Nobody can fake the kind of love we share. Rival has to be this way with Bradley in order to worm her way into Bradley’s good books so that he will not contest her upcoming court petition for shared custody.
Bradley’s just drunk. He means no harm.
Bradley’s my friend, so I’ve got to get a grip on things or I risk losing Rival.
I now have two secrets to keep. I have to keep Bradley’s ring a secret from Rival and I have to keep my relationship with Rival a secret from Bradley. Talk about conflict of interest.
RITCHIE
When I get home, Rival is alone. My girls are with Liefie and Girly is gone to her sister’s. I say nothing to Rival about my conversation with Bradley. He’s asked me not to mention the ring, so I won’t. I’m dying to tell Rival, bring it out in the open, but I keep my word and say nothing.
Oblivious to my inner turmoil, Rival hands me a whisky and natters on as we have dinner. “So, at that price, I paid for the porcelain tiles right away. Bought an extra batch as well in case we need replacements.”
“That’s good.”
“Oh, and I chose the blinds too. Got twenty percent off. Cool, huh?”
“Uh-huh.”
After dinner, I study her as she darts around the kitchen. She’s wearing a pair of white shorts and a navy and white top. Her arse does look really good. Round and firm. And her tits bounce as she walks. It is sexy. Is that what Bradley is noticing each time he sees her?
“The only problem is the solar pan –” Her eyes narrow at me. “Ritchie? What’s wrong?”
Your ex-husband says you have a great arse and nice tits. Oh, and he bought you a diamond ring. That’s what’s wrong , I long to say. It makes me wonder why? Why does he think he has a chance with you? Are you giving him some kind of vibe that leads him to think you want him again? I mean, I know you wanted him back in the beginning, but things are different now. And your tits are bouncing around. Shouldn’t you wear a less revealing top so that your cleavage does not scream out? Maybe get one of those bras that hide your tits?
Instead, I hear myself saying, “Just tired.” I get up, kick back my chair, walk up to her and wrap my arms around her. “Let’s go to bed.”
Her eyes fly to the clock on the wall. “It’s seven thirty, hon.”
I shrug.
“I wanted to hit the treadmill for thirty minutes.”
“Tomorrow,” I say burying my face into her neck. “I just wanna hold you.”
“I’m putting on weight, Ritchie,” she complains. “I’m getting fat with happiness and it’s all your –”
“I’m not complaining,” I say as I continue my nuzzling and grab a handful of her arse. “I’m all about the base, no treble.”
She pulls her face away and smiles at me. “You think just because you want me, I will stop everything I’m doing and go to bed with you?”
I nod.
“You’re damn right!” she says with a chuckle.
I scoop her up and walk up the stairs.
“I love you,” she says.
“I love you,” I ditto.
Hearing her laugh, having her arms wrapped around me, feeling her body under me, makes me forget all my insecurities and fears.
Chapter Six
RIVAL
Bradley’s gone to Melbourne for a few days on business. Alone, for some reason. But, the upside is, he’s agreed to the girls spending nights at Arena’s with me. Excited, I skip up to the house I once called home, where I ring the doorbell and wait.
Scarlett, dressed in a sheer silk robe that threatens to show her crotch, throws open the door. “Well, well, well,” she says, her eyebrows disappearing behind her blunt fringe. “If it isn’t the book thief, if –”
“Where are my girls?”
“– it isn’t the other woman, the –”
“Where the hell are my girls?” I hiss.
“– whore of the North Shore, looking pretty…” her eyes sweep over me, “– pretty stupid in pink. Been shopping at the Salvation Army again, have you?” She points to my pink candy-stripe top Holly and
Bradley’s just drunk. He means no harm.
Bradley’s my friend, so I’ve got to get a grip on things or I risk losing Rival.
I now have two secrets to keep. I have to keep Bradley’s ring a secret from Rival and I have to keep my relationship with Rival a secret from Bradley. Talk about conflict of interest.
RITCHIE
When I get home, Rival is alone. My girls are with Liefie and Girly is gone to her sister’s. I say nothing to Rival about my conversation with Bradley. He’s asked me not to mention the ring, so I won’t. I’m dying to tell Rival, bring it out in the open, but I keep my word and say nothing.
Oblivious to my inner turmoil, Rival hands me a whisky and natters on as we have dinner. “So, at that price, I paid for the porcelain tiles right away. Bought an extra batch as well in case we need replacements.”
“That’s good.”
“Oh, and I chose the blinds too. Got twenty percent off. Cool, huh?”
“Uh-huh.”
After dinner, I study her as she darts around the kitchen. She’s wearing a pair of white shorts and a navy and white top. Her arse does look really good. Round and firm. And her tits bounce as she walks. It is sexy. Is that what Bradley is noticing each time he sees her?
“The only problem is the solar pan –” Her eyes narrow at me. “Ritchie? What’s wrong?”
Your ex-husband says you have a great arse and nice tits. Oh, and he bought you a diamond ring. That’s what’s wrong , I long to say. It makes me wonder why? Why does he think he has a chance with you? Are you giving him some kind of vibe that leads him to think you want him again? I mean, I know you wanted him back in the beginning, but things are different now. And your tits are bouncing around. Shouldn’t you wear a less revealing top so that your cleavage does not scream out? Maybe get one of those bras that hide your tits?
Instead, I hear myself saying, “Just tired.” I get up, kick back my chair, walk up to her and wrap my arms around her. “Let’s go to bed.”
Her eyes fly to the clock on the wall. “It’s seven thirty, hon.”
I shrug.
“I wanted to hit the treadmill for thirty minutes.”
“Tomorrow,” I say burying my face into her neck. “I just wanna hold you.”
“I’m putting on weight, Ritchie,” she complains. “I’m getting fat with happiness and it’s all your –”
“I’m not complaining,” I say as I continue my nuzzling and grab a handful of her arse. “I’m all about the base, no treble.”
She pulls her face away and smiles at me. “You think just because you want me, I will stop everything I’m doing and go to bed with you?”
I nod.
“You’re damn right!” she says with a chuckle.
I scoop her up and walk up the stairs.
“I love you,” she says.
“I love you,” I ditto.
Hearing her laugh, having her arms wrapped around me, feeling her body under me, makes me forget all my insecurities and fears.
Chapter Six
RIVAL
Bradley’s gone to Melbourne for a few days on business. Alone, for some reason. But, the upside is, he’s agreed to the girls spending nights at Arena’s with me. Excited, I skip up to the house I once called home, where I ring the doorbell and wait.
Scarlett, dressed in a sheer silk robe that threatens to show her crotch, throws open the door. “Well, well, well,” she says, her eyebrows disappearing behind her blunt fringe. “If it isn’t the book thief, if –”
“Where are my girls?”
“– it isn’t the other woman, the –”
“Where the hell are my girls?” I hiss.
“– whore of the North Shore, looking pretty…” her eyes sweep over me, “– pretty stupid in pink. Been shopping at the Salvation Army again, have you?” She points to my pink candy-stripe top Holly and
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