PRE-WARNING. MILD/ FAIRLY MATURE SCENES

I was exhausted. Physically. Against the steep rocky terrains, my trainers felt like they were burning tire tracks. We'd been walking through the small town for about an hour tops, scattering through the tiny shops and exploring some of the historic settlements. I had to stop as I leaned on a metal, slightly ageing fence standing proud before some old Church Abbey. Bits of moss brushed onto my grey jacket as I leaned my elbow down.

"I just...need," I said, heaving another mouthful of air. "A break." I swallowed as I wiped the damp sweat from my brow feeling just about to ready flop onto a bed and fall asleep. Shane chuckled lightly as he planted both hands on his hips. He wasn't a bit out of breath and it was no wonder from his athletic physique. I was pretty darn sure he could run a marathon if he wanted to right now and he'd wouldn't even be swallowing air like a goldfish, like I was currently doing.

"It's just around the corner, I swear," he encouraged me, spreading his fingers out to gesture me to take. I clasped his open hand trying to move along with his long strides as we passed the small terraced, coastal houses each side of us. I wasn't therefore surprised when the coast came into view with its lapping tidal waves.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Shane said, his eyes searching the horizon as I dared to glance at him. You're beautiful, I almost said aloud, finding the happiness etched in his facial features a charm to my heart. We didn't stand in the spot for long as we were soon heading for the metal black stairs that led down towards the sandy beach.

It was still a little chilly, and the weather hadn't brightened but it wasn't raining so that was a bonus. I found more warmth when I held Shane's hand. From the few people scattered along the beach; the man throwing a stick to his dog, the odd couples, some elderly and some young, we looked like any other couple. Nobody knew. No one could come up to me and accuse me of cheating. They didn't know my life story. For all they knew, I was just together with Shane. It felt...oddly refreshing. But, I couldn't excuse the level of moral culpability wrenching a invisible knife into the pits of my stomach. That was the truth. I am the only one who knows. And suddenly I felt more lonely than possible. For that moment, I wanted those oblivious people upon the beach to know, I wanted them to shout and shake their heads in disagreement because then it would stop the emerging happiness I felt when I was alone with Shane.

"I love coming here," Shane commented, bringing my attention back down towards earth as I watched him kick his shoes into the greyish sand. I linked my arm through his, feeling at ease again as I listened to him speak dragging my concentration purely to him. "I used to come here as a child. We'd owned a cabin just like the one I rent, and we'd come down a few weeks in the summer. My sister and I would build sandcastles, eat ice cream and get up to mischief."

"You have a sister?" I asked, stepping over the wet, tangled mess of brown seaweed in the sand.

"Yes. Her name is Veronica. She's twenty one. I'm four years older. Lucky for her, she doesn't have to worry about getting too much involved in the family business," he replied, "she's at University studying fashion. And do you have siblings?"

I shook my head. "No, I'm an only child. My parents struggled so they were just grateful to conceive me. It was too much stress for them to reconsider trying again. Sometimes, I've always wondered what it would be like to have a brother or sister," I said, mindfully aware we were stepping into personal boundaries, perhaps digging deeper into our pasts and family.

We were walking in line to the tide. It wet sand full of sea shells, the odd stick and tangles of sea weed washing up the shore. "So, what made you want to become a writer?" Shane asked. I bit down my lip thumbing on that question.

"Erm, it just...well, it just happened. I mean we're human. We create art to express ourselves. I-I do the same even if scholars question romance and label it as trash literature," I explained, shrugging my shoulders gently.

"Why romance?"

I blushed. "Well, why not? Why do some people write about sport, politics or fashion?"

"Touché." He smirked, as we sat down on a large rock, surrounded by small pools of water. I leaned my head on his shoulder watching the waves roll in and out from the shore. It was calming hearing the gentle water slide up softly and drain into the sand. It was just as calm being here with him, I thought. I couldn't help imagining if I were single, or instead of Nick, I was married to Shane. Instead, I'd married him. We'd been together for five years, madly in love and we'd take daily trips to this coast just like Shane would do when he was child. I knew his parents, they knew mine and we were committed to each other like glue. But then, I saddened at that thought knowing I didn't truly mean that. Even if things between myself and Nick were in ruins, I couldn't imagine no one else replacing what we had, what we shared and who I met down the end of the wedding aisle. If things between myself and Shane were to become real, say I did divorce, I wanted what we shared to be new. I didn't want to replace Nick, not like that.

