Wicked Obsessions Read Online Free Page A

your creative juices flowing into the evenings, while I sit alone with the television for company."
    She didn't want to have this conversation, but she also didn't want to let him know she was onto his deception. "I'm sorry, honey. You're right. Maybe it'll help if I told you that I've decided, once I get this new series nailed down, I'm going to take some time off."
    " Hmmph . I'll believe it when I see it." He moved to her side and glared at the painting she was working on. "And your name?"
    She knew what he wanted to hear—that she would be putting her married name on her new paintings. This point was not negotiable, as far as she was concerned. "For the hundredth time, Rico, I am not ashamed of your name. I started out using my maiden name on my art for my dad, the last male in his family line, and that's the name that developed a following. It's just good business. How I make money... our money," she added the last words as a test and saw a distinct flicker of greed in his eyes. "Why can't you let it go?"
    She watched him struggle with the urge to argue. It was clear just how important it was to keep her happy when he not only gave in but apologized.
    He kissed her cheek. "Sorry, babe. I guess I've still got a ways to go to be the perfect husband. Tell you what, I'll order Chinese and you can eat whenever you take a break." He turned and walked away without waiting for her response.
    Teri turned back to her palette but her mind refused to be distracted. How could their marriage have gone so bad? If only she hadn't fallen so hard and fast in the beginning, or not been so anxious to give him all the attention he had lacked as a child. Twelve years ago, when they'd met, she thought their future had glowed with promise.
    At twenty-five, Teri had begun to believe she would be single forever. A short, hazel-eyed brunette with average features to match her average intelligence, she had dated her share of extraordinarily average, nice men. Her boring secretarial job fit the rest of her mundane life. She was primed and ready to fall for someone like Rico Gambini, with his dark Italian looks, sexy smile, and naughty suggestions.
    Rico was the postman who delivered the mail to her office. They had frantic sex on their first date and he asked her to marry him on their third. They were so in lust, it never occurred to either of them that they might have differences that could not be worked out between the sheets.
    In the years since, Teri could not think of one difference that had been worked out peacefully, let alone lovingly. Except when Rico wanted something very, very badly. Only then did he descend from macho mountain to placate her with a compromise.
    A few years after they were married, he insisted she quit her job, stay home and have babies, as a good wife should. As a concession, he agreed to her attending art school, thinking it would be a good hobby for her until she got pregnant. He had even helped create a studio for her over the garage of their new home. It had never crossed his mind that she could use her little hobby to earn a living.
    His resentment of her career began the first time she received a check for a painting. He interpreted it as a sign that she didn't believe he could support her. That resentment escalated in proportion to her success, but she was willing to deal with his smoldering anger rather than give up her blossoming career.
    Despite everything, however, the making up that inevitably followed the arguments seemed to prove that their love was strong enough to weather any storm.
    Until the last year, when Rico's gambling and lies ate away at Teri's love and trust in him. No amount of make-up sex could bring that back now.
    Because of his assaults on her bank accounts, she had been working from morning to night, nonstop, to rebuild her reserves. Being an artist didn't provide a regular paycheck and now, more than ever, she didn't want to be in a position of needing him to support her.
    She had told