“It’s an art us Hale women have perfected. Don’t try and change it.”
“Why change it, baby, when I have a cork that fits it just right?”
“Ha ha,” I said, pulling my sweater over my head. “So why are you selling?” I knew I was pushing it. I’d barely made my way back into his good graces.
“I never wanted this club. I might enjoy the lifestyle, but I do not want to host it. That’s not me. That’s...just not me,” he said, turning off the light and opening the door as I grabbed my purse.
“So how did you end up with it?” He gave me a hard glance. I had a feeling his reluctance to answer had more to do with his stubbornness than his grudge against me.
“I’m late, Violet.”
He held my hand as he walked me to my car. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled the collar of my jacket so we were a hair away from our lips touching.
“My cock will text you.” He graced me with another slow and devastating kiss. This man had moved me. Pulling away from his kiss, I saw it in his eyes. I mattered. To Rhys I still mattered, and that was enough.
“Bye, Rhys.” It was the first time I said his name without consequence, and he gave me a knowing grin. I was pushing it again.
“You know why I wouldn’t let you say it?” He still held my collar and his scent was stirring me again.
“Why?” I asked as he noted his effect on me. I was dizzy at our proximity.
He leaned in closer. “Because the first time you said it, I knew no other woman could ever compete.”
“I knew you loved the way I said your name.” I smiled. “If I say it again, will you come home with me?”
“I can’t,” he said, giving me one last kiss. “Goodnight, Violet.”
“Night, Rhys.” He groaned playfully as I opened my door. This time he pulled out and gestured to me with his hand to go in front of him.
I slept better that night than I had in years.
RHYS: The Barracks 10 p.m. Ladies’ choice.
I read the message as I gave the last of the candy bowl to the neighborhood children. If they only knew their neighbor was a sex-crazed nymph, they would more than likely snatch them away with a look of judgment on their faces. What exactly was I doing again? Didn’t I want to be a parent? Weren’t my dreams tied into a nice neat bow along with the rest of the world? My priorities were simple as a young adult: win the love a good man, have a successful marriage, and a child to go with it. It wasn’t exactly original.
I had plenty of time; I knew it. Today was a day that reminded me that time was of the essence. I was thirty-three. I took a hard look in the mirror after my shower. A slight touch of crow’s feet, a little dimple in my thighs here and there, I could live with that.
“Overall, you still look good, girl.” I laughed as I jiggled my butt a little for effect. “And you are slightly insane too, Vi.”
Then again, no one makes it out of this life unscathed. Normal was an illusion, and every single person on earth had flaws and idiosyncrasies, no matter how well they were hidden. Why I was suddenly ashamed at my increase in libido and blatant sexual appetite was beyond me. There were millions of people out there who daydreamed about the way I’d been fucked in the last two months and never had the guts to actually ask for it.
Not to mention you swore you wouldn’t beat yourself up about it, Vi.
Also, it’d opened a whole new world to me, which led me to my current happy place: Rhys. We had started texting again regularly and he promised that as soon as he could he would take me out and we could start fresh. He had some interested buyers in the club. Between his day job, his family obligations, and trying to get out from under the club, his time was limited. I told him that was fine as long as he made my birthday memorable. Clearly, he intended to.
I pulled up the black stockings and attached them to the garter belt. I’d gone all out tonight. I found a set of really interesting leather lingerie, and while it wasn’t exactly comfortable, it looked hot! I hoped to make him squirm a little, though my beautiful man rarely did. My stomach fluttered with anticipation. This might be my best birthday yet. I pulled out a simple dress, knowing it didn’t matter what covered what lay beneath, and some sassy red heels and I was ready.
I was making my rounds in my house to turn the lights off and went to shut the front do
or. I’d left the screen door open all night due to the large amount of trick or treaters. I heard a shuffle of footsteps in the dining room next to me and gasped when I felt a hand cover my mouth.
“Don’t you fucking scream.” I saw a dark silhouette raiding my dining room and realized quickly I was being robbed while I had been shaking my stupid naked ass in the mirror. I lived in an amazing residential area that hardly had an ounce of crime. Well, until...until, now.
Terror raced through me as I realized just how bad the situation was. My phone was in my purse that was being removed as I thought of it by the man gripping my mouth.
“Where’s your husband?” He lifted his hand briefly and I spoke softly, not wanting to rock the boat. “He’ll be home soon.”
“Well then, we better hurry.” He dug his erection into my back. I felt my eyes well. “Don’t worry, baby. We don’t have time for that. I’ll come back for it later.” His smell was putrid and I gagged against his hand. He slapped the side of my head with an open hand.