by Nesly Clerge
“Don’t even dare—”
“What? You don’t want to know that a man can satisfy me? And that you don’t?”
“Bullshit. You had one hell of an orgasm the last time we made love.”
“If that’s what you call making love, you can keep it. I’ve learned the difference. And the only reason I had an orgasm during your, what can only be described as a rabbit-fuck, was because I imagined you were Luke. Only he doesn’t grunt like a pig or paw at me like an amateur.”
“You’re going too far.”
“Let me tell you exactly how far I plan to go.”
CHAPTER 96
“Once Luke and I are both divorced,” Chelsea said, “we’re getting married. We’re both finally going to be happy. You, however, will keep on screwing around and die alone.”
Garrett glared at her a moment then barked a laugh. “You are a simpleton. You think he’s going to leave his wife for you? You’re nothing but a piece of ass to him. Both of you have had your fun going exotic. The novelty will wear off soon enough for him, if it hasn’t already. Face it, sweetheart, you’re not a woman who can hold a man’s interest very long. Then you’ll realize what you’ve lost. And believe me, Chelsea. You’ve lost me.”
“I never really had you, though. Did I? I’ve been unhappy for longer than I care to remember. You could have changed that. I was willing, for such a long time. You did everything you could to crush that dream. So, Garrett, congratulations. You did it. But, I’m going to be happy, cherished, and loved. Finally.”
“If you think I’m going to allow that man into my daughter’s life, you’re fucking crazy.”
“Luke is a wonderful man. He’s decent and kind. I’m more concerned about the sleazy women, and their S&M preferences, you’ll subject Kimmie to. Now, it’s time for you to get out of my house and out of my life.”
“It’s still my house. You’re still my wife.”
“Only on paper. Now go. I’m already late for my appointment.”
“Your appointment to get fucked, you mean. I saw the text, remember?” He grabbed her arm and turned her around. “You’re not going anywhere.”
“Let go of me.” She escaped his grip. “Your touch repulses me.”
“I’m going to prove you’re lying to yourself about that. I’m going to prove you still want me.” He pulled Chelsea to him. He grabbed her breast and squeezed hard, grabbed her between her legs and squeezed harder.
“You’re hurting me.”
“Pain and pleasure, sweetheart. Maybe that’s what you’ve needed all along.” He covered her mouth with his. His scream echoed in the foyer when she bit his lower lip. He shoved her away. Wiped his lip. Saw the blood on his hand.
His fist made hard contact with her face, sending her into the foyer table then onto the floor.
CHAPTER 97
The Empire grandfather clock in the foyer chimed. Garrett howled in rage, hit the clock with his shoulder like a linebacker, sending the clock over, destroying the twenty thousand-dollar timepiece. Glass, internal mechanisms, and splintered wood scattered across the marble floor.
He glanced at Chelsea, sprawled on the floor, her hand holding the cheek and bloodied lip already starting to swell. Saw in her eyes something he’d never seen before: terror.
His gaze went to the family photos on the wall, at his daughter smiling at him from each of them. Shame and shock surged through him. Thank God Kimberlie wasn’t home, but what would she think of him when she learned what he’d done? He held his head in his hands and ran moaning from the house. His tires screeched his departure.
He ran a red light, unaware of what he’d done until he heard rubber against pavement and horns blaring, and then eased his foot off the accelerator.
It hadn’t been that long ago that he’d chastised Kimberlie for fighting with the boy at school. Had lectured her about how unacceptable it was for boys to hit girls. He should have pleaded with Chelsea not to tell Kimberlie what had happened. What would she tell their daughter about that, and about the clock his daughter loved?
Worse, he felt only partial regret for striking Chelsea. She’d deserved it, if anyone did. The things she’d said. And there was the months—make that years—of her deceit.
She hadn’t behaved at all as he’d expected. He was sure her shame would be so great that when he insisted she let him move back in, she’d let him. He hadn’t gotten that far.
Still, after all he’d done for her, all he’d given her, she should have crawled on hands and knees to him, pleading for forgiveness. He would have insisted she behave the way he expected her to. He would have been able to do whatever he wanted, without further reproach, because she’d never want Kimberlie to learn what her mother had done.
But it hadn’t gone that way.
CHAPTER 98
There was one person who might have sway over Chelsea. Garrett dialed the number he didn’t want to but had to. “Richard, I’m in trouble.”
“You sound terrible. What’s happened?”
“Chelsea’s been cheating on me.”
“I don’t believe that. She wouldn’t. Someone’s lying to you.”
“Saw the evidence with my own eyes. In front of her, where she couldn’t deny it. Rubbed it in my face, in fact.”
“I’m so sorry, brother. And shocked. I know you’re in pain, but maybe you can understand what it’s been like for her.”
“I don’t need to hear that now. Especially not from you.”
“The truth can hurt, but you need to hear it, not just blow it off as you usually do.”
“Knew it was a mistake to call you.”
“Wait. What are you going to do?”
“I’ve already done it.”
“Why do I get a bad feeling about that?”
“Because you’re right. I struck her. I didn’t mean to do it, but she went too far.”
“God, Garrett. Is she okay? Did you hurt her?”
