Bill scoffed. “How sweet. I’ll be sure to remind you of that in three months when you’ve dumped her on the side of the road.”
David lunged forward, almost knocking me out of the way, and gripped Bill by his t-shirt. He slammed him up against the wall and pinned him there. “I warned you once. If I have to shut you the fuck up, I will.”
Bill’s eyes dropped to David’s hands and then jumped back up. I expected to see anger in them, but there was only defeat. I knew David saw it, too, because he released Bill immediately and stepped back.
“Look, man,” David said, “fighting won’t get us anywhere. Just watch your mouth, and don’teverput your hands on her again.”
Bill kicked one last box out and disappeared into the apartment, letting the door slam behind him. I stared after him, trying to decide if I should go in and comfort him.
David cursed to himself and rubbed his forehead before looking at me. “Don’t,” he said. “You’ll just make it harder for him.”
He was right. Even seeing our wedding pictures was too hard for Bill. My being here wasn’t helping.
“Is that everything?” David asked.
“I think there were a couple more boxes,” I said, “but let’s just leave it.”
“You sure?” he asked. “I can go back in and get them.”
“I’m sure,” I said and picked up a lighter box as David hoisted a heavier one. We walked in silence to where Gretchen leaned against the car, her ankles crossed in front of her. “I don’t see any blood on your knuckles,” she said to David. “I guess that’s a good sign.”
“It didn’t get that far, thankfully,” I said.
“Thankfully for him,” David muttered.
Gretchen rolled her eyes. “Bill’s a real peach these days.”
“I’m sorry he took it out on you,” I said, hugging her. “It means so much that you came today.”
“It means a lot that you asked,” she said softly, smiling. As David jogged up the staircase to grab the last of my things, she added, “But can we go? I’m over this place.”
I laughed. “Sure.”
I insisted on treating her to dinner, so once the car had been loaded up, David drove us to a restaurant for pizza and drinks. After finishing off my frozen margarita, I slammed my empty glass on the table and Gretchen giggled.
David eyed us suspiciously, but he was in good spirits, despite being the designated driver.
Gretchen started off on something about work, but I could see that David wasn’t listening. He watched me instead. Earlier, with the city of Chicago at his back, he’d had his way with me on his desk. I’d gotten myself some businessman David, and all it did was fuel the ache. The more I got, the more I wanted. I eased my foot out of my shoe and ran it along the inside of his leg, glancing over at Gretchen so as not to arouse suspicion.
When she stopped talking to order another drink, I pulled out my phone.
Me: I have a confession to make…I never bought underwear today
David shifted to retrieve his phone from his back pocket. His eyes widened as he read, then his fingers darted over the screen.
David:I don’t believe you.
I arched an eyebrow at him. His gaze turned heated, immediately warming my body. Visions from earlier flashed through my mind. I was feeling just as aroused as I was then, despite having been blessed with two orgasms already. I exhaled audibly.
“Liv?” Gretchen asked. “Are you listening?”
“Yes,” I said, my voice creaky.
“Right,” she said, getting up. “I’m going to the bathroom.”
David’s hooded eyes scrolled down my body with agonizing slowness, then flicked back up to my face. He scooted his chair closer to mine, wet his lips, and rested his hand on my knee under the red-and-white checked tablecloth. I glanced around the restaurant as his palm rubbed back and forth over my skin. A dull hum overtook my body the instant his hand inched up my skirt. I inhaled a ragged breath, trying to keep it together, while his face gave nothing away. Except his eyes, fiery with need that mirrored my own desire.
Now at the top of my thighs, his fingers slipped between them, finding me slick. “You’re soaked,” he said, nonchalance threading his tone.
