by Remi Wild
That would be perfect—very few women can resist his charms. Mel and I often refer to him as the Panty Whisperer—oh, how I’d like him to work his magic on Fiona.
I wonder if he’d agree to distract her for me. A victorious grin curls my lips as I consider this. It’s the easiest and best option. Snapping out of it, I say, “So Eric tells me that you will be joining us for dinner on Friday...”
“Yes, I’m looking forward to it. Hope it’s ok...”
“Of course, I’d love it if you could make it to the office bar-b-que next month. I did send out an open invitation to the office...did you get it?”
“Yes, I did…I’ll absolutely be here.”
I bet you will. “Perfect.” The disappointment in my tone is catty, it slipped out that way.
“I’m about ready,” Eric states from behind us. I swivel and smile, relieved that he has shown up.
Fiona rises to leave. “Thank you for the coffee and the chat.”
“Anytime,” I say as I move to embrace Eric. He leans in and kisses me, soft, sweet, and respectable, but I’ll take it. I can’t get enough of him.
“I’ll see you Tuesday night.” He pulls from my embrace and heads out with Fiona in tow.
“Be safe,” I say as I wave goodbye. After I close the door, I lean against it, almost giddy with the latest plan rolling around in my head.
If Leo would fall for Fiona, my life would be made. It’s the perfect solution...only...I don’t want him to break her heart like he tends to do.
Wait, scratch that—I hope he tears her still-beating heart from her perfect DD-cup chest. My gut tells me, she’d do the same to me if given even half the chance. It’s savage to think this way, but she’s after my man, and not even trying to hide it.
I’m sure she’ll step off once she realizes Eric isn’t up for grabs, or she falls for Leo—the latter would be ideal. If we keep her close and show her that our marriage is secure, unbreakable, then everything will work out.
I have to believe that…even if a small obsessive part of me disagrees.
The chirp of my cellphone drags my attention back to the moment. I grab the phone to discover a text from Melanie. Have to cancel. Hot date.
I’m good with this. I could use a day to myself.
As I lounge by the pool, I ponder my sassy southern bestie’s heart of gold that she keeps under wraps. She’s holding out for the right guy, one that isn’t a total dumbass. Maybe this guy will be different, maybe he’ll be a keeper. Men like that, like my Eric, are hard to find.
Although, she never mentioned a new guy to me—she never does, unless it becomes more than just a few hookups. Maybe this hot date of hers will turn into something great, and she deserves that, it’s long overdue.
Chapter Nine
I’d love to say I spent the last few hours chilling, but that would be a lie. I’ve guzzled half a bottle of shiraz and am now effectively and completely losing my mind—it may be slightly buzzed but it hasn’t diminished the worry.
I have had too much time on my hands, too much time to think. The Fiona being alone with my husband thing has festered in my mind to the point of bursting.
Never mind that Eric loves me and is committed to us—that woman is after my husband!
My body is stiff with jealousy; it’s not like I can help it, it just creeps up on me, invading my thoughts with terrifying images of what could be, images that I know aren’t real, but they still play through my mind like a movie.
In these moments, I am incensed, obsessed.
A huge part of me despises myself. The rest ruminates over every little detail, every little word, every little gesture. Our conversation over coffee rolls through my head on auto-play.
She wanted me to know.
She wanted to rattle me.
It worked.
My first mistake was thinking about it for even just one second—that’s all it takes for jealousy to worm its way into all reason and complete blow it out of the water. I’m so far past reasonable thought that I am actually shaking with fear, but it’s not the fear of Fiona snagging my husband; It’s fear of what I might do to try and stop it.
I’m sitting on the couch, petting Chia, trying to prevent myself from doing what I’ve spent the last hour preparing for. I’m fully dressed and ready, but my body sits firmly stuck, I can’t force myself up.
Thank God!
I need someone to knock me back into reality. I need Melanie, but she’s got a date. I grab my cell and dial anyway.
Straight to voicemail—not surprising.
Okay, no big deal, I’ll just dial mom.
No answer.
