Rejection Runs Deep (The Canleigh Series, book 1: A chilling psychological family drama) by Carole Williams (uplifting novels TXT) 📕

“I better go,” he said reluctantly, having enjoyed the elder sister far more than the younger.  “Vicky ….”

“Don’t panic,” said Delia languidly.  “We haven’t heard her car so she can’t be back yet.”  She flicked her hand over his chest, playing gently with his nipples.

“I can always come back tonight,” Barrie said, removing himself slowly from the bed.  “I’ll have a shower and then I’ll go.”

Delia leapt out of bed.  “Great.  I need one too.  Let’s do it together,” she giggled, grasping his hand and pulling him into the bathroom.  He’d certainly had his uses this afternoon, helping her forget her anguish over Philip and the worry over Richard’s possible marriage, and she was more than reluctant to let him go.

Sex was even better in the shower, the water gushing down on their hot, sweaty bodies as they grasped each other, kissing, fondling and rousing themselves to even more dizzy heights of sexual gratification but Barrie was now conscious of the time and although he would have loved to dally far longer, he knew he had to get out of Delia’s room pretty smartly.  The last thing he wanted was for Vicky to find out what had occurred this afternoon.  She was his ticket to a cushy life and he didn’t want to blow it … and he could pretty well count on Delia not to let on what had occurred … indeed, he could keep her as a nice little extra every now and again.

They towelled themselves dry and Delia flopped back into bed while Barrie dressed.

“What’s the best time to come back tonight,” he asked, standing over her, doing up the buttons on his shirt.  “I don’t want to bump into any of your family as I creep back here.”

Delia grinned.  “About one o’clock I should think.  Apart from Vicky, the rest of us like to get up early and go to bed at a reasonable time.  You’ll just have to wear her out this afternoon, go for a long walk or something so she’s tired tonight and wants an early night and then we’ll have hours and hours before anyone wakes up.”

“Oh, I’ll tire her out … don’t you worry about that and then I’ll tell her I have a headache and need to sleep in my room,” he laughed quietly.  “After I have sent her into a dreamless sleep.”

He was incorrigible and quite shockingly unconcerned that Delia knew exactly what and who he was.  Delia’s envy of Vicky faded fast.  He obviously didn’t care very much about her, probably about any woman and she was relieved she only wanted him for sex.  To rely on this man for anything else would be a huge mistake.

Barrie still had a smile on his face as he opened the bedroom door.  It disappeared rapidly as Vicky, walking along the corridor loaded down with shopping, came to an abrupt halt at the sight of her boyfriend emerging from her sister’s bedroom.

“What the hell are you doing in there?” she screamed in horror, remembering with a flash how Barrie and Delia had flirted so openly the previous evening.

“Delia was just …,” he stuttered, overtaken with surprise, unable to understand why neither he nor Delia had heard Vicky’s car, unless she had arrived when they were in the shower.  He threw a desperate look at Delia, who had fallen back onto the bed and shut her eyes, willing this not to have happened.  What rotten luck.  Having had her immediate wants and needs satisfied beyond expectation, the vindictiveness felt earlier had entirely vanished and she dreaded the scene that was about to ensue.

Vicky, clutching her parcels and handbag, pushed Barrie aside and barged into the room, knowing in an instant exactly what had taken place.  The bed was in total disarray, Delia was obviously naked under the sheet and both she and Barrie wore flushed, guilty expressions.

“You bitch!” whispered Vicky, looking at Delia with pure horror.  “I don’t believe you could be so evil … and to think I felt sorry for you.”  She turned to Barrie, eyes filled with tears, her pretty lips covered in pale pink lipstick trembling uncontrollably.  “And as for you … we’re finished,” she said quietly.  “I don’t ever want to see you again.”

“Vicky ….”

“No.  Leave me alone,” she cried, pushing his outstretched arm away and rushing out of the room, dropping a couple of boxes, one of which landed at his foot with a thud.  Barrie picked it up and cursing under his breath, dashed after her, slamming Delia’s door behind him.

“Oh dear, oh dear,” murmured Delia, as she rose from the bed to sit at the dressing table.  One look in the mirror said it all.  Her hair was an untidy, damp tangle, her eye makeup was smudged and her mouth swollen but she felt absolutely wonderful … a trifle guilty perhaps but wonderful.

Vicky would get over it.  Barrie was such a charmer he’d soon talk her round.  And if he didn’t … tough.  Life was like that.  It had certainly been so for her but now she felt rejuvenated, her batteries recharged and ready for action.  The gnawing pain of losing Philip was still uppermost but Delia knew she would have to get used to being without him for a while … until he tired of that awful Sue woman.  Then he would come trotting back.  She just knew he would.  And then he would never leave her again.  She would make sure of that.  But until then a little brightness had darted into her dark, dismal world thanks to darling Barrie.  To be free and single might not be as dreadful as first thought.  So perhaps this was the way to go for a while, experimenting with men and sex so when she and Philip did get back together, she would be far more