4 - Intrusive

MORGANA FOSTER

I carefully organized my things in the closet, next to the elegant dresses I had received for the Burke family gatherings. I closed the suitcases with a sigh, eager to escape the tension that enveloped every fiber of my being, and carefully stowed them away in a corner. I filled the bathtub and undressed to sink into the water, hoping to cool down and relax the tension that filled my body.

“He didn't even touch you, Morgana! Get a grip!” I whispered to myself, trying to divert my thoughts away from Ryan's presence. Why did he affect me so much? What the hell!

I let myself be enveloped by the touch of the water, sliding my fingers over my skin in the hope of dissipating the heat radiating from my body. Moans involuntarily escaped my lips, revealing the intensity of my sensations. It wasn't routine for me, but in that moment, I desperately needed that release, and I knew I couldn't have him for myself, after all, he never touched me.

“Morgana?” The sound of the door opening and Ryan's voice calling my name broke my brief moment of peace. “Oh, damn!” I cursed, looking around desperately for my towel.

“Just a minute!” I replied quickly, trying to regain my composure as he entered the bathroom without ceremony.

I took a deep breath, trying not to show nervousness at being caught like a teenager.

The bathroom door was pushed open without courtesy, and Ryan, now in a suit, looked at me in the bathtub. The sight of the man was stunning, the woody smell of his imported cologne completely filled my senses. I averted my gaze and prayed for the foam to cover as much of my body as possible. I had never been naked in front of him, and the only time we kissed was on our wedding day, and it was a bland kiss for a photo that wouldn't have happened if it weren't for his grandparents' insistence.

Despite my scowling expression, I wasn't angry that he had interrupted me, but I was nervous about his presence. He made me completely nervous. God! I didn't even understand why he had this effect on me.

“What do you want?” I spoke without looking at him.

“Is that how you talk to your husband, Miss Foster?” he asked in a tone dripping with sarcasm. I looked at him irritably and then back at the bubbles covering me, feeling less embarrassed than before.

Did he hear my moans? Was he listening the whole time? , I thought.

After a few moments of silence, he continued. Ryan continued to stare at me, but said nothing.

“Alright, why did you come, husband?”

“Grandpa Burke wants to see you!” he says, looking at the mirror and adjusting his tie. “He heard you arrived. I’ll take you to the mansion for now, and then James will bring you back after dinner. Get dressed appropriately as quickly as possible, okay?”

“Is James the one picking me up?” I asked, puzzled. Since we were going together, why would I have to return with James?

“Yes, I have a commitment later,” he replied curtly.

“That 's it?”

Ryan smiled and looked at me in a presumptuous way. Now, for sure, I seemed like a trapped little animal to him. And somehow, that amused him. I never paid attention to how he made me nervous with his suffocating presence.

Most women got nervous around him, he knew, but he never noticed that I was one of those women too.

“Unless you need help with your bath,” a damn smirk appeared on his square, chiseled face, “that’s all.”

My eyes chilled at the suggestion hidden in his words, and I swallowed hard. I must be delirious. Definitely.

What the hell did this man have that was making me so flustered? What did he want from me?

We barely exchanged words during family visits and parties we attended together, and out of nowhere, he had the purpose of provoking me.

“Okay. Could you leave, please? I won’t take long, I swear,” I said in an almost tearful tone, still staring at the water. I cursed myself for it.

Ryan let out a low laugh and turned to leave; seconds later, I heard the bathroom door close, and I released the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding until now, relaxing my back in the bathtub.

I didn’t take much longer to avoid the risk of the man I married rushing me and finding me naked again. We are ending this. We don't need any more embarrassing moments in our collection.

I left the bathroom dressed in a robe. I chose a tight red dress that I had received as a birthday gift from Grandma Burke. Strangely, it made me curvy and seductive.

The neckline was small and heart-shaped, but my average breasts filled it out. The dress was slightly above the knee, so I put on sheer stockings in the same shade as my skin to ward off the evening chill, low heels, and lingerie as beautiful as the dress, also in shades of red, even though no one would see it. I styled my hair to the side, put on some jewelry I received during the annual parties and celebrations, and applied simple makeup with brown smoky eyes, pink lipstick, and a touch of perfume. In just a few minutes, I was ready. I checked myself in the mirror once more and then headed downstairs.

The sound of my high heels echoed through the house as I reached the stairs, drawing Ryan's attention to me.

"Shall we?" I spoke softly and calmly, catching his gaze.

He looked at me for a few seconds and said, "Change your clothes," then went back to looking at his phone as if nothing had happened.

"What's wrong with my outfit?" I walked over to the mirror, checking again to make sure nothing was amiss. "It was a gift from grandma; she's never seen me wearing it. Since we'll be separating soon, she won't see me wearing it again if not today."

There was sadness in my voice. It hurt to know I would never see Ryan's grandparents again, but I pressed my lips together and kept a blank expression. He couldn't know how much this all affected me.

"Okay..." he replied in a whisper, getting up. "It's late. Go with that outfit, but behave yourself."

I nodded, and we headed out to the car. The truth was, the outfit enhanced my beauty. And even though Ryan wasn't in a real marriage, he didn't like it when anyone coveted what was his. Especially his wife. That possessive air always hung over us.