Forsaking All Others Read online

  His hands firmly gripped her ass as he drew her even nearer, his hardened dick pressing into her abdomen. Julianna caressed his length, taking pleasure in the soft groan he released in response to her touch. He gripped her face in his hands and kissed her, drawing pleasure from her hands as he nudged her thighs even wider. In one swift movement, he sheathed himself then returned his attention to her on the bed. He was inside her in one fluid movement, causing Julianna to scream out his name, her breathy voice reverberating off of the bedroom walls. Evan’s pace was slow, deliberate, as he glided within her, molding his body against hers. Julianna’s body hummed with pleasure as he filled her.

  He gripped her hips as he plunged deep inside her. His eyes remained on her as he made love to her, and Julianna reached up to tangle her hands in his hair, gently pulling as she pressed her lips against his. Evan groaned. Hard. He pushed himself even deeper within her walls. Finally, Julianna’s body splintered into bliss as an orgasm coursed through her, her walls furiously contracting as she cried out. Evan released a low hiss of a curse as he matched his pace to her contractions, increasing her pleasure. He found his release soon after, a fine spray of sweat on his forehead. The room was quiet, except for their breathing. He brought her face to his.

  “Damn.”

  Julianna chuckled and ran her fingers through Evan’s hair, enjoying their closeness.

  “Same thing I was thinking.”

  Evan wordlessly moved away, and Julianna immediately missed his warmth as he did so. He did, however, place a kiss on her temple before he briefly turned away. Julianna heard the tearing of foil as he turned back to her, sheathed in a fresh condom. A wicked grin crossed his face as he climbed on top of her on the bed. Julianna was already throbbing with anticipation even before he spoke.

  “And now, we fuck.”

  Julianna groaned softly as she felt someone nudging her awake. Evan. She groaned again, a little louder this time, as his fingers, with featherlight pressure, trailed along her bare skin to settle in between her thighs. His fingers maneuvered through her folds to rest on the sensitive nub as she felt him press a kiss to her cheek.

  “Baby.”

  Goosebumps rose on her skin. His deep voice returned in the darkness a little more insistent this time. He moved closer, his hardened member now pressing up against her. Although she remained silent, she reached for him, tenderly stroking the sensitive head of his dick as he groaned.

  “Wake up. I want to be inside you.”

  Moisture immediately formed at her entrance. His fingers continued to stroke her clit, which was sensitive and engorged. His finger glided effortlessly against the flesh as he slipped one long finger inside her, dragging a hard moan from her lips. His fingers moved more swiftly now, his urgency evident by the way he climbed on top of her. He sheathed himself as he pressed his lips against hers, nudging her thighs wide for him. She grinned and watched him. She closed her eyes as his fingers continued to stroke her, sliding deeper and deeper. Her body bloomed for him. Her eyes opened when he stopped and leaned back, licking her wetness off of his finger before he positioned his body over her. Her center was slick and hot as he placed his lips against hers. She shivered with anticipation. Wordlessly, he entered her, his thrusts powerful and deep as she cried out in the early morning.

  “Oh, shit.”

  Julianna clawed at her sheets as Evan drilled his body into hers, relentless even after her body contracted repeatedly from his actions, seemingly more fueled by each time she cried out in release. She screamed out as he then flipped her over and continued his actions, his pace even more insistent this time as he tightly gripped her ass and drove himself even deeper within her. He didn’t even stop as she screamed out his name as yet another orgasm ripped through her, her cries loud and hollow, ringing out along with the rhythmic sound of his body slapping against hers. Finally, he grunted as he drove himself within her one last time before he collapsed on top of her, placing a soft kiss on her shoulder. She shivered, her senses heightened as he withdrew himself from her body. When he reached for her again, he pulled her close and placed a kiss on the top of her head.

  “You hungry?”

  She burst out laughing and shook her head as she sat up in the bed. She watched his eyes appreciate her bare breasts. She stared at him, incredulous.

