Unwrapping a Marriage

This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental. The opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely those of the author and do not represent the opinions or thoughts of the publisher.

©Copyright, 2016

Smashwords Edition

Unwrapping a Marriage

Reana Malori And Michel Prince

No part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.

Cover Design by Dusk to Dawn Designs

Cover Image by Royal Touch Photography

Edited by Leanore Elliott

Formatting & Book Design By Wicked Muse Productions

Dedication/Acknowledgement

Writing this book for me has been amazing. I want to thank Reana for taking a chance in a new adventure with me. Our families for understanding we’re both crazy and our fans for being willing to try a new book with a slightly different look to it.—Michel

Thanks to all of the readers and authors who support me. I would not be here if wasn’t for your continued faith in my stories and your love for the characters that never let me rest. Michel Prince, thank you for being the Yin to my Yang. Only you could make me step out on a limb and enjoy the ride.—Reana

CHAPTER ONE

Sterling, a knock followed Mariella’s voice. Mr. Carmike wants you in the conference room. Apparently, the CEO from CyScope thought dropping in on us would change our price point.

Sterling Jackson hadn’t turned from his computer. Although his assistant stood in the doorframe with an armload of files that probably were weighing on her trim arms, he remained too focused on what he was doing to move. She could have left them on the desk before entering his office. Actually, Mariella should have only pulled the most recent contract he’d put together. What good were rejected acquisition contracts? The CEO, if you could call a twenty-three-year-old the CEO of anything besides a lemonade stand, rejected each one for reasons he doubted she could even explain. It wasn’t something a grown up would do.

Thank you Mariella, Sterling finally replied before turning to see her standing with one hand on her back to help balance out her newly protruding stomach. Hopping up, he took the stack of files. How could he block out her pregnancy? She’d told him three months ago, but only recently started showing. The last contract is on top?

Yes, and before you think this baby is sucking out all of my brain cells, she asked for a full review of negotiations.

It’s a day ending in Y, so of course she did. It’s not like I actually had something to do, but twiddle my thumbs.

With seventeen contracts full of notes and revisions in hand Sterling walked to the glassed in conference room where Mr. Carmike, one of the principal owners of his company, sat, leaning back in one of the chairs. As Sterling’s direct manager, he’d been the one who assigned him the hardest projects. Across from him sat Trinity Turner in a curve-hugging pinstriped suit, but she wasn’t using them to woo Mr. Carmike. Her projected sales, low overhead and growing customer base from the social media blitzes were the only thing stimulating him. Especially if Mr. Carmike actually possessed the ability or want for anything more than spreadsheets.

Morning, Sterling greeted the ebony skinned idealist. With her hair slicked back into a twist curled tight to her head, she was a far cry from the way she appeared when he dropped in on her in New Orleans. The converted warehouse building housed her company’s main offices she called a headquarters. It seemed like a stretch to him, but for a group of young adults trying to change the world, it seemed to work for them. At the first meeting, her hair hung loose, framing her almond shaped face and striking cheekbones. She seemed somehow softer then. Or maybe less confrontational. She held very strong opinions then. All natural and focused on donning her superhero cape he’d expected. Profitable, with companies clamoring at their proverbial door, begging to be the one she chose to grace with her signature on the dotted line. She’d always been adamant the decision be hers and hers alone. Stubborn would be too soft a word for her, but he didn’t argue. It is her company after all. Arguing to stay on with veto rights, yeah that one, he hadn’t seen coming.

Let’s start with section seven of the contract revision, she began as she opened her own folder of notated pages.

Sterling inwardly cringed.

Three hours later, Sterling felt seven hours behind on contract reviews for his other clients. Every time he thought he was through with CyScope, she showed up. Like an aggravating splinter in his finger, he couldn’t get rid of. They’d almost signed the contracts so many times, Mr. Carmike seemed to be questioning his ability to seal the deal. The fact he probably only assigned him to CyScope because of his skin color wasn’t lost on Sterling.

How about an early dinner? Trinity asked as she stood with a satisfied grin on her face.

