Read Online Come Undone by Jessica Hawkins - Free Book Online Page A

recalled
Bill mentioning it.
    He
shifted forward in his chair and opened his mouth to speak, then closed it and
pinched his bottom lip. Finally, he spoke. “I am very,” he paused to clear his
throat, “attracted to you.”
    I
stammered for a response to his bluntness. It made me wildly uneasy, but it
also intensified my growing desire to taste him. “Listen,” I started. “I’m
married. I’m not sure what you’re saying.”
    “I
understand.”
    I
waited for him to continue, but when he didn’t, I said, “And I love Bill.” He
sat back at the mention of Bill’s name.
    “Of
course you do. You’ve never had an extramarital affair?” he asked.
    My
jaw dropped. “No,” I said incredulously. “Not extramarital or otherwise,” I added with a slight hiss. “I’ve never
so much as fantasized about another man since we met or even thought - I mean,
I love my husband, and of course I never considered . . . Until,” I paused,
realizing that I was rambling. “Until nothing,” I concluded, looking away. “And
certainly not for a roll in the hay at some bachelor pad.”
    “Where
do you get that? Never in my life have I referred to my place as a ‘bachelor
pad.’” He looked disgusted as he shifted into the back of his chair. An obvious
change befell his demeanor. His eyes darkened as he crossed his arms tightly
over his chest, flashing a glint of his silver watch. From the look on his
face, I wondered if anyone had ever turned him down at all.
    “I
feel this . . . I don’t know how to describe it. Don’t you . . . I think this
is worth exploring. No,” he shook his head. “That came out wrong.”
    But
I’d already latched onto the word. “Exploring? And what exactly does ‘exploring’
entail? Don’t answer that - I can only imagine. And after you’ve finished your
‘exploration,’ I’m supposed to go home to my husband and pretend nothing
happened?”
    “What
I meant - ”
    “I’m
not some notch in the bedpost, David. Marriage does not mean a challenge; it
means I’m completely and totally unavailable.” I waited. “Sorry if that spoils
your plans for the evening,” I continued when he didn’t respond. He glared at
me from across the table, shook his head and looked away. My hands balled into
fists in my lap and my temper began to flare, strengthened by the fact that he
appeared to be losing interest in our conversation. He recognizes that this is a losing battle , I thought smugly. Time to move on – maybe to the
waitress? He simply sat there unresponsive and his indifference provoked
me.
    “Also,
I don’t appreciate what you’re suggesting. And if Bill knew, well,” I snorted
softly. He’d do nothing, I thought
before I could stop myself. A look of anger flickered across his face, and I
wondered again if he’d ever been rejected. The thought propelled me and I
continued, waving my hand emphatically. “This city is littered with available
women – single and married
– who’d happily go home with you tonight. You shouldn’t have any problem
finding someone - ”
    He
slammed is fist on the table, causing me to jump. “I don’t want someone !” he bellowed, causing the other
patrons in the bar to look over at us. Lowering his voice, he hissed, “I’m not
what you think!”
    My
heart raced from his unexpected reaction, and I was overcome with alien
emotions. What is he saying? Is this part
of the act? I grasped for my purse, clumsily unlatching it with unsteady
hands.
    “Olivia,
wait,” he pleaded, but I threw down a bill and was on my feet in an instant. I
headed for the door, picking up my pace when his chair screeched against the
floor. In my heels, or otherwise, I suspected, I was no match for his long gait,
and he was upon me in seconds. As I reached the base of the stairs, he, not
gently, grasped my upper arm and whirled me toward him. “Please,” he said under
his breath. “Don’t go.”
    I
could have melted then and there at the intensity of his glare. I could