Page 4 of Against The Tide

There’s no point in arguing that Rafe and I are nothing more than friends. He’s got a girlfriend, and he’s not the kind to betray someone’s trust or hurt them.

“You’re my wife. You walk the line I draw. I won’t be made a fool of.”

“I’m not thinking straight. I’m sorry,” I apologize the second he pulls me into the utility room between the kitchen and bathroom.

He doesn’t give me a chance to get my bearings before he’s in my face, crowding me into one of the corners of the room. Grabbing my jaw, he holds me against the wall.

“You don’t talk to him or his mother again. You don’t talk to any of that family, you got me?”

I nod, trying to get a hold on his wrists to hopefully loosen his grasp.

“Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

“You don’t leave my side again. If your daughter needs the bathroom, you take her. You’re her mother. Understood?”

“Yes.” My eyes flit to the movement in the semi-open doorway, and Carl knows we’re being watched, because his grasp loosens slightly as he cups my jaw and presses his lips to mine.

The bitterly spiced fruit tang of his favorite cognac invades my mouth, the smell making my stomach turn with a dull ache as he licks his tongue over mine. I never enjoyed the feel of tongue kisses, and now, I hate it even more.

“Where’s my mommy, Rafe?” Iris’s voice sounds right outside the room, and I’m glad that it’s enough to get Carl to pull away.

He’s wiping my lips with his thumb when Iris walks in, opening the door wide enough that both Rafe and Nora are visible. I know they’re not stupid, but I’m hoping that they won’t make a thing of this. It’s not as bad as it looks and…

“Let’s go.” Carl takes my hand the second Iris is holding on to me and walks us back to the flurry of guests.

I’m not sure how long I spend glued to Carl’s side, smiling and thanking people for coming. The hours seem never-ending as I get ushered around the house, trying to drown out the memories that ghost around me so that I don’t fall apart.

By the time everyone leaves, I’m numb. Everything is a blur as I carry Iris to the sitting room and lay her on the couch.

Carl is on the phone somewhere inside the house while I walk Nora and Rafe to the front door. They’re the last to leave.

“I worry about you.” Nora hugs me to her.

“Mom…”

“I know, I know.” Pulling back, she smiles at me. “You know where I am.”

“Don’t be a stranger,” Rafe adds, dropping his hand before he touches me.

Carl’s irate voice comes from the end of the house as he walks in from the terrace. He’s headed straight toward us.

“If you need anything…”

“I know.”

It’s obvious he’s about to say something else, but he stops himself when Carl comes to stand beside me. The closeness prickles my skin all the way down to my toes as they curl in my pumps and my chest constricts uncomfortably.

“See you soon, darling.”

“Bye.” I wave at them as they start for the town car waiting at the edge of the steps to the house.

Today has been exhausting and painful, and yet, I know it’s nowhere close to done when Carl takes me back inside.

CHAPTER 2

RHETT