Heartbreaker Breaks (A Bittersweet Lottery Love Story) (Tangled Hearts & Broken Vows: Tales of Infidelity Book 1)

by Paloma Meir

  “Your company will always be welcomed,” She recognized the hunger in her tone and cleared her throat, “I have a cottage by the lake… for guests. I’ll take you down there now.” She placed her hand on his shoulder.

  He looked at her hand and back up at her. Bewilderment was the dominant expression in his soulful eyes.

  “Okay.” He stood up as if in a trance, and Venetia knew that no matter how he had been raised by her wise sister he was at heart one of the others. She didn’t mind at all.

  “Venetia,” The Graces ran into the room, “Is there anything you need?”

  “No,” She answered curtly, wishing them away forever, but smiled to soften the blow, “This is Percy’s son. He’ll be staying… I’m taking him down to the cottage now… We won’t be needing you.”

  To the great displeasure of Venetia they did not leave the room.

  “Addie, these are…” She waved her hand to the girls not remembering their actual names after all the years of referring to them as Grace, “Grace.”

  “Grace?” He laughed again, and Venetia clutched her chest in hopes of calming her rapidly beating heart.

  “We’ll take him down Venetia...” They spoke as one.

  “That won’t be necessary.” She said with all the kindness she could find in her heart.

  “We don’t mind Venetia. We are at your service.”

  “Thank you.” She said through her closed smile. The girls were her shackles, a punishment she had never understood.

  They led Addie away. He turned to look back at Venetia. The feeling she inspired in all men was now the dominant expression in his face that she only ever wanted to kiss.

  The day had been long, the emotions overwhelming. Venetia turned towards the stairs intent on going to her private room, far from her wheezing husband to take a nap.

  …

  She woke from her sleep with a jolt, sitting up in her bed, peering out the window to see the full moon high above. She ran her fingers through her tangled hair. Her body was covered in a light perspiration than in others would smell sour, but on her arousing.

  She thought of the boy, and a hunger filled her body, a yearning too strong for her to resist. She jumped out of bed, stripping off the dress she had been wearing and put on a robe of the finest rose silk, an almost translucent garment that in the light would show the curves of her body, the very supple pale flesh of her golden skin.

  She tiptoed down the stairs, mindful of the noise she was making in the quietness of the dark night. Out the door she ran, but paused for a moment to consider the wild boars that roamed her property. They generally stayed away from her sensing the grandness of her nature. The thought of them always scared her on the nights when she would venture out, alone, down to the cottage. Nothing could hurt me now, she thought as she ran down the dirt path of her hill, around her many gardens, to the cottage by the pond.

  Opening the door to his cottage, she breathed deep his sleeping fresh scent that filled the room, and almost fell to her knees. Taking another deep breath invigorated her, strengthened her choice to lay down with the boy. Only lay with him, she promised herself, fighting the urges of her body. Off with her robe, she stood in the moonlight peeking though the curtains hoping he would wake-up, open his eyes, and see the true beauty before him. She was not used to being the aggressor.

  He did not wake as she crawled into the bed, curling up against his back, her breasts firming against him, as the blood rushed through her body, stirring her. She buried her face in his neck, the sweetest essence of him, and closed her eyes to go to sleep. This little bit of him was more than enough for the moment.

  Not quite asleep, she felt him shift, the front of his body pressed tightly against hers. His head moving across her neck, down further until she felt him move across her breasts. A swelling in her loins caused her to moan, as he took her nipple into his mouth and gently sucked, occasionally darting his tongue across the sensitive erectness in his mouth.

  Her breath was heavy as she relaxed, paralyzed by the sensations and her emotions. She rubbed herself against his leg involuntarily, his leg took over the work for her, rubbing against her softness. His mouth lingered on her breast, and his hand on her back, pulling her close to him. She screamed out not being able to control the sensation ending as an earth shaking crescendo. He released her from his grip, lowered his leg away from her, and rolled over back to his original position.

