by Mia Ford
“Leon, you should just be honest with me. I know you love him, but…” She said and he interrupted her.
“Sharing you was his idea, not mine.” He growled.
Ivy’s lips closed shut tightly when she heard the words. What was that supposed to mean? What was Leon trying to tell her?
“He was the one who wanted to share you with me. And I agreed because we had done it before. So, you’re right. He is more attentive; he is willing to go the extra mile to have you. You should be with him; he definitely wants you more.” Leon stood up now, looming over her, and she looked up at him, confusion darkening her face.
“So, you didn’t want to do it? Share?” She asked, trying to catch his gaze again. She could see that she was quickly losing him again. Leon was losing his interest in having this conversation. He wanted to return to his silent solitude again, but Ivy wanted answers.
“No, I didn’t. Not really. Not you. But Archer was insistent, he said you wanted it too. He said you slept with him because you wanted to be shared. And I couldn’t just deny you what you wanted. And I couldn’t give you up either. I was foolish.” Leon had covered his large hands over his face, and then he swooped them down, widening his eyes and running his fingers through his hair. She could see that this was an ordeal for him, that he didn’t want to talk about it anymore.
“But Archer said that you shared all your girls, except Vivienne.” Ivy mumbled and Leon shot her a look.
“That’s right. We did. We do. But I didn’t want to share you. I was selfish, and greedy, and so you deserve to go with him. He is more open, loving and can give you what you want.” Leon said, and stepped to the side, he was making to go for the screen door but Ivy was quick to move, to intercept his path.
In the darkness, she leaned in towards Leon. She could smell his scent, his musky masculine smell that filled her lungs, reminding her how happy they were together in those weeks before Archer. How she hadn’t care how often Leon spoke to her, because she was the only person who existed in his world.
To her surprise, he leaned in too. Their lips met, she could taste him on her tongue, she extended an arm, wrapping it around his bent neck. She was pressing herself to him, running her hand down his muscular shirted arm. But then Leon pushed her away.
“Not any more, Ivy. We’re not sharing. You belong to my brother now and I don’t want to do this any longer.” He said, and this time she couldn’t stop him. He had flung open the screen door and disappeared into the house. Ivy contemplated following him in, chasing him to his room, confronting him and demanding further explanations. But she knew him well, even though Leon revealed so little about himself, she knew a lot about him. He was done now. He had made his decision, just like she had. He wasn’t going to talk about it anymore. There was nothing to discuss.
Ivy gulped and licked her lips. She could still taste him in her mouth. That was to be her last kiss with Leon. It was only going to be Archer and herself now, and she tried to smile. He made her happy. He made her laugh. He took out time to be with her. He had pursued her, and he deserved his prize.
Leon had done nothing. She was the one who had coveted him from the start. She seduced him to sleep with her. She made him agree to allow her to stay in the house after their first quarrel. Besides his name, and some bits about his past, Leon revealed very little. The fact that he didn’t want to share her with Archer, could mean anything. That nagging feeling, that maybe Leon had actual feelings for her, were being shoved into the back of her mind. Even if he did, he wasn’t ever going to say the actual words.
Ivy had her whole life ahead of her, she wasn’t so sure if she would be able to spend it with a man who spoke so little. With someone who denied her the privilege of actually expressing his feelings. She wondered if she might feel trapped, just like her mother had. She remembered her mother’s words of caution. To run away from living in isolation if she could. She was certain that Archer would give her a better, more fulfilling life. The kind of life that her mother had never been able to lead. What sort of life would Leon give her?
Ivy shuddered as she thought about it. She had never been to Minnesota. Archer had promised to leave the next day, so that they wouldn’t have to remain in the hostile environment of Leon’s ranch for much longer. She felt lucky and privileged that Archer was willing to do so much for her, sacrifice his own relationship with his brother for her sake.
There was nothing left for her here, she thought as she looked around the estate in its darkness. Leon had his chance, nearly seven weeks to express his feelings. To make her believe that he had more to offer her than employment and satisfying sex.
And now it as time for her to move on, with a man who really wanted to be with her.
That familiar feeling of packing her bags and readying them next to her bedroom door, returned to her in a flood. This was the third time she had done this, preparing herself to leave Old Marigold Ranch. And this time, it appeared as though it was time to leave for good. A feeling of calmness had descended upon her. She was resolved to not cry, or make a scene.
Archer knocked on her door at eight and she opened it, his smiling dimpled cheeks greeted her. And Ivy was filled with a conviction that she had made the right decision.
“Where is he?” She asked him, her heart thumping.
“Who? Leon? I’m not sure, but I told him last night that we’re leaving today. So, he knows.” Archer said, smirking at her before picking up her bags off the floor.
“How are we going to get into town? Are we taking a train?” She asked him, mighty anxious now. She had never been to Minnesota and she was beginning to grow excited. Archer smiled at her, as he turned to carry her bags over to the front entrance.
“Don’t worry, I’ve taken care of everything. You just get ready.” He said, and she nodded her head.
