Page 44 of Cayden

“We brought you tons of gifts.” Tianna qualified. “We know your husband’s family is one of the wine kings in the US, but we aim to do our part. But first…” She glanced over at Leesa and Kelly who were arranging the things on several tables and running out of space. “We have more surprises. Kelly?”

“Ah yes.” She came forward, with her usual long-limbed grace and sank down on a cushion on the floor. “We know how unattractive you must be feeling, what with that huge belly in front of you, but I must say, goodness! Your skin is amazing and your hair!

Darling, you must get pregnant more often…” She grinned at the look thrown her way by the others. “And I am being insensitive, but pregnancy does agree with you.”

“I retain water like a damn tap, and I have stopped wearing underwear, because what is the point? My tits are huge, and my nipples hurt all the time, and I think that my vagina is twice its normal size.” She felt the pressure on her chest easing as the women burst out laughing.

“I’m sure Cayden has no complaints in that area.” Leesa chimed in, her smile disappearing at the look on Blair’s face. “Darling, what’s the matter?”

She shook her head and struggled to ease up on the pillows at her back. She had been trying to paint some bright and light objects for the babies’ rooms but had to abandon the project, because she was feeling tired and dejected.

“I should not be discussing…”

“We’re all friends here and I think it’s safe to say that we have all been through things in our marriage.” Leesa looked at the others for qualification and got agreeing nods. “And we’re all here for you.”

“We are,” Kelly agreed.

“We haven’t had sex in three weeks.” She blurted out. “And I cannot blame him. I mean, look at me? I am like three whales rolled in one and I pee every five minutes, so I am sure I smell of urine all the damn time. And he is busy…”

“If you continue to be down on yourself, I am going to hit you over the head with one of those paintings,” Kelly threatened. “You are beautiful, and I am not bullshitting you. You know I do not have time for that. It so happens that we have just the thing in mind, something that is going to boost your spirit dramatically.

A massage and a makeover. We called Barry and he has agreed to delay his trip to France for another day and come over to give us the full works. When he is finished with you, your gorgeous husband is going to be worshiping at your feet.”

Tears came again and this time she let them flow. “Oh, let me cry!” She exclaimed, running her hands over her cheeks. “These are tears of gratitude and joy. What time is he arriving?”

Kelly picked up her phone. “Perfect timing. He is on his way. Now, time to open gifts.”

*****

“I am so grateful you agreed to have lunch with me.” Claudine purred, her tawny eyes hungrily wandering over his face. “I was not sure you would. I take it the rumors are true? Your wife’s expecting four babies?”

“It is,” he responded easily, giving his nod of approval as the waiter poured the wine into the glasses. The restaurant was Italian and was tucked into a private road that led to a pond and a small bridge.

The place was perfect and was part and parcel of his company. It was somewhere they could bring out of town associates they wanted to woo into investing. “You said it was important.”

“Yes.” Using the tip of her fingernail, painted in fire engine red, she dipped it into the rich burgundy and brought it to her lips. Keeping her eyes on his, she slid her tongue over the moisture, the movement deliberately seductive and designed to stir his blood. It did nothing for him, except had him feeling amused.

“I am still waiting for you to tell me what it is.” He pointed out.

She pouted, feeling the acute disappointment that she had not succeeded in her ploy to get him worked up. “Darling, how are you coping? Your wife is carrying four babies, and I have to say, I simply cannot comprehend such a thing.

Why would any woman want to do that to her own body?” She gave a delicate shudder and took a sip of wine as if to wash away the very taste of it.

“My wife is an amazing woman and discussing her with you is off the table.” His voice was inflexible, his green eyes flat. “Now tell me why I had to see you. You did say it is a matter of urgency.”

She pouted again. “I am going back to Italy.”

“Alright.” He gave her a puzzled look. “And that’s it?”

She took a delicate sip of the wine again and eyed him over the rim of the glass. “I was hoping to bum a ride off you.”

“The jet is used for business reasons and occasional pleasure. I hope that you are not implying that I should have it at your disposal. It is for family and you are not family.”

She winced slightly at that. “We had fun, did we not?”

Cayden tamped down the impatience. He knew what this was – a poorly disguised effort to get him back into her bed. He hadnot been with his wife for almost a month, but he was not even tempted. He would never cheat on Blair.

Aside from the fact that she was very pregnant with his four babies, she was also the woman he was completely in love with. He would never settle for anyone other than her.

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