Wife Unwanted (Corrupt Vows #2)

Chapter 33

Carey

HER EYES FLUTTERED for a few seconds before opening wide. Then she started coughing. I drew her up so she could eliminate all the water that had filled her lungs. I let out a deep breath and felt sweat wash down my body. She was unresponsive for a minute, but it felt like hours. When I fished out of her limp body, I wasn't sure she was going to make it. The accident happened so quickly. One moment she was walking down the boat, the next a wave hit us and she was no longer there. I watched, as though in slow motion, as she went overboard. I don't think I wasted time getting into the water myself, remembering that she once said she couldn't swim. But we got hit by another wave and she was carried away by the water. Time stood still as I surveyed the area and saw nothing. That is until Arther pointed a few feet away from the boat where her slipper was floating. The wave had washed her further away. I swam as fast as I could to get to her before the water drowned her further.

When I got her to the boat, she was motionless. My heart beat so fast as I tried to give her mouth to mouth. Hoping and praying that she's fine. My life, for that brief moment, felt hopeless. I can't lose her, I kept thinking.

But she's alive. I attempted a faltering smile. "Hi."

She tried to steady herself, but she slipped and I had to put my arm around her waist so she wouldn't fall. The deck was slippery with water.

"I'm sorry," she said.

"Don't be." I hugged her, wanting to let her know she was alright and protected. For a brief moment, I failed to protect her, and I almost lost her.

"I slipped," she added.

"We thought we almost lost you!" Mae said. The couple was standing over us, holding hands. Arther was bug eyed and looked the most shocked of the two. My face probably reflected his fear.

I helped her up and lifted her into my arms. "Let's get you to the cabin." She made a faint protest that was disrupted by a cough. "It's okay darling," I said as I took her inside, grabbed a towel, removed the t-shirt she had on and dried her up. She had lost the sarong she had been wearing when she was swept up by the wave. Her bikini was soaked too, but it was drying up quickly. Satisfied that she was no longer dripping, I laid her on the bed. The cabin was small, but rarely used, so it only had a single bed, a fridge, and a toolbox.

"I've ruined Arther's fishing expedition."

I shook my head as I sank down to sit on the bed next to her and took off my wet t-shirt. "Stop apologizing for something out of your control. It's my fault for sailing out further into the ocean. The waters are rougher around here. We need to get back."

"What about Arther?"

"He wasn't catching anything, anyway. For all the big game he talks, he's an awful fisherman."

She chuckled, and my heart warmed. I finally felt a lot more relaxed, but I still wanted to be sure she was fine. I almost lost her. My hand went to her brow. It was cool. I checked her body for bruises and cuts to see if she had hit the boat when she drowned. There was none. I let out another sigh of relief.

"You scared me," I said finally. "I thought I had lost you."

Her eyes widened. "I should learn how to swim."

"You should. But I should have made sure we were in safer waters."

After making sure she was okay, I went back up and turned the boat back home. Thalia joined us just as I was reaching shore. She still looked like she had done something wrong when she didn't. I wanted to tell her it wasn't her fault. Mae kept pointing out the remarkable coincidence of the four of us getting caught up in some kind of maritime accident each time we've met as we got off the boat. Arther didn't seem disappointed by his lack of fish and seemed much more animated now than before. As though he had finally shaken himself out of the shock of the accident.

We went inside where dinner was waiting for us. I watched as Thalia went to our bedroom while the Bardwells pestered me about what we would be eating tonight. They enjoyed what the chef made last night and asked questions that made me wonder if they want to steal my chef away.

The Bardwells left to change for dinner and it was then I could finally go to Thalia, but when I got to the bedroom, she was no longer there. I found her in the kitchen, helping the chef. I joined her as we put the plates on the table in silence. The dinner was uneventful, but it doesn't mean I didn't feel her presence throughout. She sat next to me as her intoxicating fragrance drove me wild with lust. We went to the terrace after dinner and enjoyed a bottle of wine the Bardwells had brought, chatting about nothing and everything with them. Mae was the first to announce her retirement to bed, followed by Arther, leaving the two of us alone.

The silence became more pronounced now that we were alone. Thalia was sitting in a chair inches away from mine. Her beauty was radiant even in the low light. It was intimidating. She was intimidating at times. I wondered if she knew this. She certainly carried herself as though she wasn't aware of her impact on men.

"Is there something on my cheek?" She rubbed her skin.

I shook my head. "We need to talk."

"I thought we already did that?"

"Do you really want a divorce?"

She frowned. "Isn't it what you want? I mean, you'll be finally free to be with whoever you want. Your father's dead and is no longer shackling me to you. I am only making it easier for you by not fighting."

What if I don't want anyone else."It's not as if I am with someone, unlike you."

She rolled her eyes.

"What? You think I don't know about you and your employee?"

"Unlike you , I am not in a relationship with Jack."

"Unlike me?"

