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Secrets by Forks1

Chapter Eight - Masen's Betrayal

Tanya Denali

My eyes opened slowly, focusing on the chocolate ones watching me. A huge smile spread across my face as Dante leaned in close, kissing me on the forehead.

"Good morning, my love," Dante whispered against my skin.

"It is a good morning when I wake up in your arms." I sighed as my hand cradled his face.

There was no awkward silence as we laid together, watching each other. As minutes passed, the feeling of contentment and love bombarded my heart. Realizing that things needed to be cleared up from last night, I pulled slightly away to get a better look at him.

"About yesterday," I started, "I was trying to tell you that I couldn't do the whole Masen- Dante thing anymore-"

Dante's quick intake of breath caused me to stop abruptly. He started to pull further away from me, annoyance coming off of him in waves.

"Wait! You need to hear me out. I listened to you yesterday. Now it's my turn to talk." I reached out, grabbing Dante by the arms so he couldn't move too far away and continued, "I did a lot of soul searching yesterday morning, and then again after our brief meeting at Arcadia Farms. I was trying to tell you that I was ready to file for divorce. It's something that should have happened years ago." Dante's whole body relaxed as I continued, "I was so emotional yesterday because for the first time I thought about how much pain I must have caused you over the years, denying you your one wish of me leaving Masen. Yet, here you are, still standing by my side."

Strong hands gripped my hips, pulling my body forward to meet his. "Technically, I am laying by your side." The mischievous grin on Dante's face sent an involuntary giggle bubbling up in my chest.

"It is so good to hear you laugh," he murmured against my lips, pulling me even closer into his body.

Heat coursed through me as his tongue slid across my lower lip, begging for admittance to my mouth. Drawing my head back and to the side, my hand came up to cover my mouth. "I need to brush my teeth- morning breath," I groaned.

Pulling my hand away from my mouth, Dante shook his head before bringing his mouth back to mine. "I like how you taste in the morning." His warm breath blowing across my lips.

His tongue traced my lower lip again, my lips parted, allowing it to enter. Our tongues danced together, sliding over each other in gentle swipes as Dante's right hand slid up from my hip to the side of my breast, his thumb dipping down across my pert pearls before sliding back down over my hip, then down my thigh until he reached my knee. His hand wrapped gently around my knee and he pulled my leg up over his thigh, bringing me closer to his already hardened erection.

Moving his mouth away from mine, his tongue slid down my chin to my throat as I struggled to catch my breath. His warm hand slid up under the hem of my wrinkled shirt, spreading warmth to every part of my back he touched.

"Didn't your mother teach you to not sleep in your clothes?" Dante teased as his hand slipped over the straps of my bra.

"Uh hum," I moaned through the cheesy grin on my face.

Dante pulled away slightly, making a show of looking me up and down. "Look at you, all wrinkled and sloppy." He leaned in kissing me softly. "Let's get you out of these clothes before someone finds out that you didn't sleep in pajama's like a good girl," he playfully scolded me.

"Yes sir."

Dante sat up, pulling me up with him. Slowly he unbuttoned my shirt, teasing me with his fingers as they dipped beneath the fabric, tickling the skin under the swells of my breast. Each light, teasing caress brought on more anticipation as his playful game of stripping away my clothing continued at its torturous pace. Keeping my gaze locked on his, I forced my hands to remain relaxed in my lap.

As the last button slipped through the hole, his fingers parted the shirt, enabling his hands to gently slide up from my waist to under my arms. Sliding his hands over the swells of my breast, he slipped his thumbs under the lace of my bra, rubbing over my hardened nipples. Arching my back into his touch, heat shot through my belly. His hands then moved up to my shoulders, slowly pushing my shirt down my arms.

"Beautiful," he murmured as he broke eye contact to lean down to nibble on my now exposed shoulder.

