Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
MERRY
I sip on my red wine, enjoying the velvet texture on my tongue. Celeste’s up dancing with a few of the girls, but I’m enjoying a drink with my future daughter-in-law as she asks me another question about Finn.
“Was he always good at art?” She places a hand over her stomach. “I wonder if our baby will have his talents.” She sips on a fruity mocktail, glancing down at the tassels on her crochet pattern dress over her belly.
“He was drawing and colouring as soon as he could hold a crayon.” My smile pushes my cheeks up as I think of Finn colouring on the wallpaper with felt-tips. “When he was about three, I’d just redecorated the stairs and had this lovely wallpaper with a fleur-de-lis texture embossed into it.”
Shelly nods for me to continue, her elbow resting on the table with her fist propping up her chin.
“He came downstairs to my office and said, ‘Mummy, come look at my picture.’ I was typing away on the computer and said, ‘bring it to me, darling. I can’t go upstairs right now.’ And he said, ‘I can’t. It’s on the wall.’”
“Oh, he didn’t?” Shelly giggles, already guessing where this story’s about to go.
“Yep. I thought he meant he’d stuck it to the wall. But nope, he actually coloured all the pattern in going up the stairs. It was all different colours too. No wonder he was quiet.” A snort escapes as I take another drink.
“Oh no. Did you have to redecorate?”
“Nah, I left it. He was so proud of his work, I couldn’t possibly tell him off or tear it down. It stayed there until we moved house when Alex and I divorced.”
“I love how you still get along. I had thought things might be awkward with having the two of you in the same room at the wedding, even though Finn reassured me that you both talk, he also said you hadn’t seen each other since his graduation.”
“We Zoom occasionally.” I lift the wine to my lips, taking another sip as I remember how our Zoom calls usually go. It was always to discuss travel arrangements and when he was visiting, or school, birthdays, and Christmas gifts. But since Finn became an adult, it’s usually when Finn’s in the papers.
Shelly runs her index finger over the sugary rim of her glass, staring at the syrupy mocktail.
“What’s wrong? Are you not dancing?” I nod towards her mother who’s like a born-again teenager, tearing up the dance floor.
Shelly giggles. “I’m tired. It must be the pregnancy, but I’m ready for bed.”
“It has been a long day. Even though it’s been a relaxing day with the spa and pampering, having to people is exhausting sometimes.”
She nods in agreement. “I’m glad I arranged something low-key. I don’t think I could have handled a full-on weekend away. Finn was happy to skip the whole bachelor party thing, too, but his best man talked him into it. Said if he’s flying in from the UK, he’s making sure Finn gets a good send-off.”
“Ah yes, Sebastian’s been Finn’s best friend since nursery. He’s a little wild, but a good friend.”
Shelly’s friend Natasha tugs on her arm. “Shell, come and dance with us.”
“Enjoy yourself. I’m getting another drink.” I rise from the seat as Shelly’s reluctantly pulled to her feet.
Lifting my empty glass, I make my way to the piano bar. A softer ambience greets me as my heels click across the parquet floor. The musical notes of ivory and ebony keys play crooning Christmas tunes in the distance, making all the tension in my body melt away.
The lights of the bar dazzle over the array of spirits in front of a mirrored wall, and I climb onto a stool, pulling my dress down to my knees.
A very nice young man says from behind the bar, “What can I get you, ma’am?”
“I’ll have a?—”
“She’ll have a Kringle’s Creamy Cocktail, please, Danny, and I’ll have one, too.” Alex perches on the barstool next to me with his long legs. He doesn’t have to climb up ungracefully, like me.
My lips quirk in the corner. “Is that what you’re calling it?” Sounds a lot like what I got last night. I run a finger through my hair, still a little damp after drying off in the changing rooms. I never planned on getting my hair wet today, but thanks to my dear ex-husband gawking at me this afternoon, here we are.
“It’s your favourite, spiked eggnog drink.” He smiles at me now with the same dorky look on his face that he had at the pool, and probably the same dopey grin he woke up with this morning.
“You want to go with the eggnog again after last night?” I raise an eyebrow, wondering what his motives are.
“Hell yes. Whatever it takes to get you in my bed, Merry. I’ll even get another joint from my new dealer, Marley, if I have to.” He chuckles, scraping the stool along the floor, positioning it as close to mine as possible, then he sits, his legs on either side of my knees. “Thanks, Danny,” he says as he takes the two drinks from him, sliding one to me.
“Thank you, but you really don’t need to get me drunk or high.” My walls clench at the reminder of last night.
“Did you enjoy your swim earlier?” He chuckles silently behind the tumbler, swirling the ice around the cocktail.
