'Of course it is. You buy whatever you want. You always have, anyway.'
'What's that supposed to mean?'
'Oh nothing,' I muttered and returned my attention to the book, which I wasn't really into. I was too busy thinking of other things. Of other people. Person.
When had we become this horrible bickering couple?
I sighed and put the book down. 'I'm sorry, darling. Look, why don't you go over to the party. I'll be over as soon as the quiche is ready,' I said, standing and pulling him towards me.
He put his hands on my shoulders and looked down at me. 'You sure?'
'Absolutely.'
'Okay. Shall I take the bottle of wine?'
I nodded. 'The shirt looks good, by the way.'
He smiled. 'You don't look so bad yourself.'
And with that, he was gone. A couple of years ago, he wouldn't have dreamed of going to the party without me. When had things changed? Was it since Adam?
Deep down I knew things hadn't been right between us for some time. It must have been before Adam, otherwise I would never have done what I did, would I? Whatwe did, I corrected myself. It was Adam too.
Sighing, I looked at the quiche in the oven. Another twenty minutes or so. Standing up, I opened the fridge and pulled out the open bottle of wine. Taking a glass from the cupboard, I poured myself a large one and took a long gulp. As it slid down my throat, I could feel my muscles relax. I'd been tense since they'd moved in next door. I needed a massage; that would help. But first, I'd finish the wine and go and show my face at the party.
A knock at the back door made me jump and I spilled a little wine on the floor, but I ignored it to go and see who it was.
Standing there, looking smoking hot, was Adam.
I swallowed, took another big swig of the wine like some kind of crazy housewife with an alcohol problem, and opened the door.
'What are you doing here?' I asked abruptly. 'Sorry, I'm just a bit tense...'
'Don't worry, Eve. I know exactly how you feel.'
'Really? Jesus... I'm so sorry. I don't know what's come over me, lately.'
'I do, I know exactly what it is.' He smiled apologetically. 'I am entirely to blame.' He looked down, and I stepped backwards.
'Come in. I'm just waiting for the quiche to bake. Would you like some wine? Or a lager?'
'Sure, a glass of wine would be great. Charlie sent me over to make sure you were okay.'
'She did?'
He nodded. 'She was worried you wouldn't come because you were... erm...'
'Embarrassed, mortified, horrified at being seen in my sexiest outfit?' I asked, blushing.
'Well yes, not that you have anything to be embarrassed about. I've seen you in less.'
'Adam,' I choked. 'Please don't mention that.'
'I...I'm sorry. I'm trying not to think about it, but it's proving somewhat difficult, especially after earlier.'
I wished I could stop blushing. I turned to look at the quiche instead.
'Are you happy, Eve?' he asked out of the blue.
I turned to face him. 'What do you mean? Of course I'm h-happy,' I stuttered. 'Are you?'
He nodded and then shook his head.
'No, Adam. Please don't answer that. And please don't ask me that, either.'
He nodded just as the oven timer went off.
'Well, it looks like it's ready,' I said, picking up a tea towel as Adam went to pick it up.
'Let me,' he said, as our hands clashed, and before I knew what was happening, we were in each other's arms, kissing passionately. I felt like I was going to explode, feeling his tongue exploring my mouth like that, as if he'd never been there before.
I got swept away in the moment but after another minute, I managed to pull away.
'Eve, I'm so...so sorry. I hadn't planned to do that. I couldn't help it. Something tugs at me every time I'm near you. Damn it.'
I fell backwards and leaned on the counter top, breathing heavily. 'I...I...know. I feel the same, but we're married, Adam. We can't do this. Think of Charlie and Matt.'
'Don't you think I haven't thought of them? But Eve, you don't understand, I've thought of you every day since we first met. I haven't been able to get you out of my head.'
I raised my eyebrows. 'But you still got married?'
He took a deep breath and leaned beside me, handing me my wine and taking a large gulp of his own before he added, 'It was a month before the wedding, Eve.'
'What was?'
'Me and you.'
'Oh,' I said, looking at my feet.
