[Insider] Newlywed's New Desires Ch. 21 (Patreon)

Hey Friends! Just two chapters left in this incredible journey. This chapter is a little shorter than usual, but I promise to more than make up for it in the next one :P

I won't bore you with many updates today. I have a Halloween story I'm looking to wrap up in the next week, so expect that soon. Once it gets posted, I'll then begin some polling around what the next big novel will be. Enjoy!

Chris sat in the back of the Uber in silence as the car pulled into his neighborhood. The entire flight home had been nearly completely silent, Katie wouldn't even look at him regardless of how much he tried to plead his case. He didn't blame her, after all, even if Chris didn't explicitly make her leave with Tom, he was complacent in stopping her. He knew the type of person Tom was and he didn't even so much as give Katie a warning.

He stared at the front of the house as the car pulled up. All of the lights were off, Ashley's car was sitting in the drive. He was supposed to call her when he landed so she could pick him up from the airport. But after everything that happened, he wasn't sure she'd actually be home. Or maybe he thought she would be home, but wouldn't be alone. Either way, he opted for a rideshare instead.

His hand shook fishing for the key. He dropped his bag inside the door, the slam echoing too loud in the stillness. Afternoon light filtered through the curtains, catching on the wedding photo in the hallway. Ashley’s smile lit the frame, her arms looped around his neck. Back then they’d had nothing but a hand-me-down mattress and each other, and it had been enough. His throat tightened. When did it all get so complicated?

Movement at the top of the stairs caught his attention.

“You’re home.” His voice cracked, not quite sure if it was a question or a statement, but Ashley smiled down at him, a look of relief covering her face. He gasped, taking in the rest of her. With the exception of a pair of heels and white stockings Ashley was completely naked. Her hair was still wet, probably freshly showered. The thought made Chris's cock twitch and he glanced at her slit.

"You were supposed to call when you landed," Ashley said, as she reached the bottom of the stairs. "I was going to pick you up from the airport. I have a trench coat." Her tone was light and playful, but Chris could see the red around her eyes, puffy as if she'd been crying.

"I wasn't sure if you'd..."

She cut him off with a searing kiss, tongue forcing past his lips, pinning him back against the wall. His body betrayed him, cock stiffening, but his mind reeled. They’d done this before, after Clayton. She’d come home and he'd be desperate to reclaim her.

But this time, something shifted. The hunger poured off her, but instead of anxiety or rage, he felt numb. He pressed his palms to her shoulders, breaking the kiss.

"The voicemail... was it true? Did you mean the things you said?"

Tears welled in Ashley's eyes as she thought about how to respond. He was hurt, she knew he would be, but she had hoped he'd understood why she did what she did. His eyes held judgment, and it made her stomach twist in knots. After all they'd been through together. Despite all she'd done, she didn't expect to see that look. With a shaky breath she ran her hand across the front of his pants. He was hard, that was a good start.

"Take me to bed, Chris," she said, firmly, pulling his phone from his pocket and tossing it onto the desk next to the door.

"You didn't answer me."

She grabbed his arm, teeth catching her bottom lip as she pulled him toward the stairs. Her fingers slid between his, a small, desperate tether. A thousand words clawed at his throat, but none of them escaped. He followed anyway, a kite on a string.

His legs felt heavy as he climbed, chest aching with everything unsaid. He wanted to scream, to beg her to stop, to tell her it was all too much, but when she kissed him again at the edge of the bed, all that came out was a shudder. Her hands moved quickly, tugging at his shirt buttons, pulling him against her skin. His mind lagged behind his body, everything happening too fast for him to catch up.

He groaned as she wrapped her hand around his shaft, instinctively reaching to turn her, but she placed her hand on his chest. "No," she said, gently. "Not like that."

She looped her arms around his neck and guided him down onto the bed with her, her mouth finding his neck. "I need you to make love to me, Chris."

For a second he almost laughed at the absurdity of it, almost snapped that she couldn’t be serious after everything she’d done. Then he felt her shoulders tremble, heard the soft sniffle against his ear, the wet warmth of tears dripping onto his skin.

Chris froze, her words finally sinking in. He wasn't the only one being hurt anymore. This was no longer about lover's angst or playfully teasing. He cupped her chin, his eyes remaining open as he pressed his lips to hers. Salt clung to her lips as the kiss deepened, neither of them willing to look away, both afraid of what they might miss.

He ran his fingers through her damp hair, breathing in the scent of her body wash as a smile formed on Ashley's lips. Not the usual smile of someone who got their way, or who knew her teasing and manipulation was working, but one of pure happiness.

