A Lover for Beth: Part IV

A Lover for Beth

PREFACE

"I never really wanted to believe there was someone else. But after what I saw a couple of days ago, I can no longer deny it,” Beth said.

"What changed a couple of days ago?" her best friend, Kingston, asked.

"I saw my husband walking on the street arm in arm with a woman; a very beautiful woman," Beth murmured. “When I saw him with that woman … the love in his eyes was palpable.”

"Beth, Zander is not having an affair. He loves you too much to even think about doing something like that. There must be another explanation."
***

“I know English is not your first language, but there can be no confusion about the conversation we had last night Zander. And if you think for one minute that I'm going to stay in a marriage with a man who's having an affair then you don't know me at all!"

"I'm not having an affair," Zander repeated patiently.

Beth spun away from her husband, heading for the staircase.

Zander was in front of her before she realized it. Determined blue eyes bored into unwavering green ones. His hand brushed her cheek softly, his tenderness amidst the ugliness between taking her by surprise. "You are the still the most beautiful and desirable woman I've ever met.”

Beth turned her face away from him. It angered her that he still had such a powerful effect on her. She couldn't blame whomever his mistress was. Was she as spell-bound by him as she was? Did those piercing blue eyes sear her soul as they seared Beth's?

"You seem to have a thing for beautiful women Zander. Your mistress is quite stunning," Beth said, returning her gaze to his, her pride refusing to let him see just how much his touch affected her.

Zander blinked, the change in his pallor not lost on Beth. The hand that had brushed her cheek now rested in the center of the back of her head. He pulled her to him, his lips scorching hers.

Her mind screamed for her to fight – fight the fog of passion taking over; a passion that soared past anger, hurt, deception and every other foul emotion any woman with a sanctum of pride should be feeling right now.

The insistent heat of his lips on hers sent ricocheting tremors throughout her body, arousing sensations that were as old as time itself -- and as useless to fight.
***

"Time to get over your pity party," Beth admonished herself as she showered and changed for the second time that morning.

If she couldn't get the answers she needed from her husband, then she'd get them from the only other person who could give them to her.

His mistress.
***

Beth knocked on Room 2502 of The Regency Pointe, one of mid-town Manhattan's poshest hotels. The door opened and a raven-haired woman, more beautiful up close than Beth could have imagined, stood before her. She now understood the phrase, 'breathtaking beauty.' That's exactly what Alessia Violante's beauty did; it literally took your breath away.

"I want to talk to you about my husband," Beth said, not waiting for an answer as she entered the opulent suite.
***

"You're lying," Beth stated coldly.

"You did not know?" the woman asked as Beth tried to process what she just told her.

Beth yanked at the door of the suite, her slick palms slipping on the knob as she struggled to open the door.

"Please," Alessia begged, "you should not leave in such a state."

Finally, the door opened and Beth fled.
***

She’d come looking for answers, but never in her wildest dreams did she imagine the answers that awaited her, and what they meant for her future with the only man she’d ever loved.