The Affair (The Relationship Quo Series Book 5)

by Nicole Strycharz

  I set down the instrument with care. “She broke it off before anything happened with my father. That’s why she’s so unforgiving toward infidelity. She resisted. Doesn’t matter, of course, my uncle would still never lend money to anything my father built. Also, he has always wanted me to come live here, take over the vineyard. He wants to leave it to me in his will. Anything I do in the US is a distraction in his opinion.”

  Lydia danced her fingertips up my jean-clad thigh. “If you had stayed here as a teen and never come back, we wouldn’t have met.”

  “Mmm,” I moved my nose along her ear and down her neck. But we inwardly shudder at the thought. We were made to love, and a world where it didn’t happen, means a world where we would have forever been alone. “Walk with me,” I said.

  Lydia stood and we left our wine on the half wall. I took her hand and we strolled South.

  My uncle called to us in Italian, telling us not to go far before supper. I waved, letting him know we heard, but walked Lydia to a secluded hill a good two miles from the villa. There, we could see the sunset in all its glory. Lavender and Geraniums perfumed the air here, growing in patches around us. At our backs were tall Cypress trees, pointing to the sky and acting as a curtain between us and the villa.

  “This is gorgeous,” she sat in the grass and shielded her eyes from the sun. I sat next to her, stretching my legs. “How many days before we go home?”

  “Three…” I pulled her strap with my teeth and then kissed up her shoulder.

  She moaned in disappointment and I laughed.

  “Did you get everything you wanted from the village?” I asked behind her ear.

  “Mostly souvenirs for your sisters.”

  “What about Sara? What does she want?”

  “An Italian man.”

  I laughed, drawing my finger down her spine. “She can have Rocco, Dante, or Milo.”

  “She’s their type. Not too skinny.”

  I pressed her down into the grass and pinned her there. “What do you want to bring back from Italy?” I asked.

  She looked up at me from under her lashes, a blush creeping over her cheeks. “I’m going home with what I want.” Her hands moved up my torso. “And we’ve done everything there is to do.”

  I kissed her, teasing, tasting, nibbling. “Take off your dress,” I held myself over her.

  She held my eyes, slowly pulling down each strap and rolling the top down.

  I’ve stripped away her modesty. One day at a time, over three years and eight months, I’ve come to liberate her inhibitions. She trusts me with her body, her fears.

  Lifting her hips underneath mine, she removes the dress completely, and I smooth my hands all over her. I knelt between her legs to unbutton my shirt, peeling it away.

  “Hands, here,” I put both her hands above her head and brought my lips near hers, toying with her when she tried to kiss me, I denied her. When she obeyed, I took down her underwear. “Spread your legs more.”

  “There’s one thing you haven’t done,” I positioned myself over her. “You could be my wife.”

  Lydia’s eyes widened. “Get married?”

  “Here, in Tuscany.”

  She sat up under me, holding my face. “Now?”

  “Tomorrow.”

  She blinked rapidly. “Are you ready?”

  “I’ve been ready.” I watched her eyes for clues. “Are you?”

  Her smile shattered any possible doubts. “I’ve been ready since a duck bit me in the ass.”

  “It was a goose.”

  She laughed, bringing her mouth near mine. Then the humor gave to something somber. “I might not be able to give you children, Lorenzo.”

  “You can give me you,” I laid her down again. Kissing her, I lost myself in it. “You can give me all of you.”

  Her arms wrapped around my neck as I undid my pants and found my way inside her.

  “ti amo,” she gasped.

  “ti amo.”

  "Dubita che le stelle siano fuoco, dubita che il sole si muova, dubita che la verità sia menzognera, ma non dubitare mai del mio amore."

  Doubt thou the stars are fire, doubt the sun doth move, doubt truth to be a liar but never doubt thy love.

  -Shakespeare

  Thank you for reading my book!

  Phew, it’s over!

  This story has been two years in the making. It’s gone through countless revisions and been dissected many times. That’s because it’s on a touchy topic. Cheating is not an easy thing to write about. It’s not an easy thing to experience. It happens different ways for different people, yielding thousands of different results. Really, this book can only cover a few of the possibilities.

  Like Ruby said, it can be forgiven, maybe not always forgotten. It depends on the couple. No matter what you do or what you might endure, just remember to treat yourself and your partner with respect. It’s not a crime to fall out of love, but it is a shame to hurt the one you once loved.

  You can follow me and my writing on my Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest sites! I post things about the era of my books and the characters to keep you well in the loop of my next idea. Also, you can email me at nicolesbooks@yahoo.com. I try to make sure I answer emails in a timely fashion so if you have any questions message me! I love to hear feedback from my readers so if you wouldn’t mind writing a review on my websites or wherever you purchased my book from, it would be greatly appreciated!

  www.nicolesbooks.wix.com/authorpage

  FB:@nicolestrycharz

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  **CHECK OUT THE Q&A ON THE NEXT PAGE! →

  ~Q&A/Book Discussion with Nicole Strycharz~

  Most asked questions about The Affair.

  Was The Affair based on true stories?

