Page 30 of Contract Of Shame

Chapter Nine

The following morning, Richard woke with Scarlet in his arms. He lay and stared at her for the longest time.

After some time she opened her eyes and smiled. “Morning,” she whispered.

“Good morning. Lily is expecting us downstairs for breakfast,” he said to her.

She moaned and stretched out. “I’m sorry for unloading on you last night.”

Richard held her hand.

“Don’t be sorry. I love the fact you can trust me.”

He kissed her lips and cupped her face. In no time the kiss deepened, and his cock hardened. “I’ve got to stop. Otherwise we’ll be here all morning, and Lily wants to talk before they leave.”

“Well, you go down and make excuses for me. I’ll join you soon. I need to get ready and feel alive.” Scarlet kissed him of her own accord, and he waited until the bathroom shut to leave the bed.

Richard left her to get dressed and do her business, and he made his way down to the foyer. Tony and Wayne were waiting. Wayne looked guilty.

“What did you do?” Richard asked.

“What? Nothing?”

“I’ve known you for years. You’ve got that face that tells me you told. You didn’t?” Richard cursed. He couldn’t believe how easily he could read the guilt on his friend’s face.

“Lily heard the conversation last night. She wanted to find the guy and show him a thing or two. I told her we’ll take care of it.”

“You better have told her not to mention anything to Scarlet.” Richard knew she’d be mortified and feel like he had betrayed her trust if she found out he’d told his friends.

“She won’t. You know Lily.”

“Why are you two standing here?” Richard asked.

“Your guy was waiting at the bottom of the stairs when us we made it downstairs. We acknowledged him. I don’t think he’s going to let up,” Wayne said.

“I didn’t like him on first sight,” Tony told him. “He went into the bathroom. We wanted to make sure you had time to get your word across.”

David came out of the bathroom a little farther down.

“We also paid the toilet attendant. He knows we’re coming,” Tony said. Ready to do some damage, Richard charged to where David was staring at the stairs. Richard knew David was waiting for Scarlet.

The man would hurt his woman, had hurt her in the past. He wouldn’t allow it.

“Hey, David. I’ve got a bone to pick with you.” David stopped and looked at them. Richard knew they were large men.

Good.He wanted the bastard afraid.

“What do you want?” David asked.

“I take it from you staring towards the stairs you’re looking for Scarlet?” A split second was all it took. Richard saw the realisation dawn on his face, and Tony and Wayne trapped him in.

“I don’t know what that little slut has been telling you, but she asked for everything she got.” David growled in Richard’s face.

“Big mistake,” Tony said.

Careful to make sure no one was watching, Richard charged at the man and pushed him through the toilets to the bathroom David had just vacated. Wayne and Tony followed inside to keep watch on the door.

“You dare to call Scarlet such vile, filthy names?” He rolled up his sleeves, ready as though he were in an old-fashioned bar fight. Holding her in his arms last night without making love had awakened him unlike any kick in the arse could.