Page 92 of Playing With Fire
“Oh shit,” he mutters as he slows his thrusts, trying not to spill inside me before my orgasm runs its course. “Baby, it’s now or never,” he grunts as he pulls himself out of my body. I hear the sound of his fist flying up and down over his shaft for only a second before I feel the warmth of his cum land on my ass. Andthe second after that? His cock slides between my ass cheeks, making me a shivering mess.
“Fuck, that’s hot,” he breathes against my skin as he bends down to grab his boxers and uses them to clean me up.
We shower while Serafina sleeps, but there’s no crib here so I know I’ll have to wake her to go back to the apartment.
“I know you’re excited about your new place, and I’m excited for you. I just want you to know that anytime you and Serafina want to stay here. You’re welcome to. Especially once Gregor is back in town tomorrow. If you don’t feel safe, you don’t even have to call, just come over.”
“I will. Thank you.”
Once I get as settled as I can back at my place, I finally turn my phone back on to check some emails. I didn’t expect Greg to grovel because that’s just not who he is, but there are thirteen text messages from him, including a video someone took of a speech he gave at the banquet in his honor.
Manipulative bastard said he couldn’t have done it without me, and he was heartbroken that I wasn’t feeling well and therefore couldn’t attend. He even blew a kiss to the camera and had everyone sayget well soonat the end.
My email in-box was no better. A lengthy love letter—probably written entirely with Chat GPT—waits for me, pleading with me not to leave him and that he can see how he might have been a little busier than usual and doesn’t fault me for stepping outside our marriage for attention. He acknowledges his part in pushing me away and just wants me back so our familycan be whole.
Thank God I already took my heart back for myself because these are all the words I’ve wanted him to say. But they’re only being said so Greg can paint the picturehewants the world to see.
The only response I give is a text that simply says,
Shannon
Let me know when you want to see Serafina.
Two can play the game oflet’s be on our best behavior for the courts.
I’m unsurprised when I don’t get a response.
That night on my mattress, I toss and turn. I’ve only spent one night here and it was the day I’d moved in. I was so exhausted my body pulled me into a sleep before anything could keep me awake. But tonight is different. It’s been a while since I shared a wall with my neighbors. I’m trying to reacquaint myself to the sounds of community living, but I don’t love it.
With an infant daughter, I feel like I’m constantly on alert for anything out of the ordinary. If I’m honest, I’d also hoped the price point for these apartments meant they would mostly house working professionals or other families with small kids, but the bass thumping from somewhere nearby suggests that at least one tenant is a fan of electronic dance music, and the fact that they’re playing it at three a.m. makes me confident they don’t have small children.
By the next evening, Serafina has a crib at Hudson’s.
Chapter 38
Hudson
Monday morning arrives and with it a knot in my stomach. Having Shannon in my bed and Serafina safely down the hall ensured I slept much better last night than I did the night before, however, it’s six in the morning and I already have a text message from my boss.
I slip out of bed as quietly as I can, pull on my sweats, and pad to the kitchen to answer this message and start the coffee maker.
Bill
Things have escalated. We need to talk.
I guess Gregor wasted no time firing one off up my chain of command as soon as he got back to his swanky hotel suite onFriday night.
Hudson
I’ll move routes.
With the help of Shannon’s parents, moving routes is now possible. I just don’t want to lose my job with this company. There’s not a lot of things I’m qualified for, despite my epic training and experience in the military. Being able to move around all day and not have to sit at a desk or on the phone isn’t something I want to give up.
Bill
It’s a little late for that.
Hudson
