Page 1 of Sexploration

JOSIE

My big girl panties are giving me a massive wedgie right about now. I womaned up, did what had to be done, and walked out on my husband. But now... now, I get to face everything that comes after. The life I’d built for the past ten years burned to the ground in a matter of minutes, forcing me to start all over again. Except this time, I’m almost forty and decidedly less optimistic.

I grab my bags from the trunk of my car while fat drops of water soak my T-shirt and jeans, the canvas of my converse sneakers no match for the puddles at my feet. It seems rather fitting for the situation. After all, they say rain is a symbol of transformation and rebirth—or some shit like that—and there are big changes coming my way. Thanks to my lying, cheating, piece of shit husband.

Unfiltered rage seeps out of me like tequila through your pores after a drunken night of bad decisions, but I fight the urge to scream. No need to draw the neighbors’ attention to the crazy lady who looks like a drowned rat.

Fuck me. I spent ten years of my life loving that man. He’s the only man I’ve ever loved.

The harrowing thought causes an unwelcome pang in my chest. I tried so hard to make our marriage work, overlooking his many flaws, all while attempting to be the perfect wife. And I remained faithful the whole time. Of course, I couldn’t tell you the last time we fucked. The sight of him hasn’t inspired longing in me for quite some time. Not even an ounce of desire, if I’m being honest. A fact Tommy happily threw in my face as he shifted the blame for his infidelity onto me.

Water is dripping from my hair and rolling down my face by the time I head toward the front door, the weight of my luggage making me wobbly on my feet. It would’ve been smarter to make more than one trip, but I’m tired and wet, desperate for a hot shower and a warm bed. I’m just praying the bathroom is clean and the sheets are fresh.

Crashing at my baby brother’s bachelor pad isn’t ideal, but it’s a much better option than moving back in with my parents. Still, turning to Milo for help adds another level of humiliation. I’m his older sister. Pretty sure, people my age are supposed to have their lives together by now. Yet, here I am, a hop, skip, and a jump away from the big Four-O, and my life is a complete shit show.

Hi, my name is Josie, and I’m a loser.

My twenty-six-year-old brother, on the other hand, is thriving. Being a tech nerd has paid off for him. He’s away on business in Japan, leaving this big Craftsman-style house empty. Which worked out perfectly for his hot mess express older sister.

I fight with the stubborn lock on his front door, kicking it in frustration as my bags begin to slide off my shoulders. “Open, you stupid piece of shit.”

Much to my surprise, it swings open, causing me to lose my balance. My belongings go flying as I stumble over the threshold and brace myself for the fall, certain I’m going to end up on the floor as well. I crash into a hard, fleshy wall instead, my palms planting on a bare chest as strong hands grip my waist and steady me on my feet.

His deep chuckle draws my gaze up to his mouth, his lips curved into a crooked smile.

“Well... hello there.” Mischief lights his steely blue eyes as my stare meets his. “You sure showed that door who’s boss.”

August Brooks is my brother’s best friend and roommate. I’ve known him for years—watched him transform from a scrawny teenage boy to the fully grown, impossibly attractive, and annoyingly charming man standing in front of me. He’s the kind of guy who turns women into gushing idiots. Myself included. The man is beautiful—he has the whole tall, dark, and handsome thing on lock. And if flirting were a sport, he’d be the best player in the league.

His flirtatious behavior has never bothered me, though. In fact, I rather enjoyed the way it would ruffle Tommy’s feathers. It felt harmless, comical even. I mean... August is more than ten years my junior and a freaking Adonis. There was no way in hell he was interested in an old married woman.

However, right now, in this very moment, I find myself wishing that weren’t the case. The heat of his body and the intoxicating smell of his cologne must be fucking with the chemicals in my brain. For the first time in a very long time, I feel something stirring inside me. Tommy was wrong. The problem wasn’t with me at all. My libido seems to be working perfectly fine.

Snap the fuck out of it, Josie.

I’m suddenly painfully aware of how close we are, my cheeks going hot. I push his hands away and rush backward. The heel of my foot catches on one of the bags that scattered upon my grand entrance, sending me tumbling once more. August saves my ass, quite literally, hooking his arm around my waist. His body presses into mine as he secures me on my feet again, that same twinkle in his eyes making me feel lightheaded. It’s as if the air is growing thicker by the second.

“You know, I’m used to women falling for me.” He releases me, and my body relaxes as he takes a step back. “But I’m usually the one getting them wet, not the other way around.”

He chuckles, gesturing toward his now glistening torso with a wave of his hands. Even the gray sweatpants hanging tantalizingly low from his hips are damp from my soaked clothes.

“Very funny,” I deadpan, rolling my eyes. “It’s not my fault I had to carry all these damn bags in by myself in the pouring rain.”

“If you’d let me know you were here, I would’ve helped you,” he tells me.

“Yes, well... if I’d known you were home, I would’ve. Milo told me you wouldn’t be here.”

August shrugs, his eyes avoiding mine as he closes the door. “My trip was canceled last minute.”

Guilt expands in my chest. He’s supposed to be in Tokyo with Milo. They have some kind of big launch coming. It’s not likely it would be canceled. This is about me.

“Well...” I pick up one of my bags, hanging it from my shoulder. “I don’t want to interrupt your life or be a bother. Just pretend I’m not even here.”

He shakes his head, taking all my bags from me as I pick up the last one. “I don’t think that’s possible, gorgeous.” He winks at me, a shadow of pity hiding behind his playful smile. “You’re welcome to stay here as long as you want.”

I take a deep breath, my emotions trying to get the better of me. “So... Milo told you what happened then?”

His jaw tics as he nods, his muscular arms twitching with tension. “Tommy is a loser. You deserve better.”

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