'I couldn't break it off because of a one night stand. I thought I'd eventually forget you and I'd be able to be happily married to Charlie...'
'Aren't you? Happily married, I mean?'
He shrugged. 'I guess so. I mean, no. How can I be happily married when all I can think of is you?'
'Some people can feel that way about more than one person, you know.'
He nodded sadly.
'If only things had been different, eh?' I said as I finished off my wine and turned back to the oven to remove the now slightly overdone quiche.
'I know. If you hadn't been married... If we'd both been single… Who knows.'
'But we are, Adam. We're both married, and we can't forget that now. That kiss just now. That can't happen again.'
'I know, Eve. I know,' he said sadly, as he placed his empty glass in the sink and walked over to the door. 'You ready?'
I nodded. 'Not really, but I guess I'll have to be. Oh, just a minute. Need to feed the cat,' I said, as I noticed her run indoors when he opened the door.
I put down some biscuits for her and picked up the quiche, sighing heavily. If only we could stay here and forget about the rest of the world, I thought, but I didn't say it out loud. Something told me, though, that he was thinking the exact same thing.
oOo
We crept in through their back door so nobody made a fuss about me as I placed the quiche on the dining table. Adam poured me another glass of wine, which I accepted gratefully with a long sad look, before he disappeared to continue with his hosting duties.
I wandered into the beautiful living room, where a large crowd were busy chatting and some were dancing discreetly to the jazz music blaring from the iPod dock in the corner by the huge TV.
I made small talk with some of our other neighbours before wandering out into the garden, where strings of fairy lights hung from various trees. I smiled. I loved fairy lights. In fact, I'd wanted to put some in our own garden, but Matt hadn't been keen. He had a habit of talking me out of doing little decorative things like that, which was probably why our house was so sparsely decorated.
Shivering as a soft breeze blew through the garden, I turned to see Charlie, looking stunning in a sequinned mini dress, walking down the stairs. She really was beautiful, especially when she was made up like that with her sixties-style lined eyes and her hair in something of a bouffant style. Matt was walking behind her, and they were talking animatedly and laughing.
I must ask for a guided tour too, I thought. It was a beautiful house. Very different in style to ours, which was quite traditional; theirs was very contemporary, with large windows everywhere. As I watched them through the window, someone tapped me on the shoulder. 'Excuse me,' said a middle-aged lady wearing a long woolly cardigan.
Smiling, I turned to her. 'Hello?'
'Hello, dear. Are you Eve Brooke, by any chance?'
'That's me.'
'Oh, how wonderful. I had heard you lived in the neighbourhood but wasn't sure where. My daughter is a fan of yours. She's read all your books on her Kindle.'
'Oh really? That's lovely,' I said, genuinely surprised. I'd never been recognised before, except at the few book signings I'd done, of course. 'I hope that means she's enjoyed them?'
'Are you kidding? She's always talking about them. She's a big fan. She even did a talk about them at school. Apparently she got you lots of new fans.'
'Really? Wow, I'm really very
flattered. I must meet her and thank her in person.'
The woman grinned. 'She'd be absolutely delighted, I'm sure. I'm Gail, by the way. Gail Green. I can't wait to tell Emily.'
'I'm afraid I don't have business cards with me at the moment, otherwise I'd give you one so you, or she, can call me. But I live next door, at number eighteen. You're welcome to drop by any time.'
'Thank you, dear. That's very kind. I'll tell her as soon as I get home. No doubt she'll still be up! Anyway, it's a little chilly out here. I'm going to head back in. Maybe see you later.'
I nodded as Gail disappeared indoors with a grin on her face.
'Accosted by the fans?' asked a voice from further down the garden.
'What are you doing down there?' I asked, as Adam appeared out of the darkness.
'Just having some time out from the party. Are you having a good time?'
'Yes, I am, actually.'
'You sound surprised.'
I chuckled. 'I wasn't expecting to, to be honest.'
'I know what you mean.'
'I noticed Charlie gave Matt a tour of the house. I'd like to see it too, if that's alright?'
'Of course.'
'Perhaps I should go and find her.'
Adam smiled. 'Yes, if you prefer.'
