Forsaking All Others Read online

  He mingled his way around the room, his gaze never leaving his wife’s body. She turned to pose for a picture with one of his colleague’s wives, providing him a full view of her ass, and his groin tightened, and kept tightening. Images of taking his wife from behind filled his mind, and he had to move behind a low table to hide the prominent bulge in his crotch that was begging to be set free.

  Maybe we can get a quick fuck in before we leave.

  Although his last thought exciting, he opted against it and glanced around the room. There was too much on the line for him to be potentially caught in such a situation even though no one would blame him.

  He took another swig of his drink and thought about just how much longer he needed to stay before making a quick exit; he couldn’t endure much more of this night without needing to touch Julianna in some way. He graciously accepted another drink from the passing waiter although he knew he was now pretty drunk.

  He forced a smile to his face as two of his colleagues walked over and struck up a conversation. He wasn’t sure if it was his drunkenness or his longing for Julianna that was making it so hard for him to concentrate. Nevertheless, he continued to sip his new drink and plastered a grin on his face. Maybe it was a mixture of both. These were very important people, and although this wasn’t his first time with the group, he still needed to keep up appearances for future networking. He had big plans for his place within his company, and he didn’t want to do anything that would jeopardize that.

  After a few more minutes of conversation, his eyes drifted back over to Julianna. Why didn’t she dress like that more often? Did she even know what she was doing to him right now?

  He scanned her body and inwardly scoffed. Of course, she knew. She was doing all of this tonight to make sure his eyes remained on her during the event. Well, she had succeeded.

  He watched the way her firm thighs moved under the thin, blue fabric. He couldn’t help the image of his face buried between them as she screamed his name in ecstasy. She liked it when he tasted her, and he was happy to oblige.

  Yes, it had been far too long, and he was sure that his wife was punishing him for it. It wouldn’t have been so long if she dressed like that more often.

  Tonight, he was going to make sure he ended the “drought” and give her exactly what she was looking for.

  3

  Julianna felt a pair of eyes on her as she dutifully listened to what a colleague of Devon’s had to say. This usually wasn’t her type of scene, but she was there since it meant so much to him.

  She turned and realized that it was Devon staring at her with longing in his eyes. He always got that way when he drank. When he was drunk, his sexual appetite was immense, and she’d spent many a morning sore from the night before.

  He liked it rough. Sometimes, too rough. And that look in his eye let her know he fully intended for them to have sex that night.

  She slowly shook her head and turned back to her conversation. At the least, it felt good to know her choice of clothing was appreciated. The dress had been one of the many “sexy” gifts she’d received from Victoria. It was only on a whim she had worn it for this gathering, and she was now glad for pairing it with her strappy heels. The light blue satin number draped Julianna in both sex appeal and class.

  She dutifully smiled when one of Devon’s colleagues offered her a compliment. “Well, Julianna, I must say that Devon is a lucky man.” Tim Larkson’s wolfish grin widened as he appraised her. “You look absolutely stunning tonight.”

  “Thank you, Tim.” Julianna brushed his arm in a gesture of thanks and spotted Devon coming up to them.

  He announced his presence by placing a smack on her cheek. It was when they were out and under the scrutiny of their peers, she felt that things really could work between them. Only then. He was always on his best behavior when other people were involved. “Tim, I told you about trying to steal my wife,” Devon joked, arm circling Julianna’s waist as he pulled her close to him.

  A thick, drunken laugh bubbled from Tim’s chest. He slapped Devon on the back. “Well, just make sure you hang onto this lovely one. She’s a keeper!”

  Tim continued chuckling as he walked away to order another drink at the bar.

  “Hey, it’s getting late.” Devon’s lips grazed Julianna’s ear, rough as he spoke. “Let’s go.”

  He took her hand in his and led her around, saying their goodbyes. His palms were warm and sweaty. Once they were finished, he pulled her outside, tugging her towards the car.

  “Come on, baby. We need to go home.”

  Julianna had barely gotten the door open before Devon pounced on her. He snatched her purse, tossed it on the table, and grabbed her face for a hungry kiss, mercilessly crushing his lips against hers. From habit, his hands reached around for Julianna’s formerly long tresses, but his fingers clutched air and he remembered her hair was now cut. Julianna’s breath caught in her throat. She waited for his reaction. A quick flash of irritation crossed his face. He paused, hands twitching.

  Then, he reached for her again. Urgent, he pushed her dress up to her torso.

  “Devon! Devon, wait! At least let me take off my heels first!” Julianna bent to undo the straps that were biting into her feet, only to be straightened by Devon’s demanding hands, hot and sweaty as they explored the flesh of her abdomen and thighs.

  “Later,” he growled.

  He devoured her mouth, his hands pushing the dress further up her body.

  He backed her against a wall and pressed his dick against her—hard. A moan escaped from deep in Julianna’s throat as he ground himself against her.

  He continued to kiss and touch her with a vicious need, easing her legs around him, tearing her panties from her body. Julianna was now pinned by Devon’s body.

  Without warning, he entered her with one long, hard thrust. His hips a piston, he ground himself inside her at an alarming pace that had her whimpering for him to slow down.