I swat at his thigh nestled next to mine. “That was all your fault. I wasn’t planning on getting wet today.”
He leans over and whispers in my ear, “I’ve been plotting on how to get you wet all day.”
A shiver shoots down my spine. His warm breath on my neck tingles, causing goose bumps to break out on my skin. This man can make me wet with one look and one word in that deep raspy voice of his.
“You know, all you had to do was ask me.” I shuffle in my seat and rest both palms on his muscular thighs as I lean over to whisper in his ear, “We’re too old to play games, Alex. I’ll happily be your fuck toy while I’m here.”
His chest vibrates with a growl, his pupils dilate, making his eyes appear black as coal and lighting a fire in my belly. Placing the eggnog on the bar with a clink, he says, “Let’s go.”
“We can’t just take off. Everyone will wonder where we’ve gone.”
“Do I look like I give a fuck what anyone thinks?” He stands from the stool, the package in his trousers catching my attention. “Get your stuff. We’re going home.”
I don’t miss how he says we’re going home as if it’s my home, too. He’s done everything in his power to make sure I’m comfortable. Even Blanche has made me feel at home, not to mention the people in this town. I can see why Finn likes it here, the small town is like a family.
Alex straightens his tie. “Danny, can you let my son know we’ve left, please?” Placing his hand on the small of my back, he leads me out of the bar and into the foyer, texting his driver. “Where are your things?”
“I left them in a locker in the changing rooms.” I step out of the country club into the night air, my body shivering, but I’m not sure if it’s the cool breeze or the anticipation of what’s to come.
“I’ll have my PA collect them for you tomorrow.” Alex shrugs his jacket off and places it around my shoulders.
“Thank you.” I look up at him while we wait for his driver to arrive. “Do you think we should’ve said goodbye?”
His mouth curves. “No need. I think the lovebirds already flew away.” He nods toward the path that leads to the beach.
I squint in the darkness, but can clearly see the silhouette of our son and Shelly holding hands as they make their escape. “She said she was tired.”
Alex wraps his arm around my waist, fitting me snugly at his side. It’s possessive, dominating and sexy as hell.
His driver, Gary, pulls the SUV around. Alex opens the back door and gestures for me to get in. He follows, sliding in next to me. “Get us home as fast as possible, Gaz.”
“You got it, sir.” Gary steps on the accelerator, pinning me back in the seat.
I cling to the fabric of Alex’s jacket, wrapped around my shoulders, his scent enveloping me, making me unable to think straight.
Alex stretches his arm out and places his hand on my thigh over the red dress. His fingers tease the split on the side of my leg, finding their way underneath the fabric.
My chest rises and falls with panting breaths as my heart thumps beneath my ribcage. The rough pads of his fingers teasing the inside of my squishy thighs is electrifying.
He pushes his way between my touching flesh, finding the crease where my legs meet my pelvis. “Eyes on the road, Gaz,” he says, making me aware that his driver can see us through the rearview mirror.
With the chuckle that comes from Gary, he knows exactly what Alex is doing to me. He turns the radio up a little and taps his fingers against the steering wheel to the beat of Christmas jingles. I’m grateful for the music to drown out my panting breaths.
Alex’s fingers stroke against the satin fabric of my knickers. “Give me your mouth.” He demands in that assertive tone that makes me shiver with excitement.
I tilt my head and he swoops in, claiming me as his right in front of his driver. Is Gary used to this? How many other women has Alex had in the back of his car?
Does it matter? I can’t think straight. I need to know I’m not just a number for him. A notch on his SUV. With panting breaths against his lips, I whisper, “Do you do this with all the women you pick up?”
Alex flinches back. “Merry?”
“Your driver must love working the night shift. Do you always give him a show?”
With his hand between my thighs stroking my damp lace knickers, he grips my chin with his other hand and whispers into my ear, “There’s been no other woman who I’ve kissed in the back of my car but you.” He kisses my neck below my ear. “And don’t worry about Gary. He can’t see what I’m doing with my hand, but by the way your knickers are soaked, I think you like public displays of affection.”
My heart races as Alex moves the gusset of my knickers aside and strokes the wet folds of my pussy. I do my best to keep a straight face so Gary’s none the wiser about what’s going on behind his seat. Though with Alex all over me, I’m sure he has a good idea.
I stare out the window at the dazzling Christmas lights as the car speeds through the town.
Alex continues to softly kiss my neck as if Gary doesn’t even exist and I’m the only thing in the world that has his attention. “I’ve wanted to kiss you from the minute I woke up this morning.”
I gasp. “I wanted you to.”
He presses his lips to mine once more, taking my breath away. “And don’t even think about disappearing back to the guest house tonight. You’re sleeping in my bed where you belong.” His teeth clamp down on my bottom lip. “Got it?”
