Second Chance Vows
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Jules Bennett
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16
One
This corset was much too tight, but seeing as how she was already at the party, there was no going back.
Unfortunately, the ill-fitting costume was the least of Delilah Preston’s worries tonight. Why had she agreed to meet a guy blindly? Her divorce wasn’t final, but Alisha Martin had been so persuasive and wouldn’t take no for an answer.
Which is how Delilah found herself dressed all in black from her eye mask, to her corset and leather pants, and stilettos. She’d even donned black nail polish for the event. She hadn’t wanted to invest in a new costume she’d likely never wear again, so going as a shadow seemed fun—or at least the most fun she was ready to have at this stage in her life. Maybe she could simply sneak out when she was ready to leave. She hadn’t exactly been in a partying mood over the past several months.
Having a marriage crumble into a pile of unrecognizable pieces would do that.
But, this was her first outing in a month and she had to do something about her lack of social life or she’d drive herself insane. Staying home binge-watching one series after another only grew more depressing by the day.
Alisha Martin was a new client to Angel’s Share, the bourbon distillery Delilah owned with her sisters. Elise, Sara and Dee had started their distillery journey over a decade ago when they’d purchased the old castle in the heart of bourbon country. The impressive stone structure had been a teen hangout back in the day, but when the sisters decided to get serious about opening a distillery, they knew they needed something unique to set them apart in this man’s world. What better place than an abandoned castle?
And the name had been easy for them. When bourbon went into a barrel to age, some of the liquid evaporated and the old saying was that the portion missing was sent to the angels.
Delilah loved everything about this world they’d created. Not to mention they’d met so many amazing people through the years. They’d secured a solid client base and they’d also made some great friendships through their connections.
Alisha had been to the distillery several times over the past month to get a variety of bourbons and gin supplied for her charity event, Home Sweeter Home. She was such a giving, caring person that when Alisha insisted Delilah show up for this costume party for the children’s orphanage, Dee couldn’t say no.
Then Alisha had texted last minute to say there was a really nice guy Delilah should meet who would also be at the party. In that instant, Dee wasn’t so afraid of saying no, but her reply had gone unanswered.
Okay. All she had to do was go in, see Alisha, make her donation and slink out. The all-black shadow costume would be perfect for this stealth mission. She really should have sent Sara or Elise in her place, but her sisters were busy leading their own lives. Good for them. At least two-thirds of her tight circle had something to look forward to.
Delilah pulled in a deep breath and headed up the concrete steps that led to the double glass doors of The Grandeur, a historic mansion turned event space. The greeters opened the doors to let her in and she offered them each a smile.
As soon as she stepped inside, the music, laughter and chatter hit her all at once. This wasn’t something she was cut out for. She liked things nice and quiet in her office where she could focus on the business and her new clients. She enjoyed a relaxed atmosphere and serenity. She thrived on peace, which was ironic considering her life lately was anything but peaceful.
What she did not enjoy was the boning on this corset. The damn thing had fit last year. Must have shrunk in her drawer.
Resisting the urge to adjust her costume, Delilah made her way into the ballroom and glanced around at the sea of people. She should have asked what Alisha was going to be dressed as. It could take a while to find her considering nearly everyone wore a mask.
Having a good portion of her face covered was a good thing, though, because there wasn’t a doubt in her mind that her pretentious in-laws would be here.
Correction—soon-to-be former in-laws. If there was a way for them to shove their name and money in front of people, they were first through the door...which was why they certainly did not like it when their only child married a girl who had been adopted and came from humble beginnings.
Delilah tucked her black clutch beneath her arm and wove her way through the crowds of people milling about. She assumed if she headed toward the stage at the front of the ballroom, maybe Alisha would be there and Dee could slip her the donation quick and easy. Then she could escape as stealthily as she’d come in and there would be no run-ins with Camden’s parents, no introduction to this mystery man that Alisha had set up for her.
“Delilah?”
She spun around at the familiar voice and forced a smile. “Alisha.”
Her client and new friend was stunning in her white-and-gold goddess costume. With her flowing blond hair and striking green eyes, she looked absolutely flawless, like an actress from a movie set.
“I thought that was you,” Alisha stated as she moved closer. “I don’t know what your costume is, but I’m jealous of how gorgeous and fit you are.”