  After a few short minutes, he released a hard groan that slapped against the home’s walls and leaned against her, spent. Julianna could smell the alcohol on his breath as his chest heaved from his efforts.

  He eased her back to the ground. Slowly, purposefully, he straightened her dress, zipped his pants, and left her there in the foyer, alone and confused.

  Someone was tugging at her T-shirt. Julianna pried one eye open and peered through the fog of sleep. Devon was leaning over her, his brow furrowed, fighting to pull her T-shirt over her head.

  “I need you,” he demanded. “Now.”

  He finally maneuvered the shirt over her head. Julianna sighed, her body still sore from earlier that night. She remained still while he settled his body on top of her.

  “Kiss me.”

  Automatically, she tilted her face up to his. She felt the warm rush of his breath, still reminiscent of alcohol, as he brought his lips to hers. He pulled her panties down and slipped a finger inside her body. She winced and grimaced as he explored her. She winced again. This time, Devon sighed loudly and sat back on his heels.

  “The fuck is your problem, Julianna?”

  She sat up in the bed. “What do you mean?”

  He huffed, his erection fading. He roughly ran a hand over his face. “What, don’t I please you anymore?”

  Julianna closed her eyes, trying her best to hide her irritation. It was as if the only thing he wanted to do was to fight with her.

  Exhausted, she shook her head. Only God knew how tired she was of fighting. Before she could respond, he swung his legs over the side of the bed, already stepping into a pair of jeans.

  “I can’t do this.”

  Julianna watched him for a few seconds, incredulous, before she spoke. “Do what?!”

  “This. Your attitude right now. I’m going out for a while.”

  “It’s four AM—”

  “—and I’m a grown ass man who doesn’t need your permission for shit.”

  He was still drunk. His body wavered as he searched f
or his shoes, a deep scowl on his face.

  “Where are you going?” she called after him.

  “Out. Hell, maybe I’ll even find someone who’s willing to give me the pussy you seem too good to want to give your husband.”

  She stiffened. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  Devon cut his eyes at her as he buttoned up his shirt. “Whatever the hell you want it to.”

  He gathered up his car keys and sauntered out the bedroom, slamming the door behind him. Julianna sat up in the bed, tension forming across her shoulders. She wasn’t sure what had pissed Devon off that much, but somehow, it happened.

  Just like it always did.

  She jumped when she heard the garage door opening and the flash of Devon’s headlights as he backed his car out of the driveway.

  Something has to change before our marriage can no longer be repaired.

  Her head was a cacophony of confusion, distress and pain. She lay back down, pulled the covers snug around her body and prayed for sleep. She didn’t know why her marriage was crumbling. This wasn’t what she envisioned when she’d said her vows to Devon. She wasn’t happy.

  Is this normal? Can we get through it?

  Defeat engulfed her body. She picked up the phone only to have Devon reject her call. Then she lay there, in the still of the night, contemplating what to do.

  When she could finally sleep, the first few rays of sunshine made their way over the horizon. But all that she could focus on was the sound of her husband’s voicemail when she called, and the empty spot on the bed next to her.

  4

  Devon opened his eyes as he reclined on the bed, staring at his phone. It went off yet another time.

  Julianna just won’t quit.

  He closed his eyes and welcomed the feeling of the woman settling on top of his dick, a soft moan escaping her lips. After Julianna’s disrespect, he’d come straight to her house, in need of all the things his wife couldn’t or wouldn’t give him.

  He stared up at her. She ground her hips into his, her moans growing louder as she glided on top of him, her center moist and hot. He groaned as she increased her pace, palmed her breast, squeezing tightly as she cried out.

  He didn’t really bother too much to know more than her first name, which he honestly had to struggle to remember. What he knew was that from the time he’d seen her working in the bank across from his job, he had to have her. The attraction was instant, pure. He’d slid his business card across the table and had walked out. Not even an hour after, she’d called him and met him in the alleyway behind the bank, her mouth hungry for his dick as he drilled himself deep into her mouth. He’d needed discretion, and she had obliged.

  Of course, she would.

  That was the first time. Still, her name eluded him as she erupted on top of him, arching her back as she cried out. Her name didn’t matter. She didn’t matter. What only mattered to him was the warm pussy she provided at his command whenever his wife bored him. She didn’t need to know anything else about him.

  He groaned and pulled her hair, his release spilling out of him, held back by the thin latex cover. She rolled off him and he sat up.

  He mentally sighed when his phone lit up again. He didn’t know what he was going to do with that wife of his, but she was acting like a brat. She bored him. It was as if she was deliberately trying to piss him off and make him distance himself from her. Either way, she was the one he was married to, and that was the way it would stay. When he was ready to tell her, Julianna would have to understand his sexual indiscretions were important to keep him a satisfied husband. If she turned a blind eye to these things, she could continue to have the life she had.

  Julianna was young. She had to understand that marriages weren’t based on love.

  At that, he cocked his head to the side, an amused expression crossing his face as he mulled over his last thought.

  Do I even love her now? Have I ever?

  Unable to find an immediate answer, he shrugged. It didn’t matter.

