A Bought Bride Page 8

  Quinton grabbed her arm and pushed her toward the bedroom. “Let’s get to it,” he demanded.

  “Don’t be so rough, baby,” she whined as she plopped on the bed.

  Unceremoniously he unbuttoned his shirt, dropped his pants and rolled on a condom. He knew he wouldn’t be in this mood if he’d been able to come here when he dropped Jillian off, but on the way a phone call stopped him. He had to go back to the office and handle a delicate situation in the Atlanta store by phone. It took all afternoon. It was almost seven before he could leave the office and he knew he’d told Jillian he’d be home around then. He also knew if he didn’t see Maddie today, she’d be in a snit. Finally he decided to come by her place for a quickie then he’d hurry home. Jillian would understand if he was only an hour or so late. At least he hoped she would. Anyway, Jillian knew their marriage was one of a business nature. He’d made that plain from the beginning. Now he wanted things to settle down so he could do what he wanted to do, whenever and with whomever he wanted to do it with. He especially wanted time to be with Maddie.

  Once he was undressed he got on top of Maddie.

  “Baby, I know it has been a while and I know you’re anxious, but can’t you slow down a bit?”

  “Why?” he asked after touching her. “You’re always ready.”

  “Quinton, you’ve never been like this.”

  He pushed his member against her and the unthinkable happened. It stayed soft and pliable. “Hell,” he mumbled and began to play with her body thinking that would help.

  After ten minutes or so he rolled off the bed and reached for his clothes.

  “Wait, Quinton. Let me try this.” She reached for him.

  He pushed her away. “Don’t bother.”

  “Well, honey, don’t feel so bad about not being able to get it up. It happens to older men now and then. I guess you’ve just been doing it too much with the new wife.”

  Quinton wanted to slap her. Instead, without speaking, he hurriedly dressed.

  “Don’t be so hard on yourself. I guess the old girl has more going for her than I thought. Did she wear it out?” She reached for him.

  Quinton pushed her hand away and started for the door. “I said don’t talk about my wife.”

  “Okay, I won’t, but you don’t have to go. Maybe some champagne would help.”

  “I have to go.”

  “Quinton…” Her voice was lost on the closing door.

  * * * *

  Calvin was surprised when Quinton came down the steps. He’d planned to be there a couple of hours. Now he was glad he resisted the urge to go down the street to the bar. This was the shortest time Kincade had ever spent in the woman’s condo.

  Without comment, he opened the door and Quinton got inside.

  Calvin couldn’t help glancing at his boss every now and then on the ride home. The man had a peculiar look on his face. Calvin couldn’t help wondering what had happened in the twenty minutes his boss had been in the condo.

  Chapter 14

  Jillian looked at the clock. It was five to eight. She was going to give Quinton until eight to come home then she was going to eat the special sea scallop dish Melba had prepared. It would be hard. The conversation she’d overheard this afternoon kept running through her mind. Was Quinton with his mistress? Could she accept this part of his life? He’d made no attempt to tell her he’d be faithful. Why was that her fondest wish?

  The grandfather clock in the corner of the room struck eight and she got off the beige brocade sofa. She was headed toward the dining room when there were footsteps behind her.

  Her heart felt lighter when she looked around and saw Quinton. “Hi,” she whispered. “I was about to go into dinner without you.”

  “I’m surprised you haven’t eaten already. You didn’t have to wait.”

  “I know, but I knew you were working late, so I gave you an extra hour.”

  He moved beside her and put his arm around her waist. “That was sweet of you.” He leaned over and kissed her.

  Jillian got a whiff of perfume and her heart lurched. It wasn’t her brand. She tried to be nonchalant. “Melba prepared a special meal and since it was our first full night…”

  “Say no more. I’m glad you waited.”

  The candles were burning when they reached the formal dining room. There was a place setting on each end of the table for sixteen. Quinton looked at it and smiled at Melba. “Everything looks lovely, but do you mind putting my wife’s place to my right at this end of the table? I want to be close to her.”

