Page 27 of Salace

I know it's wrong, but I can't help the feelings inside me. At first, I tried to ignore them, to push them down and pretend they weren't there. But the more time I spent with him, the more intense they became.

I pace around the living room, trying to calm my nerves. Maybe he got held up at a friend's house. Maybe his phone died. Maybe he's on his way now. Maybe he texted Aimee and she asked him what the hell he was talking about. I should have kept her phone so I could communicate more. Thank god I deleted the few messages between us that she hadn’t been privy to before she left. I pour myself yet another glass of wine and try to relax, but my mind keeps wandering to thoughts of him. I try to shake off the feeling of nervousness and frustration, and instead focus on the thrill of it all. The forbidden nature of our relationship is what makes it so exciting.

I hear a car pull up outside, and rush to the window, peeking through the curtains. It's him. Finally. I can feel my body temperature rising as I hurry to the door to let him in.

He looks up at me, his eyes dark and intense. He's wearing a leather jacket and tight jeans that hug his muscular legs. I ask him to pull into the garage.

“There’s been a bunch of break-ins this week and I’d feel so bad if your car was broken into while you’re here.”

Kasey nods before grinning at me and hopping back into his car to move it. Once he’s safely inside, I hit the button and close the garage door. As Kasey walks up to me, I can feel the tension between us. We stand there for a moment, just looking at each other. I can see the desire in his eyes, and I know he can see it in mine.

“Uh, hi, Mrs. H,” he says, as I usher him into the kitchen.

“Kasey, please, it’s Julia,” I say.

“Yeah, okay. Sorry. Is Aimee here?”

I grab my glass of wine and lean my hip against the counter. “She just ran out to grab you guys some snacks.” I gesticulate a little too wildly for my liking, trying to sell the lie. “Do you want something to drink while you wait?” I ask.

Kasey shakes his head. His hair flops around with the movement and I’m suddenly parched with want.

He takes a step closer to me, and I can smell his cologne mixed with the sweat of the day. I know I shouldn't be thinking these thoughts about Aimee's boyfriend—if he is that—but I can't help it. The forbidden fruit always tastes the sweetest.

"I think I know what I want," Kasey says, his voice low and husky. He takes another step closer. My body shivers at the thought of his touch.

"What do you want?" I ask, almost breathless.

"You," he replies, before pulling me in for a kiss. The kiss is hot and passionate, everything I had imagined it would be. I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him closer to me. His hands roam over my body, making their way to the hem of my robe.

“Mrs. H?” Kasey’s voice snaps me from my daydream. I’m leaning against the freezer. Kasey next to me, the fridge door open. He’s holding a Yerba Mate. “This okay?” he asks, watching me cautiously.

I snatch the bottle from his hand and nod. “These cans are dirty, I’ll put it in a glass for you. Why don’t you sit down.” I jut my chin toward the stools around the kitchen island.Get it together Julia.My heart races. I pop open the can’s tab, grab a glass from the cabinet and glance over my shoulder to be sure that Kasey isn’t watching me. I’m relieved when I find him staring at his phone. His face is wrinkled up. Like he’s confused about something. Quickly, before I lose my nerve and my window of opportunity, I pour the crushed sedative into the glass and proceed to empty the Yerba Mate tea into the glass. I swirl it a few times and put a shot of vodka in for good measure.

I hand the glass over to Kasey with a smile. My plan is set in motion, and soon enough he will be putty in my hands. He glances up from his phone, his eyes lock on mine.

He takes a big sip before putting the glass down on the kitchen counter. “You know, Mrs. H, I’ve been wanting to talk to you about something.” His eyes glint with a mischievous glimmer that makes my stomach flip.

“Oh?” I say, as he takes another long drink. “Well, what is it?”

“I know this is going to sound crazy…”

“You can tell me anything,” I encourage.

He knocks back another sip of his drink. “Sometimes I think about you.”

My heart pounds so hard against my chest it feels as if it might break free. “Kasey,” I begin cautiously, “you know that’s not possible.”

He drinks some more. The crushed pills won’t take long to take effect I know, but this is so much better than I anticipated. He leans in closer, and I can see the intensity in his eyes. “I know it’s wrong, but I can’t help it. I’ve tried to ignore it, but every time I think of Aimee and you, I feel this electric pull.”

He chugs the rest of the drink in his hands. I can feel my resolve weakening, my thoughts jumbled as I try to reconcile my own desires with the reality of the situation. “What about Aimee?”

“What about her? Do you think she’d join in?” He reaches out to take my hand, and I can feel myself slipping under his intoxicating gaze. The sedative is taking effect, and I can see his eyes becoming heavy-lidded.

“I don’t know if she would,” I say, my voice softening as I lean in closer. “But maybe we don’t need her.”

I feel the heat of his breath on my neck as he whispers in my ear, “I don’t feel right.”

The sedative has completely taken over, and Kasey is putty in my hands. “Oh no,” I fawn. “Come with me, I’ll make you feel better.”

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