Szot, JC - The South Window (Siren Publishing Ménage and More) Read Free

You’ve been going there a lot lately.” Allie checked her expression. This was Tess’s fourth or fifth trip. It was a lengthy ride for one evening.
    “A night life. Sure beats staying here, taking a cold shower. But hey, I live rent-free, so everything has its price, right?” She pulled her dark, rich hair up, catching the breeze on the back of her neck. “You of all people should understand that.”
    “No one knows better than me,” Allie muttered.
    “See you, girl.” Tess accelerated, popped the clutch, and was gone. Allie watched her disappear into a tunnel of dust. Whatever was in Readington must be good if Tess was willing to travel that far.

    * * * *

    “I’ll be home, Al, but only for one night. They need me to go to Chicago.” Dan’s tone sounded regretful, but Allie couldn’t be sure if it was authentic.
    “Well, I’ll fix dinner, okay?” She reclined on the bed, gazing out the window at Marty’s house.
    “Sure, that’ll be fine. See you tomorrow.”
    Allie waited for Dan to hang up first. She always did. Why this was, she didn’t know. Maybe she thought she’d be able to hear some kind of incriminating background noise. She often questioned if he was having more fun than she was.

Chapter 3

    “Al, where’s my dark-gray suit?” Dan was rummaging through the closet, getting ready to leave after what felt like a two-hour stay. She slid out of bed, reached in front of him, and slid the hangers across the bar, producing the suit.
    “Hey, thanks.” He kissed her, his freshly shaven skin sliding against hers. “Are you all right?” He reached over, caressing her shoulder, his gray-blue eyes searching through her.
    “It feels like you just got here,” she sighed.
    “I know, babe, I’m sorry, but Jim’s wife is still on chemo, so I’ve got to step in.” He tilted her chin.
    When Allie wasn’t face-to-face with Dan, she had more nerve, but as he stood here in front of her, she withered like a dying flower. Allie tried to rejuvenate herself, soaking him up. His body smelled like fresh linen right off the line, his hair gelled back, falling into sandy-colored waves.
    “Don’t you ever miss me?” As soon as the words left her mouth, she regretted them.
    Dan shook his head. “How can you say that?” His eyes narrowed.
    “I’m sorry, really I am.” Allie raised a hand, attempting to soften the blow.
    “Listen, Al, I’m always busy, constantly under the gun. I’m not sitting around ruminating. Maybe you’re bored.” He took his suit over to the bed, slipping it into the garment bag.
    “It’s not like I don’t work.” Allie dropped into the chair in front of her dressing table. Dan tossed his shaving kit into his bag.
    “I know, Al, I mean something else…a hobby, maybe.” He came toward her. Allie stood up, slipping her arms around him.
    “When all this simmers down, we’ll take a trip, how’s that?” He peered down into her, softening her insides.
    Allie nodded, holding him close, breathing in his scent.
    “We’ll go wherever you want—Aruba, Mexico—hey, we’ll go to Italy if you want to, okay?” He cupped her face, his kiss soft.
    Over Dan’s shoulder, Allie saw Marty out the window, resting two pieces of lumber over a pair of workhorses. The loud shrill of an electric saw soared through the air. Dan released her, turning toward the window.
    “He seems like a decent guy. He sure knows how to maneuver that saw.”
    After dinner last night, while Dan was outside cleaning his car, which was a ritual before leaving for every business trip, Allie had seen him mosey across the lawn, extending his hand to Marty. The two of them spoke for awhile. While Allie was doing the dishes, she kept looking outside to see if Dan was still talking to Marty, her curiosity pulling her.
    “Well, I better get a move on so I’m not waiting to get my bags checked all day.” Dan turned and grabbed his jacket, slipped it on, then zipped up all his bags.
    Allie followed him