Matthew's POV
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPtoWjAstA
Evelyn has been reading our cards after dinner and I have to say realising that Jay received a lot of cards focused on money and business doesn't surprise me one bit. His only troubling card was the tower, which he pondered for some time whilst Evelyn managed to shut Rachel up for long enough to do her reading. I watched him look into the fire, the flames licking up the stone chimney breast mirroring the burning fire in the imagery of his card. The tower means a sudden change Evelyn had explained and being a planner and orchestrator by heart he had looked upon her in a panic.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBrREr2IeX
Evelyn glances up at me after sipping her wine and placing it down on the very large glass coffee table, Taylor had lit a few candles and Jay has tended to the fire as we all sit around the lounge. Large sweeping marble arches give way to the high ceilings and the windows allow the moonlight to sprinkle light into the otherwise dark cavernous room. I watch my cards that Evelyn is shuffling up before me, as she lays them out under the single flame of the candle exhaling and not doubting Taylor's mother for even a second in her skills.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNLJxuc4Gn
"Oh Matthew don't look so serious" Rachel smirks sipping her wine as she glances up at me. Taylor looks over at me quizzically lounging back on the sofa, her legs draped up on the armrest as she rests her head in Jay's lap. One of his hands strokes through her hair and the other rests over her waist.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrmQsIubRe
"I believe in this stuff" I laugh slightly as Evelyn nods appreciatively.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6hHTTadSa
"So you should" she smiles as I glance at Taylor again, it's a continuous preoccupation of mine. Taylor and her hair, Taylor and her smile, Taylor and her laugh, the list truly goes on and on.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCJ93LjJXW
"It's not voodoo" Rachel jokes as my first card is revealed to me.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnzZkKtDdA
"The world, reversed" Evelyn says softly looking up at me finally and nodding again. A knowing look in her eye. Clearing her throat slightly she takes a steady glance at me.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeaoJhJt4o
"Things are yet to be resolved. That odd feeling you get when everything is okay yet you feel you are missing something. Unsettled" she sums up looking down and drawing the next card quickly as I stare into my brandy. Unfortunately for me the feeling of being unsettled of even lost has been my only real feeling for some time.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYEXRpKAQM
My following two cards don't surprise me as they are revealed to me, the images glaring up at me. The hanged man that denotes sacrifice and martyrdom resonates with me as a person, it takes me back to the night where I unsuccessfully tried to take my own life. The other card with what can only be described as a large compass on it is my next addition to my reading.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSE9QcJJWuZ
"It's the wheel of fortune" Evelyn mutters as Rachel snickers.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05iMM5EiQR
"Hope and a change of circumstance on the horizon" she informs me.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4jOG8w6EF
"This next card is you, it sort of sums you up" Evelyn smiles and just briefly I am reminded of the first day I met Taylor's mother. When our lives were irrevocably intertwined.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiImJ8NHMpm
"I knew I would draw it" she smiles intuitively placing a card down with a priest on the front.
"The hierophant" she smiles proudly gazing up at me briefly as I shuffle slightly in my seat.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIHv51Wmcu
"Guided by morality and tradition. Ethical decisions and fairness. Above all else fairness" she smiles as Taylor smirks and Rachel scoffs.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoEvGrnrlA
"I saw it the first time I met you" she whispers almost indecipherably under Christopher's and Ross' laughter.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSeQhKc1iL
"It can also denote forgiveness for past transgressions" she explains.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlm5slwsmP
"Finally the outcome" she smiles once everybody is quiet, the fire crackling slightly as I swig my brandy and face her prediction square on.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLg0MFmXt6O
"The magician" she says softly lifting a card and showing me it.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjYnPst0ej
"Realisation and a manifestation of your desires. The creation of something and the willpower to see it through” she say triumphantly as I smile my eyes locking onto Taylor quickly before I take a look at my cards again.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPU2RissLN2
"Taylor have you had yours done" Rachel asks her quickly and she smiles looking up at her mother.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZ3AeuqiMu
"Of course" she giggles, lifting herself up a little and propping herself up on her elbows.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bg4pvzhUv
"Well come on then spill" Rachel jokes as Christopher attempts to rein her in just slightly. One hand rested on her thigh as she smirks holding her glass of red wine.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwszLFHfB9P
"I'm still processing them myself" Taylor giggles slightly as Jay strokes her arm.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPklvJCCmoT
"My last one was the lovers" she sighs looking directly up at Jay. He lifts her slightly and stands to retrieve Henry from the bassinet in the lounge. Cradling him into his chest as he takes a seat again next to his wife.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPnv3tfhrt
"I'm going to take him up to bed" she remarks looking over at Henry's small body. I watch as Taylor leaves the room with the baby, my eyes cannot help but to track her every move. Evelyn eyes me wonderingly before engaging Jay's mother in a conversation surrounding psychics as they pace out to the hall presumably to retire to bed.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtXLr3Gev9
Rachel finishes her wine before leaving, declaring that guy talk is all about business and boring stuff. She saunters off as Christopher helps her to their room in this grande house. My only hope is that they are not next to me, older mansions don't have soundproofing after all.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡet09RcFRez
"Still half a bottle of brandy" Jay laughs slightly pushing his blonde locks back and watching the fire. Leaning forward I top up the glasses before Christopher returns shrugging his shoulders at Rachel's antics and taking a seat in a large leather armchair.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywDlvip0Ps
"How's business man" he says easily to Jay, a small grin spreads across his lips as he eyes him.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWifBCqtGP
"Actually I've been meaning to ask you how your distribution company operates" Jay laughs easily as Ross eyes me looking bored.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxASaSRVub
"It's quite simple, we buy from manufacturers and then we sell to retailers. It's all about gaining the best deals, having a diverse range of products" he says sipping brandy. Keeping track of their conversation becomes more difficult the more brandy I consume. Jay eyes me keenly as I stand and stretch out before Christopher engages him in another conversation concerning logistics, Something to do with wine and the distribution of food. I excuse myself feigning a trip to the restrooms which really are more like five star hotel bathrooms in this place. With the marble statues and the jet pools, it's all very Jay.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgTJ5TxUvs
The staircase takes me to the first floor, its ornate and the maroon carpets are thick and lustrous. I know that the far wing of this floor is where the master bedroom is situated. The strong impulse I get to cross the luxury stone landing and see Taylor almost devours me in my Brandy fuelled state.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjEnD8a75K
It's only when I'm pacing to and fro from my own room that I hear the unmistakable tune of her voice, the angelic tones of her singing. Following the sound as though she is guiding me to her whereabouts, I peer through the faint crack in the door at her just briefly. Taking in her silk nightgown and her hair flowing down her sides. Henry babbling up at her and apparently trying to join in with the song as she smiles removing the straps of the gown and feeding him.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ08gq6sa0z
Before I even know it I push the door slightly and she watches me approach them both. Silently assessing my pursuit as she sits back onto the window seat with Henry in her embrace.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1suSzuAvm2
"You're supposed to be downstairs with the guys" she whispers as I take a seat next to her looking out over the grounds that surround the property. Trees, tennis courts and pools.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0o9wTOZ34S
"Supposed to be but I'm not" I whisper back looking down at the baby. My eyes travelling up her bare chest and décolletage before settling upon her lips and finally her eyes.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhFsYi9hCX
"Don't look at me with that expression" she sighs.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxafYw4vAUh
"With what expression" I ask her stroking her hair back.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTl5JHDbGp
"The one that you used to look at me with before everything" she says softly.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyBnOY41ks
"If there's one thing I could ever undo in my life it would be taking for granted all of the days that you spent in my arms" I tell her meaning every single word.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgeQ013AbE
"All of the days you wore my ring" I whisper focusing on her lips as she stands with Henry, burping him her exposed chest floors me and I do my best to keep my eyes on her face.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJIFsAzlDk
"He is so like you" I whisper watching him fall asleep on her shoulder and she smiles widely before pacing over to the crib and placing him down. Taylor looks down at her sleeping baby and my mind, body and soul wants all of the things that don't belong to me. Silently walking over to her, I hover behind her as she sighs. My hands delicately hold her waist before I place one small kiss on her neck. A kiss that so desperately wants to lead to more, yet I know it mustn't. Breathing in steadily my hands grip onto her waist just briefly before I trace my lips up her neck and to her ear.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccvA67ax5A
"All of the days when you were mine" I whisper.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3T9DFY1Vs2
"All of the nights when I held your body like this" I whisper in her ear as she breathes in sharply.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoZjArFMu9
"Matthew please stop" she whispers softly, I close my eyes painfully willing myself to leave her alone.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5zKid7t6A
"Stop because you don't want me or stop because you don't want to betray Jay" I ask her silkily.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNn0Uf1ym2k
"Stop because it's the correct thing to do. Stop because I love him" she whispers pulling her silk camisole back up.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalQfHWG1uy
"That's not a direct answer" I say softly the brandy telling me to pull her into me, to make this better. Make her yours Matthew, the voice echo's around my hazy brain. My hands grasp onto her hips and I pull her into my body.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO840iWQ8wR
"No" Taylor says but she's so close to me, and her body is familiar. Too familiar, the scent of vanilla and honey fills my senses, her shampoo I think to myself vaguely remembering showering with her every day. Her dress in my hands as I move it just slightly over her hips, my hands just reaching around her body. She’s yours the voice in my mind tells me, as I close my eyes tuned into feeling her body in my hands.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ndJpftHmV
“Matthew stop” Taylor exclaims but her objections are far away when I can only hear the voices in my head telling me that this is right and that she wants me. My other hand holds onto her turning her to face me, holding her into me.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8HH8iIGYf
“Stop” she cries softly as the door swings and light streams into the bedroom.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqVYsql791
“Taylor” a male voice echoes through the room as I open my eyes slowly taking in the scene before me of Taylor’s hand pushing back at my chest a few stray tears down her cheeks.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyTHxKKAdd
“I’m so sorry” I say instantly, shaking my head and eyeing her with concern. My hand delicately on her waist as she shrugs me off and wipes at her face.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKlg2yg0LQ
“I’m sorry Taylor I just got carried away” I murmur searching her eyes.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bu3hJXIXa
“Man give her some space” Ross says almost shocked, looking at me with accusatory eyes.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFolzL5iSN
“Honestly it’s okay” she murmurs looking at Ross whose eyes travel up her body checking over her, as if I would physically harm her.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3D9ggesYet
“I’m so sorry” I say again pushing my hair back forcefully.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEPLme0Qtn
“We cannot let Jay…” she begins softly fear and worry haunting her eyes.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZEtxKDNbf
“No fights around the baby not now” she says looking over herself and then into my eyes.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovfaAiehdQ
“No more Matthew” she whispers as I nod solemnly, wishing I could wrap my arms around her and counteract the pain I have caused, forcing myself upon her.
ns 15.158.61.5da2
