Deviant(109)

He suddenly looked panicked. “Does she know? Did you fucking tell her?” he asked, a hint of spit forming in his mouth.

“No, I didn’t! Now calm the fuck down! I’ve already told you that whatever is said or done between us here, stays here, and I’m a man of my word, Carmichael. I don’t fuck about. I would say the same for your wife, but considering her fucking so-called bitchy friend told you about her visit, I guess I’m going to have to tell you. Cynthia is worried about you. She says you’ve been different around her lately and she thinks you may be having an affair. In fact, she fucking knows you’ve screwed around on her. She feels upset and let down but, most of all, she feels lonely. When was the last time you told your wife how beautiful she looks, Carmichael? When was the last time you took her out for a romantic meal, whisked her away to somewhere nice for the weekend, and held her in your arms? When?”

I couldn’t believe I actually saw remorse in Carmichael. I didn’t think he had it in him. “She came to you and told you she felt this way?” I nodded. “Shit. Why has she never said anything to me about it?”

Sitting down opposite him, I sighed. “Maybe she has tried, but you’ve just ignored her. I’ve got to say, Carmichael. Cynthia is one very attractive woman. If you don’t start taking care of her, she will look for someone who will.”

Carmichael glared up at me with a hint of murder in his eyes. “Don’t you fucking go near my wife, Dean. I swear I’ll fucking kill you.”

I started laughing. Firstly, because he even thought it possible that he could ever get near me. I’d fucking snap his neck quicker than he could register. Secondly, because it seemed he actually did care about his wife.

“What’s so fucking funny? You think I’m not serious?”

Still laughing, I nodded. “You’re deadly serious. I just didn’t think you had it in you. See, you do care about your wife. You do feel that pent-up anger at the thought of another man finding her attractive, or another man touching her.”

“Of course I fucking do!” he shouted, a vein nearly popping out of his neck.

Leaning in closer to him, I grabbed the collar of his shirt. “Then don’t you think it’s high time you fucking told her? I’ve noticed just how sexy she is, and if I’ve noticed, other men have noticed, too. But guess what, Carmichael? For some unknown fucking reason, she loves you. It’s so hard to comprehend, but it’s true, but all you want to do is screw around while she stays at home taking care of your beautiful daughters. Show her some fucking respect.” I forced Carmichael away and let go of his collar. I was mad. I was mad at him, mad at myself, mad at Tyler, mad at the fucking world we lived in.

Once Carmichael adjusted himself, he looked at me with shock in his eyes. “You’re right. You’re fucking right. I’ve been a fucking terrible husband. I need to fix this. How am I going to fix this?”

Feeling myself calm a little, I looked at Carmichael. I actually even felt a little sorry for him, despite the fact he was a dumb fuck who only acted with his dick.

“Listen,” I sighed. “I’ve just bought a few properties on the Costa Del Sol and Costa De La Luz. Properties are going for next to nothing down there. I’ve recently acquired a villa with a pool. It has five bedrooms and is situated on a mountain, overlooking the Mediterranean. Why don’t you take some time off and surprise Cynthia and the kids to a nice holiday? I can get you the keys, and it’s yours for however long you need it.”

I only offered because I wanted to do it more for Cynthia than this selfish prick in front of me. She was lonely and needed the man in her life to show her how special she really was.

“You’d do that for me?” he asked, dumbfounded.

I shook my head. “No. I’m doing it for your wife.”

Carmichael smiled resolutely and I knew he understood. With a deep breath, he placed the glass on the counter and stood up. “I appreciate everything you do for me, Dean. I really do.” He held out his hand and I accepted the gesture.

Tapping his hand, I winked. “No problem. What are you going to do now?”

Buttoning up his suit, Carmichael sighed. “Well, the first thing I’m going to do is pop into work and see about taking some time off. The second thing I’m going to do is buy my wife some flowers and take her out for a nice meal. Then the third thing I would like to do after all that is take you up on that offer.”

I smiled at him and tapped his shoulder. “You go do that. Remind Cynthia of the man she married, then let me know when you want to go away. I can give you the details and have someone meet you at the airport with the keys.”