Reclaim My Love Read online

  Reclaim My Love

  Marie Carnay

  Contents

  Copyright

  Reclaim My Love

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Epilogue

  Also by Marie Carnay

  About the Author

  Copyright © 2015 by Marie Carnay. Cover and internal design © by Marie Carnay. Cover image copyright © Period Images, 2015.

  All rights reserved. The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

  The use of stock photo images in this e-book in no way imply that the models depicted personally endorse, condone, or engage in the fictional conduct depicted herein, expressly or by implication. The person(s) depicted are models and are used for illustrative purposes only.

  This book is for sale to mature, adult audiences only. It contains sexually explicit situations and graphic language which may be considered offensive by some readers. Please store this e-book where it cannot be accessed by minors.

  Reclaim My Love

  Sometimes the best gifts come in threes.

  Tom never thought that bringing another man into bed with him and his wife, Rebecca, would solve anything. But with his marriage on the verge of collapse and Christmas right around the corner, he’s got nothing left to lose. Chris may be just the present their relationship needs.

  When an old friend showed up on her doorstep for a Christmas visit, Rebecca never expected to do more than play hostess. But when her husband proposes they rekindle their love—by bringing Chris into their bedroom—everything changes. Turns out holiday magic does happen three at a time.

  Reader Note: This short story contains explicit content and mature situations intended for adult audiences only.

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  1

  REBECCA

  Rebecca curled the red ribbon on the top of the present before setting the scissors on the counter. Was this what Christmas had been reduced to?

  Her leaning over the dining room table, wrapping packages for a husband who might not make it home before she turned out the lights? She glanced up at the table covered in silver and gold decorations. So pretty. So artificial. Presents might have been wrapped up in a bow ready for the tree, but none of it really mattered. It might as well have been empty boxes.

  Tom would show up, perform his duties, go back to work. The same routine day in and day out. No excitement. No spice. Nothing to push them out of their boredom.

  That was the problem, wasn’t it? Somehow over the last twenty years, they’d gone from happy and carefree to boring and shallow. Rebecca picked up an armful of presents and carried them over to the Christmas tree. She nestled them beneath the branches and stepped back. Three empty stockings hung from the fireplace. One for her, one for Tom, her husband, and one for their daughter, Simone.

  It’d be the first Christmas without her. She’d called at the last minute to ask if she could go skiing with her boyfriend Brad and his family instead of coming home. Eighteen years old and she’d already moved on.

  How could Rebecca say no? It wasn’t like she could explain to her daughter that mom and dad didn’t have a thing to say to each other without her around. Rebecca frowned. It hasn’t always been that way. They used to be all over each other every chance they got.

  She glanced at the kitchen and smiled. They’d closed on the house the first weekend in March. Twenty-five years old with a little girl starting kindergarten in the fall. Rebecca bit her lip as the memories flooded back.

  The night of closing, they’d hired a babysitter and popped a bottle of champagne in the empty house. Made out in the living room. Fucked on the kitchen counter. She blushed as she remembered Tom’s hands on her bare skin and her legs wrapped around him as he drilled her into the tile backsplash.

  It’d been the best sex they’d ever had.

  And now? Between his late nights and early mornings and Rebecca’s charities and fundraisers…They’d turned into business partners instead of lovers. Roommates raising a child and managing a house, not a couple who couldn’t get enough of each other.

  She walked up to the fridge and glanced at the picture clipped to the front. The pair of them, arms wrapped awkwardly around each other while they stood on the beach. They’d taken the advice of some friends and gone on a solo vacation to try and bring back the magic. But it’d been cut short after only two days—some crisis at work needed her husband’s expertise.

  Tom was still so very handsome. Brown hair. Matching eyes. Solid, muscular body. He spent more time at the gym than he did at home. But did she blame him? What was there to come home to anymore?

  Simone was grown and on her own and Rebecca didn’t know what to do with herself or her marriage. Her friends had given all sorts of suggestions—date each other again, see a counselor, ever thought of swinging? Rebecca had laughed out loud at that one.

  Swinging? Bring someone else into their marriage? She bit her lip. At first the thought had seemed insane. Married people didn’t do those sorts of things. But Dawn hadn’t let it go. She’d even nagged her into checking out a local website.

  Rebecca pulled open the fridge at stared at the contents. Maybe she should have brought it up—the possibility of trying new things in the bedroom—with new people. But she couldn’t bring herself to mention it to Tom. He was so vanilla. Never up for trying anything that pushed the envelope or might be kinky.

  She snorted at herself and grabbed the half empty bottle of wine. The one time she’d tried to spice things up, she’d walked out of the bathroom in sexy black lingerie and heels with a blindfold in her hand, hoping he’d see the light. Instead, Tom had taken one look at her and stormed out.

  If he couldn’t handle some leather and lace and a little kink, Tom would never go for some stranger in their bed. Rebecca pulled out the stopper and grabbed a glass from the counter. Maybe some wine would give her an epiphany. A way to reconnect with Tom and find themselves again. If she couldn’t come up with something, it’d be one somber holiday.