Delilah laughed. “I’m a shadow and believe me, this costume is holding in all the rolls. I’m not actually this curvy.”
More like frumpy. Some people lost weight during a breakup, but Delilah seemed to be finding the pounds. She couldn’t help that angel food cake with extra whip had been bringing her comfort over the past several months.
“Well, regardless, I’m so glad you could come,” Alisha went on. “I just spoke with the guy I was telling you about. He arrived right before you did, so this is perfect timing.”
Delilah cringed. “I appreciate you wanting to play Cupid, but I’m not really in a position to meet anyone new. I’m actually not even divorced yet.”
Alisha placed a hand on Dee’s shoulder. “That’s ironic you say that because he just told me the same thing. Listen, he’s super nice, so maybe he’d be a good friend to have since you’re both going through the same ordeal. Sometimes talking to a stranger is therapeutic.”
Maybe so. The only people who really knew her situation were her sisters. Delilah didn’t like failure, never wanted to believe that her marriage was over, but she and Camden weren’t on the same page anymore and attraction and chemistry would only carry them so far.
Alisha smoothed her hair away from her face and Delilah caught a glimpse of an impressive rock on her very important finger.
“Is that new?” Delilah asked, reached for her hand. “It’s gorgeous.”
Alisha beamed. “It is. I just got back from a little impromptu vacation that took quite a different turn than I was expecting.”
“Sounds intriguing.” Delilah released her hand and smiled. “I look forward to hearing about it when you’re free.”
“It’s quite a story.” Alisha smiled. “We’ll do lunch soon and I’ll tell you all about it.”
Love literally seemed to be surrounding Delilah. No matter where she went. She was truly happy for all of these people in her life. She just wished her own marriage hadn’t turned into such a heartbreaking mess.
“Oh, here he comes now.” Alisha’s eyes landed over Delilah’s shoulder as she smiled and waved at someone. “He’s the one dressed as a pirate with the eye patch.”
Delilah glanced around and spotted the stranger Alisha described. The sexy man with tight black pants and a billowy white shirt, dark scruff along his square jawline, one deep brown eye staring back at her was no stranger at all.
This was her husband.
Camden was coming to tell Alisha that he was going to skip out and to thank her for the invite. He definitely wasn’t up for meeting anyone new although he’d thought he was ready to socialize, but the instant he’d gotten here, that proved to be wrong. His parents were thankfully out of town so at least he hadn’t had to deal with that face-to-face encounter. Dodging their phone calls was more than enough of a workout without adding a social event to the mix.
He shifted his focus to the event host across the room and made his way toward her. Alisha stood next to a woman dressed in all black with a black mask over her eyes. Oh, hell...
She might be trying to disguise herself so nobody would know who she was, but he knew. Camden knew every dip and curve of that body as he’d lain beside it for the past five years.
“Delilah, this is Camden, the guy I was telling you about.”
Cam waited for Alisha to finish the introduction before he reached out his hand. “It’s a pleasure.”
Dee’s mouth opened wide and he couldn’t help but smile as she placed her hand in his. That spark of chemistry and awareness never got old, never fizzled out. Their attraction had always been high and hot. If sex alone could keep a marriage together, they wouldn’t be in the situation they were now.
But their jobs, his family and lack of communication were leading them down a path he never thought he’d be taking.
Camden wanted his wife back. He’d made no secret about that, but Delilah claimed she had put up with enough and she didn’t see them moving forward in a direction she needed to go. They couldn’t get their futures on the same page and for that reason alone, she’d asked him to file the divorce papers, which he did reluctantly.
The irony that he did this for a living didn’t escape him. He was a divorce attorney who never thought his firm would be working on his own case.
“Oh, excuse me,” Alisha added. “The caterer is motioning for me.”
As soon as she stepped away, Delilah separated their bond and clasped her hands together. He didn’t know if she was trying to rub away his touch or secretly hold on to it. Either way, he had an effect on her and she sure as hell had a hold over him. All of this damn baggage that they’d carried for years had finally broken both of them. Failure had never been an option for him and he certainly didn’t like that feeling now.
Being a divorce lawyer and having his own marriage fail seemed like such a slap in the face. This was not the life he’d envisioned or worked so hard to achieve.