  She leaned over him wanting to say something, but couldn’t find the words. These feelings, new to her. She saw that he was asleep. Everything that had happened, had been done while he was unaware. Shaken, she crawled out his bed, and went back to her own in the house high up on the hill.

  …

  Her confusion remained in spite of the joy she felt waking up in her overstuffed white bed. Not even the Graces standing before her could dim her mood. “Good morning.” She sat up, stretching and called out to the three girls.

  “Are you feeling well Venetia? We’ve been so worried. You’re usually such an early riser.”

  “I’m fine,” She smiled at them, and it was genuine, “Could you bring a phone, and ring up Percy for me? Breakfast too, that would be nice.”

  “Yes Venetia.” They said in unison as they danced away.

  She felt a rare gratefulness for their presence. Ringing up her sister was no easy task. Percy’s phone was a mile away from her home by the barn, and to wait for a field hand to collect her never took less than an hour.

  She ate her breakfast, as the Graces pranced around her room telling her how beautiful she was, how everything she did was a wonder of the world. Venetia didn’t mind their fawning praise that morning.

  “Percy?” One of the girls said into the phone, “It’s Grace? Hold on for Venetia… very nice to hear your voice.” She handed the phone to Venetia.

  “Okay girls… thank you… now go.” She ordered with her brightest smile.

  “Are you sure you won’t be needing anything?” They asked.

  “Hmmm…” She held the phone to her ear, “Hold on Percy… Girls could you go to the gold shop. I have a list by my worktable… Please read it thoroughly, double-check it… Thank you.” She waved them away knowing the list would take them all day to fill. A day she could spend alone with Addie.

  “Tricky of you Venetia,” Her sister laughed into the phone, “I’m assuming you’re calling about Addie? I hope it’s okay he went to visit you… It’s been twenty years… I didn’t think…”

  “Nothing makes me happier than Addie. Thank you my sister.” She leaned back onto the many pillows on her bed.

  “What does that mean?” She asked with a touch of worry in her voice.

  “He’s everything… What I’ve always inspired, he inspires in me. I can’t explain it.”

  “Venetia… He’s not one of us. He’s a boy, young, and not as we were when we were as youthful as he is now.”

  “I don’t look much different than the day I dropped him off to you, and I’m sure you don’t either.”

  “No I don’t… strange how we’re ageless. That’s not what I meant. He’s wise in some of our ways, but so much like the others in the important ways. He’s young. He has his dreams.”

  “I don’t want to take anything away from, let him live his dreams, and I’ll be by his side.”

  “Does he return your feelings?”

  “That’s a strange question. All men feel that way about me.”

  “I’m not asking about all men, I’m asking about my son Addie.” Percy placed a hard emphasis on the word son.

  “Well… Truthfully it confuses me. I went to him last night… but he was asleep. He did what men do, but not while awake.”

  “He’s not meant for you Venetia.”

  “Who are you to say that?” She sat up in her bed, cross with her sister.

  “I’m his mother, and your sister. That is why you called me.”

  “He is mine Percy.”

  “I can’t think of anything I coul
d say to change your mind… So do this for me, for him. Let him follow his path, don’t hold him captive.”

  “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “Yes you do Venetia. Do not overexert your magnetism. Let him find it himself. Put his needs before yours. Can you do that Venetia?”

  “Yes.” She honestly said, making a vow to herself to follow her sister’s words. They spoke awhile longer catching up on the lost time. It had been a very long time since they had last spoken and had not seen each other since the day she had dropped the baby off with her so many years before.

  …

  Free of the Graces, and with her infirm husband securely locked in his room, attendants by his side, Venetia prepared a picnic lunch in her well-stocked kitchen that she seldom used. She sliced a mixture of exotic fruits for her boyish man, a pleasure in itself. The long loaves of bread, the phallic shape of the cured meats she packed in the basket. A perfect lunch for her Addie. On the way to front door, she remembered the wine. Down to the cellar she ran, a joyousness in her heart that she feared would explode.

