Love Redeemed (Book #4)

We continue our meal with more lighthearted conversations over the romantic crooning. The music is great. My buzz sets in as Rayna chats animatedly about everything and nothing at all. This is exactly the place I was aiming for when I coordinated this evening—well, almost.

I’m over the forty-year-old hill now, still in shape, still work hard in all my businesses, including Global Fusion. My contract with Mauve has been renewed twice and that venture has been extremely profitable.

Big D is still in prison. He was sentenced to eighteen years. I heard from him a few times, just after his arrest, but he eventually got the memo that I’m no longer a part of his life. Tara’s doing well from what I hear. She’s dating a music producer. The first year after her father’s incarceration and her daughter’s father’s death was hard on her. She would text me from time to time, venting. Rayna would see the texts, but never flexed.

Once Rayna texted back, letting Tara know it was her who was messaging her and invited Tara to reach out if she needed a listening ear. Crazy, right? I thought so myself. But it came as no surprise to me. Rayna has come such a long way since entering my boardroom. She’s far more secure in my world and with herself. Tara took her up on her offer. They did two playdates with the kids before mutually deciding it was best that they left the children out of their association. Apparently, Tara couldn’t get past seeing my children by another woman. Rayna didn’t trip, she’s never had desires to be friends with Tara, just an associate if she needed a shoulder to cry on—a shoulder that isn’t mine.

Not much in my life has changed over the past five years, especially my incredibly magnetic draw to this woman. Rayna has been much more than I propositioned her for in a wife. She’s strong, loving, consistent, nurturing, and sexy as hell. And I can’t forget stubborn as hell. Though only part-time, Rayna still works. She took off a year after having the twins. When she decided to return, she quickly realized full-time employment was a hefty load for a woman with twin children and a demanding husband who travels heavily. She eventually recommended Amber to assume the role of assistant supervisor in the LBC branch of their practice. Crazy, too, right? Yup! But that’s my new and improved Rayna. Her bosses bought it so long as she stayed on as the supervisor to offset Amber’s lack of experience, as if Rayna had so much when she started as supervisor. Rayna does more administrative work than attending. She’s worked out a three-day work schedule with a two administration days and one attending day. She’s content with that and…I’ve learned to live with it.

As our table is cleared from our dessert course, we talk and I observe my wife’s glowing caramel skin. When she dips her head back in laughter, my groin tingles.

“You remember the first orgasm I gave you?” I ask abruptly.

Rayna quickly draws in a breath. I’m happy out my ass that I still have that affect on my wife. It does a lot for my ego that seems to incline to her more the older I get.

“The one you gave while you touched me or when I was alone?”

“You masturbate without me?”

Rayna giggles bashfully, still shying at conversations of sexual nature. “No…well, once when we were in Mexico the first time.”

Shit. My cock twitches beneath the table.

“For real?” I’m intrigued.

She nods as she tries to suppress the mirth in her embarrassment.

“Ain’t that some shit,” I muse.

Things get quiet as Raheem belts out notes about the “Four Letter Word”…l-o-v-e. I take in the romantic atmosphere during the bridge that he repeats. Rayna leans back and sighs contently. Her gaze eventually rotates the alcove of the booth to meet mine across the table that’s almost bare, but for our drinks. We find ourselves caught up in each other’s gaze. Rayna’s mood isn’t so ruminative anymore. She’s now someplace else.

“Show me.”

“H-huhn?” she sputters.

I incline in my seat, take a swig of brandy, and instruct. “Show me how you touched yourself in Puerto Vallarta. And if you’re good, I’ll show you what I really wanted to do to you here, the night of the re-opening.”

Rayna’s eyes bounce between mine, trying to process my suggestion. Then she observes the table and large partition that surrounds our well-nestled booth.

Her eyes go dark and I see her chest rise. “You planned this,” she deduces rather than questions, in a husky tone.

Again, I don’t answer verbally. I stare into her beautiful face, challenging her obedience. There’s a tentative pause, but soon after, Rayna’s head tilts to observe her dress and then she slowly boards the table, positioning herself before me. She lies down with her legs slightly parted and her toes inches away from my abdomen.

“Open and show me,” I hear the groan in my order.

Slowly and nervously, Rayna parts her legs and I see her treasure, neatly manicured and partially hidden behind thongs. I reach up and rip them in two to remove the obstruction of my view. Rayna’s breathing increases. I glance up to her face and see her bottom lip between her teeth.

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