“What are you doing here?” she whispered as she leaned in closer.
“Alisha is the sister of the newest guy at our firm,” he told her. “How do you know her?”
Delilah pointed at a server walking around with a tray of tumblers and cocktails. “She’s using Angel’s Share spirits tonight.”
“Where are Sara and Elise?” he asked.
“My sisters were both busy tonight so I had to make an appearance.”
And he was sure that pissed her off. His Delilah was quiet and much preferred staying behind the scenes. She kept her head down and her drive high. The woman was passionate about every aspect of her life from her work to their marriage...and he hadn’t appreciated her when he’d had her.
The music switched from upbeat to something more soothing and slow with a sultry beat...but of course. Just one more thing mocking him and this entire situation.
Camden took in her body-hugging outfit and the half mask that left her red lips exposed...and way too damn tempting. He’d always loved the contrast of her dark skin with red lipstick. She knew it, too. Any time they’d gone out, she’d always put on his favorite shade—the exact one she was wearing now.
That made him wonder how many other times she’d worn it since they separated and she moved out of their home.
Her moving out and leaving the house to him had been yet another bone of contention between them.
Camden reached for her and settled his hand right in the dip at her waist. She stilled beneath him and he cursed himself for ever allowing their relationship to get to the point his own wife questioned his touch.
“Dance with me.”
Those dark eyes stared back at him. He wanted to rip her mask off and see her entire face, but part of him liked this allure. And maybe she liked it, too. She hadn’t walked away and she hadn’t said no, so that was at least a step up from their last encounter when he’d kissed her in a back room during another very public event. He hadn’t seen her since the gala at Angel’s Share celebrating the launch of their ten-year bourbon, so they hadn’t talked about the private moment.
“Cam.”
He took her clutch from beneath her arm and escorted her toward the dance floor, stopping long enough at his table to set her purse down. She didn’t hesitate, but he knew her mind and she was running through all the reasons this was a bad decision. Well, he was going through all the reasons this was the best decision.
With an expert move, Camden spun her around and gave a slight tug until she fell against his chest. Her hands clamped around his shoulders, and her delicate touch nearly singed through his thin shirt.
“We shouldn’t do this,” she murmured, but made no motion to pull away.
Camden started swaying with her body moving perfectly against his. She wouldn’t cause a scene, not here. She might want to run like she did at the Angel’s Share gala last month, but that had been a little easier for her to escape from.
“Why is that?” he whispered as he leaned in closer. “Because you’re afraid?”
“I’m not afraid of anything.”
“No? Then why haven’t you returned my texts since the kiss?”
Her eyes darted down and they both knew he’d just made a solid point. Which was pretty much his job, but he never once wanted to use his career skills on his own wife. He wanted them to be a team; he’d wanted her to be his forever.
But she’d started wanting more than he thought he could give. A high-profile career demanded most of his time and she fell further and further back in his life. Added to that, his parents had always been an invisible wedge between them. Whenever they could, they made a special point to leave veiled hints that Delilah’s social background didn’t match theirs. He shrugged it off, but Cam didn’t realize Dee took it to heart.
For years all of those differences festered and grew, until one day Dee had simply had enough. If they were together too long, those differences between them would rise back up into an argument and the cycle would start all over again.
He wanted to break that series of unpleasant patterns they found themselves locked in. He had no idea how, but he had to make her see that they belonged together. He never lost anything in his life and he sure as hell wasn’t about to start with his wife.
“That kiss was a mistake,” she told him between gritted teeth.
“Didn’t feel like a mistake.” Camden slid his hand to the small of her back and held her closer. “It felt like you wanted more.”
Her eyes snapped to his. “What I want and what I can have are two very different realities.”
So she did want him. He knew that part of their relationship would never die no matter what. Now if he could figure out how to bridge her wants and her needs and stay true to his own needs, they’d be back on a level playing field.
Maybe that’s all they needed—to get back to the basics. Maybe they should start over and lay a solid foundation first. Every moment of their lives together had been hectic and rushed, what with his schedule and traveling all over to his high-profile clientele as he started his own firm to her building up Angel’s Share with her best friends who were also her adopted sisters. He was damn proud of her and all she’d accomplished. Maybe he hadn’t shown her or taken the extra time to tell her.
How the hell could he turn this marriage from a loss to a win?