I can’t. But thanks for the offer, Sterling replied. Between the work he needed to finish and Molly’s dance class, there were better things to do then listen to Trinity gloat about the two percent bump in stock options.

Got a better offer? she asked. Because as I recall last time—

Was a mistake, he abruptly answered. If this deal wouldn’t give him the chance to finally be promoted to General Counsel, Sterling would have tossed it on Sam Carmike’s desk and never looked back. His wife and two kids at home and the last thing he needed to do would be to stay out until after midnight with a client, no matter how badly he needed to get her to sign. Plus, I need to update the contract with all the revisions you asked for, so you can come up with some other complaint as to why you won’t sign.

If I were a man you wouldn’t be complaining.

If you were a man— this time he stopped himself. He wasn’t going there. She was young, scared and trying to pretend she knew how to play in the big leagues after a splash of success. Now is not the time to lecture or teach. That wasn’t his job. His job would be convincing the Board of Directors he’d negotiated the best deal possible and get this shit over with. The private equity firm he worked for had been trying to buy her out for months now. I’ll see you tomorrow to sign off?

Mmm… not sure, I’ll have to look it over with my lawyer.

Why don’t you bring them with you next time?

They charge by the hour. You don’t.

Her smug smile grated on him and he forced himself to temper the tone of his voice. Next week is Christmas, he said in a clipped tone. I’d like to get this wrapped up before New Years.

Tell me something Sterling, do you have someone to kiss when the ball drops?

Sterling spun the gold band on his third finger with his thumb. Regret sped through him in mere seconds. Not surprised she would ask the question, he still felt surprised she continued to push. He’d brought this on himself and now he needed to somehow extricate himself. Watching her closely, he noticed when she looked at the motion of his hand and let out a little sigh. Married thirteen years. Sixteen together. So how about you stay on your side of the table and I stay on mine. Sterling walked out and hoped he hadn’t totally blown the deal. He’d been tempted last time. A little too much. He held no doubts what so ever that was the reason Trinity continued to push and goad him. Walking down the hall to his office, he thought over the situation he found himself currently in.

God knows he’d forgotten when he’d so much as kissed his wife’s cheek, let alone enjoyed a moment in private with her. Hell, the last time they made love they both probably faked it. But even with the disappointment churning in his gut at how his ideal life somehow turned into his own living hell, he stayed true to his vows. Even if he did have a set of divorce papers at the bottom of his desk drawer.

They’d made a deal. New Year’s day, ironically. Fresh starts. New beginnings. Saying goodbye to the people, places and things that no longer held you close. Even still, he didn’t stray. He’d come close. Closer than he’d ever thought possible since the day he’d met his wife. Yes, this part was the most telling part of this entire, fucked up situation. Never before would he even have been tempted. Beth had been all he’d ever wanted or needed. Or at least that’s how they’d started.

Finally making it to his office, he paused and took a few deep breaths then packed up his things. Sure, there was work to be done, but right now, all he wanted was to be at home.

Sadly, by the time he got home sometime after midnight, Beth was sound asleep and tightly wound in the covers. Looking down at her as she slept, he couldn’t help the whispered words that escaped, Baby, what happened to us?

Even in her slumber, instead of relaxing when he gently stroked her shoulder, she shuddered and pulled herself into a tighter ball. Pulling his hand back. He felt burned, as the hurt from this gesture tore through him. He remembered a time when the simple dip in the bed from him crawling in was enough for Beth to roll over and nuzzle against him. Warm breath would float over his neck and cheek as she moved her body closer to his. Her voice whispering loving words to welcome him home for the night. They’d fall into a round of gentle kisses and before he knew what happened he would be buried inside her. Their bodies moving in a dance as old as time, recommitting themselves to each other in one simple act of making love. Maybe it was the lack of contact making the memory seem so distant, but to him it seemed like forever since he’d felt a connection with his wife.