It was as if Shane had read my mind. "Would you divorce him for me?" he asked gently, causing me to naturally stir and lift my head slowly off his shoulder. I swallowed looking to the sand below me before I began to kick the back of my shoe into the rock. "If I asked you. If things between us were getting real. Would you?" he added, trying his best to encourage an answer from me.

"I-I...haven't given thought to that yet. Can we not speak about this. Just not yet," I meekly declared, biting my inner right cheek as I looked elsewhere but those intense eyes that I knew were locked on me. He didn't respond. Instead, he cleared his throat and we remained both silent, presumably he was looking out into the sea as was I, wishing I could at that moment, sail away from the dilemma I had invested into.

"Shall we grab a bite to eat?" he asked me, after some short while. I nodded, slipping off the rock and clasping his warm hand as we made our way back.

I was glad he didn't mention it any further. It broke my heart a little knowing I couldn't give him a confident answer but at this point, this crazy part in my marriage, I wasn't sure myself. But I knew, deep down, I had thought that there was a possibility that I could if I wanted, if I really chose to leave Nick. Yet, I wouldn't disclose that to Shane. I was still getting to know him and understanding my situation.

We'd made it after a long, steep trek up the stairs back onto mainland. Shane opted we go to the small café he knew of where they served tasty sandwiches and hot beverages. Its décor was just as I expected for a seaside café; light blue walls with hanging painted pictures of the beach, the odd seagull and sea shells manipulated into and as part of the wall features. There was a few people dotted about, reading books or newspapers, and which I suspected were here because of the warmth in contrast to outside.

I slipped my jacket off as I sat on the two seater table. Shane went up to the counter to order us sandwiches and drinks. It was really pleasant in here.

"Andrea?" I heard an aged voice speak, presumably addressing my attention for the second time as they gently tapped my shoulder. I turned, a light smile on my lips as I shook my head. "No, I think you must have me confused for someone else," I politely said.

The person who addressed me, was an elderly woman with pearl earrings in her lobes, soft tight grey curls and was wearing a large green jacket. She apologised. "I do apologise, petal. You just reminded me of someone. They used to always come here often. Your...face, though. It just looks so familiar to hers. She had brown hair and she'd always be wearing red lipstick, oh," she piped up, tapping her finger on her temple. "What was it called? Oh, yes, red dragon! She told me when I asked her. It was such a beautiful lipstick," she said.

I offered a warm smile. "Well, she sounds very nice."

"She was. I've often wondered where she is. She used to come with a gentleman who I reme---" Her words were cut off as someone who just opened the café door beckoned her. It must have been her husband from the grey whispers of hair peaking from under his blue cap.

"C'mon, love. We need to get back before the tv programme starts," he told her. She rolled her eyes gently as she wavered her hand about. "Alright, alright. I'm coming Ed," she replied hastily, before apologising to me. "It was lovely to meet you. I'm Doreen."

"Rose."

Then she smiled before she swept off, hobbling a little as she went out the door. Just as she left, Shane returned holding a tray with two plates and large mugs steaming with the smell of hot chocolate.

"You okay?" he asked, sitting down opposite me.

"Yeah," I responded, smiling as I thought of the sweet lady. "I was just speaking to some nice, old lady. She thought I was someone else." I shrugged my shoulders before thanking Shane as he passed me my hot chocolate.

"Funny. Although, in small communities, they tend to remember faces," Shane said, taking a bite from his sandwich.

***

It was later in the evening, we'd gotten back about an hour ago after exploring the town some more before returning to the cabin. I was unpacking my laptop from my suitcase, before I moved into the living room where Shane was stoking the fire, making sure it was burning still from the logs alit.

"I think you might be right," I said, feeling confidence surge through my veins. I presumed it was because I was feeling more relaxed. The day had been a circus of feelings, but I couldn't deny it hadn't been a good one.

"And why's that?"

I propped my laptop onto the wooden coffee table. "Because, I instantly have the yearn to write," I announced, a smile broadening as I sat down and opened the lid of the laptop. "But, that means it's also your fault if I'm stuck typing all night," I teased, feeling a little flirtatious. The end of his lips curled as he stood up and headed towards me. I bit my bottom lip feeling his heated gaze work all over me.

"Now, that might be a problem," he muttered coolly, leaning down into me and then gently kissing my lips. He pulled slowly back, his eyes flickering between mine. "But I'll behave...just for now," he added, making my skin prickle with delight.

