by Trina Lane
One hundred and fifty thousand dollars? Holy Shit!
“I…I…oh my God,” she whispered.
“I’ll give you a few moments to talk it over with your attorney and companion.”
Miranda didn’t bother to correct Mr. Wynn assumption that Mr. Thomas was her attorney. She watched him leave the office, speechless. She turned to Chase whose face showed no reflection of his thoughts. “What do I do?”
“What do you want to do, honey?”
“I have no idea. I feel almost guilty for even accepting it. I mean Drew’s and my life together was over. I was glad it was over.”
“And yet, even after the divorce Drew continued to pay on the policy and never changed the terms. We’ll never know why, but he must have had his reasons.”
“Well I can tell you that it wasn’t out of guilt. Drew didn’t know the meaning of the word. I’d wouldn’t be surprised if he’d set up the payments to be deducted automatically and simply forgot about them. I can’t even imagine what possessed him to set up the policy in the first place. I was nothing more to him than a convenience.”
That sounded bitter even to her, but the words had escaped before she even realised they were about to. Miranda had been so focused on putting her daily life with Drew behind her, it seemed there were a few deeper emotions still churning inside her. She didn’t want any part of her former marriage to touch the relationship she was building with Chase and Vic. Maybe she should talk to a professional.
“I’m sorry. That…that was—”
“Honest. It’s okay, honey. God knows that I have a few uncharitable thoughts about Drew Harper rolling around in my head, and I didn’t even know the man. He hurt you, and that is unacceptable.”
Miranda took a steadying breath. “So what do I do now?”
“Ms. Green, may I say something?” Mr. Thomas said.
Miranda nodded.
“I can’t begin to understand the intricacies of your marriage to my former client, but I would say take the money and use it as you best see fit.”
Miranda waited to see what Chase had to say. She could practically see the threads of thoughts in his clear blue eyes, and was dying of curiosity to know what her man was thinking. Miranda had been in awe of Chase’s mind practically from the moment they met. His skills as a doctor and surgeon were some of the best in his field, but more than that, Chase was also a wonderful person. He always treated the support staff with respect, he’d been able to let Miranda into the heart he’d already reserved for Vic, and it always made Miranda’s heart go a little mushy to watch Chase play with Axel as though he were a little boy.
“I know that since leaving Drew, something that has been important to you is making your own decisions. And obviously we’re talking about a lot of money here. So I need to ask, do you really want me to tell you what I think you should do, or do you want me to listen while you talk out your own ideas?”
Miranda smiled at Chase’s earnest expression. Those had not been empty words, and that meant so much. Since regaining control of her life, she’d been very protective of her independence. The first couple of months after the divorce, Miranda had spent a great deal of time discovering exactly who she was at this point in her life, rather than whom Drew had moulded her into. When she went to the grocery store, she’d initially found herself automatically reaching for items she’d bought because Drew had expected to have them, and once she’d realised the habit, Miranda had spent several weeks tasting and experimenting with different foods to find out exactly what she liked.
Since Drew had kept her in the dark when it came to their finances, control over her accounts was extremely important to her. In the beginning, Miranda had obsessively checked the balance of her bank accounts. Chase and Vic had apparently picked up on her behaviours. She never argued with them if they offered to pick up the bill when they went out, but she made sure to offer to do the same whenever possible.
But Chase was right. This was a lot of money. More than Miranda had ever even imagined being within her control. It was a little daunting, and since she suspected Vic and Chase probably made at least three times what she did, she’d be stupid to turn down the opinion of someone who was more familiar with managing significant assets.
“I do want to hear your opinions, and I will definitely take your suggestions into consideration.”
Chase smiled. “Okay then. I think you should take the lump sum. Take a portion out now to use what you need to gain immediate stability, and put the rest into a diversified investment fund so you have financial security in the future.”
“Sounds reasonable, but I don’t have any idea how to invest money. I wouldn’t even know where to start. My idea of financial security is having a couple of hundred bucks in a savings account.”
