The Red Wife Read online

  “I can't, Bassy. I can't breathe,” she cried when she could speak. She pushed him away with a hand on his chest.

  “Do you want me to get Brit?”

  Mariss nodded as she gagged, hating that he was seeing her like this.

  “Hey, Mare,” Brit said a moment later. “Had a little too much?”

  “Shut up,” Mariss growled before she wretched again. She could still smell Sebastian, still felt his presence as he hovered in the doorway. She knew he wouldn't leave until he knew she was okay.

  When the heaving subsided, Mariss rinsed her mouth out with listerine and stumbled over the threshhold into the room. Sebastian grabbed her before she fell face first to the floor.

  “I think your bed is occupied,” he said softly. “Do you want me to take you out to the living room?”

  “Fine,” Mariss muttered.

  Sebastian lifted her into his arms before she knew what was happening.

  “This isn't what I had in mind,” she slurred.

  “That's too bad.”

  Sebastian laid her on the sofa. Nora moaned from somewhere on the floor as he pulled a blanket over her.

  “I'll see you in the morning, Red.”

  Mariss moaned and rolled over. The first thing she saw was a pair of amused blue eyes and a funny little smirk. Sebastian smiled at her and his eyebrow went up.

  “Sleep okay?” he asked.

  “Why are you still here?” He should have left when the party was over.

  “Nora passed out on the bathroom floor,” he said. “Brit told me to leave her and clean her up in the morning, but I stayed so she wouldn't feel I'd deserted her. I'm about to bathe her and carry her back to the room. She's going to be hungover most of the day.”

  Mariss nodded and sat up, head throbbing. She wasn't going to be in much better shape. “I need asprin or something.”

  Sebastian chuckled. “You too?”

  “I blame you,” she grumbled.

  “Too much chocolate?”

  She smiled, but didn't answer. “You know what I want?”

  “Hm.” The suggestive sound rumbled in Sebastian's chest and went straight to her groin. “What's that?”

  “A bacon sandwich with cheese and pickles.” Just the thought made her mouth water and her empty stomach roll.

  “Pickles?” He frowned and tried to look disgusted, but it didn't quite work. He looked more surprised than anything. “Are you pregnant?”

  “Uh, no. Trust me. We aren't even trying. I'm not… I can't.” Mariss turned away. Why was she so teary all of a sudden? Oh, right. PMSing. After the last miscarriage, she just couldn't put herself or her husband through that again. Eventually, but not right now. “Pickles help with hangover.”

  “I'll go take care of Nora now, unless you need company.”

  Mariss looked up into Sebastian's subdued smile.

  “I'm fine, Sebastian. Thanks. Oh,” she called as he stood. “Are you wearing the same outfit you wore yesterday? Probably not, since you slept in it, huh?” It was funny to see him wrinkled and disheveled. His normally perfect hair hung over his forehead in gentle curls. It still looked perfect. Mariss reached up and fingered the hem of his untucked shirt.

  “Did you want me to?”

  Mariss smirked and dropped her hand. “Do you have something better?”

  “I do.” His blue eyes danced.

  “The girls want you to do the costume contest with me tomorrow.”

  He grinned. “Absolutely.”

  Mariss laughed as he walked away and threw the blanket back. Thankfully, he hadn't drawn the curtains, so there was no sunlight, just the dim lighting from over the bar. She made her way into the bedroom, forgetting for the moment that he was going to bathe Nora. When the water started to run, she peeked in the bathroom.

  Sebastian helped Nora out of her clothes, and she couldn't help but think that Nora looked much worse for wear than Mariss felt. Before Sebastian caught her staring - Mariss had no dilusions that he didn't know she was there - she turned away to her mussed, but empty bed. Sebastian's top hat lay in tatters on the pillow.

  “What the hell?” Mariss muttered to herself. No doubt, it was the doing of one of Sebastian's spurned admirers.

  “Bassy,” she called.

  “Yes, sweetheart?” His voice was strong but gentle. Still, Nora's pained groan echoed through from the bathroom.

  “I think you had a visitor last night.”