"Come on. You don't think I know about New York's worst kept secret? I know all about you and your long-time girlfriend. I don't know why you're even resisting. This is what you wanted! You're now free to bring her to the apartment and not hide your affair—" she darted her eyes around, "—here."

The accusation blindsided me. The only person I've been with is her. No other woman, as much as I hate to admit it, makes me feel the way she feels. Even the knowledge of what she truly is, is not enough to make me not want her. We haven't slept with each other in a year and yet I never felt like having sex with anyone else. "I've never cheated."

She laughed so hard she almost choked on her wine. "And Gemma is what? A friend? As if you don't come here every weekend just to be with her."

"I have never brought anyone here. I usually come alone. And no, Gemma is not my girlfriend."

She snorted. "Sure."

"What would you need to hear for you to believe me?"

"Don't you see Carey? It doesn't matter if I believe you or not. You and I will always be at odds with each other. You don't trust me. You think I am a gold digger and a cheat. Our relationship is dead."

"Is it?" My hand went to her thigh, and she sucked in her breath as I slid my hand up to the edge of her shorts. "We can liven it up if you want?"

She stared down at my hand. I didn't remove it. She looked up at me. There was fire in her eyes. There was a passion that only I could fulfil and not some boy-toy she found at her work. I leaned closer, sure she was about to kiss me, but she then swiped my hand away. "Sex is not all there is to a relationship." She didn't sound like she believed her own words.

I retreated, leaning back into my chair and picking up my glass of wine. In some ways, she was right. If I wanted a relationship with her, rekindling it the same way we started it, through sex, would not be ideal.

"I want you." I said into the night. "That must count for something. And I am not in a relationship with Gemma. The only person I want is you."

She was silent for such a long time that I thought she wasn't going to say anything. I stared into the ocean until she said, "But you don't love me."

When I turned to face her, she was staring at the ocean, her body rigid. "Is that what you want? For me to love you?"

She shook her head, and a smile appeared on her face that quickly faltered and fell. "It took me years to learn you can never love me. And besides…"

She didn't need to finish the sentence. I knew what she wanted to say. And besides, you will never forgive me for taking money from your father and lying to you. True. But lately I've been feeling indifferent about that.

"Why did you do it?" I asked.

She scoffed. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you. The answer was in front of your face and you didn't want to see it. I think I am better off with you thinking I am a social climbing gold digger."

I sifted through my brain, trying to think of what she was referring to. I came up with nothing. And as I was mulling over what she had just said, she got up and left. I spent some more time alone as I watched the waves crashing, wondering what I was going to do to convince her. She lied to me. She also made me feel emotions I thought were long gone. I've never felt like this ever since I was a teenager. Ever since, I asked her father to change the route so she could go to school with me. Even when I was old enough and had my own car, I still used the chauffeur because I wanted to have some time with her when it would only be just the two of us. And to think I almost lost her today. That moment when I looked around the deep blue waters and couldn't see her was a moment I never want to relive again. Watching the waves crash, I realized one thing: I need her in my life and I am never letting go of her.

Thalia was getting ready to get to bed when I entered the bedroom. She was sitting on the bed as she put on lotion. The white silky nightdress she wore made me instantly hard the moment I laid eyes on her. I clenched my fists so I wouldn't march over to her, take the bottle of lotion out of her hands and apply it to her legs myself. Her eyes went to the end of the room. There was a lounger there, with a pillow and a blanket. She must have had the housekeeper bring in the lounger at some point.

"You expect me to sleep there?" I took off my shirt. She gasped, and I felt like smirking when I saw her eyes glued to my chest. She may act like she didn't want me, but her body betrayed her every time we were together.

She got up. "I could sleep there if you want."

"Now why would I do that to my wife?"She titled her head at my remark. I took off my pants next, and she breathed in sharply. I picked up the items of clothing and threw them in the laundry basket, and then went to stand in front of her.She stepped back. I grabbed her hand. She paused.

"I've never brought anyone here. You're the only person besides me to sleep in that bed."

Thalia shrugged. "You come here often for someone who's not cheating."

"I come to be alone with my thoughts. To sail and to be with the ocean."

Her eyes softened. Good. I was penetrating. "To run away from me."

I shook my head vigorously. "I like it here. Sailing is the only thing that feels honest to me. The waters are cruel, but true."

She flinched and withdrew her hand from my grasp. "Then why did you bring us here? It seems like I am soiling your only place of refuge. Why not the Hamptons?"

"We sold off the place. And I wouldn't have gone there, anyway. That place is tainted." We all knew what I was referring to and her face fell at that.

She sighed. "I am really sorry for lying to you, Carey. I wasn't fully thinking about what my actions would do to you."

"My father did a number on us, didn't he?"

I took her hand in mine again, and this time she didn't resist. Her skin was soft and I couldn't resist casually rubbing her wrist. She gasped. I bent down to kiss the top of her hand and when I looked up, her eyes were watered with unshed tears.

"I hate him, but you gotta give him props," I said. "He knew how well to manipulate us. He could see the need we had for each other, and he exploited that."