  It was based on fragments of true stories. All the books in the series are crafted from real materials.

  This is the first time Christianity has become the core part of a character’s profile. Why in this book, and why was it shown as so restrictive?

  Because the books are meant to be relatable, I’m always coming up with new ways to make the characters as diverse in culture, appearance, and spiritual preference as I can. Being five books in, it was time for a touch of convention in the belief system.

  As far as why I depicted the faith mentioned in the story as restrictive…

  This book is about more than just affairs, it’s about the aftermath of them as well. Change is a crucial part of life, granted, a sometimes-daunting part. Changes in our beliefs can be the most overwhelming and usually arrive during crisis. So, faith plays a bigger part in The Affair.

  It was restrictive, to paint a better picture of the growth Lydia had to undergo as a person.

  Do you view Christian beliefs the way they are depicted in the story? Did you make up some of the views for dramatic flair?

  Lydia and Noah’s church in the book was not meant to represent Christianity as a whole. This was just one random sect. In fact, Sara’s main role as a character was to signify the majority, who have a healthy, and intimate relationship with their God.

  However, I did not take a theatrical license to build the atmosphere. I was brought up in a religious environment very similar to the one shown. Most of the dialogue and strict interpretation of the Bible were copy and pasted from memory.

  Though my private journey as an individual has carried me in a separate direction from the church, I hold Christianity, as a religion, in high regard, and respect the faith. All religions should practice, love, self-love, and, tolerance, in most cases, this belief does, and I admire that.

  We know Ruby and Noah had an affair but were Lorenzo and Lydia perfectly innocent?

  No. In fact, the book’s title, The Affair, is more of a play on words. The affair I was naming the book after, was actually Lorenzo and Lydia’s.

  It boils down to what, in your mind, is perceived as an affair/cheating. Really, it’s
different things to different people. Ruby and Noah had an obvious affair, based on lust and eventually affection, but Lorenzo and Lydia had an emotional affair.

  Cheating is having any secret relationship with another person. If you can’t tell your significant other about it, is it truly innocent? Even if it is, if it’s secret, then it’s a lie.

  Lorenzo and Lydia were able to resist temptation physically, but they had become so intimate by the end of the story, that it would be splitting hairs to say they were not engaging in a type of affair. It’s all perspective. What qualifies as cheating to you?

  If Lorenzo was such a good husband, and Ruby seemed to need him, why did she continue to hurt him over and over?

  Ruby had a traumatic past. Though it is not an excuse for her behavior, it does play a huge part in her actions. Lorenzo was a safe harbor, a man who offered her love, and demonstrated how to unlock her sexuality without pain and fear. Once he did so, she found comfort in sex, and sex became her crutch. A way to feel better and distract from the inner pain.

  Having meaningless “secret” affairs intensified the sexual experience for her, providing a more effective high and a break from her turmoil. She refused to believe Lorenzo knew about her many infidelities apart from the first because denial kept her guilt at bay.

  What she needed was the therapy she refused. People that suffer a trauma like Ruby, don’t need judgment, they need support, and professional help.

  What set Noah apart from Ruby’s other affairs?

  Ruby’s dealings with other men while she was married, were meaningless and short. She didn’t share details about her life or her past.

  Noah met Ruby on a horrendous night. She had just lost a case, a case that triggered her anxiety, and left her vulnerable.

  In the first night of their meeting, he ends up seeing a side of her only Lorenzo has seen, and it instantly bonds them.

  Noah is all the opposite of Lorenzo, and that made him a thrill, which made their relationship more intimate from the start.

  If Noah was so strong in his faith and his morals, why did he cheat on Lydia?

  As Ruby says, temptation has to be tempting. It is easy for a person to say they would never cheat if they have never been exposed to someone that had the potential to turn their head. You only know what you are and are not capable of when you are faced with true temptation.

  If you are dating a person who is a perfect 9 in looks, kind, and polite, then being in a room full of average looking people, with less considerate traits, would not appeal to you.

  But if you are put in a room with someone who is a perfect 10 in looks, is kind, and funny, maybe has a similar passion for something that you do, then would you still choose to return to your partner? Would that other person’s differences, be more tempting?

  Noah might have been faithful to Lydia under any other circumstances, but his attraction to Ruby was too much to resist.

  Why did it take Lydia so long to decide to leave Noah?

  Lydia and Ruby have something big in common.

  Denial.

  Growth is a slow process, and when your spiritual beliefs are the foundation of your actions, growth can be even slower.

  Deciding to leave a spouse can be a terribly painful and difficult choice to make.

  Honestly, this story is about four dysfunctional people afraid to move on.

  Unlike Noah and Lydia, Lorenzo and Ruby, is it possible for a couple to move past infidelity?

  Absolutely, but there are rules.

  It’s possible to forgive, not always to forget, but you can’t use the past as a weapon in arguments. You must dig deep, and make sure that moving forward together, there is no hidden bitterness, and a better foundation of trust.

  Will Noah and Ruby eventually make their relationship work?

  Not likely. Because their relationship began on deceit, there is a natural struggle with trust between them. Realistically, I feel that struggle CAN be overcome, but again, the past cannot be used as a weapon, and not to sound repetitive but there must be trust, trust, trust!

