And Then There Was You (2 page)

CHAPTER TWO

'Don't you think it's a bit soon to be going out for dinner with them?' I asked, hoping he might reconsider.

'Huh? Don't be ridiculous, Eve. How do you expect to make friends with the neighbours if you don't want to go out for dinner with them?'

'It's not that I don't want to go out with them, it's just that... that...' I paused; I didn't know what to say.

'Eve, you're weird sometimes, you know that?' Matt replied, as he stepped out of the shower and began rubbing himself down with a towel that was clearly too small for the job. I walked out and grabbed a fresh bath sheet from the airing cupboard and returned, handing it to him. 'Thanks. C'mon, you'd better get ready, or we'll be late.'

'I...I think I've got a headache coming on.'

Matt glared at me. 'No, you don't. Don't you like them or something?'

'No. I mean yes, of course. Charlie is fun. Don't really know much about Adam, though.'

'He seems like a cool guy, now put some clothes on and do your hair.'

'What's wrong with my hair?' I asked, standing in front of the bathroom mirror, wiping it and looking at myself. My dark waves hung down past my shoulders.

'Nothing,' he answered. 'It's just nice when you do stuff to it, that's all.'

'Like what?' I rarely did anything with it.

He shrugged. 'I dunno. Something.'

'Don't you like it like this?'

'Sure... for everyday. But for going out? I like you to make an effort.'

'An effort? I always make an effort.'

He raised his eyebrows and walked out of the bathroom.

'Whatever,' I whispered, as I forced myself to follow him, flopping onto the bed.

'Eve, for God's sake. Pull yourself together and get dressed. Have you seen my blue shirt?'

'Which one?'

'My favourite.'

'What? The midnight blue one? You're going to wear that tonight?'

'Why not?'

'It's just a curry at the local restaurant with our neighbours.'

'Yeah, and? What's wrong with wearing my favourite shirt? Just forget it. Have you seen it?'

'It's in the ironing. I'll go and press it for you.'

'Look, I'll do it myself. You go and get ready. We're leaving in twenty minutes,' he huffed, giving me one of his stares.

Holding up my hands in defeat, I stood up. 'Okay, okay.'

'Finally,' he muttered, as he pulled the bedroom door closed behind him.

Standing in front of the full length mirror, I dropped the towel to the floor and looked at my naked self.

Why the hell was this happening? Of all the streets in all of England, why did he choose this one? Just thinking about him made my body tingle. I put my hand to my chest and sighed. The hairs on the back of my neck were standing on end. Why had I done it? Why had I slept with him, three years ago?

Because you couldn't resist hi
m
, replied the devil on my shoulder.

Yeah, but you're married
,
said the angel on the other side.

And you're still drawn to him
,
whispered the devil
,
and you want to make love to him, over and over and over.

Butterflies in my stomach fluttered as I turned away, trying so hard to remove that thought from my head. You're married, Eve. You're bloody married. Happily married, I might add.

Yes
,
said the devil again
,
but Matt doesn't make you feel like Adam did. You think of Adam every single day. And why is that?

I growled at myself and shook my head. 'Stop it!' I practically yelled to myself.

'What's that?' shouted Matt from the next bedroom.

I felt my face turn pink. 'N-nothing.'

'Fifteen minutes, okay?'

'Yeah, I'll be ready soon.'

oOo

The moment I stepped through the door, I felt his eyes on me. Trying to avoid his gaze, I focussed my attention on Charlie.

'Hey darlin',' she smiled, approaching with her arms out in front of her before she kissed both my cheeks. 'You look smokin' hot.' She winked. Her tight skinny jeans emphasized her impressive curves, while my boyfriend jeans and white shirt did little but hide my own body. Matt hadn't been particularly impressed with my choice of outfits, so I'd put on a chunky necklace and a pair of heels to make him happier.

'Thank you. You look amazing, those jeans look incredible on you,' I replied, as she grinned and moved across to Matt. I couldn't help but notice his eyes settle on her bum when she turned to climb into the car. I rolled my eyes as Adam shook hands with Matt.

'Eve, you look lovely,' he said. I smiled and air kissed his cheeks. We didn't even touch, and I could still feel my breathing quicken with every heartbeat.

'Thanks. Erm, you too.'

