Page 31 of Lust

Mine.

He touched something of mine.

She’s clearly repulsed by him.

The man is obviously a complete idiot, because instead of backing the fuck away like I’m sure she ordered him to do, he runs his hand along the curve of her hip and pulls her toward him, pressing his groin against her body.

No. Fuck no.

Rage grips my senses. Ruby whirls around and pushes him away with both hands, but the asshole grabs her shoulders.

Fingers trembling, I turn up the sound.

“You’re my goddamn wife, Carol, and you never give me any ass. Ever.”

“Oh, because you’re such a delight to be around.”

“You owe me.” He shakes her, still holding tightly to her shoulders. “I’m tired of jerking myself off. It’s Christmas. Do something special for your man.” He gyrates his hips.

“And you’re fucking drunk. I’ve told you, I won’t do it when you’re drunk. So it’s my fault we never fuck? Well, fuck you too, Brent. Take responsibility for your own shit for once.”

Fuck this. I’ve had enough.

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

“Sorry, Mr. Hansen,” I whisper. I press a button on my phone. When I switch back to the surveillance app, I see both Brent and Ruby rushing to the front of their house.

Good, it worked. Disaster averted. But I can’t stand here and watch, waiting for something terrible to happen. I have to get to Ruby, even just be close by, so I can intervene if she’s in danger again.

After mumbling my goodbyes to family, I hurry out to my innocuous Hyundai Sonata. I keep the surveillance on while I drive, watching Ruby and Brent stand by their front window, illuminated by alternating red and blue lights from the police cars attending to the minor explosion that just went off in the mailbox across the street.

Once I’ve turned into the neighborhood, I pull over and kill the lights and engine. Watching and waiting, I have only my trusty surveillance to reassure me that my queen is safe.

When I finally see Brent’s truck take off down the road, I can’t resist the temptation. With Ruby so close that I can almost smell her new perfume, I get out of the car and walk quietly along the hedges until I’m standing outside her bedroom window.

Ruby

I’ve never been more relieved to see Brent drive off in his truck. The feeling of his hands on me nearly made me puke, and it’s exhausting to think about fighting off his advances all night. Whatever happened to Delilah? I thought the advantage of your husband having an affair was that he’d leave you alone to fantasize about your sexy stalker?

When I finally return to the kitchen and finish up the dishes, my spine tingles as I imagine the things he’s seen, the many times I’ve visibly enjoyed his gifts. The way his note makes it clear that he lusts after more and more of my enjoyment. The fact that he’s probably responsible for the explosion at Mr. Hansen’s house. The fact that he’s probably watching me right now.

Setting the last pot on the rack to dry, I walk back to my room, hips swaying as I bask in the knowledge that someone wants me and wants to see me happy. In my room, I take my time slowly stripping down to nothing. Once I’m naked, I let the reflection in my mirror speak to me, imagining his attraction.

My hands become his hands as they slide down the curve of my round hips, then back up to the groove of my waist, the hands of someone eager and curious and horny as fuck. Heat builds in my core, and a finger trails up between my breasts, then back around to one nipple, circling and pinching. A sharp pain sends a shock of pleasure resonating through my chest.

Humming, I go to my closet and retrieve the little black negligee, slipping its lacy strings over my naked flesh. It barely covers anything, just accentuates every dip and curve, the sensual thickness of my flesh. Seeing myself with his eyes has me so turned on that I’m about to start a private session, when the McAlister’s light comes on outside, the one that lights up whenever they let their obnoxious little dog out to pee. Usually, it just streams obnoxiously into my bedroom window. This time, however, it highlights a silhouetted figure visible through the gap in my curtains.

Aaron.

I knew he was watching me from a distance, but never imagined what I’d do if he was here in person.

Throwing the red silk robe over the tiny negligee, I slide my feet into a pair of fuzzy slippers, hurry to the front door and step outside. The neighborhood sighs with quiet sounds of night. Nothing seems amiss. But it’s like I can hear another breath mingled in with the distant crickets and the soft whisper of wind in dry leaves on the ground.

What the hell. If I’m wrong, no one will know but me. But if I’m right…

I open my mouth and take a risk: “You can come out now, Aaron.”

A shadow detaches itself from the corner of my garage, and a tall, dark shape moves into the illumination of the outdoor light. In person, he’s even more handsome than the pictures. My breath catches. Before me stands a chiseled version of the once soft features of my high school friend. His dark brows look painted on, a perfect splash of color across his brow, offsetting the angles of his prominent cheekbones, while the square cut of his jaw begs my fingers to trace its contours.

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