Contract of Shame Read online

  He wanted Scarlet, and because of his desire for her, not love, he would never subject her to the maliciousness of his society. She deserved much better from him.

  “I bought us a movie to watch.”

  “Not some action movie I hope.” She chuckled.

  “No. A love story. I think you’ll like it.” He led her back through to his sitting room and placed her on the sofa. Richard filled pots with snacks and put the television on. The movie started, and he coaxed her to lean up against him.

  He sighed, so happy to have her close to him. Never had he watched a movie with a woman who enjoyed snacks and the relaxation. Usually they wanted to go and shop and spend money.

  Her hand reached out and took some of the cheesy snacks he’d brought. The story was a sweet one, a tender romantic love that built over time. The love wasn’t instant, and the guy a complete jerk but gradually he came to realise he always loved the heroine. Part way through Richard intertwined his fingers with Scarlet’s and placed a hand on her waist. When the sex scene occurred between the lovers on screen he tensed up. Scarlet stayed the same, but her breathing came out in small pants and a slight moan escaped her lips. Richard stared down and saw her looking at him.

  He didn’t know what to do. First, he didn’t want to spoil their time together watching the movie, and second he didn’t want her thinking all he wanted was sex.

  Instead of making a decision he waited for her to make the first move. The movie was forgotten as they gazed into each others’ eyes. He wondered if she could see into his heart. Detect any of his emotions he felt for her. She still wore the dressing gown whereas he wore clothes.

  “What do you want?” she asked.

  “Nothing you’re not prepared to give,” he said straight away.

  She stared back at the screen; another scene had started. The sex was already done and finished. He’d be happy either way. Whether she decided to continue watching the film or change and make love, as long as she stayed in his arms, he’d be happy.

  Scarlet got up on her knees and moved over him to place one of either side of him, so she straddled his lap. He kept his hands at her waist but didn’t do anything. What was about to happen would be because she wanted it.

  As soon as she got on his lap she stared at him, and her eyes glazed with an edge of panic.

  “What’s the matter, baby?” he asked.

  “I don’t know what to do,” she admitted.

  He cupped her face and kissed her on the lips. “Do whatever you want to do. Don’t force anything.”

  Scarlet nodded and kissed him back. Her fingers sank into his hair, and she moaned as she explored his lips, her tongue tracing over his bottom lip before she tentatively glided inside his mouth. Everything happened because she wanted it to happen. Her hands moved away from his hair and down to the buttons on his white shirt. Her small fingers undid each button in turn. By the time her small, chilled hands opened the shirt and she touched his naked torso and chest, Richard was already on fire for more.

  How he managed to keep hold of his wits was beyond him.

  She undid the sash of her gown and pulled it off her body. She sat over him completely naked. He gasped when she pressed her full tits against his chest and hugged him to her body.

  They stayed like that for a while until he couldn’t resist and began to touch the curve of her back, following the line down to cup her generous ass.

  “Make love to me, Richard,” she whispered in his ear.

  He didn’t need asking twice. He took her to the rug on the floor. The softness would be gentle against her back. Even though he wanted to fuck her hard and fast, he’d make sure he was gentle. The trousers were gone in seconds, and he didn’t wear underwear when he stayed at the penthouse.

  A condom was pulled from the pocket, and he quickly pulled it on his hard shaft. His hand teased open the molten folds of her pussy, and he tested her cunt to make sure she was ready for him. Scarlet was dripping wet and ready for him. Richard tried to contain his appreciation, but he couldn’t.

  “You’re always so fucking wet for me,” he said.

  “I want you so much.”

  “I’m going to give you everything. Are you sure you aren’t still sore?” he asked. Richard didn’t want to hurt her, but the need to ram his cock so deep inside her cunt was strong within him.

  “Please. I want you,” she said.

  He placed his cock at her entrance and gazing down into her amazing, soul-searing eyes he pressed every bit of himself inside her body. Her eyes widened, and he pulled her legs back to get deeper until he was seated at the hilt inside her. Her pussy squeezed along every inch of his shaft, making him moan. His body shook from the intense pleasure.

  “I’m in, sweetheart. You’re so warm and tight.” He kissed her before he pulled all of the way out of her body and watched as his glistening, covered cock sank back inside her.

  He’d give anything to be bare inside her. The thoughts were running riot inside his head, telling him to ignore her wishes and take her again and again until she couldn’t move for being filled by him.

  What the hell was he thinking? A baby she didn’t need. He’d promised himself he wouldn’t be a selfish bastard with her.

  You’ve already come inside her body once. What does it matter if you do it again? Think about it, Richard. Scarlet, swollen with your baby.

  He pushed the words and images out of his head. Life wasn’t that simple. People expected things of him. Parents, society, work. They all mattered, and his responsibility was to them.

  Richard made love to her, slowly. Savouring each delightful pull of her body as he moved within her.

  He took her hand and licked her fingers, bringing her hands between them and showed her how to bring herself pleasure. Even with him thrusting inside her, she blushed, and her movements began jerkily. Eventually he showed her how to work her body to the best advantage.

