The Affair

Chapter 16

Mark pulled his shirt over his head in one fluid motion, and Kendra felt it—like a punch to the chest. She had never seen him like this before, had never truly taken in the way his body was built beneath all those tailored suits and business casual attire.

His muscles were defined—broad, powerful shoulders that tapered down into a sculpted chest, each line of his abs perfectly carved, as if he were sculpted by the gods themselves. His skin was smooth, golden from the sun, and Kendra’s eyes shamelessly traced every ridge, every shadow created by the afternoon light.

Her mouth went dry.

She couldn’t stop staring.

Heat spread through her body, slow and insistent, coiling deep in her stomach and settling low—too low. She felt the pulse between her legs, a traitorous reaction that sent a flush up her neck.

This was wrong. She knew that. But knowing didn’t stop her body from reacting, didn’t stop her from squeezing her thighs together, as if that would do anything to chase away the growing ache inside her.

Maddie, who had been not so subtly ogling Mark as well, leaned over and whispered, “Jesus. No wonder your mom wants to keep him.”

Kendra shot her a glare, but it was half-hearted at best.

Mark, completely unaware of the chaos he was causing inside her, ran a hand through his hair and took a step toward the pool. The muscles in his arms flexed with the movement, and Kendra had to physically force herself to tear her gaze away before she did something reckless—like lick her lips.

But it was too late.

Mark caught her staring.

His sharp blue eyes locked onto hers, unreadable, intense.

Kendra’s breath hitched.

For a moment, neither of them moved. It was only a second—maybe less—but in that fleeting moment, an unspoken energy crackled between them. The same energy that had been building since that almost-kiss.

Then, as if snapping out of it, Mark exhaled and turned away, walking toward the deep end of the pool.

Kendra released a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

Maddie smirked. “Girl, you are so screwed.”

Kendra had no argument.

Mark and Kendra couldn’t help but steal glances at each other. It was subtle at first—quick flickers of their eyes when they thought the other wasn’t looking. But as the minutes passed, it became harder to ignore. Mark would catch himself watching the way the sun kissed Kendra’s skin, the way she stretched her arms over her head, causing her bikini top to shift slightly. And when he looked up, she was already staring, her lips parted slightly before she quickly looked away.

The tension between them was electric, humming beneath the surface like a live wire.

Mark was pulled from his thoughts when he overheard the boys in the pool whispering.

“Dude, we have to get her in the water.”

“She’s so hot, man.”

“I swear if she stands up, I’ll—”

“Shut up!” Ethan hissed, glaring at his friends.

Mark smirked, shaking his head. Typical teenage boys. He glanced at them, then back at Kendra, and an idea struck him. Leaning against the back of a chair, he crossed his arms and said smoothly, “You know, there’s a stash of water guns in the storage bin over there. Just saying.”

The boys’ eyes lit up. Ethan groaned. “Dude, really?”

“C’mon, Ethan,” one of his friends grinned, already making his way to the bin. “It’s a foolproof plan.”

Within moments, the ambush began. Kendra shrieked as the first blast of cold water hit her exposed skin.

“You little brats!” she laughed, shielding herself as another shot of water sprayed across her stomach. She arched her back instinctively, her body reacting to the chill, and Mark had to force himself to remain still, to not react to the sound of her breathless squeals.

Maddie dove under the lounge chair, using it as a shield while Kendra scrambled to grab Ethan. “Oh, you’re so dead,” she growled, grabbing her brother by the wrist and yanking him into the pool with a loud splash.

Mark chuckled, shaking his head. He should’ve known Kendra wouldn’t go down without a fight. But before he could even think about it, he moved without hesitation.

In one swift motion, he was out of the chair, striding toward Kendra. She barely had time to turn around before she felt his arms wrap around her waist, effortlessly hoisting her off the ground.

A surprised gasp escaped her lips. “Mark!”

She was thrown over his shoulder like she weighed nothing. His grip was firm, his hand locking around her thigh—a little too high on the inside.

Mark felt her tense. Heard the sharp inhale.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

His hand burned where it touched her bare skin, soft and smooth like velvet. He swallowed hard, his pulse hammering in his ears as Kendra’s body pressed against him.