"I love you," she whispered, letting her left hand slide across his cheek as her right reached between them encircling his manhood.

Chris released a strangled gasp, his lips brushing against hers in a near kiss, but neither of them closed their mouths. He can feel her breath on his face, the warmth of it washing over him as she squeezes his cock again, this time pulling it to her. Her eyes soften as it slides across her smooth mound, the heat from her even smoother slit nearly causing Chris to push his hips forward and ruin the moment.

"Ohhhh—" Chris's eyes fluttered closed as Ashley pulled him into her. His body sank deeper into hers, and in an instant he was drowning in pleasure. Ashley's lips closed around his, their kiss languid as all of his worries washed away.

"I missed you, Chris," she sighed, lacing her fingers into his. "I missed you so much."

"I missed you too, Ashley." He ran his fingers over her ribs, before bringing them to her chest, palming it tenderly. He knew it sounded insane. It had only been two days, barely enough time to miss someone. But, so much had happened in those two days, more than he could properly put into words. "But everything that happened. The voicemails, and..."

Ashley’s nails raked across his back breaking his rant. Her hands tangled in his hair, pulling him closer and driving him deeper into her until all he could do was grunt.

“Ugggh,” she yelped, thighs falling open wider as she undulated beneath him, welcoming every thrust of his hips.

Their kiss broke from their renewed urgency, Ashley's grunts growing louder in Chris's ear as he drove into her, their faces inches apart as they shared the same heated breath.

"Don't stop, Chris. Please, don't... ever... stop." Her breathing became ragged, her heat wrapping around him as his arms trembled from the effort of holding himself above her.

He didn’t know what she meant. Just dirty talk? A plea to keep loving her? Or, he drove harder into her, was she begging him not to make her end it with Clayton?

He bit the inside of his cheek, forcing control back into his hips and slowing his pace. He let his lips travel across her jaw, tasting the salt of her tears. Then across to her ear, whispering her name. Her hands clutched at him, her legs wrapping around his frame, making it harder for him to move.

"Oh God, Chris. Ohhh fuck." Her breath hitched, her thighs trembled around him as she tried to draw him deeper. "I want to feel you, baby. I want you to cum."

He tried to hold back, to keep from losing the moment too quickly. He wanted to focus on the way she still responded to his touch despite everything: the voicemail, the taunts, the nights haunted by her moans. In this moment she was his, her body clinging to him as if it had been their wedding night all over again. He kissed her, swallowing her gasp as she tightened around him, pulling him further in.

"Are you close?" He asked, breathless, unsure how much longer he could hold out.

Instead of answering her hand slipped between their bodies, fingers finding the swollen bundle of nerves between her thighs. Chris felt her knuckles brush against his length with every circle she drew over herself, the sensation making him groan into her mouth.

“Ohhh—God, yes—” Ashley's hips lifted off the bed, chasing each thrust with one of her own. "Cum, Chris. I want to feel you." Her eyes remained open, wide and desperate for him.

The sight alone was enough to make him lose it. He could feel the heat race across his body, the ache in his balls that always came seconds before losing control. "I love you, Ashley. I love you sooo—”

"Ohhhh fuck, Ohhhgod, yessss."

One last downward thrust, and he felt Ashley come unglued. Her walls spasmed around him and just like that, he was right there with her. He throbbed into her, not daring to close his eyes as each explosion seemed to drag out the next.

He folded into her, unable to hold himself up any longer, but not wanting to create any distance between her. When he finally softened and slipped free they both groaned at the loss, their hearts still hammering in their chests.

Chris rolled onto his back, and Ashley followed, laying her head on his chest while he stroked her hair. He kissed her forehead, pulling her body tighter against his. They both knew they had a world of things to talk about, but none of them felt more important than this moment. Then, before either of them realized it, they were asleep.

***

Ashley woke several hours later to Chris's soft snores. The afternoon sun had faded, painting the sky outside their window a cotton-candy pink and blue. She watched him sleep for several minutes. She'd forgotten how peaceful he looked when he slept, before all the worries of the last several months beat down on him.

She kissed his temple gently, running her fingers through his hair the way she knew he liked. He stirred, and she kissed him again, this time on the corner of his lips and his eyes fluttered open.

"Hey," he whispered, a smile forming on his lips. "How long were we out?"

"A couple of hours." She laid her head back down on his chest, her breast pressing against his bare skin. "I know you said we need to talk, but... it's over, baby. All of it."

