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My breath caught while viewing my gown still hanging in the dressing room, so beautiful, unaware of the complications India put into my head. The earlier joy rushed back into my soul, fighting for space, kicking out the ickiness left there by her.

As I fingered the crystals down the front of the gown, I took in several deep breaths, imagining the wedding day. Would it be as perfect as my mind could see it? I held on to every hope it’d be beautiful, meaningful, and happy for us. I just needed to hang in there, and get through these remaining months.

When I walked into the apartment an hour later, Rex was waiting for me, surprising me with a candlelight dinner he’d prepared.

“Sweetness! Hi—oh, your face. Bad day?” He removed my coat, and I immediately reached for the glass of merlot on the table, downing the entire thing in a few gulps. Then I reached for the bottle.

“Whoa. What’s wrong?” He took the items from my hands, set them down, and circled my waist. My forearms rested on his pecs and I gazed up into his eyes, where many times before I’d sought solace after a hectic day.

A debate raged in my head. Should I tell him about India, about my worries over my job? If I did, he’d only want to fix my problems. I snorted, knowing he’d probably use his influence to have her fired or something.

“Nothing time with my man can’t cure,” was all Isaid.

What I needed was a distraction from it all, the sexy kind. I ran my hands up around his neck and pulled him down to me. The connection of our lips sparked my mood, sending electric currents zinging through my body, leaving me craving more than a good meal.

“Can the food wait?” I asked, and stepped back a few feet, sliding my dress off, revealing a white sheer lace halter bodysuit and thigh-high stockings I’d purchased at Kleinenfelds before I left. “Just a little preview of what you can expect on our wedding night.”

His head cocked, tongue traced his bottom lip, and eyes traced my figure. “Thank fuck for microwaves.”

I reveled in his entire response. He stalked forward, lifting me up and growled, carrying me off to the bedroom like I was the ultimate prize he’d won in life. “Let me give you a sneak peek as well.”

I chuckled, and he splayed me out on the mattress, kissing up my thighs, up my torso, devouring my lips, then headed back down, but I stopped him.

“I need your cock inside of me, connecting with me. Please, Rex,” I whispered, trailing my hand between us, finding him hard. He ground into my hand, searching my face.

“Are you okay?” He asked.

“I will be once you’re inside of me.” My fingers deftly undid his belt. He took over undoing the rest, freeing his shaft, and pushing aside the lace that remained between us. His head notched at my opening, and he pushed in, sliding past my barriers, rocking into my core.

“Damn, you’re wet and ready for me. Whatever happened today, you’re with me now. This is all that matters, sweetness.”

My body shifted under him, molding myself to him, as I matched him move for move. Every thrust of our hips together shoved away India’s questions, proving our intimacy. We were more than anything superficial she implied.

“I love you.” The words I spoke in time with our rhythm could never say enough the depth of my feelings for this man.

“I love you, too. Now relax. Let me shoulder your burdens and make you feel so fucking good,” he ended on a growl, pulsing inside of me.

This between us was everything. The exact medicine I needed to chase the day away. The special Rex cure for every worry that ailed me.

45

GUILTY AS SIN

CHELSEA

Maisy walkedthe stage at her Columbia graduation ceremony and I couldn’t have been prouder of her. Sophie attended as well, since her ceremony was the day before. They impressed me so, two beautiful young women, completing their studies, about to set out into the world to make their mark. While Sophie planned to stay in the city, Maisy was literally setting out on a ship to sail the world the next day.

At that thought, I dabbed my eyes for the millionth time with a tissue, a package of them resting on my knee for Mom and Sophie to use as well. Our smiles had been huge, but our eyes leaked throughout the event, mine filled with both happy and sad tears.

“Your father would have loved seeing Maisy graduate today,” Mom admitted, sniffling as we waited outside for her after the ceremony ended. “He’d have been proud of both of you, and Colt, too. You all turned out wonderfully.”

“I’m already crying over Maisy, now you bring up Dad and Colt, too? I miss them,” I broke down, hugging Mom to my left, while an arm wrapped around me from my right. Rex’s. Thank God for him today, for being my rock and practically holding me upright.

By the time Maisy made her way to us, Mom and I had cried enough, and put ourselves back together so Rex could take photos of us all, which we immediately texted to Colt.

Afterward, Rex took us all out to celebrate at Tetto, the Italian five-star restaurant at the top of one of the high-rise buildings he owned. He insisted on treating us all on this special occasion with Mom, Maisy, Sophie and her parents, and me, and of course, he wouldn’t take no for an answer, having already made the reservation.

I’d come to realize that, while Rex could afford any material possession he wanted, the one thing he loved most was treating his loved ones in special ways. Like it filled his heart and soul to do so, and for that I couldn’t resist letting him for take us some place so expensive.