Still Love You Read online

  Contents

  Summary

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Epilogue 1

  Epilogue 2

  Also by Ella Goode

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  Abigail Weathers loves her husband so much that she’s kept something hidden for years—contact with her troublesome brother. Her brother has been an albatross around her neck for years but he’s her only living kin and every time he contacts her for money, she gives it. Only this time she has to pawn something very dear to her heart and she’s worried that it’ll cost her the one thing she loves—her husband.

  Constantine Weathers loves his wife so much that he’s kept something hidden for years—paying his brother-in-law to stay away. Every visit from this scheming cheat has brought Abigail pain so Con has paid the man to stay away. Only this time, he’s worried it’ll cost him the one thing he loves—his wife.

  Chapter 1

  Constantine

  “Kale Blank is having a fundraiser for an underprivileged dance troupe and would like us to actually attend rather than merely send a check, and when he says he wants us to come, he means you.”

  My wife, Abigail, doesn’t respond. She’s staring out at the garden intently. When I look, though, I see nothing out of the ordinary. The grass is finely trimmed. The rose bushes are about to bloom and the bulbs she planted last month are starting to push out of the dark dirt. I try again.

  “I told him that he’d have to pay for your new dress and he said he’d send one over which I’ll have to burn.” As if I’d ever let her wear a thing some other man has purchased. Still no response. “I thought I’d have Sidney run over a few animals as he drives me downtown to my office.”

  “Sure, dear.”

  Heath told me my marriage was in trouble but I brushed it off because I knew he was projecting. He was the one who bought his bride who wanted to leave him to start a new life. Abigail and I are in love and have been since high school. She moved to the city when she was a freshman after her mom got a big time promotion with an international bank. Even at fourteen, she sparkled like a diamond in a sea of coal. Every guy in school wanted her, but she picked me. Maybe it was that I got to her first. There was a stampede to her table at lunch the first day and some assholes were slow. Not seeing how that was my fault. I wifed her as soon as she was done with college and it’s been smooth sailing ever since. There’s a small flaw, a tiny, infinitesimal crack in our perfect world. Abigail wants a baby and so far we haven’t had much luck. It doesn’t bother me much, but I think Abigail dwells on it. Maybe that’s what she’s thinking about so hard this morning.

  I reach over and direct her face around with a finger under her chin until her gaze lands on me instead of the outdoor scene. “Babe?”

  “Yes? Did you say something?” Her eyes come into focus.

  “That I love you and you look gorgeous this morning.”

  She tries to duck her head but my finger stops her.

  “I haven’t even showered.”

  “I know.” I grin wickedly. Her hair is a mess and she has a nice love bruise on her shoulder. When I lean in to nuzzle her neck, I can smell myself on her skin. My dick rises in response. She tilts her neck to the side and it’s an invitation I don’t pass up. I latch on to the fluttering pulse at the base, alternating nips and soothing licks. Meanwhile, my hand delves beneath her robe to find her steamy, succulent pussy. I slide two fingers in, enjoying the wet sucking noises her cunt makes as I lightly finger-fuck her. She’s always so tight and hot. If I allowed myself, if I had slightly less control, I’d probably come in my pants just from the feel of her narrow cunt hugging my fingers. It’s only been an hour or so since I had her on her knees and was shafting her hard from behind while her tits hung like succulent fruits on a branch. It’s always such a turn-on to watch her body shift and move and shake as I fuck her. Watching her in the mirror or even just looking down and seeing my cock shuttle in and out her small hole sends me over the edge. I find the small spot of skin at the front and start to stroke that with intent. She moans and parts her legs even wider.

  “That’s right. Feels good, doesn’t it?”

  She makes some incoherent noise so I add another finger. She starts to ride my hand, undulating her hips in rhythm with my thrusts. “There you go, baby, take what you need.”

  A distant buzz rings in my ears but I ignore it. My darling is on her way to a wet, juicy orgasm. Once she creams on my hand, I’m going to lift her onto the table between the juice glasses and the bowls of berries and eat her out. Maybe I’ll pour some honey on her cunt and lick it off. My cock jumps in excitement at the thought. Cream and honey. There’s no better combination to have this bright sunny morning.

  The buzzing sounds again and Abigail stops moving.

  “No,” I order, but she doesn’t listen to me. Instead, she picks up the phone and groans.

  “I’m sorry.”

  I sigh and pull back. “You serious?” She wriggles slightly, trying to dislodge me. “I can be quick,” I vow.

  “No, you can’t.” She reaches between her legs and tugs at my wrist. Reluctantly, I pull out. “One thing will lead to another and you’ll be cancelling your meetings and Orchard will be sending me a million texts wondering where I am.” Her phone buzzes on cue. “See?” She sends me a speaking look.