Then, before she could protest, he jumped.

They hit the water with a splash, sinking beneath the surface.

Mark popped up first, shaking his hair back and taking in a deep breath, but the second he looked up, he regretted it.

Kendra emerged like something out of a dream.

Her dark hair slicked back, water trailing down her face, her chest rising and falling as she caught her breath. Beads of water clung to her skin, rolling over her collarbone, sliding between her curves, tracing down the dip between her breast.

Mark felt something deep in his stomach tighten.

He should’ve looked away.

But he couldn’t.

Kendra raised an eyebrow, making Mark’s control slip even more.

“Satisfied?” she teased, her voice laced with amusement, lips curving slightly.

Before he could respond, the boys cannonballed into the pool, sending a wave of water splashing over them both. Mark ran a hand down his face, shaking his head with a smirk, but before he could even think of a comeback, Rebecca’s voice rang out from inside the house.

“Kenny! Someone’s here for you!”

Kendra’s body tensed instantly when she looked towards the sliding glass door.

Mark saw her expression drop, her playful smirk vanishing in an instant.

“f**k,” she muttered under her breath before pushing herself out of the pool.

Mark followed her movement with narrowed eyes, his instincts kicking in as he watched her stomp toward the sliding glass door. She didn’t grab a towel, didn’t hesitate—just marched straight toward whoever was standing on the other side.

Mark pulled himself out of the water, grabbing the towel Rebecca handed him as he ran it over his face.

“Who’s that?” he asked, keeping his voice neutral.

Rebecca shrugged, glancing toward the doorway. “No idea.”

Just then, Maddie appeared beside him, a bowl of chips in hand as if she’d been waiting for this moment. She popped a chip into her mouth and sighed dramatically before answering.

“That’s Kendra’s ex, Jake.”

Mark’s grip on the towel tightened. Jake. His eyes immediately locked onto the young man standing in the doorway. Tall, fit, with a smug expression that already rubbed him the wrong way. His hands were tucked into the pockets of his jeans, his posture too casual, like he belonged here.

Mark didn’t like it. At all.

Jake barely got the chance to smile before Kendra’s palm connected with his cheek in a sharp, resounding slap. The sound echoed off the patio walls, causing the boys in the pool to whoop and burst into laughter.

Mark smirked despite himself, relieved that her reaction was anger instead of something else—something that would have made his stomach twist in a different way.

Jake winced, rubbing his reddening cheek. “Yeah, I deserve that.” He exhaled sharply, his cocky smirk faltering. “Listen, Kendra, I’m so sorry. I made a stupid mistake it was an accident—”

Kendra scoffed, crossing her arms tightly. “No, Jake. Forgetting someone’s birthday is an accident. Leaving your car windows down in the rain is an accident. What you did? That was a choice. You chose her over me.”

Jake’s jaw clenched at her words, but he didn’t give up. “I swear, Kendra, it didn’t mean anything. It was one night, a dumb, drunken—”

“Don’t,” she cut him off, her voice firm. “Do not stand here and try to downplay it like it wasn’t a conscious decision. You didn’t trip and fall into her bed, Jake.”

Mark’s smirk widened slightly. Damn right.

But Jake wasn’t done yet. He sighed, stepping closer, his hands raised in surrender. “Kendra, please. You know I love you.”

And then he did it. His fingers brushed the sensitive spot just below her jaw, right behind her ear—the spot Mark immediately noticed made Kendra’s breath hitch. Her body went rigid, her lips parting slightly as she sucked in a sharp breath.

Mark’s smirk disappeared. His jaw clenched so tightly it ached.

Jake knew exactly what he was doing. He tilted his head slightly, his voice dropping lower as he moved in closer. “Will you give me another chance?” He pouted his lips, his expression softening into something almost childlike. “Please, Kenny?”

Kendra rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the smirk playing on her lips.

Mark gripped the towel in his hands, white-knuckling it.

Jake grinned, taking her reaction as a win, and without hesitation, he leaned in—his lips pressing firmly against hers.

The boys in the pool groaned in disappointment.

Maddie, standing beside Mark, sighed dramatically, shaking her head. “You stupid bitch.”