There was just no way my fingers could allow me to delete it. It was just so authentic. I was drawn to the character; the character I knew was becoming to resemble him.

After Pete had left, I continued to bleed life into the story producing the beginnings of a love affair between two people, completely dangerously in love and hopelessly attached in commitments of their own. A questionable resemblance I tried to doubt was where I had invested paragraphs into the protagonist's conflicting feelings, her struggle with overcoming that unhappiness that had held her captive, and dispersing when he appeared. I had the characters set in the city, neighbours within an apartment complex, incidentally coming into contact with each other within the lift shaft. The last eleven pages or so I had written through my episode of insomnia last night, were the middle parts of my story, something I undeniably felt wicked for writing after the thirst had appeared from that interaction with him.

I didn't know what I was trying to attempt. Was this actually going to be a story, or just my guilt wanting to speak of my tempatation? I wasn't sure but I was confident I didn't want to throw it away.

I decided to stop. I needed to. I was afraid of what I was investing into. Instead I opted to head onto my twitter, uploading my tweet and answering mentions I'd received. After all, sticking to Pete's advice was essential.

The door-bell rang. I got up, rolling down my sleeves of my baby blue jumper heading for downstairs. I was hoping it was the postman needing a signature for a parcel he couldn't just leave on the doorstep. Or maybe, Nick was finishing half hour early, instead of five, and he'd forgotten his keys. But that was a ridiculous suggestion knowing that I had saw him earlier, take his keys from the fruit bowl on the kitchen counter. The more I pleaded to myself hoping that the other soul stood on the opposite of the door was someone else, the more I knew I was kidding myself. It had to be him.

I held my breath. Exhaling then as I opened the door inwards revealing the desirable specimen I'd secretly hoped was there. He was smiling broadly, wearing blue basketball type shorts along with a black t-shirt and black trainers. I didn't know what to say as I stood there sheepishly glancing anywhere expect him. How was I supposed to take this? The man had flirted un-bashfully with me, and told me something I hadn't expected to flee his lips. I felt like a tomato, blushing red as I recalled those words aloud in my head. It was making me feel more anxious by the seconds.

"You should probably go," I meekly suggested, looking towards the grey granite step ahead of me.

"Ouch," he replied, mockingly holding his hand across his chest, fisting it into a ball grabbing the t-shirt's material along the way. "I wasn't expecting that. I'd only come to check up on you. Feeling any better?" he added, a growing devious smirk torturing my view once I dared to look up.

"I—I'm fine," I affirmed, clenching my fingertips onto the frame of the door, readying to shut it. "So..bye—" I began to move it until his foot stepped into the way preventing my ability to close the door. I was stunned.

"C'mon, you can't tell me you're not going to invite me in, Rose?" he said frowning a little as I bit the inner right side of my cheek.

"I don't think I should. You said and did something inappropriate. I'm a married woman, Shane," I objected, feeling less spite in myself at the courage I was taking to follow the right morals.

"Inappropriate in what context? Sure, inappropriate for a married woman but you aren't really, Rose. You're not married," he replied, shaking his head with that same calm and collected manner. He was making no sense.

"What---how does that make sense? Of course, I'm married. I have a ring on my finger." I held my left hand up illustrating my point.

"But you're not. You're unhappy, Rose. I know that," he said, wetting his bottom lip.

"No I'm not. And what do you know? You barely know me. You literally only moved in two days ago. This is nonsense—"

"---If it's nonsense, why did you let me touch you? If it was nonsense, you would have told your husband. He probably would have tried---but failed to leave a mark on my face and that would be that. But you didn't, Rose," he interjected softly, those eyes looking right into me. It was like they were looking through to my soul. It was as if they knew the truth. I didn't know what to say.

"L-l-look, I don't want this conversation. Just go," I stuttered, anxiously hoping he would take the cue but it was appearing to have the opposite effect. Shane didn't move,; he remained where he was. Then he decided to shift his feet giving me the opportunity to shut the door but I didn't. I froze. My eyes remained locked intensely with his.

Then he moved forward, stepping into the threshold of my house. I said nothing, feeling transfixed and unable to defy him access. I stepped back as he made two steps forward ignoring that nagging tone telling me to tell him to go. I tried to think of Nick but my mind wasn't having it. Instead, I allowed Shane to touch me, his fingers caressing my jawline as his eyes studied my startled deer-like eyes.

"You're thinking about it, Rose," he muttered, his huskiness creeping through, "you're picturing...what my lips against yours would feel like, aren't you?" he added, wetting his bottom lip gently as his hand cradled my chin in the palm of his hand. I didn't know what I was feeling. I was completely consumed in whatever was driving this insanity. The smell of his strong, spicy cologne burned my nostrils along with the scent of mint on the taste of his tongue. I was holding my breath squeezing my hands together knowing that throbbing sensation below was evidently aroused.

Slowly, he leaned in, still studying my eyes, as I believed then, he was aiming for my lips. Instead, he gently pressed his lips onto my cheek burning the mark like it had been touched by lava. I hadn't realised I stopped breathing until I let out a slight gasp.

Shane said not a word. He slowly pulled back, tasting his bottom lip once again until he turned and left. I didn't know what to do, think or be. It took me a moment before I closed the open door and then slid against it to my bottom. My knees were raised up to my chin as I tried to decipher what it had all meant. Why didn't I push him away? And that kiss on my cheek? It felt like a permanent imprint I couldn't seem to stop feeling. And why was I so flustered?

He couldn't be right. It was a lie. I was happy. I loved Nick.

