Page 51 of Falling for the Wife

Damn him. Did he come here to punish me and leave me wanting? What was I to do for the next six weeks until I saw him again, play the fiddle? At night, when I was all alone in such a massive house, that was when I got restless. Surely, he could afford a few days to come back to me.

“Yet that didn’t stop you from ravaging me and coming inside me twice.”

“Stop me next time…”

“I would never. I want you too much.” Chasing him had been a thrill, but it was becoming exhausting. My heart questioned my sanity, wondering when this whole tedious obsession would grind to a stopping halt. But tonight…I temporarily captured him, surely that meant something significant, right? And if it were the case, fighting and waiting for him to come to his senses maybe would be worth it in the end. It had to be worth it, or it would all be for naught. I had to believe. It was all I had left. “Someday, Jared…Someday, you’re going to be mine.”

That made him grin wide. “Oh, yeah?” he quipped back, kissing me thoroughly, unreservedly. “In a few years, maybe…I’ll be strong enough to stay. Maybe I’ll deserve you then, but for the time being, I’m staying away from you.”

“We shall see,” I murmured, feeling quite out of my depth, but it was too late to stop now. “You know how I love a good challenge.”

“You are shameless.” He spanked my ass.

“I love you. There’s no shame in that.” I kissed him for the last time. “Go, before I decide to keep you forever.” He was, in some ways, a challenge. Did I have the wherewithal to tame someone like him?

Dancing blue eyes thoughtfully gazed down on me tenderly.

My heart swelled, and I couldn’t look away.

“Don’t be too naughty. Happy birthday, kitten.”

CHAPTER18

Gisele

Twenty minutes later,all freshened up and ready to go, I came downstairs to meet Wyatt in the kitchen. Thomas had taken it upon himself to make sure Wyatt was properly taken care of. Wyatt had quite a savory spread before him as he casually sipped on one of my father’s vintages.

“The gift is well received, I take it?” Thomas asked, his innuendo lost on our guest. He was fond of Wyatt, but he was team Jared through and through. In his eyes, no one could compare.

Neither did they in mine.

A small smile played on my lips as I sat across from Wyatt at the six-seater breakfast table. “Very well received, as you can tell. Thank you for being so generous, Thomas.”

“I’ll leave you, madam. I’m enthused your birthday wishes are coming along quite splendidly.” He portrayed the stuffy butler, but he was such an adorable gem. “It’s good to see you again, Mr. Rinaldi.” He made a firm nod before retreating to his office.

Bantering with Thomas had become one of my favorite highlights of living at home. But with father gone, we all felt the loss. The liveliness of the staff had somewhat drained. Though Thomas appeared composed and trying his damnedest to appear his usual self, the strain in his eyes had become apparent. I wondered how well he was coming. Maybe this could be the perfect opportunity for him to take a break and worry about himself more. The man’s loyalty deserved an all-expenses paid vacation for a few months. This could be the great start of cheering him up. He could visit as many countries as he wished. He surely wasn’t getting any younger. I made a mental checklist to call my father’s lawyer so it would be immediately taken care of.

“Why are you smiling like that?” Wyatt’s eyes rested on my face before they generously traveled to my ample cleavage then lingered on my mouth as I bit into a strawberry. The tip of his tongue curled on his bottom lip, aroused at the sight of me.

I mockingly glared at him, amused at his reaction. “You’re such a pervert, Wyatt.”

Such opinions only thrived when it came to the likes of Wyatt Rinaldi, grooming himself to be a notorious playboy, closely following his father.

“You’ve teased me for weeks on end. When will you properly have me, hm?”

I threw him a mocking look. His roguish grin grew wider. I rolled my eyes before feigning a frustrated groan. “You say it as if you’re not nursing my rejection with your usual sort of disposable ladies.”

He leisurely sipped on his champagne before looking across the table with incredulity. “Because you insisted on it. Tell me why again?” His dark, fathomless eyes stayed grim.

Taking a steady breath, I plucked up the mother of pearl spoon, scooping a great amount of Sevruga gray caviar before I carefully placed the savory beads on my middle finger and slipped it into my mouth. Pressing my tongue against the ceiling of my mouth, each flavorful bead exploded like ambrosia on my taste buds. I moaned with gusto. But before I indulged in another, I sat back and gazed at the man sitting humorlessly across from me.

“I told you about my disastrous fling with Jack and my feelings for Jared. If I wanted to enter another relationship, I want to be sure this time, Wyatt. I’ve stressed this on many occasions. It’s also why I unfailingly remind you we should keep dating other people. You’ve been around the block several times over, while I’m new to this whole scene. It’s fair to say it’s my turn to explore the dating pool.”

“I understand all of that, I do, but your obsession with Jared is so unhealthy. What are you hoping to gain? He’s your guardian, and I doubt he’s going to see you any differently even if he partially lives in the same house as you. I get it. Maybe it’s your pride or the idea of being rejected fucks with your head more than it should, but you have to know when enough is enough, Gisele. It’s really stupid when my sister and Vivienne encourage you, too. It’s fucking hopeless.”

Damn it, Wyatt. His lectures were becoming so tedious. “I’ll get there when I get there, okay? Pressuring me to be with you isn’t helping this at all.”

He shrugged. “All I’m saying is…there are a lot of guys like me out there, Gi. You have no idea how many guys want to come knocking at your door to ask you out, but are reluctant to. That time will eventually come, and I don’t want to be at the back of the line.”