Shit.
I dial Bridgette.
No answer.
Fuck.
The idea that I may just do that thing I know that I shouldn’t forces me to dial the last person I should.
He answers. “What’s up, Becs?”
I’m silent for a second, unsure of how to word it—my craziness.
“Hello?” he says.
“I’m fully dressed and ready to play stalker...I need you to talk me down.”
He laughs, but catches himself as my silence confirms the seriousness of my words. “Don’t you bloody dare!”
“I’m literally shaking, Leo. What the hell is wrong with me?” And like a dam, my world crumbles, and I sob into the phone.
“I’m coming over.”
“No,” I gasp, but it’s too late, the line goes silent. “Shit!” I whisper as my legs unfreeze and I jump up. What the hell did I just do? This whole thing is going from bad to worse to ridiculously insane.
What will Eric think if he finds out Leo and I spent time alone together? I grab the phone and text Leo not to bother, but he sends one back saying, On my way.
Staring at the clock, time moves at a snail’s pace as I dread the situation that I have put myself in. There’s too much history. What if this puts a wrench in Eric and Leo’s reconciliation? It’s not like anything will happen, but I don’t want that to be in question. Ever.
Oh, I don’t know…How pissed would Eric be if I showed up in Tuscaloosa like a jealous psychopath? It’s difficult to decide which would piss him off more: discovering my psycho tendencies or hanging alone with Leo, however innocent either might be. Both scenarios could push him right into Fiona’s arms, and I can’t have that.
Chia jumps off the couch and races to the door, barking and leaping at the door. Leo’s here. I’m suddenly at the door and then he is in my living room before I have a chance to process anything. There’s too much swirling through my mind, and my movements are robotic, hazy, like I’m watching myself in a movie.
He stares down at me, chasing my gaze, and then frowns as he yanks me into a hug. I collapse and cry like a pathetic baby. He rubs my back and coos and when the tears stop and I can breathe, he pulls me to the couch and sits me down, plopping himself next to me and yanking me back into his embrace. I lean in, feeling like a big, stupid, awkward as fuck, baby.
“Why are you so worked up about this?” Leo says after a minute or so.
“I don’t know. This isn’t like me, but it’s also beyond some random woman checking him out on the street. It’s personal, she wants him, she wants me to know she wants him…and they work together...closely.”
“Pfft. That doesn’t mean shit. Eric would never...”
I pull back and glare at him. “Really, I never thought you would either...”
“Is that what this is about? Are you worried history will repeat itself?” He shakes his head. “I didn’t intend to hurt you then…It was college…I needed to blow off steam…monogamy wasn’t even on my radar…I was an ass for stringing you along. I’m sorry it still affects you, Becs.”
Looking down, I close my eyes and suck in a deep breath. “I never thought it did, until Fiona. Now, I can’t stop thinking about them together. Seriously, you were right, it’s bordering on obsessive, crazy. I was actually going to go to the hotel in Tuscaloosa and spy on them, or surprise
him, or...I don’t know.”
“Well, that won’t be happening tonight. You and I are going to hang here with Chia. We’ll get some pizza and have a girls’ night.”
I laugh and a snort sneaks out causing him to belly laugh.
“Thanks Leo, but Eric isn’t going to be happy about this...”
“He’d be less thrilled if you showed up at his hotel, questioning his loyalty.”
“Point taken.” A thought strikes me and my body stiffens with recognition of a similar time, situation. Chills rush up my spine, I pray that this time I’m on the winning end. I’d die if Eric left me, if he cheated on me like Leo did. I’d die.
“What is it, now?” he drawls, eyeing me.
“This just reminds me of how Eric and I got together...He came by my dorm to check on me...after I caught you with the cheerleader...”
Leo rolls his eyes. “You’re insane. This is totally different, and Eric isn’t cheating.”
“He could though...That’s what I’m scared of.”
“Yeah, he could, but he won’t. He loves you, you’re all he talks about. I guarantee he’s thinking about you, right now...”
What a sweet thing to say. I can’t help but smile. “Thanks, Leo.”