  She was at the door of the cabin in no time at all. She put her hand on the knob to open it, but remembered he would not recall the intimate turn their relationship had taken. She made a choice to knock. She thought of her sister, thinking she would like that she had done that.

  “Hey Vee,” His head poked through the small opening of the door, “I’m not dressed, but it’s just you. Come on in.” He opened the door wide, the blinding smile on his face left her lightheaded.

  Nobody had ever referred to her as “just you” before. She chose to take it as a compliment.

  She watched with a ravenous hunger as he walked in his boxer shorts across the room to where his bag lay on the floor. He reached down, stretching, all of his muscles taut, taking out a white t-shirt and navy shorts. A sound unknown to her escaped her lips. He turned to look at her, a questioning expression on his face followed by a gentle laugh.

  “What’s your plan today Vee? I’m thinking of going on a hunt. I bought a new bow before I left home. I want to try it out. Take care of the boars that overrun your property.” He sat down on the edge of the bed they had briefly slept on together.

  Venetia sighed again.

  “My plan was with you. No hunting today,” She made another mental note to herself to have the grounds keeper rid the property of the vicious boars before the day was over. “I packed us a lunch. We’ll have a picnic.”

  He looked at her curiously as if he didn’t understand her interest in him.

  “I wanted to get started… but… okay… I am hungry. Picnic it is Vee.” He nodded his head, again with a confusion passing over his innocent face.

  “Come,” She reached out her hand to him, “By the pond, my favorite spot, by the gardenias.”

  “I like gardenias,” He took her hand and silently led her outside to the pond. The chirp of the bluebirds, the only sound of the day.

  His confusion or discomfort melted away over the long lunch lovingly prepared by Venetia. Her conversation, the focus of it being him, charmed the boy. He told stories he had told many times to others over the course of his short life, but never to such a rapturous audience as Venetia.

  He wondered why a woman of her stature and beauty would be interested in his tales, but her gentle smiles, occasional touch of his arm, and his face when a food crumb settled on his lip, seduced him, convincing him his words and thoughts had value.

  “You do love to bow hunt…” She trilled back to him after his retelling of his first hunt.

  She could have listened to him until the end of time. The only thing that could have made the day better, Venetia thought to herself, was if he had told her the tales while she lay wrapped in his arms. “Kiss me,” She lowered her head, and looked up at him, her lips slightly parted.

  “No.” He laughed

  “Why Addie?” She raised her head and asked, resisting the urge to stare deep into his eyes. She knew her sister would not approve of that.

  “Because…” He stared at her no longer laughing, the words dead in his mouth.

  “That’s not a reason,” She stared into his eyes, into his soul, and it was him and not her who felt the flush.

  Addie leaned forward, beckoned by her beauty, his lips on hers, parting, the kiss deep, lost in time for the both of them. “There I kissed you,” He pulled abruptly away and Venetia wondered again how much of him belonged to her world and not of the others. “I’m going for a hunt. Thanks for lunch.” He stood up, turning to the cabin.

  “Stop Addie,” Venetia rose to her feet and commanded, “You will kiss me again.”

  “No Vee, I won’t.” He turned to her, and crossed his arms, challenging her.

  Venetia laughed, a boyish man, even if he were part of her world could not resist her if she allowed herself to be the Goddess inside of her. The thought shook her, as if the secret of her life were on the tip of her tongue, but looking at Addie, she did not care about the truth anymore. All she wanted was him.

  “Come to me Addie,” She stretched out her arms and let the sun fall over her figure.

  He took a step forward. It did not surprise her. She thought of her sister’s words, “Let him find you” and she didn’t care. Addie was all that mattered.

  “This isn’t right Vee. It’s not right.” He kept repeating as he fell into her open arms, embracing her.

  “One last kiss and I’ll let you go if that’s what you want.” Her arms enclosed him, and she relinquished her power, standing with him as only a woman.

