Total pages in book: 136
Estimated words: 131789 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 659(@200wpm)___ 527(@250wpm)___ 439(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131789 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 659(@200wpm)___ 527(@250wpm)___ 439(@300wpm)
I lean forward to press my lips to the back of her neck. She shivers at the contact. “You’re teasing,” she accuses.
“Mmm-hmmm.” I reach around her, finding one perfect breast and giving it a firm squeeze. “You like it.”
She doesn’t deny it. Just thrusts her ass out, seeking my body.
I’m about to tear open the condom packet when the overhead lights flick on and the room flashes a blinding fluorescent green.
There’s a sudden alarming burst of commotion. In my current state, it takes a second to discern what’s happening until my vision clears enough to make out Jack standing in the doorway. Gwen’s already moved away from the desk, shoving her shirt down to cover her tits while her other hand attempts to pull up her jeans. I register the vague sounds of the Goodwyns trading strained words.
“I pretended to be asleep because I knew you were up to something.”
“You followed me?”
“Of course I did! That’s the least offensive thing that’s happened here, don’t you think? You’re cheating on me, goddamn it!”
I bust out a laugh that silences the room. Gwen snaps around to meet me with a glare. “Not now, Lawson.”
“Nah. Now seems like the time.” Still chuckling, I direct my unfocused gaze to the doorway. “Come on now, Jack. Let’s not cast stones.”
“What does that mean?” his wife demands.
“Hadn’t you figured it out?” I glance over in amusement. Man, this night ended up even better than I anticipated. “Jack and I are old friends.” I wink at him, and he visibly winces. “I thought maybe this was a kink thing. Both of you pretending it was a secret to spice up the maritals.”
“Absolutely not,” he growls, aiming his righteous indignation at his now stricken wife.
“Oops.” I neatly tuck everything into place and do up my pants. “Guess I spoke out of turn.”
At any rate, I know better than to be the last one to leave the party. And these two have a lot to discuss. So I take my leave and bid them goodnight. All but teleporting back to my room, where I hardly remember walking in the door before my head hits the pillow and I embrace unconsciousness.
Chapter 55
RJ
The bruises and swollen hand aside, I never stood a chance of sleeping tonight. I’m too amped on the aftertaste of adrenaline. No one was more surprised than I was to win that fight. And it keeps hitting me sideways that for a fleeting moment, I had six figures in my bank account. But easy come, easy go.
Checking the time on my phone, I remember my mom and David are in Sonoma for a vacation. It’s just after eleven there. Not too late to give her a heads up the headmaster will be calling in the morning to discuss my latest indiscretion. Hopefully she’s three wine-tasting tours deep and will appreciate the irony.
“It’s late there,” she answers the phone without even a hello. “Is everyone okay?”
“Yeah, fine. No one died.”
I hear her exhale, and it catches me off guard, the tone of concern in her voice. For a second there she sounded like a real mom. I’m not sure where it came from, but I think I appreciate it.
“Where are you?”
“In my room. Everything’s fine.”
“Uh-huh. So what’d you do now?”
I fight a smile. “Why’s it have to be like that now?”
“Because if no one’s bleeding or in jail after two in the morning, it means you’re probably getting expelled again.”
Harsh, Mom. But not altogether unwarranted. I’ve earned the reputation.
“Well, relax. I’d say it’s a ninety percent chance I’m fine. But if you want to have David throw his weight around a little to push it over that last ten, I wouldn’t be opposed.”
She laughs. “Oh, so now you don’t mind asking for favors. Does this mean you’re coming around?”
One thing I appreciate about us, we tell each other the truth. About the stuff that matters, at least. I’ve never been one to filter myself and it’s always been obvious I got that from her. So I don’t feel the slightest remorse giving it to her straight.
“You know where I stand. I went into this not believing the marriage will last. It’s only been a few months, and that hasn’t really changed. But maybe I’m getting used to the situation.”
“That’s something.”
I understand this is important to her. And I’m not being difficult just to deprive her of any joy. I’ve just watched so many of these guys sweep into her life and just as quickly disappear. Every time, she was perfectly happy until she wasn’t. Sorry, but these days I have a high bar if they want to convince me this won’t end the same way.
“So fill me in,” she says. “Let’s hear it.”
I glance over at Fenn’s side of the room. He’s dead to the world, snoring in bed still half-dressed.