Thinking that I must have mistaken the man walking into the hotel for my husband, I decided to let it go. Scott would never have an affair. No way.
I let out a long breath. “Nothing.”
Chapter Three
Scott didn’t come home until almost midnight, while I stared blindly at my Kindle, waiting for him in our bed.
“Hi, honey,” he said, setting his briefcase on the floor.
“Hello.”
He loosened his tie and sighed. “Wow, what a long and shitty night.”
I cleared my throat. “Did you figure everything out?”
He leaned over the edge of the bed and kissed me on the cheek. “Well, I might have to stop in tomorrow for a couple of hours, just to clear up some loose ends. But then, I’m all yours for the rest of the day.”
“Good.”
He yawned. “I’m going to take a quick shower. I’ll join you soon.”
Normally, I wouldn’t have thought anything of him taking a shower, but after the episode downtown, him working extremely late, and now the shower, it was disconcerting.
I swallowed a lump in the back of my throat. “Okay.”
When I heard the water running in our private bathroom, I scrambled out of bed and grabbed his cell phone, which was in his suit jacket. I checked his call history, but found nothing – no previous calls, no text messages. Nothing. He’d apparently erased it all.
Was this normal? Was he in the habit of doing that?
I didn’t know. I had never checked his cell phone before, because I’d always trusted him.
At that moment, I caught my reflection in our dresser mirror and grimaced at what I’d become. Just because I’d mistaken someone else for my husband, I was acting like some kind of insecure, jealous wife.
Scott loves me.
He told me that every single day. Why would he tell me that if he was seeing someone else?
I sighed with relief. He wouldn’t.
Feeling paranoid and foolish, I put his phone back and crawled back into bed.
“I feel much better,” he murmured into my ear ten minutes later, after sliding in behind me and pulling me close.
“I missed you today,” I whispered.
He kissed the side of my neck. “I missed you, too.”
We were spooning, and the fact that we hadn’t had sex in ages ignited a fire between my legs. I grabbed his hand and placed it on my breast.
He chuckled. “Wow, someone feeling a little frisky?”
“It’s been too long. I don’t think I can wait until tomorrow,” I whispered, turning towards him.
“Then why wait?” He slid his arms around me and began kissing my lips.
I returned his kisses, more fervently than I had in ages, devouring his mouth with mine, tasting the mint from his toothpaste. I was on fire and couldn’t get enough.
“I want you, right now,” I whispered, moving my hands under his pajamas.
“Wow,” he groaned as I began stroking him, turning him from soft to hard. “I guess you are horny.”
“You don’t know the half of it,” I said, pushing my underwear down my legs and then kicking them away.
“I’m not complaining,” he said,
“Mmm…” I breathed, as his hands moved to my rear, cupping my cheeks and squeezing.
“You feel so good,” he whispered as I wrapped my thighs around him and welcomed him inside.
“So do you,” I moaned in satisfaction.
He turned until he was on top of me then pulled my nightgown over my head, exposing my breasts, which were, thankfully, still round and firm. “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered lowering his mouth to my nipples.
I grinned in delight and closed my eyes, meeting his thrusts, reveling in the feel of him inside of me, moving in and out. It felt so good, so filling.
Man, how I’d missed it…
“Touch me,” I moaned, now crazy with desire.
He reached down and began stroking between my legs.
“Yes,” I moaned, feeling my orgasm begin to build, higher and higher. I wanted it so bad, to feel the release, to scream in ecstasy, to –
“Gonna come,” he grunted, then pulled out.
I opened my eyes and looked up at his flushed face.
Seriously?
“Sorry,” he smiled sheepishly after he’d finished. He then rolled off of me and sat up.
“Um…it’s… okay,” I answered, although I felt like someone had shoved a juicy steak with all the fixings in front of my nose, and then emptied it into the garbage disposal.
He brushed his lips against mine, then stood up and went into the bathroom.
I groaned inwardly and then smacked my pillow, knowing it was over. Once he came, he was usually too tired to reciprocate.
Well, there was always tomorrow night…
Chapter Four
I woke up early the next morning and began making breakfast for Scott. I pulled out a mixing bowl and started gathering the items needed for my famous “triple-cheese omelet”, which I knew he adored. As I was pouring the egg mixture into the pan, he sauntered into the kitchen.
“Hey, babe,” he said.
I glanced over and gave him an appraising look. Today he wore a pair of khaki pants and a light blue polo shirt, which brought out his eyes. His hair was still damp from the shower and I could smell his aftershave, which hinted of sandalwood and cinnamon.
“Hungry?” I asked, motioning towards the pan. “I’m making your favorite omelet.”
He stepped closer. “Oh, don’t worry about it, Lindsey,” he said, squeezing one of my butt cheeks. “Harry’s bringing donuts.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Donuts? I thought they had too much gluten?”
Scott was on some kind of health-food kick and was avoiding anything with white flour. I had to admit, he was looking better than ever. I only wished I had his control. But no, not me – if it was fried, loaded with cheese, or included icing, I was all over it. I guess some would call me a carb whore – I just couldn’t get enough.
He laughed and nuzzled my neck. “They do. But after last night, I figured I deserved it.”
