Simply Sinful by Kate Pearce Read Free Book Online

nose. “James!”
    His expression sobered and he reached out to stroke her bare foot. “Abby, I thought I’d take a leaf out of your book and be as direct and honest as I can. I came down here specifically to discuss it with you. Will you hear me out?”
    He refilled their glasses and added another log to the fire. Something was bothering him. Young Abby would’ve dreaded the conversation to come, while her newly determined older self welcomed the chance to express her opinion. Sometimes, James still treated her like a child. After fifteen years of marriage perhaps it was time for him to realize she had grown up.
    “Firstly, I want to be sure that this is what you want and not something my mother has pushed you into.”
    She held his gaze. “Your mother is desperate for me to conceive but I’m not doing it for her. I’m doing it for myself.”
    He nodded as if satisfied. “I want you to be happy, Abby cat. You have given up a lot for me, and I’m grateful.”
    She shifted uneasily in her seat. Despite having been married for so long, it was more difficult than she imagined having such an intimate conversation with her husband. He drew an audible breath before facing her again.
    “I have met a man.”
    Abby’s stomach gave an uncomfortable flip. “Does that mean you no longer wish to be with me?”
    “On the contrary. I believe this man may be the solution to both our problems.” He sat forward. “He has experience pleasuring both sexes. I hope that he will teach us how to deal better with each other in bed.”
    Abby shivered as she recalled their last desperate attempts at coupling. Surely anything would be better than that. She put her glass down on the small table beside her. “Are you suggesting he shares our bed?”
    “I know it sounds ridiculous, but yes.”
    “Has he already shared yours?”
    He met her question head on, no shame in his eyes. “Yes, but he doesn’t prefer men. He sleeps with women too.”
    “And do we have to pay him to perform for us?”
    James frowned. “He’s not a prostitute. He’s a respectable businessman.” He swallowed the rest of his drink in one gulp. “I had to work damned hard even to get him to talk to me. He doesn’t go around advertising his unusual sexuality any more than I do.”
    Abby already knew the dangers James faced every time he embarked on a relationship with another man. If discovered, sodomites could still be put to death in the most horrific manner.
    She stared into the fire. James’s suggestion sounded preposterous. Let a complete stranger into their bed and willingly share the inadequacy of their sexual relationship? But if she truly wanted a child…
    James came down on one knee in front of her and grasped her hands.
    “Look, Abby, this isn’t just about having a child. If Peter can help you enjoy sex, I’ll accept it, even if it means you can’t accept me. At least then you’ll be free to choose another lover without my failures as a husband dragging you down.”
    She touched his unshaven cheek. He really did love her in his way. She was luckier than many of her peers. The insatiable curiosity her mother had always claimed would be her downfall surged through her veins.
    “Ask your Peter if he wishes to visit us this weekend. And then we will see.”

5
    “A nthony, there’s nothing wrong. I’m simply taking some time off. Valentin is just as capable of handling the business as I am.”
    Peter continued to scribble notes to Taggart as Anthony roamed his office. His expression was troubled, which emphasized his likeness to his half brother. He picked up a ledger and then set it down with a thump.
    “Is it something I’ve done? Are you simply sick of the sight of me?”
    Peter looked up. “On the contrary, I’ve recommended to Valentin that he allow you to run the London end of the business.”
    Anthony blushed. “You did?”
    Peter tried not to smile at his young protégé’s reaction. Because of events of years past, his