I wet my bottom lip. I didn't want him to behave. I wanted him now. And that's where my first move came into play, as I pulled his face towards me and smashed my lips aggressively against his. A growl leaped at the back of throat as he collapsed down onto the sofa and I climbed on top of him, massaging my fingers through his hair and kissing those lips with urgency.

His hands slid up my back, running them up and down before I felt them slide under my t-shirt and towards the clasp of my bra. With ease, he unclasped even we kissed like our lives depended on it. I felt the air on my breasts as my top was worked off my head, before being instantly replaced by his lips, and then his hands squeezing them like he was kneading bread. I gasped, grinding my body against him, wanting more.

And then my phone rang. BRRR. BRRR.

His lips that were teasing in between my breasts, paused as I did. I licked my bottom lip, reaching for my phone in my back trouser pocket. "I thought you said you couldn't get reception here," I playfully said.

"Sometimes." He shrugged his shoulders.

My smile was replaced with utter concern however, as I read the caller ID. Nick. I quickly hopped off Shane's lap, and grabbed my t-shirt, throwing it over my head as I mouthed a word of apology to Shane before hurrying towards the master bedroom. I had to answer this.

Sliding the button to answer, I held my breath. What if Nick knew? What if he was outside watching me?

"Hey hun," I heard him cheerily say. I exhaled a little.

"Nick," I said a little too breathlessly, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Everything okay?" he chuckled, "you haven't been lifting those boxes in the attic, have you?"

"No, no," I defended myself, trying a laugh but it sounded more anxious. "What's up, honey?"

"Nothing much. I was just checking up on you. I'm checked in my hotel now. Been a long day. My eyes are tired from looking at computers all day and my voice feels knackered from talking so I'm just glad I can hear your voice. God, I wish I was home with you now," he said, starting that train of guilt again.

"Me too," I replied, but I wasn't sure if that was the truth or a lie.

"Oh," he piped up, "you know I was thinking...--" His voice sounded a little playful on the other end of the line. "One of the lads at work. They let me into a little secret that him and his wife like to get up to. You know? When the other is away?"

"What's that?"

"Phone sex."

I blinked, gripped the phone tightly as I remained stunned.

"Rose?"

"Y-yeah, I'm here," I croaked.

"So? How about it?" he suggested.

"I don't know, Nick. Isn't that a little...weird?" I replied, hoping it would dissuade him from it.

"Nah. People do it all the time. Besides, it will be fun," he objected.

"What now?"

"Yes."

I blinked. "Nick, I don't think now is a good time. I'm...writing and you know how that is," I lied, knowing that was far from the truth.

"And? That's the perfect inspiration for your writing. Add a cheeky scene like that?" he insisted. I clenched my eyes knowing I couldn't really dodge my way out of this without raising suspicious. I bit my tongue several times as I toyed in my mind how I would do this.

"Rose," he sang, laughing a little, "C'mon, I know you're thinking of it...you want me inside of you, don't you?"

"Yes," I found myself saying.

"You do, don't you?"

"Yes... yes," I played along, raising my tone. I forced a moan from my lips, frowning at myself as I heard Nick on the other end groan. I could tell he was playing with himself.

Nick continued in my ear, trying to seduce me. I forced myself to play along, wincing at how fake I sounded. What I didn't expect was seeing Shane. He quietly entered the room. He must have heard me. I felt so embarrassed, but he didn't seem at all bothered.

Instead, he played along too. I watched intensely as his hands undid my trousers, and he gently slid them down. I blocked out Nick's moans as I felt Shane's fingers glide towards my knickers before tugging them down. I was unaware I was panting until I heard Nick's voice in my ear.

"You're touching yourself, aren't you?"

I bit my lip before moaning as I felt his finger slide inside of me. Nick's voice chanted in my ear as I tried to hold myself still, hold the phone still as I lay back on the bed. My free hand gripped the bedding sheets. 

I didn't know what was weirder. Hearing my husband masturbate on the other end while I'm literally held captive under Shane's touch, or the arousal from it all. 

THANK YOU FOR READING! OH! THE IDEAS HIDDEN UNDER MY SLEEVE FOR THIS BOOK! HE-HE! I WOULD LOVE TO TELL.  PERHAPS I SHOULD CHANGE THE BOOK'S GENRE TO SOMETHING ELSE? IS THAT A CLUE? BUT I DON'T WANT TO SPOIL THE FUN, YET! IF YOU ENJOYED READING HOWEVER, PLEASE VOTE, COMMENT AND SHARE!

VAMP