Broken Obsession - Part Two Read online

  He was humorous too, something her ex never possessed and she was so thankful for the non-comparatives. Tony was IT for her. They were both Air Signs; him being an Aquarius, she a Libra. They were also an ideal match in that Amber was always so mesmerized at how smart he was. Her ex was an intellectual too (an Aries) but there was something different about Tony when they could talk for hours without sex ever being a factor and they became instantaneous best friends. There was a graciousness and mutual respect between them that was also exceptional. Tony saw in Amber a lady worthy of his affections, while Amber found a gentleman who gave her the freedom to be herself. Always the constant romantic, Amber was appeasing to Tony and loved her social skills and admired her natural beauty, light-heartedness and reliable silliness. She could envision the rest of her life with him and Amber was finally appreciating living at the moment, her sadness slowly vanishing, dissipated until it was gone.

  Tony, in addition was also a very generous man; openhanded to charities, liberal with his investments and happy to spend, so when Tony was invited to attend an event, he usually went and this time he had a steady date.

  Amber and Tony were seen all around town at several ceremonies making appearances as a couple and accepting various awards. So when Tony was asked to fly across the country on the spur of the moment, he usually dropped everything and attended. He had people he trusted to oversee his business affairs and it opened up opportunities to take Amber away on several impromptu vacations.

  Manhattan, New York

  Amber hugged Tony near, trying to get warm from the Hudson River’s frosty air.

  They were on the Staten Island Ferry, taking a tour of the skyline and the Statue of Liberty. Amber had never been to New York and Tony didn’t hesitate to show her all the tourist sites. Tony lived there once, only for a few years back in the 1980’s when he was trying to get a project off the ground and knew his way around town. They visited the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, Ellis Island and American Museum of Natural History, Central Park and lastly, a Ground Zero Museum.

  Amber was in awe of every little thing, not only because she had never seen New York City, but because Tony was so knowledgeable about everything that Amber felt like she could listen to him talk for hours with no end in sight. His voice was low and sexy, smooth and almost lyrical; she was so mentally transfixed on him she wondered how she was ever able to carry on a chat with her pompous ex husband always trying to monopolize any conversation.

  Back at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Times Square, Tony and Amber were in bed keeping each other warm when Amber finally declared the words “I love you.”

  Tony simply smiled, “Really?”

  Amber closed her eyes, “Yes, really, I love you.”

  Tony brought her body in closer to his. The heat from his naked chest paralyzed Amber in that she never wanted to leave the safety of his arms around her or feeling that close to another human being ever again.

  Kissing the tip of her forehead resting languidly on his upper body, he relayed, “And not just because you flied out here first class?”

  Amber started to giggle and strained her neck to kiss his lips, “No silly—well OK, maybe that did have something to do with it.”

  Tony didn’t think it was funny and over-powered her and stretched out her arms and held them against her head. “I’m gonna make you pay for that remark.”

  Amber knew he was just kidding when she fathomed the lust still in his words, “I bet you will.”

  Right where he wanted her, Tony opened up her mouth with his tongue and kissed her long and deep, then released his leverage so that she could embrace him back in return while he cupped one breast to his mouth and suckled, licked until Amber panted with anticipation.

  “God,” he breathed between bussing her skin down towards on her midriff, “I can never get enough of you.”

  Amber reached up and caressed the center of his back first before laying her hands at the back of his head, “And I with you.”

  Tony positioned her lower torso to receive him and kissed Amber repeatedly, lovingly, passionately like there was no tomorrow and happily watched her as they visited their final highlight of the day. Pushing and holding her body near, he grabbed at the base of her buttocks and felt Amber quiver beneath him as she reached another orgasm. Two more thrusts for him and he let go all that was bothering him, all that was holding him back from fully caring about another woman and rejoiced in the euphoria of loving someone so deep.

  Not moving in the slightest, he began nipping at her ear when Amber brought his body in closer, if that was possible and whispered at his neck “I love you” again.

  And this time, she really meant it.

  Chapter TWENTY-FOUR

  California

  Tony handed the valet his Range Rover keys as he opened up Amber’s passenger side door. “Park it in a nice secluded area if you can, there’ll be a hundred dollars waiting for you at the end of the evening if she remains unscratched with the same mileage.”

  “Yes sir!” The young attendant exclaimed, rushing over to the driver’s side and plopping himself into the car.

  Amber beamed up at Tony as they joined in unison on their way into Spago Beverly Hills, for dinner. “You are such a giving man Tony.”

  “I know,” he said as he gave her an affectionate peck on her cheek.

