he has something to prove to the world. The wholesome bride, the saintly Madonna, to cleanse his palate from the selfish socialite he couldn’t get enough of just a few years before. That should clean his image right up in time for a senatorial run. But deep down he’s hungry for more. He needs it. He needs to be wanted. He needs to be adored. It’s a lust in his blood. You’ll never be enough, no matter how many heirs you breed. Take my advice. Divorce him and take him for as much as you can get out of him. Otherwise he’s just going to make a fool out of you, too.”
She stepped away from me when she heard Jonathan’s footfalls in the hallway. She was all smiles as he entered the room. “Hey, sugar,” she greeted with a feigned sweetness I knew Jonathan could easily detect.
His face was resigned as he allowed her hug. They turned to leave and she sent one last hateful glance at me over her shoulder before the door slammed behind them.
Chapter Nine
I was sleeping when Drew came home early that evening. I was worn out by the confrontations of the day, which had me feeling queasier than normal. Cleo sent me straight to bed, and who was I to argue? I dozed immediately and all the way until Drew made it home. I woke to find him standing beside the bed, packing clothes into an open suitcase. I pulled myself into a sitting position. “Where are you going?”
“Where are we going,” he corrected. “Since Jonathan won’t be home until Sunday night, I thought we could get away ourselves for the weekend. I don’t know about you, but I could use a change of scenery.”
My first impulse was to decline, unable to muster the enthusiasm of an impromptu trip. “Drew… ,” I began.
He snapped the suitcase shut and placed it on the floor, rolling it to the hall. “Thank you, Harrison,” he said to the waiting valet as he handed off the baggage. He turned back to me. “It dawned on me today what a delicate balance we walk week in and week out. We sacrifice time with each other to meet the needs of our child, because that is what one does as a parent. But we are also a newly committed couple, and that demands just as much attention. It’s up to us to steal what chances we can to strengthen our relationship, which benefits our children most of all.” He stopped in front of me. “Jet is fueled and waiting,” he said as he reached out a hand. “Let’s be spontaneous.”
“I haven’t packed,” I offered helplessly.
“You don’t need to,” he assured.
I placed my hand in his and he pulled me to my feet, and then led me down the hall and down the stairs.
“Do I get to ask where we’re going?”
“No,” he decided on the spot. “You get to trust me.”
He took my arm and led me to the car.
Drew’s plane was even more luxurious than the one he had originally chartered to transport me from Texas to Los Angeles. The interior of this plane was sleek, in blue, white and gray, with leather bench seating and swivel recliners and small tables. There were red roses around the cabin. The beautiful blonde flight attended named Bethany welcomed us aboard with complimentary champagne for Drew and sparkling cider for me.
We took our seats and accepted our drinks, and within minutes we were lifting off into the darkening sky. Once we reached our cruising altitude, Bethany informed us we could unbuckle our seatbelts and get comfortable.
“Will there be anything else, Mr. Fullerton?” she asked.
“Not at the moment,” he replied with that show-stopping smile. “Thank you, Bethany.”
Professional though she was, even Bethany couldn’t help blushing a bit from Drew’s attention. She disappeared into the rear cabin, which gave us some privacy.
Drew rested his arm along the back of the bench seat where we sat, snug like a love seat. He was quiet as he traced my jaw with his finger. “This is only the beginning of what I want to show you,” he murmured finally. “This weekend you will learn what it
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