Read Online Next Song I Sing (NEXT TIME AROUND) by Donna McDonald - Free Book Online Page B

had seemed less affected by her physical appeal than most. But that same reserve was also what had sent her into the arms of a very intense and much more passionate lover several years ago.
    Granted, there had been the occasional man over the years even before that, but her complete pleasure in Gregory and a total lack of regret about breaking her marriage vows with him had shocked her. Being caught with her amazing lover in London by the English paparazzi had prompted her to file for divorce. Discretion became impossible once her name had been linked so publicly to her new lover, who had not minded the media’s revelation. For the sake of her world-wide career, Rayonna had known it was not good to be thought of as an awful woman, especially towards one’s own legal husband.
    Divorcing Jasper had been the only logical option. She just hadn’t thought of it needing to end her relationship completely.
    Though Jasper had continued to sleep with her occasionally, Rayonna knew he had ceased to genuinely care about doing so. Her betrayal had wounded his pride and it had worsened things further between them in bed.
    Still, she wasn’t ready to lose all connection. Jasper satisfied her in ways other men did not. Sex with him was her conduit to knowing that no matter where she went in the world, there was always someone she could come home to now and again.
    “I’ll have Edgar discreetly move your things to the executive suite. It’s empty this weekend,” Jasper said softly, smiling a little now that he thought the worst of the confrontation was over. He really would like to think he and Rayonna could still have an amicable permanent parting of ways.
    “Why must I move? Can’t I just stay in your suite two more days?” she asked. “I really don’t want to have to pack everything up.
    Jasper sighed. “I guess that would be okay. I can share Max’s room for that long.”
    “If you intend to keep your distance from me and not share my bed, I suppose you’d be okay then if I called and found some other male company?” she asked, hoping to see some sort of regret, some indication that they were not yet done.
    Jasper shrugged. “Yes, that would fine, but I would definitely expect you to change rooms if you do. This is my home, such as it is. I have to draw a line on your lovers sleeping in this suite. I gave up on not sharing you two years ago, but I’m not that open-minded about sharing my actual bed. It’s crass of you to even ask.”
    Rayonna looked at Jasper, a bit startled by his totally unemotional, matter-of-fact reply. “So you don’t care about who I sleep with now that you don’t want to? You really mean that, don’t you?”
    Jasper nodded. “Yes. I’m sorry. I really do. It’s been like that for a long time. I don’t think you’re genuinely surprised, just shocked that I intend to follow though on it.”
    Despite his belief he was right, Jasper could tell Rayonna was distressed. And for a moment, one brief moment, Jasper felt a bit sorry for his part in the failure of their relationship. “Look—I’m going to be very busy this weekend, but maybe we can have dinner together before you leave Sunday. I’m hoping we can still be friends going forward.”
    Rayonna nodded, swallowing hard. “Okay. Given your resolve, that sounds reasonable. Thank you, Jasper.”
    When Jasper walked out of the suite, Rayonna sat on the edge of the bed they had frequently shared. For the first time since their divorce, she actually cried for what she had lost.
    ***
     
    “I hope you don’t mind having a roommate for a couple of days. Rayonna talked me into letting her stay in my suite until she checks out,” Jasper said.
    “Did you tell her it was over?” Max asked.
    “Yes. I did. Planning to gloat now?” Jasper asked in return.
    “Depends—are you happy about it?” Max queried, seriously interested in the answer.
    He and Jasper had reconnected in the last few months that he’d been at the hotel recuperating.