Evil Of Love (15 page)

Chapter Eighteen

The chilly air hits my back with a rude awakening and I tug the blanket wrapping it around me and burying my face beneath the comforter. I don’t want to get up today. Eric is pulling me and Travis is suffocating me. I don’t know how much longer I can go on with this torment. Eric makes it seem so easy as if I can just pack up and walk away from this life with Travis. As if I can hurt him without feeling any remorse. Travis is someone important, I wouldn’t only be hurting him, but also hurting his image, which let’s just say, is very important to him.

             
“You going to do anything today?” his voice travels from the bathroom and I grumble not wanting to fully wake up.

             
“No,” I reply, cringing at my lie.

             
I hear his footsteps as he walks from the bathroom over to my side of the bed. “Nothing huh? Well that’s unusual for you lately.”

             
Now he’s got my attention. I pull the blanket down and look up into those sexy brown eyes, “why do you say it like that?”

             
“You’ve been taking off to the market almost every day right? I’m not sure what you’re doing there since you never bring anything back with you.”

             
“Oh,” caught off guard I have to think of a response, “I enjoy the outdoors and the people and being able to see all the food and crafts people are selling.”

             
“Well, you should know I would prefer you stay in. I can’t afford to have any rumors being spread if people see you out and about without me.”

             
“I’m sure no one would recognize me, Travis. You’re the one who is known. I’m just the faceless wife.”

             
He leans in kissing me delicately and whispers, “I’m glad you know your place.”

             
I bite my tongue and push the disgust down. How can a man so gorgeous, so smart and rich, be so ugly? He’s cruel and it’s completely intentional. I can’t even laugh it off as if he doesn’t know better. He uses his intelligence to control me and to belittle me. I’m silent, unresponsive to his remark. Drunk or sober he’s still an asshole.

             
“I’m off to work. Stay in today and be good. I don’t need you making me look bad, sweetheart.”

             
“Ok.”

             
Suit on, adjusting his tie, he grabs his brief case and turns out of the bedroom. I let out the breath I was holding and hide back under my blankets.

***

Travis

I pull up to the twenty
story building that is only one of many that I own. Placing my car in park a feeling of sorrow hits me. I really don’t like treating her that way. As much as I hate doing it, it’s necessary. My father always told me ‘to have a good wife, you must have a submissive wife, and to have a submissive wife, you must take control. Don’t ever give her power or she will take all that you have’. Harsh, but my father was good at what he did and he didn’t let anyone, especially a woman, take anything from him. He was in complete control of his life. I have a lot at stake and I will not slip and allow her any sort of control.

             
I step out of my car, straightening my suit before heading into the building. The large glass doors open automatically and I make my way to the elevator. I go to press the top floor button but I see a blonde woman who I easily recognize running towards me, so I hold the elevator allowing her to get in.

             
“Mr. Barnes, thank you.”             

             
“You’re welcome. How are you this morning Vanessa?”

             
Those deliciously painted red lips of hers part into a soft smile, “I’m doing fine and you?’

             
“Well,” I respond, and the rest of the elevator ride is in silence.

             
Vanessa is my receptionist. She’s been begging me to fuck her for two years now. She doesn’t say it, but constantly I find her leaning over my desk, showing me way too much cleavage. She always comes to work in short skirts and low cut blouses. I could take her right now and she’d let me, but I don’t. Not because I’m married necessarily, but because all she’s after is my money and the last thing I’m going to do is ruin my reputation as a good loyal man for some slut.

             
I glance over at her and today she’s wearing a black mini skirt with red heals that have to be at least five inches tall and a tight black blouse that would easily expose her nipples if she happened to bend over to far. Her plump breasts are begging for some attention and I lick my lips, imagining what they would taste like. I catch her looking at me and I wink. She’s knows I catch glimpses of her and she lets me. I guess it makes her feel like we have some connection when really all I’m thinking about is bending her over my desk and fucking the shit out of her, then tossing her aside. If she knew that, then maybe she wouldn’t be trying so hard.

             
If she was smart she wouldn’t try at all because she would know I don’t mess around. Her and no other woman is worth my reputation being ruined. The door dings and opens. I nod my head allowing her to exit first and a steal a glance at her tight ass as she walks towards her office. I take my time walking behind her, watching her sway her hips intentionally before she gets to her desk, which is outside my office.