Matt had already climbed into the front seat and was talking animatedly with Charlie as Adam held the door open for me. Feeling his gaze bore into me, I finally looked up at him and melted. Just looking into his eyes took me back to that night in the hotel. It felt like it was yesterday.

'I'm sorry about all this,' he mouthed.

I grimaced and smiled at the same time but said nothing. I just sat down beside his wife and put on a brave face. I looked from her to Matt and back again. If only they knew the truth. That her husband had fucked me every which way possible.

And it was bloody amazing
,
said the devil on my shoulder.

I gulped and turned to look out the window, watching as the street lights suddenly turned on, like Adam had turned me on...and was still turning me on to this day.

'Are you okay, babe?' asked Charlie as she patted me on the hand. 'You look like you've seen another ghost or something.'

I shook my head. 'No, no. I'm fine.'

'You sure?' she asked.

I nodded. 'Yes, I was thinking about the book I'm writing, that's all.'

'Oooh yes, Matt told me you write books for a living. I'd clean forgotten you were an author. Anything juicy?' She laughed.

'No, not really. Not at the moment.'

'Tell them what you're working on,' Matt said, turning to look at me. He seemed to be desperately trying to include me in the conversation.

I smiled at him. 'Just a book for kids, at the moment. Nothing you'd be interested in, I'm sure.'

'Nonsense,' said Adam, from the driver's seat. 'We'd love to know what it is that you write. What kinds of things get you excited, I mean in the literary sense.' I could almost hear him curse himself under his breath.

But before I could say anything else, Matt had already changed the subject. Yeah, he really wanted to include me in the conversation, didn't he? I hated it when he did that. Adam looked at me apologetically through the rear view mirror as we pulled up outside the Indian restaurant.

Matt climbed out first and opened the door for Charlie, who was sitting behind him.

'Thanks darlin'.' She smiled.

Adam clumsily opened my door and I rushed out, avoiding his stare and his touch. 'Thanks,' I muttered, as I quickly walked to Matt and let him put his arm lazily across my shoulder.

'It's a good job we booked,' Matt said as he dropped his arm and opened the door for us all. 'It's packed.'

Led to the only table left next to the window, we all sat down, Charlie talking animatedly about something I hadn't quite caught.

'...don't you remember, Eve?' Matt asked.

'Huh?'

He looked angrily at me. 'Charlie was just talking about their last holiday, to Las Vegas.'

'Oh really?' I replied, looking towards her.

'I was telling them about our trip,' he said.

'Yes, yes of course. We went in, what was it? Last January?'

'January?' Adam interrupted. 'That's when we were there.'

'Oh what a coincidence,' Matt smiled. 'Where did you stay?'

'The Bellagio.'

'No way, that's where we stayed.'

'Oh my God,' Charlie squealed. 'We were there together. That's just too weird. Did you like it?'

I nodded. 'Loved it. It was amazing.'

'I agree.' Adam smiled. 'It's one of those places that you have to visit at least once in your life.'

Matt laughed. 'Eve is always saying that.'

I reddened.

'Did you go to the canyon?' Charlie asked.

'Yes, but we got lost on the way there. The bloody GPS took us about two hours in the wrong direction.' Matt laughed, taking a swig of lager before continuing. 'And when we eventually got there, we were ripped off.'

'Really?' Charlie asked, leaning forward on her elbows.

'Yes, we had to get a coach, and then...'

I zoned out. I'd been there with him and had heard the story a million times before. I sat back and took a long sip of white wine.

'So what did you love the most about Vegas?' Adam asked quietly, leaving our spouses to chat animatedly about our trips to the canyon.

I shrugged and smiled. 'Everything. The fact that each hotel is like a mini city, the shows, the buzz in every casino, the food, the general atmosphere, the craziness of it all.'

'There must be one thing above all else that you remember,' he encouraged.

Smiling, I rested my arm on the table and put my chin on my hand. 'Hmm…' I sighed as thought. 'The Bellagio fountains were pretty incredible.'

He nodded. 'Amazing, weren't they?'

I nodded. 'Did you have a cocktail in the Bellagio bar?'

'Yes! They were wonderful,' he said.

'It wasn't just the drink though, but the ambience there with the guy playing the piano. It was very memorable.' I blushed, thinking about something else that had been far more memorable.

As if reading my mind, Adam choked on his lager.

