The Unusual (Eye of the Beholder): Part I

By Deepak Kumar Battini and Shashi Sahani Battini

Having hit rock bottom in their career as artists, Lucy and Desmond are mere shadows of their former selves when they cross paths. Her dreams shattered by misfortune and loss, Lucy moves from job to job trying to scrape a living, but despite her desperate circumstances, she can’t help but hope that she will someday catch her big break. Desmond’s dark past and the mounting pressure from his wealthy family has him spiraling out of control, and although he seeks solace in his art, he struggles to find the inspiration he needs to create something truly great. Will Lucy find her salvation in him? And has Desmond finally found his muse in her?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tablo Publishing
• Release date: Jul 3, 2018
• ISBN: 9781925819687

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

After tucking the children in, Orissa floated to the bedroom. She opened the door and paused by it, her eyes warm. Gareth was in bed, mismatched eyes peering through a pair of spectacles as he frowned over the financial reports of Wellington Conglomerate.

He worked as Desmond’s business manager on the side, at his brother’s insistence, but mainly, he was chief financial officer of the family empire. Samuel remained stubbornly the CEO, refusing to turn over the reins to his more-than-capable elder son. Gareth wasn’t angling for the position though yes, he thought that someday his father should turn it over. If and when he became CEO, that meant more time away from family and he wouldn’t be able to handle Desmond’s finances anymore.

Turning a page of the report and still looking at it, Gareth said, You’re hovering, angel.

Orissa grinned and shut the door. I know that at times there’s a lot we take to bed with us but I didn’t think I would have to worry about piles and piles of papers. She sat at the foot of the bed and took one folder. She leafed through it absently.

Gareth made a notation on the page he was reading. Just give me a few more minutes. He glanced at her and smirked. It didn’t make him any more handsome but he clearly wanted her. Orissa stared back at him with exaggerated innocence before sliding off her silk robe from one shoulder. She was wearing a pink satin nightie underneath. Or twenty seconds.

She giggled and shoved the folders out of the bed and onto the floor, uncaring of the mess. Gareth chuckled, wrote some more then carelessly tossed the folder away. She crawled to him, loving the twinkle in his mismatched eyes of vivid green and midnight black. Gareth spread his arms wide on the pillows, raising his chin to receive her kiss.

Wife comes before work, she playfully chided him between gentle presses of their lips and quick swipes of tongue. As she spoke, she started unbuttoning his shirt.

Doesn’t she always? Gareth said as she pushed his shirt open. He did not have the body of a romantic hero. In fact his tummy was already pudgy. But there was no other man Orissa would want, nor love. Yes, his appearance hardly inspired women to fantasize but he was generous, kind, always put her and the children first. Hard as it was to imagine, sex with Gareth Gorman was also the best Orissa had ever had.

She rose a little on her knees to shrug off her robe to reveal her nightie. It was pink lavished with white lace. It wasn’t very new and it had been months since it was last worn. They had sex often enough but since Desmond’s accident a month ago, they had been too tired. The twins also had chicken pox together and they were not happy about it. The couple had their hands overflowing.

Orissa lay on her back and Gareth settled on top of her. Their mouths met in a kiss of relief and hunger. She moaned happily as his hands cupped her breasts, squeezing the full mounds through the silk.

God, Rissa, it’s been so long, Gareth groaned, his lips tracing her throat.

Yes, she whispered, lacing her fingers through his pale curls. Looking in his eyes, she confessed, I missed us.

Gareth smiled at her tenderly then kissed her. Angel, tonight I’m all yours.

She squeezed him. Goody.

They helped each other out of their clothes. As soon as they were free, they reached for each other and kissed, caressed. Orissa was moaning lustily as Gareth tugged her nipples deep into his mouth when his cell phone rang. She whined as he released her nipple with loud, wet pop, wincing as cool air lanced at the swollen tip. It tightened painfully. As a look of uncertainty crossed his face, she grabbed him by the ears.

Gareth Gorman, if you don’t fuck me tonight, you are not going to fuck me for another month.

Gareth looked absolutely horrified and nodded. He lowered his head back to her breasts to resume his kisses. Murmuring his name in approval, she gently urged his head lower and he complied. She felt him smirk against the taut flesh of her belly as she nudged him lower, until his breath was feathering her sex.

Orissa cried out as he spread her and licked her clit. Her eyes closed, her mouth fell open to pant out his name. Gar- she began when her phone rang.

Gareth, annoyed, raised his head. Orissa opened her eyes and together watched her cell phone vibrating across the bedside table.

Who the hell calls this late? Gareth demanded.

Orissa sighed and looked at him. Your brother.

The ringing stopped. As Orissa spread her legs, Gareth’s cell phone rang again.

Let’s go fuck in the bathroom, Gareth told her.

She narrowed her eyes at him. We are not going to fuck in the shower. Damn it! She glared at his phone.

If we fuck in the bathroom, we can tell him we didn’t hear!

Orissa wailed, Look, I said you must fuck me but what if something’s happened to him?

Again? Desmond is an idiot but he’s not stupid enough to get into another accident.

They exchanged a look and sighed. Orissa sat up and covered herself. Gareth glared at his phone and answered. What is it this time, Desmond?

The genius housekeeper you hired rearranged my stuff! Desmond was raging at Gareth a half hour later. His eyes were red and his hair a mess of