  “Yes, sir.” Melba looked at Jillian, and she nodded. Melba smiled and moved the plate to Quinton’s right.

  “That’s better.” Quinton held the chair for Jillian.

  “I think so, too.” Jillian smiled up at him.

  They talked in quiet tones, and were about halfway through the meal when Jillian said, “I discovered today we have a lovely balcony. Could we have a meal out there before the weather gets too cold?”

  “Of course.” He smiled at her.

  Melba came in to serve coffee and Quinton looked up at her. “Melba, Mrs. Kincade wants to have a meal on our balcony. Would you please serve us breakfast there tomorrow?”

  “I’d be happy to, Mr. Kincade. Do you have a special request?”

  “Do you like eggs Benedict, Jillian?”

  “Not really. I like my eggs done.”

  He chuckled. “Then how about plain old scrambled eggs and bacon?”

  “That sounds good.”

  “Okay. You got that, Melba? Make sure Mrs. Kincade’s eggs are well done, and I wouldn’t mind having a bowl of old fashioned grits. Do you like those, Jillian?”

  “I do.”

  Melba nodded and smiled. “I’ll make two bowls of grits.”

  When they finished eating they went up the stairs together. Again Jillian smelled the perfume and knew he must have visited his mistress. She also knew there was nothing she could do about it. The man was used to women who gave him excitement and answered all his needs. For being a middle-aged woman, Jillian knew she was very unworldly. My Lord, she thought. I had my first orgasm on my wedding night and I’m not talking about the night of my first wedding.

  “I tell you what we’ll do, if you want to?” He interrupted her thoughts.

  “What, Quinton?”

  “We’ll get in our night clothes and sit on the balcony, drink a glass of wine and have a nice talk.”

  She nodded.

  They went into their individual bathrooms and she decided to wear the outfit she’d worn the first night they were married. She wondered if she should buy more night clothes. Maybe Quinton was tired of seeing this robe. She decided to ask him.

  She smiled when she heard the shower in his bath running. At least the perfume smell would be gone. She brushed her hair and removed her make-up, leaving only a little lipstick. For some reason Jillian thought she looked dead without her lipstick.

  He came out a little later wearing a brown silk robe and paisley print pajamas. Taking the glass of wine she’d poured for him, he reached for her hand and led her to the balcony. “Want to sit on the glider?”

  “That would be nice.”

  He put his arm around her and they talked about the grounds, the coming fall, and the wonderful meal they’d had. He confided to her that fish wasn’t his favorite dish, but it was okay if they had it occasionally.

  She told him she’d see they didn’t have it often. She then told him she’d tried to call her friend, Fran, and shyly asked him if it’d be all right if she bought some more things to sleep in.

  He laughed. “Jillian, when are you going to get it in your head that you can buy anything you want?”

  She shrugged. “It’s all so new to me. I haven’t been able to buy the things I want for a long time.”

  “Well you can now.” He pulled her closer. “Tell you what. Would you object if I picked out some things for you?”

  “Of course not.” Secretly she wondered if he�
�d choose things that were revealing and sexy. She knew she’d have to wear whatever he decided to buy.

  Jillian was getting a little chilly in her robe and she snuggled closer to him.

  “Cold?”

  “A little.”

  “Want to go inside?”

  “Not yet. It’s nice out here.”

  “Yes it is.” He put his empty wine glass on the table, leaned down and kissed her cheek.

  She turned her head to him, and on impulse, set her glass down and put her arms around his neck. She kissed him fully on the lips. She even parted her lips a little.

  She knew he liked it when his tongue started the dance with hers. Shortly he was rubbing his hands up and down her back and caressing her rib cage.

  Jillian slid her hands down his sides and felt his muscles. For his age, he was awfully firm. She then began to play with the hair on his chest. That dark curly hair intrigued her and she let her hand trail down the line leading to the top of his pajama bottoms.

  He groaned and fumbled her robe open. His hand found her breast and he began to massage it gently. Then he sprinkled kisses from the hollow of her neck to her breast.

