The Affair

Chapter 19

Rebecca shifted closer to Mark, running her fingers lightly over his arm. “You’re still tense,” she murmured, pressing a soft kiss to his shoulder.

Mark forced a small chuckle, shaking his head. “Just a long day.”

Rebecca hummed, her lips trailing up his neck. “Maybe I can help take your mind off things.”

Mark closed his eyes as she pressed her body against his, her hand sliding down his chest. Normally, he would have welcomed the distraction, let himself get lost in the moment. But tonight, his body felt stiff, his mind elsewhere.

Rebecca’s hand trailed lower, but Mark gently caught her wrist. “I’m just tired,” he said, his voice even. “Long day, like I said.”

Rebecca pulled back slightly, watching him with curiosity. “Mark… is something wrong?”

“No, of course not,” he said quickly, forcing a reassuring smile. “Just exhausted.”

She studied him for a moment before sighing and laying back down. “Alright,” she said softly, but the slight disappointment in her voice was unmistakable.

Mark turned onto his side, away from her, exhaling quietly. He knew Rebecca wasn’t convinced. Hell, he wasn’t convinced.

Because as much as he tried to tell himself it was just exhaustion, he knew the truth.

The reason he couldn’t be intimate with Rebecca…

Was because the only woman occupying his mind was her daughter.

Mark pushed down the guilt clawing at his chest as he turned back toward Rebecca, forcing his body to react the way it was supposed to. He kissed her deeply, letting instinct take over, hoping that if he just gave in, the thoughts consuming him would disappear.

Rebecca responded eagerly, her hands roaming over his body, but Mark had to fight to stay present. He focused on the feeling of her skin, the way she sighed into his mouth—but no matter how much he tried, his mind kept betraying him.

Kendra.

The way she looked earlier, glowing under the sun, her body dripping with water as she emerged from the pool, her lips curling into that smug smirk that drove him insane. The way she locked eyes with him, teasing him, knowing exactly what she was doing.

Mark clenched his jaw, his grip on Rebecca tightening as he tried to push the images away.

“Don’t wait up.” Kendra’s voice echoed in his head, sultry and playful. The wink. That damn wink.

His pulse quickened, and he realized he was dangerously close to slipping, to saying the wrong name, to letting his body betray him.

He shut his eyes tightly, swallowing hard as he forced himself to focus solely on Rebecca. On the moment. On anything other than the forbidden thoughts swirling in his head.

Minutes passed, and when it was finally over, Mark rolled onto his back, staring at the ceiling, his breathing heavy.

Rebecca sighed contently, curling up beside him. “See?” she whispered sleepily. “You just needed to relax.”

Mark let out a slow breath, reaching up to rub his face. “Yeah,” he muttered. “Relax.”

But as Rebecca drifted off beside him, Mark lay awake, staring at the dark ceiling, his guilt eating away at him.

Because no matter how hard he tried to fight it, no matter how much he told himself it was wrong…

The only name in his head was Kendra.

——————————-

The club was packed, the air thick with bass-heavy music and the scent of sweat, alcohol, and expensive perfume. Kendra and Maddie were in the center of the dance floor, moving to the beat, drinks in hand, their bodies swaying with the rhythm.

Kendra tossed her head back, her messily pinned-up hair barely staying in place as she let herself get lost in the moment. She wasn’t thinking about Jake. She wasn’t thinking about Mark. She was just here, in the pulsating glow of neon lights, feeling the burn of tequila warming her veins.

Maddie grabbed her hand, twirling her dramatically before pulling her in close. “Babe, we look so hot right now.”

Kendra laughed, clinking their glasses together before knocking back another shot. “Always.”

They danced, hips rolling, arms in the air, oblivious to the hungry stares from the men around them. Kendra barely acknowledged when someone tried to move in behind her—Maddie was quick to shove them away with a glare. “Not tonight, loser.”

They kept dancing, losing track of time, only stopping to grab another drink before returning to the floor. At one point, Maddie leaned in, smirking. “Okay, so, tell me… Are you actually considering taking Jake back? Or was that just drunk talk?”

Kendra made a face, swirling the last bit of liquor in her glass. “Hell no.”

Maddie grinned. “Good. Because I was this close to smacking you, dumbass.”

Kendra chuckled but then hesitated, her smirk fading slightly. The alcohol had loosened her lips, and she felt that familiar warmth of confession bubbling up inside her.

Maddie caught the change in her expression immediately. She narrowed her eyes. “Alright, what’s up?”

Kendra bit her bottom lip, debating whether or not to say it. But after everything they’d been through tonight, she couldn’t keep it in anymore.

She leaned in close, lips brushing against Maddie’s ear as she whispered, “I need to tell you something.”

Maddie pulled back, eyes flashing with intrigue. “Spill.”

Kendra exhaled sharply. “Remember the guy I made out with the night I landed? The one at the bar?”

Maddie nodded slowly, already looking suspicious. “Yeah…?”

Kendra bit her lip again, her stomach tightening as she finally said it out loud.

“It was Mark.”

Maddie froze.

For a moment, she didn’t react—just blinked, as if trying to process the words. Then, in typical Maddie fashion, she nearly choked on her drink, slamming it onto the bar. “b***h, what?!”

Kendra winced, grabbing Maddie’s wrist. “Shhh! Not so loud!”

Maddie’s mouth fell open. “Are you—are you serious right now? Rebecca’s Mark? Your future stepdad Mark?”

Kendra groaned, covering her face with both hands. “Yes, that Mark.”

Maddie let out a loud, dramatic gasp before bursting into laughter. “Oh my God. You’re living in a damn telenovela right now.”

Kendra shook her head, but she couldn’t help the small, guilty smile tugging at her lips. “I know. It’s so messed up.”

Maddie leaned in, eyes gleaming. “Okay, hold up. You made out with him. Like… full-on?”

Kendra nodded, her cheeks burning. “Like… full-on.”

Maddie gaped at her. “And he didn’t know who you were?”

Kendra shook her head. “No idea. Not until my mom introduced us the next morning.”

Maddie slapped the bar, cackling. “This is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

Kendra groaned again, shoving her shoulder. “You’re a terrible best friend.”

Maddie wiped away fake tears of joy. “No, babe, I’m the best best friend, because I live for this kind of drama.” She took another shot, then leaned in. “So, tell me the truth. Do you still feel something when you look at him?”

Kendra hesitated, staring down at her drink, the ice clinking against the glass. Her heart pounded in her chest as she thought about his eyes, the way they lingered on her tonight. The way his hands felt on her skin when he threw her into the pool.

Slowly, she met Maddie’s gaze and gave the only answer she could.

“Yeah.”