Page 5 of Sexploration

“No...” I drawl, waving off her comment. “He’s not really interested in me. August is a flirt. He’s that way with everyone.”

“If you say so.” She scoffs, rolling her eyes. “Does he cancel his business trips for everyone, too?”

She has me there. That was unexpected. And there was genuine concern in his voice when he was on the phone with Milo. But I’m sure that has more to do with my brother.

“It’s not like that. You should’ve heard him talking to Milo last night. Trust me, he’s only looking out for me because he’s my brother’s best friend.”

“I’ve seen the way August looks at you. Trust me, it’s not for Milo. That man has wanted a piece of you for years now.”

“You’re delusional,” I tell her, my stare focusing on the bag of chips in my hands. “Why on Earth would he want me? He could probably have any woman he wants.”

“What the fuck do you mean?” She slaps my arm, and my stare finds her again. “Have you seen yourself? You’re a fucking knockout. If I were into chicks, I would for sure want to fuck you.” She pauses as if pondering the thought, her head tilting. “Come to think of it, I’m not sure I don’t...”

“Shut the fuck up.” I laugh, throwing a chip at her. “I promise you, he doesn’t want me like that. But even if he did, I haven’t even filed for divorce yet.”

“Fuck that noise. Tommy was fucking another woman, maybe even several women, while you were still married. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander. Your sexploration starts now, and August is your first destination.”

I take a bite of my sandwich, not bothering to argue with her anymore. Despite what Parker believes, August isn’t within the realm of possibility. But I’d be lying if I said the idea of a sexploration doesn’t excite me. It’s past time for me to live my life for someone other than Tommy.

It’s time for me to live my life forme.

I could do this. Tommy has been having an affair for months. And who knows if that was the first? Most of his confession is a blur. My mind pretty much shut down after he said he’d met someone else. Either way, there’s no reason whatsoever that I can’t have a little fun too. It’s been years since the thought of having sex excited me. I’ve been chipping away pieces of myself to please Tommy for far too long. My independence. My humor. My sexuality. My confidence.

I’m going to take this as an opportunity to rebuild myself. And I’ll be damned if I ever let a man break me down again.

AUGUST

There’s a grin on my face as I work to open the front door, my other arm clutching two bags of Japanese food. Josie’s presence here may not be under the best circumstances, but I can’t help being happy she’s here. Even if her old beat-up Civic is keeping me from being able to park in the garage. Dinner is on the verge of slipping out of my grasp when the door swings open, Josie greeting me with a warm smile. She moves back to let me in, and my eyes stay locked on her as I step inside.

Fuck me, she’s beautiful.A guy could get used to coming home to her every day.

She’s wearing glasses, her hair twisted back with a pencil stuck through it. The naughty librarian vibe has my dick lifting its head. This look will be going into my spank bank for sure. If my teachers were this hot, it would’ve been hard to pay attention. To my schoolwork, at least.

“Thanks,” I barely manage as she shuts and locks the door behind me.

“No problem.” She chuckles, turning to face me. “That door can be a real son of a bitch. It tried to take my ass down last night.”

“Luckily for you, I was here to catch you.” My stare drinks her in as I step closer, the night before playing through my mind—the feel of having her in my arms, the flush on her skin, the way her eyes darkened right before she pulled away.

Her head tilts, her brow furrowing. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I think I’m hot for teacher.”

She bites back a smile and rolls her eyes, a little tinge of color brightening her cheeks. “Yeah, yeah. Are you going to feed me or what?”

She grabs the food from my hands and heads toward the kitchen. I enjoy watching her walk away for a moment before following behind her, fighting the urge to wrap my arms around her as she sets the food down on the counter.

I shake my head, trying and failing to knock my loose screws back into place. This isn’t going to happen. No matter how much I wish otherwise.

“You’d better save me at least two Crab Rangoon.” I step up behind her and lean in, the itch to touch her growing as her sweet scent invades my senses. “And before you get any clever ideas, I counted them. I know there are six.”

She groans melodramatically, tossing me a teasing grin over her shoulder. “I only see four.”

“What?” I move next to her, and sure enough, there’s only four in the plastic container. “Okay, you sneaky little temptress, where did you put the other two?”

She slips her hand behind her back and shrugs a shoulder, a mischievous smile tugging at her full lips. “It wasn’t me. They must’ve gotten your order wrong.”

“Not likely.” I creep closer, my resolve to keep my hands to myself crumpling. Her breath hitches as my fingertips graze down her arm, her eyes unblinking as they stare into mine. “Whatcha got behind your back, gorgeous?”

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