Chapter 4.50
August
"Oh my God! August?" Etoile cried.
Instantly she dove into my arms, squealing. I laughed. It'd been so great to see my old friends again. I didn't know she was going to be here, too. I wondered if she worked for Wilder as well. "Hey, how's it going?"
She kissed my cheek then nuzzled into me. "I've missed you so much."
"Hey, me, too. It's been good to see everyone. What are you doing here?"
"I'm just down with Amber, having fun at Wilder's bash. Are you free?" Etoile asked.
I shook my head. "I'm on a date." I nodded over at Rune and he waved at her, twirling his fingers and pasting on a fake smile.
Suddenly, she waltzed over to him, wrapping her arm around him. "Rune, honey, can I ask a huge favor of you?"
"Etoile," I said, not believing she'd have the nerve to pull me away from him.
"August and I like go way back. I haven't seen him in seven years. Would you mind if I borrowed him for a little while?"
My face flushed hot and I couldn't take listening. What would Rune think? But I didn't want to stop her either because...damn...I'd forgotten how hot Etoile was and it had been a long time. I did want to catch up with her in a bad way.
After a while, she grabbed my hand and said, "Come on, sweetie. The night is ours."
"How'd you talk him into it?"
"Rune's been a friend for like many years. He'd do anything for me."
I chuckled. "You haven't changed."
"Of course not. Now let's grab a seat and get comfy. I want to hear all about what you've been doing."
We chatted at first, me telling her about Windenburg plus my cover and her saying that she'd still worked for the Fortners. This saddened me. I thought for sure she'd have gotten out of their grasp once Daniel died, but I guessed she's working for his father now.
After a while, Etoile was driving me crazy like she used to do in high school. It was like she had this spell over me I couldn't resist. I whispered in her ear, "You want to ditch and go back to my place?"
Next thing I knew we were in my penthouse, my hands wanting to take off her clothes and toss her in bed. I kissed her savagely and breathed, "Let's go upstairs and get you out of that damned dress."
But she wouldn't let me go long enough to move.
Then I heard a faint, "August?"
Like ice water being splashed in my face, I jerked my head to see Alex standing there with her mouth open. "What the fuck?" I whispered. "A-Alex? What are you doing here?"
"Don't you remember? I told you I might be able to get off for the week. I-I wanted to surprise you." Her voice broke on the last word as my heart melted. "I...um...got a key from your mom. She thought you'd be happy to see me."
Wrapping my arms around her, I said, "I am...God, I'm sorry, baby. I...I didn't know or I would have never..." Fuck. I hated myself at that moment. Etoile...what was I going to do?
As if on cue, Etoile said, "I see you're busy, August. It was...nice to catch up."
Then I heard her heels click the tile until the door shut.
Alex pushed me away from her and spun around.
Head aching, I said, "I'm so sorry, baby. Why didn't you tell me you were coming?" It was like I was watching someone else's life, living a nightmare.
Sniffing, she said, "I-I didn't think I had to. Like God, August...was she some whore you brought home? Are you that desperate?" Tears dripped down her face.
I gripped her arms. "But...we're dating other people, right? This shouldn't upset you."
Not looking at me with a face of disgust, she said, "I don't jump into the sack with anyone, August. Harmless dates are one thing...but I heard you. I mean...are you fucking everything in sight?"
Thoughts of Jake stabbed me and how close I'd come for them to meet. "I...I'm sorry, I didn't understand the terms, I guess. I just...you know, going without for months. I guess I'm too weak..." Those excuses sounded lame.
She shrugged out of my grasp as if my touch burned her. "This isn't going to work, August. I can't."
Blood rushing out of my body, I clung to her. "You're not thinking straight, Alex. We discussed this. We were allowed to date others and we'd see each other when we could. I didn't do anything wrong."
"I didn't mean fuck others. Dammit, August, I don't want to have sex with anyone but you. I mean, you couldn't wait a few months to see me?"
On my knees, I begged. I couldn't help it. When I was with Alex, it felt like I was finally home. She was worth fighting for. "I fucked up. I'm sorry. Please forgive me, Alex. I won't do that again. I promise."
Turning away from me, I heard her whimpering. Tears flooded my eyes. How could things go so horribly wrong? It was like everything was against me. I prayed she'd forgive me.
Next chapter on Friday, March 9th!
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