Torrid Affair(75)

“Hey, babe.” He smiled up at me. He still wore his sweet facade masking his true demons.

“Here's the deal.” I stood tall and forced my gaze to lock on his. “You lay a finger on me again and I will call the police. I will file domestic abuse charges against you.” I hoped my voice was stern. I was petrified to confront him, but I couldn’t be his victim anymore.

“Brielle.” He lifted his hand to mine.

“No.” I took a step back. “I have given you everything, Julian, and I'm thankful for all you’ve done for me, but enough is enough. You touch me again and I will call the cops.”

His eyes softened. “Baby, I'm sorry.” He rose from the couch and kneeled in front of me. “I don't know what happens to me. Why I get so angry. It's the alcohol that makes me crazy. I was stressed, and I'm sorry.”

I swallowed. I needed to stay strong. “I'm tired of the I'm sorrys.”

“I know, Brie, but I found a job, and I promise I'll ease up on the drinking.” He was trying to reassure me, but I had done this dance before.

“No.” I filled my lungs with air. “You need help.”

“I thought that was why we were here. Nate will help me.”

“I think what you need is beyond Nate's capacity.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“I think you need to go to AA.”

Julian sat back on his heels. His shoulders slouched, and he exhaled dramatically. “Fine.”

I dropped down on the floor next to him. “Thank you.”



It started with a smirk.

For three weeks I avoided Nathaniel. Julian was busy with work, I signed up for doubles at the diner, and from what Julian said over dinner one night, Nate was up to his ears with blueprints for new condos downtown.

We were on different schedules, and it was working. I ignored the fact I wanted his lips on me again. I shut down any hope of us being together. The fire would eventually put itself out.

He had a wife and a kid.

I had a husband.

He was my brother-in-law.

It was wrong.

It was so wrong.

But it felt too fucking good.

Since Julian was working, I saved up some of my tips and invested in a bicycle I found at a flea market as my means of transportation to and from work.

I arrived home in the early afternoon to find Nate’s car parked in the driveway. Hopping off my bike, I walked it toward the far side of the garage to where I stored it. Along the way, I noticed the hose running from the side of the house toward the backyard.

“Please don’t be alone, please don’t be alone,” I whispered to myself.

No such luck. Nate stood—alone—over a flowerbed as water sprayed on the soil.

“Hey,” he greeted me.

“Hi.” I smiled, my hands white knuckling the handlebars. Whenever I was around him, it seemed impossible to breathe. “You’re home early,” I stated as I parked my bike.

“Today was Caleb’s last day of school.” He released the nozzle and the water stopped.

“Oh.” I shifted my weight from one heel to the other.

“They’re at lunch with Del’s parents.”

“You didn’t go?” It seemed odd that he wouldn’t be there.

“I never do. I’m not their cup of tea.”

I chuckled. “I see.”

In order to get to the door of the garage, I had to pass near him. It was a simple thing to do. Or at least, it should have been. But walking that close to him was like strolling through a burning building and hoping you didn’t get licked by the flames.

Nate didn’t move. Our arms brushed as I passed him. It warmed my skin. Ignited my need. With shaky legs, I stepped forward. I was two strides away when his fingers curled around my upper arm. I gasped.

He pulled me toward him and I went willingly. My mouth crashed onto his, and we both moaned in ecstasy. He reached down and wrapped my legs around his torso. My lips were hungry for his as my hands tangled through his hair.

His growing erection pressed against my core as he walked inside the garage. The cool cement wall slammed against my back, and his hand cupped my behind as his mouth attacked my neck in the most pleasurable way. Nate moved his mouth from my neck and yanked on my blouse, exposing a breast. His lips kissed along the soft skin before he sucked on my nipple.

Tossing my head back, I moaned. “Oh, God.” He bit down on the tender skin, and I felt my panties grow wet with desire. Sex with my husband had never felt like this. It was plain and to the point. There was no fire. No desperation.

But Nate and I were lost in each other. Oblivious to the outside world. Trapped in a bubble that didn’t exist. Until a car drove down the street, and we both froze. “We can’t,” I gasped, my breast still exposed. “This is wrong.” I pushed off him and lowered my legs to the floor.