  It had been almost two years. Two years to the day Amber swallowed all those depressant pills. Tony wanted to shower Amber in gold, wanted to give her more than she was willing to accept. It was such a keen frustration for Tony; he wasn’t used to a woman who was constantly refusing his gifts. He offered to set her up in a condo somewhere off the beach, but Amber said no. She wanted to wait until they got married. Tony would have to rush the wedding, he soon realized, and the pair set the date for the summer. That summer, which were only a few months away.

  They reach the hostess and reception desk. “Anthony Rivera, I have reservations for two,” Tony pronounced in a stern, steady voice. He presented the lady with his best laid back grin.

  The attractive redhead beamed back at him, “Yes sir, your table will be ready in a moment.”

  Amber and Tony waited alongside other patrons when Tony grabbed Amber and kissed her lightly on her lips. “God, you’re beautiful.”

  “No, you are,” she said, returning his thoughtfulness. Amber went to embrace him; she was feeling more than secure lately and welcomed his repeated affection.

  “Hello Mr. Sanchez, your usual table?”

  Amber’s head whipped around and went white with shock. Her body rotated around within Tony’s enfold as she stared at Mr. Sanchez flabbergasted.

  Eduardo didn’t expect to see her...ever. Remarkable that within the past twelve months he hadn’t allowed himself to even think about her. Focusing on his ex-wife and the life they once shared brought forth-painful agonizing memories. After their divorce, Eduardo went through excruciating withdrawals. Not being able to look upon her face daily, handle her body, converse with her took him to depths of stagnation. He couldn’t work, he barely even slept, the only device that kept him going was the simple fact that he knew she was at least still walking. That her latest attempt of suicide, failed, therefore, he knew her stubbornness could guide her through to rise above her depression. Stacey too, although in the beginning and hated to admit it, helped besides, with her words of comfort, her gentle caresses...her warm bed. He found himself going through the motions, trying to claw his way out of his former life, start anew, fresh, positive and back to his poise and self-assuredness. And now, all of a sudden, Amber popped out of nowhere and she was consuming him with her mere presence? And, what the fuck was this? Anthony Rivera—his former business partner with his hands all over Amber?

  Amber’s heart dropped at the simple exhibition of her ex-husband holding that blonds’ hand. Stacey Somers, she assumed, they were divorced, it was OK, but she didn’t expect to feel grief rapidly neighboring her heart. Those agonizing
months of trying to get him out of her system were torturous to say the least. The solace he brought to her body when they embraced, his sensuous kisses alongside her neck. He haunted her existence...but so did Peyton. Amazing how someone you once loved so deeply could vanish from thought by not seeing them daily. Out of sight, out of mind, she guessed. Her ex-husband and her little boy part of a far away memory, barely visited because of the grief it still surfaced. Eduardo looked the same, damn him, undeniably fine-looking and dressed to perfection. His hair was a bit longer than she was used to, but it made him incredible sexy and awfully hard to glance away from.

  “Hi,” Eduardo gave to her, still penetrating her stare with his green eyes.

  “Hi yourself,” Amber gave back to him, feeling Tony tug at her body.

  The intense chemistry was broken when the hostess stepped between the two couples and announced that their tables were now ready. “If you’d follow me Mr. Rivera, your table is just this way—I’ll be right back for you Mr. Sanchez.”

  Tony jerked Amber away from her ex’s stare. He was feeling a bit protective of Amber lately and didn’t feel a bit shy of showing so. They followed the hostess and were seated at a table.

  “I never expected we’d bump into him,” Tony said angrily, “you want to leave?”

  “No, I can handle it,” Amber lied, feeling her throat close up.The hostess sat Eduardo and Stacey at their prevalent dinner table.

  What Eduardo didn’t realize though, as they both squatted down, was that his ex-wife and his former colleague had been seated just a few feet away!

  “Who is that Eduardo? Don’t tell me that’s Amber,” Stacey mocked in skepticism.

  Stacey couldn’t believe the nerve of that woman practically eating Eduardo with her eyes. Amber was really plain, with no spot of makeup on her face, she wasn’t even pretty, but yet, Eduardo couldn’t keep his eyes off her! Eduardo didn’t seem the type to be attracted to her naturalness. She looked nothing short of an Indian with all that long dark black hair draping all over her shoulders. How dare she ruin her perfect day! Eduardo barely proposed to her not more than two hours ago and wanted to surprise her by taking her out to celebrate and she had to deal with this crap?

  The foursome suddenly found themselves across from each other. It’s awkward, it’s uncomfortable—it’s just not right. Amber tried to stare Tony’s way, but it was no use, she still saw her ex in the corner of her eye.

