LOGINEmily’s PovMy heart leaped straight into my throat. I tore myself away from Zane, scrambling backward as panic washed over the heat in my veins. My eyes darted to the dark opening of the shed, I strained my ears for the sound of Jack’s furious voice, or the heavy tread of the boots of whoever it was that had seen us together. A small, furry shadow darted across the gravel, chattering softly before scrambling up the trunk of a nearby oak tree. When it came underneath the reflection of the moonlight I realized it was a squirrel.A breathless, shaky laugh escaped my lips. I pressed a hand to my chest, feeling my pulse hammering against my ribs. I turned back to Zane, whose own chest was heaving, his eyes still wild and alert.“Jesus,” I breathed, a relieved smile breaking across my face. I smoothed down my tank top, trying to ground myself. “Look at us. What are we even doing?”Zane stepped back into my space, raking his fingers through his hair as he looked down at me. “I have no idea
Emily’s Pov “He cheated!”“He fucking cheated again.”I could smell her on him the second he stepped into the bedroom. That cheap, sickly sweet perfume clung to his shirt like a confession he hadn’t bothered to hide well enough. Underneath it was the faint musk of sex, another woman’s sweat mixed with his. My stomach turned as Jack gave me a tired smile and started peeling off his clothes in a hurry, muttering something about needing a quick shower after “helping Dad with some stuff outside.”Liar.I lay there rigid under the sheets, pretending to sleep while he disappeared into the bathroom. The water turned on, and I imagined him scrubbing away whatever had happened tonight. When he finally crawled into bed, his skin was still damp and warm, he snuggled up behind me like nothing was wrong. One arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me back against his chest. His breath tickled my neck. “Missed you today, babe,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to my shoulder.I wanted to scream, to shov
ZaneI lied. I lied to myself when I insisted I would be able to avoid her. I lied when I told myself the pull was nothing more than a passing attraction, easily ignored by a man my age who should know better. But most of all, I lied about everything that mattered, and that lie was about to fucking destroy everything I’ve built. It was all her fault. It had to be. Emily came into my life with those hazel eyes that seemed to see straight through every wall I’d put up. The way they widened when she first saw me under the outdoor shower, the flush that crept up her neck when I kissed her hand in greeting. One look at her and my cock stirred like I was a goddamn teenager again. Full, heavy, aching with a need I hadn’t felt in years. That was why, during the movie last night, I couldn’t stop staring. The room had been dark, the film droning on about some forgettable romance. Jack had dozed off early, his head lolled against the back of the couch. Emily sat curled beside him at first,
Jack That morning, the house was full of family noise, Mom banging around in the kitchen, my sisters arguing over who got the last pancake, Dad reading the newspaper like he always did. Emily was still upstairs sleeping. I kissed her forehead before heading down, but she barely stirred. She’d been tossing and turning most of the night. I figured the baby was wearing on her.After breakfast, I helped Dad fix a loose board on the back porch. We worked in comfortable silence, the way we always had.By midday, though, I was bored out of my mind. The family stuff was nice for a while, but I needed some air. Some excitement. Emily was taking a nap again, and Mom was dragging everyone into town for groceries. I told them I’d catch up later.Instead, I grabbed the keys to Dad’s old truck and drove into the city. About forty minutes away there was this casino I used to sneak into when I was younger. Nothing crazy, just slots, some blackjack, cold beers, and that buzz of risk. I hadn’t been
EmilyI woke up the next morning with a heavy fog in my head. Sunlight streamed through the curtains, and Jack was already gone from the bed, probably downstairs with the family. My body felt tired, but my mind was restless. The guilt from last night sat in my stomach. I got dressed in a light tank top and shorts, brushed my hair, and headed downstairs. The house smelled like fresh pancakes and coffee. Everyone was scattered around the kitchen and dining area. Jack waved at me with a big smile and pulled out a chair for me.Zane was at the counter, pouring himself more coffee. Our eyes met for a brief second. He gave me a small nod, like nothing had happened. But something in his expression felt... off.I sat down and tried to eat, but my appetite was gone. After breakfast, as people started clearing plates, Zane walked past me toward the hallway. He paused for a second and murmured under his breath, just loud enough for me to hear, “Some things are better left as dreams, don’t you
Emily I nearly choked on my coffee. Zane’s eyes flicked to me over the rim of his mug. That look made my pulse race again.“Wha—what?” I stuttered, trying to gain composure.“Come on, Em,” Jack teased, grinning like an idiot. “Don’t be shy, my parents know it’s normal for couples to fuck.”My coffee betrayed me before he could finish. The mug slipped in my hand, hot liquid splashing across the table and onto my lap. I jumped up with a gasp.“Shit!” I yelped.The kitchen erupted in a mix of laughter and concern. Jack’s mom rushed over with a dish towel while his sister grabbed napkins. Zane, of course, stayed neutral. He set his mug down slowly and came around the counter with a fresh towel. When he handed it to me, his fingers brushed mine on purpose. The brief contact sent electricity shooting up my arm.“You alright there, Emily?” His eyes held mine a second longer than necessary. There was amusement in them, but also heat. Like he knew exactly why I was so jumpy this morning.My c
Emily I shut the door behind me as quietly as I could, leaning my back against it. My chest heaved. I pressed a hand over my heart, feeling it hammer wildly under my palm. Fuck! The word slipped out in a shaky whisper. My legs were still trembling from the orgasm I’d had while watching Zane strok
Zane"Zane," I said, introducing myself. I watched her throat work as she swallowed. Such a small thing, that movement of her larynx beneath her skin, but I had found myself fixated on it. On the vulnerability of her throat, the delicacy of her collarbones visible above her shirt's neckline.“This
Zane’s PovThe morning I discovered my wife's infidelity was the same morning everything changed. Ten years! A decade of going through motions of perfunctory kisses and separate bedrooms justified by her migraines, my snoring and the temperature preferences we could never still reconcile. I'd still
Emily I froze the second I heard the knock, shivering as water dripped from my body onto the floor. My fingers were literally still glistening with my own wetness, and my mind full of filthy images of Zane fucking me senseless. My heart pounded violently against my ribs. Panic and fresh arousal m







