Page 33 of Fluke
He chuckles. The sound licks at my libido, stroking it higher and hotter.
“And you were a good husband too,” I say, my heart pounding. I should stop. I shouldn’t make this worse for myself. But I can’t because having this banter with Jess is too easy and too much fun. “We had so manyamazingtimes together. You always made sure I was happy.”
“You better fucking believe I did. I made sure you werehappy and satisfiedevery night.”
I gulp.
My face is red. Heat ripples from my cheeks as I absorb the heat in his gaze. If I ever wondered if Jess would be a great lover, I don’t now. Only a man who has absolute confidence in his skills would be this overt about them.
Oh, the things I wish I knew for certain.
His grin turns mischievous, and his gaze hoods. A shiver snakes up my spine, leaving a trail of goose bumps on my skin. He glances at my arms and then back at me.
“Looks like I still have an effect on you,” he says, his tone cocky.
I make a point of looking him and up and down, letting my gaze drag across his long, lean body. “Your mouth has always turned me on.”
His jaw clenches, and he takes a step toward me.
I have no idea what I’m doing, and something in the recesses of my brain is trying to throw out roadblocks to stop me from crossing the line that I’m toeing. But logic is no match to a perfect specimen looking at me like he wants to use his mouth in ways I can only imagine.In ways I do imagine. In waysI will imagineas soon as I get home.
“Remind me why we got divorced again?” Jess asks, his voice rough.
“Yes, I’m curious too,” Chuck says.
And, just like that, I snap back to reality. Chuck’s intrusion into this surprising conversation is like a bucket of cold water.
“What happened between you?” Chuck asks.
I look up at Jess, trying not to panic.
I don’t know what happened between us. This is the first time I’ve been afforded the opportunity to make my situation even worse. I’m not prepared. Luckily for me, Jess takes my hand like he does it every day and laces his fingers through mine.
His palm scratches my skin. The size of his hand easily encompasses mine. He holds it firmly, yet sweetly—in a way that’s protective yet careful. This is yet another thing I’ll remember after this moment is over.
“That’s private,” Jess says. “You need to mind your own business.”
“Chuck, isn’t your wife over there?” Kerissa asks, jamming her thumb toward the lady in the corner.
He glances over his shoulder. “Yes. She is. I suppose I should get back to her.”
Jess moves me so that I’m closer to him. For the performance,mostly, I rest my head on his arm.Might as well play it up while I can.
“Hey, Chuck, before you go,” Jess says, giving my hand a gentle squeeze. “I want to make one thing clear.”
Chuck’s gaze flips to mine before resting on Jess again. “Sure. What’s that?”
“Pippa and I might be divorced, but she’s still my girl. Now that you know that, I’m going to take it as a personal insult if you ever approach her again like you were when I walked up here tonight. Got it?”
A bead of sweat dots Chuck’s forehead.
“Good. You can go now,” Jess says, effectively dismissing my antagonist.
Chuck sucks in a hasty breath and then scurries off toward his wife.
I don’t realize I’m not breathing until Chuck is across the patio.
Jess pulls out my chair and holds it as I sit. To my surprise, he sits next to me.