             
I run a hand through my hair, and I catch her staring as I stop in front of her desk. After last night I really need a good fucking and watching her today is not helping my case.

             
“What’s on my schedule today, Vanessa?”

             
She peers up at me as she switches on her desktop, she replies, “Let me check.”

             
Instead of sitting in her chair she leans sideways to reach her keyboard giving me a delicious side-view of her backside, obviously on purpose. I grin to myself. I bet she’d love me to pull that skirt up to her waist.

             
“Today’s pretty light, Mr. Barnes. You have an eleven o’clock and a meeting with your bank manager from California at two. Mr. Cunnings flew in last night.”

             
The grin I had on my face disappears and I groan in displeasure. Mr. Cunnings is a great business man, professional, knows how to manage employees and finances but whenever he is here he wants a night out. He loves the women, which I can’t blame him for, but he flaunts it around town. Unashamed and unembarrassed, even though he’s married. It’s just not something I do and when he’s here he expects it. His beady eyes and bald head disgust me and I’m completely lost as to why any woman would want to bend over for him.

             
“Well, Mr. Barnes, I know how he likes to keep you late. I could be your date and an easy escape so you don’t have to stay out? I mean, only as a work associate of course.”

             
Funny how easily she will jump at a chance to be around me even though I’ll never give her what she wants. All she’ll ever get from me is a paycheck. No way in hell do I want the possibility of a photo of the two of
us
in the tabloids.

             
“That’s very nice of you to offer, but if I need company I will take my wife,” I respond, and turn for my office. God, women are so pathetic and Vanessa only makes them look worse. I can’t believe I would even think about sticking my dick in that mindless slut. She isn’t worthy of feeling the pleasure I can give.

             
I walk into my office, closing the door behind me. “Today is going to be a long day,” I mutter to myself.   

Chapter Nineteen

Steph

              As soon as I hear his car pull out of the driveway I’m tossing back the covers and running for the shower. Now that Travis is out of the picture, for the moment, my mind is focused on Eric. I’m already melting just thinking about him. My heart is pounding as the excitement builds within me. The way his hands caress my body, grab my skin like he can’t get enough of me, the way he talks to me like he’s never stopped loving me. It drives me mad. I hate living these two lives, but Eric is right. I have to give him this chance, and who am I kidding, I highly doubt I could go one day without seeing or talking to him.

             
I wash down, making sure to get as clean as I can. Washing away the event from last night with Travis, I’m praying like hell Eric doesn’t ask me if anything happened. I don’t know if I can lie to him and I don’t know if I could tell him either. Finally, I lather my skin in my lavender body wash before doing my final rinse and stepping out of the shower. Wrapping my long wet hair in one of my towels, I then wrap the other around my body. I stand in front of the mirror, wiping away the steam and look into my large brown eyes.

             
“Are you really going to do this, Steph?” I whisper to myself. “Are you going to have an affair on your husband? Sleep with two men?” I quietly question, as if the answer is going to slap me in the face. I don’t know if I’m ready to face the consequences of what may happen. The thought of Eric leaving me, realizing I’m not good enough for him, eats away at me constantly. I can’t afford to lose them both and that’s exactly what I’m risking. I disregard the feeling of guilt and unwrap my hair from the towel on my head, brushing through it and continue to get ready to meet up with Eric. 

***

Eric

I get to the gym early. Pounding away at the bags and getting as much conditioning in as I can for the day. I’ll still be returning tonight to put in another two hours. Today, instead of thinking of pounding away at Steph’s husband, I think of her. I think of the smoothness of her silky skin against my rough hands. The vision of her opening her legs to me as I part her lips with my fingers.
Her tight pussy around my cock and the feeling of her nub under my thumb as I circle it. God, the things I’m going to do to her today. I want her to know how much pleasure I can give her. I need to show her I would never hurt her. She will see what kind of man I can be for her.