  I try to pull her down on my lap to prove exactly how quick I can be if necessary but she dances away and I’m left holding her robe tie. She swats me lightly and then leans in to give me a quick, teasing kiss on the lips. “Stop that. I have to meet Orchard this morning. We’re discussing the renovation of all the Good Food groceries. She wants my advice.” She laughs and scampers up the stairs, calling over her shoulder. “Save it for tonight. I’ll be all yours.”

  “That better be the case,” I mock threaten. “If you’re not home by five, I’m going to have to mete out some punishment.”

  “Promises, promises,” she sings gaily.

  I look at my glistening fingers and lick her essence off. My dick shudders angrily in my pants. I’m going to have to go and rub one out before heading into the office, but, hell, there are worse things. I chuckle to myself and drape the tie around my neck. Yeah, my marriage is fine. I don’t know why I worried about it for a second.

  Chapter 2

  Abigail

  “Earth to Abigail.” Orchard snaps her perfectly polished nails in front of my face.

  “Sorry.” I look up from the spreadsheets I was going over for the third time to make sure my numbers were right. I don’t trust myself right now so I keep triple checking my own work. Numbers come easy to me but lately nothing else seems that way.

  “Don’t be sorry. Tell me what’s bothering you. And don’t say nothing.” Orchard takes a seat next to me. Normally she’d plop right down but now she is carrying twins. She isn’t far along but with two babies in her oven she is already showing. I reach out, running my hand along her belly. Hopefully, one day I’ll be able to experience the same thing.

  “Are you good with the plans?” I ask, changing the subject. I gave my final okay on them when I’d gotten in this morning. She said she wanted to look over them again. I knew that meant she wanted to s
how them to Heath. I couldn’t blame her. I like for Con to look over things for me too. The man is brilliant in business and I’d be a liar if I said it didn't make me happy when he asks me something about work. It always reminds me of how much he values my opinion.

  “I sent the signed contracts over and alerted the stores that they will be starting on the first,” she answers. “I know you’re avoiding my question.”

  I let out a long sigh, not really wanting to talk about it.

  “Did you and Con get in a fight?” Her brows furrow together in concern.

  “We’re fine.” I smile. We are. How can we not be fine? Con is the perfect husband. One that would do almost anything for me. It is me that is coming up short. That isn’t holding up my end of the bargain. It is also me that has become a liar. I haven’t been able to get pregnant and I was lying about talking to my brother.

  Okay, I wasn't lying about it, I was just hiding it but I’m pretty sure that’s just as bad. And I know for a fact that it would hurt Con if he knew that I had contact with my brother and not told him. I also know that he would say I’m being ridiculous for blaming myself for not getting pregnant, that it isn’t my fault, but I can’t help feeling that way. So I don’t tell him. I hold it all inside and try to deal with it on my own.

  “Okay, then what’s up with you?” There is the problem. Me. Everything that is wrong in my marriage circles back to me. Con is the perfect one. I don’t know how he got it stuck in his mind that I am some perfect creature but he did. I can do no wrong as far as he’s concerned. How very wrong my husband is.

  He’s truly the one that’s perfect. From that very first day he walked up to me at lunch and became my friend. My best friend. I’ve known him longer than anyone I’m not related to. I didn't even find Orchard until college. She doesn’t know of a time when it wasn't Con and me. It’s always been the two of us. We’re a team. But lately, I find myself feeling alone even when we’re together. My thoughts seem to take over, consuming me.

  “I don’t really want to talk about it.”

  “It’s your brother, isn't it?” Her face scrunches up.

  “No.” I rush to say. Again, I’m a liar. She narrows her eyes on me and I’m not sure she believes me. She’s the only other person besides Con that can tell when I’m not being truthful. But I know she won’t push me too hard. She’ll nudge me until she gets what she wants. It may not be today but she’s a patient friend.

  “You’ll get pregnant soon. You just have to let it happen.” She grabs my hand. “And there are other options out there.” I will myself not to cry. I’m so close to letting the tears spill out but I know that won’t help anything or solve any of my problems. Plus, I don’t want to make her feel bad about being pregnant. I’m happy for her. She and Heath deserve this after everything they’ve been through. But her pregnant belly is a constant reminder of my shortcomings. That thought alone makes me feel even worse because Orchard is like a sister to me.

  “You might just have to let me snuggle your babies all the time.” I give her belly one last rub before scooping up the papers I was looking over. They show that our business had another month of profits but we would be using them all for renovations. We are surprisingly making profits but using them as quickly as they come in.

  “Of course.” She beams at me. She really is glowing. She has been since she found out her husband was madly in love with her. Something I’d been telling her for years. She had been convinced that they had a marriage of convenience. Right before all this happened she got a wild hare to buy a grocery chain with the money he kept depositing into her account as an act of rebellion. She dragged me right in with her. Okay, maybe she didn’t have to drag me. I hopped in willingly. I wanted something to keep my attention away from the fact I wasn't getting pregnant.

  Now my brother is back in my life and I think I might have bitten off more than I can chew. This morning was a perfect example of that. I’ve never turned my husband down when it came to sex. I always want him. Then my phone went off. I knew from the persistence that it was my brother. That had killed the mood in a second.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow?” I ask. She looks at her watch.

