Chapter 2

2.

That single thought screamed in my mind all night.

When Gavin finally showered and climbed into bed, I thought I'd finally have a release.

I wrapped my arms around his waist and purred softly, "Babe... let's make love tonight..."

Gavin coldly pushed my hands away inch by inch. "I have too much going on at the office. Go to sleep, I need my energy."

Always the same excuse. Tears welled in my eyes from humiliation.

I wanted to scream in his face that the neighbor had practically molested his wife today.

And the worst part was, I had almost given in to it.

If I hadn't been starved for affection for so long, how could Jarius have turned me on so easily?

I glared at Gavin as his breathing leveled into a deep sleep, resentment festering in my chest.

Throwing on a silk robe, I walked out to the kitchen to drink some ice water and calm my racing pulse.

I downed the glass in one gulp. But just as I turned to head back, a soft, breathless moan drifted in from the balcony.

"Jarius... please... I can't take any more..."

Was that coming from next door?

Hearing his name made my heart hammer, bringing back the memory of his massive chest. I bit my lip, struggling to smother the flames inside me.

"So good... oh god, it's too deep..."

The woman's voice was dripping with pleasure, choked with sheer ecstasy. My logic told me to turn around and go to bed immediately.

Yet my body was acting on pure, dirty instinct.

My feet moved before I could stop myself, stepping quietly toward the balcony glass.

Even though I knew what they were doing, seeing it with my own eyes made my jaw drop.

A slim woman had both hands pressed against the glass railing while Jarius stood behind her, gripping her hips tightly as his hips slammed into her rhythmically.

Sweat glistened across his back, his muscles flexing with every brutal thrust. He looked even more dominant and raw than he had that morning.

I clapped a hand over my mouth, terrified of making a sound, yet I was rooted to the spot, unable to look away.

Hearing her helpless cries of pleasure, I began to imagine myself in her place, pinned beneath his massive frame and getting thoroughly wrecked.

Without realizing it, I squeezed my thighs tightly together, my toes curling in my slippers.

Suddenly, Jarius shifted positions, and the woman caught sight of me watching from across the divider. She let out a startled shriek!

Mortified, she pushed herself out of his grip and scrambled back into his living room.

Jarius, however, didn't flinch. He slowly turned his head, his dark gaze dropping straight between my legs.

Realizing what he was looking at, I quickly turned my flushed face away, pretending I hadn't been caught.

Jarius let out a low, teasing whistle.

There was no point in playing dumb anymore, so I nervously looked back at him.

Even in the dim night light through the glass, I could see he was completely naked.

His sheer size down there was astonishing, perfectly matching the rumors. Just a glimpse made my heart race with filthy excitement.

"You ruined my fun," Jarius said casually across the balcony gap.

A loud slam echoed from his unit as his partner left in embarrassment.

He was calling me out, but there wasn't a trace of anger on his face―only a predatory, wicked smirk.

His gaze was so heavy and intense that it made my skin tingle all over.

"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to," I stammered, shrinking back.

Jarius shook his head slowly. "You owe me compensation for that."

With that, he turned and stepped back inside.

My knees felt completely weak. The way he had looked at me was like a beast ready to devour its prey whole.

I slumped onto the living room sofa. What kind of compensation did he want?

Did he expect me to take that woman's place?

My heart thudded violently against my ribs. Remembering his chiseled body and that woman's breathless cries, a sick thrill coursed through my veins.

No, you can't, I told myself, looking toward the bedroom as guilt clawed at me.

Right then, Gavin walked out of the bedroom fully dressed, looking like he was rushing out.

I grabbed his arm frantically. "Gavin, where are you going this late?"

If Gavin stayed, Jarius wouldn't dare do anything. But if Gavin left now, there would be nothing stopping Jarius!

"Something came up at work. I have to handle it right now."

Gavin shoved my hand away. In a panic, I gripped his jacket tighter. "No... you can't leave! Please stay!"

Gavin snapped impatiently, "Stop acting crazy, Tessa! It's an emergency!"

He walked out without a second thought, completely oblivious to my desperate terror.

Just minutes after the front door clicked shut, heavy knocks sounded against my door, setting off alarm bells in my head.

My voice trembled as I walked toward the entryway. "Who is it?"

"Jarius!"

He was really here.

I leaned against the door, my chest heaving. Should I open it?

If I opened this door, he wasn't going to let me off easy tonight.

The banging grew louder, demanding and impatient.

Torn by conflict, I looked back toward the dark hallway, remembering how coldly Gavin had brushed me off just moments ago.

A wave of spiteful revenge washed over my guilt. If my husband didn't care about me, why should I stay faithful?

I pulled the door open. My legs felt like jelly, barely able to support my weight.

Jarius stood in the doorway wearing nothing but black boxer briefs, his eyes dropping right to my sheer silk neckline. "Ready to make it up to me?"

I bit my lower lip, letting go of my final shred of hesitation, and stepped aside. "I'm ready."

Jarius stepped inside, kicked the door shut, and pulled me against his rock-hard body like a hungry beast.

His rough hands slid beneath my silk gown, hiking it up as his hot breath brushed against my ear. "I like doing it on the balcony better."

Hypnotized by his deep voice, I let him guide me back to the balcony.

I pressed both hands against the cool glass railing, parting my legs and arching my back, completely presenting myself to him...

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