Read Online Secretariat Reborn by Susan Klaus - Free Book Online Page A

a quick, cutting comeback. He began to think she was considering all he had said and might be more reasonable. But he was a guy, not in tune with the mysterious mind of a woman.
    She turned and glared at him. “You’ve met someone else, haven’t you?” she snarled. “Probably some sailing slut who showed up at your crummy business. Who is she, Chris?”
    He choked a little, shocked by her conclusion. “There’s no one else. I was hoping if I told you how I felt it would improve our relationship. But just forget it.” He shook his head. “Forget I said anything.”
    But she couldn’t. Like a cat with a stepped-on tail, she puffed up, her eyes became slits, and her voice elevated to a screeching hiss as she berated and accused him of cheating. When he clammed up and took the abuse, thinking she’d calm down, she upped the ante. Her ranting turned to threats. “If you leave me, Chris, you’ll be fucking sorry, one sorry fucking prick!”
    Startled by her hateful tone and scare tactics, he lashed out, “What the hell do you mean by that?”
    “I meant …” she seethed and then hesitated for a moment. Her voice softened. “I meant you’d be sorry because you’d never find anyone to replace me.” She covered her face and started crying. “Chris, I love you. I can’t live without you. Promise you won’t leave me.”
    “You’re not listening. I’m not going anywhere. There is no other girl.” He pulled her close so she could rest her head against his side. “Please don’t cry.” She put her arm around his waist, clinging tohim, and continued to whimper. A sucker for a woman’s tears, he felt guilty he had hurt her.
    She stopped grasping his waist, and her hand moved to the crotch of his pants. He knew a blow job was coming. Like all their unresolved arguments, Kate’s resolution was sex.
    “Not now, Kate,” he said breathlessly. “We’ll be at the hotel soon.”
    She ignored him.
    At noon they arrived at the hotel off the track, but Christian knew the sex was far from over, that a long marathon on the bed awaited him. For now he’d do his best to satisfy her, not wanting to revisit the cursing and crying jag that occurred on the ride.
    In the dark, cool hotel room, their clothes came off. After four months, he knew that the what and how with her never involved tender kisses or caresses. A few hours later, he collapsed on his stomach, totally spent.
    She pushed his damp locks from his closed eyes and kissed him. “You did good, baby,” she whispered.
    “Glad you’re happy,” he murmured. After several minutes, he managed to gather his limbs under him and rise.
    “What are you doing?”
    “Taking a shower,” he said and walked toward the bathroom. “I have to go to the track and tell the trainer I’m here so I don’t miss Hunter’s workout in the morning.”
    “You’re leaving me for a horse?” she called.
    He glanced around the corner at her slender nude body stretched across the bed. “Kate, we talked about this. Why don’t you come with me? You can see my colt, and then we can go to the clubhouse and watch some races over lunch.”
    “Not interested, horses and barns are filthy. I’d rather order room service and rest up for South Beach tonight.”
    In the shower, he closed his eyes, hoping the coursing water would revive him. He felt physically and mentally whipped.
    Kate was wrapped in the sheets when he walked back into the room, damp and naked. He dug out a pair of clean jeans from his bag as she watched.
    “God, you are one gorgeous creature, Chris. I can never get enough of you.” She smiled and pushed the sheets aside. “Sure you have to go?”
    He pulled up his jeans and grabbed a fresh shirt. “I won’t be long. Could you order me a sandwich from room service?”
    “Fine.” She re-covered herself with sheets and reached for the TV remote.
    Christian walked down the hallway to the elevator and reflected on the hellish trip through the Glades. He was accustomed to