A Gentleman's Pride: The Tainted Series Read online

  “I’m sorry that I caused all of this Jake. I was stupid. I was beyond stupid. All the same, thanks for coming to my rescue. If you hadn’t…I-I-I probably would’ve shot him.”

  “It’s okay, Rachel. I’m…argh!” I took a deep breath and my left side screamed in pain. I held it. He must’ve gotten in some really good shots while we were on the ground. I was sure that I would be bruised. But it didn’t matter. I was bruised and battered but I still had my wife. I still had Rachel.

  She looked at me as I squinted in pain. “Oh, Jake.” She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around me. I moved slower but I still held her in my arms tightly. By this point Alex had picked himself off the ground and was seated on the floor leaning against the wall. He looked like shit and I loved it.

  Rachel left shortly and then returned with a hotel towel wrapped around a bundle of ice cubes. She slipped the towel under my shirt and pressed it against my ribs. It hurt but I knew it would make me feel better. As I stood, my knees shook. Violence was not my go to. So when the adrenaline dissipated, the shock of what I had done fell on me. But I wouldn’t show any weakness here. Especially not in front of this D-bag. I clenched my teeth and willed my lower half to still.

  I looked at Rachel, “Do you think we should call him an ambulance?”

  She looked at him, her eyes hard. “Fuck him.”

  That’s my girl!

  I wrapped my arm over her shoulder and walked out of the room with her. Neither of us looked at him while he held his swollen and bleeding face in his hands.

  Hanging up the phone, I set my eyes on the road. Sitting in my car, in the parking structure, I called my assistant, Sarah. I told her the outcome of the meeting and she promised to pass that information on to the other executives. I told her I wouldn’t be back for the rest of the day. She assumed it was so I could have a private celebration of my success. I didn’t correct her.

  My knuckles where burning and my hands were shaking. I took extra care in driving home, trading hands often as one would eventually shake too much to properly control the steering wheel. Rachel made it home well before I did. After pulling my car alongside hers, I headed into the house. She met me at the side door with a cool and damp cloth and a wide mixing bowl filled with ice and water.

  We sat on the couch as I plunged my hands in the bowl and Rachel dabbed the cloth on my face. We were silent for a long while. When Rachel finally spoke I had been staring out of the window going over everything over and over in my mind.

  “How’s your side, Jake?”

  Her voice startled me. I had all but forgotten she was there. I looked at her and her eyes were wet with tears as she watched me. I didn’t know what she was thinking. “I-I’m sorry. What did you say?”

  She moved her hand to my stomach and touched it gently. “Your side. How is it?”

  “Oh.” I shifted slightly and tried to take a deep breath. It was slightly painful at the end but it was bearable. “It hurts but I don’t think my ribs are damaged. Probably bruised but not bad.”

  “Thank God!” Her voice was trembling. When I looked back at her, I noticed that it wasn’t just her voice that was trembling. Her entire body was shaking.

  I pulled my hands from the ice water and grabbed her shoulders. I was well aware of the solid wet handprints that my palms placed on her shoulders but I didn’t care. “Are you okay, baby?”

  Finally she looked up at me and I saw the dam burst. Whatever she had been thinking…whatever she had been suffering, it all came pouring out of her in the form of an earsplitting shriek. “I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry!” She fell forward and I caught her with my chest and held her in my arms as she cried nonstop. “It’s all my fault that you got hurt. I love you so much but I did such a stupid thing. I’m so sorry, Jake. I didn’t want this. I never wanted this! I thought I could handle it but when he hit me, I was so scared. I was so scared, Jake!” She continued to cry as she rested her head in my lap. Placing the bucket on the floor. I stroked her head as she cried in my lap. “I was so scared. Then I saw you and I felt safe. But when he hit you I was terrified that he might hurt you. I should’ve told you from the beginning. I-I just keep thinking that if you didn’t show up…I-I…”

  Her voice trailed off as her mind conjured the worst. “I’m sorry you felt you had to act alone. I’m sorry that you were scared and that he hurt you. But you’re safe now. You’re home. I love you, Rachel. I’ll always protect you.”

