Page 25 of Such A Good Girl

Bobby cut off the shower and opened the glass door, sending cool air skirting over my wet body.

He lifted me again, but instead of drying off, he deposited us both in a warm, bubble filled bath.

‘You already cleaned us,’ I said, smiling as he pulled me against his chest.

‘I got the piss off, but I want to share this with you. I bought this tub for two and it’s been only me. Humour me, Pet.’ His words grazed my ear, and I tipped my head back, giving into the delicious warmth enveloping me. Bobby’s arms circled me, and the way his muscles pressed into me felt like safety.

It had been too long since I’d been held.

Tears fell unbidden.

Bobby must have felt my breathing hitch, and he cradled my chin in one hand, turning my face a little more toward him.

‘I’m sorry,’ I muttered, trying to tip my chin away.

‘Don’t be. You’re allowed to cry. Was it because of what I did to you? Was it too much?’

‘It was a lot. But it’s not that. It’s been so long since someone held me like this. Years. How can I be married, but also be so fucking lonely?’ His thumb caressed my jaw as I spoke, and to my surprise, he leant forward a little and met my lips. Electricity filled my veins, making more tears fall.

‘You can be lonelier in a marriage than being single. If every day is a reminder of what you could have but don’t, that’s worse than being alone hoping to find what you need.’

‘How do you know?’ I asked, his breath tingling against my lips. ‘Have you been married?’

‘No, but I saw it with my parents. My father spent every day trying to get a crumb of my mom’s attention. I watched him cry when he thought no-one was looking. His heartache hurt me. He should have left, but he stayed for me. By the time I was old enough to go off to college, he was sick. The outside world saw a perfect family, but he battled against loneliness despite being in a relationship.’

He knew. No wonder he recognised it in me. There was truth in what he said. At least when I was single, there was hope beyond the stretch of loneliness. In my marriage, it stretched unendingly before me.

‘You saw the same in me?’

‘I did. I don’t want you to waste your life like he wasted his. You’re still young. You’re attractive. You can have a whole new life beyond him. You deserve to be adored, Ashley.’ Sincerity filled his voice.

‘Maybe I don’t deserve to be adored. I came harder beneath you than I ever have. It wasn’t loving. It was degrading. And I enjoyed it.’

‘Humiliation play doesn’t make you lesser. If it makes you hot, then indulge. Life is short. Enjoy the ride.’

I squirmed against him, turning to face him in the tub. His face was less refined than I usually preferred, a rough edge tohim. But his eyes pulled me in. They glittered with promise, flecks of gold amongst the deep blue. He perhaps wasn’t beautiful, but he was rugged. Manly.

Good.

Despite the way he’d taken me.

Guilt still edged its way into my stomach. I was in a bath with a man who had stolen me, willingly staring into his eyes, while my husband was at home.

Would he even have noticed I was missing? If he did, would he care?

EIGHTEEN

BOBBY

I’d only had her for two nights, and already I knew giving her back was going to be a painful choice.

Everything about Ashley made me happy.

The way she looked at me with those sparkling eyes, so full of desire and hope. The curve of her thighs. The way she melted into me at the slightest ounce of attention.

Being near her was quickly becoming an addiction. Going on without her would be tough.

Jerry, her husband, didn’t deserve her. How any man could have a woman like Ashley and ignore her perplexed me.

---