you get him out of your system, and he stays where he belongs—in the fucking past.”

  Before she could speak, his mouth clamped down on hers in a punishing kis
s, his tongue pushing past her lips and invading her mouth, drinking her, taking the air from her lungs. She heard her zipper tear open and her flimsy dress suddenly hitched above her hips as he lifted her and then slammed them against a nearby wall, shielding her from the impact with his arms, and rocking his hard heat between her legs. One hand held her head firmly in place as he blazed a fiery trail of kisses and bites along her neck and shoulder. His other hand yanked the top of her dress down, squeezed, and tormented her heavy breast, twisting her sensitive nipple.

  Shayna let out a needy moan as her body swelled and throbbed with fierce desire. Sean’s animal had broken free and he was six-feet three inches of ferocious, unadulterated lust and testosterone. No man had ever turned her on quite the way he did. He knew exactly how to handle her body, had from the beginning. He drew her nipple in between his greedy lips, sucking and pulling hard, while his fingers circled and stroked masterfully inside her slick center, his thumb rubbing and flicking her clit.

  Everything seemed to be spinning faster, out of control, and then Shayna’s back arched as every sensation converged and swarmed in a heavy mass to that one spot, rocketing away, leaving her gasping for air. Sean tore the thin panties from her body and then she heard his pants drop to the floor. His back was steamy and damp underneath his shirt, and she could feel the tension in his taut muscles as they strained to keep her pinned. Her hands strayed down to his tightly clenched ass and she squeezed, as he readied to plunge into her.

  He teased her with just an inch or two before pulling back out and repeating the taunt, watching her with a stormy, determined expression. She knew what he was doing, what he was proving—that he was in control. Her mouth went dry at just how much she liked the thought of that, while other parts became even wetter and swelled further.