  “Really, Ev?”

  He shrugged his shoulders as he welcomed the kiss she placed on his lips, still chuckling.

  “You cooking?”

  She giggled at the look of alarm that crossed his face before he sat up abruptly.

  Julianna leaned forward, her lips in search of another kiss, which he readily supplied.

  “I’ll teach you how to cook.”

  “Oh? So you want this house to burn down?”

  “Of course not. We’ll go to your place.”

  She was rewarded by a soft laugh from Evan.

  “We can order in.”

  He ran his finger along her back before she got up and walked across the bedroom to peek through the blinds, enjoying the cool air on her bare body, but relishing his eyes on her naked frame even more. Evan brought out the bolder side of her, the side she always kept hidden with every fleeting racy thought or action that always seemed out of character to her shy demeanor. However, he seemed to encourage it. She couldn’t hide the coy grin that crossed her lips as she thought about how he embraced her curiosity that, until now, she had been too shy to act upon.

  “Later.”

  His voice was a soft rumble as he led her back to the bed.

  “We can eat later. I’m going to fuck you a few more times before we go back to sleep.”

  He was already easing under the covers, his dick engorged and erect. Julianna chuckled softly to herself as she allowed herself to be pulled back into the bed. He was already sliding inside her by the time she pulled the covers up.

  I guess I could always eat later.

  The hairs on Evan’s arms stood at attention and the muscles in his neck went taut as he walked along the sidewalk to his car. He was being followed. His fingers clenched into a fist as he gave an almost imperceptible tilt of the head to scan his surroundings. Restaurants lined the sidewalks in a long strip before him, and there was a park dotted with screaming children to his right. At first, nothing had seemed out of place, but then he spotted it.

  A silver car was ambling slowly along the road, and it looked out of place. It moved far too slowly along the road and had taken just about every corner he’d taken. For some reason, it was following him. He took a sharp turn into a store and watched the car immediately stop. Instead of moving on, it remained there, engine running, several yards from the store. He squinted, trying to get a view of the driver, but the windows were heavily tinted.

  After a few moments, the driver parked the car. Evan took advantage of this moment to leave the store, eager to catch a glimpse of his assailant. He shoved his hands into his pockets and purposely walked with a leisurely pace, unwilling to make it known he realized that he was being followed. Not yet. A familiar surge of anxiety coursed through his veins as he rounded another corner. Despite himself, he welcomed a potential fight. He stopped and remained out of sight as he waited for the stranger to pass by him on the sidewalk. He glanced around and caught a glimpse of the man, whose face held annoyance and confusion. Evan scoffed, the sound low in his chest and followed silently for a few more feet until the man was backed into a dead end before he spoke.

  “Any reason you’re following me?”

  The man jumped and turned, a nervous chuckle escaping his lips. He glanced down at his watch, doing his best to seem unbothered. It was the man from the bar. Julianna’s ex-husband.

  “Eric?”

  Evan’s jaw twitched. If the man was following him, he damned sure knew his name and was just trying to piss him off. “Guess again.”

  Devon tapped his chin, feigning deep thought before he snapped his fingers. “Ah. Evan. My apologies. I’m Devon Winton.”

  “I know.
”

  Devon bristled and folded his arms across his chest as he regarded the man. Evan remained silent, not offering more. He waited for Devon to continue. He knew there had to be more.

  “So, if you know me, then you would also know I’m Julianna’s husband, no?”

  There was that wolfish grin again, barely masking his anger.

  “Ex-husband is what I hear. Why are you following me?”

  Evan hid a grin as he watched Devon’s jaw twitch in discomfort.

  “Is that what she told you? Is that what she’s been telling you?”

  “Isn’t it the truth?”

  Devon’s veneer was cracking. He took a step forward. Evan also took a step forward, the muscles in his arms already tightened in anticipation. Instead of moving further, Devon nervously chuckled and shrugged his shoulders.

