Page 12 of Tainted Obsession 1

It was just a dream,I reason. It isn’t as though I’ve been unfaithful.

Still, guilt gnaws at my gut, chasing away the last of the strange heat that’d filled my belly.

Chapter 7

Evelyn

Ifinally take the last sip of the beer that I’ve been nursing for over an hour. Even though George is just at the other end of the bar, I’m still too jumpy to allow myself to get tipsy.

He’s networking with his colleagues, so I’ll give him space. I’m just grateful to be out of the apartment. My social awkwardness keeps me somewhat apart from the people around me, but at least I’m not completely isolated.

I’m accustomed to being an outsider, a quiet observer. I’ve never quite fit in anywhere—George is the only person who’s ever really understood and accepted me. He’s the only man who’s bothered to break through the protective walls around my heart and earn my trust.

He’s distant at the moment while he focuses on his career, but he’s devoted to work for both of us, for the future he’s planned.

I try to dispel the worst of the tension from my shoulders. To prevent myself from picking at the label on my beer bottle, I set it down on the bar behind me and focus my attention on Sara. The vibrant, chatty woman is married to one of George’s coworkers. She gushes on about her steamy love life, completelyoblivious to my distraction. I smile and manage a giggle at an appropriate time in her salacious story.

In truth, I’m deeply uncomfortable with the topic of conversation. My sex life with George is private. He won’t appreciate it if I casually gossip about him.

“So, what about you?” she asks, eyes twinkling as they flick to George and back to me. “Is your fiancé keeping yousatisfied?” Her blond curls sway around her flushed cheeks as she lets out a conspiratorial laugh. “He always seems so uptight. Is he a total control freak in the bedroom too?”

Heat floods my entire body; I’m sure even my ears have gone pink with embarrassment.

The memory of my illicit dream rises, unbidden. For a moment, I remember the caress of sensual lips on mine and the ache between my legs. I hadn’t been able to move; all I’d been able to do was submit to his scorching kiss.

I’m no longer sure if the sizzling heat in my veins is entirely from embarrassment over Sara’s inappropriate question.

“George and I are very happy together,” I hedge. “Sorry, I’ll be right back.”

I wave in the direction of the restrooms and quickly make my escape before she can ask more sordid questions.

It doesn’t matter that the fiery passion Sara described is utterly foreign to me. The stability and trust I have with George are far more precious to me than orgasms. I don’t need to one-up her stories to prove my love for my fiancé.

I edge around the small crowd of people swaying and twirling to the beat of vibrant Latin music. The bar is a bit raucous, but I enjoy observing the smiling revelers. I wish I had my camera with me to capture the moment, but I don’t dare so much as snap a shot with my phone.

George wouldn’t approve.

“Hello, beautiful.”

I jolt at the proximity of the masculine voice behind me. I whirl, ensuring my back is to the wall this time; no one will sneak up on me again.

I shake my head at the dark-haired man with the bushy black beard, arranging my features in a carefully pleasant expression.

“I’m sorry,” I reply in English. “I’m here with my fiancé.”

If he thinks I’m a tourist who doesn’t speak Spanish, he might leave me alone.

“You’re American?” He beams at me as he replies in English, and my stomach sinks. “I love your accent. Have a drink with me.”

He offers me one of the two bottles of beer he’s holding.

I take half a step back, shaking my head again. “I really can’t, but thanks, anyway.”

Maybe he didn’t understand the part about my fiancé. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and politely extricate myself from the awkward situation. I don’t want to cause a scene and distract George, not when he’s working so hard to secure his promotion.

The man mirrors my step.

“I bought this for you,” he insists, offering me the beer again. “Come on, just one drink.”