Completing her soup and salad, Taylor longed for her husband’s company. Longed for him to return home and make sweet love to her. Longed for him to lick between her legs with his long, thick tongue. Imagining Zeke feasting between her legs, Taylor’s sex clenched. Her nipples tingled.
Taylor placed the empty bowls in the sink, then walked to the family room and plopped down on the couch. She wished she was plopping down on Zeke’s hard shaft instead.
Lonely, Taylor decided to do something she thought she’d never do, but probably should’ve done a long time ago: invite Katherine to the guest house for some girl talk.
Hoping she wouldn’t regret her decision, Taylor stabbed the intercom with her French manicured nail and called up to the main house.
“How may I help you, Taylor?” Delbert answered in a friendly tone.
Lord, please don’t let me regret this. “Hi, Delbert. Is Katherine around? I’d like to speak with her.”
“Yes, she’s sitting right here. Hold on.”
“Yes?” Katherine answered in her ever-so-proper voice.
“Hi, Katherine. I’m about to watch the Atlanta Housewives show and wanted to know if you’d like to join me.”
“Sure! I’m on my way.” Katherine hung up the phone, and a few seconds later Taylor saw her walking up the pathway, making her way to the guest house.
Taylor pulled open the front door to find Katherine looking fabulous in a simple yellow dress, holding a tiny bowl in each hand. “I brought dessert for us to enjoy while watching TV,” she said, handing Taylor the dish in her right hand. “Fruit, with a small dollop of whipped cream.”
“Oh, that sounds good. Thanks for coming, Katherine.”
Katherine walked past Taylor and waltzed straight into the family room. “Thank you for inviting me. This is going to be fun. I love watching these housewives shows.”
Taylor giggled. “Me, too. I didn’t watch much television while in Paris, but since I’ve been here, that’s all—” A sharp pain sliced through Taylor’s belly, making her flinch.
Katherine placed a gentle palm on Taylor’s shoulder. “Are you okay?”
The pain quickly faded. Taylor took a deep breath, then turned the television station to Bravo. “Yes. I’m fine.” Taylor dropped down on the couch, and Katherine sat beside her. She pulled the foil off the fruit bowl, picked up the little spoon Delbert had put inside, and began enjoying the sweet fruit. The juicy strawberry covered in whipped cream squirted on her tongue. “I love fruit.”
Eyes on the television, Katherine spooned some fruit into her mouth. “Me, too.”
“How would you feel if I starred in a reality show?” Taylor wondered.
“It wouldn’t bother me any,” Katherine said flatly. “You’re a grown woman. You can do whatever you please.”
“I’m surprised to hear you say that.”
Katherine shrugged. “Why?”
“Being married to a billionaire, I know image has to be important to you.”
“Yes. It is,” Katherine agreed.
“Image is important to me, too. That’s why I turned down the offer to do a reality show for the producer in Charleston.”
Katherine’s gasp of surprise smacked Taylor’s eardrums. “You were offered the opportunity to do a reality show, and you turned it down?”
“Yes. But not just because of the whole image thing. I just didn’t see how it’d fit in my schedule. My Agent, Pierre, got me a gig in Paris for a small movie role. Hopefully, Zeke and I can wrap up a few things here real soon so I can return to Paris for a while to do the movie.”
“What kinds of things do you need to wrap up here?” Katherine asked.
“Oh, nothing. We—” Gut-wrenching pain knotted Taylor’s belly and shot to her chest. Clenching her stomach, she placed the fruit bowl on the end table and ran to the bathroom. Stomach roiling and burning, she clenched the sides of the toilet and vomited.
Katherine rushed inside the bathroom behind her. “Are you okay?”
Sweat developed on her forehead. “I’ve just been so sick lately. I’m going to the doctor tomorrow.” Chest tightening, Taylor’s head throbbed. Feeling weak, she struggled to stand.
Katherine hooked her hands under Taylor’s armpits. “Here, let me help you. You need to go lay down.” Katherine assisted Taylor to the bed inside her master suite, then turned back the covers for her. Taylor climbed onto the mattress and lay on her back. Peering down at Taylor, Katherine pulled the covers up over her body to her chin, then placed her hand to Taylor’s cheek. “You’re burning up. You must have a fever. I’ll be right back.” Katherine turned, leaving Taylor all by herself.
