Love, Honor, and Betray by Roby, Lawson (ebook reader ink txt) 📕

had been together in that way. It had been Saturday night, to be exact, and now hereit was the wee hours on Thursday morning, which meant he was actually working on day five of going without. But then he realizedsomething: Charlotte loved and needed sex as much as he did, and it had never mattered if they were angry with each otherand not speaking—and sometimes they would still not be speaking even after the fact. No matter how serious their issues were,they still shared a frequent and deep level of intimacy. They rarely missed a day and never more than two days, so he knewshe had to want him just as badly.

He got up from the bed and went down the hall to his own bedroom, walked in, and eased into bed with her. He never said aword, but instead, he moved closer to her in a spoon position and wrapped his arm around her. He could tell she was fast asleep,so he kissed her neck in multiple spots from behind. Soon, Charlotte moved her body slightly, but when she realized what washappening, she reached her hand behind her and pushed him away. Then, she turned on her nightstand light and sat up.

“What in the world?”

“Look, baby. I know things are bad, but I still need you. And I know you need me, the same as always.”

Charlotte frowned with fury. “You must be crazy if you think I’m having sex with you.”

“And why not?”

“You know why.”

“Because we’re having problems? Because you’re mad at me?”

“What other reason would it be?”

“You tell me. Because being mad has never stopped you before.”

“Well, this is a new day, and you might as well get used to it.”

Curtis got out of the bed. “So it’s like that?”

“It is. And it’s going to stay that way until you do right by me.”

Curtis walked over to the door but then looked back at her. “Fine. But when it’s all said and done, I want you to remembersomething. I really tried. I did everything I could.”

“And what is that supposed to mean exactly?”

“Just what I said,” he told her and left her sitting there.

Chapter 20

Michael was a drug. The kind Charlotte simply couldn’t get enough of. It was Super Bowl Sunday, four days since she’d givenCurtis that ultimatum about his daughter, and Charlotte was having the time of her life. She and Michael were locked awayin a fabulous five-star hotel suite at a well-known resort down in West Palm Beach, Florida, one that offered mouthwateringmeals and the best spa services.

As it had turned out, a few months ago Michael had booked a Super Bowl trip with a few of his friends, but a couple of daysago he had come up with the perfect idea: Charlotte would fly to another city in Florida so that he could skip out on theSuper Bowl in Miami and come spend all his time with her instead. Needless to say, Charlotte hadn’t hesitated and had quicklytold Curtis that she needed a vacation. She needed to get as far away from Illinois as possible. Curtis hadn’t commented orobjected, which was strange, so on Friday morning, she’d caught the first flight available out of O’Hare.

She was thrilled about it, too, because right now she was lying next to Michael, reminiscing about the five times they’d madelove over the last two days. Michael made her feel as if she was the most important woman in the world, and she needed that.She needed what Curtis was no longer giving her: his undivided affection and attention. She needed the kind of love and attentionthat little heifer Curtina had stolen from her.

“Gosh, baby, you have no idea how much I wish we could just stay here from now on,” Michael said as he walked away from thebalcony doors with a bath towel secured around his waist.

“I know. I’ve had an amazing time here with you, and I hate for it to end.”

“If I didn’t have to be back in my office on Tuesday to meet with some very important clients of mine,” he said, sitting downon the bed next to where Charlotte was leaning against two pillows, “I would ask you to stay here until next weekend.”

“That would have been wonderful.”

Michael locked eyes with her. “You might not believe this, but I haven’t been this happy with a woman in a very long time.I’ve dated other women, which I’ve already told you about, but I never felt anything like I’m feeling with you. You and me,we’re so right together. So in sync and we understand each other.”

“I know, and it’s weird, isn’t it?”

“Very. Especially since we hadn’t spoken in so long, but now I don’t want to be without you. What I want is to see you allthe time,” he said, leaning forward and kissing her.

Charlotte’s body shivered. It did this every time Michael touched her—or when he did anything to her, for that matter. He was driving her wild and completely out of her mind. Shecould barely think straight, and at this very moment, she felt like calling Curtis and telling him that she wanted a divorcejust as soon as he could give her one. But then her phone rang, interrupting her daydream. This was part of the reason she’dwanted to turn her phone off and keep it off the entire time she was gone. But she’d known Matthew would want to call her,and she didn’t want to disappoint him. Ironically, it was him now.

“Hey, Mom. Are you having a good time down there in sunny Florida?”

“I am, honey. I really needed this,” she said. Michael kissed her on the cheek and went back over near the balcony. “But howare you?”

“I’m great. Can’t wait to get over to Elder Jamison’s in a couple of hours, though. Remember, I told you he’s having a bigSuper Bowl party for some of the men at the church and their sons.”

“I know you’ll have a wonderful time.”

“That’s for sure,” he said. “And hey, do you wanna speak to Dad?”

“No, not right