Her tears started falling, and I reached out my thumb to brush them away. She choked. I closed the space between us and licked a single tear. Then the other one. I placed small kisses down her cheek until I reached her pillowy lips. She didn't need to be coaxed. Her lips parted, and I sighed as our tongues met. Her hands went to my waist, and she pulled me to her. My chest melted, knowing she wanted me too.

The kiss was slow at first, but soon became hungry and hurried as passion engulfed us. My hands were all over her, and hers were all over me. She kissed me like a woman demented. Like she couldn't get enough of me. Her desire made me wanted her more. I slid my hands down her dress and lifted it by the hem. She removed it and she went to remove my underwear. I slipped out of it, sighing when my erection was free. Her panties were next and soon we were both naked, staring at each other.

"You're so beautiful." She had the body of a goddess but acted like she didn't know it. Even when she heard the compliment, she raised eyebrows slightly in disbelief. I stepped forward and held my hands to her waist reverently. "It's true. I want to worship you every day of my life." I went down to my knees and grasped her thighs, breathing in her sex. It was glistening. Good. She's already moist. I lapped her pussy like it was the only food I was going to have for the days. She was sweet. I could eat her all day if I had the chance.

She moaned when I sucked her clit, her hands grasping my hair and gripping it hard. It felt good to be touched by her like that. As though I was the only man who can give her what she wanted. What she needed. Her desire was my desire. Her pleasure was my pleasure. The sweetness of her pussy only made me that much more eager to please. Her knees buckled just as she was about to reach the peak. I glimpsed at her. Her head was turned up to the ceiling, eyes closed. When she gazed down, her eyes were clouded with lust that was, I am sure, reflected in my own. Her brow furrowed as lapped inside her pussy. "Carey," she moaned.

Gently, I scrapped my teeth on her clit, and she cried. Then I inserted two fingers into her pussy as I sucked her clit. She screamed, whimpered, and gushed her orgasm into my mouth and fingers. She bit her wrist so she wouldn't make any noise. Fuck. I wanted her to make all the noise she wanted. To bring down the roof screaming my name so that everyone knew who she belonged to.

I stood up, cock heavy and weeping. Thalia's hand griped it, making me moan. She went down to her knees. My hands gripped her shoulders."You don't have to."

"I want to," she said just before she took me into her mouth. Whatever protest I meant to wager was shut down by the fantastic feeling of her mouth around my cock. She licked the head, her tongue lapping the pre-cum that was at the tip, then she took all of my cock inch by inch into her mouth. Fuck. She felt so good I had to bite my tongue to stop myself from ramming down her throat like a brute.

When she took all of me into her mouth, she stopped, getting comfortable with me and then began sucking me like a piston. It was my turn to lose balance. My hands went to her cheeks and caressed her as I felt my cock going in and out of her. She looked up at me as she worked my cock. If she asked anything of me to give her the world then, I would have done it.

My balls tightened. I was close to coming. To her surprise, I withdrew from her mouth, lifted her, and laid her on the bed. "I want to feel your pussy around my cock when I come, I whispered into her mouth before kissing her. The taste of me and her on both of our lips was like fire in my veins.

I lifted her knees up and wide, then positioned my cock at her center, before thrusting into her wet warmth. We both groaned as I set a pace so relentless it made the headboard shake. After tonight, she would only think of me when she thinks of sex. The only man to give her pleasure should be me.

"You're mine," I said. My words punctuated by sloppy kisses. "You belong to me and I belong to you. No one else."

She moaned in agreement. "You're the only one I want."

"That's fucking right." I thrust myself to the hilt and pushed her knee up so I could go even deeper. "Say it. Tell me I am yours."

"You're mine," she said.

My hand went to her clit, and I rubbed it until her pussy started milking my cock. I wrapped my hands around her as we came together. Our bodies shaking and vibrating as one. This is it. This is why we are meant to be together.

We stayed stuck together for what felt like hours, not wanting to separate. When we eventually pulled apart, we both sighed, and I felt a loss as I withdrew from her. I got up, legs weak from an earth shattering orgasm, and went to the bathroom. I came back with a towel, laid her flat on the bed, and cleaned her pussy. She trembled at my touch while her hand reached out to caress my back. She looked at me as though she was seeing me for the first time.

"What?" I asked, after feeling a little unnerved by her stare.

"Nothing." She turned her gaze away from me. After I was done, I put her under the covers, took the towel back to the bathroom and climbed into bed. Her body was warm and supple when I pulled her close. She didn't protest, but snuggled into my arms. We drifted to sleep a few minutes later, bone weary.

In the early hours of the morning, I felt her kissing me. I woke up and pulled her under me as I finished what she started. The lovemaking was slow and lazy. Sweet and deliberate. It felt as though she was giving me her soul. Which is why I was shocked to wake up the next morning and found out she was gone. She had left a note with four simple, yet heartbreaking words:

I can't do this.