Chapter 10- ALMOST CAUGHT

My heart stopped the second I heard the door knob turn. Marcus’s mouth was still locked on my breast, sucking hard, when Sophia’s voice floated in.

“Marcus? Babe, I’m home early.”

Panic hit me like cold water. Marcus pulled back fast, eyes wide. He grabbed a heavy dumbbell from the floor and threw it toward the door. It landed with a loud thud right in front of the entrance, blocking the way a little.

“What the hell was that?” Sophia called out, sounding annoyed. The door stopped opening.

“Quick,” Marcus whispered, pushing me gently.

I yanked my sports bra down and pulled my top over it in record time. My hands shook so badly I almost couldn’t fix my leggings. Marcus grabbed two light weights and handed me one.

“Pretend we’re training,” he said under his breath. “Squats. Now.”

I started doing awkward squats, breathing hard, face burning. Sweat wasn’t just from working out anymore. My nipples were still wet from his mouth. I felt exposed even though I was dressed.

The door finally pushed open after Sophia moved the dumbbell. She stepped inside, looking sharp in her work suit, briefcase in hand. Her eyes landed on me immediately.

“Who’s she?” she asked, staring at Marcus.

I stood there frozen, weight in my hands, trying to look normal. My legs felt like jelly.

Marcus wiped his face and stepped forward. “Sophia, this is Bella. She’s a client. We have a training contract. I told you about the home sessions sometimes–”

Sophia cut him off, turning to me with sharp eyes. “Who are you and what are you doing in my house?”

I opened my mouth, heart racing. “I’m Isabella. I’m just here for—”

Marcus stepped between us. “Don’t cut me off when I’m talking, Sophia. And don’t jump to conclusions. Bella is a paying client. She hired me for private training because she needs to lose weight due to her husband's pressure on her, and to her she feels more comfortable in a private setting. That’s it.”

Sophia crossed her arms, not buying it. She looked me up and down, eyes lingering on my flushed face and messy hair. “A client? In our house? While I’m supposed to be away?”

Marcus stayed calm. “Yes. We had a session booked. I cleared it with you last week, remember? The extra income helps.”

She didn’t look convinced. She turned back to me. “Call your husband right now. Let me speak to him. I want to confirm this story.”

That hit a nerve. Deep down, anger bubbled up. Who was she to demand that? But I held it back for Marcus’s sake. I respected him too much to make this worse.

I looked at Marcus instead. “I think I should leave. This is clearly a bad time.”

Marcus nodded, looking sorry. “I’ll walk you out.”

He apologized quietly as we reached the door. “I’m really sorry about this, Bella. I’ll make it up to you. Text me when you get home.”

I nodded and walked to my car without looking back. My hands shook the whole drive. The almost-catch left me terrified and strangely turned on at the same time. Marcus’s mouth on me, his wife almost walking in… it was too much.

The door closed behind Bella. Marcus turned slowly to face his wife. The living room felt smaller than usual.

Sophia stood with her arms crossed, eyes hard. “Explain yourself properly, Marcus. And don’t feed me that client bullshit.”

Marcus ran a hand through his hair. “She is a client, Sophia. A real one. She pays well and needs private sessions because she’s uncomfortable in public gyms. That’s all.”

Sophia laughed, but there was no humor in it. “You think I’m stupid? I come home early and find a half-dressed woman with her tits practically out while your face is all red? In my living room?”

“It was just training,” he tried again. “She gets hot easily. She needs to lose weight, that's why she sweat more. You know how this works.”

Sophia stepped closer, voice cold and steady. “Let me remind you something, Marcus. I’m the one paying most of the bills in this house. My law firm salary keeps the roof over our heads, the cars running, and your little training business afloat when clients are slow. So when I say I don’t want random women in my house, you listen.”

Marcus’s jaw tightened. “She’s not random. She’s a client.”

“I don’t care,” Sophia snapped. “Don’t bring anyone here again without my permission. Especially not curvy girls who look like they just got fucked. I won’t tolerate disrespect in my own home.”

She picked up her briefcase and headed toward the bedroom. “Fix this, Marcus. Or we’re going to have bigger problems.”

Marcus stood there alone, staring at the spot where Bella had been doing squats just minutes ago. The scent of her skin still lingered in the air. He clenched his fists, torn between guilt and the strong pull he felt toward his curvy client.

This situation was getting more dangerous by the day.

When I got home it was already late so I walked into the house quietly, hoping Ryan was already asleep but luck wasn't on my side today. He was sitting on the couch, arms crossed, staring at his watch.

“Where are you coming from?” he asked, voice cold.

I paused by the door. “Didn’t you get my message? Training ran late.”

“I got it,” he said, standing up slowly. “But you’re back way too late.”

He walked closer, eyes scanning me. His gaze stopped on my chest. One side of my sports bra was visibly wet, the fabric darker over my nipple. The mark from Marcus’s mouth hadn’t dried yet.

Ryan’s face changed. He stepped right in front of me, close enough that I could smell his cologne.

He stared hard at my breasts.

“Why are your nipples hard?” he asked in a low and dangerous voice.