Every Woman Needs a Wife
Dear Reader:
Every Woman Needs a Wife! The title itself says it all; this is one hot book. How many people have dealt with a cheating spouse or mate? Just about everyone, I am sure, whether you admit it or not; whether you even know about it or not. People—both male and female—cheat for various reasons. Imagine if you could take that situation and turn it around in your favor. Imagine if the person your lover is cheating with has to become indebted to you. Would you whip their ass every single day? Would you make every moment a living hell? Would you make sure they never, ever even think about trying to break up another happy home? Or…
Would you become their best friend? Would you realize that it is not all their fault; possibly not their fault at all? Would you be able to understand that they are a victim just like you? The possibilities are endless.
What Naleighna Kai has done with this book—this storyline—is create a work of imaginary genius. She has a couple—both needy in many ways—who find themselves in the midst of a threesome to end all threesomes. I have no intention of giving away all the twists and turns in this book, but I will say this: Once you start reading, you will not stop until you reach the very last page. Yes, this novel is that good!
Thanks for purchasing this book and giving an awesome author a chance to impress you. Naleighna is talented, creative, and I dare to say brilliant. I am sure you will agree and will be anxious to read her next book: She Touched My Soul.
Thanks for supporting all the authors I publish under Strebor Books, an imprint of ATRIA Books/Simon & Schuster. You can find more information on all of them at www.streborbooks.com and you can always visit me at www.eroticanoir.com. To join the Strebor mailing list, please send a blank email to Strebor-subscribe@topica.com and to join my personal mailing list, please send a blank email to Eroticanoir-subscribe@topica.com. That way we can keep you informed about new books, appearances, and events. If you would like to become an independent sales rep for Strebor Books and/or sell my personal body products and other items, please send an email with “Opportunity” in the subject line to StreborBooks@aol.com.
Blessings,
Publisher
Strebor Books International
www.streborbooks.com
Praise for Every Woman Needs a Wife by Naleighna Kai
“Off the hook, wild, and a thoroughly awesome ride! After reading Naleighna Kai’s Every Woman Needs a Wife, I knew I needed one, too!”
—L.A. Banks, National Bestselling Author of The Hunted,
The Bitten and The Forbidden
“Simply marvelous! An original story which takes a different approach on a subject that strikes a chord with all women. Definitely a novel that book clubs will be talking about for years to come. I haven’t laughed so hard in ages.”
—Ella Houston, The Book Lovers Club, Chicago
“Kai has given an original twist to an age-old problem that shows the many dynamics of marriage and what one must do to get over the betrayal. It also shows that it is possible to heal from past wrongs.”
—Nina Lewis, RAWSistaz Guest Reviewer
“Every Woman Needs a Wife is an ingenuously crafted novel from Naleighna Kai which is more than a catchy title with over-the-top drama; it is a plausible storyline with an inspiring and empowering message for all women who have ever felt they were less than a woman if they did not have a man in their life. Naleighna Kai has created a compelling read with unforgettable characters and sub-plots. If you are looking for a contemporary fiction relationship novel to enjoy with a cold glass of lemonade or sweet tea on a warm, summer day, then check out Kai’s latest novel.”
—Yasmin, APOOO Book Club
“Every Woman Needs a Wife had me forcing myself to keep reading even when my eyes were telling me to give up. I couldn’t. I wanted all the juicy details Kai was serving up in her tantalizing novel. I needed some more popcorn for all this drama. Just when you think it’s about to come to an end, another twist is thrown in to put you on edge again. Brandi and her new wife realize they have a lot in common even though they are of a different race. Experiences see no color, they just happen. In the midst of their revelations, too much gets revealed. Will there be a cat fight? Or, will Brandi finally realize her idea was a bad one?”
—Esther “Ess” Mays for Loose Leaves Book Review
“I want a Wife, too! I loved the original concept of the book. And it is true, every woman does need a wife. Someone at home who can do the cooking, cleaning, scheduling, laundry, whatever, leaving you to pursue your career or whatever you’re into. I thought Naleighna did an excellent job telling this story…by the end of the book, I was flipping the pages, waiting with bated breath to see how it would all end. I loved it!!”
