CHAPTER SEVEN: A MISTRESS DEAL

JESSIE. 

“You married my brother?’ 

From Tina’s face, I couldn’t tell if she was mad. She had a blank expression and just stared at me as if I had spoken a foreign language. 

“I had to, unless my mom would have kept setting me up for blind dates I didn’t want to go for.” 

“And my brother proposed this idea?” 

“Yes, he did,” I nodded. 

Her mouth parted, and then she held my hand, a squeal erupting from within. “This is such wonderful news.” 

“What?” 

“I mean, my brother finally proved to everyone he isn’t a monk, and you get to be my sister-in-law? The Joy!” She exclaimed happily, jumping in her seat. 

This was not the reaction I had braced myself for, so I didn't know what to do with my pent-up emotions.

“And you are okay with this?” 

“Why not? If you and my brother can find happiness with each other, why won't I agree to it?” She got out of her chair and pulled me up. “This calls for celebration.” 

“Celebration?” 

“Yes, I am taking you out to celebrate you becoming my sister-in-law.” 

She insisted I change into one of the sexy gowns I had tucked away while I was with Allen. He said that the dress didn't fit my body type, and I had foolishly let him lie to me. 

I took the diamonds he had gotten me and decided I wanted to appraise them to see how much they were worth and if they were worth selling for money. 

“The nerve of that jerk,” Tina fumed as we stepped out of the shop. “I should have known that someone as low-class as him would never buy you real diamonds.” 

I sighed at the realisation. He had me wiping and cherishing fake stones for a long time. I push them into my clutch and roll my eyes. 

“Why don’t you throw it out?” 

“I think I’d rather return it to him,” I said with a smile. A plan to humiliate him for good is forming in my head. 

We arrived at the bar, and it was the same one that Stephen – my husband – had brought us to. Calling him my husband felt weird, but we already had a wedding certificate to prove it. I bit down on my lips as we walked in. 

“I don’t think I am supposed to be here.” 

“Why not?” Tina screamed over the music as she clutched her cocktail glass. She pulled away, cast me a worried look and then leaned in. “Is this because you are married to my brother?” 

“I mean, I did just get married this morning; I don’t think I should be clubbing.” 

“You aren’t clubbing.” She pointed to the empty dance floor. 

It was still too early in the evening to have the place full. In the next hour, everyone would be grinding against each other as their animalistic instincts fight for survival. 

“There is no one here.” 

“So why are we here?” I knew there was another reason why she had insisted we come out and choose this bar. 

I sipped from my glass and followed her eyes to see her checking out Christopher, the owner of the bar, who was working the counter for the evening. 

“Are we currently stalking your new love interest?” I asked in hushed tones.

“Of course not.” The deflection in her tone was all I needed to know. 

“Oh god!” I groaned, already trying to get out of the chair. 

“Can you just wait a moment?” She pulled me back down. 

I inhaled sharply and sat down. She had a new man in her eyes almost every week. I loved her, but it seemed like she couldn't just commit to a relationship, and I feared that this might be one of those times. 

“Why don’t you go talk to him?” 

“Do you think that is a good idea?” 

“I know it is.” 

I urged her, and she gathered courage, walking up to him. I watched them from a distance as they flirted, and Tina could barely hide her excitement. 

“Jessie?” The shrill voice cut through the noise of the bar music. I didn't have to turn to know who it was. “You look…different.” 

I saw that look in his eyes; it was the same one he always had when he got me to sleep with him. He was checking me out with the way his eyes trailed up and down my entire body. ‘Ugh! Somebody shoot me right now!’ 

“Can you please stay away from me?” I asked when he was standing in front of me. Tina threw him a dangerous look; she definitely wanted to throw something more than looks, but was trying to act coy for the man mixing drinks. 

“Return the diamond necklace I gave you for our anniversary,” he snapped, and I was taken aback. 

“What?” 

“You don’t deserve such fancy gifts, Jessie. I have a new woman now, and I want to…” 

I pulled out the necklace from the bag and dangled it in his face. His smile seemed to grow for a moment, and I almost gagged. 

“You mean this piece of junk?” 

“Piece of junk? What do you mean by that?” I threw the necklace into his drink, and he gasped. “How dare you?” 

“That is a fake necklace, and you know it, but you gave it to me because you thought I was a fool.” I smacked my lips at him and shook my head. 

“Fake? What do you mean by…” 

“Don’t you dare play dumb with me,” I snapped, getting out of the chair, ready to storm off. 

He grabbed my hand and pulled me back. “Why are you in such a haste?” He leaned in, breath fanning my cheek.

 Once upon a time, that used to excite me, but now it just felt like a death sentence. I shuddered and took a step back. 

“I know you still want me, and if you play your cards right, I can keep you satisfied.” His eyes dropped to my body again; the corner of his lips lifted. 

I groaned and shook my head. “Even if you were the last man on earth, I would rather die than be your mistress.” 

I didn't wait for a reply before storming out. I did regret not slapping him across the face, though. By the time I stepped into the house, Stephen was in the kitchen. 

“You didn’t tell me you won’t be home tonight,” he murmured when I slipped in. 

“I am sorry; Tina wanted to celebrate.”

I watched his back stiffen and then relax just a bit. He turned to me and slowly made his way like a predator stalking his prey. He cornered me in, so my back was pressed against the counter, with both his hands on my sides, so there was no escape for me. 

His eyes darkened, and his breath was ragged. His head was pressing into me, making me want more. The memory of that night flashed in my mind again, and having him close, I wanted to just pull him in for a kiss.

I opened my mouth, but the ringing of my phone stopped all brain activity for me. I pulled it out, and Allen’s name flashed across the screen. 

“Stop calling me A…” I barely made the words out when Stephen’s mouth crashed on mine. My hand holding the phone dropped to my side. He pulled away, leaving me breathless. 

“Who the hell is calling you, babe?” Stephen’s voice was loud enough for Allen to hear. 

A smirk took over his face as he leaned in, leaving wet, sloppy and noisy kiss bites over my neck. He groaned, lifting his head just a bit. 

“You taste so fucking good!”