Chase put his hand on Miranda’s knee. “Vic or I would be happy to introduce you to the guys we use or we can ask either of them for a recommendation if you want to work with someone different.”
Miranda nodded and was about to lean in to kiss Chase when the office door opened and Mr. Wynn walked back in. He came back over to the chair and sat.
“Have you made a decision?”
“Yes, I’ll take the full payout.”
“Very good. I believe that is a wise decision. While the monthly instalments are a good idea for some, as young as you are, you have an opportunity to invest the money for greater gains in the end. All we need is your bank information, and we’ll get the electronic process started.”
Miranda lifted her chequebook and pen out of her purse. She wrote ‘void’ in huge letters across the front of a cheque then handed it to Mr. Wynn. “Will this work?”
Mr. Wynn reached across and accepted the check. “Perfect. This should only take a few moments. We’ll have some final paperwork for you to sign then you can be on your way.”
“Thank you.”
Mr. Thomas stood and held out his hand. “I believe my presence is no longer required. I wish you the best of luck, Ms. Green.”
Miranda shook the attorney’s hand, and after he left the room, she found herself leaning into Chase’s side. His arm came around her and she snuggled in close.
Chase kissed Miranda’s forehead and tightened his arm around her. “How’s your headache?”
“It’s a little better. I’m still liking the idea of a quiet night in the hotel room though.”
“You wish is my command.”
* * * *
Chase straddled Miranda’s hips and kneaded his hands into her shoulders. Chase worked steadily on the smooth silky skin until the hard muscles beneath became pliant to his touch. They were both naked in bed and Chase tried to keep his awakening body from becoming obvious as he worked the muscles of Miranda’s neck, shoulders and back.
“I’ve been thinking,” Miranda said.
Chase smiled at the way her voice sounded with her face burrowed into the pillows of the bed. “You’re not supposed to be thinking. You’re supposed to be relaxing.”
“I’d like to take a portion of the money and donate it to some foundation or something that supports victims of domestic violence.” Miranda wiggled onto her back and looked up at Chase. “It took a long time for me to get up the nerve to leave him, and when I did, it was like the blinders came off and I’d been tossed into this huge world naked. I can’t help but think about those men and women who are stuck in situations two or three times worse than I was. Where there’s physical abuse or if they have children and they have to live everyday in fear that their spouse will hurt the kids if they don’t protect them. Maybe even live knowing that the babies are also abused, but trapped in the vicious cycle with no idea how to find a way out. I know that part of that fear is the unknown. The what if. What if a life out there is worse than the life I live here? I knew I wasn’t happy with Drew, but some part of me always accepted that unhappiness. I grew from not only complacently accepting his abuse to expecting it as my due. You hear someone tell you how worthless you are enough times, and you e
ventually believe it. If I can help just one person break out of that cycle, then I don’t care if it takes all the money, it’ll be worth it.”
Chase’s chest hurt at Miranda’s words. He moved off to the side and pulled Miranda against his chest. Part of him thought he might be crushing her, but he couldn’t help it. He needed her in his arms. He needed to know that she was there. Whole, healthy, happy. Listening to her talk about her life with Drew was always difficult, but Chase had forced himself to listen quietly as she slowly worked her way out of the darkness that had encapsulated her during her marriage. To hear her say she had actually come to believe the degrading words Drew had spewed at her made a tear come to his eye. His and Vic’s Miranda was a beautiful, sexy, intelligent and loving woman. Every time Chase heard her laugh, his life became a little brighter.
It was amazing how she’d brought him and Vic closer together. Before, they’d been content to spend whatever time they chose to be together. Both recognised the love between them, but neither had been able to take that final leap and commit their lives to one another. However, now all Chase wanted to do was be with Vic and Miranda. He found himself searching out Miranda on the days he did surgery, even if she wasn’t on his team. On days he spent in his office, he’d spend his lunch break on the phone with Vic or the two of them would sneak away for some quality time together. There were some perks to having your lovers work in the same hospital complex as you.
