Reading Online Novel

Bought for Love(53)



“Julia’s getting antsy. Meet me at the office so we can talk. Bentley.”

Who was Julia, and why would my husband care if she was antsy or not? With a shrug, I decided I’d ask him later, but knowing my husband, she was some business associate. I had no reason to worry about him doing anything with anyone else. Smiling, I put the note in his wallet taking it upstairs.

Jack was just coming out of the bathroom when I walked back in the bedroom and I grinned. “How did you’re meeting go?” It wasn’t uncommon for him to have late night meetings so I honestly didn’t think much about it.

“It was good. Where are my clothes?” He returned my smile and I had to admit he looked sexy as sin standing there in nothing but a towel.

“I took them downstairs so the maid wouldn’t have to tomorrow. I know you’ve only got a few hours left to sleep.” Walking over to the bed, I slid back in and wished he had more time. I couldn’t get enough of my gorgeous husband.

“You’re too nice, baby, they get paid to cater to us.” He cast off the towel and slid in bed beside me.

We had very different viewpoints on how the staff should be treated, but I’d learned not to argue. “It was no trouble. I’d just fed the baby and it’s hard for me to go right back to sleep.”

“Still, I want to make sure you’re getting enough rest. How did our girl do tonight?” He pulled me closer to his side with one arm, and used the other to turn on the bedside lamp.

I loved snuggling with Jack, and made myself comfortable in the darkness. “I think she was tired after your outing, she went right down.”

“Good. I need some sleep, baby.” He got comfortable and I rested my head against his chest in contentment.

“Who’s Julia?” I spoke softly against the steel silk of his chest, almost lulled into sleep by his rhythmic breathing but remembering the paper.

His body tensed at my question and he sat up quickly turning on the light. The anger in his eyes shocked me and I looked up at him in confusion. He was now sitting up in the bed, glaring at me. “Where in the fuck did you hear that name?”

I shrank back against the headboard at the rage in his voice and couldn’t say a word.

“I asked you a damn question, Emily. Answer me!”

Tears filled my eyes as he grasped my arms, squeezing without gentleness. Jack didn’t manhandle me so I had no idea where this side of him was coming from.

“You’re hurting me.” Who was this man in bed with me, and what had he done with my husband?

“So help me God if you don’t answer me right now I’m going to take you over my knee, Emily.”

I started sobbing, not sure if I could answer him at the moment, I was so afraid. He shook me and that definitely wasn’t helping me lose the fear. Without warning I was lifted over his lap, and held there.

“Jack, stop. You’re scaring me. I read a note that fell out of your wallet. Please let me up.” I struggled in his arms, terrified at how he was treating me.

“What did it say?” He still had me pinned over his lap and the hold he had me in made it impossible to move.

What had it said? My fear was so overwhelming I could hardly think of anything other than the worry he was about to beat me. “I think it said Julia’s getting antsy.” My words stuttered as I sobbed uncontrollably.

“Bentley.” The words hissed out of his mouth and his hold on me gentled, still not releasing me though.

“You shouldn’t go through my wallet, Emily.” His hand rested on my ass and I couldn’t move.

“I didn’t, I promise, it just fell out.” I hiccupped my response, still afraid he was going to hurt me.

His entire demeanor changed and I was lifted in his lap to sit. I couldn’t stop the tears from streaming down my face because whatever had set him off was a completely different persona from the man I knew and loved.

Jack’s hands caressed my hair as he held me tenderly and I had never been so confused before. “Shush, baby, I’m sorry I scared you. Forgive me?”

I nodded quickly, afraid to do anything else. Trembling in his hold, I wished I knew what I’d done that was so horrible. “Why are you mad at me?” Still crying, I never wanted him to treat me that way again.

The soothing strokes of his hand over my hair continued and for long seconds he didn’t speak. Instead he lifted my chin and kissed me with all the tenderness that I’d come to expect and I couldn’t think of anything but the touch of his lips on mine.

He lifted me from his lap after the kiss and placed me back on my side of the bed. “Sleep, baby. You did nothing wrong, I just lost it for a moment.” Reaching back up, he turned off the lamp again and cuddled me at his side.