  Eduardo suddenly found himself looking Amber’s way every chance he got. He couldn’t get over how well she looked. The pink hue returned to her cheeks, her hair had all grown back and glistened in the chandelier lights. The bags under her eyes had finally vanished. He felt incredible regret running through his veins at that moment. He wasn’t the man who helped her to become healthy again; it must have been Tony. Good God, where would they be if only he remained?

  “Would you stop gazing over there, you look ridiculous with your head jerking around like that,” Stacey haughtily voiced, irritated with Eduardo not giving her his undivided attention.

  “I thought I recognized someone from court,” he lied, popping a shrimp appetizer into his mouth.

  “I can’t believe you married her,” Stacey quipped, “She’s not even in your class.”

  Eduardo bore into Stacey’s eyes. She insulted Amber? It had been the very first time he saw Stacey’s resentful border and he didn’t like it.

  Amber hated how her head kept turning to try to see if Eduardo had been looking at her. She couldn’t take the suspense any longer and decided to see if he were still the same magnet that he used to be and stood up, “I’m going to the ladies room—I’ll be right back.”

  “I’ll be here,” Tony smiled up at her. Amber leaned over and kissed him lightly on the lips. She then walked passed her ex’s table on her way toward the bathroom on purpose and doesn’t look directly at him, but felt his instant lure and reaction.

  Eduardo’s eyes were glued to her exit and he had no other choice but to stand up as well. He doesn’t give excuses or apologize to Stacey but simply walked away. He barely had to turn the corner to the location where the restrooms were when he was met with Amber’s sudden animosity.

  “Are you checking up on me?” Amber whispered through clenched teeth.

  “Why, no…I didn’t know you’d be here,” he whispered back. “What are you doing here?” Eduardo asked, scanning her body up and down in amazement.

  “It’s a free country, you don’t hold regime over all the fancy restaurants in town. I can still go wherever I want.”

  Good God, why did she ire him so quick? He watched in awe as she headed toward the ladies room. He followed her then reached for the back of her shoulder.

  “Don’t touch me,” she abruptly stated, swirling around to face him. Good Lord, why did she have to bump into him?

  “Anthony Rivera…business meeting?”

  Amber could tell by his expression that he was bothered. Good. “No, he’s my boyfriend,” she lied, not wanting him to know that they were engaged.

  “Your boyfriend?”

  “I’m allowed to have one now, we’re divorced,” she spat out, crossing her arms across her chest. “So I guess that’s Stacey, always knew you had it in you to upgrade.”

  Eduardo grinned then circled his eyes around her face. He couldn’t get over how healthy she looked, the fire had returned to her hazel eyes and memories of rolling in bed together flooded his thoughts. “Yes, that’s Stacey.”

  “She’s so...short. However do you kiss her? Does she need a stepping stool?”

  Eduardo’s heart began to pound; Amber brought forth a dormant smile to his face. Good God, she’s back. He always admired her repartee. “Would you like to meet her?” He asked, testing her to a degree.

  “Maybe,” she surprised him. “Interested in investing in another project of his?”

  “No,” he said out flat.

  Amber smiled inwardly, she had ruffled him successfully and was inflated knowing she did so. She stepped into him on purpose, diminishing the space between them. Boring into his eyes she asked, “Do you still find me disgusting?”

  Any other woman who would have tried that little attempt at misbehavior would have received ridicule, but with Amber, Good God, his resistance unraveled and he was completely captivated. He revealed in a sprightly tone, “You surprised me.” Eduardo then took a step backward and began to walk away.

  Amber was left with her jaw on the floor. He got the best of her? No way, Good Lord, he was still a conceited bastard! “You could have continued to ravish this body if you had just hung in there,” she yelled at his back side.

  “Still merciless I see,” Eduardo scoffed, “And, to a certain extent…” He turned around but kept on walking backwards, “You could have surmounted mine.”

  Mount? Amber snorted—him and his big fuckin’ words! She watched him amble away and in turn rushed to the ladies room and ran into a stall. Her chest was moving up and down sporadically and she could barely breathe. She closed her eyes and felt the tears burst and spread around her face. She had never felt anything that passionate and exceedingly painful since the days of them not being together. It was equivalent to the obsession she used to feel when she was married to his brother and she had to restrain herself from not being able to touch him. Goddamn that passion! No one on Earth could rile her emotions the way that man did!

  Amber arrived back at her table and found Eduardo sitting next to Tony? What the hell was going on?

  Eduardo stood up upon seeing her then stared down at his former business partner. “Remember what I said.”