The Golden Chalice Read Online Free Page A

sweet symphony that flowed throughout the room. She released and a galaxy of stars burst under her closed lids. She gripped his sweaty shoulders. She shook hard through her orgasm as he kept going, riding her toward his long-awaited climax. He pumped a release that had him repeating her name over and over until every drop of his seed was spent.
    He collapsed on her, wheezing out deep breaths. Sasha smiled. She ran her hand down his spine. “I got a good feeling about us, sweetheart. Things are going to be okay. We’re going to be okay.”
    Kumar nodded. “I feel it, too, beautiful. We are going to be just fine.”
    She floated on a cloud of contentment.
     
    ***
     
    “Stop pacing, babe.” Kumar looked up from his laptop.
    Sasha worried. The frown lines deepened across her brow as the seconds ticked into minutes. “Can you put that up, please?”
    “Why?”
    “She’s on her way in. Home. Well, I guess this place is home. I mean I miss Chicago, yes, but this place is just as good. The ocean is here. I know she loves the ocean. And it’s so peaceful. Do you think she will be happy here? Maybe. Maybe not. Oh hell, I don’t know.”
    Kumar lowered the lid to the laptop and smiled. “You want a celebration? A parade, I know. How about just a big ole Welcome Home sign? Streamers. Balloons?”
    “Very funny. I’m so nervous. It’s been so long since this nightmare began. I just don’t know how she will react to me.” Sasha turned from him, wringing her hands. Michelle heard us. She knows our secret . No matter the excuse, she’d hurt her sister again, deeply.
    “Hey.” Kumar had risen. He dropped his hands to her shoulders. She lowered her gaze and relaxed. “She’s your sister. It’s going to be okay. We’re okay, right?”
    “Right.” She quickly pulled her drifting insecurities together and straightened. Michelle was her blood. Pops had taught them family first . Michelle believed this. Even if disappointed, Michelle would never truly abandon their sisterhood. She needed to be confident in the bond they shared.
    Turning, she slipped her arms around his narrow waist and pressed the side of her face to his chest. “I’m so happy it’s over, and she’s coming home. So happy.”
     
    ***
     
    The limo door opened and the morning chill called for her. Michelle switched her gaze from the scene outside the window over to Lee. He remained near despite her request for space. For a brief moment, she felt gratitude. Facing her sister and everyone after nearly dying had her questioning her own strength. Her eyes burned, dry from sleeplessness. Her whole body seemed engulfed by tides of weariness.
    “You okay?” Lee’s voice was soft and concerned.
    “I think so.”
    A hand appeared, which she accepted. She eased out of the open car door. The new place looked like the others. A fortress to keep her locked away. She didn’t bother to wait for him. He’d be on her again soon; of this she had no doubt. Michelle needed to buy herself enough time to take her heart out of the equation. To deal with him the way she’d planned.
    Michelle walked through the front doors. She stopped abruptly. Sasha stood there with Kumar a step behind her. Abahti lingered near the stairs. The three people she wanted least to see.
    “Welcome home, Michelle!” Sasha hurried over and threw her arms around her neck. “I’m so glad you’re okay. I would have visited, but Lee…well, I’m glad you’re out of that place. How do you feel? You look good.”
    Michelle forced her sister back, freeing herself from the unsolicited hug. She looked her in the eye and felt nothing. “I’m fine. Excuse me.”
    She walked briskly for the stairs. Abahti glowered down at her but moved when she approached. She climbed the treads, feeling everyone’s eyes on her retreating form. She didn’t care.
     
    ***
     
    “What’s wrong with her? Is she okay?” Sasha asked.
    “She’s fine,” Lee mumbled. He walked off to his office. Abahti followed.