  “Hm?” Sebastian came into the room a moment later. His gaze fell on the hat and his demeanor changed from relaxed to terse.

  “Did I ruin your day?” Mariss wondered aloud.

  “No. It's just a hat. When I find out who did it, though…” He didn't have to finish the sentence. Mariss was sure she could figure out what would happen if Sebastian ever found them.

  “Why are you so upset over a hat?” she asked.

  “Because you liked it.” He paused, as if he wasn't sure he should say the next part. “And I'd hoped to be able to use it in the future.”

  Mariss raised an eyebrow at him. Sebastian reached out and traced the arc with his thumb like it was something to be adored.

  “I have to get back to Nora.” He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead and turned away.

  Mariss stared after him, unsure of what to make of this new person he had become. He would never give up his women, that much was painfully obvious, but he felt more for her than she thought he was willing to accept.

  “Mare, you about ready?” Brit asked from across the room. Her new fiance had spent the night with her and he rolled over with a grin.

  “Good morning,” Brett said.

  Mariss had to smile back. “Good morning, Brett. Sometime next week, the three of us will have to hang out so I can get to know you.”

  “Uh oh,” Brit groaned. She blinked at the mutilated hat. “What's that?”

  “Sebastian's hat. One of his women was in here last night, I guess.”

  “Probably that blonde bitch who crashed our game and slept in your bed,” Brit mumbled. “You should wash those sheets. You don't know if she had lice or body odor. Or crabs.”

  Mariss snorted and went to the closet where her outfit for the day was hanging. The garment bag was bottom heavy, instead of the weight being distruibuted evenly. Assuming the dress must have fallen off it's hanger, Mariss lay the bag on the bed to unzip it and reached in to pull it out. Strips of lace, fabric, and leather filled her hand and fell out on the bed.

  “Oh, my god,” Brit muttered.

  Mariss struggled to find her voice. It was probably a good thing she couldn't because when she finally did, it came out shrill and furious.

  “Sebastian!” she nearly screamed. There was a growling quality to her tone that brought Brit and Brett out of bed, Sebastain out of the bathroom, and a groan of pain from Nora.

  “What is this?” Sebastian asked as he took the shredded fabric from her hand. “What's happened?”

  “Your woman scorned ruined my dress!” she cried.

  “And you hold me responsible?”

  “Of course! She was your woman!”

  “Was being the operative word, and I don't even know who she is.” Sebastian dropped the ragged dress pieces and folded his arms. Mariss hated the way he made such simple acts seem so sexy.

  “Somehow, I don't see how that makes it any better,” Brit piped up.

  “Where's Juliet?” Mariss wanted to know.

  “She went to get breakfast and coffee,” Brett answered.

  Mariss snarled.

  “All you have to do is ask,” Sebastian said. “I'll take care of the dress for you.”

  “I don't have to ask,” she replied. “Your woman did this. You get to fix it. In the meantime, I have to find something to wear today.”

  “Is your costume contest dress okay?” Brit asked, suddenly in a panic.

  “Holden is bringing that one tomorrow. It's fine.”

  Sebastian didn't say anything else, and a moment later, he
went back to Nora. Mariss knew he was angry and she'd pay for it later.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  HAVE YOUR WAY WITH ME

  Mariss spent the morning at their merch table. By noon, she was sitting in on panels about publishing, writing, and fandoms. The day flew by fast without a single spotting of Sebastian until that evening as she was getting ready for dinner.

  Mariss answered the suite door to his stone-set face. There was no humor in his eyes nor did he look like he was dropping by for a pleasure visit. She smirked.

  “I was wondering when you would decide to chastise me for this morning.” She stepped aside and let him into the room.

  “I'm not sure if I should be flattered or angry.”

  Mariss smiled as she poured them each a drink at the bar. “I have twenty minutes before I have to be down to my dinner with the fans who won the contest last month. I'm sorry for the way I acted this morning. I was hungover, angry, and out of line.” She turned to him and flashed him a sweet, self-aware smile she knew he wouldn't be able to resist. “That dress was expensive and I worked very hard on it. You can't just go out and buy me another one.”