             
Before arriving back at my condo I swing by the store, grabbing ingredients to make Chicken Caesar Salad. When I walk through my door, groceries in hand, I still have an hour before I go get Stephanie. I place the bags on the counter and head for the shower. Cleaning myself and rubbing my manhood to the point of hardness thinking of Steph, I finally finish in the shower and continue to get ready. Putting on a pair of dark blue jeans and a light green MMA shirt I proceed to place flower petals from the flowers I bought at the store around the counters and in-tables as well as on the bed. I light a few candles throughout and start frying the chicken. Once everything is chopped and the chicken is sliced I cover the food and take a glance at the clock noticing it’s nearing nine forty five so I grab my phone, blow out the candles and head for the door. 

I follow the directions I mapped on my phone to her place and it doesn’t take me long to arrive. The large brick house sits at the back of the property. I can’t see much of it as there are trees a
ll over the property, but from what I can see, it’s enormous. Figures the bastard would out-do himself. As soon as I see her standing on the curb my heart stops. I take in her long auburn hair that’s lying lightly against her shoulders down her back. Her short yellow summer dress is a beautiful contrast. The neck line cuts short, exposing the tops of her perfectly plump breast. The dress is fitted and the curves of her hips already have me salivating to taste her. Those long tan legs of hers make me want to wrap them around my neck while I bury my tongue inside her.  

             
Her large brown eyes watch me as I step out of my truck. I remind myself this isn’t just about sex today. Today I’m going to show her what she’s missing. I’m going to show her what real love is. I adjust my manhood before rounding the truck to greet her.

             
“Hello, beautiful,” I greet, leaning in and kissing her cheek. I notice the slight blush that crosses her face.

             
“Hi, Eric,” she replies, sweetly.

             
“Shall we get going?”

             
She nods and I open my truck door and help her in, grabbing her hips and holding on a little longer than necessary. God, I can’t wait to have her in my arms and taste her sweet skin. I move around my truck, doing my best to not appear too anxious before hopping in the driver side. I turn to her, admiring her precious smile that makes me melt and want to give up everything for her. I turn the ignition and take off, but instead of going straight to my place, I have an idea.

             
I turn a few corners until I come to a creek. Most people come here to walk around, feed the ducks and just enjoy the outdoors.

             
“I thought we were going to your place,” she asks, and I hear the disappointment in her voice.

             
“We will babe, I just thought since it’s early still we could spend some time walking, maybe talk a little,” I reply, hopefully.

             
“That sounds wonderful.”

             
I help her out of the truck and hand in hand we begin to walk the path that circles the large creek.

             
“So, tell me Steph, what have you been up to the last ten years? I mean, besides getting married. What about before that?”

             
I hear her sigh before responding, “I hate talking about it because it hurts, but I guess since I have you to talk to it may not be so bad. That last day we saw each other my dad sent me to live with my Aunt Elizabeth. Even though I was happy to be away from my dad, I was lonely. I missed you so much and I could barely focus. My aunt was fine, there wasn’t a whole lot wrong with her, but at the same time we didn’t talk much. I spent a lot of my time thinking about you. Wondering if I should go back and find you, but I didn’t want to drag you down with me. As soon as I graduated high school, I got a full time job as a receptionist in a law firm and moved out of my Aunts house as soon as I could. I needed to get out of there, I needed to do all I could to forget about you, but it was like no matter what I did and the more time that passed the more miserable I was. That’s until I met Travis. The night I met him, he was sweet, not like the guys that just want to take you home for a night. He was different with me. He wanted to know me, take care of me. Only about six months after dating he asked me to marry him, and well, I said yes. It didn’t take long for the real Travis to come to the surface though. He’s a good man, just has some skeletons, that’s all.”

             
I stop walking and grab her shoulders, facing her towards me so she can see the sincerity in my eyes, “I wish more than anything that I could have been there for you. If I could I would go back in time and would not have given up on finding you. I would have been there for you when you needed me instead of you falling for him.”

             
“I know, Eric. You were and still are the only one that has never hurt me. The thing is that I don’t even know if I deserve you.”

             
I lean down, pressing my lips to hers, tasting her, and pull away slowly. “Don’t say that Steph, you deserve better than me, especially better than Travis. No woman deserves to be hit by a man, let alone a man that says he loves her. Travis doesn’t love you. I want you to see that. If he loved you, he would never hurt you.”

