Chapter Fifteen
Shelby
Mama took off as soon as the final pictures were done. She'd about had a coronary when Rafe showed up.
"Congrats, little sis, it's official," he greeted me with a kiss on my cheek and an affectionate grin I couldn't help but return.
I wanted to catch up with him, ask where he'd been, but we were ushered into our places and never got the chance. As soon as the last pose was captured, Mama made her excuses and Rafe volunteered to drive her home. She tried to get out of it, yet one stern glance from Winston Sr. had her mouth snapping shut. I didn't understand what the issue was, but I knew Rafe would make sure she got home. I just hoped she didn't give him any trouble on the way; he really was a sweet man.
So he and Mama left while the rest of the party went to the reception. It went marginally better than the engagement party had, but anything had to be an improvement over that mess. I mostly stayed at our table except for a few dances with Dirk and the cake cutting, and I was happy enough to do so. Besides, it acted as the perfect barrier for most of the guests. Those that did approach only gave well wishes and congratulations, mostly to Dirk and his father, but with Dirk back at my side and barely letting go of my hand, I was okay with not being in the limelight.
Thankfully, there were plans for us to head off for our honeymoon and leave the guests to enjoy the rest of the evening. The itinerary was for a short week-long tour of a few destinations in Europe, then back home so Dirk could oversee a big shipping contract. I didn't care where we went, more than happy just to be away from the house and the people that lived there.
* * *
I'd forgotten two large additions in my giddiness to escape the pall from the last few months. Carter and Milo. Their very presence put a damper on it all, but so did my period and the nasty cramps that accompanied it.
And that was how I spent the majority of my honeymoon, grumpy and grimacing… and not getting any. No, Dirk and I might have shared a bed, but that was all we shared. And when my flow stopped? He waited another day before he perfunctorily consummated our marriage and promptly went to sleep. I was so annoyed I took care of myself in the jacuzzi tub, then stayed in the bubbles until they dissolved and I pruned up.
Our last day was enjoyable at least. We didn't do anything too special, but we went on a private tour of the English countryside. I couldn't say where we were, but it was beautiful. It was our last stop before we caught a flight from Heathrow to head back home. After the chance to somewhat decompress, I had determined that I'd make the best of things, doing what I could to make my days fulfilling. I was officially no longer under Nina's tutelage and had plans for all the time her absence would free up.
* * *
"What do you mean 'she's staying on'? You promised I was done with that woman!" My complaints weren't swaying my husband a bit. I could see my plans going poof, one by one, in a cloud of disappointment.
"Shelby, darling, this isn't my decision. Father wants her here for a transition period to help you as more of an administrative assistant. There are several areas where your influence could be useful for the family and the business, so he'd like those contacts cemented under supervision to make sure there aren't any… mistakes." His frown led me to believe a different word had been used, but I chose to ignore it. It wasn't worth it.
Actually, none of it was worth it to me right then. The shackles had tightened instead of falling off, and I was scrambling to come up with a new game plan. No way was I putting up with Nina any longer than necessary.
"Fine, Dirk, I'll fall in line, but I'm not making it a permanent position. I can't stand that woman, and her feelings are entirely mutual.”
"We'll revisit the situation in a month or two. Until then, please do as you're told."
Just like you always do, darling.
I hushed the interloper and put Nina from my mind as I made a noise of agreement that Dirk raised a brow at. But it didn't stop him from loosening his tie and wandering into his bedroom—where he left the door wide open. My intent gaze followed my husband, as did my feet, until I was in his room and meeting his smoldering stare with one of my own.
As his dress shirt parted, one button at a time, his toned abs came into view. I pushed the door shut with my heel and reached for the zipper pull at my back. I'd be making sure I got off that time.
* * *
Six Weeks Later
Finally! I’d gotten free from Nina and went out on my own with only Carter as an escort. We’d just arrived back home, and I couldn’t wait to tell Dirk how my afternoon had gone. Carter followed me, as usual, a familiar shadow that I barely noticed anymore. He’d never brought up my wedding day again, and neither had I. As far as I was concerned, it hadn’t happened.
As we neared our rooms, I was about to dismiss Carter for the day, when I heard my husband’s voice filter through the door.
“You know where to go. I suggest you hurry and get ready before I get there.”
“Yes, sir.”
Shocked but curious after hearing that little tidbit, I silently backed down the hall away from our door as I tried to make sense of what I’d heard. Even though my voice was screaming in my head, the white noise was successfully drowning her out. There was only one thing that registered in my mind. What the hell is Nina doing in his room? My gaze met Carter’s carefully blank one. He knows what’s going on.
More than likely he’s known, but yes, dumbass, I suggest you go see for yourself so you can’t deny it anymore.
Marching forward and avoiding Carter’s gaze, I hesitated at the door. My gut, and pretty much everything else, told me that my suspicions were true, so instead of chancing alerting them to my presence, I toed my pumps off and hooked them with my fingers to bring along before quietly turning the lever to creep into the sitting room of our suite. A muffled groan came from the partially ajar door leading to my husband's room. My body flushed hot and cold as my hands began to shake, prompting me to set my shoes down, but it didn't stop me from needing to see.
The view was enough to crack my heart— Nina on her knees, Dirk's fingers gripping her no-nonsense bun as he choked her on his dick. I dared not move; instead, I drove the betrayal further into my soul as I watched him roughly pull her up, thick saliva trailing from her lips to his shiny wet length. With a snap of his finger, she turned like a well-trained dog to lean over the footboard with a wide stance as she hiked her dress up and lowered her panties—panties I recognized. I had the same set. "Leave them there," he demanded when they reached partway down her thighs. She complied, then her hands went to the globes of her ass to spread them wide, exposing everything to his gaze and mine.