  “That’s it, baby. Finger that clit, and bring yourself off. I want to feel you come around me,” he said.

  Scarlet cried out, and her cunt tightened around his dick. So tight, and he imagined her dripping wet. The condom covered the wet heat. Only when she lay supine beneath him did he fuck her hard and fast. His hands were on her full hips, and his fingers sank into the flesh as he thrust deep. Richard didn’t want to leave. He wanted to brand her as his own, to mark every inch of flesh as Richard Shaw’s woman.

  “Please, it’s too much,” she said, her fingers sinking into the flesh of his arms.

  “I’ve got you. Let go,” he told her.

  Scarlet gave him everything and Richard took her to the stars and showed her the magic. He held her as she climaxed and brought her down, forever holding her in his arms.

  His heart contracted inside his chest when he looked into her eyes and thought for a one second.

  I want to keep you forever.

  ****

  Sometime later, after they’d made love and watched a few movies together he broached the subject of double dating.

  “Lily has requested a double date,” Richard said. Scarlet lay on the rug in front of the fake fire, her naked body glowing from the sparks shooting up.

  “Does she know about the contract?”

  That fucking contract. Every second that stupid thing was mentioned. Couldn’t he go a day without her thinking about it? The contract didn’t mean anything, at least not to him.

  “No, she doesn’t,” he said.

  “Please don’t tell her. I wouldn’t be able to face her if she knew why I’m here.” Scarlet’s words pierced his heart.

  “If it wasn’t for the contract would you still be here?” he asked.

  She hesitated. “I don’t know.”

  His hands grabbed hold of hers, and he kissed her on the lips. “I’d want you with me without the contract.”

  “Why did you write it up?” she asked.

  “I don’t know any other way to get what I want.” Richard waited to see if she believed him. Sca
rlet gave him a smile but nothing else to say she’d forgiven him. The contract was still between them. “I’m going to take you shopping,” he said.

  She grunted and turned away from him. “I hate shopping. Can’t you just have something sent up? Or better yet I packed some jeans and dresses.”

  Richard shook his head. “I’d love to take you shopping.”

  So shopping they went, at a boutique he’d requested to be available to him for the entire day.

  Scarlet let him pick, and he noticed she tried not to look at the price tag. One dress, he observed, she’d paid particular attention to. Richard chuckled as the tag was inspected. A blush, and then her eyes widened before she turned away. However, he hated seeing the yearning look she gave the piece.

  When the assistant took her into the dressing rooms, he went and checked out the dress. It cost over a thousand. Not caring, he picked it up and found one in her size. Thank goodness for the full figured women now becoming popular. The chains were being forced to supply for the fuller woman now. He paid and had it gift wrapped with the promise to have it sent to him in his room.

  Usually he hated taking women shopping, but he found himself seated outside the dressing room, waiting to be shown each new article of clothing.

  “You must be the only man who likes taking a woman shopping,” she said.

  “What can I say? With a figure like yours I love it.”

  He purchased some dresses and jeans, clothes that would make her feel good as well as look good.

  Naked. He’d love the next law to be passed for all women to be naked. Richard put the thought from him. He could count on Lily to make her feel welcomed.

  They organised to see his friends on Sunday at a casino which had a restaurant, a brand new experience, closer to home.

  “What about Harry?” she asked.

  “If I know Wayne and Lily, only the best of nannies will be looking after them. Either that, or her father will. Also, they’ll be staying at the hotel above the casino, and I’ve booked us a room for the night.”

  Scarlet nodded. That night after they’d made love Scarlet had moved over to her own bed. Richard spent the night staring at the empty bed replicated by the empty feeling in his heart.

  Chapter Seven

  On Sunday they met up with Lily and Wayne. Lily embraced Scarlet immediately while Wayne stared at her a few seconds before kissing her on the cheek. Scarlet noted the age difference between the couple. She didn’t say anything as she glanced up at Richard. They had a similar age gap.

  They played around a little, Lily and Scarlet talking while the men played at some of the tables. At one point Richard pulled her into his lap for good luck. Wayne did the same to Lily. The experience was enjoyable. Towards the end of the day they gathered in the restaurant and bar area. The men went off to get drinks leaving the girls to chat.

  “How was Harry?” Scarlet asked.

  “You’ve asked that several times. Harry is a darling and spending the day at the zoo with my dad. Believe me, the guy has a lot to make up for. Thank you for agreeing to double date.” Lily placed a hand over hers.

  Scarlet smiled back and thought about the last time she’d had a girlfriend. Never being the honest answer. She had never really gelled with anyone, not even at work. “It’s nice,” she admitted.

  “Wayne was constantly telling me I had to go out. In this world no one likes a woman who enjoys staying at home and being a parent.”

  Scarlet nodded and looked out toward the bar.

  “Richard does love you, you know?” Lily said. Scarlet placed her drink back on the table and turned to the sweet woman at her side.

  “Richard doesn’t love me. He doesn’t know how to love, and he’s assured me come next Friday our time will be over,” Scarlet said. Their short time together had been why she had moved out of his bed last night. Getting used to cuddling with him would bring more heartache when he moved onto the next woman. He might make comments about being lonely, but Scarlet knew he liked that way of life.

