Audra

Audra Delaney Diamond Garden Avenue Press Contents Blurb Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Also by Delaney Diamond About the Author Blurb No one said marriage was easy, but it shouldn’t be this hard. Audra Connor-Foster is used to presenting a picture of domestic bliss to the outside world. The truth is, her husband hasn’t touched her in months. After a bitter argument one night, she finally asks for a divorce. Damon is not surprised when Audra asks, but the words sting. What he won’t allow her to do is keep him away from his kids. A battle of wills ensues, forcing the couple to face the truth about the demise of their marriage. In the midst of all the pain, anger, and bitterness, they try to rekindle the fire in their relationship. Before it’s too late. Audra by Delaney Diamond Copyright © January 2023, Delaney Diamond Garden Avenue Press Atlanta, Georgia 978-1-946302-72-4 (Ebook edition) 978-1-946302-73-1 (Paperback edition) This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental. No part of this e-book may be reproduced or shared by any electronic or mechanical means, including but not limited to printing, file sharing, and e-mail, without prior written permission from Delaney Diamond. www.delaneydiamond.com Prologue “What did you think of my speech?” Damon asked. He and Audra entered the house from the garage and stepped into the kitchen. Tonight, he accepted an award as the year’s Sports Humanitarian for his charitable donations and the time he spent mentoring and coaching young boys. “Like I told you weeks ago, it was good,” she said, making her way to the foyer. He followed her up the stairs. The house was quiet because their three children weren’t there. They hadn’t been sure what time they would get home, so the kids spent the night at her mother’s before they went to the event. “Good as in okay, or good as in I killed it?” Damon asked. He always practiced his speeches in front of Audra, and she gave him pointers, not only for the delivery but for the speech itself. He trusted her writing skills, and when she gave a suggestion, he made the revisions. But practice in the den was a whole different animal than delivering in front of a room filled with people hanging on his every word. “You killed it,” Audra said. They entered the master bedroom at the end of the hall. “You’re right, I killed it.” Audra flipped on the light and illuminated their bedroom. She slanted a glance over her shoulder. Her hair swished with the movement, bone straight and shimmering black from a silk press. “Careful, your head is growing,” she teased. He laughed, watching as she stepped out of her heels with fluid movements. Feminine and casually graceful. His wife was so sexy. “You said I did good,” he reminded her. “Mhmm. Actually, you did fantastic, hon. I have to give you some sugar for that.” With the shoes dangling from her fingers, she stood on tiptoe and kissed his bearded cheek, her lips soft as rose petals. The blood leaped under his skin. They hadn’t had sex in a while, but maybe he’d get lucky tonight. He shrugged off his jacket and tossed it onto one of the chairs in front of the fireplace. Like the rest of the house, Audra had handled the decor. The master bedroom was designed with an eye for comfort and simple elegance, with a California king bed and a custom-built tufted headboard reaching almost to the high ceiling. With no television in the room, the focal point was the fireplace surrounded by polished alabaster tiles, above which hung an abstract painting from an up-and-coming local artist. Teal armchairs and a cocktail table rested in front of the fireplace. Throw pillows and drapes in cool colors like green and blue contrasted against the white and tan in the bedsheets and on the walls. “I’m very proud of you.” Audra went into her large walk-in closet. Damon went to stand in the doorway, his mouth watering as she slipped the black dress down her arms and stepped out of it, revealing skin the color of deepest, darkest brown sugar and the luscious curves of her hourglass figure. She wore a black lace bra and matching thong, which disappeared between her ample butt cheeks. “As long as you think I did well, that’s all that matters,” he said. “By the way, I forgot to tell you that Simon texted me during the program. TAG Heuer contacted him. They want to re-up my contract.” Ever since he quit playing baseball, Damon expanded his income through modeling, licensing deals, and investments. The flexibility of being able to set his own schedule and not having to answer to anyone gave him more time to spend with his family. His friend and attorney, Simon Finch, negotiated the modeling and licensing deals. “Are you interested?” Audra hung up her dress and started removing her bra and jewelry. His body stirred with desire as he watched her disrobe, an erection straining the front of his pants. “Definitely. I like the watches, so they’re an easy sell.” He promoted the TAG Heuer sports collection, and a drawer in his closet was filled with their watches. At the moment, he wore the Carrera Porsche Chronograph Special Edition timepiece—the most expensive one in the line. “I’m guessing you told Simon yes?” Audra slipped on a cute white pajama set, made up of shorts and a