He whipped his head around the room as if everything was suddenly confusing, then sat up on the bed. "What do you mean, it's over?"

He studied her face. She had tears forming in her eyes again, her smile bright and welcoming.

"The logger. I got it on his computer. The one in his home office." She wrapped her arms around his neck. "I know the voicemail was unfair, and when you called and I was..." she sighed, wiping away a tear. "I just... It's over now. We can get the data, give it to the FBI and forget any of it ever happened."

"Forget it ever happened?" He rubbed his temples, he could feel a headache coming on. "The things you said to Clayton... to Tom. Were they true?"

Ashley's face went red, and she pulled the sheet up over her chest. "I... yes... no... I don't know, Chris."

"You don't know? What does that even mean?" His hands started to shake.

"I don't know what you want me to say." She chewed on her lip, fighting back tears. "When I went there—”

"And that's another thing," he was raising his voice now. He didn't mean to, and he could see the hurt in Ashley's eyes. "When did you go? Why did you go? I thought we said we were going to wait until I got back."

"We didn't agree to anything, and Clayton cornered me in the parking garage the second you were gone. What was I supposed to do?"

He opened his mouth to respond, but he wasn't sure what he was going to say. It was his fault. He'd put her in this situation. Told her Clayton could be trusted, that they should explore his fantasy.

Asley let out a frustrated sigh. "I got him to admit to spying on us when we were at Jen's. I thought if I could get to his house I could plant the device and leave."

"And somewhere along the way you decided that he owned your pussy?" It was a cheap shot, but the voicemail had stung more than he cared to admit. It wasn't so much the words it was that she sounded like she meant them.

"Things got carried away. I didn't expect..." She got out of bed, and put on one of Chris's old t-shirts. "When I'm with him. When things start to... escalate I... get lost in it."

She wanted to run away, to do anything but have this conversation. But she could see the hurt in Chris's eyes. She knew it'd gone too far, but what choice did she have? She couldn't let him go to jail. She would have done a thousand times worse if it meant she didn't lose him. "I... I didn't know Tom was going to call. I would have never... I'm sorry."

Chris stood and took her in his arms. "I'm sorry, too. I know you were just doing what was best in an impossible situation."

She melted into his embrace, thankful he understood.

"Just, give me the logger and I'll get it to Agent Holbrook. Then we can figure out how to move on from this."

The color drained from Ashley's face. She placed her palms on his chest, pulling back to look into his eyes. "Wha... what do you mean give you the logger."

The smile on Chris's face disappeared, followed quickly by a look of despair. "I mean we need to give the logger to the FBI. Why, where is it?"

"I... I don't have it." Her body began to shake. "I thought I just needed to connect it. That... that someone could connect wirelessly and..." She buried her face in Chris's chest, desperate not to cry.

"It's okay. I'll figure something out," Chris said, but they both knew it was a lie.

"I can go back. I can call him and..."

"No." He tried to sound tender, concerned, but it came out sharp. "You've been through enough. It needs to be me." He walked over to the dresser, grabbing the first pair of boxers he could find and put them on. "I need to brief him about Seattle anyway. I can use that as an excuse. Figure out a reason for him to let me in."

He walked into the bathroom, giving Ashley a moment to breathe. She couldn't believe she was so stupid. She was right there, she'd practically spent the night at his house. It would have been easy for her to sneak out after one of their countless sessions to go back and grab it. Why did she think it could be done remotely?

She walked downstairs, hoping the short walk would clear her head. She left her phone down there, knowing that Chris would come home wanting to talk and terrified Clayton would be listening in.

When she picked it up and unlocked it, her breath caught. Two messages from Clayton, sent back to back less than an hour ago.

He misses you. It's time to collect on the promise you made in your driveway.

Below it, a photo. Ashley's stomach fluttered, her body heating up as she stared at Clayton's naked body. His cock was hard, it always seemed to be like that regardless of how many times she... She dismissed the thought, her nipples tight against the fabric of her shirt.

She thought about deleting the image. About responding to his message and saying he missed his chance. But instead she just stared at the picture, heat pooling in her core with each passing second.

The sound of the toilet flushing snapped her back to reality. She quickly scanned the notifications ensuring she hadn't missed anything else important then tossed it back on the desk and hurried back up to the bedroom.

When she returned, Chris was already out of the bathroom, tugging a shirt over his head.

"I'm going to have him admit it to me?"