             
She wipes a tear that rolls down her cheek and continues and I start walking with her again. “I love Travis, Eric. I married him because I love him. He changed though. He made me quit my job, sell my car and he refused to let me have any outside communication with people. I guess it wasn’t that hard for me since I didn’t have any real friends anyways, but then he started getting controlling. He never hit me before. That day was the first time he actually laid a hand on me. He has screamed, cursed, even pushed me, but never hit me. He’s a good man, he just has a temper. He’s stressed and he hides behind his alcohol which makes it worse. When he drinks he becomes like my dad. Calls me names and treats me like I’m not worthy of him. I’ve put up with it because he’s all I had. I don’t talk to my mom and of course do all I can to avoid my dad. I had no one else. I do have one friend, Zoey. I wouldn’t say we’re best friends, but she listens. She understands and has never judged me. I’ve never told anyone this, not even her but he can use sex as a means to control me as well…”

             
I stop abruptly, fire burning in my chest, I cannot believe this mother-fucker would hurt a woman, especially use the one thing that men and women are supposed to enjoy, against her. I take a few breaths, clenching my fist, attempting to get control before saying anything. I look at her, eyes wide, and filled with fear. I want to take away all her fear, all her pain. “Stephanie, please answer me honestly,” I say, trying to hold my composure, “did he hurt you last night? Did he fuck you?” I bite back on my tongue, regretting my words already. I don’t even know if I want to hear her response.

             
“We didn’t have sex, Eric,” she whispers and I let out a sigh of relief.

             
“But…”

             
“But? Did he hurt you?” my voice raising with anger.

             
“No, I mean… I don’t know, Eric,” she replies softly and I’m lost. Either he hurt her or he didn’t. How can she not know? “He did what he always does when he’s angry with me. He either gets what he wants sexually or tortures me sexually,” the last part barely escapes her lips and I shudder in disgust. I don’t think I can hear anymore.

             
“I don’t think I can stand him putting another hand on you, Stephanie,” I hold her hands, facing her, pleading. I wish she would just leave him.

             
“I don’t belong to you, Eric. I’m married to Travis. At this point what he and I do is our business. I don’t think we should discuss this anymore.”

             
“You’re right. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable,” I exclaim, as she looks towards the ground in obvious shame. I hate that she’s like this. I hate that she has no confidence in herself. She’s a beautiful woman and has a man that treats her like shit and here I am making her re-live it, telling her to make me promises that could put her in an even worse situation. That doesn’t make me any better than him.

             
“Look. I love you, Steph. Walk with me.”

             
I grab her hand and we continue down the path, in silence for a little bit, looking at the ducks swimming in the pond before we get to the running creek connected to it and cross over the bridge to round our way back.

             
“I will not ask anything of you again, Steph. I won’t make you give me promises, especially when it’s about you and your husband. You know I wish you would just leave him. I’ve loved you since high school. I never stopped thinking about you. Even when I had girlfriends to try and cover up my sorrow, it only made it worse. We’re meant for each other and I’m going to make you see that you don’t need him. All we need are each other,” I say, pulling her hand up to my lips, kissing it gently. Once these four weeks are up, all I can hope for is that she’ll embrace the woman that she is. She’ll see how strong she is. I want her to be with me, not because she needs me, but because I make her a better person. I want her to be with me because she wants to. She needs to find herself and I’m going to help her.              

***

Stephanie

             
I hated telling him about last night. About Travis and his sexual torture. It hurt saying
I don’t belong to you
, but it’s the truth and I’m starting to get tired of belonging to people. The way Travis had full control last night, pisses me off more than anything. What pisses me off most about last night is how my body responds to Travis’ touch no matter how much I don’t want it.
I hate that I lose control of myself. I feel bad telling Eric and it’s something I didn’t want to discuss, and he seemed to understand. The walk was nice. I miss having a friend to talk to.

             
He doesn’t let go of my hand the whole ride back to his house. Telling me about his parents and how they always discouraged his fighting but that he did it for me. It was his release and his way of being close to me in a sense. It’s crazy how two young kids who are looked at just as that, kids, but they never lost their connections. Both of us always longed for each other. I can’t say how many nights I laid in bed thinking of him. Imagining that we would meet again and now we have, but of course I’m taken. Not only taken, but married to a man that is all about control. I can’t even think about what Travis would do if I left him and he then found out I was with someone else. A chill crawls up my back just thinking about it. When he hit me for the first time, that’s when I truly realized what Travis is capable of.