Immediately, I feel uncomfortable. It’s been years since we were together, and it was all very amicable, so I should have no reason to feel bad. I know she’s still good friends with Gina, and she’s probably just stopping by to be polite.

When she pulls her towel off her waist, revealing her skimpy bikini, I start to have doubts. Jenks has a heated pool, but it’s still cool out here, and there is no good reason to be practically stripping right in front of me.

“Hey, Jack,” Tara says, her voice low. “How have you been?”

“Good,” I answer, trying to focus on my food. She sits down in a deck chair next to me, crossing her legs and leaning back to show off her breasts.

Fuck.

“You don’t look that good,” she says, leaning forward. “In fact, you look downright frustrated, honey.”

She brushes her fingers across my forehead, playing with my hair. I jerk away from her, quickly putting my plate down beside me.

“Tara, what—”

“Jack,” she whispers, leaning in so I can feel her hot breath on my cheek. “I know the look of an unsatisfied man, and you’re wearing it all over your face. That wife of yours isn’t taking care of you, is she?”

“Tara,” I say firmly, grabbing her shoulders. “I think this is inappropriate—”

“Oh, come on,” she giggles, wriggling in my grip and bringing her face closer to mine. “We’re just having a bit of fun. You’re a man in need, and I’ve got the urge to satisfy. How about you take me out to one of the spare rooms and let me swallow your cock whole?”

I’m so shocked that I can’t even move for a second. It’s the unluckiest second of my life.

“Jack?”

Lena’s voice hits me with a shock that feels like pounding waves of glacier ice. I jump slightly, suddenly very aware that my hands are on Tara’s shoulders and our faces are almost touching.

Fuck!

“Lena!” I let go of Tara and turn around, getting up. Lena looks angry, but I can also see the hurt in her eyes.

“What are you doing?” Her voice is so flat, it’s not even a question.

“Nothing! I was just telling Tara—”

“Just telling me what, dear?” Tara asks, grinning up at me as she licks her lips.

Lena takes a few quick steps towards us and puts herself between me and Tara, grabbing my arm.

“Back off,” Lena snaps. The combination of her grip on my arm and the commanding tone of her voice affects me more than I thought it could.

The thick, intoxicating scent of her seems to be getting stronger as she glares at Tara. Her rival is actively backing down as well. I’ve never seen Lena like this, and it’s turning me on so much, I’m losing my ability to think clearly.

That might also be the beer.

“Okay, whatever,” Tara says huffily. She gets up and pulls her robe around her shoulders. “Don’t sweat it. I’ve got places to be, anyway.”

Lena watches Tara walk away, keeping her eyes on her until she’s out of sight. Only then does she loosen her grip on my arm.

“Lena—”

“Don’t,” she snaps, turning and walking away from me. I stand there stunned for a few seconds before running after her.

Lena manages to stay ahead of me through the house and out onto the front lawn. We are quite a distance away by the time I catch up.

“Lena, please, wait. We need to talk.”

“Damn fucking right, we do!” she cries, turning around to face me. Her expression is a mess of emotion, fury, confusion, hurt. I don’t even know where to start addressing her emotions.