I rolled my eyes. 'I think it would be better that way.'
'What's that? What would be better?' asked a familiar voice from the large door that opened up from the living room.
'Hey, babe,' I said to Matt as he strolled towards us.
'I was just saying that I noticed Charlie gave you the grand tour earlier, and I'd like to see their place too.'
Matt nodded. 'Erm, yes. Adam, why don't you do the honours,' he suggested.
'Well, if you insist.'
'Are you coming?' I asked Matt, but he shook his head.
'Already seen it. I'm going to grab a lager. Enjoy.'
'Looks like we can't avoid it, then,' Adam whispered as he led me back indoors. The heat hit me, and I had to stop for a second to become accustomed to the temperature.
'Are you alright?' he asked me as he took hold of my elbow. 'You look like you might fall over.'
'No, I'm fine,' I said, gingerly extricating his hand from my arm and looking around shyly. 'Maybe this isn't such a good idea, Adam.'
'I'm sure we can resist each other's charms for ten minutes,' he whispered discreetly into my ear.
I wasn't so sure we could, so I stepped away from him, walked to the bar and poured myself a refill.
'Hey guys, having fun?' asked Charlie, who strutted towards us. I couldn't help but notice several men stare at her. She really was a bit of a sex kitten, especially dressed like that.
'Yes, absolutely. It's a fabulous party. Your house is beautiful. I noticed you gave Matt the grand tour earlier.'
She nodded. 'Yes, yes. Thank you. Adam, why don't you show Eve the rest of the house while I go and be the hostess with the mostess?'
This time it was Adam's turn to redden, and he looked away.
'Well? What are you waiting for?'
I reluctantly smiled and nodded.
'Okay then, Eve. Follow me,' he said.
'Well, you've pretty much seen downstairs, why don't I show you upstairs?' he said, through gritted teeth.
'You really don't have to, you know?'
'Charlie and Matt both want me to give you the tour, so I'm giving you the tour,' he said. 'Let's just act normally and walk up the stairs,' he added quietly.
The wine was going to my head, so I just nodded and followed him, looking down at the party below. Everyone was in good spirits, and I noticed that more people were dancing now. Even Matt and Charlie had got up and were strutting their stuff to Kylie Minogue's Spinning Around.
Adam stopped ahead of me and looked down to see what I was looking at. 'Looks like they're having fun,' he said. 'Charlie rarely dances with me. She doesn't like the way I do it.'
'No? That's a shame. I love dancing.'
'Oh, really? Anyway, follow me.'
I continued to walk behind him until we reached the second floor, where he showed me the two large spare bedrooms, which shared a bathroom.
'Beautiful bathroom,' I whispered, as I walked in and admired the floor to ceiling mosaic tiles and walk in shower with separate bath tub.
'It is quite special, but it hasn't been used very much. Maybe when the kids come to stay.'
'Oh, I'd forgotten about your kids. How are they getting on at uni?'
He smiled proudly as he talked about them. It was nice. 'They're doing great but Jack's not at university any more. He graduated last year.'
'Jack? I don't think you ever told me their names.'
'No? My eldest is Jack and my youngest is Amy.'
'Lovely,' I said, as I sat on the edge of the bath and looked out the window. 'Wow, what a great view from here. I think you've got the best view on the street. We can't see the countryside like this. It's stunning.'
'We were lucky to find this house, I guess.'
'Yes, I suppose so. So tell me about Jack. What is he doing now that he's finished his studies?'
He smiled again and leaned against the doorframe. 'He studied architecture and was lucky enough to get a work placement in quite a sought after office in Bristol.'
'You sound very proud.'
'I am.' He grinned, taking a sip of his wine.
'And Amy?'
'Amy is studying at Bournemouth to become an interior designer.'
'Wow, that's impressive. Did she have anything to do with the design of this place?'
'As a matter of fact, she did. Charlie wasn't too thrilled about it, though.'
'Really? Why not? Don't they get on?'
'Not terribly well. Amy doesn't quite approve of my choice of wife.'
'Oh dear.'
