Cruel Beloved

One hand finds his hair as my hips thrust to meet him, making him move in the direction I need him the most. His fingers pump hard and fast as his tongue shows me who’s in charge. And believe me it’s not me.

I come around his finger, and he doesn’t stop until I pull away. When he stands, my leg falls to the floor. “I’m hungry now.”

Whiskey nods to his bed and licks his lips, me evident all over him. “Get into bed, I’ll order in.” Then he walks out.

I do as he says, and when I lay down, I think of him. And what kind of situation I’ve just put myself in.

Was this a smart move?

My body says yes, but my head says no.

I had a plan to make this man fall in love with me.

But now, that may be harder than I had originally thought.

27

Whiskey

Carla’s asleep before I even order the food, the sheet is pulled over her lower body. She moans, and I realize she isn’t snoring, but she is clearly asleep. Walking over, I pull the sheet up and over her entire body. She turns in her sleep, gripping the sheet, leaving her back bare. Leaning down, I kiss the side of her lips and slide in next to her.

When I do, she touches me, her hand finding mine, and I wrap my fingers with hers, gripping her the same way we were before I moved out. Carla’s become a sort of comfort for me, but it’s snuck up unexpectedly, and I didn’t want that. She was a means to an end, and now all she will ever see in me is someone who blackmailed her. How could she ever love someone like me?

I don’t regret what I did, and I will still go through with my plan, no matter what. But what I didn’t expect is to have any feelings for her.

This shouldn’t be happening.

Closing my eyes, I grip her tight.

I don’t have nightmares that night, but when I wake, she’s gone.

And it’s as if she was never here.

“I knew it was only a matter of time before I saw your face,” Chance says, shaking his head. He’s on his front lawn, mowing, with no shirt on, of course.

“You figured right.”

He turns the mower off and wipes his face.

“Put a shirt on for God’s sake.”

He chuckles as we walk to his outdoor chairs and take a seat.

“Why do you look like that?” he asks, while staring at me hard. “Have you seen her?”

“Last night.” He raises an eyebrow in question. “We made a new deal.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” He shakes his head. “I can tell you like her, so why do you keep fucking this shit up?”

I actually stopped by to make sure Aubrey’s amending the contract and wanted to ask Chance how he knows Carla. “How do you know her?”

Chance looks over his shoulder. “She was there when I needed someone.” That’s all he offers me. “She’s a good woman, Corton. I’ll fucking punch you if you hurt her.” I roll my eyes as the front door opens and Aubrey steps out.

“I don’t want any part of it. Stop getting me involved,” she says, crossing her arms over her chest. “You should be ending it. Not shortening it.”

Chance’s eyes swing to me. “You’re shortening the contract?”

Choosing to not answer him, I look at Aubrey. “Please… I just need this last amendment. I promise there will be no more.”

“That poor girl, Corton. Hasn’t she got enough to deal with? I met her father, you know. What an ass.” Aubrey’s bottom lip pulls up in disgust.

“Now you know why. Please?”

“Gosh.” She turns and heads back inside. Looking over at Chance, he shakes his head.

“I’m going to hear all about what an ass you are all day, thanks for that,” Chance says, but he’s smiling.

“Did you fuck her?” I ask Chance.

He stands, shakes his head, and doesn’t answer. “It is probably best you leave before I hit you,” he says, walking inside and pushing past Aubrey as she steps back out.

“It’s done. You owe me. I’ll send the bill your way, and it won’t be small.”

“Thank you, Aubrey.”

“You can thank me by ending this bullshit soon. It is her life you will be ruining as well. Have you thought about that? You took away her firsts… her marriage, her wedding night… her happiness with a man. All that, because you need this. I get it…” Aubrey trails off, then she shakes her head. “No, actually, I don’t. But we are your friends. And that’s what friends do. But as your friend…” she raises an eyebrow, “… I am warning you to end this. Don’t pull her along. Chance says she’s nice and she doesn’t deserve this.”

“What else does he say about her?” I ask, and even I can hear the jealousy in my tone.