The Other Side: The Affair, Companion Book 3

by Jaimes, Aidèe

  As our mouths press together, she opens her legs to me. Then I push myself inside, feeling her tightness around my shaft.

  She pulls away just long enough to murmur, “Bo,” before she brings me down to her once again.

  What starts out as tender quickly turns into something more. It’s something heated, aggressive, out of control. Nails scrape painfully on my ass as I pound into her. The headboard bounces against the wall with each thrust, and I fear it might be too much for her. But when she begs for more, when she draws her legs farther back, I can tell she needs it as much as I do.

  I wake up with a pounding heart, sweat covered skin, and a boner in need of relief. Only, relief doesn’t come. All night, I relive the dream, having Cris in my arms one second, and the next, I hold nothing but a cold sheet.

  Then life happens, I have to go to work, have to pick up the kids from school. By the time homework’s done and the kids are in bed, I’m exhausted. I lie there with the intention of messaging her, but the lack of sleep from the night before has me out before I can type a single word.

  So now, here I am, waiting for her reply to the message I sent this morning, checking my phone every five minutes like a damn teenager.

  Me: I’m sorry I didn’t answer you sooner. You left me in shock. I was at my son’s soccer game and had quite a few people sitting around me when the message came in. It didn’t seem like the place to discuss a ticket. The answer is yes.

  It’s after noon by the time she finally decides to message me. She sends me her phone number. I send her mine and she immediately replies.

  Thankfully, this time I’m alone.

  Her: Hi.

  Me: Hi. So tell me about this ticket.

  Her: I can be with anyone I choose. One night.

  Me: How did you get it? Why would your husband agree to that?

  Her: Why do you think?

  It’s not hard to guess why. He cheated. He doesn’t want to lose her, so he offered the only thing he can. A chance for her to get even. I can’t say I’d do the same. Can’t say that I wouldn’t. I’ve never cheated on anyone, but I know relationships are complicated at best.

  Me: Why me?

  Her: I want you. I did from the moment I saw you.

  I’d guessed she was attracted to me. Hoped. But to read the words confirming it…

  Me: Why didn’t you say something before? Would have been nice to know you were attracted to me.

  Her: I didn’t have a ticket then.

  Me: So you’ve wanted me since you met me?

  My lips quirk up.

  Her: I don’t think this is coming as a surprise to you. You knew how I felt. As a matter of fact, I think you went a little out of your way to make me uncomfortable because of it.

  Me: What can I say? I like you too.

  Her: You’re okay with being with a married woman?

  Me: That’s a loaded question. I’m not sure how to answer it.

  Her: Try.

  The truth is that I’m not okay with being with a married woman. I’m not okay with her being married. But sometimes life deals you cards at the wrong time. You still have to play to win. I should have met Cris a long time ago, before Laura. Before her husband. Then again, maybe the appeal of the forbidden makes for a much more interesting beginning.

  Me: I’m okay with being with you.

  Her: Have you ever been with a married woman?

  Me: Does that matter?

  Her: No, I guess not.

  Me: So what are the rules? Where? When?

  Her: First rule is pretty obvious. No one needs to know. Not your friends and definitely not your parents.

  Me: Obviously.

  I’d get a good smack upside the head if my mother found out.

  Her: Second is that this won’t go past one night. Our history won’t matter and neither will our future. That night will never have happened. And absolutely no emotions. You’re already going to be in my pants. You don’t need to try to get into my heart too.

  Me: So you just want me for my body.

  Her: Yes. We need to get blood work. I’m on birth control, but I want us both to go in knowing we’re clean. Have all our bases covered.

  Me: Condoms?

  Her: Of course. Bases covered, like I said. I can bring some, but I’d rather you did.

  Me: I’m getting hard.

  I admit it, glancing at the bulge between my legs. Lying back, I stretch out fully on my couch and unbutton my pants. I’d like nothing more than to stroke myself with the image of Cris naked in my mind and her sultry voice in my ear to help me finish. But I’d rather talk to her.

  Her: Do you need a minute?

  Me: No, just a little difficult to type with one hand.

  I stroke my cock once, wishing it was her hand instead.

  Her: Lol! Yeah, me too.

  Me: I have a feeling we’re going to have a lot of fun in that one night. You sure you don’t want to make it two?

  A few minutes of silence gives me my answer.

  Me: Ok, so your lack of response tells me that’s a no. Where? When?

  Her: New Orleans. Three weeks. You need to get yourself there and have your own room.

  Me: Done and done.

  8

  CLT-MSY.

  I stare at my plane ticket as though it means more than merely passage to another town.

  Everything’s set up. My friend, Lionel, and his husband, Charles, will be out of town and are happy to lend me their place for a night or two. After that, I’ll be heading to Bayou Teche, Bonheur to stay with my cousin, Nate, and his wife, Jane.

  Cris said we’ll only have one day and one night. Then it’ll be over. So over that it’ll be as if it never happened. Or, at least, that’s what she wants to believe. But I know that after we’re together, there’s no way we’ll be able to forget.