  “But who’s going to protect you?” Her voice had a sudden vehemence that I couldn’t understand.

  “W-what do you mean, Rachel?”

  She wouldn’t look at me as she shook her head. Her voice was still full of angst and rage, “I mean who is going to protect you from me?”

  “Baby…”

  “I’m a poison, Jake. Everything that I touch I destroy. Look at what I did to this marriage. Look at what I did to you! I’m a horrible person!”

  I stroked her head as her tears continued to pour. “You made a bad choice and it had a horrible consequence but you’re not a horrible person. You’re my wife and I love you. I always have and I always will. I’m not perfect and I fuck up all the time. No matter what, we have each other. I’d fight 1000 Alex’s if that’s what it took to keep you safe.”

  She sighed and I heard her whisper, “I don’t deserve someone like you. I’m a monster.”

  Her voice was so desolate that it froze my heart. I didn’t know what else to say so I just continued to soothe her as best as I could.

  The clouds continued to move across the sky as the day turned to night. We stayed there—her on my lap and me stroking her hair. Eventually, she fell asleep and I carried her to bed. After a quick shower, I climbed in bed next to her and wrapped my arms around her. She sobbed throughout the night but I was there to surround her with love.

  The next morning I awoke to find the side of her bed empty. A quick check of her side informed me that it had been empty for some time—her sheets were cold. “Rachel?” I was bleary-eyed and sporting a none-so-subtle headache. As I slid my feet into my slippers, the events of the previous day came rushing back. I touched my face where he had hit me and it felt fine and other than some sore hands and a sore side, I felt good. “Rachel?” I tried again, this time louder. I didn’t hear anything.

  I walked downstairs and looked into the living room. Rachel wasn’t there. I headed into the kitchen and she wasn’t there, but a quick glance outside the sliding doors and I saw her seated on the patio. I walked towards the patio and slid back the door. She was staring at the sky. She looked like she was looking at some far off place.

  I touched her shoulder, “Rachel?”

  When she turned her head in my direction I took a startled step back. Her face and body resembled my wife but her eyes did not. Those brown orbs looked like they belonged to a shattered and lost person—not Rachel.

  I knelt down next to her, “Honey?”

  She blinked as her eyes locked in on me and came into focus once more. “J-Jake?”

  “Yes. It’s me, honey. What are you doing out here? You’re freezing. Come inside.”

  She shook her head. “I can’t Jake. I don’t belong here.”

  “What are you talking about Rachel? This is your home.”

  “My home?” I saw her eyes waver once more. She repeated, “My home.” But this time it was slower, as if she were testing out words that she was unfamiliar with.

  I didn’t know what was going through her mind but I knew I couldn’t leave her alone right now. I scooped her into my arms and carried her inside the house and up the stairs. She didn’t say anything as I laid her on the bed and headed into bathroom and ran a hot bath. When I came back out she was sobbing.

  “Rachel?” I sat down next to her. “Talk to me, baby. Where’s your head at right now?”

  But she didn’t open up. She just continued to cry. While the tub filled, I headed downstairs and poured two cups of coffee. I added whole milk to hers and a dab of honey—jus
t the way she likes it. When she smelled the combination of dark coffee and honey, her eyes brightened. She grabbed her cup from my hand and placed it under her nose and took a deep inhale. “Mmmm! Thank you, Jake.”

  “Of course, my love.”

  We drank our coffees in silence until I decided to check the tub. It was full so I went back out to get Rachel. The coffee had done its work and she was more alert.

  “I ran you a bath, baby. Why don’t you get in? I’m going to call the office and let them know that I won’t be coming in today.”

  Placing her coffee on her nightstand, she rotated her head from shoulder to shoulder, letting out a satisfied sigh when she was done. “No, don’t. I’m okay now. I was just feeling bad. I know this is a new position for you. You can’t just not show up. I’ll be okay. I’m not going in today so I think I might just hang out here.”

  “Are you sure?” I didn’t want to leave her if she needed me.

