Raw

Chapter 34

Would you like to buy some lemonade. Ms. Wall? Simon, the lively seven-year-old shouts even though I’m only a few feet. away from him. I slap a half-smile on my face, and reach into my bag. **t. I meant to stop by the ATM, but after leaving the office I ran to the mall to buy a s***y nightgown, and ended up getting about the rest of my errands.

“I don’t want to write you a check for fifty cents.” I say to Simon the little boy who’s on his way to be a successful entrepreneur. Unlike most lemonade stands, his has a few different flavored glass bottles, with their flavors neatly written in a small piece of paper in front of each of them. I also don’t want to Venmo his mom fifty cents. “How about if I pay you

tomorrow!”

He grins “Tomorrow, it’s a dollar.

“Smarty pants. I’ll have your dollar tomorrow, I say, and pick up one of the paper cups. He reminds me that he knows where I live in a playful way, or at least that’s how I take it. I’m assuming a seven-year-old wouldn’t stalk me or break in to get his buck back.

I sip on the overly sweet juice, pretending to drink it as I punch in the code to get into my house. The familiar scent of leather, Pine Sol on the hardwood and a hint of lemon swirls around me, welcoming me home.

I toss my briefcase on the chair, m**y erasing all the problems from the ad agency where I work from my mind. Walking up to the kitchen, I glance at the

remember today’s our annive eout menus on the fridge, and wonder if I should order Chinese or if my husband will

We have been married for four years, and in the first three, Jack sent me flowers at work. This year, he didn’t.

lot has changed.

-fy throat feels tight and dry. I swallow, reach for the cupboard and grab a glass. After c*ng **down some water, I sprint to The second floor, striding into the master suite. The cleaning lady left our room spotless, with fresh sheets on the four-poster ed.

fier a quick shower, I slip into the nightgown I bought. The maroon brings out my hazel eyes, and accents the natural tan f my skin. A deep V cut makes the curves of my breasts swell, and besides the slit on the front, it’s almost sheer on the back, howing my naked a**.

thrill of excitement charges through me, getting me all excited, like I haven’t felt in a long time. Precisely, four months. It’s en four months since we last had sex, and every day I feel Jack slipping away from me.

lutch the sides of the nightgown, creasing them a little, and look at the reflection in the mirror. Sure, I run four miles wery day to keep in shape, but there’s something about me that’s different than before. I lack that grace, that impulsivity so atural in the first year of dating.

our case, we dated two years before he proposed.

chime from the front door announces his arrival, startling me, yanking me from my thoughts. Tonight, we’re celebrating ar anniversary. We’re taking our marriage back.

e found porn in his cell phone. I know what he’s into-dirty sex between a man and a woman. Hell, I’m into that too. So y does he act like he doesn’t want it with me?

u know why, a little voice inside me whispers with the malice of a poisonous coal-

tonic affair, exchanging texts and nudes with —

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Chapter 34

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wanted to self-destruct-Thankfully, I stopped before going all in But Jack, even though he forgave me ha the same way ever since. Tonight, I’m changing it. I either save my marriage, or leave for good.

Jack Pov:

I toss the keys in the overpriced wooden bowl. A lump clogs my throat, and I swallow, loosening the collar o it gets too tight. A picture of a happy couple, us on our wedding day, stands next to the bowl.

Looking around the living room, I search for Ava, and even if she’s not there physically, I feel her presence. feminine scent in the room, a fragrance that brands the space everywhere she goes. A smell I’ll never forget, old and s**le.

I rub the back of my neck, and head to the bathroom to change into workout clothes. It’s early in the evening pressing will help me clear my head. The last few months haven’t been easy-a part of me wants to soothe Av lost her mother, her best friend. And another feels like leaving her, after she obviously gave up on us by engag and breaking our vows. Breaking my trust.

I fly up the curvy number of candles occupy the floor, the top of the dresser, the nightstands. The low melody of a known bossa plays in the background, making me even more curious. I remove my jacket, and place it on the chair, then wa

staircase, the seems bigger in size. When I make it to our suite, the recessive lights are

“Ava?”

She comes from the bathroom, wearing a maroon gown that hugs her delicious body. A trying smile plays at he message in her pretty eyes is transparent-she wants to f**k.

I’ve wondered for how long she’d hold out. We always screwed a lot, but as a punishment I’ve been avoiding any contact with her. I couldn’t allow her to have pleasure when she hurt me so deeply.

I could have cheated on her, had innumerous occasions where women gave me their phone numbers in work fur social settings. Betraying Ava and our vows never crossed my mind, and neither had the idea of sleeping with ano

woman.

“I was thinking…” she started, erasing the distance between us. “Today’s our anniversary.”

Anniversary.

My chest tightens for a moment, and I curl my fingers into fists. Maybe the recent events had played a toll on me, b had no clue about today. I’m usually good with dates and stuff-better than most men.

She grabs a bottle of Taittinger, chilling inside a silver icebox, and opens it, then pours some into a glass. “We should celebrate, Jack. We’re here. We’re still together, and I want us to be wife and husband again.”

I accept the flute she gives me, and drink it fast, studying the glint of hope in her eyes. My gaze slides lower, down he graceful neck