“Where do you think you’re going?”
“It’s not seven, is it?” she says without even turning back.
And that’s how it’s been for five long years. My dick’s been at a state of half arousal for the entire time. I’ve spent more hours whacking my shaft alone in my shower in those five years than I ever did as a teenager. My fantasies are upgraded. That might be something to do with it. I’ve had her in every way possible. I’ve shoved my dick into her mouth while she’s on her knees. I’ve fucked her up against the floor-to-ceiling glass windows in my office. I’ve eaten her out on the kitchen counter, the kitchen table, the breakfast room nook, the mahogany dining room table, the sofa in the living room, the stairs leading up to the master suite—I don’t think there’s a space in this house that I haven’t imagined her on her back with her legs up and my head between her thighs, licking that pussy until she paints my face white with her cream.
Too bad that all I have are fantasies.
6
Orchard
“I’m not sure if I’m supposed to have these but I took them anyway,” I tell Abigail. I’d printed out all of the information on the grocery store from my work computer. She’s been looking over the folder I brought to dinner for a good twenty minutes now. She is way better with numbers than I am. I trust her and know that she’ll give me her honest opinion once she goes over everything.
“The margin for profit isn't enormous but you’d make money. The store is growing in profit each year.” She closes the folder, handing it back to me.
“I was thinking that too, but look at this. I’ve been telling the manager we should switch a few distributors that could save us money.” I roll my eyes because he never listens to me. No one ever does at the store. I’d gotten my position so quickly because I knew how to run the books and payroll. It was one less thing for them to have to do.
The managers just don't care about saving money because it isn't their money. It doesn’t come out of their pockets directly, so why do a little extra work when it doesn’t really affect them? As long as they get their checks each month that’s all they care about.
“You should do it. Remember how you handled your dad's shipyard? You were all over everything. Even if he didn’t appreciate your hard work, you still did what was best for the company. If the store is already growing without much work, think of what it could do with someone that cares.” I smile, appreciating how much confidence she has in me. “Not to mention I told the hubs about how you were thinking about buying it and he told me the empty lot next door was sold to a well-known builder. They are putting a ton of new condos there, which should help you grow.”
“You should do it with me! You could do the books. The two of us could kill it together.” I watch as Abigail thinks about it. I can tell she’s liking the idea from her expression. This would be the perfect fit. Abigail is smart and driven and I know that she’ll put in just as much work as I do. I would never have to worry about her not having my back.
“Let me run some of my own numbers but maybe I will.”
“Talk to Con about it. You don’t have to decide today.” This idea of mine is growing by the second. My plans to be more independent are finally taking shape. It would be one less thing that I have to depend on my husband for. I won’t need his money at all if I can pull this off.
“Okay, enough about business. I want to know about my friend.” She reaches across the table to grab my hand. “How are you holding up?”
Abigail is one of the only people on this earth who knows that my marriage is one of convenience. I haven’t really gone into the details but she knows enough. She and I met in freshman year of college and have been friends ever since. I know that I can trust her with anything. She’s that girlfriend that you tell absolutely everything to because you know that she won’t judge you regardless of what it is. I call her the vault because once she knows your secrets, she locks them up tight, never letting anyone come close to them.
“I’m good. Everything is still the same with him.” She squeezes my hand. I can see the flash of sadness that runs through her eyes at my situation. Abigail and her husband are madly in love. They have the kind of marriage everyone wants. They were even together before I knew her. High school sweethearts. They make me long for things I don’t think I’ll ever have.
“Is he still talking about babies?” A lump forms in my throat. Every time he brings up a baby it feels like someone sucker punched me. As much as I’ve wanted to make my way in life I’ve longed more for a family of my own than anything else. One so unlike the one I grew up in.
“He can’t really think that I’d sleep with him? God only knows who he is already sleeping with.” I hiss, my emotions getting the best of me. Even though I’ve vowed to never give myself to him, the thought of him with another woman makes me sick to my stomach.
“I’ve never heard of him cheating on you.”
I fight not to roll my eyes. “I don’t think you can call it cheating.” Not really at least.
“I’m just saying I’ve asked Con before. They all run in the same circles. He said he’d never heard that before.”
“I think Heath would handle that with discretion. This whole marriage thing is for appearances. He wouldn't want everyone running around saying what a horrible husband he is.”
“I don’t know.” Abigail shrugs. She still thinks Heath and I might fall in love someday. For her love was easy. “How did you get out of your normal dinner tonight?”
“I just didn't go.” What is he going to do about me not showing up? I couldn't bear to see him tonight. Not after yesterday. I still feel raw and angry. Abigail starts laughing. “Where is our food?” I look over my shoulder but our food is nowhere in sight. We’ve been sitting here for an hour. I am so used to eating at seven sharp that my stomach is protesting now that it’s half past the hour.
“You’re not going to get in trouble?”
“What is he going to do, spank me?” My stomach clenches, a weird sensation settling deep inside of me at the thought. I push it away like I do everything else when it comes to Heath.
“I’d be careful. I know how my husband can be when I bite off more than I can chew.”
“I bet he doesn't even notice. I was late the other day and he didn't notice.” I look again for our food. “We ordered like an hour ago, right?” Abigail looks at her watch and nods. We got to talking and had lost track of time.
“Are you sure he didn't notice you were late to dinner the other night?”
“Yeah.” I turn my head to look back at Abigail. Her eyes are wide. I follow her line of sight to see Heath making his way toward our table. I sit here shocked for a moment. I had no doubt he knew where I was. If he wants to know he only has to ask the security he keeps on me. What I didn't think was he’d care enough to show up here. He pulls out the chair next to mine, taking a seat.
“Abigail.” He nods at her.