“Yes,” I say, but the word isn’t coherent. It’s more of a mewl as he sinks two fingers inside of me.
The car slows down and I say a silent prayer that we’re home before I make a mess in the back of the SUV and poor Gary had to clean it. At least I’ll be gone come Boxing Day and I’ll hopefully never have to look Gary in the eye again.
With my whole body on fire, I get out of the car, thankful for the dark night to hide my embarrassingly red cheeks. Before I can say good night to the driver, Alex is dragging me up the steps to his porch and into the house.
Sweat coats my top lip. I’m having another tropical. I can’t tell if it’s the menopause this time, the embarrassment of the show I just put on, or the anticipation of what’s to come as Alex sucks his two fingers clean.
I stroll backwards through his large hallway, past the winding staircase, slipping off my heels.
Alex does the same, kicking his black shoes to the side, prowling across the polished wood. “Take your dress off. I want the rest of my dessert.”
I suck in a breath. This man. My vagina clenches, needing more of his fingers or his cock. Teasingly, I lift the fabric of my dress, gathering it in my hands and bunching it at my hips. “Come and get it.”
Something in his eyes darkens as he growls, yanking the tie from under his collar. “Tonight you’re my fuck toy to do whatever I like.”
My back hits the table in the kitchen and he pounces on me, wrapping the tie around my neck and using it like a leash. He hikes my dress over my hips and tears the lace of my knickers. I squeal with excitement as his fingers dig into my thighs, hoisting me onto the table.
His teeth nip at my lips. “Tell me, Merry. I want you to say it. Tell me you're my fuck toy.”
I run my hands over the crisp linen shirt and unbutton it as fast as I can, needing to run my fingers over his chest hair. “I’m yours, Alex. Now stop talking and fuck me already.”
“Patience.” His rough hand slides up my thighs over every blue vein and dimple, but it’s as if he doesn’t even notice them. “I thought I told you I wanted this dress off?”
“You take it off.” I reach around to my back and tug at the zip.
“Arms up.” He gathers it in his fists and lifts it over my head, then tosses it to the floor.
I sit on his kitchen table in my black lace bra and torn panties, his tie hanging between my breast. I don’t even bother to suck in my gut. There’s no need to hide from him when he clearly likes what he sees.
His tongue darts out to wet his lips as his eyes rake over my body, taking in every ripple and roll. “You’re so delicious, Merry.” His finger runs along a crease on my belly. “You’re like a Christmas pudding, glazed with a fine brandy, and I want to cover you in my cream.”
The way he’s gazing at me like I’m a banquet laid out on his kitchen table is more empowering than any women’s rights speech. He thinks he’s in charge, but I’m the one who holds all the power, able to bring a grown man to his knees to worship at my feet.
His fingers curl under the elastic of my tattered knickers, and he tears the remaining fabric from me and drops them to the kitchen floor. “Do you know how hungry I am for this pussy?”
My core clenches. My limbs weaken as I lean back on my elbows and open my legs as wide as I can, inviting him without words to take what he wants.
He dives down, crashing his lips against my clit.
I gasp at the contact. My hand fists the short hair on his head as he works his sinful tongue into my centre. Moans sing out from my lungs. He says I’m his fuck toy, but I’m the one getting all the rewards.
My breasts bounce as he fucks me with his tongue, jerking my body against the wood of the table. “Al,” I moan, letting his name linger on my tongue. Calling out his name while his face is between my legs is something I thought I’d never get to do again.
“Alex,” I shout as white spots blur my vision. The spotlights above me brighten as heat courses through my veins. “Don’t stop.”
His fingers dig into my fleshy hips. He mumbles against my pussy, “Honey, I’m just getting started.”
I suck in a breath. My mind scrambling to remember that last time he called me honey. It’s as if we never divorced at all. We’ve slipped back into our husband and wife roles so easily, like this is where we’re meant to be. It feels right, as if we belong together.
He’s the only man I’ve ever submitted to. A moan rattles from my chest as he fucks me with his tongue, his thumb circling my clit as his hand pushes against my mound, holding me in place. I cry out again, my legs shaking.
My moans spur him on as he probes deeper, his thumb applying more pressure to my clit as he summons my orgasm. My back arches. A shudder wracks my bones as a wave of pleasure course through my veins and I come on his tongue.
His head lifts from between my thighs, his smirk glistening with my arousal. “Was that enthusiastic enough for my little fuck toy?”
“Yes,” I cry out, still tingling from the high.
“Good.” He stands and unbuckles his belt. “Now I want that same level of enthusiasm while you suck my cock.”
Oh bugger.