  “Look man, I’m not looking for a fight. I was just hoping to have a chat with you.”

  “And the best option for that was to follow me.”

  Devon blew out a sigh and shook his head. “No need to be hostile.” He paused, smoothing the front of his polo before he spoke again. “I’m just trying to have a conversation.”

  “Then talk.”

  Evan’s irritation was growing with each second he looked at Devon. From the first day he’d seen him at the bar, there was something about Devon that made him bristle. It didn’t help that Hudson also felt the same way. Surely, Devon wanted something. It was only a matter of time before he figured out what. He wasn’t interested in this game Devon was trying to play.

  “I wanted to ask you to please stay away from my wife.”

  Despite himself, Evan chuckled, fighting the urge to erupt in deep laughter.

  “Oh?”

  “Yeah.” Devon squared his shoulders and cocked his head to the side. “I was hoping we could be civil about this.” Another grin this time, but with much more hostility. Evan’s stomach turned.

  “She divorced you. Why is it any of your business what she does?”

  “Because she’s my wife and, honestly, I don’t see how you can stomach being with a married woman. Just leave her alone and give us time to work things out.”

  “Ex-wife. Is that what she wants?”

  Although Julianna feared this man and had suffered abuse at his hands, an odd sensation started low in Evan’s gut at the question. These past couple of months with Julianna had been some of the most fulfilling and exciting times of his life, and he felt deeply for her…almost too deeply. The corner of his mouth lifted when he sensed Devon’s irritation growing. Instead of voicing his irritation, Devon smiled and glanced at his watch doing his best to appear nonchalant.

  “Do women even know what they want?” Devon chuckled softly and shrugged trying to win him over.

  “Julianna does. She wasn’t happy with you.”

  At that, Devon’s entire face changed. A scowl replaced his grin as he clenched his fists at his sides. Evan nodded slowly, watching the transformation. So this was who he was trying to hide.

  “Listen, you asshole. Julianna does not understand what she wants, and just because she spread her legs for the likes of someone like you, does not mean that she is not mine. She’s just confused, and she will realize what she’s done soon enough.”

  “She’s a grown woman. She wanted a divorce. She’s got said divorce. I think that’s knowing exactly what you want, don’t you?”

  Devon huffed and shook his head.

  “I said forever when I married that hopeless little bitch. You can fuck her as many times as you want, but it won’t change that she will always be my wife. Remember that the next time you’re in bed with her.”

  Evan sighed and shook his head. He wasn’t sure whether to feel pity or irritation towards the man. Julianna hadn’t been back with him in months, yet he was still holding onto the belief she would return. Even after the divorce. This is exactly what Julianna had alluded to that night when she had told him that Devon just didn’t know how to let go. That he went out of his way—following him just to pass on this message—there was concern for alarm. Although she had continued to receive calls on occasion, things had been relatively quiet. Evan knew that was about to change.

  Instead of replying, Evan turned and walked away. He would not stand around and listen to Devon’s foolishness any longer. He also ignored Devon’s attempts at trying to figure out the extent of their relationship.

  “Before you walk away, you’d better know what you’re getting yourself into by not leaving Julianna alone.”

  A low burn of irritation sizzled in Evan’s gut. He stopped and turned.

  “And you’d better know just who you’re threatening.”

  He turned and walked away without another word. However, he knew this wasn’t over. This was the beginning for a man like Devon. A deep sense of foreboding settled into his gut as he rounded the corner, his expression brooding. He wasn’t sure what this Devon was capable of, but he knew he would have to be cautious. Men like him played dirty. Men like him were relentless. Evan rolled his shoulders as he got into his car. It was a good thing he too was well-versed with dealing with men like him.