Ivy had been ready since six, but now she gave herself the once over in the full-length mirror. She would miss this room, she thought, as she pinned in a few more black bobby pins into her hair, holding her beautiful golden ringlets in place, neatly away from her face.
But Archer was rich too. They were both wealthy, and she bit down on her lip wondering what kind of house he lived in.
She was in a yellow summer dress, that matched her hair perfectly. One she knew Leon loved her in, because it accentuated her curved. Not that she wanted to stir anything in Leon any more, that would be wrong of her to do, she knew that. She was the one leaving him.
Ivy smoothened the pleats on the front of her dress, and a noise at her door made her turn. She hadn’t shut the bedroom door and now Leon was leaning against the frame. His arms were crossed over his chest, and he was looking at her with his usual expressionless face.
“So, you’re ready to go?” He asked her, and she smiled at him. Nothing could change the fact that she was leaving, so it would be better if she left on good terms, she thought.
“I am. Archer has everything arranged.” She said, walking up to him.
“I’m sure he does.” Leon said, straightening up. She studied his sharp chiseled jaw, that sparkle in his eyes that was lost somehow. His broad chest that made his plaid shirt taut with tightness, how narrow his waist was, how strong his legs were. Ivy gulped, this was going to be more painful than she thought. Leon was like a drug to her. She had fallen for him when she least expected to and he had taught her everything. He helped her explore her own sexuality and she hadn’t thanked him for it.
Ivy fell on him, wrapping her arms around his waist. For a few moments, it seemed that Leon wasn’t sure how to react. His arms were spread open in surprise, till slowly he started to relax. She felt a hand on the small of her back. He was holding her.
“Thank you for everything Leon. I promise I won’t disappoint you. I’ll keep studying.” She said, drawing her face away from his chest, where she had buried it earlier. Leon was looking down at her, and something had changed. His expression had grown softer, and his eyes were shining bright.
“Ivy…”
He began to say, and she bit down on her lip. She had no idea what he was about to say, but this was the first time she had seen that look on his face. This was the first time there was an actual imminent danger to their relationship. Was he finally going to say something?
“Stay with me.” He said it in the most neutral, but heavy voice. There was a hint of a strain there, but she had heard it. And Ivy was suddenly struck with a feeling of utter happiness, like she had never felt before.
She flung herself on him again, pressing her face to his chest, tightening the grip of her arms around his waist.
“That’s all I wanted to hear from you, Leon.” She cried into his chest, as she felt his hand on her head. He was stroking her hair.
“That’s all I wanted to say to you. I’m sorry I didn’t say it sooner.” She heard him say, and she couldn’t control herself any more. Ivy felt like she was going to burst.
She pulled herself away from him, and Leon dropped his hands to her face, caressing her gently. Holding her in place.
“I love you Ivy. I always have. That was why I didn’t want to share you with Archer, with anyone.” He was saying, but Ivy could barely hear him. She was laughing from her burgeoning happiness. Nothing that Leon could say could make her feel better. This was what she was waiting for. There was no choice now. She would never leave him; she couldn’t live without him. Everything she did, had done…she had done to please him.
“I love you Leon. I don’t want you to share me with anyone. I don’t want to go anywhere. I want to stay here with you.” She was crying by now, but they were tears of joy.
“As my wife. By my side.” He said, looking deep into her eyes. He wasn’t the kind of man who was going to get down on his knees, and Ivy didn’t care.
“As your wife.” She said and they were kissing, blissfully unaware of the fact that Archer had appeared at the bedroom door. He had turned away, leaving Ivy’s bags at the front door. He knew when he had lost, and this time, he had lost to his brother Leon. And he was man enough to admit defeat.
There are more bonus stories ahead…..just look what you want to read next via the Table of Contents (TOC)
8
Exclusive Kinky Romance: DIRTY CEO (Never Before Published!!!)
Dirty CEO
Scarlett’s been invited by her eccentric aunt Betty to stay with her during the annual charity party.
This year, there’s a little twist.
An auction.
The women are not bidding for art or souvenirs from Africa.
They’re bidding for men.
Aunt Betty lifts her hand and starts bidding on Joshua Moore.
Scarlett thinks that it’s funny until she realises that she’s bidding for her.
Scarlett’s been hurt and the last thing that she wants to do is go on a date.
Especially with someone like Joshua.
Her aunt begs.
Teases her.
Until she realises that Joshua doesn’t want to date.
He tells her straight-up that he doesn’t date.
He wants to fuck.
And not just once.
All fucking weekend!
With an offer like that, Scarlett finds it hard to say no.
Chapter One
Scarlett
I pick up the phone which is vibrating like crazy on the side table. I turned off the ring tone when it was clear that my aunt’s going to call me nearly every hour until I arrive. She’s supposed to be busy organizing her ball, not chasing me. I’m getting ready to leave and go to her house, but she keeps calling, but I’m going to tell her to stop, this is getting ridiculous.
“Yes, Aunt Betty, I’m just getting ready and I’m on my way like I said last night and this morning.”
I don’t beat around the bush. How many times do I have to tell her that I’m coming to her house?
“Scarlett, are you sure that you’re coming? You didn’t sound happy when I suggested it.”
