Precious Lace(13)

My brain suddenly decided to cooperate and I sucked in a deep breath to give me strength.

"I’m not using Carter's account."

"Oh?" Her eyes shot up. "Your expiration date must be sooner than I thought then." She grinned at me as she proceeded to the counter to pay for her purchases.

"Nikki?"

She turned on her heel with an interested look.

"I think your expiration date has long been up. Carter told me he was only one in a long line of men you bedded for the photo op. But I'll tell him you said hi."

"You bitch. You're not good enough for Carter. Don't think you mean anything more to him than any of the other whores he's been with." Her eyes shot daggers into me.

"Is that why he gave me this?" I lifted my right hand and fingered the glistening stone. Her eyes flicked to it and widened. "And why he asked me to marry him? And then flew me to Aspen and did just that?" I shot her a ruthless grin and then walked out of the store and on to Newbury Street.

My heart pounded in and out of my chest as I continued to walk, tears blurring my vision. I had to get off this street before Nikki walked out and caught me in her crosshairs again. I darted into a coffee shop and threw myself in a chair, my bag dropped to the floor next to me. I was suddenly too exhausted to do anything but head home and curl up in bed.

I walked to the counter and ordered a soy vanilla latte, returning to my seat to wait for my name to be called.

My head swirled and my stomach knotted as my brain reviewed the encounter with Nikki. Did he always go back to her? It certainly seemed that way. Did he still have contact with her? He'd said he never wanted to see her again, but how long could a former man-whore stay away from a stunning girl like that?

A server brought my latte over and set it on the table in front of me with a smile.

"Thank you." I gave her an apologetic grin. I'd been so immersed in my thoughts I must have missed her calling my name.

I wrapped both of my palms around the warm cup and inhaled deeply. The rich aroma that usually brought a sense of calm to my system suddenly had my stomach lurching. Just the thought of drinking it made bile rise in my throat. My stomach was in knots over the confrontation with Nikki and my mind refused to calm down.

I pulled my water bottle out of my bag and took long draws, emptying the contents. I took a few deep breaths and closed my eyes, trying to forget the words Nikki had said in the dressing room.

Breathe, Eva. Breathe.

I tried to remind myself that he'd married me. I couldn't let my fear sabotage us.

I picked up my latte and took a sip, praying for the hot liquid to calm my nerves. My stomach rolled and I set the coffee down. I feared that if I took another sip I would be sick all over the floor. If the thought of my beloved java had my stomach in a twist clearly the situation with Nikki had gotten to me much more than I thought. I rolled my eyes; not only had the she-bitch from hell ruined my shopping trip but now she'd ruined my latte.

I grabbed my shopping bags, left my drink on the table and exited the coffee shop to head back to Carter's house. He'd said he'd try to get home early so we could spend the afternoon together, but I secretly hoped I could sneak in at least an hour nap before he made it home.





I walked up the sidewalk outside of Carter's townhouse and my brain vaguely registered the moving van outside with burly men hauling boxes up the sidewalk. I got a few steps closer and my eyes widened in surprise to see them carrying boxes through Carter's door. My blood immediately boiled. I hadn't yet made a decision about moving in with him. Apparently Carter had taken my assent in the throes of passion seriously. I should expect nothing less from that man. Carter Morgan was never to be underestimated.

I gave the movers a polite smile as I stomped through the door and made my way back to Carter's office. I was pleased to find him home from work and on the phone. I walked through the door of his office with single-minded determination. Carter’s eyes shot up in surprise as he continued the phone conversation. I narrowed my eyes at him and the tiniest of smiles flitted across his mouth once he realized the source of my anger.

I leaned down into his body, purposely giving him a clear view of the top of my cleavage, and pressed his lips firmly to my own, holding his head against mine so hard I was sure my lips would bruise. This was an angry kiss and I wanted him to know it. I pulled away and my teeth scrap;)ed along his bottom lip roughly. I saw him wince as I released it. I licked my lips and tasted the slightest hint of blood. Well good, Carter could use a reprimand.

I met his eyes and they flashed with a look of anger and lust. Carter was going to learn not to coerce me into doing things he wanted while I was mid-orgasm. I dropped to my knees in front of him and spread his legs apart. His arousal was already hard and tented against the soft wool. I popped the button and dragged the zipper down quickly, freeing him from his pants. His eyes widened again as his breathing picked up. I grabbed him in my hands and squeezed roughly, stroking up and flicking my thumb over the head. His breathing hitched as I continued to stroke. Carter settled into the rhythm and managed to carry on his phone conversation in a clipped tone.