  A little guttural sound came from her throat and her breathing was heavy. Before she could control herself she began pushing his bottoms downward.

  * * * *

  He smiled into the night wondering about his failure less than two hours ago. Why in the world didn’t Maddie’s provocative outfit turn him on when sitting here beside Jillian in her silk robe did? Was this nature’s way of keeping him from being unfaithful to his wife tonight? He shook his head and turned his attention to the moment. That is until his body began to react more to hers. Then nothing mattered but melding the two of them together.

  Chapter 15

  A day later, Jillian opened the boxes which had arrived from Kincade’s. She tossed tissue aside and pulled out the garments inside. There were gowns and robes in every color she could imagine. All were of the finest materials—silk, satin and lace. They were expensive and provocative without being gaudy or cheap. She had to admit, Quinton had wonderful taste. The note he’d written and sent with them also warmed her heart:

  Can’t wait to throw each and every one of these on the floor.

  It was signed with a big Q.

  She was hanging the last one in her closet when there was a knock on her door. She slipped the note in the top desk drawer and said, “Yes?”

  Gloria opened the door. “Mrs. Kincade, there’s a gentleman here to see you.”

  “Do you know who it is, Gloria?” She wondered who could be visiting her. She’d only met Quinton’s lawyer and the mansion staff since arriving in Ashville.

  “No, Ma’am. He said some friend sent him to see you.”

  “Thank you, Gloria. I’ll be down in a minute.”

  “I put him in the sitting room off the entry.” Gloria closed the door.

  Still puzzled, Jillian came down the long winding steps and entered the large living room off the entry. Again she wondered why a strange man was visiting her. She’d never seen him before.

  He was tall, but not as tall as Quinton. His hair was long and pulled back in a pony-tail. His eyes were black and his entire appearance gave her a hint that he had some exotic island ancestry in his genes. His muscles rippled through his tight white tee-shirt and his jeans looked as if they’d been painted on. He smiled when she entered and she noticed the perfect white teeth and the dimple in his chin. He looked to be around thirty years old.

  “Mrs. Kincade?” He bowed to her.

  “Yes, and you’re?” She didn’t offer her hand.

  “I’m Stan Willoby. A friend of yours thought you might like to take advantage of my expertise.”

  “What friend and what expertise?”

  “The friend may want to remain anonymous, but I can tell you, I’m an expert at many things. I give great massages. I make the best martinis in town, I’m a good swimmer, and I always have wonderful conversations with my clients.” His black eyes seemed to dance. “I’m sure you’d like some stimulating conversation during your lonely day.”

  Jillian frowned. “Why won’t you say sent you, Mr. Willoby?”

  “I don’t think I should, but it was someone who was sure you’d want to meet me.”

  “Why should I want to meet you?” Jillian didn’t mean to sound snappy, but this man’s arrival disturbed her. There was something about him she didn’t trust.

  “Oh, lovely lady. You know it can get awfully lonely sitting around one of these big old houses all day, and you know yours is the biggest in the area. While you’re here trying to fill in your time, your husband is out doing only God knows what.” He flashed a smile. “Though we have some idea of what they would do with their young assistants, don’t we?”

  Jillian didn’t hesitate. She stiffened her back and said, “Mr. Willoby, I’ll have you know, I’m not at all lonely, and I think you should leave.”

  “Oh, come now, sweetheart. I’m friendly with the wives of some of your husband’s associates. I also know some of the girlfriends the men have on the side. In the meantime, the poor wives sit at home and grieve from lack of male attention. It’s that attention I’m willing to provide because I like older women. Why don’t you get the jump on your husband…

  “Bertram,” Jillian called.

  The butler appeared immediately. “Yes, Ma’am.”

  “Please show this man out.”

  “Yes, Ma’am. This way, sir.”

  “Oh, Mrs. Kincade, you don’t want to throw me out. Think how lonely it’ll be when your husband stops coming home at night because he’s tied up.” He winked at her. “We both know that his being tied up means he’s out with a younger woman, don’t we?”

