Secret Lilies

By Rayven Godchild

Some secrets are to die for.

At the ripe age of eighteen, Destiny thought she knew the joys and pains of love until she discovered the depths of her husband's debauchery the first night of their honeymoon. Divorcing as quietly as possible, Destiny moved on with her life. Refusing to let bitterness blind her, she learned to let go and lucked out on the best thing ever, John Robertson: handsome, chivalrous and an insatiable lover.

But some things in the past don't know how to stay put.

When Destiny's ex-husband suddenly appears in her life, he not only sparks upheaval in her home, but his violent death adds to the chaos. Together, Destiny and John must unweave the web of secrets pinning their world out of control if they have any hope of something-like-normal...or die trying.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rayven Godchild
• Release date: Nov 27, 2015
• ISBN: 9781505342215

Book preview

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Secret Lilies

Rayven Godchild

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Published by Rayven Godchild

Copyright 2014 Rayven Godchild

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Published by Rayven Godchild

[e-mail]

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Secret Lilies

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Printing History

eBook Edition: September 2014

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All rights reserved including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form. This is a work of fiction. ALL characters are derived from the author’s imagination. No person, brand, or corporation mentioned in this Book should be taken to have endorsed this Book nor should the events surrounding them be considered in any way factual.

Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

About Rayven Godchild

Acknowledgments

Prologue

Present day, Fall, 2004

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Destiny drove her pearl Volvo SUV up the curved driveway in front of her home and slid the gearshift into park. Her glossed lips formed a smile as she looked at the pine green Range Rover. It belonged to John, her husband, a new toy he jokingly nicknamed the Hulk. Her mind roamed to other deliciously monstrous things about the man she loved, kindling a warmth between her legs. But the flame was quickly snuffed by the scene unfolding before her.

John stood just inside their home’s doorway while a slender man, over six feet tall, blocked John’s face from view.

Sun rays reflected brightly off the man’s white Polo shirt in stark contrast to his dark chocolate complexion. Destiny’s stomach roiled with nausea and her breath caught recognizing the not-so-stranger.

Joshua? What the hell?

Joshua gestured wildly with one of his hands, a clear signal he was in a heated discussion with her husband. Their voices carried toward her car but she couldn’t make out what was said.

Her stomach churned again. She nearly hurled all over the wood grain dashboard. Her mind raced and her blood surged through her veins from the raging beat of her heart.

He’s not supposed to be here. He shouldn’t even know where I am or how to get in touch with me.

Before stepping out of her vehicle, she composed herself. Anger and anxiety wouldn’t make things better. Maybe he hasn’t said anything. Maybe, just maybe John will be okay with this and we can act like this idiot never showed up on our doorstep. Maybe...

As she strolled up the walkway, she took a deep breath then exhaled. She plastered a smile upon her face. As she neared Joshua, she said, Hi! Yeah...um...look at you. You look...well...you’re here. Exxxxactly what are you doing here?

As she struggled mentally, rationalizing his sudden appearance, she stepped inside the doorway next to John, wrapped an arm around his tapered waist and planted a kiss on his cheek. The butterflies in her stomach were on high alert.

Their wings beat chaotically as Joshua replied, Nice to see you too, love. Only white bread here won’t let me in the house. Is that how you treat your husband?

"Ex-husband, asshole!" tumbled out of her mouth before she could catch herself. The sound of his voice grated against every fiber of her being like a legion of locusts in flight. Leave! Leave! Now!

John stepped free of her hold, distancing himself in more ways than one. Tears welled in his eyes. His brow furrowed.

Destiny clenched her teeth watching the onslaught of disappointment, sadness, and disbelief waging war within him.

So it’s true... He could hardly croak out the words but struggled forward. He is your ex-husband? I’ve been standing here for the last five minutes telling this man you’d never been married, he had the wrong house and the wrong woman, that you would tell me something like that. But you didn’t.

Destiny opened her mouth to speak, but cast her gaze downward instead. How could she explain that she never wanted to speak of Joshua? He’d been the one true regret in her past, one she never suspected would have any rhyme or reason to seek her out now, or ever. The pain laced through John’s voice struck a tenuous chord in her heart, leaving her speechless.

John continued, Why? Why didn’t you tell me you were married before? Don’t you think that’s something you should share with the man you claim to want to be with for the rest of your life?

Unable to answer John’s questions, Destiny glanced toward the pest on her porch.

