"Morning love," I heard Jackie mumble sleepily as I tiptoed back into the bedroom in the semi-darkness, my hair still damp from the shower.
I sat on the edge of the bed as I pulled on my uncomfortable black leather shoes. Fiona had made a comment about them looking scuffed yesterday, so I'd polished them last night, and now they shone in the dim morning light.
"Morning, sexy," I said, twisting around to kiss her. "Sorry I was trying not to wake you."
"Too late, I'm awake now," she said, sitting up and wrapping her arms around me. "My, you do look handsome in that suit."
"Thanks," I said, feeling her lips kissing my neck.
"Why don't you come back to bed for five minutes?" she asked, seductively wrapping her arms around my chest.
"It's a tempting offer, but I've got to get going," I lied, as I straightened my tie. The truth was that I was having so much wild, energetic sex with Fiona that I was exhausted when I got home.
"Oh, well, maybe later then. You haven't forgotten it's our anniversary, right?"
"Of course not."
"OK, well don't be late for our dinner tonight, alright?"
"I won't," I said, as I pecked her on the cheek then skipped down the stairs.
--
I'd continued my torrid affair with Fiona throughout the rest of May and into the beginning of June. At first, it had only been once a week, but now I was seeing her at least twice. It would have been more, if she'd let me. She was like a drug, and I just couldn't get enough. Sometimes it was just straight sex, but Fiona had a cruel, dominating streak and I'd often find myself kneeling on the floor trying to satisfy her demands, or with my hands bound behind my back begging her to let me cum. I'd never been into that kind of thing before, and I was surprised how arousing I found it.
It was the first time I'd cheated on anyone and I'd never really thought of myself as that kind of person, although perhaps that's what all cheaters thought of themselves. I kept telling myself the same story: that it was just meaningless sex, a harmless affair with a woman who'd be moving on soon. Of course, working for Fiona also made my job safe, and I reasoned that keeping my job would also be better for Jackie and me in the long run. Kidding myself that somehow that made it okay.
But as May turned into June, I had to admit to myself that Fiona had awakened something in me that I found immensely exciting. I've always been quite conservative, the kind of person who plays by the rules, who's first into the office and the last to leave. The kind of person who mentally vets everything he says just in case someone in earshot might find it offensive in some way. Perhaps it's that conventional side of me that made me good management material.
My relationship with Fiona had opened my eyes to a brave new world of sexual discovery. Although I often protested that she went too far, I couldn't deny the dangerous thrill of Fiona's games coupled with the ever-present danger of being caught cheating on my girlfriend. I guess that's what made Fiona's brazen behaviour so exciting. Of course, at that point I didn't realise just how dangerous it was getting.
--
"I'm just saying she has a certain reputation," Gwen insisted.
We were in the office chatting over the divider. Gwen had wanted to know if there was any news on the redundancies but of course, I didn't know that much and what little I did know I had to keep to myself. The subject of the restructuring had naturally lead onto Fiona, a subject on which Gwen had strong opinions, that she was only too keen to share.
"Look, I'm a big boy, Gwen. I mean I appreciate your concern but I can look after myself. I know what I'm doing."
"I know it's none of my business but..."
"Well you know, to be honest, it is none of your business," I snapped. Then leant back in my chair and sighed loudly when I saw her hurt expression.
"Sorry, I just feel a bit on edge today, alright?" I added. "Let me make you some tea."
As it was Friday, it was quiet in the office, most people choosing to work from home. But as I approached the kitchen I heard voices, one of them Fiona's and something made me stop and loiter just outside the doorway.
"Come on, it's just dinner," a smarmy voice I instantly recognised as Geoff's said encouragingly.
"I'm sorry, I really can't," Fiona replied, although to me her voice hinted that maybe she could be persuaded.
"Look, I'll be the perfect gentleman, no funny business; I won't even expect a goodnight kiss. I'll drop you straight back to your hotel afterwards," he chuckled.
"Well, in that case, it's definite 'no'," Fiona joked, and they both laughed.
"I'm just saying, you know, you must be a bit lonely here, and I thought it would be nice to show you around..." he continued, but I'd heard enough.
"Sorry, hope I'm not interrupting," I said as I barged in. Fiona was leaning back against the wall with Geoff, who was quite tall, looming over her, his hand resting against the wall next to her head.
"Not at all," Fiona said.
"Can I have quick word with Fiona please Geoff?"
"Sure, I have to get on anyway. Doesn't look good to be standing around chatting, I hear there's redundancies on the way," he quipped, grinning at me as he grabbed his tea and stalked out of the kitchen.