  “I’m sure. Besides, we’re going to be seeing Dr. Jeffries tonight. I think after everything that happened, an emergency session is in order. I’ll call her and set it up. It’s probably best that I rest up first.”

  “Hmm. Okay. If you’re sure. Then I’m going to head downstairs and make some breakfast. Hungry?”

  “Starving.”

  “Preference?”

  She stood and started to undress. “No, anything sounds good.”

  “Alright.” I kissed her and then headed downstairs as she climbed in the tub.

  After breakfast and a shower, I got ready and headed into the office. Rachel assured me that she would be fine by herself and I believed her. Still, I did make her promise to text me throughout the day to let me know how she was feeling.

  The atmosphere at work was outstanding. Not only was it Friday and payday, but our lawyers labored with my new acquisition’s lawyers all last night until the deal was finalized. We now had a 5-year contract to represent one of the largest financial firms in the country. This would net us 8 to 9 figures…easy! When I walked in the door it was like I was walking through a tickertape parade. There was fanfare, hands to shake, people to hug and congratulations thrown all around. It was an amazing experience.

  It took me a whole two hours just to make it from the front door to my office. Of course, all that levity took its toll. My hands were badly bruised after my scuffle yesterday and with all the hands to shake and the high-fives, they were more than throbbing. I asked Sarah (my new assistant) to grab me some cold compresses.

  The one face I didn’t see through all of this was Toni, Rachel’s younger sister. When I found out about Rachel’s affair Toni was there to comfort me. She did so by providing her body to me and then as soon as we were finished, she begged me not to leave her sister. It was odd (to say the least) but it happened. Nevertheless, despite the mistake of us falling into bed together, Toni is and always has been a great friend. So I was shocked when I didn’t see her as part of the congratulatory hoard.

  That shock didn’t last long. As soon as my door closed, my face was grabbed and pulled down and to the side. Two pillows planted a deep kiss on my lips as my eyes widened. Pulling back, she smiled. “This is the type of welcome the conquering hero deserves.”

  “Toni!” She released me and I stumbled back into the door. “What are you doing here?”

  She sauntered over towards my desk and sat down on the edge. I watched the tight pencil skirt stretch as it valiantly contained her generous curves. “I just thought it would be easier to see you if I waited. Who would’ve thought I would need to wait so long?”

  “Yeah, it’s pretty crazy out there.” I sat my bag down and flopped into my chair. Toni watched the entire time.

  “They’re just excited. You’ve singlehandedly guaranteed end of year bonuses for everyone here for the next 10 years at least.”

  “It’s just an account.”

  “It’s a huge account.”

  “Fine…huge.”

  She turned so that I could see more of her face. “What’s wrong with you today?”

  “Nothing.” Sarah knocked on the door and came in with the compresses. “Thanks, Sarah.”

  She smiled, prettily. “You’re welcome, sir.” She looked at Toni and her smile faltered, but when she looked back at me, it was brighter than it was before. “Is there anything else you’d like? Anything at all?”

  “No, that’s all Sarah. Thanks.” I saw her shoulders slump a little before she turned to leave.

  Once the door closed, Toni smiled, “She wants to fuck you something fierce!”

  “What?” I looked back at the door. Sure she’s nice and very friendly but that doesn’t mean that she wants me. “You’re crazy.” When I pressed the compresses to my hands, the cold sensation was heavenly.

  “Nothing crazy about it. She wants you…well, she wants your cock.”

  “Toni!”

  She shrugged, “What? I’m just telling you what I see.”

  “What you think you see.”

  “No, what I know.”

  “Whatever.”

  I closed my eyes as my hands continued to throb. I felt her move closer. When I opened my eyes, she was standing over me, looking down at my hands. “What happened to you?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Nothing? That doesn’t look like nothing.” She pushed back my chair and gently held my hands in hers as she inspected them closer. “These look like cuts. What? Have you been fighting?” She started to laugh but when I looked away, her laughter stopped short. “Holy shit! You got into a fight?”