  “Bertram, get him out of here, now.” Jillian’s voice rose.

  “Sir, please come with me or I’ll have to throw you out physically.”

  “I don’t think you can do that, old man, but I’ll leave for now.” He looked back at Jillian. “I’ll be waiting for your call. I know the time will come when you’ll be so lonely you’ll have a need for the company of a virile younger man like me. One who will give you untold amounts of pleasure.”

  Jillian sank to the sofa after the man left. Almost instantly Gloria was on one side of her and Melba was on the other. “Are you all right, Mrs. Kincade?” Melba asked.

  “I think so.” She looked as Bertram came back into the room. “Who was that man?”

  “I don’t know, Ma’am, but I’m sure he won’t be back.”

  “Bertram, you make sure he doesn’t bother this lady again,” Melba said sharply. “She doesn’t have to put up with the likes of him.”

  “I will, Melba. You don’t have to worry. I’ll have him thrown off the property if he dares come to this door again.”

  “Would you like some tea, Mrs. Kincade?”

  “Yes, Melba. That would be nice.” Her voice was shaking.

  Melba stood. “I’ll be right back.”

  “Is there anything I can do, Mrs. Kincade?”

  “Thank you, Gloria. I’ll be fine, but it shook me up a little. I can’t imagine anyone sending someone like that to see me.” She looked at the maid who was in her mid-twenties. “He said something about Quinton’s associates’ wives. But they don’t know me. I’ve only met a few of the people at the store. I can’t imagine anyone there sending him.”

  “I’m sure he was just someone who read about your marriage, and wanted to see if you were like some of the society women around here.”

  “What do you mean, Gloria?”

  “There’s a certain few who are a lot younger than their husbands who married the rich men for their money. There are also the ones who are middle-aged and ignored by their husbands.” He voice faltered a little. “Both groups play around, if you know what I mean.”

  Jillian stared at her. “I think that’s awful.”

  Gloria smiled at her. “I figured you’d feel that way. You’re a nice lady, Mrs
. Kincade. It’s too bad all the wives in the area aren’t like you. It’s a pleasure working for you.”

  “It sure is.” Melba came back into the room. “Now, here’s your tea. Drink up and forget that sorry good-for-nothing fellow was ever here. We’ll see that he don’t come back.”

  * * * *

  Less than an hour later Quinton came out to the patio where Jillian was reading a western romance novel. “Are you okay?”

  She was startled and almost dropped her book. “I’m fine.”

  “Sorry I scared you, but I wanted to see for myself that you were all right.”

  “What made you think I wouldn’t be?”

  “I heard about your visitor.”

  She frowned. “Who told you?”

  “It doesn’t matter.” He smiled at her. “I can see my worries were unfounded. You look perfectly calm and relaxed.”

  “I am.” She returned his smile. “I have to admit, his unexpected visit threw me for a little while, but the staff calmed me down.”

  “Who was he, Jillian?” He stood before her and looked into her eyes.

  “He said his name was Stan Willoby, and somebody sent him to visit me.” She shook her head. “I’d never seen him before, and he wouldn’t tell me who sent him.”

  “I wonder who it could have been.”

  She shrugged. “I have no idea.”

  He motioned for her to slide over on the wrought iron love seat. She did and he draped his arm around her shoulder. “He must have upset the whole staff.”

  “They were wonderful. Bertram threw him out. Gloria sat with me until I began to calm down, and Melba made me tea.”

  “It seems my staff has taken a liking to my wife. I think they’d do anything to protect her.”

  “They’ve been good to me. Just like you’ve been.” She smiled at him. “I bet it was Melba who called you. She was mad at the guy.”

  “You’re easy to be good to, Jillian, and yes it was Melba. You’re not going to be mad at her for calling me, are you?” He squeezed her shoulders a little.

  “Of course not. I’m glad she wants to protect me and I’m glad you think I’m easy to be good to. When I was trying to care for my aunt at home, she thought I was a tyrant.”