  Sebastian nodded. “I understand.” He spread out on the sofa again, his ankle crossed over his knee, his arm along the back of the couch. Mariss handed him his drink and sat just out of his reach on the other end.

  “Thank you.”

  “It's not a good idea for us to be here alone,” she said, hoping he'd take the hint and leave so she wouldn't have to kick him out. What made it hardest was the fact that she didn't want him to leave.

  “I'm not going to try anything, Mariss.”

  “I might,” she said into her drink.

  Sebastian chuckled and lifted his glass to his lips. His long fingers grasped the crystal, so confident that it would make it to its destination and the amber liquid would pass his lips and quench the fire beginning in his belly.

  No, the fire was in her belly. Mariss tore her gaze away from his mouth just before he looked up at her.

  “Why are you ashamed of staring?” His perfectly accented voice made her ache. Of course, he would catch her.

  “I'm not ashamed.” That was a lie and he knew it.

  “Right. Of course. Well, I'd like for you to not be ashamed to stare at me later this evening. I have a dinner appointment that I'd like for you to accompany me to.”

  “Sebastian, that's not a good idea.” She sighed and set her glass down.

  “Why not?”

  “We don't need to be seen in public together so much. It causes problems for me. At home.”

  His jaw clenched, but he nodded. “Very well. I just thought I'd invite you.”

  Mariss heard the disappointment in his voice, but she ignored it, turning her attention to whoever was coming in the door.

  “Hey,” Brit said. “What's going on here?” Her eyes surveyed the scene with apt attention.

  “He came to yell at me for this morning, but I charmed him into forgetting.” Mariss winked at Sebastian. He smirked, making her panties instantly wet. She shook her head. He knew what he did to her and it really was not fair. She had a mind to straddle him until he was ready to burst, then leave him sitting there while she enjoyed herself with her fans.

  But there were two problems with that. The first was that she'd get hot and bothered too. The second was that he could find anyone to relieve the stress for him and she had to wait until morning to see her husband. Instead of torturing them both further, Mariss stood and said, “I need to get my shoes and finish my hair. You can walk me down to dinner.”

  Mariss knocked on the door to the suite and didn't have to wait long for Sebastian to answer. He wore nothing but a black pair of silk pajama bottoms. She drank in his tall form and bare chest with all those contours begging to be caressed and licked.

  “Well, to what do I owe this honor?” she asked, shifting her weight to one leg.

  Sebastian grinned and lifted a crystal glass to his lips. She had a moment to envy the amber liquid that got to kiss his tongue. He swallowed, the grin never leaving his face, blue eyes taunting her with promises of forbidden things.

  “Why don't you come in and find out?”

  “Nice try, sweetheart,” she teased, “but I know how to keep out of trouble, even if you seem so determined to get me into it.”

  “I'm not trying to get you into any kind of trouble. This time. Promise.” Sebastian pressed the tumbler to his chest over his heart.

  “You swear by your glass of liquor?” Mariss laughed. “Somehow, I don't think that will hold up in a court of law.”

  Sebastian chuckled, showing more teeth than he usually did. Mariss frowned.

  “What's wrong?” he wanted to know.

  “You're drunk,” she giggled.

  “I am not.” Sebastian punctuated the validity of that comment by taking another drink.

  “You so are.” Mariss crossed her arms. A drunk Sebastian was a cheerful, and from the looks of it, randy Sebastian. She didn't mind either option, to be quite honest.

  “Just get in here, Red.”

  Mariss leaned her shoulder on the doorjamb. “I don't think so.”

  “I will bodily carry you into this room. Get in here. Please.”

  Her eyes widened. “Are you begging?” She couldn't believe her ears.

  “I'm prone to doing many things out of character when I'm drunk.”

  “Ha!” she laughed. “Why do you want me in your room so bad?”

  “Mariss, get in here.”

  Mariss jumped at the sound of her husband's voice. “What the hell? Is he in there?”

  Sebastian stepped out of the way to reveal Holden standing across the room. Mariss walked inside and went straight to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he welcomed her with his whole body.

  “What is this?” she asked into his neck. “You're early.” She hadn't seen him in weeks. Basketball kept him away a lot of the year.