"What?" Ashley asked, confused as she hoped he didn't question why she looked so flushed.

"I'm still working out the details, but," he hopped around on one foot as he slid on a pair of jeans. "Holbrook was right. I own a third of the company, I should know about everything that's happening."

"So, the plan is what exactly? Tell Clayton you know he's using BitGuardian to spy and tell him you want in on it?"

"Kinda?" He realized how dumb he sounded. "I don't have it all fleshed out yet, but I'm going to tell him that Tom let a lot of stuff slip in Seattle and I'm not here to judge, but I want in."

"And you expect him to just confess everything to you while you record? Chris, he isn't some kind of Bond super-villain."

"Not confess. But maybe trust me enough where I can get into his office and recover the logger."

Ashley's face softened. "Chris, it will never work and you know it. He's going to see right through you. Just... let me go back I can—”

"No! I'm not going to let you ever go over there again."

Ashley's eyes went dark. "Let me?"

"That's not what I meant, Ash. I just... I need to do this."

"Chris, he trusts me. If you show up you're just going to ruin—”

"Ruin what, Ashley? My career? My life?" He zipped his pants up. "Do you actually believe this won't work? Or are you just trying to find another way to go yourself?"

Ashley recoiled at the accusation, her sadness replaced by anger. "What does that mean?"

"This was supposed to be just sex. But it doesn't feel like that anymore." The words were coming faster than his brain could process them now. Months of angst and worry bubbling over to this moment. "Do you love him? Is that what this is?"

Ashley's mouth hung open in disbelief, tears she hadn't even realized she spilled, streaking her face. "How dare you. After everything you've asked me to do, after everything I've sacrificed for this marriage, for us, how dare you question my motives."

"You didn't deny it," Chris said, in a whisper.

Ashley opened her mouth to respond, then stopped. How dare he walk around like he's some type of virtuous-being in all of this. What right did he have to slut shame her, to question her loyalty. The silence stretched between them, growing heavier with each passing second. Ashley watched as the anger in Chris's eyes changed, realizing the line he'd crossed.

"Ashley..." he started, but she was already moving toward the door.

"I can't do this right now. I can't stand here and let you make me the villain when all I've done is try to protect us."

"Where are you going?"

Ashley paused at the bedroom door, not turning around. "I don't know. But, I can't be around you right now."

"Wait. I didn't..."

But she was already running down the stairs. Chris fell back onto the bed. She wasn't wrong. He needed a plan for Clayton. Something that would give Clayton a reason to trust him. Something that didn't involve Ashley.

***

The engine ticked like a bomb as Chris sat in front of Clayton's house. He didn't even remember driving there. He barely even remembered seeing Ashley lying on the couch when he came downstairs. She didn't even bother to tell him goodbye, or be careful. She just sat on the sofa with disbelief in her eyes. Maybe she was right, his plan was anything but solid.

He thought about all of his other run-ins with Clayton. The only time he'd felt like he'd outmaneuvered Clayton was when he'd asked for more ownership in the company, and he'd done it by playing into his ego. That was what he was going to do tonight. The plan was as stupid as it was brilliant.

He glanced over at the box of cigars in the passenger seat. The cedar box's polished surface reflected in the streetlights. He'd bought them on their honeymoon. A two hundred dollar box of Cuban Cohibas. He was planning to save them for his and Ashley's tenth wedding anniversary. He laughed into the calmness of the night, more out of fear and irony than actual humor. Instead of lighting them to celebrate a decade of love and commitment, he was going to offer them up to his wife's lover of almost a year.

He picked up the box, and forced himself out of the car, certain that if he sat there much longer he'd change his mind and go back home. The walk to Clayton's front door felt like a death march. Each step echoed his doubts. What if Ashley was right? What if this doesn't work? But he pushed the thoughts away. He had to fix this himself. If he allowed Ashley to come back here then he wasn't sure she'd ever leave. He felt his legs tremble as he climbed the first step. He paused, forcing himself to take deep breaths, he couldn't afford to let his emotions get the best of him.

As soon as he got to the front door, it swung open. Chris let out a startled gasp as Clayton appeared with a plain white t-shirt and a pair of jeans. His signature smirk was on his face, like he'd been expecting Chris the entire time.

"Chris, this is a surprise. I didn't expect to see you until tomorrow." His eyes dropped to the cigar box. "Come in, please."

He stepped aside and Chris felt a sudden urge to throw the box at Clayton's face and take off sprinting. But, he let it pass, forcing his legs to move forward, back to the place that started it all.