“There’s nothing wrong with giving into your desires.” He shifted back to the moment and the woman in his arms...exactly where she should be. “We’re both adults who want each other.”
“It’s not right,” she declared.
Camden spun her around, slowly maneuvering her closer to one of the tables his firm had sponsored. Having her admit out loud she wanted him seemed like a victory he should celebrate and hone in on. There could be no room for negativity, not if he wanted to move forward with her.
“What’s wrong is ignoring each other because when we get too close, we want to tear our clothes off.”
Delilah went still beneath him and he stopped, too. Her eyes continued to hold his gaze and he knew what she was thinking. They’d been married for five years and there was no way she could lie to him...or to herself.
Camden knew she had so many thoughts rolling through her mind. There wasn’t a doubt that right now she was contemplating what it would be like to sleep with him again. Would it be worth the risk? Would they fall back into old habits and still have a broken marriage?
At this point, he just wanted tonight. He just wanted his wife back in his bed. He’d worry about the rest tomorrow. He’d been without her for too damn long and that kiss last month, coupled with the leather pants, tight corset that did amazing things to her breasts, and her soft red lips, had pushed him way too far.
That was the crux of the problem. There was never enough Delilah and that’s what scared him the most. Even after the years they’d spent together, there was always more of a need that he simply could not control.
“You’re still the sexiest woman I’ve ever known,” he added. “One night. We don’t have to think about or even discuss the divorce or anything else.”
She closed her eyes and pulled in a deep breath. “That’s how we got into this mess, Cam. When we only give in to our desires and don’t care about the consequences or the reality surrounding us and working against us.”
“What consequences? And the reality is, we already filed for divorce. Neither of us has expectations. It’s one night, Dee. Your place or mine. Wherever you want.”
When her lids fluttered open, there was that familiar passion staring back at him.
He had her. They’d never been able to deny each other. Their physical intimacy was unlike anything he’d ever had before and he knew if he lost her for good, he’d never find this again.
Camden’s body stirred and they were going to have to leave before he made a scene by giving his wife a proper kiss and figuring out how the hell this corset thing worked. He’d seen this piece in their closet a few times and always wondered when she’d wear it...he’d always hoped for a private showing.
“My place,” she told him. “I can’t go back...”
Home. The word hovered between them just the same as if she’d said it. When she decided they had to separate, he’d told her he would go, but she said she needed a new start without the memories.
That was another revealing sign that she still loved him. Staying in the house he’d purchased before they got married would only remind her of all the things they’d shared within those walls. Hell, he lived through it every single day, but he tried to keep busy and stay out of the home as much as possible for that very reason.
As much as Delilah wanted to erase him in her attempt to move on, he wasn’t about to let that happen. They’d started off so hot for each other, skipped a good bit of the get-to-know-you phase and headed down the aisle. Sure, they’d rushed things, but did that make their relationship wrong or a failure? He refused to believe any of that.
Had he filed the divorce papers? Yes. Did he have regrets? Hell, yes.
His parents had accused her of looking for easy money and help with her business venture, but they didn’t know Delilah. She never took a dollar from him to help with the progress and growth of Angel’s Share. She was too proud and too headstrong to take handouts and he admired her for that...even if her determination could be frustrating at times.
He’d played the middleman for years between his family and his wife. Delilah had apologized, thinking she’d been the catalyst that had driven them apart, but all she did was open his eyes to the controlling, shallow people who had raised him.
Now that they were split up, Camden was even more protective. Delilah was still in such a vulnerable position with their marriage crumbling and Milly passing away. The woman had raised Dee and her sisters and she’d been the only mother they’d known. Suffering such a devastating loss after separating from Cam hadn’t put Delilah in a position to put too much into fighting for their marriage. She was emotionally drained and exhausted from the hurt and pain she lived with daily.
The divorce wasn’t official, but the clock was ticking. The final papers would be in any day and then he’d have to face the reality that she could be lost forever...which also meant he’d be losing. He’d been lucky that the first time the papers had been filed, there had been some things that weren’t right, so they’d had to refile. Thankfully he’d caught the mistake before signing.
But Camden hadn’t been lying. He wasn’t going to think of anything but tonight.
He gripped her hand, grabbed her clutch off the table and found the nearest exit.
