Page 20 of Playing With Fire
Gregor only came home for lunch today because he left something in his office that he needs for a client briefing later this afternoon. He’d asked me to run it to him and was less than thrilled when I told him I couldn’t interrupt Serafina’s nap because otherwise, she wouldn’t sleep tonight.
I’m glad I didn’t agree because although I didn’t love interacting with Hudson while Gregor was home, it was better than missing him altogether. These brief glimpses and distant flirting are becoming something I look forward to in my day.
Naptime has certainly gotten a lot more exciting.
“He always so chatty?” Gregor asks once Hudson is gone, not bothering to look up from where’s he’s cutting into the recently delivered box.
My skin is still tingling everywhere Hudson’s eyes landed as he scanned me discreetly. My brows furrow in annoyance that Gregor is acting like he cares about Hudson’s attention when John Cox’s hand was on my body, yet he couldn’t muster an ounce of concern. “Of course not,” I snap. “It’s not like the man has ample time to get to know everyone he delivers to.”
“He seems intent on getting to knowyou,” Gregor says, making my hackles rise.
“Jealousy doesn’t suit you, Gregor. Especially considering I’ve been trying to get your attention for the last six months, and you’ve turned down ninety-five percent of my advances,” I fire back, annoyed that he would choosenowto start paying attention.
In a very uncharacteristic move, Gregor grabs my hips and pulls me to him, crushing his mouth to mine before pulling back, his eyes boring into me.
“Well, you’ve got my attention now,” he says through gritted teeth, grinding his hips against my pelvis.
It probably shouldn’t, because of the jealousy it’s coming from, but the move turns me on and I melt against him.This.I’ve wanted more of this. Passion. Possessiveness. A desire for me that extends beyond the image we project. The imageIproject as the very embodiment of a trophy wife.
I reach between us to stroke Gregor, but find him limp in his trousers again, telling me he doesn’t feel the same way about this interaction. Not to worry, I’m not afraid to work for it. But before I have a chance to get him there, he pulls away from me.
“I’ve got to get back to work.It’ll be a late night for me. Don’t wait up.” His tone is flat, all traces of the heat of his kiss, gone.
“Gregor,” I plead. “Why the sudden change of heart?” I follow him as he makes his way back toward the kitchen and the door that leads to the garages.
“You’ll excuse me if I don’t want an orgasm that was spurred on by another man,” he says drily.
Okay, so I’ve noticed that Hudson is attractive, but I haven’t acted on it beyond getting excited to lay eyes on him. I’ve donenothingto warrant Gregor’s harsh words or tone.
“Have you lost your mind?” I snap angrily. “Do youhearyourself? Greg, I’ve done nothing but try to spend time with you, be intimate withyou, pleaseyou. And now you’re angry at me and jealous of the man who delivers our packages because he had the decency to say hello and offer an apology after noticing I was on the verge of a breakdown?”
“I am notjealousof the delivery boy, Shannon,” he says, grabbing his keys off the counter, still not looking at me.
I move to block his path, forcing him to blow out a frustrated sigh.
“I just don’t understand why you don’t want me,” I try to explain.
“I do want you, butIdon’t understand this sudden need to be down my pants all the time,” he retorts.
I stand there, frozen in shock, for a moment longer.
Sudden…he thinks this desire in me issudden. Perhaps he feels that way because I wasn’t very interested in sex during my last trimester, but who is? I felt like a beached whale. But as soon as Serafina was born, I returned to my gym routine with my personal trainer and restored my pre-pregnancy physique. And while my body came back, our sex life didn’t.
I back away from him as if I’ve just suffered a physical blow and change the subject entirely.“Serafina has a check-up at the doctor tomorrow and then I’m going to take her to the lake if you can join us,” I whisper, too stunned to say it any louder.
“Tomorrow’s Friday, Shannon. Some of us have to work.”
My mouth falls open. Literally hangs by the joint as I stare at my husband, rage building in my veins. I turn my back to him so he can’t see me cry because right now, he doesn’t deserve my tears.
“What have I done to make you so contrite?” I ask.
But hearing the garage door moving in its tracks, I turn around to discover Greg’s already out the door.
Once I know I’m alone, I sit with my hurt and anger. I look at my phone for the time and know I only have a couple minutes before Serafina wakes.
I’m not vindictive by nature, but Greg’s words really hurt, his thoughts toward me hurt even more. Remembering the heat in Hudson’s eyes when I came down the stairs today, I easily justify my next action by saying it’s time I did something for myself.
Opening the app of my favorite lingerie company, I place an order for fifteen-hundred-dollars-worth of silk, satin, and lace.
