It was that night years ago, that their lives had changed forever. He could still see it so clearly in his mind, even high and drunk, the sounds and sights could be traced. She was never his, not really. But every time she touched him, he touched her, he imagined it was so. The feel of her soft tongue, gliding against his, still made him shiver on the hottest day.
Married. The word had hurt him more than a thousand stabs to his chest. Here she was, his Chloe, claimed to another man. Not just anyone either, but a dangerous, unforgiving man, his uncle. Philip was one of the coldest, self-centered man he knew, and the fact that Chloe had taken him to be her husband, killed him. He knew, at first it was because he had left. She couldn't wait for him, and he knew she shouldn't have had to. But he was gone and stupid, and thought she would always be there.
It was that night. The night the storm raged through Salem, so violent and destructive, it ruined lives.
**********************************************************
His body lay atop of her, slick with sweat and rain. The thunder cracked in the overcast sky. A chilling and somewhat frightening sound when one was alone, but in the arms of a lover, it seemed warm, almost comforting. She was alone, as she was every Friday, while Philip played poker with 'the guys'. God only knows what he was really doing. Chloe was not the only unfaithful person in a marriage built on lies and mistrust. Chloe later confessed Brady's own grandfather had backed the marriage, forced Chloe into it for the good and well-being of his son. Philip was to take over the business and he needed a sweet dependable wife on his arm, Chloe was the dutiful wife Victor had chosen.
Brady touched Chloe's sensitive skin, over and over as her face blushed with heat, that only Brady could radiate within her. He slipped his hand under her shirt, cupping her full breast in his palm, testing her weight, before his thumb greedily danced over her pert nipple. He licked his lips unconsciously before he dragged his tongue along her collar, dipping into the hollow of her throat. "I need you," he growled, unbuttoning her pants, eager to touch her, all of her.
"Brady, we shouldn't be doing this. I'm married now." She shuttered and arched her hips to meet his roaming hands.
Brady sat up, cursing himself for losing control and letting things go so far. "I know." He said, gently, cupping her cheek in his masculine hands. "But that doesn't mean I don't still love you." He whispered softly kissing her neck, in the tender spot just below her ear, as he had when they were still together. "Tell me you'll leave him. Tell me you don't really love him." Brady pleaded with her, not even trying to hide the desperation in his tone.
"I can't." She whispered, trying to move away from his touch, but he held her, cradling her to him.
"Tell me." He whispered so gently, that his voice cracked, and Chloe could feel the wet tear fall onto her bosom.
Chloe took in a deep punishing breath. "God, Brady I do love you, but I can't do this, not anymore."
"Just one last time." He begged. "Just for tonight, we can pretend we are married and this is our house. There is no Philip and no wedding bands." He gently eased the gold and diamonds from her sleek fingers and placed them on the table beside the bed. "Just for tonight, you can be mine."
"And you, you are mine." Chloe whispered, kissing his cheek.
"I'm always yours." He told her, staring into her eyes as only he could.
She was lost and so was he. As his mouth crashed against her, soft and sensual, savouring the sensations. He took her hands in his, lifting them over her head as he made love to her, like a gentle summer storm; hot, electric, beautiful. He knew it would be the last time, somehow after all the times she had said it before, this time he knew it was for real. So he touched her so he would remember every fine detail, every secret, she had to offer. They didn't see the shadow on the wall, the one that watched and ran out of the house, too drunk to drive but doing so anyway. They heard the door slam, heard the tire screech.
Spooned in Brady's arms Chloe pulled the expensive sheets around her body and turned to Brady with an accusing tone.
"How could you let me do this Brady? You know how out of control he gets when he drinks. We have to find him."
*******************************
TBC