Fastening his mouth to mine again, his strong hands cradled my face as the gentle caress of his thumbs slid over to the point of my chin, meeting just below our joined lips. I couldn't help but focus on the movement of his thumbs as they traveled down my throat and further still to the center of my cleavage. A quick flick of his knowledgeable fingers unfastened the front clasp of my bra, freeing my perfectly round breasts into his large warm hands. Need and excitement exploded in my body as hot liquid pooled into my core. My hands weaved into his thick brown hair, grasping hold of the silky strands. Dante's mouth slowly following the path his thumbs had made. I moaned in pleasure as his lips slid across my breasts with soft wet kisses.

Dante leaned into me, pushing me down onto the mattress. His fingers skimmed down my stomach, stopping at the snap of my wrinkled slacks. His dark eyes bored into mine as he slowly released the snap and slid the zipper down.

"Do you want me?" Dante whispered, desperation flickering over his expression.

"I wouldn't be here if I didn't." Pausing to gather his hands in mine, I continued, "I came here for you."

Dante slid his hands out of mine, pulling away from me as he stood up next to the bed.

"Dante-" Confusion swept through me as he took the heat of his body away from me. Why did he stop? It wasn't like him to just stop in the middle of our play. Tears stung the corners of my eyes instantly as the feeling of emptiness flooded my system. "Please..."

He hooked his thumbs inside his boxers and slid them down his legs, letting them drop to the floor. A sly grin lifted the corner of his mouth as he leaned over the bed and grabbed the loose fabric of my slacks around my ankles and with a quick jerk, he successfully removed my pants.

Dante's eyes roamed my body, his chest rising and falling with his heavy breath. He kneeled on the bed, straddling me at my knees. Never before had I wanted anyone inside of me more than at this moment. He lowered his hands, spreading them out over my thighs, sliding them up my legs. His thumbs traced small circles as they reached my inner leg, coming closer to my wet swollen core. My breathing picked up as he slid his thumbs under the lace of my thong and over the small patch of curls. "Oh!" I gasped as he slid down between my folds before pulling my thong down over my hips, removing the last of my clothing barriers.

Lowering his body down on top of mine, he moved one leg down in between mine and then another, spreading my legs apart while capturing my mouth with his. Poising his tip at the entrance of my core he held himself over me searching my face for a moment before speaking.

"Will you have me, Tanya?" His husky voice caused an involuntary thrust of my hips.

"Yes," I gasped and tried to lift my hips to invite him inside of me.

He pulled further away. "Me and no others?"

"Only you, Dante," I cried out.

"Then you are MINE," he demanded as he thrust deep inside me, claiming me as his, and only his.

My body welcomed him, closing around him tightly as I screamed out in ecstasy, my climax ripping through my being, his release quickly following mine.

"Lets never leave this bed again," I teased as my heart rate slowed to its normal rhythm.

Dante rolled me onto him, my whole body covering his. "But if we don't leave this bed, we will miss the many benefits of the shower," he whispered against my lips as his hands cupped my ass.

***

The week had gone by like a whirlwind. Both of us had tried to ignore the purple elephant, trying instead to focus on each other as we made love before our shower. The truth of the matter was, Masen was coming home tonight and I still couldn't figure out how to bring our marriage to an end without it going badly. While I dried my hair, Dante stood next to me shaving. The hum of the hair dryer did nothing to cut into the tension brought on by the fact that a storm was brewing and Hurricane Masen would have to be dealt with – tonight.

Pressing the 'off' button on my hair dryer I glanced at Dante in the mirror. "So, what are your plans today?"

"Oh, the usual." Dante sighed, rinsing the foam off the razor blade. "I need to check in at the office real quick and go over a few security details scheduled for this week before I get to the airport. You..?"

"I have a shoot scheduled for today- you know the Children of Cancer spread I signed a few weeks ago?"

"Oh, that's right, but that isn't until this afternoon, is it?" Dante took a step toward me. "Have I told you how sexy you are when you participate in charity fundraising events?" His voice was deep with admiration.