  Scarlet hated how much she was becoming affected by being with him. She refused to think in terms of love. Being in love got you hurt, and she couldn’t deal with it. She wasn’t a single woman anymore. Harry was counting on her.

  “I can see it, Scarlet. He’s never been this laid back with a woman before.”

  I wonder what you’d think if you knew about the contract.

  It didn’t matter what he’d said about that stupid piece of paper. Scarlet couldn’t let it go. She didn’t know why, but it stayed like a bruise over her heart refusing to heal.

  The men came back with the drinks. Richard handed her a small glass of wine. She didn’t have the heart to tell him she hated the stuff and smiled at him.

  There was so much they didn’t know about each other. He drank his beer, and Wayne gave Lily some water.

  Their love was exploding out of them. Their fingers met and locked; their eyes stared back and held. The small chuckles and the delighted squeal as Wayne nibbled her neck – this is what real couples were like, their love a strong and powerful connection.

  She could see Wayne would never hurt Lily. Richard placed a hand at the back of her chair. His fingers played with her exposed back. He’d asked her to wear the shirt and trousers. Staring back at the happy couple and with Richard touching her, she couldn’t handle it.

  “I need to go to the bathroom,” she said and moved out of the chair. Richard followed her.

  “What’s the matter?” he asked.

  “Nothing. I just need to go to the bathroom. Do you want to supervise?” Scarlet knew she was being unfair. She didn’t why she was behaving like a bitch. Richard nodded in her direction and let her walk away.

  Tears formed in her eyes, and she wouldn’t let them spill over. She was bigger and better than being a cry baby. Witnessing love made her want it. Why couldn’t she be left in her own little cut-off world? She’d been getting by like always.

  When the other women left, giving her a disparaging look, she splashed water on her face and stared at her reflection.

  Many revelations were happening all at once. Her feelings for Richard, witnessing love between a happy couple. Suddenly, she started craving what other people wanted. Harry hadn’t been created through love. She closed her eyes and shut out the memories. No one would help her but herself. She’d been taught a long time ago to keep her head up and refuse to allow anyone to beat her down.

  Taking a few deep breaths, she dried her face and went to face the world.

  Chapter Eight

  Scarlet came out of the ladies room and bumped into the hard male chest of a man passing.

  “Sorry,” she muttered as she got her footing.

  “Don’t worry about it.” She tensed and stared up at the man who held her. David Buttons, the man and nightmare from her past – and Harry’s father. How could he be here? It was like she’d been thinking about him, and he’d bloody appeared. She glanced down where he held her arm, the contact sending a shiver through her whole body. His touch repulsed her.

  “Let me go.” She stared around her at the passing people in the hopes to see Richard. He’d keep her safe. David couldn’t do anything to her. Wait, Richard didn’t know anything about this man.

  David always manipulated situations to make him look like the victim. She bit her lip and waited like always until he’d said his piece. One thing was for sure, David loved the sound of his own voice.

  “Stop making such a fuss,” he said, as if being held by him was a natural and pleasant occurrence.

  “I mean it. I’ll scream.” At this moment she’d do anything for him to release her. Where is his wife? David fears his wife.

  “And cause such a racket. Like I told you, Scarlet, who is going to believe you?” Her old nightmare, the other bigger shame from her past. She saw it as clearly as if it was happening right now.

  David had turned up to her house, and she’d let him in. Not knowing else to do, she’d listened to him whine a
nd moan about his wife. Scarlet recalled telling him it was over and that she was pleased she hadn’t gone to bed with him. David hadn’t liked her attitude, and there in her parents’ living room, he’d fought her to the floor and taken from her what she’d never willingly given anyone else. Once he’d used her body and violated her will, he’d stood over her and said, “I wouldn’t bother telling anyone. Who would believe you over a professional married man?” David had left, and in return she’d been punished again. Nine months from that date she’d given birth to Harry.

  “How’s Harry?” he asked.

  Shit, how does he know about my son?

  “Do you really think I wouldn’t have kept an eye on you? I heard everything as soon as he was born,” he said. Scarlet pulled on her arm and stared out toward Richard. Why couldn’t she see him?

  Have to get away. She scrambled her brain to try to find something to say to get him to release her. She wasn’t a stupid naive teenager anymore.

  “How’s your wife? You know the one thing I didn’t know back then is something called a paternity test. Have you heard of them?” Scarlet praised herself. Her voice didn’t wobble one bit. “I could take you to court and demand you give a DNA sample, and then let’s see who would believe what happened on that night all those years ago.” Scarlet watched with satisfaction as he grew pale and his grip loosened on his arms. “Stay the hell away from me and my son. Harry is not yours.”

  Like a bullet she was out of there and gone. She found Lily waiting near the bar, a drink in hand. “Who’s that man?” Lily asked when Scarlet called the barman and requested some strong liquor. He placed the small glass on the bar in front of her. She downed a quick shot of alcohol and asked for another. She never drank, but facing the man who’d raped her years ago she thought she was handling the situation rather well.

  “No one,” she said.