The Red Eye 3 (The Red Eye Erotic Romance Series) (6 page)

I picked up the photo of the two of us from beside the bed. It was my favorite picture of us together. We’d gone down to Morro de Sao Paulo in Brazil, and from the moment we arrived, it was as though we were in another world. We had the beach to ourselves, and the water was so clear that you could see the beautiful fish from miles away.

In the photo, Devon was lifting me out of the water and we were both smiling as we held each other. You could see how much we loved each other just by looking at the picture, and I’d already been wondering whether Devon would take me back there for our honeymoon. It was a very special place for us.

Now I didn’t think I’d ever go back there again.

I put the photo back where it was. If I took it with me, Devon might think that I still cared about him. Of course, I did, but if I was going to comply with Grayson’s orders, I had to make him think that I’d just changed my mind. It would kill him to know that I’d slept with Rick. It was going to hurt him enough knowing that we’d broken up. I didn’t want to hurt him any more by telling him that I’d cheated.

Looking around at the bedroom that had seen us make love so many times, I couldn’t believe that I’d never see it again. I picked up my cases and struggled over to the front door. Glancing around at my apartment one last time, I tried to commit every detail to memory so I wouldn’t forget anything. Devon was The One. It wouldn’t matter how many men I dated after this. Nobody would ever come close to him.

I opened the front door to go, and jumped when I saw Devon about to put his key in the lock.

“Devon! What are you doing home so early?”

“I could ask you the same question.” He pulled me to him and kissed me. I melted into his arms, holding him tightly. I never wanted to let him go.

The feel of him against me provoked a storm of tears. I pushed him away and turned my back on him, not wanting him to see me like this.

“Hey, Rebecca. What’s wrong?” He noticed my suitcases for the first time. “Are you going somewhere? I didn’t know you had any business trips planned.”

I wiped my eyes, nodding as I turned toward him. “It’s a last-minute thing. Grayson wants me to go down to Boston.”

“Ah, Boston. Yes, I can see why you’d be so upset about the thought of going down there.”

His joke was meant to cheer me up, but all it did was remind me that I wouldn’t be seeing his smile again, except in the papers with another woman.

“What’s wrong?” His voice was gentle as he turned me to face him. “Come on. You can talk to me. You know you can tell me anything.”

I wished with all my heart that I didn’t have to tell him what I was about to say.

He took me by the hand, led me to the sofa, and sat me down next to him so that we were facing each other. He casually put his arm over the backrest, lightly stroking my shoulder as he waited for me to start.

“I’ve been thinking about things.” Oh God, this was hard. How was I supposed to tell him that I didn’t love him anymore? “I’m not sure if getting married is the right thing to do.”

“Don’t be silly, Rebecca. You’re just getting a bit of pre-wedding jitters. It’s perfectly natural. After all, you’ve been through this before, so you’re bound to be nervous. But I’m not Rick, and I promise you that no matter what happens, I’m going to do everything I can to make things work. I know it must be really intimidating having to deal with the press on top of everything else. I mean, how many people have to have a press conference to announce their engagement? I get that it’s a lot to take in, but we’re in this together. You don’t have anything to worry about. I’m right by your side every step of the way.”

I looked into his eyes and I knew that he meant every word, which made it even harder.

“It’s no good, Devon. I spoke to Grayson, and—”

“Dad.” He spat out the word bitterly. “I should have known that he’d have had something to do with this. Look, you shouldn’t pay any attention to him. Mom wasn’t exactly from a rich family either. Dad of all people should know what it’s like to fall in love with someone from a different background.”

This was news to me. I’d always thought that both sides of Devon’s family were wealthy. But I didn’t have time to take in this new revelation with Devon sitting in front of me, trying to persuade me to stay.

“You shouldn’t blame Grayson. It’s my fault things aren’t working out. He just made it a little easier for me to move on.”

