Can't Buy Your Love by Tressie Lockwood Read Free Book Online Page B

Melinda?” She didn’t want to tell him Aunt Ella mentioned his ex cheating on him.
    “Not at all.” While he said he didn’t mind, he grew quiet a few moments, his expression reflective. “We married young right out of high school.”
    That surprised her. She never knew they were married.
    “Melinda wasn’t right for me, but I loved her. For a while, I couldn’t see past her looks.”
    Vanity didn’t know what he saw in that department, unless it was the long hair and slender figure. From the look of her, Melinda hadn’t lived a clean life.
    “Even in high school, she liked to flirt with other boys. I overlooked it, telling myself she just liked attention, and she did. She also enjoyed partying nonstop. I attended them with her, and it grew tiring, but I stuck it out. After we graduated, I wanted to wait a while to marry, until we both established ourselves. Surprisingly, Melinda wanted to hurry and do it. I picked up extra work while focusing on college at night so I could support her. She said she couldn’t concentrate doing both school and work. I was okay with that, but one occasion I arrived home to a house of several unfamiliar guys.”
    “Oh no.”
    His lips compressed into a straight line, and his brows dropped low. “She said they were studying together.”
    Vanity frowned. “Don’t tell me you believed that crap.”
    “I beat them almost unconscious and threw them out of my apartment. Melinda accused me of not trusting her. I told her she had no idea, but we separated for a while, and then we were on and off again continually for the next few years.”
    So what Melinda said in the grocery story was true. Their relationship had its ups and downs. Maybe this time spent with Vanity was one of the down points. “When’s the last time you two were together? Wait, don’t answer that. I—”
    He ran a hand over her belly and stroked her inner thigh. She drew in a shuddering breath. “Just before Jamie was born.”
    She looked up at him in surprise. The flash of pain in his face brought an ache to her chest.
    “To be honest, I don’t know if Jamie is mine.”
    “You’re not serious?”
    “I would like to believe so, but like I said, Melinda wasn’t faithful.  Before you ask, no, we haven’t had a paternity test, and my name is on his birth certificate since we were married at the time of his birth. However, I’m ashamed that I don’t want to risk it. Jamie is everything to me, and Melinda has always been content to allow me to support him. We have joint custody. He lives with her during the school year and me for the summer and every spring and winter break. To rock that boat isn’t something I’ve ever wanted to do.”
    Vanity thought about the little boy and his appearance. Jamie took his looks from his mother. One could attribute his nose to Owen, but that could be wishful thinking, as Owen’s nose wasn’t distinctive. Now if he had those blue eyes or that dirty blond hair that would be good. Jamie’s hair and eyes matched those of his mother. How unfair. The poor boy—and man.
    “I understand, and I’m sorry.”
    “Enough serious talk. Come on. Let’s get out of here.”
    They washed quickly, and Owen climbed from the tub to help her out. He dried them both, and she slung her arms around his neck. He pushed her hair from her face and stared into her eyes. Vanity thought she saw the love he said he felt glinting from his, and it both drew her closer and made her want to run scared. What did she feel for him? She still didn’t know.
    Vanity climbed on Owen’s bed and reached out for his cock when he walked up. “This time, I please you, and no denying me, Owen.”
    He ran a finger down her chest to her nipple and flicked it gently. “Say it again, baby.”
    “Say what again?”
    “Say my name.”
    She stroked him from base to tip and paused. “Owen, I’m going to make you feel good.”
    “Yes, baby.” He shut his eyes, standing in front of her. “You’re already half