  He dressed, barely casting the woman a glance as she reclined in the bed. When she realized he wasn’t staying, her face fell. Irritation surged through him.

  “You’re not staying?”

  “No.” He didn’t offer any further explanation as he opened the door and walked out.

  You surely aren’t my first and you won’t be the last.

  He made his way to his car, already deleting her number from his phone. Discretion had consequences. She would just have to find out the hard way.

  5

  Julianna sprang up from the couch when she heard a key turning in the lock. Devon was home. Maybe he could explain to her where he’d been all day.

  She wiped her eyes and straightened her shirt. It had gotten dark since she’d fallen asleep.

  How much time had passed?

  She crossed her legs, waiting for him to walk inside. Once he did, she immediately began. “Devon, where were you all day? I’ve been frantic trying to get a hold of you.”

  She fought to keep her voice level, to maintain her resolve as he heaved a huge sigh and set his keys down.

  “Julianna, can’t I catch a break? A man—a grown man at that, can’t go out and enjoy himself for a day?”

  His tone was accusatory, His face twisted into a scowl.

  “You haven’t answered any of my calls, nor any of my texts. What could be more important than checking in with your wife?”

  “Oh?!” Devon placed his hand over his heart in a theatrical gesture. “So, you do realize that you are my wife and not my guardian? I don’t have to explain shit to you.”

  The anger deflated from Julianna’s body with a whoosh. She really didn’t want to do this right now. Fighting was all that they did, and she was tired.

  “Devon, I’m not trying to fight with you. I was worried, especially after the way you left last night. Can’t you see that?”

  Instead of calming down, Devon became even more defensive. “Grow up, Julianna.”

  His tone was blunt and cold as he cut his eyes at her and walked off into his office. Julianna jumped when she heard the door slam soon after. She waited in the silence for any sign of his wanting to return and talk things through with her, but her hope dwindled with each passing minute. Not only had her husband disappeared on her for a whole day, he refused to give her an explanation about where he’d gone and why. She loved him, but she couldn’t do this alone. What they needed was something bigger than her.

  “Therapy?” Devon mocked, staring at his wife standing in his office. He’d been sure he’d locked the door, but she’d shown up inside about an hour after he’d retreated there. “And what makes you think that we need it?”

  Before coming to his office, Julianna had been certain this was what the two of them needed. But when she opened her mouth to speak, no sound came out.

  She cleared her throat and tried again. “Because all we do is fight. There’s no intimacy. It’s like you can’t stand to be around me.” Hurt resounded in her voice. “You surely can’t think that’s normal…do you?”

  Devon scoffed and removed his reading glasses. Julianna always was a drama queen.

  “Julianna, honey, all couples fight. Did you think we’d be perfect? Especially after two years of marriage? Think about it. We’re going to get on each other’s nerves.”

  Julianna shook her head. “Not like we do. Let’s just give it a try, baby,” she pleaded.

  Devon jumped up from his desk; annoyance creased his handsome face. “No. I don’t want someone who knows nothing about our relationship offering advice or getting into our business! Whatever happens between us stays between us.”

  Julianna jumped back in alarm. Devon’s resistance to the idea of seeing a marriage counselor was stronger than she’d believed it would be.

  She suddenly understood and searched his face for any sign of agreement. “Devon, I know it’s scary, and it would make it seem as if the world knew about our problems, but a lot of couples have
gone to see counselors. Even Derek and Victoria have gone to see one.”

  He scoffed again and massaged his temples. It seemed even harder for him to control his irritation.

  He heaved a frustrated sigh. “I don’t care who my brother and his wife went to see. This is about us, and I say we don’t need it. End of story.” His tone was level and cold as he held her gaze. “Don’t bring this shit up again.”

  He continued to glare until Julianna gave a weak nod.

  Devon turned to walk out of the office but stopped at the last minute. “By the way, maybe you should take a long look in the mirror before you lay blame. Maybe I’d act like I could stand to be around you if you didn’t nag me so much with all of your imaginary issues.”

  He left and slammed the door without another word.

  Julianna stood in the silence, mulling over the conversation. She began to think that what her husband was feeling towards her was more than dislike.

  Devon hated her.

  6

  Devon fumed as he got into his car. Who in the hell did Julianna think she was suggesting they needed therapy? As far as he was concerned, there was nothing wrong with their marriage. Why was she so hell-bent on creating an issue?

  He worked tirelessly to provide her with the life she had now, and Julianna had to understand that it couldn’t always be about her. Yes, there would be arguments, but that happened with every marriage. What wasn’t helping was that she always felt the need to nag him about every little thing in life.

  What she needed was a hobby—something to occupy her time so she wouldn’t be spending every waking moment tormenting him. He only hoped that she hadn’t gone running her mouth to other people about their “problems.” He wasn’t in the mood to be viewed as the bad person when all he’d ever done was try hard to be good at everything he did.

  The argument created a knot in his neck, and he rolled it around to ease the tension. Honestly, he was under so much stress at work and Julianna’s new behavior wasn’t helping any of that for him. A man was supposed to feel calm and relaxed in his own home.