  “All I want is to hunt, travel the world. There’s no place for you in that…” He kissed her. He did not pull away this time.

  His lust matched hers. His mouth on her neck, caused Venetia to feel as if she were about to fall on the ground. He held up her limp body, burying his face in her neck, opening her dress, his mouth on her chest. He took a deep breath, and Venetia worried it was all over, that he had come to his senses. Instead he laid her on the blanket, her dress open. He sighed a deep sigh as he saw her nude body upon the ground. He lay on top of her, kissing her neck again, She moaned pushing his head lower until he was between her legs. His lips on her hers, his tongue darting in and out.

  Venetia shook, feeling the crescendo rising in her body, and quickly pulled him up to her. He entered her as if she were all he had ever wanted in his life. She sensed this was his first time, and it seemed fitting because it had never been like this for her before. He exploded inside her, and lay on top panting, their scents mixing together through the heavy perspiration that covered their bodies.

  “I love you Addie.” She finally knew, understood the feelings she had for him. Such a simple word for such a complex and complete emotion that had eluded her for her entire life.

  “Yeah.” He rolled off of her irritated, stood up and adjusted his clothes. He didn’t look at her, only at the cabin, “Going for a hunt Vee.”

  He walked away as Venetia cried for him and warned him about the boars, the dangers of being away from her. She sobbed when he did not return to her. Her tears streamed down her face until there was no more left to cry. She curled up on the blanket that retained the scent of his body, and fell asleep, her trembling body spent.

  ...

  “Vee, Vee…” The sound of her name awoke her. Her name was said through labored breath, and at first she did not recognize it.

  “Addie?” On her feet before his name was out of her mouth. She knew he was in danger. She ran through the garden chasing his strained sounds.

  “Addie,” She fell to her knees before him and held his head in her hands, “What…” The sight of him bleeding from his neck silenced her.

  “Vee,” He smiled though his murky eyes, so much like the pond in autumn. “The boar, he was big…”

  “I don’t want to hear about the boar Addie,” She held her hand over the wound on his neck, but knew it was too late to stop the bleeding. The torn out flesh was larger than her hand, “I love you Addie, do
n’t leave me…”

  “I love you too Vee… but the boar. I killed him with my bow.” His eyes dimmed, and the blood stopped flowing as Venetia cried and cursed the Gods.

  “Addie…” She cried over and over again. But he was gone.

  She stood up, and put her hands in the pocket of her dress, for her body was as cold as his. She felt seeds at the bottom of the pocket. Anemone seeds that she had meant to plant days before her love arrived to her home. She sprinkled them around his body, vowing to never love another, and walked up the road to her home a broken woman, never to recover.

  …

  “Miss Venetia…” The voice of the girl who lived with the grounds keeper in the gatehouse called out to her as she walked up the steep hill.

  Venetia turned to her, not believing that she lived in such a world where her Addie would die while such a meaningless girl survived.

  “Miss Venetia… I hope it was all right that I let the boy in. He said he was your nephew, and he looked so much like you…” She smiled in awe of being in her presence. “Are you okay, Miss Venetia?”

  “I’m in tears you insipid creature,” She raised her hand to the sky and snapped her fingers, “And when I cry so do the heavens above.”

  The sky filled with dark clouds thundering, rain poured down on the two of them.

  “Miss Venetia…” She said in shock.

  “Is that all you can say? All of you people… so dull… so lifeless, but you continue to love when that right is denied to me. I curse all of you.” She lowered her arm and screamed out to the valley below her.

  The girl cowered, too frightened to move.

  “The love you all have,” She laughed, and the sound carried across the island. Her sister’s ears perked up more than fifty miles away, “It shall be cursed. It shall be sweet, but so bitter in the end.” She spit out and laughed again.

  “All of its pleasure, no match for its pain. Fickle and false,” Again her laughter filled the island and the land beyond the sea, “The strongest will be weak, the wise made dumb, and the idiots shall speak.”