“Move on?” Devon clearly couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Rebecca, we announced our engagement this morning. It’s a little early to be talking about moving on, don’t you think? Unless you’ve got someone lined up already…”

“No, no. It’s nothing like that.” Only it was, in a way. Of course, I had no intention of seeing Rick again, but if I hadn’t have slept with him, then Grayson wouldn’t have any power over me. “It’s just that it would be impossible for us to work together, can’t you see that? Grayson’s offered me a transfer to the Boston office. This move could be really good for my career. He’s even given me a promotion.”

“Of course he has.” Devon shook his head. “I knew Dad was capable of some dirty tricks, but this is low, even for him. Look, whatever he’s said to you, don’t listen to him, at least, not just yet. Give it a few days before making any rash decisions.”

I wanted to do what he said, I really did, but I knew it was impossible. If I stayed, the truth about Rick would come out and things would be even worse.

“I’m sorry, Devon, but—”

Devon shushed me with a kiss that swallowed my protests and elicited a desperate moan as I tried to fight the instant desire that shot through my body. I weakly tried to push him away at first, but my body wanted him so badly that I gave in to him, lying back on the sofa as he tore at my clothes. As the fabric easily peeled off my body, I knew I was lost. Devon’s hot mouth darted to my cleavage, his nose pressing into the swell of my breast. I shook the unclasped bra down my arms, and I reached up to massage my breasts as he dragged his lips and nose from one to the other.

I arched my back as he took one of my nipples in his mouth, sucking hard to draw out every silky sob of pleasure he could wring from me. I wanted to curse him for distracting me from what needed to be said, but in the back of my mind I was thinking everything else could wait. It was the way Devon made me feel every time he touched me—like the whole world and its handbasket of bullshit could wait until the two of us were done loving each other. I’d never felt so turned on as I did right now, the knowledge that this was the last time I’d ever make love to Devon adding extra heat to our passion. Because this would have to be the last time. I knew it.

Grabbing a handful of his hair, I pulled his face back to mine so my lover could kiss me. His tongue twirled teasingly around behind my lips. I sucked at the velvet texture and flicked my tongue back in response. His lips were soft against mine, and I nibbled at the corners of his mouth, pulling back with his bottom lip tucked between my teeth. I reached down and deftly undid his pants. We reluctantly broke the kiss, and I worked his pants down his muscular thighs to reveal his cock, which sprang free of his boxers as if his member couldn’t wait to meet me. I ran my hand up and down, feeling how big and erect he was.

I was going to miss this.

I took him in my mouth, teasing the head of his penis with my tongue, my head bobbing up and down as Devon moaned. I didn’t even stop him when he put a large hand to the back of my head and guided my movements. When his hips thrust forward so he could ram his cock between my lips, I greedily let him passionately ease in and out of my mouth. His sounds of excitement only made me wetter.

I could always tell when he was about to come, and I stopped just in time, letting him calm down before sucking him again.

“Jesus, Rebecca. If you keep that up, I’m going to come all over your face.”

“Well, then. I’d better change what I’m doing, hadn’t I?” He didn’t even notice the wistful tone in my voice, because I hid my sadness well, but there was a lump in my throat I had to swallow back.

I pulled my skirt up, bunching it around my waist, then tossed my panties across the room, before slowly lowering my lithe body down on top of him. I knew that he was enjoying the view of my breasts bouncing in front of his face as I rode his cock, leaning back to get the best angle. I put my hands behind me to brace myself up on his knees as I rode him with all the artless abandon of a child riding a carousel, up and down languidly, trying to pretend I didn’t have any cares but riding the ride until the music of his lust stopped chiming.

He put his hands around my waist, holding tight as we ground against each other, his cock hitting just the right spot to drive me wild. There were tears rolling down my face. He didn’t see. He pulled me up to my full seated height so he could nuzzle against my breasts while he raked his blunt nails down my smooth back. I felt my inner muscles constrict and contract as I fought my climax until I knew that he was about to pop, and I went with him, my orgasm coming just as he cried out in ecstasy.

I stayed where I was, panting as we both recovered from such an intense interaction.

“See, Rebecca?” Devon whispered, as he brushed my hair back out of my face. “You can’t go. We’re too good together. You can’t walk away from this.”

“I’m sorry, Devon. I have to.” And with that, I shattered the mood and any hope he might have had of convincing me to stay.