“If she puts ice on her lip and face, the swelling will go down.”
“I can’t believe you did that, no matter what she said. Or did. She’s your wife and the mother of your child. What’s wrong with you? We weren’t raised to hit women. Mom and Dad are going to flip. And what about Kimberlie?”
Garrett pulled into a parking lot and turned off his car. He rested his head against the steering wheel. “I don’t need you to tell me that. But before you’re too quick to side with Chelsea, let me tell you what all I learned about the slut I’ve been married to.”
Richard listened in silence for the nearly quarter hour Garrett spoke. “I’m sorry for both of you. But you need to own your part in this. You neglected her. You made her feel unloved and less of a woman. You cheated on her and did it first, and refused to stop. I’m not saying what Chelsea did was right. It wasn’t. But I understand how she might have felt pushed into it.”
“Leave it to you to see it that way. Right now, I’m more concerned—make that terrified—about what she’ll tell Kimmie.”
“I’ll call Chelsea and see what I can do to smooth things out. In the meantime, stay away from her. You don’t want Kimberlie to see her father hauled to jail for assaulting her mother.”
“It was unintentional.”
“Garrett, it’s time you get a grip on reality. You don’t live in a world of your own where people do your bidding and let you get away with doing whatever you want to do, no matter who you hurt.”
“Is the lecture over, or are you building a head of steam for more?”
“None of us like to be told when we’re wrong. You abhor it more than most. Go back to your hotel and calm down. I’ll call Chelsea as soon as we hang up.”
“Let me know what she says.”
“If it’s appropriate, I will.”
Garrett slammed the steering wheel with his fist. “I’m your brother. Where’s your damn loyalty?”
“As usual, I’ll see what I can do to straighten up the mess you’ve made, before you make it worse.”
“
It’s not easy having a saint for a brother.”
“I wouldn’t know.”
“You can go f—” Garrett completed his sentence to dead air.
CHAPTER 99
Where was she? The first flicker of anxiety shot through Luke’s body. He returned to the window of the motel room and peered once again through the split in the drapes. Hoping to see Chelsea getting out of her car. Waving at him. Speeding her pace to reach him.
Something wasn’t right. She’d never before agreed to meet then not shown up or called.
She’d never so much as called or sent a text message to say she was running late. Always arrived minutes earlier than she said she would.
He called again—no answer.
Texted her again—no reply.
It was almost noon. Chelsea’s daughter should be at school, and Garrett no longer lived there. Wasn’t even supposed to go there.
Fear welled inside him. He called again, sent another text. No answer.
Luke left the box of chocolates on the bed, closed the door behind him, got into his car, cranked the engine and sat in the chilly interior. He knew what he wanted to do, needed to do, as well as the problems it could cause. He cursed and returned to the room.
He paced. Tried to reach her again. Nothing.
Back to the window. No sign of her. How long was he expected to wait?
He had to act, and it had to be sooner rather than later.
CHAPTER 100
The action Luke’s mind prompted him to take was an insane thing to do. But he had to find out what was going on. Confusion and anxiety prodded him. He needed advice.
“James, can you talk?”
“I got a few minutes. What’s up?”
“Something’s happened to Chelsea.”
“The woman who’s got your nuts in a knot?”
“Don’t talk about her that way. It was a mistake to call you.”
“Sorry, dude. What’s the problem?”
Luke explained. “She’s never done anything like this. I know something’s wrong. Something serious. I have to find out if she’s okay.”
“If she’s not answering, I don’t know how you can find out. Wait a damn minute. No way. Don’t be a stupid fuck.”
“It’s the only way.”
“Man, her husband could be there.”
“She kicked him out.”
“That’s what she told you.”
“She wouldn’t lie to me.”
“All right. She doesn’t lie to you. But he could be there getting some of his shit.”
“She burned it.”
“This is worse than I thought. Get away from her. She’s a crazy woman.”
“You don’t know her like I do.”
“That’s what you said about Brandi.”
“Damn it, James.”
“All right. I don’t know her. But I know how fucked up this situation sounds. Stay away.”
“I can’t. She may need me.”
“Look, I’m sure it’s nothing. Her old man probably went there to get something he needs—papers, checkbook. Who the hell knows. Stay where you are. She’ll show up with an apology. Probably broke a nail or something.”
“You’re right.”
“Now you’re making sense.”
“If he’s there, I have to go and make sure she’s safe.”
“Shit, dude. You’re not hearing me. You’re not thinking straight. Stay away from—”
Luke ended the call. The motel room door slammed behind him as he raced to his car.
CHAPTER 101
Luke rang the doorbell, waited, put his hands over his eyes and peered through the glass panel on the side of the door. Relief flooded him when he saw Chelsea approach.
He gasped when she opened the door. “Your face! I knew something happened. Were you in an accident? Why didn’t you call me?”
Chelsea glanced toward the street and ran a trembling hand over her hair. “You shouldn’t have come here, Luke.”
“I had to. Now that I see you, I know it was the right thing to do.”
“You need to go. Now.”
“You want me to leave?”
“I want you to be safe.”
“Talk to me, Chelsea. I’m not going anywhere until you do.”