***

Nick hollered as he came through the front door. "Hi, hun. I'm home. Where are you? In your study?"

"N-no, I'm in the conservatory," I called back, my head lopsided as I lay slouched on the sofa. I sat up a little or at least tried when Nick entered, his tie loosened and brief case in hand. "Hey honey, how was your day?" I asked, trying to convince myself that everything was normal, and that the guilt gnawing away at me wasn't prevalent.

"Eh, it was alright. Just busy as usual, babe. How about you? Any more writing done today? I got your text message that Pete was over. What did he say?" he said, dropping his case onto the floor, and sitting down beside me where I'd scooted over for him.

"No, not really," I lied, leaning my head onto his shoulder, "he just came to see how it was going. Told me not to worry and just try to relax. Said he'll check up on me in two weeks times to see if I've come up with anything."

"Ah, Pete knows what best. Just like what I told you. But hey, you've got some pages down. Who knows? Maybe, you'll get the spark to write tonight and continue it. Hey, if it's sex you're worrying about writing, I'm sure we could arrange something for further inspiration," he joked, kissing the top of my head and wrapping his arm across my shoulder, squeezing me into his torso.

I attempted a laugh but it probably sounded more forced than authentic. "You're such a fool," I playfully insulted, holding onto him, hoping that the silliness I've been feeling would disappear because I knew deep down, I loved this man. Just maybe not---No, I scolded to myself, refusing that thought to enter my mind.

"Hey, oh, I forgot to tell you yesterday at that heart-warming party. I invited Shane over for a meal tonight. I thought it would be nice to thank him for yesterday and officially get to know the guy more without interruption. I'll help you cook tonight if you want, babe," Nick said, unravelling his arm from me and standing up.

At those words leaving his mouth. I felt like the room was shrinking around me, making me feel smaller and smaller. Shane hadn't even said a word about this. But why would he? He's taunting and teasing me. He doesn't have to say anything. And Nick inviting him over? That's like the worse punishment. But how is to Nick to know. I don't want Nick to know. I don't want him to ever know. But know what? What is exactly going on is the question.

"What was you thinking then?" I mumbled, getting up and following Nick back into the kitchen.

"Some pasta dish or something. Or steak. I could pop up the local supermarket if need be," he offered, grabbing a glass and filing it with water from the sink tap.

"No, I'll think we will have a enough. I'll whip something up. W-what time is he supposed to be coming up?" I asked. I was hoping that I sounded normal, sounded like some loving wife who wasn't concerned that her neighbour was tempting her into something far beyond redemption.

"Er, I think I said seven. So, we have two hours or so. I'm gonna have a shower I think," Nick told me after he finished his glass of water.

"Okay," I replied, watching him as he headed down towards the hallway and towards the bottom of the stairs.

What was I going to do? The man was going to be here again, tonight. In a room where awkward laughter, chatter at least how it would feel for me. Him knowingly knowing that I know that whilst my oblivious husband hosts the get together. My whole life felt in ruins. I should have felt more depressed than before, but truthfully I was just anxious. I needed to sort myself out.

Dinner wouldn't take me long so knowing I had to correct my feelings, I chose to head upstairs heading for the bathroom. Nick was in there lathering soap in his hands as I entered the fog coming from the fresh hot water pumping down onto his naked back. I loved Nick I told myself as I slipped my top off, unhooked my bra all without his attention. It wasn't till he felt my body sliding beside him, that he smiled and pulled me under the jet of water.

"Hey hun," he said.

I tried a smile, disappointed that it was forced. "Help me?" I suggested, coyly picking up the body wash bottle.

"Gladly." He beamed, massaging his hands into me and working circular motions.

"I love you, you know that?" I said, feeling that it was more of a reassurance for myself than Nick.

"I love you too, Rose."

***

"So, that's what I said," Nick cackled, lifting his beer can up. He was sat at the head of the table,; me beside and Shane sat opposite me. It had only been twenty minutes and I was already feeling claustrophobic. Each time I dared to glance at Shane, his eyes were already there. Nor could I detest how I felt his foot sometimes nearing my feet under the table.

"That's a great story, Nick," Shane agreed, taking a sip from his own beer can, "and can I just say your wife makes great food. She has a great taste for food," he added, a sly smile bouncing onto his lips. I held my breath.

"Oh, I know. She's great. You should try her seafood surprise," Nick insisted, smiling as he squeezed my hand encouragingly.

"Oh, yeah, what's the surprise? Her?" Shane replied.

I coughed, quickly taking a drink of my glass of water beside my wine.

Nick wasn't aware, he just chuckled at Shane's inside joke, ignoring the fact that Shane was being serious.

"I like you Shane. You're a funny man. Say, I can see a good friendship blossoming here," Nick stated, picking up his beer can and swallowing a mouthful.

"Same. I think I'm going to like your hospitality quite a lot," Shane joked making Nick laugh in return, whilst all I could do was sit there and try to hold my sanity into one piece. 

THANK YOU FOR READING! IF YOU ENJOYED PLEASE VOTE, COMMENT AND SHARE! ALSO, DID YOU KNOW BOSS UNDERCOVER IS NOW OUT FOR PURCHASE AS EITHER PAPERBOOK OR KINDLE! BUY YOURS TODAY TO HELP SUPPORT ME AS A PUBLISHED AUTHOR! THANK YOU GUYS, YOU ARE HONESTLY AMAZING! ALSO, LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE ENJOYING THIS STORY SO FAR? 

VAMP