Quickly, I stood up and went to the bathroom, unable to bear the look of hurt in his eyes. I didn’t have time to shower before I left to catch my flight, so I cleaned myself up as best as I could, not wanting to wash away the smell of him, but knowing that I had to.

Devon was lying on the bed when I came out of the bathroom. “All right. If you have to go, then I’m not going to stop you. But I’m going to ask you to promise me something. This is just a trial separation. We’re not going to tell anyone that the engagement’s off, because as far as I’m concerned, it’s not. I’m still going to marry you. You just don’t know it yet. So go to Boston. Take time out to yourself. I know that once you’ve had a bit of time away to think, you’ll see how ridiculous this whole thing is, and then you can come back. Whatever promotion Dad promised you in Boston, I’ll make sure you come back to the same position here, so you’ve got no excuse to stay away. I don’t care if he doesn’t like it. It’s about time that he stopped trying to interfere in my life.”

If only I could tell Devon that his dad was doing his best to protect him, to save him from being hurt any more than necessary. If I did, though, I’d have to tell him about Rick, and that was one secret he was never going to find out.

“All right. If you really want to think that some time apart is going to change my mind, then I’m not going to tell you you’re wrong. But don’t make this any harder on yourself than it has to be.”

I wanted to tell him that I loved him, that I would never leave like this unless it was absolutely essential, but all I did was turn and walk away.

Waiting in line to check in, I couldn’t help but remember that it was in a queue very much like this one that I’d first met Devon. It seemed as though all the important points in our relationship had centered around airports, and it was as though we’d come full circle now, ending things just the way they’d begun, on the red eye.

“Welcome and how are you today?”

I looked at the check-in assistant and wished that she wasn’t quite so chipper. The broad smile on her face had the opposite effect to what was intended, making me want to yell, scream, anything to make her as miserable as I was.

“I’m doing okay thank you for asking.”

“Ofcourse, it doesn’t hurt to be courteous.” She smiled. “Here you go and have a nice flight!”

She passed me back my ID and I made my way through to the business lounge, free of the bags that carried my worldly possessions.

I headed straight for the bar and ordered myself a large vodka and tonic. I was going to drink myself into oblivion. It might not erase the pain of losing Devon, but I could at least forget it for a little while.

“You look like a woman on a mission to drink the airport dry.”

I looked up to see a smarmy businessman grinning at me.

“Why don’t you let me buy your next drink?”

“I’m fine, thanks.” I turned my back, hoping that he’d get the hint, but of course I wasn’t going to be so lucky.

“I’m Matt.” He took a seat next to me, holding out his hand for me to shake. I looked at him coldly, but he was undeterred, and eventually I took it, if only to get him to stop smiling at me. “So where are you off to?”

“Boston.” I closed my eyes and took a large gulp of my drink. Just saying the name of the place sent shivers down my spine. It wasn’t that I didn’t like the city, but I knew that Devon rarely went there. It might as well be Outer Mongolia.

“Me too! Maybe you could let me show you the sights while you’re there?”

I looked at him, unable to keep the contempt from my face.

“Listen,
Matt.
” I spat his name as if it were an insult. “If I needed a tour guide, I’d arrange my own and not some jumped up, overweight, middle-aged man in a suit who thinks he can strike it lucky just because we happen to be stuck on the same plane for a while.”

At last, the smile faded from Matt’s face. “Well, sweetheart, excuse me for trying to be friendly. If that’s your attitude, I don’t think you’re going to last five minutes in my town. You see, down in Boston, we value this little thing called manners, something you don’t appear to have heard of. But if you think that you’re too good for the rest of the world, well, good luck to you. Seriously. Good luck.”

He raised his glass at me, swiveled in his chair, and stalked off.

I couldn’t help but feel a little ashamed of myself. Sure, I’d never have been interested in him, even if I wasn’t dealing with a breakup, but he had a point. I didn’t have to be so rude to him.

I’d taken out my bad mood with Grayson out on a total stranger and it wasn’t fair.

I didn’t feel too bad when I saw him sidle up to another woman in the lounge a few moments later.