Page 31 of Eager Housewife

My blood freezes.

We both turn to find Ainsley staring at us in horror.

Shite.

15

BLYTHE

Disgusting. The word echoes in my head.

“I can explain.” I pull away, but Duncan doesn’t let go. He releases my skirt, and it falls back over my thighs, but he grabs my hand, locking our fingers together.

“Ainsley, what happened?” Duncan rumbles. “Why are you here?”

“Why am I home?” she explodes. “I came to meet your new girlfriend and instead find you’re assaulting my best friend!”

“It’s not—” I begin.

“Blythe is my wife,” Duncan cuts me off.

“Your what?” Ainsley turns to me, confusion and betrayal in her expression. “You two are married?” Her gaze flicks down to my left hand and her eyes go round as she sees my wedding ring and the huge diamond engagement ring.

“Yes,” I say with pathetic inadequacy.

“You got married without me?” Shaking her head in disbelief, her face crumples. “You’re my dad and my best friend, and you didn’t even tell me.”

My heart wrenches. Ainsley adopted me when I had no one, and was struggling at university. I owe her everything.

“You said you were in Scotland, and didn’t have a job, and I didn’t twig.” She laughs mirthlessly. “I’m an idiot. You must have had fun laughing at how stupid I am.”

“It wasn’t like that,” I insist. “We were worried about what you’d say.”

Ainsley’s expression darkens back to rage as she turns back to her dad. “To think I wanted to meet your girlfriend.” And despite her anger, I can hear how upset she is that we’ve kept this from her. “When did you get married? Actually, don’t answer that.”

I don’t respond, because the fact we got married so quickly is the worst part. We’ve been keeping this from her for a month. But Duncan murmurs the date of our wedding and Ainsley’s mouth falls open in shock as she looks at me.

“You’ve been sneaking around behind my back all this time.” Blood drains from her face. “Were you at it while you stayed with me?”

“It happened after you left.” Oh god this is a mess. “Not before, I promise.” I’m leaden. I feel awful. I want to sink into the floor. Duncan’s hand, warm and strong over mine, is the only thing preventing me.

“You screwed mydad… Is this for his money?”

“No.” The accusation spurs me into a passionate denial. I can’t let that stand. Money is the last thing my marriage is about, but I don’t think Ainsley will like that I had a sex deal with her father.

“Did you seduce?—?”

“I suggest you stop right there before you say something rude aboutmy wife,” Duncan interrupts her. His voice reminds me more clearly that he’s my older mafia boss husband who has a daughter my age. It’s deep and authoritative in a way that tells me I’m safe. I’m protected. He’ll always be on my side, and he’s the big bad.

“You lied to me!” The hurt is in every word she hurls at us.

Ainsley goes to run away, but Duncan stops her with a short, “Ainsley.”

The guilt that has been clawing at my insides since the beginning breaks through and tears prickle behind my eyes.

“I’m going to make us tea, and then we’re going to talk this through like adults in the lounge.”

He’s still a dad, I realise as Ainsley trails us into the kitchen. The contrast of the dark of night outside and the white light from the ceiling spots Duncan flicks on is almost painful to my eyes.