A few minutes later, Katherine returned with a bottle of fever-reducing medicine. She placed a cold white washcloth on Taylor’s forehead, poured the purple liquid onto a tablespoon, and fed it to her twice. “Thanks for helping me, Katherine. Having you here means so much.” She’s not so bad after all.
Sitting on the mattress beside Taylor, Katherine cupped her hand. “I’m just happy you let me take care of you. Do you want me to call Zeke?”
Her lids drooped. “No. I’ll be fine. But thank you for offering. Katherine, will you please do me a favor?”
Patting the back of Taylor’s hand, Katherine nodded. “Sure. Anything.”
“Will you stay here with me until Zeke gets home?” Uncertain what may happen to her body while she was sleep, Taylor didn’t want to be alone.
“Of course I will, Taylor. I’m going to run up to the main house, see Delbert off, and I’ll be right back.” Katherine took the washcloth on Taylor’s forehead and wiped the sides of her sweating face. She then went into the bathroom, put more cold water on the washcloth, then replaced it on her forehead.
“Thanks.” Taylor’s limbs felt weak. Her body ached. She must have the flu.
Katherine turned and left.
Taylor’s eyes slowly drifted. Putting her hand on top of her cramping stomach, she moaned painfully. If this pain doesn’t go away, I’m going to the emergency room. Eyes closing and opening, closing and opening, she turned her head toward the window.
The full moon gleamed brightly in the dark sky. Sparkling stars twinkled. Suddenly, Antonio appeared in the window. A deadly look was in his pupils, the outlines of his face hardened. Feeling threatened by his haunting glare, Taylor’s body jerked.
“I’m back!” Katherine shouted. Taylor tore her gaze from Antonio to look at the entrance to her bedroom, then looked back at the window; Antonio had vanished. “Are you feeling any better?” Katherine asked, peering down at Taylor.
Why was Antonio looking at me like that? “Not really. Did you see Antonio outside? He was looking at me through the window.”
Katherine dabbled the washcloth along the edges of Taylor’s hairline. “I just got off the phone with Antonio. He’s at work. You’re seeing things because you’re sick, darling. Close your eyes and go to sleep. I’m sure you’ll feel better in the morning.”
ZEKE’S EYES wandered around his immaculate new office at Balfour Hotel & Resort as he sat behind his oak wooden desk. Navy blue couch against the wall, dark brown furniture, bookshelf filled with business books, and a big shark tank beside the sofa, this was how a CEO’s office should look. Determined to make his father proud, a huge smile came on Zeke’s face.
Carefully studying the shark swimming inside the humungous tank, Zeke put the tip of his pen to a legal document. In deep thought, images of Taylor snuck into his mind.
Tall and lean, with a small waist, Taylor’s firm breasts and succulent body always enticed him. Between her legs smelled fresh and flowery. When aroused, she smelled thick and salty. Envisioning his tongue tracing the outline of her dark areola, then flicking her black nipple, Zeke’s shaft hardened. His balls tingled. The tip of his head leaked inside his underwear. I can’t wait to get home so I can make love to my beautiful wife.
Knockknockknock. Zeke’s eyes traveled from the shark tank to the door, and in walked his older brother,
Bane.
Bane lowered a file to Zeke’s desk, then slid it toward him. “I think you need to take a look at this, bro.”
“What is it?” Zeke asked, having a bad feeling.
“It’s a hard copy of our financial report from last month.” Obvious irritation was in Bane’s tone.
Zeke opened the manila folder to read the financial reports. Noticing one deficit after another, frustration rattled him. He lifted his gaze to Bane. “The numbers are off.”
Bane frowned. “Exactly. It looks like someone is stealing money from Balfour.”
“And a lot of it.”
Bane sighed. “Where’s Antonio? I’ve been looking everywhere for him.”
I’m getting sick of Antonio coming to work whenever he damn well pleases. “That’s what I was about to ask you. Did you try calling his cell?”
“Yes. But it sent me to voicemail.”
