Chapter 6 - Close Call

My heart hammered so hard I thought it might burst. Marcus was still buried deep inside me, both of us breathing like we’d just run a marathon. Sweat covered our skin. I felt him twitch one last time before the sound hit me.

The garage door.

Ryan was home.

“Shit,” I whispered, pushing at Marcus’s chest. “Get off. Now.”

He pulled out fast, and I felt his cum start to leak down my thigh. No time to clean up. I yanked my leggings up, not even bothering with my panties. They were somewhere on the floor. Marcus grabbed his shorts and shirt in one motion, eyes wide but calm.

“Behind the couch,” I hissed, pointing.

He moved quickly for such a big guy. I barely had time to wipe my face with my tank top before the door from the garage opened.

“Bella?” Ryan called out. “You here?”

“Yeah, in the living room,” I answered, trying to sound normal. My voice came out a little shaky. I sat on the edge of the couch fast, legs pressed tight together. It still felt like Marcus was inside me, warm and sticky. My cheeks burned.

Ryan walked in, loosening his tie. He stopped and stared at me. “Whoa. You look like you just ran a race. What happened?”

I forced a smile and pushed my damp hair back. “Just finished a really intense workout. Marcus left a few minutes ago. I decided to keep going on my own. You know, squats and stuff.”

He raised an eyebrow, looking me up and down. My sports bra was still crooked. Sweat made my top stick to my breasts. “Alone? You smell like… I don’t know. Different.”

My stomach flipped. I crossed my arms, hoping he couldn’t see how hard my nipples still were. “It’s just the new protein stuff he recommended. Makes me sweat more. Want some water? I can get you a bottle.”

Marcus was right behind the couch, probably inches from Ryan’s legs. I prayed he wouldn’t move. One sound and everything would explode.

Ryan walked closer and sat on the armchair across from me. “You seem flushed. Face is all red. Did you actually push yourself this time?”

“Yeah, I did,” I said, shifting a little. Bad idea. More of Marcus’s cum trickled out. I squeezed my thighs tighter. “Leg day was brutal. My thighs are killing me.”

He nodded slowly, but his eyes stayed on me. “Good. Maybe this trainer thing is finally working. You look… different lately. Not sure if it’s better yet, but you’re trying.”

The words stung like they always did, but right now I was too scared to feel it fully. I laughed awkwardly. “Thanks. I guess.”

“You okay?” he asked, leaning forward. “You’re acting weird. Breathing funny.”

“Just tired,” I said quickly. “The workout really took it out of me.”

From behind the couch, I heard the tiniest shift. My phone buzzed on the coffee table. I grabbed it fast before Ryan could see the screen.

It was Marcus.

Stop feeling tense, even I can tell how suspicious you are.

Heat rushed to my face. I put the phone face down.

“Who’s texting you?” Ryan asked.

“Just Lauren. She wants workout tips.”

He didn’t look convinced. He stood up and stretched. “I’m gonna grab a beer. You want anything?”

“No, I’m good.”

As he turned toward the kitchen, he paused. “Why’s the couch moved out like that?”

My mouth went dry. “I was doing planks. Needed more space.”

Ryan walked around the couch slowly. Every step made my pulse spike. Marcus was crouched there in nothing but his shorts, probably still hard. If Ryan looked down…

“Ryan, wait,” I said, standing up fast. My legs felt weak. “Can you help me move the coffee table back first? My back hurts from the workout.”

He sighed but came over. We pushed the table together. I made sure to stay between him and the hiding spot. My heart wouldn’t slow down. Every breath reminded me of what we’d just done. The smell of sex still hung in the air, at least to me.

“You sure Marcus left?” Ryan asked suddenly, glancing toward the front door.

“Yeah. Like fifteen minutes ago. Why?”

He shrugged. “It just seems like you were really going hard. Usually you complain the whole time.”

I touched his arm, trying to distract him. “Hey, you hungry? I can order something. That new Thai place you like.”

He looked at me for a long moment. “Maybe. You really okay? You seem… off.”

“I’m fine,” I lied. “Just sore and tired.”

Behind the couch, Marcus stayed completely silent. I could almost feel his eyes on me. The thrill mixed with terror made my head spin. Part of me was still buzzing from the orgasm. Another part wanted to throw up.

Ryan finally headed to the kitchen. The second he was out of sight, I let out a shaky breath. I whispered toward the couch, “Stay there. I’ll get him upstairs.”

Marcus didn’t answer. Smart.

I followed Ryan into the kitchen, legs sticky, mind racing. How the hell was I going to get Marcus out without Ryan noticing? And why did the danger make everything feel even more intense?

Ryan opened the fridge. “You know, if this trainer is actually helping, maybe I should watch a session sometime. See what all the sweat is about.”

My stomach dropped.

The chapter of my double life had just gotten a lot more dangerous.