'Tell me about it. Shall we continue?'
'Yes please,' I said, standing and taking one more glance out at the spectacular view beyond the houses.
'These lead up to the master suite,' he said, standing to one side and letting me climb the stairs in front of him. I tried not to think of his eyes on me, but I knew he was looking at every curve of my body.
As we reached the top there was a cozy lounge. I stepped aside so he could lead the way.
'Here's the bedroom,' he breathed as I followed him into a large room where one wall was painted black and the rest cream. Bright pink chairs with golden scatter cushions stood in either corner of the room, and a large four poster dominated the space. Animal print rugs were carefully placed over the top of a cream shag pile carpet. Somehow the room didn't quite match the rest of the house. My opinion clearly showed on my face, and Adam looked a little downtrodden.
'It's grim, isn't it?'
'Grim?' I asked, trying ever so hard not to laugh. 'I take it that Charlie was allowed to decorate this room.'
Adam nodded, and I let out a deep laugh. 'Oh dear, Adam. Now I understand why you had Amy do the rest.'
'I know. I've been trying to convince her to change it, but she's having none of it.'
'Well, you've only been here, what – a month? You've got plenty of time to work on her. I'm sure you can use your charming ways to convince her.' I smiled and leaned on the wall beside a large nude painting of a woman with large boobs.
'Is this... Charlie?' I asked.
Again, Adam frowned before nodding. 'I'm afraid so.'
'Did you paint it?' I asked, stepping back to get a good look. I turned my head sideways, trying to work it out.
'Erm, no, I certainly didn't,' he laughed. 'It was by one of her gay best friends. Well, she told me he was gay. I never met him.'
I turned to look at him, and we both burst out laughing.
'It truly is horrendous.' I giggled. 'She's got very good boobs, though.'
'I prefer them somewhat smaller,' Adam whispered, and there was that familiar sensation again, rising up from my groin to my heart. I stepped towards the door.
'We should return to the part
y.' I smiled tightly. 'Before... well, just before...'
Adam stared at me for a moment before he grinned and followed me out the door.
CHAPTER FOUR
Matt stood in the bathroom doorway, staring at me. He was drunk. I could see that the whites of his eyes were bloodshot. I switched my bedside light off and turned over, but it wasn't enough. He climbed into bed and reached for me. I hated it when he was drunk. He fumbled around for a bit, while I lay on my back, looking up at the ceiling in the dark.
'C'mon baby, get in the mood,' he slurred.
'I am,' I whispered back.
'No, you're not, you're just lying there. Do something.'
I sighed and pushed him off me, climbing out of bed. 'You're drunk,' I said, as I walked into the bathroom and closed the door.
'Don't be silly. Come on, I want to have some sex.'
'Do it yourself, then,' I muttered, as I sat on the toilet and waited for him to go to sleep.
But it was no use, he was out of bed. I could hear his feet padding across the carpeted floor. He knocked on the door.
'Come on out, baby. I need you.'
'No you don't,' I whispered. 'You just need a vessel to stick your dick into.'
I sighed and thought about earlier, standing in that hideous bedroom with Adam. Immediately, I began to throb between my legs. I stood up and opened the door.
Matt grinned and stumbled slightly, pulling me back to the bed.
I closed my eyes and straddled him as we sat on the edge. My mind wandered to the only person I wanted to be screwing, and he was next door, perhaps screwing his wife. God, this was totally messed up, I thought as I began to move faster and faster. Keeping my eyes closed, I pushed him backwards and readjusted myself on top of him for full effect. It didn't take long for me to reach orgasm. Matt was a little slower, so I tried to roll over with him on top, but he grabbed me roughly and turned me around, entering me from behind. This was why I didn't like it when he was drunk. He got a bit carried away and sometimes it hurt. He wasn't doing it on purpose, I knew that, but still; I didn't like it.
Eventually he started moving quicker and quicker until he shuddered and stopped.
'Tissue,' I whispered.
He leaned over and grabbed the toilet roll, handing it to me. I unravelled a bit to prevent the wet patch and hobbled back into the bathroom to clean myself up.