Joshua’s smirk spoke volumes. He even seemed pleased with himself. Same old selfish asswipe, she noted. Joshua, I’d say I can’t believe you’re looking like that but what else could be expected from Satan’s son. Then she turned, pleading with John, Baby, please listen to me. I was going to tell you but...

But nothing, he interjected. You didn’t trust to tell me something this important. How am I supposed to know that you haven’t gotten around to telling me something else? Like you got any kids I don’t know about? A love child with this punk? Another ex-husband?

I’m not a punk, Joshua said. But she could be cheating on you. I hear you white boys aren’t as gifted as us brothers.

John’s right fist flew from his side and connected with the underside of Joshua’s chin with a vicious uppercut while he was in mid-laugh. The bouquet of yellow and white lilies in his arm flew up as his arms flailed out. His body flew backwards. Luckily, he landed on the plush green grass kept beautiful by the landscaping company.

Joshua rose slowly trying to gather himself. He pulled his shirt free from his blue jeans, using it to wipe blood from his mouth, oblivious to the horrible sight he was making of himself.

Destiny followed John as he gathered some of his things from the house. She tried her damnedest to explain her reasons for keeping Joshua a secret; that he meant nothing good to her; that Joshua was an embarrassment, a part of her life she wanted to forget about, wish it away like it never happened. She tried explaining how painful it would be to relive that time in her life. It just hurt too much to go there. She apologized repeatedly for not telling him.

John refused to listen. Try as she may, there didn’t seem to be anything Destiny could say or do to stop him. She trailed him through the house and out to the truck. Though he’d only packed a couple of gym bags, her breaking heart saw him leaving her forever. And for the first time since they got serious, John left without kissing Destiny goodbye.

Chapter 1

Spring, 1999-

Destiny knew turning eighteen was a huge milestone in most people’s lives. It’s a sign independence is imminent, whether you want it or not. It’s a sign you’ve arrived. Turning eighteen was also a sign of change. It was this factor which made eighteen a very memorable age for her.

She took a two-day trip to Fayetteville, Arkansas to visit the love of her life and tour the college  - University  of Arkansas - she’d been accepted to study.

Her first day was packed with dorm visits and student activities. The second day, she skipped the school stuff and joined Joshua for some personal time.

After a day of roaming the campus, stealing kisses and quick feel-ups in quiet corners, they settled down beside a huge tree. It brimmed with green foliage and was thick with spring fever, giving them a shaded spot to relax in each other’s arms. He surprised her with a picnic of fresh tropical fruits, sliced red apples, ham, turkey, Swiss cheese and sliced bread lying on a red and white-checkered blanket.

Joshua. Destiny smiled. This is so beautiful.

You know me baby, he answered, a cocky grin on his face.

Yeah...so who really did this? She placed her hands akimbo, waiting for his answer.

"You do know me. He reached out to Destiny, pulling her close to him. I had a few of the frat hook us up. Just a little sumthin’ sweet for my girl."

But whose idea was it? I mean, this is the first time in two years of dating that we picnicked.

Don’t worry ‘bout that. Let’s just sit down and eat.

Destiny gave him a sidelong glance. But she quietly acquiesced and sat down.

They fed each other and drank sodas until both were stuffed. Joshua gently laid Destiny on her back and positioned himself directly over her.

He immersed his long, dark fingers into her thick hair to massage her scalp as he said, "Baby girl, I got to be the luckiest man in the world. Nuttin’ like you." He leaned in and planted a kiss on her neck. Heat sizzled from his full lips, up her ears, and her cheeks. Her nipples ached beneath her bra as they hardened, vying for his attention.

Joshua reached down and pulled a beautiful half carat, emerald-cut diamond set in white gold, from his pants pocket.

Destiny’s shock at seeing the ring immobilized her. Her almond eyes grew wide with surprise. Oh my God...is that what I think it is?

Yep. The perfect ring for the perfect wifey. You will marry me, right?

It was the moment she’d been waiting on for two years. Her patience was paying off. Reservations entered her mind and she could even hear her mother’s voice telling her she was too young, but the ring was so gorgeous she couldn’t help it.

Yes, she answered. As he placed the ring on her finger, he kissed her trembling lips.

