Their Love

We were stopped a few times along the way by clients who wanted an introduction to my wife and to chat with me for a moment or two. Hazel mirrored the greeting the first of them gave us, flashing a smile that didn’t shine nearly as bright as her usual as she echoed, “Hello, it’s lovely to meet you.”

She kept that smile plastered on her face as she listened to the conversation, nodding along with it every once in a while. Her reaction was much the same with the next couple, except the greeting she mimicked was “I’m delighted to make your acquaintance” that time. The third time around, she used both since the male client was by himself and was too busy gaping at my wife’s tits to do much more than mutter a hello.

When we finally made it to our table, Hazel was still stilted even though there were only two other couples seated with us who she didn’t know. It was obvious enough that Blair and Imogene sent her concerned looks, while Justice and Thatcher cocked their brows at me and jerked their chins in Hazel’s direction as if to ask “What in the hell are you going to do about this?”

I didn’t know what the fuck was going on with my wife, but I wanted my Hazel back. Not this version of her who was stiff and polite, like so many of the women who were a part of this glittery world. I wanted the girl who lit up my entire life with just one look.

Wrapping my hand around the back of her neck, I leaned to whisper in her ear, “What’s wrong, peaches? Are you not feeling well?”

“I don’t know what you mean. I’m perfectly fine.” The smile she flashed me was brittle. It was also clearly not genuine since it didn’t reach her pretty green eyes.

“You’re not fine,” I growled. “You’re barely talking to your friends or me, and you look like you’d break if I touched you the wrong way.”

Her gaze darted around, and her cheeks filled with heat. “I. Am. Fine,” she insisted. “Please stop before people start wondering what we’re arguing about. If we have to, we can talk about this later when we’re alone.”

Fuck worrying about what other people thought. Hazel’s opinion was the only one who truly mattered to me. And fuck waiting for later. My wife was the most important person in my world. I wouldn’t hesitate to burn my entire life down if that’s what it took to make her happy.

Tossing my napkin on the table, I quickly rose from my chair. Gasps surrounded us when I lifted Hazel out of her chair and carried her through the room and out the door. I also heard the click of a ton of cameras. A picture of us as we left the gala was bound to make it into Page Six tomorrow, along with wild speculation about our marriage. But I didn’t give a damn. The only thing I cared about was getting to the bottom of whatever was going on in my wife’s head and fixing it so I could make her happy again.

Chapter Six

Jamison

I barely resisted the urge to ravish her lusciously rounded body after I got her in the back of the car. She opened her mouth to say something, but my glare had her snapping her pretty lips shut. Her face was pink, clearly embarrassed by my display, but I couldn’t muster up any regret. I’d had enough of this bullshit. I was going to get to the bottom of what was going on with my wife.

We rode in silence, but I claimed her hand and hauled her close so I could wrap an arm around her. She was still stiff, but our close proximity melted a little of her icy exterior.

Once we arrived at our home, I jumped out and gently pulled Hazel out behind me. Then I swept her into my arms again and took the steps to the front door two at a time. After punching in a code on the keypad beside the entrance, I pushed the door open and jogged up the stairs to our bedroom.

Stalking inside, I hit the light switch with my elbow, then set Hazel down in the center of the room.

She immediately spun around and punched her fists onto her hips. She was breathing hard, and I barely restrained myself from staring at her tits, keeping eye contact instead. It didn’t stop my dick from responding, and it was on the verge of busting my zipper.

“Jamison!” she exclaimed hysterically. “Everyone is going to think you’ve lost your mind!”

Hearing my full name from her lips was the last straw. I swiftly closed the small gap between us and used both hands to grasp the scooped neckline of her satin gown. My adrenaline was at an all-time high, so it took little effort to rip the dress down the center. Hazel gasped, but I was too intent on getting her naked to determine whether it was from outrage or arousal. My tongue slid along my suddenly dry lips as I finally allowed my eyes to feast on her beautiful breasts while I pushed the green fabric off of her shoulders. My gaze followed the path of the dress as it fell and pooled on the ground. Her bra and panties matched her dress, and it pissed me the fuck off. Her entire outfit was a reminder of the aloof, socialite she’d become tonight.