“Also, this whiny, needy thing you got going on ...” He swirls his finger through the air, highlighting my present situation. “It’s crazy and you need to get a grip.”
My jaw drops as I gape at him, shocked, but then I burst into hysterics. “What I missed the most about you Leo is your brutal honesty.”
“Someone has to tell you how it is. The fastest was to turn a man off and push him away is to test him. He believes you trust him, don’t break that faith.”
Nodding my head, I stand and head for the kitchen. “Let’s get some drinks and go for a swim. You can borrow a pair of shorts from Eric’s closet.”
“Actually, I’m on call, so it’s water for me...” Turning to him, I see him checking his phone. His forehead crinkles as if he’s pondering what to text.
“Leo, did you have plans?”
He looks at me and shrugs. “Just a date, I can reschedule.”
“What? No, you should go. Look, I promise that I won’t do anything stupid. You totally saved me, but I’m not coming between you and a date. That’s just lame, and I can’t get any lamer.”
He laughs. “Alright, then. If you’re good, then I’m going to head out.”
“Actually, I do need one thing…” He tilts his head slightly, raising an eyebrow as he waits. “Can you come for dinner Friday night?”
“Sure,” he says, as my grin widens. He catches on and shakes his head. “No bloody way!”
“Oh, come on, Leo. I need someone to keep her busy. Otherwise it’s just the three of us, and it’ll be awkward as fuck.”
“Did it ever occur to you that I might actually have plans?”
“Do you?” He frowns, my grin widens. “Please. I’m begging you. It’s not like I’m asking you to sleep with her, although that would be fantastic.”
“You’ve completely lost your mind. I’m not some prostitute you can whore out to serve your purpose.” His tone cracks with anger.
“Leo, I don’t expect you to sleep with her. Jeez. I’m asking you as a friend to even out the scales on what might otherwise be an awkward night. I’m asking you as a favor to me and to Eric.”
“Why don’t you ask Melanie?”
Laughter bursts from me. “Uhhh, have you met her? She’ll be all over Fiona, and I can’t have her knowing that I know her secret. I want to play it as cool as possible.”
He tosses a look to the sky and releases an audible, not impressed, but resolved sigh. “Fine. But I’m not sleeping with her…”
“I would never ask you to. Thank you. Now, I’m good. You should get to your date.” He eyes me suspiciously, clearly thinking I might still do something stupid. “I promise, I won’t be a crazy stalker and go to Tuscaloosa.” Raising my hand, I swear silently that I won’t.
No sooner does Leo leave, my cell starts to ring. It’s Eric. Snatching it up, I answer, giddy with excitement and so happy he called.
“Hey,” he says. “How has your night been?”
My hesitation in answering sets off an alarm.
“Becky?”
“Um, Okay,” I pause for a second. “Don’t be mad.”
“What happened?” he drawls, the worry apparent in his voice.
“So, Melanie cancelled our plans because she had a date, and I got to thinking too much, and well—I freaked out and was one step away from driving to Tuscaloosa...”
“Fiona,” he says. “Becky, you have nothing to worry about. I would never hurt you.”
“I know...The thing is, I know what I was planning was stupid, but I couldn’t rationalize, so I was trying to get in touch with someone to talk me down, but the only person available was Leo...”
He sighs. “You called Leo?”
“He came over for a short visit, but it totally saved me. He talked me down, and I realized that what he did to me still sits in the back of my mind and freaks me out...I know you love me, and I trust you…but there is still that fear, you know?”
“I get it. Is Leo still there?”
“No, he had a date.” He’s silence tells me he’s relieved. “I’m sorry...”
“Don’t be. I appreciate you being honest.”
“I invited Fiona to the bar-b-que.”
“She told me.” We are silent for a few seconds.
“And, I invited Leo to dinner on Friday…I hope you don’t mind, but I thought it would be a bit awkward with just the three of us.”
“Why didn’t you invite Melanie…never mind,” he says with a chuckle, knowing exactly why I didn’t invite Mel. “I love you.”