  * * *

  TOM

  Tom tugged his shirt sleeves down and stared at the email message on his computer screen. He’d spent years working eighty hours a week as an investment banker. Managing rich people’s money and building his own little cash pile so his family could be secure.

  What had it gotten him? A daughter who didn’t even want to come home for the holidays and a wife who cared more about perfecting her downward dog than spending time with him. He ran a hand through his hair and read the message again. Chris wanted to come visit for Christmas.

  Tom drummed his fingers on the glass desk as he chewed on his lip. They’d been best friends in college. Roommates all four years. But Tom had settled down, got a desk job, a wife, a kid. He’d shackled himself with a fancy car and an outrageous mortgage.

  Chris had been more of an entrepreneur. It’d started in college—a date here, an event there. Tom couldn’t deny Chris was a damn specimen. Tousled back hair. Body built for professional sports. A cock all the ladies wanted. He snorted and spun to look out the window.

  His friend certainly had used all his assets. The escort business had started out small—a side gig to pay for beer and his sweet ride. But after college, it’d turned serious. Lucrative. Chris had asked for his help a few times to make his income appear legit for the IRS, but Tom couldn’t help.

  No way was he going to jail because his college buddy fucked women for a living. T
om pushed himself out of his chair and paced in front of his view of downtown. Part of him wanted to tell Chris to go to hell. It’d been ten years and they’d gone their separate ways. They didn’t need to reconnect now.

  But from the email, it sounds like the guy needed some assistance. Said he wanted to transition into something more positive, whatever that meant.

  Tom picked up a paperweight. A clear ball with bubbles of blue and white inside. A gift for some anniversary or birthday. One of those trinkets his wife had given him instead of something meaningful. Like a conversation or sex. He didn’t know how it’d all gone so wrong.

  They used to be all over each other. Sneaking a quickie in the break room when Rebecca brought him lunch. Hiding in the bathroom while he brought her over the edge on the counter. But work and Simone and the daily struggle had ground down their excitement. Turned their sex life to dust.

  He frowned and walked back to his desk. Tom had first met Rebecca through Chris. They’d been friends with benefits of and on all freshman year in college. Orgasms were just a part of their deal. No attachment required. She’d been so carefree and easy going back then.

  If Chris could only look at them now. Rebecca hadn’t even smiled at him in months. Now that Simone wasn’t coming home…It might be the beginning of the end.

  Part of him wanted to tell Chris no. That now wasn’t as good time and go home to an empty house and a wife who didn’t even want him there. But another part of him—the one who remembered what it used to be…That guy had an idea. It was crazy and out there and so far removed from their life these past few years. But it might be exactly what they needed. If not?

  Tom snorted. Then they could get a divorce. At least he could say he tried everything.

  He hit reply on the email and typed out a response.

  Love to have you over for Christmas. Hope you’re up for a good time. I think I might need your help as much as you need mine.

  Before he could talk himself out of it, Tom hit send. There. He’d pushed the ball down the hill. Now he just hoped he wouldn’t be crushed by it.

  * * *

  CHRIS

  Chris’s phone buzzed on the nightstand and he reached over to pick it up. He read the email and let out a low whistle. Tom, you are one dirty bastard.

  He’d heard from more than one friend that Tom and Rebecca were headed for a divorce. Everyone could see the signs. Even their daughter couldn’t stand being home anymore. Chris hated to see it. Tom had been one of his closest friends in college. And Rebecca? Damn, did she have one spectacular ass.

  Images of Rebecca trapped beneath his body as he came inside her flashed in his mind. He wouldn’t mind a reunion. From the email, Chris couldn’t tell—did Tom want to invite him in to spice things up? Or just try to help him out of his shell? He knew the guy had a problem loosening up.

  It had to be tough working crazy hours in a high-stress job. Performance anxiety was an understatement. It didn’t surprise Chris in the slightest that Tom wasn’t up for adventure in the sack. Chris had seen it time and time again. Hot, sexy housewives bored out of their minds and horny as hell with no husband to satisfy their needs.

  It’s what he’d built his whole business on. But he was tired of the game. Sneaking around. Giving orgasms in the pool house or the back of a car. Helping women stay married but not making them happy for more than a moment. He knew he could do better.

  Tom and Rebecca might be the perfect couple to try out his business idea. The one that came with happy marriages and not just satisfied urges.

  He typed out a quick reply and hit send as the bed sheets rustled.

  The blonde next to him rolled over and the sheets came with her. “Don’t tell me you’re already setting up another job. You know I paid for all night.”

  Chris grinned and planted a kiss on her thigh. “I would never fuck and run, you know that Gretchen. Besides, I always give you all that you pay for, don’t I?’

  She smiled and leaned closer. “You haven’t disappointed me yet.”

  “I’m not going to start now.” Chris grabbed the sheet and tore it off her body. “On your stomach. Right now.”

