Chapter 30
Sharing a bed with Franklin felt like it was from another lifetime.
Back when they were still living together at the Jones residence,
he’d alw
always come home late and turned his back on her as he drifted off to sleep
And more often than not, when Elizabeth woke up the next morning. Franklin had long been gone. During those years, she felt more like a grass widow than a proper wife.
The bed was cold. Even with the heat blasting, Elizabeth shivered when she lay down. But then, the textured fabric of a shirt brushed against her as Franklin settled on the other side.
Elizabeth thought that would be the end of it, but no sooner had she closed her eyes than she felt him pressing against her from behind, his arms slipping around her waist and pulling her close to his chest.
His icy arms wrapped around her like a vise, sending a bone–rattling shiver down Elizabeth’s spine. She jolted upright, eyes wide with shock. “What are you playing m
“You’d better lie back down, or I’ll keep on bothering you,” Franklin retorted, as cool as ever, his words hitting Elizabeth like a slap.
“I’m not sharing this bed with you,” Elizabeth snapped. She would rather sleep on the floor.
Chutching her pillow, Elizabeth made to leave, but Franklin grabbed her arm, pulled her back onto the bed, and pinned her down.
She thrashed and flailed in protest, unsure if she was even landing any blows on him; she was no match for his strength after all.
His ruggedly handsome yet ruthless face was just inches from hers, his hot breath fanning against her skin.
“Now, Elizabeth, you didn’t forget we’re still married, did your What’s the big issue with me sharing this bed with you? Even if I did something to you now, no one’s gonna bat an eye, Franklin said, his voice all smooth and measured–like.
“With all the other women you’ve been getting busy with on the side, why are you still coming after me?” she shot back,
The soft glow of the room cast a warm light on Franklin’s face as he tilted Elizabeth’s chin towards him, closing the gap between them to just about nothing. The crease in his brow gradually smoothed out.
“Are you jealous?” Franklin questioned, his gaze steady.
Elizabeth gave a snort, slipping her chin free from his grasp. She met his eyes directly, a glint of resolve in her own. Jealous? why would I be jealous of Paula or that young college girl you been sweet on!”
Elizabeth knew all about Franklin’s long–time dalliances–Jerry told her about it. She’d even run into Paula, a small–time celebrity, at a store, eyeing a pretty gemstone necklace that Franklin had actually pre–ordered for Elizabeth.
However, Elizabeth had handled it with all the grace and understanding she could muster. Aware that Paula was the one in favor at the time, she’d handed over the necklace to Paul with generosity and poise..
She even fastened it around Paul’s neck and complimented her sincerely. “Paula, you look incredible! T
This necklace sure does make your skin glow.”
It wasn’t long before Paula fell out of Franklin’s favor. Next it was some pure medical student he’d been seeing. Elizabeth only had the impression that the student was a “delicate” and “fearful” woman who seemed intimidated by Elizabeth
After Elizabeth and the medical student met, that poor girl fell seriously ill, and Franklin claimed Elizabeth had brought bad luck to her.
To make amends for the incident with the college student, Elizabeth arranged to have a care package of her homemade baked goods and other comfort foods sent over to that girl.
Even Sharon noted that Elizabeth had been genuinely looking out for the women in Franklin’s life. Each of Elizabeth’s gestures was a discreet but clear rebuke to Franklin
What she said didn’t sit well with Franklin. He grabbed Elizabeth, clamping a hand over her mouth and pulling her into an embrace
In a casual, almost dismissive one, he said. “Elizabeth, you really have no idea how annoying you are when you just won’t let up, so why don’t you
Elizabeth nibbled at his finger with her teeth, the pain forcing
ing him to rele
to release his grip on her.
“You don’t get how annoying your own selfish and narrow–minded ways are, Elizabeth retorted.
Eager in
to put some distance between them, Elizabeth quickly yanked the blanket over her head, trying to wriggle free from Franklin’s habt. She squirmed and twisted, her sherk occasionally brushing against him, only furling her restlessness…
Chapter 30
Franklin located Elizabeth’s head under the covers and tapped her face through the fabric, his voice taking on a rough, husky tone. “Alright, what’s your game here! I don’t need this whole flattery act
“Let me go!” Elizabeth snapped, her teeth bared in frustration as she finally managed to shove the blanket away with a flurry of limbs. “I just want to sleep on the other side. I’m not sucking up to you.
The bickering dragged on well into the wee hours. As dawn started to break, with the sky just barely brightening through the haze, a worn–out Elizabeth finally found a quiet corner to catch some shut–eye.
She ended up sleeping straight through till high noon. It was the sound of footsteps outside and Martha’s soft, caring voice that awakened Elizabeth.
“Betty, are you up? There are some guests downstairs. Mrs. Taylor wants you to get dressed and come greet them. Martha said,
The morning light was now spilling into the room, cutting through the clouds.
Elizabeth opened her tired eyes, about to answer Martha, when she was taken aback by the sight of Franklin staring right at her, not moving a muscle.
She paused for a beat before replying, “I’ll be right there.”
Martha let out a little chuckle. “Alright now, hop to it.”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m on it, Elizabeth replied.
As soon as Martha had cleared out, Elizabeth reached out, putting a bit of distance between her and Franklin. “Oh come on, don’t tell me you were up all night just staring at me sleeping.”
Franklin blinked, his gaze clear and gentle, and said with feigned seriousness. “Elizabeth, you’re so unattractive when you sleep..
Elizabeth just shook her head–the nerve of him. “This isn’t the first time we’ve shared a bed, is it?” she asked.
“No.” Franklin replied.
“Is this the first time you’ve known I’m unattractive?” Elizabeth questioned.
“No.”
Franklin repeated.
Rather than roll her eyes, Elizabeth just turned over and tumbled right out of the bed, rummaging through the wardrobe for something to wear. All the clothes in here were part of that big haul Lawson had brought back from Haven Garden a while back.
They were a little worse for wear, not exactly fancy
“Well, we got guests waiting downstairs. You planning on sticking around” Elizabeth held up a plain white dress, giving it a once–over in the mirror.
Franklin sat up, casually fastening his buttons as he gave the dress a glance. “Looks terrible.”
It made her look like a fluffy marshmallow, no doubt.
Elizabeth smirked at him. Then I’ll wear it.”
The downstairs hall was a real buzz of activity. A gaggle of women were huddled around someone, yapping up a storm. Their voices all tangled together into one jumbled mess–couldn’t make heads or tails of what they were yammering on about.
Martha had been waiting by the stairs for Elizabeth for a long time. Soon, as she spotted Elizabeth making her way down, she hustled over, ready to spill the beans, but not before she gave Franklin a courteous nod. “Franklin.”
They hadn’t divorced yet, so Martha was playing it respectfully.
“Who’s the big cheese down there?” Elizabeth asked, leanin‘ on the banister and stretching up on her tiptoes for a better view, but the crowd was thicker than pea soup.
Franklin was right behind her, his height giving him the upper hand. With just a quick once–over, he saw the man at the center of the flock
The man was decked out in a suit and glasses, looking all classy and smooth, his eyes sharp with the cunning of a businessman, even as he chatted anel laughed.
Just as Mariha was abesit to s
40 spill. Franklin flashed a thin, teasing grin. “Elizabeth, looks like your big barker’s back in the saddle.”