* * * *

The tension between Elizabeth’s shoulder blades made her wonder if a boulder was pressed hard against her spine or if she was just having that shitty of a day. She finished loading the back of her minivan with all the Christmas wreathes the boys were going to be picking up at the pack meeting. She couldn’t imagine what she would do in a year when she would need to deal with the Boy Scouts full time.

Mooooommm, her eight-year-old daughter Molly cried from the backseat.

Elizabeth glanced at her phone and saw she had ten minutes to get her to dance class. Not a problem, except it being at least twenty minutes away. For some reason Sterling couldn’t make it home in time to pick her up himself. Shouldering the burden had become almost too much to bear, but every time she tried to speak with Sterling, he became defensive. So she’d stopped asking.

I know Molly. Shaking her head at how the day seemed to be turning out, she shrugged her shoulders at Tim Burton, the scoutmaster of Troop 209, not the famous filmmaker. Younger than her by at least five years and some days, she felt all five of those years weighing her down. Although he didn’t have kids of his own, he’d taken the reigns at the troop due to lack of volunteers. A former Eagle Scout, and current fireman at one of the local stations, he led the boys with a calm patience and broad shoulders. Why she noticed his shoulders at all, she couldn’t—no, wouldn’t say, but his handsome appeal had never been in question.

He gave her a small smile as his blue eyes sparkled at her with mischief.

Could he tell the thoughts going through her mind? Looking guiltily at Molly, who ignored her as only a child could do, she briefly turned back to Tim. Face heating, without looking to confirm, she felt certain her cheeks turned a bright red hue. She blew out a gust of air. I better get going.

We’ll see you at the January campout right? he asked. Or will your husband be coming for the overnight?

Sterling doesn’t have time for camping, she bit out with an edge she didn’t mean to put on the words. And… she hesitated and caught herself. The kids were within earshot and they’d promised to make it through the holidays a smiling happy nuclear family. …I think he’ll be traveling for business that weekend.

Aww man, Thomas, their oldest whined and kicked at a pile of snow.

Sadness filled her as she watched her son’s face contort in disgust at his father missing another thing important to him. When would Sterling realize what he is doing to his own son?

Hey? Elizabeth balked, a bit put out and feeling like two-day old chopped liver. Have I ever disappointed you at a campout? she asked Thomas.

No, he grumbled under his breath and got in the van.

Moms are important too. Tim’s smile widened.

Maybe when he was a seven-year-old tiger cub and crawled on my cot to snuggle. Now, not so much. No, she wouldn’t let herself get down. It would be okay. She would make sure of it.

Well I still think they’re important. Especially, ones that look like you. Tim’s hand cupped her upper arm.

A frisson of warmth rolled through her. Practically melting into his touch, the voices of the children reached her ears and she managed to pull herself back. I’m late, Molly’s dance class is all the way in Hoffman Estates. Funny, how it didn’t seem so far when we signed her up. Something tells me I’ll be rolling through some stop signs. Did her voice sound a little higher pitched than normal? She sounded like one of these young girls with a crush on the hot teacher. Get a grip Elizabeth.

She moved away from the draw of a younger man who cared and took time out of his day for the kids who needed him, particularly her kid, Elizabeth got in her already running vehicle and pulled a Garlick. Laughing under her breath, she heard Robin Williams’ voice scolding her in her mind for trying to start an already running vehicle. Looking over her shoulder, she saw her tailgate still open. With a quick button pushed, it lowered and she gave Tim a small wave before pulling out of the church parking lot.

Mom I’m so late, Molly whined.

Elizabeth gazed down at the clock. Yes, and it was all her fault. Grown up conversation had drawn her in with the other scout leaders who didn’t need to baby sit as much as they did in Cub Scouts.

Start stretching in your seat. Elizabeth rounded a corner and fishtailed on the packed down snow. Tommy called out in enjoyment while Molly screamed in horror. Elizabeth was more on Tommy’s side. So fun and she was proud of herself for not spinning out of control. She wasn’t going to apologize for the action especially when she felt tempted to go for round two.