“Someone in the finance department is stealing from the company. We need to have an emergency meeting about this.” Zeke hefted the phone from the receiver and dialed Antonio; his cell went straight to voicemail. “Hey, Antonio. It’s me, Zeke. An emergency has come up, and we need to meet right away. I know it’s getting late, but this can’t wait. Meet us at the office ASAP.” He hung up. “I told him two weeks ago we were meeting tonight, so there’s no excuse for him not being here.”
Bane nodded. “My thoughts exactly. I don’t know if it’s me or what, but he’s been acting rather strange lately. I understand his frustration about not getting the CEO position, but then again, I don’t. I mean, just look at the little stunt he’s pulling tonight. His ass should be here—”
“Talking about me behind my back, I see.” Antonio stalked inside Zeke’s office with a snide look on his face. “Yeah, I’m late,” he shrugged, “but at least I’m here. Let’s get this meeting started and over with.” He plopped down in the navy blue chair in front of Zeke’s desk and crossed his legs at the knee.
Shaking his head, Bane took the seat in the chair next to Antonio. “Just rude,” Bane grumbled.
Zeke felt where Bane was coming from in regards to Antonio. “I agree. Before the meeting begins, let’s get one thing straight, Antonio. If you’re going to work for me, you must be on time from now on. Do I make myself clear?” Zeke’s firm tone must’ve made Antonio upset.
Uncrossing his legs, Antonio leaned forward. “You just became CEO, and you’re already trying to dictate and change things around here. You and Bane both know I’ve never been on time, and I come and go as I damn well please.”
Frustration entered Zeke’s system. “Not anymore, you don’t. From now on, you need to be on time. Our father may have put up with your rudeness, but he and I are two different men. I’m looking to grow Balfour by leaps and bounds. Take it to heights our father could only dream of.”
Antonio crossed his legs at the knee, and his blue eyes turned cobalt. “Balfour is already successful, so this is more for your ego than for the good of the company.”
Zeke didn’t have time for idle bullshit. He definitely wasn’t going to explain himself. “Just have your ass here on time from now on. Discussion over with. Now, let’s get on to more important matters, like who’s stealing from the company.”
“Before we begin, let me just ask you something,” Antonio said, changing the subject. “What exactly do you plan to do to me if I’m late?”
He’s trying my patience. “Well, dear brother, that’s a very easy question to answer. If you’re late again, I’m going to fire you and toss you out on your scrimpy ass.” Despair shone on Antonio’s face, but he didn’t say a word. Thought so, Zeke gloated internally.
THREE LONG HOURS after his meeting with Bane and Antonio, Zeke pushed open the door to the guest house to find Katherine asleep on the couch. What is she doing here? Taken by surprise, Zeke walked over to Katherine and gently patted her shoulder.
Katherine’s eyes slowly peeled open. Blinking, she sat upright on the sofa. “What are you doing here, Katherine?”
Katherine yawned. “Taylor invited me over to watch television with her, but she ended up getting sick. She asked me to stay here with her until you got home.”
Why didn’t someone call me? “She hasn’t been feeling like herself lately. Was her sickness real bad?”
Katherine stood. “I don’t think it was too bad. Sounds like she has a cold or a virus. There’s been some kind of bug going around. My girlfriend Lolita got it, and she’s doing much better now. Give it a couple of days, and I’m sure Taylor will be feeling much better.”
Worry about his precious wife consumed Zeke. “I hope so. Thanks for staying with her, Katherine. I really appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome. Call me if you need anything. Goodnight.” Katherine pulled open the door, then headed up to the main house.
Apprehensive about his wife, Zeke entered the master bedroom, stalked over to their king-size bed, and pulled the beaded string on the lamp. The room vaguely brightened. Looking down at Taylor, his heart swelled.
Sleeping on her back, her rich brown hair lay past her shoulders. Her brownish-mauve lips set in a straight line. Her cheeks looked rosy red.
Zeke touched Taylor’s face with the pads of his fingers to discover her flesh hot to the touch. A ball of sorrow exploded inside him from seeing how sick she’d gotten since he’d dropped her off earlier.
Stroking her hair with his fingers, he softly uttered her name. “Taylor. Wake up, baby. Wake up.” Taylor’s body looked rigid as a board. Zeke gently shook her shoulder. “Taylor. Wake up.”
When Zeke kissed Taylor’s cheek, her eyes finally peeled open. The white part of her eyes was a scary red. “Who. Are. You?”
