Page 44 of Keep Me

Glancing out the side of my eye, I wonder exactly what Liam is talking about. Is there another man in this house I should be worried about? What is he implying? Sure, my friends can be flirty, but none of them would truly touch my wife in my own home. Would they?

Suddenly, I see an opportunity. And I’m not proud of myself for it.

“Well, you know…” I mumble quietly. “Sylvie and I…we keep thingsopen.”

Liam’s head pops up, and he stares at me for a moment as if he’s trying to put something together. “You mean…”

I nod.

When he picks up on what I’m implying, a smile stretches across his face. “You’re still a kinky fucker.”

“Shhh… Keep your voice down,” I mutter. Trying to keep things casual, I smile at my old friend. “She knows what she’sgetting herself into this weekend. I let her do what she wants, and she lets me do what I want.”

He scratches his head. “I don’t understand you married guys. Doesn’t that bother you? For other men to touch your woman?”

My jaw clenches, but I bury the rising hesitation. “It just means I get to remind her who she belongs to when she comes back.”

Liam’s eyes widen. “Good point.”

I shoot back my drink, hoping the alcohol will cool the buzzing heat in my blood. I hate the way this feels, and I really shouldn’t give a shite. I barely know Sylvie, let alone have any romantic feelings for her. Hopefully, she’s into Liam, and this could all work out in my favor.

What happens at the house this weekend stays here.

When I look up, I spot a mess of reddish-blond curls. My eyes collide with Sylvie’s. She’s wearing that same cold, dead expression she always seems to wear around me.

Liam still has his back to the room and has no idea she’s on the other side. “So…does that mean you wouldn’t mind if I—”

I knock him with my elbow, nodding toward my wife. Liam spins to find her there, quickly putting a fake smile on his face. “Sylvie!”

Sylvie stares at us in contemplation for another minute before turning silently on her heels and walking into the dining room. I’m willing to bet my wife will be glad when this weekend is over, and she can go back to her solitary routines.

Liam and I laugh for a moment before the rest of the crowd files down the stairs. Most of us have been drinking already so the party is already rowdy as we head in for dinner. The first thing I notice is that Claire sits right next to Sylvie at the table. I take the seat at the head again, but I can’t get Sylvie to even look at me. And it’s bugging the hell out of me.

The group is rowdy. As soon as we’re all seated, Angus clinks his fork on his glass to make an announcement.

Standing up, he stares at me with a smile. “Thanks for inviting us, Killian. It truly is great to be back with old friends again. To you and Sylvie and your happy marriage. And to get fucking bladdered tonight.”

The group erupts in raucous cheers as everyone shoots back their drinks. Even Sylvie gulps down the contents of her wineglass.

As soon as the food is served, the dinner conversation turns vulgar and inappropriate.

“Okay, be honest,” Nick says as he glances at me. “You guys have fucked on this table, haven’t you?”

Everyone laughs.

I look at Sylvie. She tilts her head to the side and stares at me as if waiting for my response.

“Twice,” I say around a bite.

The group cheers.

Nick’s girlfriend laughs. “Yeah, this is a nice sturdy table, perfect for fucking.”

The ladies chuckle along.

Then it’s Greg’s wife’s turn. “God, I miss the honeymoon period. I bet you two are still fucking like animals.”

Sylvie clenches her jaw but glances at me again. I don’t know what’s holding me back. I could easily lie and tell stories about how raunchy our nonexistent sex is. But the words won’t come.

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