Claiming His Wife (Unlikely Love) Read Free

could hold her forever.
    Suddenly, as it all started, Opal pulled away stopping it as abruptly. Withdrawing from him, she placed a hand on top of his over her breast.  
    “Stop,” she said.
    Her words rolled over him, and he wanted to shake his head and demand for them to continue. Instead, he pulled his hand away.
    “Let me down.” He placed her on the floor. “You told me this would never happen between us.”
    Tony knew what he’d said to her.
    “Things change.”
    “You said you’d never touch me. I don’t want you to do something you’ll regret, and I won’t be a replacement for one of your women.”
    With her words hanging in the air, she left the room. He watched her go, not even trying to stop her.
    He stared at his reflection in the mirror and wondered why he’d even started something he knew he couldn’t finish. Shaking his head, he followed her down in time to see her leave. She didn’t look at him, but he knew his friends and their wives had taken note of the change within her.
    Why couldn’t he leave her alone? Every time he promised himself he wouldn’t touch her, it would change the moment he saw her.
    He congratulated Lily and Wayne before leaving. Once he got in his car he pulled out the small box in his pocket. He’d known today had been two years since they’d gotten married. To celebrate the event he’d spent the time looking for an engagement ring in the hope of giving it to her.
    Staring down at the small ring he felt like a complete fool.
     
     

Chapter Two
     
    Opal went home to the house Tony had bought for her. He’d promised to protect her and keep her safe but to never love her. She let herself in the back door and put the kettle on. When she’d first moved in, he had wanted to put a housekeeper and gardener in. She’d refused. She liked the thought of being on her own and trying to find some independence when most of her life had been about what her parents wanted.
    Her lips tingled from his kisses. She got a cup ready with some milk, sugar and a tea bag, then buttered herself some bread for a sandwich and went and sat at the table.
    Why did he keep changing his mind? Her mind was confused with his mood changes.
    She bit into her sandwich but tasted nothing. She’d been married for two years, and what did she have to show for it? Nothing. Every time she thought the same thing she kept coming back with the same answer.
    Being alone wasn’t everything she thought it would be. At times likes this her wedding night came back to plague her thoughts. Unlike earlier where she shut the memory off, this time she allowed it to come.
    ****
    After the small ceremony where they’d signed their names and pictures were taken, Tony took her to a hotel. Top of the range where he had a penthouse suite held for him.
    He didn’t carry her over the threshold. They walked inside, and Tony took his jacket and shirt off.
    “Go and get yourself comfortable. Have a bath, and relax.”
    Opal nodded her head and left to go and wash. She ran a bath and worked her way out of the simple gown she wore. The dress was nothing like her wedding gown. There hadn’t been much time. Richard had rushed everything from the pre-nup to the wedding.
    She lay in the water and rested her pounding head.
    How would her wedding night play out? She’d read many stories, but nothing would ever be close to the real thing.
    When she began to wrinkle like a prune, she got out and went through to her bedroom. Tony stood in the bedroom, and she yelped, wrapping the towel around her body to try to retain as much modesty as possible.
    “Don’t worry. You’re safe with me. I don’t have any clothes for you, here. I’ll order some tomorrow, or you can fetch them from your parents’ house. I’ve got a shirt for you to sleep in.” He handed her an old looking shirt. “It was one of mine.”
    “Will you be sleeping in the bed?” she asked.
    “No.”
    “I don’t understand.”
    “Opal, this is not going to be a