“I love you too. Hope you have a great meeting tomorrow.”
“Thanks. I’ll text and let you know how it goes...sweet dreams tonight.” I can hear the naughty smile in his tone.
“I’ll be dreaming of you. Goodnight.” I disconnect and drop my phone on the couch, feeling relieved and in control.
So, I know it’s silly that I lose myself to these fits of insecurity. Eric is my one and only, and I know he feels the same.
I need to chill.
It’s just like Leo said, if I don’t, I may inadvertently push him away, and there is no way in hell I am going to have that.
Chapter Ten
My plan is simple: subtly push Leo and Fiona together while ensuring that Eric has everything in this marriage that he could possibly desire, and more—I will leave him wanting for nothing, except me, of course.
No more crazy jealousy, thinking about stalking him and Fiona.
No more whining that she may possibly sway him.
Pfft. That shit just isn’t going to happen.
He is mine, my other half, and I am not going to lose him to her or anyone.
It’s game time.
I spent all day yesterday shopping and cleaning the house. Eric is due home any minute and I am prepared, ready and waiting in my new, pink lace teddy and stockings. I’m so forny I can hardly see straight.
Propped up on the couch in my sexiest come-hither pose, I plaster a dirty smirk on my face as the door opens...Fiona walks in and freezes as she sees me scramble to cover up with a throw cushion.
“Oh my God!” I screech.
Eric follows behind Fiona, stops dead, tilts his head, and then bursts out laughing, Fiona smirks, muffling her laughter.
Closing my eyes, I want to die, disappear—now would be the ideal time for a lightning bolt to rip through the house and strike me dead.
“I’ll just leave you to it, then,” Fiona says as she waives goodbye to Eric and scoots out of the house.
I roll over into fetal position, burying my face in the back of the couch while groaning with complete and total mortification. Eric sits on the couch and wrestles the cushion from my death grip, whistling his approval. I turn to look at him, and he’s grinning devil
ishly.
“You certainly never disappoint, Becky.”
Frowning, I sigh. “Your whole fucking office better not know about this, or I’m going to slaughter Fiona.”
“She won’t say anything...” He pulls at my shoulder, trying to peek. “Roll over so I can see you.”
Sitting up, I turn towards him while trying to look sexy but the shameful flush of humiliation hasn’t quite left my face. He reaches up and brushes the hair from my cheeks, and leans in to claim my lips. Heat rushes to every part of my body and the rest is forgotten.
He takes my hand and tugs it, forcing me up and into his arms. “I need to get that off you, ASAP. It’s been a long two days...” Kissing me hard, demanding, his hands grip my ass, grinding me against his erection.
His lips pull from mine, but I’m still in it, gripping his shirt, wanting more. He smacks my ass, and I squeal, turning to race upstairs with him close behind. He grabs me as I enter the room, shoves me against the wall, pinning my arms above my head as his lips devour mine.
Sucking on my bottom lip, his free hand roams to my breast—he tweaks my nipple through the pink lace to the point that I’m sure it’s going to rip through the delicate material and take out an eye.
Dizzy, my hips grind into him as my body begs for more, for it all. He drops my hands, and I unzip his pants as he rips at my garter, tearing my stockings.
It’s not fast enough—his pants drop to the floor and he steps out of them.
I’m going to lose it—his briefs are gone, his shirt flies over his head.
I need more, need it all—my body quivers as he pulls me in tight, gazing hungrily into my eyes. Can he read the thoughts racing through my head, the things I need him to do to me? Caught in his gaze, like a deer in headlights too mesmerized to move, my breathing labors, my heart races, my flesh burns with need—the heat intensifies to the point of madness.
I can’t take much more, and he damn well know it.
Biting my lower lip, a throaty moan rumbles from somewhere deep within me. He falls to his knees and tears off my panties, pausing for a few frustrating seconds before growling, moving in for the kill, and latching on to my pussy. His fingers knead the flesh of my ass, holding me to his lips, but mostly holding me up because my shaky knees are about to cave.