Chase speared his hand through her hair, dragging her head towards him as he forced her lips to meet his. He needed to show Miranda how desirable she was, how much he hungered for her touch, her taste. He needed to prove to her that she was everything to him and Vic. Once he’d got her attention, Chase backed off to place, sharp little kisses all over her lips. He nibbled and licked the already swelling flesh. Her soft lips begged for his touch with their simple existence. He scooted closer and came halfway over Miranda’s body. Their lips melted together as Chase gathered her close. Their heads tilted and it became a battle to discover who would capitulate to the need for air first. Chase was determined that it wouldn’t be him. Who needed air, when they had the taste of Miranda keeping them alive?
Miranda was busy with her own assault. Her busy little tongue licked at his before drawing back. Her chest arched against him, knowing Chase loved the feel of her soft breasts shoved against his hard body. His lips tugged at hers, sipping from them. Miranda’s body may not have been virginal the first time he and Vic had made love to her, but in many ways her mind was, and Chase tasted the inexperience which sent his need raging. Eventually Miranda would recognise her own power, and God help him and Vic when she did.
Miranda’s sweetness was something that called to Chase’s soul. He craved her like a drug. Now that their relationship had moved to the stage where he could sample her kisses and body to his heart’s content, Chase knew he’d become an addict in no time. His lips moved over hers and his tongue pressed its way inside. A whimper echoed from Miranda’s throat and her hands gripped the thick strands of his hair, much as Chase loved Vic to do. She must have picked up on that kink of theirs. Miranda tasted of fresh fruit and hot summer nights. A rough growl left his throat as his lips slanted over hers and he jerked her to him.
Miranda’s hard nipples pressed against his chest. The tips made of velvety flesh that Chase loved to roll around his mouth and flick with his tongue. He actually suspected he gained more pleasure from sucking Miranda’s breasts than she did. His thorough research to date had exhibited that the full mounds weren’t actually that sensitive, but every time he paid homage to Miranda’s chest she would comb her fingers through his hair and smile down at him as though he were bestowing a wonderful gift. For that smile alone, Chase planned on continuing to beg for his treats for the rest of their lives.
Chase was so ready, so hard, so desperate to have Miranda’s pussy surround him in a chamber of pleasure. Chase lifted his head to stare down at the woman he loved. Her dark was hair fanned out on the stark white pillow, her eyes were half lidded with arousal and her lips crept into a little smile that nearly took his breath away.
“You are so beautiful.” His lips dipped to the hollow of her throat and he felt the moan vibrate against his kiss. His hand slid down her body, spending a few moments at her breasts. When he pinched one nipple hard, Miranda moaned and arched up into his hand. His eyes flew to her face, but all he saw was pleasure. He did it again and this time Miranda’s sweet lips opened and her breathing increased. Maybe it just took a stronger touch? He knew that Miranda most likely hadn’t been comfortable to say the words out loud, and the discovery made him smile. Now Chase had another tool to drive Miranda crazy.
He lowered his head and licked at the elongated peaks. His hand slid down her body, following the curves and soft swells he loved so much. When he reached the bare lips of her pussy, the liquid satin of her body’s response coated his fingers. Chase slid his touch between the folds and followed the slit down to the opening of her vagina.
“Chase, please don’t tease me.”
“Not teasing, honey. Loving. I’m gonna love every inch of your body tonight. I’m going to throw everything in my arsenal at you to capture that amazing heart that beats in your chest.”
Miranda cupped Chase’s cheek. “But it’s already yours. Yours and Vic’s. I love you Chase Pruitte, as much as I love your partner. The two of you have taught me to smile again, and I’ll be thankful for every second you want to keep me around.”
