“Julie, why are you trying to take the blame here when it’s clearly mine? It makes little sense, love.” Michael turned his phone off and put it down. He took hers and repeated the action. Then before she could do more than protest, his taking her phone. “No. I think it’s time these disappeared. We’ll deal with this now.” He pulled her into his lap and used his arms to hold her and keep her close. “You aren’t at fault in this. You’ve consistently portrayed me as a decent person to others. Though I haven’t done the same for you. You never stopped caring, no matter how horrible I or anyone else was to you. I judged you solely based on your appearance and my preconceived notions about women. I overlooked what was right in front of me, prioritizing the opinions of others. You endured not only that, but also everything else people threw at you. I’m the one that used your generosity to prevent you from dating selfishly all while I paraded my lovers in front of you. Hell, you planned my weddin
Leon received a call from the rehab centre finally almost two weeks into her stay. They were finally ready to involve him in her recovery. Leon wasn’t sure exactly how he’d be involved, but he’d wanted to know how she was doing. He questioned the extent of the drug used on her personality versus her genuine self. They set up a meeting time. Leon hadn’t expected the meeting to take over three hours. The doctor needed to talk to him before Leon could meet Aria in a supervised area. For her improvement, Leon would agree to anything. He kept reliving seeing her desperately tearing at her closet and purse, searching for the tiny bottle of pills. When he arrived at the rehab centre, the next afternoon after lunch, Leon found himself led into the spacious office of Aria’s doctor. “Mr. Opus. Thank you for coming so promptly.” The doctor stood to greet Leon with a firm handshake. “Doctor.” Leon approached the doctor with caution,
Julie sat up in bed while Michael returned from completing his nightly routine and she had to admit he never had to worry about his appearance. His body rippled with toned perfection in every way possible. She loved just watching him casually, going about his day. These were the times she could forget how poorly he’d acted earlier. Now Julie’s thoughts wandered back to the changes in Michael’s behaviour. Would they continue and could she forgive and forget the past? To her, she felt like she was with someone new, and they were bonding. When Michael heard her analysis of his past, she feared any connection they’d made disappeared with his feeling of hurt. Her fears never came to pass. Instead, he did something she’d not expected and held her. Just held her, leaving several kisses on her temple and sat there with her on his lap. Michael said nothing for the longest time. Julie was unsure about pushing him to share his thoughts. To her, Julie felt if this was any
“Then get those nipples throbbing and needy. I want you mindlessly enjoying it as I fuck your body senseless tonight.” Michael said what he wanted from her. His words only increased his desire as his eyes hungrily took in her curvaceous body. His finger slowly teased her clit as the head of his cock rested at her entrance. Julie could feel her body readying itself for his cock invading her. He moaned in her ear softly when he could no longer hold back his urge to thrust. But he still didn’t enter her. Michael realigned his cock head with her entrance while he watched her tease her breasts and he gently touched her clit with the tip of a finger, holding her nether lips wide at the same time. “So perfect.” Michael buried his nose in her shoulder and hair. She could hear his words and heavy breathing, but Michael wasn’t in a hurry tonight. “Michael, oh god. I swear I feel an ache down there for your cock in me. Spreading me open like that it makes me want to cum.
“Good morning, Stephen. To what do I owe this early morning call?” Julie’s day would go downhill if her morning routine ended up interrupted. In the last month, it’d changed so much with Michael’s interest in her changing as it had. He’d returned to work again in his office, so she finally had time for herself. It evoked a blend of positive and negative emotions. She still struggled to get her writing ready for Mike, her editor, to work his magic with it. The idea of what she would do with her novel once Mike completed it caused her to wrestle internally. Michael may assume her publisher would retract their decision, but she’d heard nothing after the meeting and the few words online. “Julie, I know you, and I wanted to check in with you. Please inform me if you need anything or have any good news to share.” “I’ll survive if that’s what you mean, Stephen.” “How is that husband of yours?” “He’s fine, as far as
“Leon, you came.” Aria didn’t sound like herself. Or she didn’t sound like the woman Leon associated with that name. Her demeanour had changed completely. She now appeared calm and relaxed. It’s a side of her he had never seen. Before, she’d been full of life, flying from one interest to the next as she tried to satisfy a desperate need for something she didn’t understand or could name. She’d push herself and others all the way until everything and everyone collapsed under the strain. Removing one small, unnecessary pill from her life made a remarkable difference that he could only marvel at. He’d wished he’d seen this earlier. “Yeah, why wouldn’t I come? I told you I wasn’t going anywhere.” Aria appeared speechless. He couldn’t believe it. She believed he’d dumped her here and walked away. “I don’t know what I expected, really. But thank you.” Leon knew he’d need to adapt too a lot. Not only was she calm and relaxed, but she thanked him. For what
“Are you ready, Julie?” An hour ago, Michael returned home from work. He occupied himself in the condo until dinner. Julie found he’d changed his habits in yet another way. Tonight, he’d called her and left a message telling her to wear her green evening dress and be ready to go out this evening. They’d received an invitation to a party hosted by one of Michael’s friends at the country club. Julie couldn’t decide whether to call Michael and cancel their plans. She was uncertain about what to expect after her recent visit to the country club. “Michael, I’m ready, but I’m not sure this is a clever idea. They don’t like me there. You know that. I’ll just embarrass both of us.” Michael looked at her. “Julie, we must be there tonight, together. I know you hate surprises. But this is one, and you’ll have to accept it at face value.” She knew she’d have to suck it up and do this. She could see Michael wouldn’t budge. “Fine, then
“I’m sorry I’ve written four full-length novels and am writing a fifth right now. So please tell me the title of which novel you’re speaking of, and specifically which character do you believe is you?” Julie knew this would happen, eventually. Someone would express how unhappy they were with the belief Julie wrote a character about them, and it would shine a light on their behaviour. “You won’t deny writing about us?” Valorie’s disbelief positively dripped from her words. Julie couldn’t believe they expected her to fall for something so stupid. She mentioned it to Aria, and possibly mentioned it to Lizzi, but it was a casual remark if she did. Julie couldn’t recall mentioning it to Valorie, but it didn’t matter. Instead, Julie turned Valorie’s words back on her with her own pointed message. “I think my writing reflects more on your guilty conscience and my ability to write relatable characters; don’t you think? So, will you admit you’re embarrassed that it mig