Read Online Neil, Louisa - One Queen with Two Kings (Siren Publishing Ménage and More) by Louisa Neil - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Louisa Neil
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chance for their future to begin.
He noted the small lines forming beside her eyes and chose not to mention them to her. This morning he’d realized what was different. She’d matured. Gone was the twenty-something girl he had married. Beside him now was his wife, a woman who’d overcome the stress of his plane crash and his assumed death. But at what cost? The little he’d heard from Alex and his parents on his short stop home was enough to make him clench his fists. He took deep, controlled breaths to release his anger. Taken from her and from him was her innocence.
While Dex knew nobody could call Thea Wainwright innocent in most ways, only he’d been allowed access to her most private thoughts and emotions. Only Dex knew how the death of her mother had truly affected her. And now he knew the wistful air she used to carry had become burdened with the reality of his absence. She’d gone and grown up on him. He could only hope he’d matured enough to still be the man she wanted. The idea wasn’t new to him. He and Russ had discussed it many times, ad nauseam, during their exile. It was a reality he was willing to deal with, only now that it was here it was slightly frightening.
Dex understood that his Thea, this older version of her, would never look at life with such intense lightness. He knew she’d see the world around her in its stark realism. He’d tried to protect her from that and managed well, he thought. Only now he knew she’d seen it without him, and alone she’d survived. The small lines near her lips had been earned with every tear she’d shed.
Then she’d stirred beside him, her hand automatically reaching to him. When she felt him grasp her, she smiled in her sleep and drifted away again. Dex knew the next few weeks were going to be hard on both of them. His thoughts strayed to Russ and all they’d been through together, keeping each other alive and sane. He wondered how he’d balance Thea and Russ without jealousy. Could he ever tell her the truth about the rest of their time on the island together? Would she be revolted, or would she understand the loneliness and feeling of doom? Would she understand that after months of waiting he and Russ realized they might never be found and turned to each other for solace in a way he’d never have predicted? For now, he and Russ had a pact—no outsiders needed to know about their private time.
He’d been enamored with Thea and her body and how she loved him. So why was he wondering how Russ was adjusting? They’d often said once they got back to civilization their sexual activities would cease. He’d have Thea, and Russ would find his perfect woman. He hoped Russ did. Somehow he felt uncomfortable enjoying his wife when Russ was alone.
Dex knew he couldn’t bring him to the lake when Thea had mentioned it on the phone. They needed some time to decompress and reconnect on all levels. Yet when he thought about an extended vacation, his mind had Russ traveling with them. Would Thea accept Russ as a traveling companion of sorts? One who might have sexual benefits to her, too? It was as if he was being asked to choose between his wife and lover. Being rescued was his ultimate dream, but he knew it would come at a high cost, most likely Russell’s friendship.
He wanted to go some place cold with snow, anything but sunshine every day and nothing to gaze at but the blue ocean. He figured it would be a cathartic way for the three of them to trade stories and hopefully put their ordeal into perspective. With that, they could all go forward with their lives productively. The only question left was what to do about Lloyd, and that would have to wait until he could talk to the lawyers.
Chapter Five
“Are you back on the island?” Thea asked.
They’d stopped to watch the lake from the flat bo u lder that formed a retaining wall supporting the hill behind the house. It was kissed with the heat from the sun and welcomed them to rest a while.
Shaking
He noted the small lines forming beside her eyes and chose not to mention them to her. This morning he’d realized what was different. She’d matured. Gone was the twenty-something girl he had married. Beside him now was his wife, a woman who’d overcome the stress of his plane crash and his assumed death. But at what cost? The little he’d heard from Alex and his parents on his short stop home was enough to make him clench his fists. He took deep, controlled breaths to release his anger. Taken from her and from him was her innocence.
While Dex knew nobody could call Thea Wainwright innocent in most ways, only he’d been allowed access to her most private thoughts and emotions. Only Dex knew how the death of her mother had truly affected her. And now he knew the wistful air she used to carry had become burdened with the reality of his absence. She’d gone and grown up on him. He could only hope he’d matured enough to still be the man she wanted. The idea wasn’t new to him. He and Russ had discussed it many times, ad nauseam, during their exile. It was a reality he was willing to deal with, only now that it was here it was slightly frightening.
Dex understood that his Thea, this older version of her, would never look at life with such intense lightness. He knew she’d see the world around her in its stark realism. He’d tried to protect her from that and managed well, he thought. Only now he knew she’d seen it without him, and alone she’d survived. The small lines near her lips had been earned with every tear she’d shed.
Then she’d stirred beside him, her hand automatically reaching to him. When she felt him grasp her, she smiled in her sleep and drifted away again. Dex knew the next few weeks were going to be hard on both of them. His thoughts strayed to Russ and all they’d been through together, keeping each other alive and sane. He wondered how he’d balance Thea and Russ without jealousy. Could he ever tell her the truth about the rest of their time on the island together? Would she be revolted, or would she understand the loneliness and feeling of doom? Would she understand that after months of waiting he and Russ realized they might never be found and turned to each other for solace in a way he’d never have predicted? For now, he and Russ had a pact—no outsiders needed to know about their private time.
He’d been enamored with Thea and her body and how she loved him. So why was he wondering how Russ was adjusting? They’d often said once they got back to civilization their sexual activities would cease. He’d have Thea, and Russ would find his perfect woman. He hoped Russ did. Somehow he felt uncomfortable enjoying his wife when Russ was alone.
Dex knew he couldn’t bring him to the lake when Thea had mentioned it on the phone. They needed some time to decompress and reconnect on all levels. Yet when he thought about an extended vacation, his mind had Russ traveling with them. Would Thea accept Russ as a traveling companion of sorts? One who might have sexual benefits to her, too? It was as if he was being asked to choose between his wife and lover. Being rescued was his ultimate dream, but he knew it would come at a high cost, most likely Russell’s friendship.
He wanted to go some place cold with snow, anything but sunshine every day and nothing to gaze at but the blue ocean. He figured it would be a cathartic way for the three of them to trade stories and hopefully put their ordeal into perspective. With that, they could all go forward with their lives productively. The only question left was what to do about Lloyd, and that would have to wait until he could talk to the lawyers.
Chapter Five
“Are you back on the island?” Thea asked.
They’d stopped to watch the lake from the flat bo u lder that formed a retaining wall supporting the hill behind the house. It was kissed with the heat from the sun and welcomed them to rest a while.
Shaking
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