I’m about to tell him that we’re at the wrong place, that no one would be down here. There are only three cars on this street and no other businesses are open. But as I go to open my mouth, the door opens, and standing there is a woman dressed in green. From her extravagant jewelry to her beautiful form-fitting dress, down to her embellished stilettos—all green.
Her eyes lock on Dillan, then move to me. She assesses me, taking her time to scan me from top to toe, leaving me even more confused than I was before. Once she’s satisfied, she nods once and steps back as Dillan grabs my hand and jerks me in behind him. I momentarily try to stay where I am, but his pull is clearly stronger than mine.
I’m hesitant to move forward, but I do, afraid of tripping in these black heels that are extra high tonight because I wanted to impress my husband, who, by the way, hasn’t even noticed that I’m wearing these gorgeous heels to begin with. Never mind the fact that they cost more than my monthly paycheck. Thank God for rentals. Yes, you heard it through me, I rented them. They are not mine, but how I wish they were. Even if I was brought up to not waste my money on material things, that doesn’t stop me from wanting them. Badly. They make my soul happy.
“Color?” the woman asks as she shuts the door. I look to her for an explanation, but her eyes are only on Dillan. Mine scan the room, and I don’t notice anything out of the ordinary. It looks like a normal reception area with a seat, black walls, and a white desk.
“Yellow,” Dillan answers for the both of us, still not bothering to tell me what exactly is going on.
What the fuck?
“And your friend?” Her brow raises as if she knows the answer that will be coming. I’m glad she does because I have no idea.
Dillan finally looks at me, then his gaze continues down my body before squeezing my hand too firmly. He smiles back at the woman in green. “Yellow as well.”
“Yellow it is.” She places a wristband on Dillan’s arm, then reaches for me and starts to do the same.
“What’s this for?” I ask, but she’s quiet and won’t look me in the eyes.
It’s Dillan who answers, “It’s a club, sweetie.” He gently pushes a stray hair back from my face, and I grind my teeth at the sweet gesture.
“What kind?”
The woman finishes with my band and tries unsuccessfully to hide her smile as she walks off. Turning to face Dillan, I look down at the yellow wristband and back up at him.
“Just go with it, okay?”
I want to argue, to tell him that I just go with a lot of things, and every single one of those things, I do for him and only him.
But what does he do for me? Nothing lately.
He comes home smelling of other women, tells me it’s from his work colleagues, and lies about going out all night while I stay home.
He has brought me with him tonight, thinking I should be thankful.
I’m not.
I don’t want to be here.
A long time ago, I moved away from my family and friends to live with him, and I have been a good wife.
I can’t say the same for him being a good husband.
Unfortunately for me, I fell in love with him thinking I could have a nice, normal life. Now, I’m not the same woman as I once was, and times have changed.
I have changed.
He has not.
Dillan pushes open a set of double doors and soft music flows out from behind them. He keeps on walking while I take slow steps, following him cautiously toward the party I can see coming into view. I slink past him, unable to keep my curiosity at bay any longer. Taking one look over the railing, what I see below us has my exceptionally expensive heels locking in place.
“Dillan,” I say in a soft voice, my words barely making it past my lips. “Where are we?”
He chuckles and walks up behind me, one hand going to my waist as he moves my hair over my shoulder with his other before whispering in my ear, “We are at a traffic party.”
“A what?”
“Red means you’re here to only support or watch, yellow means you’re interested but with someone, green means you’re up for everything.” I glance down at my yellow wristband, then back to the floor below me.
Sprawling beds and lounge chairs take up the space, all surrounded by naked people.
It’s like an orgy with a bar.
“Why are we not wearing red ones?” He stays silent for a moment as he trails his hand from my hair, down my spine, landing on the curve of my ass and squeezing.
“Because it’s time we spice things up and play. It’s getting old in our bedroom.” His words instantly shock me, punching me right in the gut, forcing my whole body to still.
That’s not something a wife wants to hear. Ever.
Is it me?
No, it’s him as well.
All he wants is doggy. I hate it but don’t say anything because it’s what he likes. And I want to please him. But it’s been months.
“I want to leave.” The moment the words leave my mouth, Dillan removes his hands from me, then he smirks and starts walking away.
“Leave then. But if you do …” He doesn’t finish.
My heart feels like it’s being stomped on with each and every step he takes down those stairs and farther away from me.
Chapter Three
Sailor
I should have walked away, gotten myself together and left. But we have been together for so long and a part of me did love him at one time, maybe even still loves him. Maybe. Instead, I walk down the stairs to find my husband. Each step I take is a strike to my pride. I never thought I’d be somewhere like this. Especially not with someone who supposedly loves me.
In an attempt at being independent again, I try to tear at the yellow band on my wrist, branding me as something I am not, but it’s impossible and won’t budge. Scissors will be needed to get this thing off me.
In a past life, I would have thrived at a place like this.
But that’s in the past.
“Hello.”
Spinning around, I find a woman standing behind me. She’s dressed in only a G-string and steps closer, her lean body almost coming into contact with mine as she reaches for the strap on my top. Expecting her to tell me something, anything, I look up at her, but her bright pink lips say nothing as she leans in closer to me. Her body is perfect, and if I was interested in a woman, she would be it. Strong, lean physique, toned abs, and sun-kissed skin.
“I …” Words fail me as she leans in and places her lips on mine. Nothing else is said before she tries to kiss me. I stand still as a statue, wondering what in the ever-loving fuck is happening.
When she realizes I’m not kissing her back, she removes her mouth from mine, my pink lipstick now smeared on her plump lips, and she smirks. “First time is always the hardest.” Yeah, not what I was expecting her to say. “Go to the bar, get a drink, and calm your nerves.” Then she walks away.
Checking behind me, the bar has no patrons right now. Everyone is either with someone or walking around touching others. Not many people are wearing red wristbands, with most being either yellow or green. I tug at mine again, almost snapping a perfect nail in the process, but it still doesn’t budge.
Huffing, I stay where I am and check around for Dillan—who has just won the husband of the year award for leaving me alone—but don’t find that asshole anywhere.