—Gayle Jackson Sloan, author of Wednesday’s Woes
and Let the Necessary Occur
Strebor Books
P.O. Box 6505
Largo, MD 20792
http://www.streborbooks.com
Every Woman Needs a Wife © 2006 by Naleighna Kai.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means including electronic, mechanical or photocopying or stored in a retrieval system without permission in writing from the publisher except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages to be included in a review.
ISBN-13 978-1-59309-060-9
eISBN-13 978-1-4516-3995-7
ISBN-10 1-59309-060-9
LCCN 2006923548
Cover design: www.mariondesigns.com
Distributed by Simon & Schuster, Inc.
1230 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
www.SimonandSchuster.com
1-800-223-2336
First Strebor Books trade paperback edition June 2006
1 0 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Manufactured and Printed in the United States of America
DEDICATION
My mother, Jean Woodson
My grandmother, Mildred E. Williams
My brother, Eric Harold Spears
My aunts, Mabel Fosten and Ruth Scott
My sister and friend, Pamela Denise Franklin
and to Rev. J. B. Sims, Jr.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
All praise is due to the Creator. A special love and acknowledgment of my guardian angels, ancestors, teachers, and guides.
To my mother Jean Woodson, to my spiritual mothers: Bettye Mason Odom and Sandy Spears, thank you for your continuous inspiration. To my son, Jeremy, for his encouragement and for always reminding me that the Universe will always provide me with everything I need; my brother Donny and his wife, Diane, for their constant belief and support. To Rev. Renee “Sesvalah” Cobb-Dishman for your wonderful words of wisdom and for being such a healing force in my life, Mary B. Morrison, Vinah Collins, and Leslie Esdaile/L. A. Banks for always being there for me even at points when I was ready to throw in the towel; to Zane for having the faith when so many others didn’t, to Charmaine and Carlita—the words “thank you” and “you are greatly appreciated” are not enough; Avalon Betts-Gaston, Esq., Marisa Murillo, Esq., and Jonathan Friedland for being the best lawyers and agents a woman could have.
To Aisha and Janice Lusk, Dr. Yosha Yvonne Tolbert (the woman who started the Every Woman Needs a Wife syndrome), Pat Arnold (the “No Drama” Queen), Cassandra Heining, Janet House, Earlee Hubbard, Lester Tehuti Dishman, Judy Clarke, Larry C. Tankson, Liz Thomas, Anna Moore, Lisa Brown, Wanda Muhammad, and Leslie Dishman for their kind words of encouragement; Tee C. Royal fo
r coming through for me in a crunch (thanks also to the RAW4All family); Yasmin Coleman and the APOOO family, Gevell, Monica Sullivan, Esq., Michael Leonard, Esq., David Chizewer, Esq. and Debbie Chizewer, Esq., Frankie Payne and Alyse Payne (the Superior Office Services Team); to authors Gayle Jackson Sloan, Corlis Martin, Candice Dow, Tina Brooks McKinney, Karlyn LeBlanc, Brenda Hampton, Eric Pete, Darrin Lowery, Victoria Christopher Murray, Ehryck F. Gilmore, Cheryl Katherine Wash, and Nikki Woods.
Many thanks to Christine Meister, Marilyn Weishaar, Donna M. Rivera and Susan Mary Malone (my editors) for their expertise. Michael Slaughter & Barron Steward (the best cover designers and website designers in the world!); Pete Stenberg Photography; Althea Spellman of Simon & Schuster, and L. Peggy Hicks, my publicists, for much-needed advice. Much love to: the Slaughter family (Pam, thanks for adopting me!), Ella Houston, Deborah “the Miniature Queen” Mitchell, Elizabeth (Grannimouse) Hill, Tanisha Kwaaning, Audrey Johnson, Charlotte Manning, Geneva Arvinger, Allison Ferconio, Nancy Wheeler, Kimberly Morton Cuthrell and Eric Cuthrell; to the Aloha Documents Team: Tom and Ginger Peak; members of the MPG Book Club Collective, and to all the people who kept asking, “So when’s the next one?”