As he walked into the house, he glanced toward the living room, his mind instantly taking him back to his night there with Ashley. He could almost see her there on the sofa, her front teeth biting her bottom lip softly as Clayton stood just inches in front of her ready to explode. Even now, after everything, he felt his cock start to stir as images of Ashley's chest covered in Clayton's release came into his mind.

"Drink?" Clayton asked, breaking Chris from his torturous daydream.

"Um... sure." He walked into the kitchen behind Clayton, hoping he couldn't hear the way Chris's heart was threatening to beat out of his chest.

"So, what are we celebrating?" Clayton asked, handing him a glass of expensive looking whiskey as he gestured toward the cigar box.

Chris's mouth went dry and he sipped the whiskey in hopes it would buy him a few seconds to gather his nerve. He closed his eyes, savoring the sweet burn of this liquor as it made its way down his throat. "I was saving these for our tenth anniversary," he said, offering a cigar to Clayton. "But with all we've been through together, I thought this seemed more appropriate."

Clayton smiled, taking one from the box. "And what's that, exactly?"

"Being in Seattle. Talking to Tom, seeing the way he... interacted with Katie. Things started to click for me."

"Things?"

Chris smiled, he hoped it looked more natural than it felt. "BitGuardian. The thing we are actually doing here."

Now it was Clayton's turn to smile. His gaze swept over Chris, sizing him up. "And what is it that we are doing here?"

"Look," he took a breath. "I know BitGuardian has a backdoor that can be used to access systems. Tom gets very chatty when he's had a bit to drink."

He watched Clayton's face, saw the way he grimaced slightly before recovering. He'd been in sales long enough to know he was on the right path. "Tom wants to head up the expansion into Europe. At first, I didn't think much of it, then it clicked. Security restrictions over there aren't as strict. If you can get BitGuardian installed on a few systems, grease a few hands, then suddenly you're sitting on a goldmine of data. I mean, it's brilliant really."

"And Tom told you all this?" Clayton was still trying to hold his cards close to the vest, but Chris could see he was rattled. He watched the amber liquor slush around in the glass as Clayton brought it to his lips.

"Not in so many words. But Tom is a real hothead, doesn't take kindly to being told no or not getting what he wants."

This time Clayton laughed. "No arguments there. Tom has been a pain in my ass since day one."

Chris nodded, his nerves beginning to settle as Clayton opened up a little. "That's where Katie came in, right? Genius move, by the way."

Clayton's phone buzzed on the island, but he ignored it, engrossed in what Chris was saying. "How so?"

"I mean, we all know Katie has a certain... charm about her. Tom seemed very keen to impress her." Chris's stomach dropped, now came the difficult part. "During the meeting with the board, the members didn't seem very keen to let Tom lead the expansion, but he didn't seem worried. Like, at all." Chris finished his whiskey, setting the glass noisily on the table. "It was almost like he knew they would see the light. That's when it hit me."

Clayton's eyes darkened. "What's that?"

"Tom has wanted Ashley since the first time he saw her. And he knew every single member of the board would want her too." He reached out helping himself to another round of whiskey. "But..." He manufactured a laugh. "You're not the type of person who likes to share. Especially with guys like Tom."

The veins in Clayton's neck bulged.

"So after dangling her in front of Tom, you sent Katie. Hoping Tom would see the value in her and want to use her to get what he needed from the board."

"You have a helluva imagination I'll give you that." Clayton's phone buzzed again on the counter. He glanced at the screen, a text from Katie. "Let's say what you're saying is true." Chris's stomach fluttered, this was going even better than expected. "How would Ashley, or Katie for that matter help with the board."

"That was tripping me up as well, but then Tom all but spelled it out. Katie sleeps with a board member, she has BitGuardian install on her phone, because she's an employee. And because of that, Katie and the board member have suddenly made a sex tape that you and Tom have access to. I'd say that would create quite the scandal if it got leaked. But, with a certain vote, silence can be bought." He watched as Clayton's tongue slid across his lips. "How am I doing so far?"

"Fucking, Tom," Clayton mumbled under his breath. He has always been a liability, but this was a new low even for him. If Chris was able to put all of these pieces together in just a couple of days then maybe his father's warning about the FBI were warranted. He needed an exit strategy.

"The man thinks he's some sort of mastermind. He's got an ego the size of a small country." Clayton shook his head, pulling out a lighter to light the cigar. "He's got the finesse of a goddamn elephant." He paused, puffing on the tobacco until the end turned a deep red. "But you... I keep underestimating you Chris."

