It’s getting dark outside and I’m considering making myself something for dinner, something I haven’t had the pleasure of doing in a long time, when I hear Kaden’s limo pull into the drive.
I grin, feeling suddenly giddy, and run to the door to greet him.
Maybe tonight we could try cooking together - enjoying a quiet meal together, and finishing the evening with some leisurely lovemaking.
My whole body tingles at the thought.
When the door opens, I’m smiling brightly but it falters when I see his tired eyes, five o’clock shadow, loosened tie, and rumpled shirt.
“I thought you were having dinner at the office?”
He gives me a smile but it looks forced.
When I wrap my arms around him, his own returning embrace is limp and his kiss is a brisk brushing of lips before he pulls away and strides towards the kitchen.
“Meeting was canceled,” he says over his shoulder before pushing open the swinging door into the kitchen.
This is the reason why I wish he’d wake me before he leaves.
He’s always so tired and distant when he arrives home, which I understand, but it feels like it’s been a long time since he wasn’t tired and stressed from work.
He marches out of the kitchen, grumbling.
“Where’s Lois?” he asks, walking past me into the study.
“I gave her the afternoon and night off,” I say. “She wanted to see her niece’s play so I thought... Well you said you wouldn’t be home and I can...” My words stutter and drop off when Kaden clenches his fists and he rounds on me with a look so dark, I actually take a step back.
“No, Claire,” he snaps, making me jump. “I haven’t eaten anything since before dawn. Is it too much to ask for a–”
“Excuse me?”
My temper flares so suddenly I don’t even feel it coming till the words are exploding from me.
“You said you weren’t coming home till late. Lois is the best housekeeper you’ll ever have and in the last two years has she ever asked for anything? Or were you expecting me to have something hot waiting in the oven in the hundred to one chance that you might come home early?”
“I didn’t say that!” he shoots back. “I just said that I’ve had a long day and it would have been nice to know that you gave my housekeeper the night off.”
My breath catches in my throat.
It’s not like he said anything cruel or hurtful, but the words hit me like a slap in the face and I back away a step. Looking down at my feet, I blink angrily at the tears brimming there.
“You’re right,” I concede, trying to keep my voice steady but failing miserably. “I should have had her call you to make sure you didn’t need her.”
I turn and walk out of the room.
What a stupid thing for me to have done.
Of course I had no right to give her the night off.
She wasn’t our housekeeper, she was his, and this isn’t our home – he just lets me live here.
I hear him calling after me but I don’t think we should continue until we’re calm. Something in the back of my mind screams at me to walk away and get some distance before I say something that I can’t take back... Or before he does.
That’s what scares me most.
His next words, what he might say if I stay in the room and listen to him rage.
So I make my way up the stairs, feeling like a coward.
In the bathroom I strip, feeling numb, and step under the hot spray and it’s like a dam breaking. The tears flow down my cheeks, hidden by the flow of warm water.
I hadn’t realized just how lonely I was until this moment.
When I made the deal to sell my app, part of the negotiation was a no contest agreement. That meant I couldn’t work in phone or tablet app development for three years.
I knew it was a big ask at the time but I didn’t understand just how much not being able to work in the industry would hurt.
I had to stop making all apps, including the ones I made for the gym and others I did mainly for fun. I didn’t realize what a big part of my life app design was until I had to stop. Most of my social connections were through the industry too.
I had to say goodbye to all that.
At first it had been okay because I had Kaden.
My handsome, charming, slightly kinky, billionaire boyfriend.
But ever since I moved in, everything changed. He works longer hours than he used to and when he comes home, he’s grouchy or too tired to talk. In fact, the only time he seems to like me at all these days is when we’re having sex.
The bathroom door opens and Kaden steps in, closing it behind him.
Looking at him makes me forget everything.
He’s glorious in his nakedness.
Standing over six feet tall with broad shoulders, muscular arms, big hands, strong legs – he looks powerful. His cock is already hard and long and thick, standing to attention between his thighs.
He’s breathing hard, making his powerful chest rise and full as steam from my shower billows around him.
He strides towards me and I let him.
The hot spray makes him slick and shiny and our hands slide over one another easily. His mouth clamps down on mine in a kiss so hot and passionate it makes my toes curl.
Why was I so unhappy just moments ago?
How can I possibly be anything but in heaven when his mouth is on mine, when he’s lifting me, positioning me, sliding into me in the way that’s always been beyond perfect?