"Dante," I laughed, "You have shaving cream all over your face!"

Dante smirked. "I just wish I was going to be home tonight. But it's Blue October that's flying to Seattle and I couldn't turn them down when Tegan is still down with the flu," he taunted me.

"Dang, can I come? I love Blue October- Justin Furstenfeld is amazing!" I sighed heavily.

"I know- I wish I could take you with me, love, but I can't."

"What if I sneak into your luggage and pop out mid-flight?" I teased.

"Then I would have to take you into custody and keep you detained until we landed in Seattle," he teased right back.

"What if-"

Dante's mouth on mine muffled the rest of my sentence, his hardening member pressing into my belly, alerting me of his desire to peel something off of me right now.

Pushing his shoulders back with my hands, I broke the kiss laughing. "Ew! You got shaving cream all over my face and I just put my make up on!"

"Don't the make-up artists wash all that make-up off to prepare you for your shoot anyways?" Dante teased, pressing his forehead against mine.

"Yes, but…-"

Dante's mouth covered mine again, silencing my response.

Pulling away again, I slapped his chest playfully. "Seriously, I put my make up on for my brunch date with the girls and I wanted to look pretty when I got to the shoot. I really want to spend time with these kids, getting to know them a little bit."

Dante reached up, cradling my face in his hands. "You know, for someone who never wants kids," his thumbs rubbed against my cheeks, removing some of the shaving cream, "you sure seem to be going above and beyond your duty. I think most models would just appear for the shoot and leave immediately when their job was done. I am so proud of you."

"Thank you." I leaned in to give him a sweet kiss.

"Which girls are you going to brunch with?"

"Well, it was supposed to be Kate, Irina and me, but Garrett is back in town and Kate wanted to have some alone time with him."

"How long will Garrett be in town? You should have them over tonight at my place."

"Dante, you know I have to be here when Masen gets home," I whispered, my stomach clenched in knots.

"Please, love, stay at my house tonight. I know I won't be home, but I would worry less if I were at least in the neighborhood when you talk with Masen, in case he takes it bad. I also really like the idea of you being at home in my bed when I get home in the morning. Wait until tomorrow to talk to Masen," Dante pleaded.

I raised my hands to my eyes, rubbing gently before running them through my hair. It was so hard to deny him when he pleaded with me like this.

"Dante, please. Do you trust me? Do you trust me to be faithful to you, or do you think that I will throw away the promise of commitment I gave you?"

"Tanya, I trust you. I just think that if you disrupt the normal routine you two have fallen into, he won't expect sex first thing when you come back tomorrow."

I could see his logic, I knew he was right. The urgency to just bring this love-less marriage to an end was what had been on my mind and made me anxious all week.

Dante rinsed his clean-shaven face, drying it and his hands on a towel before moving to stand behind me. Wrapping his arms around my waist, he pleaded with me again. "Please, sweetheart," he whispered, his lips against the curve of my neck.

Goose-flesh broke out across my upper body as his pleading broke my determination. Denying him was just not an option. "Mmm," I moaned, leaning into his embrace, "I'll come…" I paused, grinding my ass into his hardening erection, "home to your bed tonight."

Dante reached behind me, pinching my ass hard. "Cut it out! You're going to make it hard for me to get to the airport on time this morning, and you'll be late yourself." He chuckled, moving away from me.

"Actually, I don't have to be anywhere for a few hours, I just wanted to be up to see you off since you won't be home tonight."

"Thank you," Dante said, kissing my the spot right below my ear, "I'll get home as quickly as possible."

***

The commute into downtown was slower than normal. I didn't mind it so much when I had my Ipod plugged in and playing loudly. I was singing 'So What' along with P!nk, my left foot tapping with the beat when my cell phone started to play 'Glamorous'. I thought you were playing with Garrett, sister of mine. My finger activated the blue tooth. "How's Garrett, Kate?" I teased as my finger pushed the off switch on the stereo.