I love and appreciate all of you.
Wishing you love and joy,
Naleighna Kai
CHAPTER One
“I could kill both of you,” she said softly. “I’d probably go to jail, but I certainly won’t feel guilty…”
Brandi Spencer turned the key in the ignition, still trying to come up with a good opening line as she braced herself to walk in on her husband and his mistress. Killing them would be too quick and painless. She wanted them to suffer.
Settling into the black leather seat, she tried something else. “Heifer, what the hell do you think you’re doing with my husband?” No, too common and too weak. She’d have to use something a bit stronger than heifer.
“Vernon, do you think I’m stupid? Did you think I wouldn’t find out?” That was lame and overused. She had let this thing ride for six months before deciding to confront him.
“Since I’m paying for half of this affair, what’s in it for me?”
That might work!
Fingers of doubt sent a chill through her; she knew Vernon would have every excuse in the book.
The fading sunlight cast a subdued glow into the car. Leaning back in the cool seat, she realized that asking for a divorce while the woman he’d been sneaking around with for the past six months was looking on wouldn’t leave him any breathing room. And she didn’t mind one bit if he choked on what she was about to serve up. If she could find the courage. She reached into her purse, grabbed her equipment, and placed it in her bra, tucking it out of sight.
Brown and yellow leaves danced in the chilly October wind as Brandi left the security of her car and inched her way toward what could be a total liberation or her worst nightmare. Doing the unthinkable tugged at her mind, but common sense kicked in. How long would the pleasure from killing them last? She had to find a better way.
Walking up the cobblestone path, she gazed at the house her accountant said Vernon had paid for out of their business account. Taking a long, slow breath, she knocked on the wooden door.
Moments later, a tall, blonde with deep-set blue eyes and a curvaceous figure some women would give an ovary to have, appeared in the doorway. She was wearing a sheer red robe and not much else.
Gathering her strength, Brandi abandoned her rehearsed lines. “Good evening, Tanya. I’d like to speak with you and my husband,” she said, breezing past the mistress into a spacious, tastefully furnished living room.
“Husband? Wait a minute,” the woman shrieked, grabbing for Brandi, who shimmied just out of reach. “You must have the wrong house. Your husband’s not here.”
“Oh, yes he is,” Brandi shot back, outrage fast replacing fear as she stood facing Vernon—a man whose charisma, handsome face, and tall, muscular build had put moisture in the driest panties. “That man right there on your sofa is actually married…to me.” Brandi flashed her wedding ring in the woman’s face before venturing further into the room. The table had been set with a candlelight dinner for two. The scent of grilled steak, mashed potatoes, and apple cobbler mingled with the fresh citrus smell of the house. Somehow, Brandi didn’t think that the cozy little dinner would grace Tanya’s lips—or Vernon’s.
A quick glance at the mistress showed a flash of pink coloring the woman’s high cheekbones before her sensuous red lips tightened into a hard line. She was strikingly pretty, with a heart-shaped face and classically pert nose. She looked as though she belonged on the pages of Cosmo or Vogue rather than hidden away in a bungalow on the south side of Chicago.
Vernon, dressed in a casual suit that complemented his warm brown skin, short-cropped hair, and piercing dark brown eyes, had been lounging comfortably on a plush maroon sofa in the living room when Brandi stormed in. He had one leg thrown over the arm, a glass of cognac in one hand and a remote control in the other. He quickly switched off the television, leaving only the faint sound of music drifting in from the dining room. His eyes widened to the size of saucers and his thin mustache twitched just before his jaw dropped. He jumped up, spilling the warm amber liquid onto the cream carpet. His mouth opened and closed, opened and closed, looking like a fish waiting for the first available hook. The action seemed to swallow every other sound in the room.
