Play (Dark Odyssey Club Fantasies 4)

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Paul picks up his latte and takes a sip. He nods his approval of the drink, and I chuckle, sitting back against the chair.

“Man, it’s a latte. You look like you’re having a beer.” I laugh.

“It’s been a crazy week. My wife is driving me crazy with her body.”

“Paul, please, you can’t tell me stuff like that.” I roll my eyes at him and smirk. I’ve never met a guy who can talk nonstop about his wife the way he does. We’re at the coffeehouse meeting for a late lunch. I had to see him just to talk because we haven’t seen each other since last week and things feel like they’ve gotten more intense since.

“Bro, if I don’t tell someone, I’ll go crazy. The woman looks perfect all the time. All the fucking time, and I think I might have a thing for her pregnant body. It’s like perfection overload with all my favorite parts of her so much bigger.”

I shake my head at him. “Paul, it’s good to see you so loved up, but damn.”

He laughs. “I’m sorry, I know I’ve become the annoying one. How are things? You thought much more about your old man’s offer?”

I stare back at him and contemplate an answer. That’s the thing that should be on my mind. I told him about the offer the same day it happened. It’s the kind of thing we’d be eager to talk to each other about on our next meeting, and yes, while I’m eager to talk about that, what’s on my mind is Paige.

We’ve been living this secret life for three weeks. We go to class and act the way we’re supposed to. Then we go to The Dark Odyssey and get lost in our fantasies.

I’ve seen Paul several times since this arrangement with Paige, but I haven’t said anything.

“Does the look of uncertainty mean you’re going to tell him no?” He notes and takes another sip of his coffee.

“No, it doesn’t mean that.”

He raises his brows. “Wow, so you’d actually consider leaving Raventhorne?”

“I don’t know. The roles are very similar. The problem is, I’m academic. But um… there might be something else I have to worry about.” It’s time… time to tell him. There’s no point calling him my best friend and referring to him as someone I’m close to if I can’t tell him about Paige.

“What? What is it?” He places his cup down, looking worried.

“I’ve complicated things a little at the university,” I answer.

“Complicated?” he asks, giving me a pensive stare.

“Yes.”

“Is… this about the girl? Your student?”

“Yes.”

I’ve known Paul all my life. We’ve been friends since elementary school. The man knows me and knows what I’m up to even without me saying anything.

“You’re sleeping with her… aren’t you?” he says in a low, hushed voice, and I lean forward onto the table.

I stare him in the eye and nod. “I am.”

“Jesus Christ, James…” He breathes and bites the inside of his lip. “My God… Are you being careful?”

“Yeah. I’m being careful.”

“What are you going to do?” He rests his arm on the table.

“I don’t know,” I rasp

“Well, I’m not going to be some prick who tells you, you shouldn’t have crossed that line. I think I knew you’d do it. I just knew. I just worry about what could happen if anyone finds out. That’s the part that gets me, but I understand. You wouldn’t put your neck on the line for any woman. She must be pretty special for you to do this.”

“She is.”