Page 50 of The October Arrangement

“It’s the truth. All they did was fight. She criticized him all the time. She criticized everyone. She wasn’t an easy woman, Bella. She was demanding. Nothing was ever good enough. Not the house, not the vacations, not the people my father did business with, and certainly not me. My father spent their entire marriage trying to keep her happy. I watched him do it for years. He’d change plans because she didn’t like them. He’d leave dinners early because she wanted to go home. Everything revolved around keeping the peace.”

“I’m surprised he stayed,” she said.

“He loved her. That’s what he told me when I asked him. Her issues were deep-rooted in ways nobody could ever understand. Did I forget to mention that she liked to drink a lot?”

“She was an alcoholic?” she asked.

“Yes, she was. I’d find her passed out on the floor more times than a child should have.”

“How old were you when she passed?”

“Fifteen. I’d come home from my friend Christian’s house and found her on the living room floor, unconscious in a pool of blood. I called 911, and she passed away before they made it to the hospital. She was so drunk that she fell and hit the back of her head on the fireplace.”

“Oh my God, Simon. I’m so sorry.” She reached across the table and placed her hand on mine.

“I appreciate it, but don’t be.” I softly stroked her skin with my thumb. “So, as far as I’m concerned, relationships are like prisons. Once you’re in, life becomes unbearable, and you’re trapped.”

“You watched your father give up pieces of himself to keep your mother happy,” she said. “Of course that affects the way you see relationships.”

“This isn’t some childhood trauma we need to dissect. I am the way I am because I choose to be, and nothing or no one will ever change that.”

She slowly moved her hand away from mine. But I didn’t care. She wanted the truth, so I gave it to her.

We arrived back at the penthouse. Bella kicked off her heels while I removed my suit coat and tossed it over the living room chair.

“Thanks for dinner, Simon. The food was excellent, as was the company.” She smiled.

That fucking smile. I became undone every time I saw it.

“Good night.” She began to walk toward the hallway.

I clenched my fist as I stood in the middle of the living room.

“Bella?”

“Yeah?” She stopped and turned.

I hastily walked over to where she stood, cupped her face in my hands, and smashed my mouth against hers. Her lips were soft, just like I knew they would be. My tongue met hers, and the intoxication settled in. She didn’t pull away, nor did she stop me. She wanted me as much as I wanted her.

I picked her up and carried her to my bedroom. Just as we were about to cross the threshold. She gripped the molding of the door and stopped me.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“I’m not allowed in your bedroom, remember?”

“Tonight, I’m breaking that rule.” I smiled and kissed her.

I set her down in front of the bed, reached behind her, and slowly unzipped her dress, pushing the thin straps off her shoulders. The dress fell to the ground, and she stood there wearing a black lacy thong. I cupped her bare breasts in my hands. They were perky, the perfect size, and just enough for me to enjoy. I pulled away and undressed while she climbed under the covers. I noticed the look on her face when I pulled down my boxer briefs.

“Impressed?” I grinned.

“Very.” She smiled.

I climbed into bed and rolled on my side. Our lips met as my hand traveled down her torso, making its way to her pussy. God, she was already soaked, which turned me on even more. I dipped a finger inside, and she gasped. She wrapped her fingers around my hard cock, causing me to lose my breath at the sensation. I explored her until she came. Once she did, I went down on her to taste the sweetness that erupted from her.

“God, you taste so good,” I whispered.

She moaned as her fingers gripped the sheets. Another orgasm took over her. I reached into the nightstand, pulled out a condom, and slipped it on before I climbed on and thrust inside her. The sensation was overwhelming. It was different than all the other women I’d been with. I couldn’t explain it, and I didn’t want to.