Page 37 of Bad Husband

Fuck, he’s right.

I know I mentioned this before—okay, you watched me charging into her work, so I know you know—but Madison is a massage therapist at West Bay. She didn’t start out to be one, but the job came about not long after Callan was born and it allowed her to just work three days a week and have some spending money.

I’m actually jealous she got a job doing it because when she was going to school for her certification, I was given massages every night. Couldn’t complain there. And then it stopped once she got the job.

So what’s my plan for asking Madison on a date to convince her she loves me, not just my dick?

I’d trap her where she couldn’t get away from me.

The salon. In a closed room with the door locked.

If she wasn’t going to talk to me at home, I’d schedule an appointment to have a massage, right? Maybe one with a happy ending?

When life kicks some people down, they stay down. Not me. I will straight up donkey kick my way back up.

Thankfully it’s a different girl working at the counter Thursday morning when I make my way into the salon. You’re probably wondering why I’m not at work?

Well, the permits got held up for the compliance inspection and Trey finally had medical clearance to work again. Believe me, I’m feeling bad about not being at work today, but I had to get her to see I cared and hopefully, I still have a business once she agrees to stay married to me.

I grin, flashing a sideways smirk at the young girl behind the counter. Women fall all over themselves for smirking. It’s like we’re trying to lead them on with it, and guess what? We know it.

You know how I got Madison to sleep with me that first night we met at the Halloween party? You’d be surprised. It wasn’t my vampire costume, although I looked fucking amazing in it. And yeah, I did ask to suck her blood, but it was the smirk that sealed the deal.

“How can I help you?” the girl asks, tucking her jet-black hair behind her ears.

“I’d like to schedule an appointment with Madison Cooper.” I wink. “I hear she’s the best.”

Did you notice I didn’t say what I wanted to see Madison for? This will come back to bite me in the ass. Believe me. Just wait.

“She has an opening at ten this morning. I can put you in there.”

I look down at my watch. That’s in twenty minutes. Perfect!

“And your name?”

Fuck! I panic a little internally, but I’m quick to say, “Jeff Westin.” It’s the name of one of my clients, but Madison will never know.

She types away and then smiles up at me. “Great!”

Jesus, that was easy. Why didn’t I think of this Tuesday when she wouldn’t answer her phone?

“I can get you into the room if you’d like.” The girl, whose name tag reads Lindsey, points down the hall that’s lined with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a Camelback Mountain.

I follow her down the hall and into a private room with no windows and a table.

Lindsey smiles tenderly, but her eyes drift lower to my waist. Is she looking? Nah, she can’t be, or can she?

Christ, this place is full of weirdos. I’m not sure I want Madison working here.

“You can undress all the way, or however you feel comfortable and get under the blanket.”

I nod and go to close the door behind me, but she stands there staring at me like she wants me to invite her in.

“Thanks,” I say and then slam the door shut.

As I stare at the dimly lit room around me, I’m not sure what to do. Should I keep my clothes on… or… undress and let her be surprised when she notices it’s her husband?

I decide to undress all the way but leave my boxers on and lay face down on the table. She might not even notice it’s me, aside from my back. She’ll probably notice that because guess who has scratch marks on his upper arms from his wife?

---