"Like it or not, I own a third of the company now. My neck is on the line too. I can't help you if you keep me in the dark."

"And how is it you can help me?"

"Well Katie, for starters." He placed his hands in his lap, the anxiety from earlier returning at the worst possible time. "Let's just say she didn't seem too keen to show Tom a good time. I had a chat with her. Made her understand the expectations."

A puff of smoke traveled across the kitchen as Clayton tipped his head back. He seemed relaxed, collected. His phone buzzed again, and this time he picked it up from the table his eyes scanning the screen before turning his attention back to Chris.

"I can't imagine she reacted very well when you told her what you wanted her to do," Clayton said, taking another drag of his cigar.

"No, but she came around pretty quickly. After all, Katie has always had a way with the clients."

For a second Clayton didn't react, he just stared at Chris with cold eyes. Then, all at once, a smile formed on his lips. "Well hell, I can't believe I ever doubted you, Chris. I'm sorry to have kept you in the dark for so long."

"I um..." Chris's heart felt like it was going to beat out of his chest. He couldn't believe this had worked. Clayton was going to let him into his inner circle. Once there, he wouldn't need to sneak around trying to gather intel. Clayton would openly give it to him and he could turn right around and share it with the FBI. "I'm just glad we are on the same page now."

"Oh absolutely," Clayton said, putting his phone into his pocket. "In fact, I think this calls for a real celebration. Don't you?"

He poured another splash of whiskey holding up his glass. "To partnership," Clayton said, and they clinked glasses. "And to understanding what we're really building here."

Chris took a long sip from his glass, unable to hold in the smile that had been building. But as he lowered his glass, he noticed Clayton studying him with an intensity that made something cold crawl up his spine.

"You know," Clayton said, his tone shifting almost imperceptibly, "there is one small thing I'm curious about."

Chris's stomach fluttered, but he forced himself to maintain his confident posture. "What's that?"

Clayton pulled out his phone, glancing at the screen with what looked like mild interest. When he looked back up, his smile had shifted into something slightly darker.

"I'm just wondering," Clayton said, keeping his tone casual, "how exactly you managed to convince Katie to be so... cooperative about Tom."

"Like I said, I had a conversation with her. Explained the situation, the expectations—"

"Right, right," Clayton interrupted. "You know what your greatest weakness is, Chris?" The smirk on Clayton's face suggested his question was rhetorical. Still, Chris raised his eyebrow inquisitively. "You're too big of a fucking boy scout for your own good." He slid his phone across the table to Chris.

Chris's eyes went to the open screen.

Katie: I met your buddy, Tom. He's a real piece of work.

Clayton: Chris told me what happened. I didn't expect him to pressure you to go.

Katie: Nobody pressured me. In fact, Chris seemed mortified I went. I may have thought it was what he wanted at first, but after the plane ride home it became pretty obvious to me that he was trying to stop it. I owe him an apology.

When Chris looked back at Clayton, his gaze was dripping with disdain. "So... partner."

The word dripped with false sincerity. "Want to tell me the real reason you're here?"

Chris's mind raced, desperate to think of a way to turn this around.

"See, I think you're here because you're starting to realize Ashley has stopped including you." He walked closer to Chris, setting his glass on the marble countertop. "You think she's slipping away. And you know what?" He was close enough now Chris could smell the alcohol on his breath. "You're right."

Chris's breath hitched, but he otherwise remained silent.

"So what is it, Chris? Were you hoping to come over and butter me up with a fancy cigar. All so you could feel included again? So you could have a front row seat to watch how a real man fucks your wife."

"What? No, I..."

"She didn't tell you, did she?"

"Tell me what?" Chris whispered, almost too afraid to ask.

"That she told me that she loved me the other night?"

Tears stung the back of his eyes. "She wouldn't..."

Clayton laughed. "Oh but she did. Right before you called. You know, when she answered screaming my name."

"Go to hell," Chris spat, shoving past him and racing for the door. The world felt like it had tilted on it's axis. There was no way it was true... was there?

"Don't worry, buddy," Clayton called after him. "I'll call her for you. She owes me a favor."

Chris's hand was on the door handle when Clayton delivered the final blow.

"I'll send you another video!"

The door slammed shut behind Chris with a sound like thunder, but it couldn't drown out the echo of Clayton's promise. As Chris stumbled toward his car, his hands shaking so badly he could barely get the keys in the ignition, he knew with absolute certainty that Clayton meant every word.