“Well, save your strength for tonight,” I said. “Because you’re going to need all the help you can get.”
He wiggled his eyebrows. “Sounds like a challenge.”
“Oh, it’s a threat,” I said, handing him a glass of orange juice. “One I think we’ll both enjoy. Happy Anniversary, by the way.”
“Thank you. Happy Anniversary to you, too,” he answered.
“You sure you don’t want anything?” I asked, looking down at the pan.
“Sorry, I really don’t have time. The sooner I get there, the sooner I can return home,” he said, washing out his glass.
“Good,” I said.
After he left for work, the kids began waking up and making their way down to the kitchen.
“So, what’s on the agenda for today?” I asked Regan as she opened up a container of blueberry yogurt.
She sat down at the counter. “I’m hanging out with Lisa. Isn’t today your wedding anniversary?”
I smiled. “Yes. Grandma and Grandpa are throwing a party for us. Make sure you’re home by six o’clock, so we’re not late.”
Jeremy looked up from his Kindle. “Do we have to go?”
“Of course you have to go,” I said. “What kind of question is that?”
“It’s just that Hugo invited me over to his house tonight. He has this new video game that I’ve been dying to try out.”
Hugo lives down the street and they’ve been friends for many years. He has spent as much time at our house as Jeremy has at his. They’re practically joined at the hip.
“You’re going to have to reschedule that game. I’m sorry, honey.”
He frowned. “Well, can Hugo come with us to the party?”
I sighed. “I’ll have to ask your father.”
“That’s not fair, if Hugo gets to come with, then I should be able to invi
te Lisa, too,” pouted Regan.
“We’ll see,” I said. “Your father and I were planning on spending the night at the hotel while you two went home with your grandparents. I don’t think it will work out if your friends tag along.”
It was then that I heard someone’s cell phone vibrating and noticed that Scott had forgotten his on the counter.
I walked over and picked it up. “Great, your dad’s going to need his phone, I’m sure.”
Staring at the screen, I noticed that he’d received a text message and that the first few words had flashed across the screen.
I need you…
I frowned. I NEED YOU? What exactly was that supposed to mean?
“Mom, can I have some pancakes?” asked Jeremy.
I stared at the phone, its message light blinking as quickly as my heart rate. I was dying to read the rest of the message, but also afraid of what I’d find; especially, after yesterday.
This is stupid, my husband loves me, I reminded myself, once again. We’d just made love a few hours before. It was probably someone at work, waiting for him.
I cringed at my own insecurities. Obviously I’d been watching too many talk shows and they were getting to me. My self-esteem certainly wasn’t what it used to me.
“Mom?”
I turned to look at my son. “What?”
Jeremy sighed. “Can I please have some pancakes?”
Scott’s cell phone vibrated loudly in my hand, and I dropped it on the counter.
“Good going, mom,” snorted Regan. “Dad would kill you if you broke his ‘most sacred’ cell phone.”
“No kidding,” I said.
I picked it back up and my breath caught in my throat. It was another message from the same number.
Don’t make me wait.
I felt like I was going to be sick. I could barely breathe. This time I didn’t hesitate, I opened up his phone and read both messages.
I need you. I’ll be waiting in your office.
Second message didn’t say anything other than “Don’t make me wait.”
This could mean so many things, I told myself. Jesus, Lindsey, don’t jump to conclusions.
I took a deep breath and glanced at my children. “I’m going to dad’s office to drop off his phone. I’ll be back in an hour, or so.”
“I guess that means I’m making my own pancakes?” mumbled Jeremy.
I reached into the freezer and grabbed the frozen ones. “Here, thirty-five seconds in the microwave per pancake. You know where the butter and syrup are.” Then I grabbed my keys and purse and left the kitchen.
Trying to remain calm, I opened up the garage door and glanced outside. It wasn’t quite ten o’clock and the humidity was back. It certainly didn’t help the hysteria that was building inside of me, either. I was a nervous wreck as irrational thoughts started crowding my brain.
Is he cheating?
Would he honestly do that?
I knew one thing, I felt his love. Sure, we hadn’t been able to spend a lot of time together, lately, because of his job…
Oh, my God – maybe it wasn’t his job keeping him away?!
Choking back a sob, I shoved my keys into the ignition and pulled out of the garage. It was then that I noticed Jake. He was in his yard, bent over the lawnmower, presumably ours, and washing it off with the hose. He wasn’t wearing a shirt and his tan, sinewy body glistened in the sun. He noticed me backing out of the driveway and stood up.
“Hey!” he waved and then began jogging over towards me while I tried to compose myself
Crap.
“Are you okay?” he asked a few seconds later, standing outside of my window.
I forced a smile. “I’m fine.”
He stared at my face. “You looked like you were panicking there for a second. I just wanted to make sure that you were okay. Prying is a habit of being a cop. I guess.”
I should have been a cop.
“It’s okay,” I answered, not meeting his eyes. “Look, I have some errands to run…”
“I understand. I was just going to ask if it would be okay if I took your lawnmower blade in to the hardware store to get it sharpened. I’ll pay for it, of course. It’s getting pretty dull.”