'You alright, honey?' Charlie asked, temporarily halting her conversation with Matt.

Adam nodded. 'Fine, I should swallow the drink and not inhale it.' He grinned.

Charlie smiled and returned her attention to my husband.

'So where else have you been on holiday?' I asked.

'We went to New York,' Charlie answered. 'Oh my God, now that was amazing. What a city,' she breathed into her drink.

'Yes, it is,' I said.

'You've been?' asked Adam.

'We were there… a year before Vegas, I think.'

'Really?' Charlie asked.

We both nodded.

'What month?' Adam asked curiously.

'When was it, darling?' Matt asked me.

'Late December.'

'No way,' Charlie whispered.

'What?' Matt asked.

'We were in New York then, too.'

'Really? Now tha
t
i
s
a coincidence. I prefer beach holidays myself, though.' Matt smiled, finishing his lager and asking the waiter for another. 'Anyone else for a refill?'

Adam nodded. 'Yes please.'

'That'll be two pints of lager, please.'

'So where did you stay in New York?' asked Adam.

'A little place called, erm… oh, what was it called, Eve?'

'The Hudson. Lovely place. I'd definitely go back.'

'The Hudson? The Hudson Hotel?' Charlie asked.

Matt nodded. 'You didn't stay there too, did you?'

Adam shook his head. 'No, but we were only round the corner from it.'

'Wow, it's certainly a small world, isn't it?' Charlie asked.

I glanced sideways at Adam and couldn't resist a smile. A small world? She had no idea.

CHAPTER THREE

Adam and Charlie had been living next door for only a month and, other than the night we'd gone out for dinner, I'd managed to avoid him. Luckily, whenever Charlie had invited us out, we had been engaged elsewhere.

But I wasn't able to avoid them forever, and their house warming party was looming.

Sitting in my little office in the spare bedroom, I was supposed to be writing, but my thoughts were otherwise engaged. I could hear Matt whistling as he opened the front door. 'I'm home,' he yelled at the foot of the stairs.

'I'm working. I'll be down soon.'

'Okay, I'm going to mess around in the garage for a bit.'

'Knock yourself out,' I muttered. Some dutiful wife I was. I didn't even go and say hello properly. Not a kiss, nothing. Mind you, it's not like he was offering it to me either, was he? What was happening to us?

You're growing apar
t
, said the devil on my shoulder.

But you can fix it
,
replied the angel.

How? A sudden picture appeared in my head, and I smiled. That would be nice. A bit of afternoon sex was always good for the soul. Grinning, I closed my laptop and headed for our bedroom. Opening my wardrobe, I rifled around until the box came into view. Taking off the top, I pulled out a couple of possible outfits. I wasn't in the mood for leather or PVC, so I settled on my favourite little lace number. It was actually a dress, but was far too transparent and super short to be worn anywhere other than the bedroom. I grinned and closed the wardrobe door, undressing as fast as I could.

With the dress and stockings on, my hair up and lashings of black mascara, eye liner and deep red lipstick, I smiled at my wicked self in the mirror. Grinning, I grabbed my little black satin dressing gown and threw it on before I skipped down the stairs. Taking a deep breath, I opened the door to the garage and seductively draped myself in the doorway, letting the gown fall open.

Unfortunately, Matt wasn't alone.

'Erm... babe?' he said, horrified, as I looked around and noticed Charlie straddling his motorbike.

'Oh,' I shrieked and pulled the gown tight around my body, as Adam came into view from behind the car. 'Oh shit,' I said, my face turning the deepest possible shade of red.

'Charlie and Adam just popped over to make sure we were going to the party tonight, seeing as you forgot to confirm,' Matt said, totally embarrassed.

H
e
was embarrassed? Jesus.

'Oh, erm. Sorry. Yes, of course we'll be there,' I muttered. 'Must go and erm... turn the oven on.'

'What?' Matt said, through clenched teeth.

Grimacing, I quickly turned around and shut the garage door behind me.

Holy shit.

As I ran up the stairs, I heard the door open and close behind me.

'What the hell are you doing?' Matt said at the bottom of the stairs.

'I, erm, I... thought you might like to... Oh, it doesn't matter, anyway.'

'Babe, you can't just open the door to the garage dressed like that. Jesus. Talk about embarrassing. The whole neighbourhood will be talking about it.'