  Some readers felt the end of the book was a bit harsh for Ruby, especially Noah. Were you trying to punish them?

  No, not at all.

  Ruby’s ending is the opposite of a punishment. She’s slowly learned to power through her troubles and balance herself for the love of her child. She no longer uses sex as an outlet and exercises control instead of impulsivity. She has learned to cope with her past in a healthy, less self-destructive way. For all appearances, she’s grown by the end of the book, about as much as Lydia has, but growth can still be painful, and she is doing it solo, not with a partner.

  Noah’s ending isn’t too harsh, considering where he started. Noah is the one character that shows little to no growth in the story.

  We learn toward the middle of the book that Noah has been dishonest with Lydia from the beginning. He claimed upon their meeting that he was a devout Christian living a life befitting the Christian walk when he wasn’t. He told her he was a virgin when they married, which we later find was untrue, and he even manifested petty lies (cat allergies) when they suited him.

  Noah even when presented with ample opportunities to come clean about his affair, did not. He often belittled his spouse and used their religion as a means of control.

  No one is a lost cause, and with some effort and support, I believe anyone is capable of change. Noah is unredeemable in this chapter of his life because this book doesn’t cover his entire life journey.

  His ending isn’t harsh, just karmic.

  Will Lorenzo and Lydia have trust issues later on? Will they have babies?

  Because they treated their past relationships with respect, at least withstanding physical temptation, no. Their relationship is solid because they also have other strengthening factors.

  Lydia has a healthy and close relationship with Lorenzo’s family, holding his heritage and his legacy in high regard. They share a passion for the restaurant and support one another’s talents, and dreams. Plus, they have never failed in communication, even when it was a wordless sort.

  Will they have babies? Maybe… I like for things in this series to be well-balanced. Someone might find their soulmate, but not have children. Someone might have children but need to wait on finding a soulmate. Someone might have both but have obstacles of another kind. Lorenzo and Lydia have many babies between his nieces and nephews, the business, and Kendrick the cat, until further notice. ��

  Have you ever cheated/been cheated on?

  I have been cheated on before.

  I have never cheated because I’m usually quite devoted to whoever I’m with. I can be very single-minded. However, I can honestly say I have never been specifically tempted.

  For me personally, infidelity, especially of the flesh, is not an unforgivable crime, but every situation is different, and how I feel now, may be very different from how I feel in the future.

  Either way, it is not a crime to fall out of love with a partner, and in love with someone else, but every relationship deserves the dignity that comes from honesty. Lies hurt even more than deeds can, but it’s all down to perspective again. Is cheating a kiss, a look, sex or a conversation? I think the only real line that crosses them into an affair, is a lie.

  About the Author

  Nicole has been writing historical romance for over ten years. Her passion for history fuels the creativity for her novels and she finds the tools there to create a compelling plot.

  However, she's evolved into writing contemporary romance as well, with more modern stories to come.

  "The Divorce" was nominated in the 2016 Indie Book Awards! "The Divorce" also won second place in the 2016 Best Cover Design in 'Urban Literature Magazine.'

  Nicole lives in Virginia with her three children and their amazing Grandparents. She is always reading or working on the next book between mommyhood adventures.

  Here are other books by Nicole! You can find her Paperback & eBook copies at Amazon
.com.

  (Historical)

  Short Story Novellas

  The Gift Keeper Series

  Yule

  A Solstice Tale

  Bealtaine

  Tales of the Fae

  Litha

  Tales by Moonlight

  Samhain

  A Ghost Tale

  Coming Soon More Maura and Shea

  The Maybrook Trilogy

  The Maybrook Prequel

  (A Letter for Randal)

  1881-1886

  Book One: A Valentine for August

  Book Two: A Passion for Henrietta

  Book Three: A Song for Giselle

  1902-1913

  Other Works

  Dark Waters ~ A Mermaid Anthology

  Fragile Hearts

  Co-authored with Steve Wilhelm

  ~REFRENCES~

  In ‘The Affair,’ I mention an Amazon Bestseller, and close friend Author Leslie McAdam. Her books are available in eBook and Paperback. As an avid reader of hers myself, I can honestly say that her stories are moving and poignant. Hence, the need I had to mention them as part of Lydia’s journey.

  Leslie McAdam

  You can connect with Leslie in the links below!

  Facebook page: www.facebook.com/lesliemcadamauthor

  Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/southwindscoffee

  Instagram: www.instagram.com/mcadam_leslie

  Twitter: www.twitter.com/lesliemcadam

  Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lesliemcadam/

  Tumblr: https://southwindscoffee.tumblr.com/

  Wattpad: https://www.wattpad.com/user/lesliemcadam

  Book and Main Bites: https://bookandmainbites.com/users/lesliemcadam

  BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/leslie-mcadam

  Amazon: http://author.to/LeslieMcAdam

  Newsletter sign up: www.lesliemcadamauthor.com

  Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14542197.Leslie_McAdam

  Quora: https://www.quora.com/profile/Leslie-McAdam