"Tanya, where are you?" Kate's voice was trembling with excitement.

"On the 51, Kate. Where are you?" I shot back teasingly.

"Pull over!" She screeched, "I need to tell you something, but you have to pull off the road!"

Oh my gosh! Garrett has finally proposed! "Kate," I squealed, "I am so happy for you…"

"Tanya! This isn't happy news, pull your damn car over!" she fiercely whispered.

"Oh just spit it out, Kate, how bad could it actually be?" I rolled my eyes, what a drama queen.

"Fine, but if you wreck your beloved viper, don't blame me!" she blurted out.

Drama queen, indeed! "Whatever, Kate, just spill it already."

"I came to the mall to get a little surprise for Garrett at 'Victoria's' place and I saw Masen."

"So what, Kate, he got home earlier than normal. I'm staying with Dante until I figure out exactly how to end things with Masen. I don't care what or who he does now, I'm done, finished, finito."

"But darling, he wasn't alone and it didn't look like he was with a casual screw. He was with a pregnant woman, eating lunch. They look like a couple, all lovey dovey. I think he knocked…" Kate's whispers were suddenly drowned out by the loud beating of my heart.

That bastard! That son of a bitch! What the hell does he think he is doing? Knocking some slut up and staying in this marriage? Bastard!

"Tanya? Tanya? Are you listening? Are you ok?" Kate asked.

"Son of a…" Was all I could mutter.

"Here is the best part, sister: Do you want to know who she is?"

I shook my head, trying to clear the red haze that was clouding my eyes. Hell yes! "Who is it?" I snarled.

"Are you ready?" Kate purred, obviously excited to shock me.

"Damn it, Kate!"

"Angela Forbes Weber, the Angela Forbes Weber, heir to the Forbes fortune!" Kate laughed once. "You do know what this means right?"

Kate was right. I should have pulled over. My hands gripped the wheel as I desperately tried to keep them from shaking with rage. My legs felt like jelly, so controlling my feet wasn't working out too well as I slammed on the brakes. Angela Weber? What the hell does he think he is doing, going after the likes of someone like her? This just didn't make any sense. A family with the reputation to uphold would insist on a shotgun wedding.

"How do you know it is Angela Forbes Weber?"

"I attended a women's charity fundraiser at one of her family's hotels last year and she was the keynote speaker."

Silence.

"Tanya?" Kate now sounded concerned. "Sweetie, this is a win-win situation! You can use your marriage to your advantage. Someone like Angela would want to keep this sort of affair on the down-low. Why not tap into that fortune she has at her fingertips?"

"Are you insane, Kate?" I hissed, "That's called blackmail! It's illegal."

"I know, but don't think of it as blackmail, consider it payment for all the pain and anguish you suffered at the hands of Masen. That has to be worth something."

"Kate, I gotta go," I said as I ended the call.

I couldn't go to work today, not when I was supposed to do a photo-shoot with young cancer survivors.

Damn him!

I picked up my phone, calling my agent. If anyone could get me out of the shoot and reschedule it for another day it was Kristine.

She picked up on the third ring. "Hey friend," she greeted me in her normal way.

"Kristine," I choked out, "Something's come up. I can't do the Children of Cancer shoot today. Any way you can postpone it?"

The burn of tears caught me by surprise. What the hell was wrong with me? Why do I care what Masen does with his life? Damn it!

"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked softly.

"No... shit! Yes. No, no, I can't." My voice trembled.

"Tanya, I'm here if you need to talk. Let me know when you are ready to reschedule the shoot."

"'K. Oh, Kristine?"

"Yes?"

"Thanks."

I can't believe this is happening. If Masen thinks he can play this type of game and not get caught, I snorted aloud, he has another think coming. I had to find some way to get even. But first, I had to see the proof myself to know that what Kate saw was real.