He Wants An Open Marriage? Done!

Roxanne sank onto the plush hotel sofa, a shuddering breath escaping her lips. The air in the suite was cool, smelling faintly of lavender, but her skin still prickled with the leftover adrenaline from the penthouse.

She pressed the cold palm of her hand firmly against her throbbing forehead, trying to blot out the vivid mental image of Christian standing in that twisted trail of rose petals.

"I just want to be completely rid of him," she whispered into the quiet room.

Her purse gave a low vibration against the cushions. She reached inside, her fingers wrapping around her smartphone. Richard’s name lit up the glass screen. She swiped to answer, pressing the speaker to her ear.

"Hey," Richard said, his deep baritone grounding her instantly. The edge from earlier was gone, replaced by calm. "Are you back in your room?"

"Yes, I just walked through the door," Roxanne murmured, leaning her head back against the sofa. "Are you coming up?"

"I just pulled into the lower parking deck. I’ll be at your door in two minutes," he said softly.

Roxanne let out a slow, stabilizing breath and ended the call.

True to his word, a firm knock echoed through the entryway moments later. The second she unlocked the deadbolt, Richard stepped inside, the subtle scent of him enveloping her senses.

Without a word, he reached out and pulled her flush against his chest. Roxanne wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, burying her face into the fabric of his jacket, letting the steady, rhythmic beat of his heart soothe her frayed nerves.

They stood frozen in the quiet entryway for a long time, just breathing each other in. Finally, Roxanne pulled back just an inch, a small, weary smile playing on her lips.

"I assume you left his face intact?" she asked, looking up into his dark eyes.

Richard let out a low chuckle, his chest expanding under her palms. "Christian is completely losing it, and I make it a habit not to waste my energy wrestling with desperate men," he murmured. His expression softened, his gaze dropping to her eyes. "Tell me the truth. How are you holding up?"

Roxanne shrugged, the exhaustion dragging at her shoulders as they moved together toward the sofa, sitting close enough that their thighs brushed.

"I am just incredibly grateful to have you here right now," she admitted, her voice dropping to a vulnerable whisper. "I just feel so completely overwhelmed by everything."

Richard reached over, capturing her hand in his wide palm. His thumb began tracing slow circles against the skin on the back of her hand. "I am so sorry you have to endure this mess. I wish I could just carry the weight of it for you," he said softly.

Roxanne stared at his lips, her own heart suddenly accelerating. She leaned forward, her movements deliberate as she slid her hand up to rest flat against his thigh. She brought her face close enough to feel the heat radiating from his skin.

"Kiss me," she whispered, her eyelashes fluttering shut.

Richard didn’t hesitate. His large hand slid around the curve of her waist, his fingers digging into the fabric of her dress as he pulled her firmly against him, crashing his lips onto hers.

Roxanne let out a soft moan, wrapping her arms around his neck as the kiss deepened instantly, turning hungry and desperate. Their breaths mingled in the quiet room, their tongues tangling with a familiar rhythm that made her blood run hot.

Richard pulled her even closer, his palm pressing hard against the small of her back, molding her body to his. When he finally pulled away just a fraction to catch his breath, his lips were slick and flushed a deep crimson from the intensity.

Roxanne slowly opened her eyes, her breath catching as she looked at him. Richard’s dark gaze searched her face, his heavy brows knitting together with restraint.

"Roxanne, do you really want this right now?" he asked, his voice low, gravelly, and tight with desire.

Roxanne didn’t answer with words. Instead, she shifted her hand upward, her fingers sliding deliberately over the heavy ridge of his erect shaft swelling against the fabric of his trousers.

Richard looked at her hand and smiled.

"Christian is going to pull whatever stunt he has left regardless of what I do," she whispered. "Right now, I don’t want to think about his threats, or even tomorrow. I just want to love up on you."

A dark, possessive smile touched Richard’s lips. "We are going to dismantle his little plan, I promise you that," he murmured, his gaze locking onto hers with absolute intent. "And you don’t have to ask twice."

Roxanne smiled against his jaw, her eyes drifting shut again. "Good. Don’t stop."

With a smooth move, Richard slid his arms beneath her knees and back, lifting her effortlessly into his embrace without breaking the contact of their lips. He carried her down the short hallway into the dimly lit bedroom, laying her gently in the center of the mattress.

The kiss intensified, turning deeper, sweeter, and more intoxicating.

Richard settled his frame between her thighs, and Roxanne instinctively wrapped her legs tightly around his waist, pulling him deeper into her space. His hands moved over her body, his long fingers trailing down the curve of her ribs until his thumb brushed firmly against her hard, aching nipple through the fabric.

With every movement, his hard shaft pressed through their clothes, grinding rhythmically against her swollen, sensitive clit.

A sharp, breathless moan tore from Roxanne’s throat as his palm cupped her breast, squeezing possessively. Richard dragged his lips away from her mouth, tracing a trail of burning kisses down her jawline, burying his face in the sensitive hollow of her neck.

Roxanne arched into his touch, her eyes closed tightly. But as his fingers slid lower, a sudden, unwanted memory flashed violently behind her eyelids.

The sound of the deadbolt clicking at the penthouse, Christian’s desperate grip on her wrist, the suffocating feeling of being trapped. Without even realizing it, her muscles locked, and her entire body went completely rigid beneath him.

Richard stopped instantly. He lifted his head, his dark eyes instantly scanning her pale face, his breathing ragged. "Are you alright?"

Roxanne stared up at the ceiling, her eyes shimmering as a sudden rush of hot tears pooled along her lashes. "I just. I just wish everything wasn’t so messy," she whispered, the raw frustration choking her throat.

Richard didn’t push. He immediately rolled off her, shifting onto his side and pulling her firmly against his chest, wrapping his strong arms around her in a protective embrace. He held her tight, letting her head rest against his shoulder until her breathing slowed.

"I’ve got you," he murmured into her hair. "We will get through this."

Roxanne sniffled, wiping her cheek against his shirt as she nodded. She let the silence stretch for a minute, finding her footing again. "At least we managed to his leverage," she said, trying to focus on the small victory. "I wonder how long it will take him to realize the file is gone from his device."

Richard’s grip around her waist tightened slightly, his posture stiffening. "I wouldn’t celebrate just yet," he said, his tone thoughtful. "The original mastermind who recorded us still holds the source file. And if it’s the individual I suspect, we have a much more serious battle ahead of us."

Roxanne propped herself up on her elbow, looking down at his serious profile. "Why don’t you look at the number I saved from his log? See if it matches anyone in your network."

Richard nodded slowly. He watched as she slipped off the bed, her bare feet padding softly across the carpet to retrieve her bag. Moments later, she returned and handed him the illuminated screen displaying the digits.

Richard took the phone, his eyes scanning the number. Suddenly, the color drained completely from his face, his jaw dropping in absolute disbelief.

"It’s impossible," he murmured, his voice barely a whisper.

Roxanne’s heart stuttered violently against her ribs, a cold dread freezing the blood in her veins. "You recognize it?" she demanded, staring at him. "Richard, who is it?"

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!