He told me then that it was his turn.
That’s when he pushed me onto my stomach, grabbed my hips, and fucked me harder than he ever had before.
I buried my screams in the bed coverings as he grunted my name out again and again.
It was everything I wanted in that moment and more.
“I have something for you,” he says as he stalks toward me.
I slip my panties on. “If it’s your cock I appreciate it. I do, but my pussy needs a break.”
That stops him mid-step. His head roars back in laughter.
It’s a beautiful sight. The sound is joyful.
It makes me realize that I’ve rarely heard it.
“It’s not funny,” I fake protest. “You were so deep.”
“Again, you’re not complaining,” he states as he stops in front of me.
I drop my hands to my hips, not caring that I’m only wearing a pair of panties and he’s fully dressed. “I like it.”
“I know.” He brushes his lips over mine. “Close your eyes and give me your hand.”
I do without a second thought.
My breath hitches when I feel the weight of something in my palm. “Can I look, please?”
Before he agrees, he kisses me again. This time it’s demanding and meant to steal my breath.
“Wow,” I whisper when he pulls back. “That was a gift in itself.”
He laughs, his breath trailing over my neck. “Open your eyes, Mrs. Locke.”
I take a second to savor the sound of that. When my eyes pop open, I glance down to find a small box wrapped in silver paper bound with a white ribbon. “What is it?”
“A belated wedding gift,” he says. “See for yourself.”
I hurriedly rip the wrapping paper free, tossing it on the floor. I steal a glance at my husband before I open the lid of a small white box. Inside is a pair of stunning earrings. There is no doubt in my mind that these are real diamonds. They are princess cut and have to be at least a carat each.
I gaze at Graham’s face. “This is too generous.”
His eyes search mine. “It’s not nearly enough, Trina. It’s a small token of my…”
I step in when his voice trails. I want to fill in the blank with the word love, but that’s far-fetched. Graham doesn’t love me. He appreciates me for helping him to make Mr. Abdon’s dying wish a reality.
“Appreciation,” I whisper.
He nods. “Right. It’s a small token of my appreciation.”
“I’ll wear them tonight.” I set to work removing the simple small gold hoops that I put in my ears this morning.
Graham reaches to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “The earrings will be all you wear when we fall back into bed later.”
I fasten the clasp on one of the diamond earrings before I tug the other from the box. “Is that an order or a request?”
He laughs as he watches my every move. “It’s your choice.”
I adjust the earrings before I push up my chin. “How do they look?”
“They pale in comparison to your beauty,” he says in a low tone. “But, I have to admit, they’re perfect.”
I move forward to kiss him softly on the corner of the mouth. “Thank you again, Graham.”
“You’re welcome.” He reaches up to cup his hand over my cheek. “You need to get dressed. I’ll order something in tonight. Then we’ll feast on what I picked up at your family’s bakery.”
It’ll be a taste of nostalgia in the midst of my complicated fake married life.
“You can tell me more about your siblings while you eat cookies, tarts, and cake.” He pulls back. “I’ll find Lloyd. You finish getting dressed.”
“Graham.” I grab his hand to stop him as he moves to leave the room. “Will you tell me about your siblings too? I don’t know anything about your family.”
I feel his hand tense in mine. “There’s nothing to tell. I don’t have any siblings. I don’t have a family. I never have.”
With that, he pulls away and leaves without another word.
Chapter Forty-One
Graham
This marriage will be a part of me forever. The scent of my wife’s skin, the vibrancy of her eyes when she stares into mine, and her touch – the way she touches me – will never leave me.
If all I get with her is the promised three months, I will live the rest of my days coasting through on the memories of moments like this.
I’ll never want another woman the way I want Trina.
She sighs as she takes another small bite of the lemon tart that we’re sharing.
I watch her carefully, taking note of the way her tongue slicks her bottom lip and the soft smile that settles on her mouth as she swallows the sweet treat.
“This cake is out of this world,” Lloyd says from next to me as he devours the single slice of chocolate cake I bought.
He was in the library when I went to seek him out.
Neither of us mentioned that it was nearing nine by then. I’d spent hours in bed with my wife as an appetizer to what I plan to do to her later.
I’m going to plant kisses over every inch of her body before I take her slowly.
I want the fuck tonight to last until daybreak.
Sleep is becoming a nuisance. It’s time lost with Trina. Time I’ll never be able to recover once she files for divorce.
“It’s my mom’s recipe,” Trina states proudly. “She once told me it took her years to perfect it.”
“It was worth it.” Lloyd chuckles. “It’s by far the best I’ve tasted in my entire life.”
His entire life.
Those words draw Trina’s gaze to mine. I see the sorrow that has settled in her eyes. I know what she’s thinking. His life is nearing its end.
I want to change that, but I can’t fix what ails Lloyd. I wish to hell I could.
“Graham bought samples of lots of different treats. I’ll put the rest in the fridge for us to taste test tomorrow.” Trina tries to lighten the mood. “Does anyone want coffee or tea?”
Lloyd shakes off the suggestion with a wave of his hand in the air. “Nothing for me. I’m going to find a book and get ready for bed.”
I push back to lend him a hand as he stands. “I’ll go with you to the library.”
Trina stands too. “I’ll put the dishes in the sink.”
The T-shirt she’s wearing inches up to reveal a sliver of the smooth skin of her stomach above the waistband of her jeans.
That’s going to be the starting point for my kiss-fueled journey of her body tonight.
“You can load the dishwasher later, can’t you, darling?”
I fight off a smile. “You bet, dear.”
Trina bats her long lashes at me. “I’ll clear the table and then take a bath.”
I want in on that bath, so I place a hand on Lloyd’s back to move him along.
He turns to face Trina. “Have I thanked you today for making Bull the happiest man alive?”
His words catch my breath in my throat because they’re the truth.
“He makes me happy too,” Trina responds. “He’s a pretty great husband.”