  “You haven't asked to meet with Sebastian in a while, so I thought I'd surprise you.”

  She frowned. “You what?” Dread and excitement pumped through her veins.

  “You remember the night we met at my club?” Sebastian asked.

  Mariss looked up to find him stalking across the carpet, swirling what was left of his drink around in the glass. Her heart jumped into her throat. Even drunk, Sebastian had all of the awareness, grace, and danger of a jungle cat. This was a bad situation.

  “No, Sebastian.” She tried for conversational and missed by about a hundred miles. “Remind me. What happened?”

  Sebastian crowded her space. One hand cupped her face while the other forced her against him. She didn't put up much of a fight, but turned her face away from Holden so he wouldn't see how much pleasure Sebastian's touch gave her. God, it had been months and still, her body betrayed her. Her thighs were slick from his proximity alone.

  “I watched you bounce on your husband while I took that sweet arse of yours.”

  “Oh,” she gasped. How she hadn't expected him to actually say that she didn't know. Maybe it was Holden's presence. Of course, that had never stopped him before.

  Sebastian's chuckle was quiet and subdued.

  “Kiss him.”

  Mariss turned at Holden's command. “But…I haven't even kissed you yet.” The thought of kissing Sebastian first was unacceptible.

  A light came on in Holden's eyes. He shifted his weight, waiting.

  Mariss closed the space between them, trailing her hand across Sebastian's stomach so he wouldn't feel left out. He grasped her fingers so she couldn't get away from him.

  As her lips met Holden's, Sebastian's pressed against her neck. Mariss moaned into Holden's mouth and he opened to her, his tongue meeting hers halfway. He tasted of Bourbon and sea salt.

  “What have you been eating?” she panted. Mariss nibbled his earlobe.

  “Pretzels,” Holden laughed. “Miss me?”

  “Dammit, Holden. Take your clothes off.” Even as she
said it, Mariss tugged the shirt over his ribs, baring his chest and abdomen. His rippling abs on display, Mariss knew she was in trouble and she couldn't fucking wait. Sandwiched between her two men, Mariss felt overdressed.

  Sebastian's wide, long-fingered hands slipped around her hips to unbutton her blouse. He pulled it free of her skirt and quickly released her from her bra.

  “I'm keeping this,” he growled in her ear.

  Mariss' skin prickled where his breath caressed her.

  “I like that bra.” Her voice wavered.

  “Buy another. I'm keeping this one.”

  “It's not your color,” she teased.

  Sebastian turned her roughly so she was facing him and his smooth chest. A trail of dark hair disappeared beneath his waistband. The pajama pants hung so low on his hips that a little gust of wind could blow them away.

  Mariss trailed her finger along the V of muscle.

  “What are the rules?” she asked Holden.

  “No rules,” Sebastian purred just before his mouth took hers.

  Mariss' hand hooked behind his head. Her fingers speared into his soft hair and she pulled him closer. With her other hand, she reached behind her and grabbed hold of Holden through his jeans. He groaned. His large hands came around to grasp her breasts. She pressed them into his hands. Fire seared her from the inside out. One man she loved, the other she lusted after, and they wanted to share her.

  Sebastian's tongue lapped at hers. Holden's teeth grazed her neck, making her shiver.

  “Off.” Sebastian tugged at her pants. Mariss released them both to unfasten herself. She stepped out of her slacks and kicked her shoes across the room, losing several inches. Her lips came away from Sebastian's and he growled.

  Unable to stand the ache between her legs any longer, Mariss turned to Holden and popped the button of his jeans free. She unzipped him and helped him shimmy out of them. When he was naked, Mariss crooked her finger at him and beckoned him to the bed. She climbed up on the extravagant cover and sat on the edge.

  Holden laid her back and pulled her closer to him. When she was certain she'd fall off the edge of the bed, Holden pushed inside her. Mariss gasped and moaned as he sank deep inside her.

  Sebastian climbed up onto the bed and knelt by her head. Mariss grasped his hard length in her hand. His head dropped back, and one hand splayed over her breast.