They moved all the food and other refuse to the trash can, wrapping the blanket around each other. Hidden within the confines of their checker board world, Joshua answered the call of her nipples. He unbuttoned her shirt, revealing her red lace bra. He lifted the bra, freeing her supple, firm breasts. He nestled his face in her chest, hungrily devouring one breast, then the other with his plump lips and eager tongue.

His fingers slid beneath her skirt, sliding her panties to the side. He slipped three long fingers into her wetness, arousing a moan from her throat. Destiny fought hard and cut the moan short. She knew there was public display of affection. Then there was hardcore PDA, something she wasn’t a big fan of.

Joshua removed his fingers from between her legs and brought them to his mouth. He sucked her juices from his fingers one, by one, by one.

Destiny knew what was next. Joshua, she whispered, We better stop. We’re outside for goodness sake.

Come on baby, he whined. Just let me get a little taste. You know I need some lip to lip conversation.

No, we can’t do this. We’ve been through this before. I don’t want to be embarrassed like last time. Getting busted in the park by a couple of toddlers still made her stomach sink every time she thought about it.

Damn baby...she’s beggin’ me. You hear her, ‘Josh, come talk to me.’ I can’t leave her hanging.

You know how I get when you do that to me. We lucked out last time and didn’t get the cops called on us. We might not be so lucky this time.

Why you always got to be a party pooper? he pouted. This is our personal engagement celebration. This is about me and you. I just want to give you all you deserve. That includes making love to you in all kinds of ways, no matter where we’re at.

Destiny paused. Her mind was completely wrapped around the word engagement. She refused to listen to the warnings in her head telling her everything was becoming more wrong by the second. She sighed. Okay.

Closing her eyes, she gave him free reign of her body. She thought if she just gave in, he would love her even more...the way she loved him.

Instead of feeling loved, she felt empty. His touches, the way his lips and tongue foraged her inner sanctum, even the way he unceremoniously penetrated her, it all seemed to show his only goal was to get his rocks off. She pushed the alarming thought aside, convincing herself lovemaking was give and take. He would give...one day.

The moment he climaxed, she covered his mouth with her hand, poorly muzzling his vocal orgasm. She grimaced, hoping no one passing by figured out what they were doing.

Afterwards, he kissed her repeatedly in the same loving way he had before proposing to her. She held to the thought of finally marrying Joshua. But a part of her was doubtful. Their lovemaking was becoming less loving...at least from his end.

Other issues, such as her mother, concerned her as well.

It had always been just Destiny and Vickie. Harold, Destiny’s father, died shortly before she was born so Vickie held the fort down through lots of hard work and even more praying. She was a God-fearing woman who loved the Lord with all her heart. She raised Destiny to know Him.

But she wasn’t a self-righteous hypocrite. She didn’t believe in scolding others for their wrongs during the day only to sin like the town whore when the moon was high. Vickie did the best she could, accepting she wasn’t mistake-free.

One area she knew needed improvement was men. She liked them, loved them actually. But her heart was under lock and key. The late Harold Winston took that key to his grave. No man since could find a work around to her heart.

There was no merry-go-round of men darkening their doorstep. She refused to have Destiny think it was normal to have a trail of men skulking around the house, waiting for their turn at bat. The only men Destiny saw at the house were uncles and grandfathers from both sides of the family. Occasionally the pastor stopped by with his wife for Sunday dinner.

It wasn’t until Destiny turned sixteen that Vickie finally allowed a gentleman caller to come to their home. They had several discussions before he came by. She needed Destiny to comprehend the art of dating, that it was okay to date and get to know people. It wasn’t necessary to crush herself beneath the weight of one man, especially if he couldn’t treat her right.

So it was with a heavy heart she refused to give her blessing to Joshua’s proposal. Vickie wanted more for her daughter than to settle down with the only boy she’d known. She raised her to be an independent and strong woman, fully capable of standing on her own two feet, like they’d done together.

Destiny was both physically and intellectually beautiful, and that wasn’t just Vickie’s motherly picture of her child.

Several young men wanted a chance to know her.

Vickie knew deep down that Joshua was not the one for Destiny. She didn’t like him from the beginning.

They started dating when Destiny turned sixteen. He was one of the neighborhood boys who’d been trying to get with her daughter since the bumps on Destiny’s chest turned into supple breasts. He was a handsome young man, but had a reputation for being little more than a horny dog, sticking his stuff into anything with a hole.

