Page 10 of Filthy February

I’ve found peace.

That’s all because of my boyfriend and his wife. The care and warmth they both have given me makes me want to loosen up and relax. I’ve never felt this way in my life. It’s making the hope of having a child to bring into our relationship a delight, instead of some worried fear. Now that we feel more like a unit of parents instead of giving them someone new, I am mentally preparing to take on a new role as mother.

“No, you need a healthy breakfast. I’m telling you: eat.” Tossing a smile to Juliet, I shove the plate of eggs and fruit at her. She rolls her eyes in response, but smirks her plush lips.

A disgusted expression crosses her face as she peers at the food. “You know I don’t like to until mid-morning. It has nothing to do with your amazing cooking skills and everything to do with some pit of nausea when I think about eggs this early.”

“It’s ten o’clock already, Jules. Your morning break. Still not feeling up for it?”

She gives me a helpless look and shakes her head.

“Fine. Hey, I’m going to Carson’s office to bring him lunch today.”

Despite a long look at my creation, she grips it and carries it to her downstairs study. “Okay, Mom. I’ll eat.” As she turns to bump the door open with her bum, she gives me a broad grin and a wink. “Enjoy your visit with Carson.”

I give her a fake gasp at her dirty insinuation. With a flick of the dish towel at her, my cheeks heat thinking about what we’ll do together. Juliet said she has no issues with him and I being together separately. Wholeheartedly, I feel the same about them. I mean, they are married. And they have a long history together. For some reason, I’m not jealous at all of what the two of them have. Everything they do makes me feel so included.

But none of us have been together separately yet. Other than last week with Juliet, which we had to tell Carson about in sordid detail later while he enjoyed us both.

If I admit it to myself, I haven’t been alone with Carson because the intensity of his blue eyes makes me tingle all over. Some pit in my stomach tells me that I’m not good enough for him. Either of them. That my past has damaged me irreparably. Why does a good man like Carson want me? His wife is perfect, yet he still wants me as his girlfriend. It doesn’t make sense.

It’s good that I haven’t heard a word from Malik and he seems to have forgotten me. Or hasn’t found me. I hope I never have to see him again.

When I head up to our room, I find a cute winter dress. It has a fold-over top and a very short skirt, but I pair it with knitted thigh highs and calf boots. It’ll drive my boyfriend wild. Especially when I forgo panties. Just the way he likes me, he said.

In the kitchen, I gather up the picnic basket I packed with his supposed favorites. Homemade Margherita pizza, chicken wings, and a garden salad, because I’m going to force him to eat some vegetables with the junk food.

Juliet tosses me the keys to her BMW when I go to tell her goodbye. Once in the heated car, I edge my way toward downtown Crystal Frond. It’s a small town, and the little area along Main Street hasn’t changed much since the mid-century. Everything is quaint, even cozy, with steam billowing out of restaurant and cafe doors as they open.

A gust of cold wind bites at my skin as I step from the car. The lining of my coat feels like ice when I grip it tight around my middle, then grab my basket and lug it toward the office building in front of me.

When I reach the front desk, an attendant seems to know my name and instructs me on where to go. The building is industrial, but everything appears newer. Exposed brick and glass walls line most of the halls, but Carson has a corner office with a blue frosted-glass door that’s slightly ajar.

As I approach, angry voices seep through the crack.

“She’s a whore that you bought and paid for. She’ll always be a slut, and I’m taking her home. Her real home. Getting her away from degenerates like you.” Oddly, the gruff man sounds like Malik. What is he doing here?

A loud boom comes as the wall to the hall rattles, and I press my back against it, then slide into a darkened alcove nearby.

“If you ever come near my girlfriend again, I’ll end you. Do you understand me? She’s mine. If you disappear, no one will miss you.”

“Fuck you. I’ll get her one way or another. All I have to do is find out where you live and she’ll be gone. She’s not some breeding cow for rich folks. Besides, if she’s pregnant, it’s probably mine, anyway.”

The wall vibrates again as Carson’s voice lowers. “Don’t come near our place or you’ll regret it. Now, get the fuck out of here or I’m calling the cops.”

I shirk back as the door flips open and a disgruntled Malik storms out, running a hand through his hair. His neck has red marks encircling it, like someone held it in a tight grip. Fortunately, he doesn’t see me.

After a moment, I slip toward the open door and tap on it gently.

My clit pulses when I catch Carson standing behind a large desk in his navy blue pinstripe suit. A gorgeous smile crosses his face, showcasing a set of dimples as his blue eyes sparkle at me. It almost takes my breath away.

“My sweetheart… What brings you here? I’m so happy you came by.” He waves for me to come closer, and I do, closing the door behind me. As soon as I set the basket on a club chair in front of his desk, his hip skirts around the edge as he gathers me into his arms and presses his lips against mine in a warm embrace.

“I thought I’d bring you lunch today,” I say.

Leaning his forehead against mine, he sways me gently with him as if we’re dancing to some unheard music. “Fuck. I’m even more happy to hear that. I get sick of the stuff around here.”

“Are you busy?”

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