  “Yeah.” She eyes me for a second. “You and Con have big plans?”

  “No, I just have to handle some stuff.” I slip my papers into my bag.

  “Okay, but if you need to talk—” She stands, coming over to me to give me a hug.

  “I know.” I hug her back. For a moment I think about telling her Teddy is back but my phone dings, reminding me I’m already late.

  Chapter 3

  Constantine

  I stare coldly at the man sitting in the black leather chair across from my massive desk. “When I told you to never show your face again, I meant that shit.”

  Abigail’s brother gives me a cheeky smile. “Big bro, how can you say that? We’re family after all.”

  “Abigail’s my family. You’re an albatross around her neck that is trying to drown her.” I drum my fingers against the walnut. Teddy Case has always been a problem. He’s Abby’s only surviving family member. Their parents died in a car crash when he was seventeen and Abby was sixteen. The state wanted to send them to different foster homes, but Teddy swore he could take care of her until she was legal. At first glance, that seemed like a decent thing to do, but it turns out that Teddy had a bad gambling problem and the moment he had access to the insurance money, he’d used it to pay off some bookies. Once he was debt free, he didn’t take the opportunity to make a new life for himself. Instead, he moved on to higher stakes games, buying his way into the high rollers clubs in Atlantic City. Because he was a shit card player with even worse instincts, he fell into debt again. Whenever he did, he’d come crawling back to Abby begging for money. All she had left was her educational trust and she probably would’ve drained that for him but the bank trustees were too strict. Still, she did what she could, forgoing computer equipment and study aides, eating fewer meals, scrimping and saving because she couldn’t bear to see him hurt.

  It was maddening to watch Abigail suffer through this from the outside. I couldn’t do anything but hold her while she cried over her brother because I didn’t come into my trust until I was twenty-one. Once we were married and I had access to my money, I paid him off. He’d promised that he’d leave Abigail alone and for the three years we’ve been married, he’s kept his word.

  I shouldn’t be surprised that he’s here now, though. He’s an addict. There’s no amount of money that he won’t burn through, given enough time. It’d be fine if he wanted to gamble himself into a grave, but I have Abby to think about. She doesn’t need extra stress in her life.

  “Who is after you this time?” Last time it was a gang from Hong Kong. They dumped him near the trash behind the building here with a paper pinned to his shirt that said Property of Con Weathers. The building management wanted to call the police but I managed to buy them off with generous donations to their kids’ college fund. It took a week of private nursing for Teddy to heal up. I wonder if his knee still aches. They bashed it in hard, although not with enough force to break it. Enforcers these days use torture rather than death to get their point across. It’s harder to squeeze money from a dead man.

  Teddy is unfazed by his past beatings. He grins and folds his hands behind his head. “I’m not here because I have gambling debts. I told you after the Tang incident that I was going to turn over a new leaf. Instead, I’m doing you a favor.”

  That’s chilling. “I’m not interested.” I reach into my desk and pull out Teddy’s ledger and the checkbook I have reserved just for him. “How much do you need this time?”

  “It’s not like that, brother. There’s this massive opportunity for me to invest in a new cryptocurrency. It’s going to make bitcoin look like a dirt mining scheme. The returns are going to be hundreds of millions of dollars. All I need is a little seed money.” He scratches his neck. “I wouldn’t have come here if I had other resources, but you tol
d me to stay away from Abby. If you won’t help me, then I have nowhere else to turn.”

  And this is how he gets me every time because there’s nothing I won’t do for my wife. I’m basically paying him to stay away from Abigail. I take the vow to love, honor, and protect my wife very seriously and if that means keeping a lowlife like Teddy on my payroll till the end of time, so be it, but I don’t have to like it.

  “How much?”

  “Five million should do it.”

  I freeze in the process of scribbling Teddy’s name in the payee section. A quick look at the ledger confirms my suspicion. The price of Teddy’s absence has been increasing every visit and the payouts are coming closer together. “I gave you two hundred grand three months ago.”

  “Man’s got expenses.”

  I don’t miss the Rolex on his wrist that he wasn’t wearing during his last meeting with me. “I’ll give you fifty thousand today.”

  “No. I need five million.”

  The specificity of the number spins up the alarms. I close the ledger book and shove it into the bottom drawer. “I guess we’re done here.”

  Teddy’s easy grin fades and is replaced by a canny, knowing smile. “Like I said, I’d hate to go to my sister.”

  “Go ahead. She doesn’t have the money and I’m not giving it to you.”

  “What do you mean she doesn’t have the money?”

  “We don’t have joint accounts and I have a prenup. Abigail gets an allowance for her basic necessities and the Weathers Corporation pays for anything else she wants. There’s no need for her to have millions sitting in an account. You wouldn’t know this because you’re a financial idiot, but it’s dumb to have that kind of cash not in the market stream.” I wave my hand. “You can go now.”