  As I pack the last of my toiletries into a black leather bag, I wonder how exactly we’ll get things started. Will it be sudden and explosive, coming together the moment we’re alone in a room? Or will we waste precious time with pleasantries while we get a hold of our nerves?

  I hope it’s a mix. I’d like to get to know more about her than just the way she looks when she comes. She said I didn’t need to go beyond getting in her pants. But I can’t help wanting to.

  I don’t like the idea of leaving my truck in the airport parking garage. And I can’t ask my parents to drop me off, because they have no idea I’m going. Not that Dan would give a shit, but something tells me my mother would sniff out the reason for my trip and I’d never hear the end of it. So I take a cab, which gives me the extra time I need to think, to plan.

  Cris could always come with me to Bonheur. Jane would love her. I just have to think of a way to get her there. Sure, it would go beyond the one night she wants. But what about what I want?

  “Thanks, bud,” I say to the cabbie, handing him a tip when he drops me off at the curb.

  I search the faces of the travelers hurrying to get out of their vehicles and lugging heavy bags. None of them are the one I seek.

  All through the airport, I scan the crowd, but Cris is nowhere to be seen. Then a horrible thought hits me. What if she doesn’t show?

  It wouldn’t be the end of the world. My life would go on. But it would finally kill any hope I have of being with her. Because I know that this is my one chance.

  I walk up to the ticket counter, where a young woman with bouncy corkscrew curls and deep dimples greets me. The gleam in her brown eyes tells me she appreciates the charming smile I give her. “Good afternoon, sir. Where are you going today?”

  “New Orleans.” I hand her my driver’s license and plane ticket.

  “Anyone traveling with you?”

  “A friend. But I don’t see her. Are you able to tell me if she’s checked in?” I intensify the dazzle, knowing the rules but hoping she’ll break them for me.

  Her dimples fade as she denies me, “I’m sorry, but I can’t give that information if the tickets weren’t pur
chased together.”

  I nod, though I don’t agree with it. After checking in, I head through TSA. Still nothing.

  Being in first class, I’m one of the first to board. A quick glance at the back of the empty plane only serves to inflame my anxiety. Where the hell is she?

  “Can I get you something to drink?” the male flight attendant asks.

  “Vodka tonic, please. Light on the tonic.”

  He smiles before leaving me to get settled in my extra wide seat. I don’t particularly care if I’m in first class or the plane’s ass. But with my height, I have no choice. Today I wish I could fit in coach so that I’d have a clear view of the passengers without having to crane my neck.

  “Here you go.” The attendant returns with a highball glass and places it on the small table in front of me. “Is there anything else?”

  “Yes, actually. I’m waiting for someone. She’ll be in coach, and I wanted to see if she’s checked in already.”

  “I’m sorry, sir. That’s not something I can share with—”

  As he’s speaking, I glance behind me, and to my relief, I see Cris boarding. I can tell she’s searching for me. Guess I should have told her I’d be in first class.

  My gaze follows her to the back, where she sits next to a particularly large man. The annoyance in her expression is obvious, even from this distance. Just as she’s about to look up, someone releases the curtain that separates first class from coach, obstructing my view.

  “That was her,” I point toward where she’s seated, chuckling because she seemed utterly miserable. “Is there anyone sitting here?” I ask, tilting my head to the seat beside me.

  “I’ll check for you.” He returns several minutes later. “As it happens, this seat is empty.”

  “Can I upgrade my friend?”

  “It’ll be about eight hundred dollars for an upgrade now.”

  “I’ll pay it,” I assure him.

  He smiles, extending his hand to me. “Visa or MasterCard.”

  I give him the card. He disappears again, then comes back with my receipt. “What was her name?”

  “Cristiana Roberts.”

  “I’ll go fetch her for you.”

  It seems like an eternity passes while I sit there waiting for Cris. For months, I’ve wanted her. For months, I’ve waited. And now that I’m a few moments away from having her by my side, time seems to stand still. I can’t wait anymore.

  I glance down at my plane ticket again. At the time I booked it, I didn’t know how long I’d be in Louisiana. Assuming I’d stay only the night but leaving the possibility open for a few, I didn’t buy a return flight. Just a one-way.

  But when I see the look in Cris’s eyes as she steps through the curtain into first class, and my heart damn near stops at the sight of her, I realize that this isn’t simply a ticket to another town.

  “Thought you might find this a bit more comfortable,” I say, grinning as she takes her seat, because I now know without a shadow of a doubt that this is actually a one-way ticket to the rest of my life.

  And there’s no way in hell I’m coming back without her.

  Other Books by Aidèe Jaimes

  The Ticket (The Affair, Book 1)

  The Red Dress (The Affair, Book 2)

  Good Mr. King

  Work Me

  Private Investigation (Private Investigation, Book 1)

  Public Affair (Private Investigation, Book 2)

  Coming Soon… The Promise (The Affair, Book 3)