  I nodded. “Yeah, yesterday.”

  “At the meeting?”

  “No. After.”

  “Who’d you fight? Why?”

  “I ran into Rachel’s ex. He was with Rachel.”

  Her eyes got large. “Holy hell. Were they…you know?”

  I shook my head. “No. I mean, I thought they were. That’s why I followed them. But that’s not what happened.”

  “Oh! Hmm.”

  “What?”

  “Nothing. It’s just that I think I’m going to need to have a sit down with big sis.”

  “Yeah, you should. I’m sure she’d give you all the details.”

  “Well, are you okay?”

  “My hands hurt and my side is a little sore. Other than that I feel great actually.”

  “Well I’m glad you’re not seriously injured.”

  “Yeah. But I have to say…after everything that happened it feels great to have had something to hit.”

  She rolled her eyes in dramatic effect. “You’re not going to turn into some thug now are you?”

  “Thug?” I laughed. “Do I look like much of a thug to you?”

  She leaned down and kissed me. “No. You look like a king.” She looked over her shoulder and then walked towards my door and locked it. After which she closed the curtains. Walking towards me, she pulled at the drawstring that was tied in a large bow at the top of her blouse. The loosened material spread until her ample bosom was on display and I could just make out the edges of her violet-colored bra.

  “Toni? What are you doing?”

  She pushed my chair back. “Thanking you.”

  “Thanking me? For what?”

  “Does it matter?”

  “Yeah. Kind of.”

  “Well then, I’m thanking you for yesterday. I don’t know what happened between you and Rachel but I’m sure you were your usual Knight-in-shining-armor self.” She fell to her knees and quickly unbuckled my pants and unzipped my zipper. My cock was in her mouth before I had a chance to consider what was happening.

  “T-Toni, hup! W-w-we can’t.” Holy shit! It was only a week ago that she was a virgin now she was giving me the best head of my life. I was powerless to resist.

  I was fighting not to moan but it was no use. She was incredible.

  She pulled me out of her mouth and smiled. “Don’t fight it, Jacob. We don’t have all the time in the world. People will be coming soon and it’ll be strange i
f the door is locked.” She opened her mouth nice and wide and pointed into her throat. “This is where I want you to explode. Don’t hold back. Fuck my face until you cum.”

  She sucked my cock back into her mouth with enough force to pull me from my chair. I was standing over her as she sat back on her heels. With one hand on the desk and the other on her head, I fucked her for all that I was worth. The only sounds that emanated from the two of us were my steady groans of pleasure and her constant “Gwak! Gwak!”, as I bottomed out in her throat. When I came, I came buckets. She swallowed it all.

  I fell back on my chair with a loud sigh. The guilt crept in immediately. “Toni…” Whatever I was going to say was lost as she leaned forward to clean me up with her mouth. Once she was finished, she stood up and re-laced her shirt.

  “There! That’s better.” She was smiling.

  “W-why’d you do that?”

  “Do what?” She blinked innocently.

  “That!” I didn’t know how to say it.

  “What? You didn’t like it? I thought you did. You had me gagging and just kept steaming ahead.”

  “I-I…your sister.” I wasn’t making any sense.

  Fortunately, Toni still understood. “Like I said before, don’t worry. I’m not going to steal you away from her. But you looked like you could really use that. Besides…I’ve kinda missed it.”

  “Missed it? It was only that one time.”

  She flipped her hair over her shoulder. “I know…I kinda thought you would…no, never mind. I’m just a little frustrated that’s all.”

  “Frustrated? About what?”

  “Well, I’ve been seeing this guy. He’s hot so I thought we would…you know.”

  I did know. “So?”

  “Well…he’s not. I mean it wasn’t very…good.”

  “Oh!”

  “Y-yeah.”

  “You know there’s other guys out there. If this one doesn’t pan out then you could get another. You could probably get any guy that you want.”

  She looked at me, her eyes piercing. “Not any guy.”

  I didn’t need a sign to go with that statement. I read her correctly. I didn’t know what to say so I didn’t say anything.