She glanced toward the street again. “You’d better come inside.”
Luke followed her, stepping over the broken bits of clock. “What the hell? You need to tell me exactly what happened here.”
“I will. Then there’s something else I need to tell you. Something from my past.”
“The past is just that, love. We all have one.”
She shook her head. “If we’re going to be together, you need to know everything.”
“You’re scaring me.”
Chelsea looked into Luke’s eyes. “I just hope I don’t scare you away.”
Luke walked to the French doors and peered out at the tent covering the pool. “The bastard actually hit you.” He turned. “Where is he? I’m going to make sure he knows he’d better stay clear of you. I swear to you, Chelsea, as long as I’m alive, no one will ever hurt you again.”
“You need to stay away from him. I don’t know what he’d do to you. Let me deal with this. Legally. We’ll both lose if you confront him.”
“Only a coward hits a woman. I want to see how he does with a man who isn’t afraid of him.”
Chelsea took his hands in hers. “For my sake, don’t. I love you for wanting to protect me, but I don’t want this situation to escalate into anything worse.”
“That’s why I want to talk to him, so it doesn’t.”
“I can promise you it won’t happen again. I’m really not worried. Garrett knows if I talk, Kimberlie won’t want to have anything to do with him. He knows what’s at risk.”
“He should have thought about that before attacking you.”
“This is the last thing he’d want to go public. What concerns me more is how you feel about what I told you. About what I did.”
“As I said, nothing from your past has anything to do with us now. I cheated on my first wife, after she cheated on me. And although I’m still married, it won’t be for long.”
“And my inability to give you a child?”
“If you want a child, we’ll adopt. Otherwise, you’ll just have to let me spoil you.”
“You already do.”
He smiled at her. “You came into my life before I was able to change my situation. Hurt makes us do crazy things. Things we ordinarily wouldn’t even think about doing. As for the abortion matter, I’m sorry you had to go through that. I know it wasn’t easy for you. As for Garrett, what he did is unforgivable.”
“You’re a good man.” Luke held his arms open. Chelsea folded herself into them. “I don’t deserve you.”
“You deserve every bit of love I can give you and more. You were dealt a bad hand, love. You believed your husband would honor his vows. He not only didn’t honor them, he trounced on them. And on you. He deserves worse than what you’re going to do to him.”
“I’m terrified he’ll come after you.”
“Don’t concern yourself about that. I’m not. And if it does come to that, I can take care of myself. I’m sure you’ve noticed that I’m not a small man.”
Chelsea looked up at him and blushed. “I noticed.”
“Woman, if you weren’t injured, I’d make your entire body blush with pleasure.”
Chelsea’s attempt to smile failed. “I’ll hold you to that.” She rested her head against Luke’s chest and sighed. “Garrett’s brother called me. He made every attempt to get me to take Garrett back. To forgive him. Used every angle, including what’s supposedly best for Kimberlie.”
“What did you tell him?”
“About Kimberlie, I told him I’d lie to her this time, but never again. I’ll tell her I tripped and fell into the clock. About Garrett, that it’s over. That I put up with Garrett’s neglect and infidelity longer than anyone should have exp
ected me to. Even put myself through a good deal of self-abuse. I’m done. God, what he’s done to me. I haven’t been able to trust him for years. I can’t live with a man I can’t trust. I can’t live with a man who hits me, even if I tell myself he won’t do it again.”
“We’ll do what we need to, to make sure he’s out of your life as much as possible. Your safety is paramount.”
“Promise me that you won’t confront him.”
“It’s not easy, but I promise. However, if he comes after me—”
“You’ll have every right to protect yourself. I just pray it never comes to that. You warned me that this wasn’t going to be easy.”
Luke hugged her to him. What she didn’t realize fully as yet—what he didn’t want to tell her while she was this fragile—was that he was fairly certain this was just the beginning.
One thing he was sure of was that this wasn’t the first time Garrett Hall had struck her. He hadn’t believed the kitchen cabinet story, and he was terrified Garrett would hit her again. Or worse.
It was almost time for Kimberlie to come home. Chelsea started a cup of chamomile tea brewing then went upstairs, splashed cold water on her face, and redid her makeup.
Back in the kitchen, she sipped the tea and waited, grateful Luke had righted the damaged clock. It would either have to be repaired, if that was possible, or gotten rid of, but on another day. There was only so much a person should have to contend with at one time.
At three forty-five, she heard the key in the front door.
“Mom, I’m home.”
Chelsea called out from the kitchen, “I hope your day went better than mine.”
“What happened to the clock?”
“That’s sort of a funny story.” She listened to Kimberlie’s footsteps come up the hall, toward the kitchen. She blew out a breath and pasted a smile on her face.
“Mom! What happened to your face?”
“I’m such a klutz. Get a snack and I’ll tell you about it.”
CHAPTER 102
The clock on the nightstand next to Garrett’s bed read 1:13 a.m. Even with the amount of whiskey consumed, he couldn’t sleep. Why not take a drive? It was a free country. He could drive through any damn neighborhood he damn well wanted to, at any damn time, day or night. He kicked the twisted bed covers off.