Chase’s spirit soared and he closed his eyes in thankful prayer. “Well then you’d better get comfortable because we plan to hold onto you for the rest of our lives.”
His lips took hers again, his tongue plunging deep into her mouth as his finger rimmed the tight circle of her opening. Hot cream poured from Miranda’s body, and when Chase pushed his finger inside, the inferno of plush tissue had him groaning. Miranda’s legs spread, and Chase moved between them. He moved down and pressed her thighs wide, staring at the succulent flesh weeping for him. Chase lay on his stomach, and his stiff cock rocked against the mattress searching for something to ease the ache burning inside him. Chase stuck his tongue out and licked through the narrow cleft of her pussy. Miranda’s cream coated his tongue, and Chase felt as though his would shatter from the pleasure of Miranda’s taste.
He licked gently, lapping up everything she had to offer and when her hips rocked against him searching for a deeper touch, Chase lifted her ass up from the mattress and buried his mouth against her. Miranda cried out and twisted above him. Her hands clutched at his hair, the needy tugs ratcheted Chase’s arousal higher. “God you taste so good. So sweet. I could spend hours down here loving you.” Chase sucked her clit between his lips. His finger circled the fluttering entrance to her pussy then slid inside the flesh that griped him in a silken vice. He nibbled at her clit, the blood making the tiny bud so red it stood out against the peaches and cream tone of the rest of her skin.
Chase added another finger to Miranda’s pussy and probed deep inside her. He pushed up against the back of her pelvic wall.
“Oh God!”
She came apart around him and Chase couldn’t hold back another second. He rose up between her thighs and positioned himself at her entrance. He rubbed the head of his cock around her entrance and cursed as her hot juices coated the sensitive skin. Chase closed his eyes and wished beyond anything and everything in existence that he could bury himself in Miranda’s body with nothing between them, but he and Vic had made a promise. Chase had stuck by that promise to the letter, and he knew he couldn’t break it now. Not when he had everything he ever wanted within his grasp.
He reached over the side of the bed and lifted out the strand of condoms from his carry-on. At quickly as possible, he sheathed himself and flung Miranda’s legs over his shoulders. He worked his way inside Miranda’s tight pussy. He grimaced and his chest heaved at the feel of her folds separating. The tissues surrounding his dick still rippled from the force of her orgasm.
Chase used strong, steady thrusts as he worked his way inside. Tension filled his body as he fought the desire to ram home. Chase had slept with a fair number of women over the years, but none of them had ever called to his body or soul the way Miranda did.
“So perfect, honey. Nothing and nobody compares to being inside you. So fucking tight, so wet. You burn for me. For us.” He jerked her against him and pierced her to the hilt.
“Chase,” she moaned.
He tried to stay still till her muscles accommodated his invasion, but when Miranda started to rock her hips, his brain turned off and his body took over. He moved in and out. His cock slid through her channel, the movement eased by the cream flooding from Miranda’s womb. She jerked in his arms, pleading him to go faster. His cock thrust inside her, at first slow and easy then fast, hard and deep, penetrating in long strokes till he brushed her cervix.
Her expression held him spellbound—suspended in pleasure as Chase plunged into her over and over. He came over her and his lips covered hers roughly. Miranda’s hips rose and the new angle made Chase brush against her G-spot with every stroke. Her body tightened around him and he fucked her fiercely, long hard strokes that had Miranda screaming, and had Chase on the verge of an earth shattering orgasm. He plunged his tongue deep into her mouth as his chest rasped across her breasts. Chase’s entire body was on fire, and only Miranda’s sweetness could douse the flames.
He pulled her into his arms and buried his face in her hair. The silky dark curtain covered him. Her nails pierced his shoulders and her legs locked tight around his waist. Miranda’s pussy convulsed around him, milking the seed from his balls. When her little teeth bit the tendon of his neck, semen rushed from his body in an explosion that had him shaking and bellowing out her name. The moment was perfection personified as Chase’s soul filled with pleasure.