The Trials of Desire (18+)

Chapter One

Solitude is felt in various ways; mentally, physically and spiritually. Never in her twenty-five years of living did she ever feel the solitude linger in her soul until now.. Daniel wasn't in their bed and it wasn't the first time she ever woke up to cold emptiness that took his place. Touching the soft unclaimed spot next to her and letting a short puff of air leave her body, Paisley dug the strength to get out of bed and start the day that was waiting for her presence. Today was the Patron Ball, a ball that was hosted by her lovely husband, Daniel Remington, to raise funds for organizations that needed help to make a difference in this world. The difference Daniel was making was solely out of selfishness, for others to view the Remington family with high praises. Daniel was tall and well built although he never had worked out a day in his life. His gray eyes had double meaning to life, his eyes were gentle with Paisley ever since college and they were stoic when he was at the office talking business with his partners.

Paisley was the one in charge to make sure that the fundraising event looked amazing. It had always been her dream to be able to design character and style into an empty room; and this was her way of showing everyone she could do it. It wasn't odd for her to be in charge of designing, hell she had been doing this four times per year for three years but despite the experience, she still felt like she didn't belong. Paisley was a young woman with a heart of gold and necessity to be loved and to be taken care of. Her family had always been wealthy but what she hadn't inherited from her maiden name was confidence and power. She had always been seen as a girl that was someday to be married off to. Her parents, Rebecca and Carson Burch, had always had more love and more attention towards their older children, Sawyer and Macie. Paisley was expected to start her life and go on with it without any kind of nuisance. Sure she was loved by both parents, but she wasn't dumb, she knew she wasn't the preferred child.

A knock on the door kicked her out of her thoughts and with a simple acknowledgement, Beatrice Riggs, Paisley's one and only best friend came strutting into the room with the biggest smile on her face. Beatrice was a tall dark haired beauty with soft features and with green eyes that were ready to kill at first sight. Paisley and Beatrice remained the biggest of friends since they were kids. When Paisley came into the house as Mrs. Remington three years ago Beatrice was always there for her, something Paisley was always grateful for. When Paisley married Daniel she was afraid that she could no longer continue with the life that she had been so used to, but she was wrong, she had Beatrice.

She met Daniel in college and soon after they both graduated Daniel proposed. Shortly after, Daniel inherited his father's company. He loved her and that meant the world to her.

"You're not even ready, Paise," Beatrice pointed out, very well aware that Paisley had just rolled out of bed. With a knowing look and no words exchanged after Beatrice smiled and Paisley headed for the shower ready to start the overwhelming day that was to come.

Just as Paisley picked up the lipstick from her vanity it was impossible to avoid making a face at the pale pink. Pink wasn't her color but despite her opinion, Daniel seemed to love it on her. He also loved her in simple colored clothes and her hair when it was up, he would say that it reminded him of the beginning of their relationship; but Paisley would do anything for Daniel just to see that glisten in his eyes when he looked at her. Smiling to herself, she picked up her phone and dialed her husband. It rang once, twice, three times until he picked up.

"Hello," his voice was sturdy and right there she melted like a child

"Good morning my love," she let out. She was pretty excited as this was the first thing they had said to each other since last night.

"Good morning, how did you sleep?"

Paisley was about to answer until she noticed that his voice was not the same as the voice that had spoken to her for three years.

"Daniel?" she called out hoping she hadn't dialed the wrong number. She was excited to hear from him that she probably did not pay attention to what numbers she had been pressing.

"No, but I love how you called me your love," a chuckle came out of his lips and she soon grew annoyed at the other person on the line, to make sure she was calling her husband she took a quick glance at the phone and she rolled her eyes.

"Taron, where is my husband?" she snapped at the man on the other line. Taron was Daniel's cousin. His father and Daniel's had started with nothing and made it huge when they launched the sister corporations, RMTech and Ridgeline; Both corporations were huge successes and both cousins were responsible for the hard work as well.

"He's discussing pending matters with Ms. Abernathy in the meeting room, my love" Paisley didn't pay attention to his flirty manner but at what he had said about Daniel.

"Suzanne is back from her trip?" she mumbled hoping that Taron hadn't said what she had just heard. Suzanne Abernathy was Daniel's childhood friend. Both had been shipped off to Europe with her Aunt to a very prestigious school where they finished their last years together. Paisley didn't want to play the role of the insecure wife as her husband attended meetings with business women, but this wasn't any other business woman. This was Suzanne Abernathy, the good looking redhead that had legs for days and whose eyes shined brighter than animated sea.

Paisley had always thought that there must've been something between Suzanne and Daniel but after much reassurance from Daniel's own mouth, Paisley was at the point where she even teased Daniel in a teasing manner. Her trust for Daniel was abundant but despite her trust and looking more at the way he had been recently acting she couldn't ignore her thoughts.

"Relax angel, they're only talking about a new project coming to the bigger states, no need to worry. She just got back from Europe last night" Taron reassured her after he imagined her drawing up the worst conclusions. He imagined her on the other end of the line chewing the inside of her cheek and furrowing her eyebrows like she did when she was stressed or worried.

"I'm not worried. Could you please let my husband know that I called him, good talking to you Taron," without a single agreement from his part she ended the call.

And hell, he couldn't decide what the fuck turned him on more: her snappy attitude when she was angry or the way his name slipped out of that pretty little mouth of hers.