'Who gives a shit about the whole fucking neighbourhood? What about me? I was hoping to have sex with my husband, that's all. Is that so wrong? How was I supposed to know they were in there with you? You normally keep the main door closed, unless you're going out.'

There was a knock on the garage door and it was opened gingerly. Charlie popped her head around. 'Hello?' she said, looking around. When she spotted us on the stairs, she smiled. 'Please don't be embarrassed, darlin'. We're going to go. We figured you'd want to be alone for a while.' She winked.

'Oh no, there's no need to go,' Matt said, walking back down the stairs.

What the fuck?

'Really?' I muttered under my breath and turned around awkwardly, tripping clumsily on the top step before disappearing into the bedroom.

I heard them talking and then the garage door closed behind them.

Well, screw you, Matt.

I threw myself on the bed and looked at the ceiling. I'd just revealed myself, in all my sexual regalia, to Charlie and Adam. Adam. Oh God. I turned on to my stomach and thought about the look on his face when I saw him standing there.

It wasn't embarrassment. He wasn't mortified. He was turned on. It was written all over his face. Oh God.

I bounced off the bed and walked over to the window. Adam was slowly walking back to his house, alone. He turned to look at our place, and his gaze slowly turned upwards. I watched as he looked from window to window, until his eyes eventually locked with mine. I wanted to turn away, but I couldn't. We just stood and stared at each other until I managed to tear myself away. I pulled the curtain closed and caught sight of myself in the mirror. Horny, God did that man make me feel horny. I couldn't help myself. My fingers tenderly brushed against my body as I imagined him rushing into the room, like some kind of knight in shining armour, and having his wicked way with me right there on the floor.

The idea caused shockwaves to reel through my entire being, and I barely had to touch myself before I came, sobbing quietly.

oOo

I purposefully put the quiche in the oven late; I didn't want to be early to the party. I wanted everyone else to get there first, so I could quietly walk in and blend in with the crowd.

Sitting beside the oven reading a book, I barely looked up when Matt walked in whistling. 'Oh, how long is that going to take?'

I looked up and noticed he was wearing a shirt I hadn't seen before. 'About half an hour.'

'But we'll be late.'

I shrugged and he scowled at me.

'I haven't seen that shirt before.'

'It's new. I bought it today.'

'Oh, haven't you got enough shirts already?'

'I saw it in the shop window and liked it. Is that alright with you?' he asked sarcastically.

'Of course it is. You buy whatever you want. You always have, anyway.'

'What's that supposed to mean?'

'Oh nothing,' I muttered and returned my attention to the book, which I wasn't really into. I was too busy thinking of other things. Of other people. Person.

When had we become this horrible bickering couple?

I sighed and put the book down. 'I'm sorry, darling. Look, why don't you go over to the party. I'll be over as soon as the quiche is ready,' I said, standing and pulling him towards me.

He put his hands on my shoulders and looked down at me. 'You sure?'

'Absolutely.'

'Okay. Shall I take the bottle of wine?'

I nodded. 'The shirt looks good, by the way.'

He smiled. 'You don't look so bad yourself.'

And with that, he was gone. A couple of years ago, he wouldn't have dreamed of going to the party without me. When had things changed? Was it since Adam?

Deep down I knew things hadn't been right between us for some time. It must have been before Adam, otherwise I would never have done what I did, would I? Wha
t
w
e
did, I corrected myself. It was Adam too.

Sighing, I looked at the quiche in the oven. Another twenty minutes or so. Standing up, I opened the fridge and pulled out the open bottle of wine. Taking a glass from the cupboard, I poured myself a large one and took a long gulp. As it slid down my throat, I could feel my muscles relax. I'd been tense since they'd moved in next door. I needed a massage; that would help. But first, I'd finish the wine and go and show my face at the party.

A knock at the back door made me jump and I spilled a little wine on the floor, but I ignored it to go and see who it was.

Standing there, looking smoking hot, was Adam.

I swallowed, took another big swig of the wine like some kind of crazy housewife with an alcohol problem, and opened the door.

'What are you doing here?' I asked abruptly. 'Sorry, I'm just a bit tense...'

'Don't worry, Eve. I know exactly how you feel.'