  Devon sped along the highway, doing his best to quell the anger in his heart. He’d finally gotten to see this Evan and, frankly, he didn’t like him. The man was pitiful, knowingly sleeping with a woman on the brink of repairing her marriage. And then there was that attitude. He had done nothing but approach the man civilly, and he was rewarded with threats. Classless. Surely, Julianna had lost her mind associating with someone like him. Devon scoffed and dialed Adela’s number. A sly grin crossed his face as she invited him over to her place for dinner.

  So far, they had been spending quite some time together. He readjusted as he felt a tightness in his groin. Tonight may be the night to…escalate things with her. He needed her on his side. He also needed a distraction from everything going on with Julianna. He had to give it to Julianna—she really was trying to make it all seem real. However, what she didn’t realize was that he would not go away so easily. He deserved none of what she was doing to him, and he damned sure didn’t deserve to be treated like a fool with Julianna parading around with her little boy toy on her arm. He still hadn’t found where she had been staying, but he knew he would find her soon enough. Then, he could talk to her face-to-face without her hiding behind someone else’s views. What in the hell would she do without him? She had nothing. Did she really think her stupid little business was enough? Right.

  Once she realizes she can no longer live a life of luxury without me, she’ll be back. And she will pay dearly for making me wait so long.

  There were certain things they should have already accomplished in their marriage, such as children. Hell, even one child. However, she couldn’t even give him that. It was pure selfishness. Devon heaved a sigh as he exited the highway. He had always been such a good husband to her, only to have her divorce him. It didn’t work like that—not for him. It also didn’t help that his family hadn’t let up. At this point, he wanted nothing else to do with any of them. Didn’t they trust him? He had told them repeatedly that everything was fine—that he was fine, but they still continued to ask. His mother had even suggested that he go to see a therapist to deal with all the changes in his life at that point. He scoffed once again, a fresh wave of annoyance settling in.

  After that suggestion, he had promptly escorted his mother to the door and had asked her never to bring such foolishness up again. He didn’t need to speak to anyone. He wasn’t the problem. Julianna was. Why didn’t they harass her about therapists and seeing if she was all right? Devon stilled as he mulled over his last thought. Surely, his family would have tried to contact Julianna. He wondered if any of them had been successful. Maybe he would take them up on their offer of dinner sometime. He needed to find out just what his wife was up to.

  28

  Julianna watched Evan out of the corner of her eye. Danicah had been badgering her to bring him over, and she couldn’t put it off a
ny longer. Although he had been more than willing to come and meet Danicah and Jason, today, he seemed…nervous. From their time together, it was clear Evan was a strong, independent, and powerful man who exuded confidence and poise, so to see him like this was…cute. She reached out and gave his hand a squeeze as they pulled up to Danicah’s house. He reciprocated with a faint smile as he parked the car. Evan gazed up at the house, its brick exterior beautifully kept and standing neat and proud behind the brightly colored plants lining the driveway. He chewed his lip and appeared to be deep in thought before he finally shook his head and exited the car. Julianna was bubbling with excitement for Danicah to formally meet Evan. He was honestly that beacon of light she had needed in this time with Devon. At the thought of his name, a shiver ran through Julianna’s spine. She hadn’t heard from him in over a month and, although that fact should have made her happy, it only intensified the deep disgust that always loomed in her gut. He was up to something. She knew it. That feeling had taken hold after Evan had told her he had spoken to Devon. He wouldn’t tell her what about, but he had just told her that Devon had sought him out.

  For what?

  At that question, Evan had simply shrugged his shoulders and had walked off, but not before warning her to be careful.

  I don’t trust him, Julianna. I can’t explain it, but something isn’t right.

  That was all that Evan had told her before he had changed the subject. He hadn’t wanted to continue discussing their encounter, but ever since that day, something had changed in Evan. He seemed more…guarded.

  As if he knew she had been thinking about him, Evan linked his fingers with Julianna’s and knocked on the door. Danicah sprang out and flung her arms around her sister.

  “Juju! You look good! It’s been too long. Come in.”