Pulling up to the building five minutes late, she saw Sterling had already made it to the dance center from his downtown offices. Even though he wasn’t aware of her tardiness, because of course, he was on his phone. But, all in all, she gave him credit for actually being here. Which was about all she would do. His luxury black sedan came equipped with the latest blue tooth and she could tell he was in the middle of a business call. What a new and unusual occurrence. She rolled her eyes.

She watched him for a moment as his jaw tightened and his lips pursed. His beautiful carob skin glistened when the holiday lights flashed over his chiseled cheekbones. The beauty of his manly profile highlighted with the sharply cut goatee. Sighing a little, she thought about how she’d always loved the contrast of his skin against hers. The feel of his strong, toned body as it brought her to the brink of pleasure over and over again. Then she paused as the memory sent her over the edge, anger replacing her lust. If he made it here on time, sitting his happy go-lucky ass on the phone talking to a client, then he damn well could have made it home to get Molly here on time. At least he wouldn’t catch on her scouting duties made their daughter the second priority once again.

Slinking out of her seat, she slid the van door open and helped Molly out of her booster seat. Even with her honey skin coloring, she favored Elizabeth more than Sterling. Unlike Thomas who was a few shades darker. Both children possessed thick tight curls, with Molly’s long hair wild as ever, only being restrained by her hot pink headband. Since she’d been cleared of cancer four years ago, they’d let her hair grow wild and free. Now it hung past her shoulders and took an hour to detangle.

You getting out? Elizabeth asked. You’re late, remember?

The little snowsuit clad girl jumped from the van splashing the now black snow on Elizabeth’s pants. Come on and check me in.

Gritting her teeth at her daughter’s attitude, she raised her eyes to the sky and prayed for patience.

Tommy stayed in the van playing his handheld game as Elizabeth hoped Sterling was engrossed enough in his telephone call to not catch her just now dropping off Molly. When she’d done her parental duties and waved goodbye to her daughter, she pushed out the center door to see she’d been caught.

Sterling stood there talking to their son. His thick arms resting on the top of the van as he spoke to Tommy through the passenger window. When he caught sight of her coming out of the door, he stood up straight and scowled. At six-six, he looked taller than her van and Tommy couldn’t see the anger directed at her from the man who’d been her best friend at one time. Dropping her off on time, then getting the wreaths would have been too much of a hassle? Voice dripping in sarcasm, he turned his body to fully face her and stuffed his hands in his pockets.

She’s only five minutes late, Elizabeth fired back and crossed her arms. Lowering her voice to a whisper, she spoke through gritted teeth, Don’t start with me about hassles and adjusting my day to take care of what needs to be done for our kids. Contrary to popular belief, the rest of us have lives too.

Let me guess, he said the words with a roll of his eyes. I’ll need to pick up a pizza on the way home so our kids eat dinner?

Rage scorched through Elizabeth and she balled her fists. How could she love a man so much, yet hate the very sight of him at the same time? Believe it or not, after I left work, I took them home and cooked them dinner before getting them to their activities.

What did you feed them?

Sterling’s obsession with food and their children would have been on her reasons for divorce if her attorney hadn’t said it wasn’t an issue. Every day, he checked in with her to make sure she’d fed them. After she’d weaned Thomas, it seemed as if she didn’t know how to nourish her children if it didn’t come directly from her breast. Come to think of it, he started checking on what she ate at the same time. She honestly didn’t know what the hell happened to the man she’d married, because this wasn’t him.

I gave them bubble gum ice cream with granola on top. You know, because they need fiber. Let him chew on that. She was a damn good mother and how dare he continue to pull this shit on her.

I’m not accusing you of anything, Beth. Exasperation filled his tone.

Now her hackles were raised. She wasn’t a child! Aren’t you? You know this isn’t worth it. I don’t know how much more— Stopping before she said something she would regret. They’d agreed to try and keep things civil, but it’d become too difficult with all the snipes and jabs they were taking at each other. Flustered and unable to say anything more, she walked to the car and got in only to pull another Garlick. Clenching the steering wheel until her knuckles