'Really? Jesus... I'm so sorry. I don't know what's come over me, lately.'

'I do, I know exactly what it is.' He smiled apologetically. 'I am entirely to blame.' He looked down, and I stepped backwards.

'Come in. I'm just waiting for the quiche to bake. Would you like some wine? Or a lager?'

'Sure, a glass of wine would be great. Charlie sent me over to make sure you were okay.'

'She did?'

He nodded. 'She was worried you wouldn't come because you were... erm...'

'Embarrassed, mortified, horrified at being seen in my sexiest outfit?' I asked, blushing.

'Well yes, not that you have anything to be embarrassed about. I've seen you in less.'

'Adam,' I choked. 'Please don't mention that.'

'I...I'm sorry. I'm trying not to think about it, but it's proving somewhat difficult, especially after earlier.'

I wished I could stop blushing. I turned to look at the quiche instead.

'Are you happy, Eve?' he asked out of the blue.

I turned to face him. 'What do you mean? Of course I'm h-happy,' I stuttered. 'Are you?'

He nodded and then shook his head.

'No, Adam. Please don't answer that. And please don't ask me that, either.'

He nodded just as the oven timer went off.

'Well, it looks like it's ready,' I said, picking up a tea towel as Adam went to pick it up.

'Let me,' he said, as our hands clashed, and before I knew what was happening, we were in each other's arms, kissing passionately. I felt like I was going to explode, feeling his tongue exploring my mouth like that, as if he'd never been there before.

I got swept away in the moment but after another minute, I managed to pull away.

'Eve, I'm so...so sorry. I hadn't planned to do that. I couldn't help it. Something tugs at me every time I'm near you. Damn it.'

I fell backwards and leaned on the counter top, breathing heavily. 'I...I...know. I feel the same, but we're married, Adam. We can't do this. Think of Charlie and Matt.'

'Don't you think I haven't thought of them? But Eve, you don't understand, I've thought of you every day since we first met. I haven't been able to get you out of my head.'

I raised my eyebrows. 'But you still got married?'

He took a deep breath and leaned beside me, handing me my wine and taking a large gulp of his own before he added, 'It was a month before the wedding, Eve.'

'What was?'

'Me and you.'

'Oh,' I said, looking at my feet.

'I couldn't break it off because of a one night stand. I thought I'd eventually forget you and I'd be able to be happily married to Charlie...'

'Aren't you? Happily married, I mean?'

He shrugged. 'I guess so. I mean, no. How can I be happily married when all I can think of is you?'

'Some people can feel that way about more than one person, you know.'

He nodded sadly.

'If only things had been different, eh?' I said as I finished off my wine and turned back to the oven to remove the now slightly overdone quiche.

'I know. If you hadn't been married... If we'd both been single… Who knows.'

'But we are, Adam. We're both married, and we can't forget that now. That kiss just now. That can't happen again.'

'I know, Eve. I know,' he said sadly, as he placed his empty glass in the sink and walked over to the door. 'You ready?'

I nodded. 'Not really, but I guess I'll have to be. Oh, just a minute. Need to feed the cat,' I said, as I noticed her run indoors when he opened the door.

I put down some biscuits for her and picked up the quiche, sighing heavily. If only we could stay here and forget about the rest of the world, I thought, but I didn't say it out loud. Something told me, though, that he was thinking the exact same thing.

oOo

We crept in through their back door so nobody made a fuss about me as I placed the quiche on the dining table. Adam poured me another glass of wine, which I accepted gratefully with a long sad look, before he disappeared to continue with his hosting duties.

I wandered into the beautiful living room, where a large crowd were busy chatting and some were dancing discreetly to the jazz music blaring from the iPod dock in the corner by the huge TV.

I made small talk with some of our other neighbours before wandering out into the garden, where strings of fairy lights hung from various trees. I smiled. I loved fairy lights. In fact, I'd wanted to put some in our own garden, but Matt hadn't been keen. He had a habit of talking me out of doing little decorative things like that, which was probably why our house was so sparsely decorated.

Shivering as a soft breeze blew through the garden, I turned to see Charlie, looking stunning in a sequinned mini dress, walking down the stairs. She really was beautiful, especially when she was made up like that with her sixties-style lined eyes and her hair in something of a bouffant style. Matt was walking behind her, and they were talking animatedly and laughing.