  Gretchen laughed and rolled over, showing off her spin class backside. “Your husband is missing out on one amazing ass, babe.”

  “You really think so?”

  Chris gave her left cheek a smack and watched the firm flesh ripple beneath his palm. “I know so.” He grabbed a condom from the side table and slipped it on before sliding up between her thighs.

  “And now I’ll show you. Grab the headboard—you’ll want to hold on.”

  The woman groaned and did as she was told as Chris wrapped his hands around her thighs.

  His old friends might not be his typical clients, but if they needed a way to bring the spark back into their lives, he could deliver. In so many ways.

  2

  REBECCA

  After smoothing down her blue silk dress for the thousandth time, Rebecca took a final look in the mirror. She hadn’t seen Chris in a decade. But she still remembered how he could take control of her body. Her wants. How he could tell what she needed without saying a word and gave her that and more.

  She inhaled through her nose and tried to push the memories away. He was probably in a relationship. She could see his gorgeous girlfriend now—a tall drink of water with chestnut hair and legs for days. Hourglass shape and full lips. Rebecca couldn’t compete with any of Chris’s girlfriends. Nor should she.

  She’d picked Tom. The stable choice. The one with a plan and a future and a path to fatherhood and retirement and comfort. Little did she know back then what it all meant. She grabbed the red lipstick off the counter and swiped it over her lips.

  Every once in a while Rebecca wondered. What if? But that was silly. Chris wasn’t there to rekindle an affair. He was coming to talk business with Tom. Maybe he’d finally settled down and needed some financial advice. Her husband could provide that in spades.

  Just as she flicked out the light, the doorbell rang. Here we go. She hustled down the stairs and pulled open the door. Oh, my. She’d forgotten how tall he was. And handsome. Rebecca drank him in—from the dark wash jeans slung low to the gray t-shirt stretched taut in all the right places. Black hair falling across his forehead. Grin that said, yeah I know.

  She smiled and stepped back. “It’s good to see you, Chris. It’s been a long time.”

  He nodded and stepped through the door. “It has. You’re still as gorgeous as ever.” He set his bag on the floor and before she could shut the door, Chris has wrapped her up in a hug. A damn sexy hug that pressed his chest into hers and wound his steely arms around her back. Lord have mercy, the man was ripped.

  She cleared her throat and he let her go.

  “Where’s Tom?”

  Rebecca snorted and shut the door. “Stuck at the office. He won’t be home until late.”

  “Sounds like you’re not surprised.”

  “That my husband is spending another evening at the office? No. I’m not surprised. Although I would have thought he’d put in a bit more effort to come home with you here.”

  “He works a demanding job, Rebecca.”

  She sighed and turned toward the kitchen, motioning for Chris to follow. “I know. And I’m grateful. It’s given us this house, paid for Simone’s education and set us up for retirement.”

  “But?”

  “It’s lonely.” She paused as she reached the counter. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be burdening you with my issues. You just walked in the door.” Rebecca plastered on a smile and turned around. “Can I get you a drink?”

  Chris smiled and a long-forgotten thrum echoed in Rebecca’s core.

  “Scotch if you have it. Neat.”

  She nodded and spun around before he could see her blush. I have got to get it together. Crushing on Chris wouldn’t do anything except get her in trouble. Rebecca grabbed a pair of glasses and fished the liquor out of the cabinet. A generous pour later and she met Chri
s’s gaze.

  “Do you want a tour?”

  “Maybe later.”

  “Okay. Then how about we relax in the living room? I’ve got a fire going.”

  Chris nodded. “Lead the way.”

  Rebecca didn’t know why she was acting this way. Chris was her friend. An old flame. She shouldn’t be nervous. Or excited. He wasn’t there to relive their past. She sat on the couch and Chris sat down next to her. His jeans brushed her bare knee and she caught a whiff of cedar and orange the promise of passion. Sex.

  She crossed her legs.

  “So Tom tells me you two are having some problems.”

  Rebecca blinked. “I’m sorry?”

  Chris shifted on the couch and she forced herself to meet his gaze. It seemed laid back and welcoming. She shivered.

  “You and Tom. It sounds like your relationship is a bit…tense.” Chris brought his drink to his lips and Rebecca’s own mouth fell open as he took a sip. She wanted his lips on hers and hated herself for it.

  “He’s always at work. Simone’s in college.”

  “What about you?”

  She smiled, but it wasn’t happy. “I’m here.”

  “Let me guess. You feel a bit trapped. Caged in?”

  Rebecca frowned. “How do you know that?”

  Chris smiled behind his glass. “Let’s call it an occupational hazard. I know when married women are unhappy.”

  That makes no sense. Tom had told her Chris was in the hospitality industry. Didn’t that mean hotels? Restaurants? Rebecca took a sip of her drink and shifted on the couch. “What is it you do, exactly?”

  Chris raised an eyebrow. “You don’t know?”

  “Not exactly. Something to do with hotels? Conventions?”