Zeke’s gut swirled. “I’m your husband, Zeke, baby,” he choked out. He snatched the covers off Taylor, scooped her seething hot body into his arms, and rushed her to the emergency room.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Three days later, Taylor sat upright in the hospital bed, watching “Judge Mathis” on television, feeling better than ever. Clad in a white cotton hospital gown, she glanced at Zeke as he slept in the chair beside the bed. Ever since he’d brought her to the hospital, he hadn’t left her side.
Taylor’s cell buzzed in her lap. Spying the Caller ID, a smile covered her face. “Hi, Mama. How are you?”
“I’m fine. How’s my baby girl doing?” Veronica sounded chipper.
“I’ve never felt better. Thanks, Mama.”
“Is there anything I can do for my baby girl?”
Taylor giggled. “Mama. You just left here five minutes ago. Nothing’s changed since you left. I’m good. Thanks for asking, though.”
“Okay. Well, you just make sure you call me if you need me. I know you said the doctors may release you today. Keep me posted. I love you.”
“I love you, too, Mama.” Taylor pressed the button on her cell to end the call.
Feeling like her old self again, Taylor whispered her husband’s name as he remained sleeping in the chair propped against the wall in the corner. “Zeke.”
Zeke’s body stirred. His eyes opened. Stretching his arms and legs in the recliner, he sat upright. Yawning, Zeke brought his watch up to his eyes. “The doctor was supposed to be here by now.”
Taylor’s stomach growled. “I hope he comes soon, because I’m getting hungry.”
Zeke patted his stomach. “Me, too.”
Just as Zeke stood, Dr. Mason Papotto entered the room. “Good afternoon, Taylor. Are you ready to go home yet?” Clenching a small laptop in his hands, the physician smiled down at her.
“Good afternoon, Dr. Papotto. I’ve been ready to go home. I’m getting out of here today, right?”
“If your vitals are still good, I don’t see any reason why you can’t go home this afternoon.” Dr. Papotto lowered the laptop to the bed, washed his hands, then placed the cool metal of his stethoscope to Taylor’s chest. “Breathe in and out.” Taylor inhaled deeply, then released it. Dr. Papotto removed the stethoscop
e from her chest area and placed it on her back to listen. “Everything sounds and looks good.”
Zeke gave the doctor a strange look. “So you still don’t know what caused her to get sick?”
“Like I said before, my guess is she had a stomach virus.”
Your guess. “Well, I feel all better now. Thanks, Dr. Papotto.”
“The nurse should arrive with your dismissal papers shortly. The two of you have a great day.”
Yes. I’m going home. “You have a great day, too, Doctor.”
An hour later, Taylor walked across the parking lot of the hospital, feeling stronger than ever. Brand spanking new. That virus had gotten her down and out, but now, stronger than ever, she felt like she could run a marathon. Felt like she could have sex with Zeke for days.
Zeke opened the door to the Porsche SUV for Taylor, and she climbed in. He then shut the door, rounded the car, and mounted on the driver’s side. Sitting behind the steering wheel, he gazed over at her, then leaned inward. “I’m so happy you’re doing better.” Clenching the steering wheel with one hand and grazing her collarbone with the other, he slanted his mouth over hers.
Taylor moaned deep inside Zeke’s throat as she tongue kissed him. Tongues twining, a dull ache formed in her center. Moisture crept into her panties. Hot fire spread through her bones.
Zeke broke their erotic kiss. “I thought maybe we could swing by the lot to take a look at the progress of our house, then afterwards maybe we can swing by Ruth’s Chris and get something to eat.”
Feeling like her old self, Taylor looked forward to seeing the progression of her new home. “Sounds good to me. Let’s go.”
Zeke cranked the engine, put the car in reverse. Smiling over at Taylor, he put the gear in drive, then drove out of the packed parking lot of the hospital.
Fifteen minutes later, Zeke made a right at the long end of Ocean, drove down another long road, made a left, then parked the SUV on the road in front of their oceanfront lot.
Zeke and Taylor met at the front of the truck, then walked along the dirt up to their white stucco home. Evening approaching, darkness began to settle in the late afternoon sky.
MARRYING MR. RIGHT (The Brides of Hilton Head Island Book 3) Page 18