Well, you didn’t exactly suggest it. You emotionally blackmailed me into it. I don’t say that. I know if I do then I’ll hurt her feeling and the last thing I want to do is make Aunt Betty sad when the family avoids her like the plague, because of her eccentric behavior.
“No, it’s just that…”
“That young man of yours still keeping you busy?” I sigh, “Not exactly, we’re not together.”
There’s a loud screech and then it sounds as if she’s dropped the phone. She picks it up out of breath, “That’s the best news that I’ve heard all year.”
“Sorry?”
“Oh dear, well you know that I didn’t exactly like him. Neither did your dad and don’t worry there’s plenty of men in the sea. Or is it fish?”
I’m just about to correct her when she says, “Never mind. You’ll come and help me with my annual charity ball, we need to do what we can for Africa. They’re starving because of us.”
I want to ask how she figured that out, I doubt that a whole continent is starving and waiting on her ball to be fed. I know better than to ask her for her logic on anything because it never makes sense. It just confuses the hell out of me, all the time.
“Besides, I may not be here next year.”
Here we go again, I know that she’s back to emotionally blackmailing me. If there was a prize for it, she would win it each and every year. She does it so naturally and too well.
“Aunt Betty is your back playing up again?”
“No.”
“Are you sick?”
“No.”
“So, why do you say that?”
I know what game she’s playing, but I like to help her along so she can get to her favorite punchline.
“Your grandma’s dead and your granddad too. I’m the only one left of this generation and when you get to my age you never know what’s going to happen tomorrow. You take each day as it comes. And I want you to take over the ball for when I’m gone.”
“Is that why you never asked mom to help you out?”
“Not really, it’s just that she always brings your dad and you know, we don’t get along. I don’t know why she always brings him.”
Maybe, because they’re married?
“Either way, I can’t be on the phone all day talking to you. I’ve got a ball to organize and you’ve got a car picking you up”
Then she hangs up the phone and doesn’t give me a chance to reply. I shake my head, because one thing about her is that she always makes me mad and smile at the same time. She has a way of provoking both emotions and I love her for it. I know that her heart is in the right place, but I sigh as I look in the mirror thinking that Aunt Betty’s going to be in shock when she sees me. I’ve put on so much weight that at times, I don’t even recognize myself. The last thing she’ll be thinking about is setting me up with anyone. Not that anyone would look twice at me. My skin’s a mess and my eyes have those bags underneath it. I used to think that they only appeared from lack of sleep but in my case it’s from being miserable and downright depressed.
The black dress I’m wearing is too tight. It's long sleeved and has a twist front silky style shirt dress. It used to be mid-length and now it's just covering my big butt. I've spent weeks wearing sweats that I couldn't go to Rowtons in that. I had to appear as if I was in control, even though deep down inside I'm the complete opposite. This is the result of being dumped, framed and homeless all at the same time. My only comfort apart from hanging out with Gretchen is eating one too many tubs of Ben & Jerry.
The Rowtons is the country club of the South. Where the rich and affiliate like to play. There’s just one problem, I’m far from rich. I don’t even have a job anymore after my fiancé managed to figure out a way to frame me for illegal trading. It was my signature on the paperwork. The funds were moved from my login and all fingers were pointed at me.
I didn’t have a clue what was going on, I was told to leave the office quietly. The Feds could have been called in to investigate, but as my boss and the board members p
olitely told me, ‘We’re lucky that it was only small amounts. Any more and we would have had to turn you into the Feds. If you leave quietly then we can somehow turn this around and stop any investigation. Do you understand?’
I nodded like a bobbing doll, thinking that I couldn’t believe this was happening, I was in shock.
Apart from my bestie, Gretchen, no one knows that I lost my job and my fiancé, Sam. Not that it was any great lost. He used and framed me to see if he could get away with it. Six months ago, I moved in with Gretchen, the moment Sam changed the locks.
I could go to the family home, but to hear dad’s disappointing words about the fact that he never liked Sam seems too much to bear. He used me, not just once, but a number of times and the whole thing just cuts like a knife. I thought that he wanted me to stay late that night to propose.
I’d seen the hidden ring. Heard him on the phone talking about the trip to the Bahamas for two. I never realized that it was for my colleague, Cece who probably helped him set up the whole thing and the girl that he took to the Bahamas.
“Don’t make your face like that!”
Gretchen walks in and scolds me as she stands behind me.
“Gretchen what are you doing here? I thought you were at work?”
She shakes her head, “I told you that I’m working from home today. That’s the beauty of the law. You don't always have to go into the office. I didn’t want to go in. Too much pressure on at the moment.”
“Big case?”
She nods her head, “Everything’s relying on it. Even my partnership.”
She’s the smart one. If only I’d listened to her when I came to the city and didn’t end up following Sam around like a dog on a string when she kept warning me to take it slow. Out of college and the first internship that I managed to get was at the same company as his. I thought that it was fate. I didn't realize that he was setting me up from the start. Gretchen’s only four years older than me. She used to babysit me as a kid, but as we got older I started to think of her as more of a big sister, even though when I hooked up with Sam. I was still acting like a kid.