On several occasions Vickie tried to warn Destiny of his lewd ways and his infidelities. Destiny would always tell her she didn’t want to do things in her relationship based on what people claimed they saw. Looks can always be deceiving, was Destiny’s defense every time.

The few times Vickie shared her own sightings of Joshua with other girls, Destiny got angry and hurt, knowing her mother wouldn’t tell her something like that without being one hundred percent sure.

But Destiny still didn’t break things off. Try as she may, Vickie couldn’t convince Destiny to let Joshua go.

Destiny put up with the rumors and dismissed Joshua’s sometimey-treatment of her emotions as occasional man-lapses. When he made callous comments, like calling her stupid, pathetic or trophy girl, she laughed it off as part of his nature. He was just being a guy.

When he left for college, he was fickle in his handling of her. Sometimes he wouldn’t return her phone calls for several days at a time. But she chose to stick by him and work through whatever problems they had. Destiny believed with all her heart that if she could do better for him, she could make him a better man.

After two weeks of fighting with her mother about accepting his offer of marriage, Destiny and Joshua ran off and got married in a little chapel in Vegas. It was supposed to be so adventurous and romantic.

They stayed at the Bellagio Hotel. Destiny opened her soul. She poured out every fiber of her being to consummate their marriage, so thrilled she was to be Mrs. Joshua Hudson. After hours of lovemaking and resting a moment, she decided to walk the famous Las Vegas strip.

Why don’t you come with me? she asked, stepping into her jeans. Her eyes were wet from the tears of joy which fell unchecked. No matter how she tried, she couldn’t stop smiling.

Naw, baby, he answered. "You wore my ass out tonight, girl. Guess I shoulda married you a long time ago. Le’ me rest a little longer so I can be ready for anotha round of knockin’ yo boots...Mrs. Hudson."

Destiny smiled at her new name, toying with it in her mind. She made a mental note to get accustomed to her new title as she twisted her hair into a roll and fastened it with a few hair pins. Before leaving, she walked over to Joshua, his sweat laden body scantily covered by the sheets of the bed. After laying a passionate kiss upon him, she went out alone.

So many other people were out and about. The lights were so bright it hardly seemed close to midnight. She lost herself in the beauty of the dancing fountains and felt nothing more perfect could ever happen to her.

Ow, she hissed low after pinching herself. "Okay, so this is real. It’s all really real."

As she returned to their honeymoon suite, loud noises greeted her. Fear crawled over every nerve ending of Destiny’s body. Adrenaline pumped with the power of a waterfall as she considered the harm befalling her new husband.

She burst through the door to the sight of him in the same bed they’d consummated their marriage only moments earlier.

And he was not alone.

Chapter 2

Destiny couldn’t have scripted a worse weekend: fly to Vegas on a Friday after ditching her high school classes; get married and consummate the union; take a refreshing walk around the Las Vegas strip, only to walk in on her new husband being ridden rodeo style by a bouncy big-tittied blonde and a noisy red-head squirting all over the lips she’d just kissed in wedded bliss.

The trio’s sex festival quieted immediately. Joshua practically threw the redhead to the floor, wiped a swath of pussy juice from his mouth, and started rambling. Baby...that was fast. I...uh...I wasn’t expectin’...uh...yeah...you’re back already. Well...

Destiny listened to his sprawl of incomplete phrases and noticed he didn’t try to explain the presence of the two naked girls. They didn’t seem to care what was going on around them. They sat on the floor touching each other in various places.

Tears poured down Destiny’s face. Her body shook as she fought to maintain her composure. She could have screamed. She could have yelled. But she only had one desire. That was to go home. So she walked over to the dresser and took out all her belongings. Then she grabbed her bag from the side of the dresser and started tossing things in.

Her anger deepened as she threw each piece into her bag. A lot of it was toward Joshua for finally slipping and putting his trifles in her face. But mostly, she was angry with herself for accepting his asshole ways for so long.

Destiny soon realized things were quiet, minus the sighs and moans coming from the girls. She turned and saw they were masturbating and kissing each other. Disgusted, she turned back around and finished packing. Joshua was no longer rambling. She glanced back again and saw him walk his naked behind over to the boisterous duo on the floor.

What are you doing? Destiny finally screamed. She noticed he’d made no effort to dress or ask the girls to leave. She was packed and waiting for him to take her home. It took every ounce of will power but she restricted her violent reaction to pounding her fists on the nearby desk. Animalistic thoughts of pouncing on