Her mother, ever the feminist.
“No, Mama. I’m not keeping secrets from you. We will have children eventually, but neither of us is ready now. And I like my job. It keeps my mind occupied, and you know I love my art. I have to have that in my life.” Caroline and Jace had gotten married right out of college, and they’d agreed from the get-go that they wouldn’t even think of having a family until they were into their thirties. They wanted to enjoy each other without distractions for as long as they could.
As for the trust, Caroline planned to use it for her children’s future, not her own. Her mother was right, she and Jace were comfortable and that was fine.
“You know, I always thought it was a mistake when you stopped doing those landscapes.” Her mother took a dainty spoonful of her egg. “They were distinguished. Madeline Parker even said she’d show some of them in her art gallery.”
“I know you do,” Caroline said. “But that wasn’t where my heart was.” Her mother was referring to her formal art training. Caroline had been enrolled in a conservative art school during the summers as a teen, where she’d learned how to paint a mean landscape, as well as a bowl full of fruit and flowers of all kinds. Very proper and very Southern.
“Oh, Caroline, the heart shouldn’t factor into these things. Practicality should be at the forefront when making these decisions.”
Caroline placed her chin in her palm and stared at her mother, who was in the process of stirring precisely one lump of sugar into her coffee. Her mother glanced up and started when she found her daughter watching her so intently. “What is it? Is something wrong? Do you have a fever?”
“No, I’m fine, Mama. I was just sitting here wondering where the heart factors in for you. Does it ever affect your decision making?” Caroline realized in that moment that likely every major decision her mother had ever made had come from a practicality standpoint, not from the heart. “Or do you base all your choices on what the world thinks is the right thing to do?”
“I don’t know what in the heavens you’re talking about. Are you sure you feel all right?”
Caroline realized her mother was never going to understand her point. “Never mind. May I ask you something else?”
“My, you’re in a strange mood today. Maybe you should go take a nap. I can take on Jason’s office by myself.”
“I’m feeling just fine. I just want to know if you’ve ever regretted anything in your life. You know, have you ever made a bad decision and wished later you could go back in time and change your mind? Or had guilty feelings for making the right choice for you, but the wrong choice for someone else? Or thrown in the towel when you should’ve stuck it out?”
Her mother straightened in her seat. “Never. I have never regretted a single decision I’ve ever made. I take pride in leading my life with a clear head and balanced heart. But what has this got to do with anything?” She leaned forward, her face suddenly dropping. “Are you and Jason in trouble?”
The panicked look on her mother’s face was enough for Caroline to halt the conversation. She and her mother had never been close enough to share personal details with each other, which was something Caroline had definitely regretted as she’d gotten older, realizing what some women had with their mothers.
“No, Mama,” Caroline replied patiently. “Our marriage is strong as ever, and we are very happy. But I think I might have a way to make it even stronger, though it involves taking some risks.”
“Then you must. There is nothing more important than keeping your husband happy.” She said it with a passion that was somewhat rare for her. “If you don’t have family, you have nothing.”
Finally, something they could agree on. “You’re so right. Family is everything.”
In that instant, Caroline made up her mind about the Slaters.
She and Jace were going on an adventure.
13
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Jace’s dick was so hard he feared he wouldn’t make it home before he came.
He was stopped at a stoplight, on his way home from dropping his mother-in-law off at the airport, and visions of Caroline’s luscious breasts and thoughts of her hot wetness were threatening to undo him.
Every part of his body tingled in anticipation.
His beautiful wife had cornered him before he’d gone and had managed to get him riled up for the first time in what seemed like much too long. She’d told him she would have a surprise waiting for him and that she’d finally made a decision. Then she’d used some choice words to describe what she wanted to do to him. He was rock hard thinking about it.
Genevieve’s annual visit had interrupted their healthy sex life, like it always did, but this time they’d been in the middle of some serious upheaval in that department.
He tightened his fist on the steering wheel and began to gun the car as the light turned green. His hard cock pushed painfully against his zipper, a feeling he was beginning to become accustomed to. He drove by the parking lot where they’d had sex not that long ago, and groaned.
A few blocks later, he turned into his driveway. He had no idea where he’d find his wife, but she’d assured him she’d be ready. Jamming the car into park, he yanked the keys out at the same time he opened his door. He was at the back door in record time. “Care?” he called, tossing his keys on the counter as he made his way upstairs, only to hear her call him from the basement.
He stifled another groan.
He’d been hoping she’d be down there, but he hadn’t wanted to bet on it.
“Jace, I’m down here!” she called again.
He unzipped his pants as he changed directions, heading toward the basement. “Coming.” He hoped sooner rather than later. He bounded down the stairs, dick in his hand, already stroking.
When he got into the bedroom, it was empty.
Then he heard a splash.
She was in the tub.
He strode to the bathroom door, which she’d left slightly ajar, and pushed it open.
His beautiful wife smiled back at him from the tub. “I always forget we have a spa bathroom down here!” She giggled as she swished the water back and forth across her chest. “Leave it to my dear mother to bring it up a thousand times. I figured it was long overdue for some good use.”
Jace had his shirt off in the next instant, his pants right behind.
Once he was naked he walked over to his wife, who lounged in the water, her pink nipples puckered, her breasts bobbing deliciously, moisture from the heat clinging to her face. “I knew there was a good reason we put money into this bathroom. Best decision I ever made.”
Caroline laughed. Her body was glinting in the low light. The sconces on the wall made the droplets on her skin dance. “I think I can take some of that credit. We did it because my parents are used to nice things, and we used their money to remodel.” It was one thing she had dipped into her trust for several years ago. “My mother mourned the loss of this spa like a death in the family the entire two weeks she was here. I swear she loves this Jacuzzi more than she loves me.”
“Well, it is top of the line, after all.” Jace chuckled as he gazed down at her, enjoying the moment, slowly pumping his dick with one hand.
“You have a goofy expression on your face,” Caroline said. “Like a teenager who’s seeing a girl naked for the very first time.”
“Not just any girl,” he murmured. “The girl of my dreams.”
“Oh, stop. You’re only saying that because you’re so horny you’re about to explode,” she said. “We haven’t had good sex in weeks!”
“That’s not entirely true. I am horny and ready to burst, but seeing you in here has given me a jolt in the best way possible. You’re my sixteen-year-old self’s perfect wet dream. If I would’ve walked into this bathroom and seen you as a teenager, I would’ve come immediately after I crossed the threshold. Your breasts are perfect.” He sat on the edge of the tub and took a nipple between his fingers. Caroline sighed, edging her chest into his hand. “They look ready to suck. You’re all steamy and wet. It’s like I’m living in a dream come true, and the goofy look just means I’m enjoying the beautiful view, trying like hell not to come before I get inside you.”