Unable to conceal a satisfied smile, Brandi used the calmest voice she could manage. “I want her to come live with us.”
This time, Tanya’s jaw dropped. Her face went from slightly tan to white as chalk in mere seconds. But the mistress recovered a lot faster than Vernon, whose mouth still hadn’t closed. Brandi’s lips lengthened into something between a sneer and a smirk.
“We’re going to end the deception you’ve got going and save some money, too. As your wife, and the person who’s footing the bill for this affair, I don’t think this is an unreasonable request.” Brandi leaned in close enough to catch a whiff of his earthy cologne. “The nerve of you to charge her upkeep to the business. You wanted to get caught.”
“Baby, I’m just waiting on Jeremy and Craig, I—”
Brandi put up a single hand before whirling to face the woman who had entered her marriage like a bad odor on a windy day. Tanya stared back at her as though she had lost her mind. Brandi was beginning to question her own sanity, but watching her oh-so-handsome husband lose his cool had its own rewards.
Finally, Vernon backed slowly away, almost stumbling over the glass end table, putting some distance between him and his pissed-off wife. “You’ve got a lot of balls showing up here.”
“That’s right,” Brandi shot back keeping in step with him. “I have my own pair, and right now I’m holding yours, too, my brother.”
“Where are the girls?” he demanded, finally getting his bearings.
Tanya’s shock finally gave way to anger as she folded her slender arms across her full breasts, glaring at Vernon. “Wife? You, you didn’t say anything about a living wife! You said she died in childbirth and—”
The rush of words came to an abrupt halt as Brandi interrupted, with a bitter chuckle, “Yeah, right about now I think he wishes that was true.”
The temperature in the room rose ten degrees. Brandi smiled sweetly, watching Vernon creep away and slump back onto the sofa. His eyes darted around the room as he grimaced, mumbling something she couldn’t quite catch.
“Mr. Smooth himself, speechless? Definitely a first,” Brandi taunted, following him, then leaning in, lowering her voice to a breathy whisper. “But what can you say, Mr. Spencer? The marriage license is burning a hole in my purse as we speak.” She grinned. “I’d like to see you work a lie around this one.” And the man could tell them, too. He could lie well enough to make a hooker pay premium price for what she got free every day. Brandi had fallen for a few lines in her lifetime, sweeping the smallest ones to the side to keep peace in her home. Those days were over.
<
br /> Vernon slowly stood to his full height of six foot two and glared down at his wife. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Check the record, Brandi. She’s a client.”
“Bullshit!” she snapped, head whipping around to the mistress. “A client? A white one at that?” Brandi lowered her gaze to the woman’s groin. “Wearing a robe so sheer I can see blonde hairs covering the gateway to heaven. Or should I say the gateway to hell, if she doesn’t know what to do with it.”
Tanya wrapped the robe closer, averting her eyes.
“And since I’ve had to be awful friendly with Mr. Dildo these past six months, she apparently knows how to get you over here.” Calm was returning slowly to Brandi. “If I have to use equipment to fulfill my basic needs, and I’m helping to run the business, taking care of the house, bringing home the bacon, frying it, and cleaning up right after, what the hell do I need you for?”
Vernon’s gaze flicked between the two women before settling on Brandi. “She’s only a client, Brandi,” he said, trying to use a convincing tone—a tone that worked with their customers, but not with Brandi. Not anymore.
“You called me a client?” Tanya’s words, almost a resigned whisper, had savage simplicity. “A client? You asshole!” She pushed him back onto the sofa with a single hand, strolled to the bar, and poured herself a drink. Brandi almost joined her; she needed a damn stiff drink herself.
All three silently held their ground, each waiting for the other to make the next move.
Tanya’s statements only proved what Brandi thought—he’d spent so much time with the woman that she hadn’t suspected a thing. Brandi decided she’d delivered her opening lines just right. Now all she had to do was wait for Vernon to tighten the noose around his own neck. Arrogance could always do that to a man, and Vernon had arrogance by the bucketful.