I turned back to him and forced another smile. “I’m sure Scott will appreciate it. I’ll let him know.”
“Lindsey, are you sure you’re okay?” he asked, frowning.
No, I’m not sure.
“Yes, I’m fine,” I answered, trying not to break under his obvious scrutiny.
He nodded and then stood back. “Okay. Well, I guess I’ll see you later.”
“Bye,” I answered and then backed away as he continued to watch me. It was obvious I hadn’t fooled him, even though we hardly knew each other. I had a horrible poker face and even my children could tell when I was bluffing.
Scott, on the other hand, was a great negotiator and salesman – qualities that could also make someone a skilled liar, if they were bent on being deceitful. I’d never doubted his honesty in the past, but after the last twenty-four hours, I was beginning to wonder if I was just a gullible wife. I could only hope I was just being a paranoid one.
“I’m probably being stupid,” I stated out loud, now speeding towards downtown. “And both of us will laugh about this tonight when we’re toasting our anniversary.”
I could only hope.
Driving a few miles over the speed limit, I made it to Scott’s office building in less than fifteen minutes, and luckily, without a ticket. The security guard, recognizing who I was when I walked through the glass doors, greeted me with a warm smile.
“Hello, Mrs. Shepard.”
I smiled. “Hi, Harry. Is Scott upstairs?”
He nodded. “I believe he is. Would you like me to let him know you’re coming up?”
I shook my head, vehemently. “It’s a surprise,” I said. “It’s our anniversary and I wanted to give him his gift early.”
Great, now I was the one lying.
His eyes crinkled with amusement. “Oh, well happy anniversary.”
“Thanks,” I answered, feeling rather deceitful myself.
As I stepped onto the elevator, my heart was pounding and my hands were shaking. I was terrified of what I’d find and almost talked myself out of it. When I finally made it to Scott’s floor, I stepped off the elevator and walked slowly towards the entrance leading to his advertising agency. Gathering the courage to move forward, I took a deep breath and went in search of my husband.
Chapter Five
The main door to his corporation was unlocked and most of the lights were off, save for the hallway leading towards Scott’s office. As I moved hesitantly towards it, I heard a woman’s behind me.
“Can I help you?”
I turned around to find an attractive blonde stepping towards me carrying a bottle of champagne. She wore an expensively tailored navy-blue suit, which hugged her perfect body, and heels that showed off slender legs. I could feel the blood rushing to my ears. “I’m here to see my husband,” I said in a tight voice.
Her eyes eyebrows shot up. “Scott Shepard?”
I nodded.
She smiled, but there was nothing warm about it. “Well, Scott’s in his office. Why don’t you go on in and surprise him?”
I nodded, pushed the door open and took a step inside.
“What took you so long?” murmured my husband, who was apparently too enthralled in what was happening in his lap to notice me. “Get over here and join the party.”
“What?” I gasped in shock as my brain tried to register what was happening right before my eyes. Scott, loving husband and devoted father, was sprawled out on a black leather sofa, naked from the waist down, while another woman was bent over him, her mouth wrapped around his very delighted penis.
He turned around and his face crumbled right before my eyes. “Shit!” he choked, pushing the other woman away from him. “Wait! Lindsey, this isn’t what you think!”
I backed awa
y in horror. “Oh, God…Scott? How could you? How could you do this?!”
He picked up his pants and began pulling them on. “Wait! Lindsey, don’t leave, please. I…I can explain!”
“No!” I yelled, moving past the blonde who looked nothing less than amused.
“Lindsey!” hollered Scott.
I ignored the elevator and scurried down the stairs to the parking ramp. By the time I made it to my SUV, I was sobbing so hard, I couldn’t even see straight. I got in, covered my face and bawled in misery.
How in the hell could he do this to our family?
Memories flashed through my mind, ones I’d once cherished but now only felt like painful lies. The first time we’d met, the love in his eyes on our wedding day, and the way he’d wept holding our children for the very first time. He’d been everything to me, my very own prince charming; the man of my dreams.
Bastard!
I slammed the side of my fist against the passenger seat several times, wanting to lash out at something, wishing it was his face. Then my cell phone began to ring, startling me back to reality. I grabbed it, knowing before I checked the caller I.D. that it was him. Swearing, I ignored his call and dialed Darcy instead.
“Happy anniversary,” she sang into the phone.
“Darcy!” I choked.
She paused. “Lindsey?”
“I need…Scott…he…oh, my God!” I wailed, losing it all over again.
“What happened? Are you okay?”
“Scott…he…” I could barely talk, I was sobbing so hard.
“Honey,” she interrupted, her voice cracking. “Where are you?”
“Downtown.”
“Okay, okay, calm down and tell me what happened.”
I took a deep breath. “Scott… I caught him cheating on me today, just a few seconds ago.”
She groaned. “Oh, sweetie, I’m so… sorry. That fucking asshole! It’s your anniversary for God’s sake!”
I wiped my face with the back of my hand. “I know.”
“Lindsey, can you drive? Do you want me to come and get you?”
I shook my head. “No,” I said. “That’s okay. Can…can I come over?”
“Yes, of course. Come over, honey.”
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