Purchasing My Husband's Mistress

Chapter Eleven: A Stranger Emerges

Two days later, while Bianca was grocery shopping at the grocery store, she happened to knock over a small display of canned fruit. A can of fruit that started a whole chain of events that led to one of the best and worst nights of her life.

“Crap! What a clutch I am.”

Wanting to instinctively run and hide, she looked around, completely mortified, and hoped that no one had seen her. One could only hope. However, luck wasn’t on her side that day. Just as she bent down to pick up the cans, she noticed a young man who had also stopped what he was doing in order to help her.

She stared at him for a brief moment. Most people were not so kind. Unless, maybe she knew him. She couldn’t get a good look at his face be she was turned away from her.

"Thank you," Bianca said. "I can be so clumsy sometimes," she stated as she looked up and met eyes with him at las.

She didn’t know him. Never once had she laid eyes upon him. He was a good-looking guy, probably in his early 20s with blonde hair and brown eyes. Nothing to shy away from, except that he now saw her clumsiness.

"I'm Austin," he extended his hand to greet her firmly.

"Bianca," she stated in a friendly manner. "You must not be from around here; I don't recall ever seeing you," she replied as a typical local to the town would have.

Ugh. How dumb he must think I am. Why did I say that? Bianca immediately regretted her last statement.

Although, in her defense, York Beach was a hit tourist spot in the summertime. This time of year, it was normally just the locals around. So it was easy to spot a transplant. Still, she realized how small town she sounded.

"I just moved here 4 months ago," he explained as he squinted his eyes to her.

He was impressed with her perception. He was also impressed with how drop dead gorgeous this petite little beauty was! She was easily the most beautiful girl he had seen in years. He could overlook her clumsiness!

God. He is eyeing me. What could that mean? Maybe he thinks I’m rude. Rise and clumsy.

"And...what do you think," she asked?"

“Excuse me,” he questioned her question with his own? He was caught off guard.

What do I think, she wants to know. I think she will be mine. She doesn’t even know it yet.

Bianca raised her eyebrows for a response but he clearly wasn’t picking up what she was asking.

“Maine? This time of year it is quite cold. But during the summer months it is perfect weather and quite stunning," she praised her hometown and helping the conversation along.

Bianca was proud of her surroundings. She had no problem talking it up to anyone. She loved it so much that she knew that there was no where else that she would ever want to live. So when a new, good looking guy moved to town, she hoped that he would also like it enough to stick around long term. But she knew she was getting way ahead of herself here.

“Oh! It has definitely taken some getting used to," he told Bianca. "

Bianca shrugged her upper lip. She knew he wouldn’t likely stick around. Just her luck.

He looked at her apologetically.

She didn’t like my response. Maybe I’ve offended her, he contemplated.

“I grew up a city boy! There was always something to do or someone to hang with! Here...well, to be honest with you, you are the most interesting person that I have met!" He gave her a big smile. “If you don’t mind me saying, you are a beauty!”

Bianca returned the sentiment and matched it by letting loose a flood of heat that now made her cheeks blush like a ripened fruit.

“You’re not so bad yourself!”

Was this her lucky day after all? Could this be his the man to take Bianca’s mind off Brian? Only time would tell. She could sure use the distraction, she knew. Brian had now consumed her mind since they had been intimate.

The mysterious stranger let out a confident smirk. He knew he had gotten her from there. He quickly checked her hand. No ring. Score!

“So what do you do around here for fun this time of year, Miss, Bianca," he asked as he helped placed his hand on the small of her back to scotch her out of the way from the elderly woman trying to pick from the display that she had just knocked over.

Bianca smiled. His touch on the small of her back was warm but firm so she proceeded to move out of the way and over to a quieter spot that he shifted her towards.

Bianca could now feel the elderly woman’s eyes gaze upon them, judging the two, feeling entitled by her place in the store. This made Bianca chuckle in her head.

"Well, not a whole lot. There is good shopping at the outlets a couple of towns over. There is a movie theater not too far as well and lots of restaurants. Plus, there are a few bars that stay open all year long. They have live bands and dancing sometimes," she explained.

"Let me take you out dancing then," he chimed in!

Bianca was unsure of how to respond. He caught her off guard. He seemed nice enough, though. Plus, with all the crazy things that she's had going on, she could definitely use a night out. What could it hurt?

“Okay," she gave him a big smile. "When," she asked?

"How about tonight? I've got nothing better going on," he joked. "As you can see, grocery shopping is a highlight for me! What do you think?”

"Sounds like a plan. Pick me up at 672 Rocky Ridge," she was impressed that she had memorized her new address.

"I'll see you at 8 pm," he winked at her. He then leaned over and kissed her cheek, causing Bianca to blush a little.

Maybe Brian wasn’t the only chivalrous guy around, she thought as she watched the cutie walk away from her and continue his shopping as if his day hadn’t been interrupted by her lack of body coordination.

Bianca finished her grocery shopping as well and made her way back the “home” to put away her and Stanton's groceries. She was excited about the prospect of meeting her new friend that evening!

Would they hit it off, she wondered? He seemed to be quite the gentleman. Just having any sort of date was a bonus. Bianca was definitely more of a homebody, so it took just the right person to convince her to venture out with a stranger.

"Let me help you with that," Olivia offered up her services, completely taking Bianca out of the daydream that she had fallen into.

"Thanks, Mrs. Stanton," she appreciated the offer. "Do you want me to cook dinner tonight," Bianca asked?

"No. That's okay, Bianca. I'm making Mr. Stanton's favorite food tonight, Lobster and Cole slaw," Olivia noted as she continued puttering away the cold food that Bianca had purchased.

"Okay. That works! That also leaves me plenty of time to get ready for my date tonight," she said excitedly, as she hadn't been on a date in almost 6 months!

"You have a date, huh! You go, girl," Olivia high fived her! "Where are you going?"

"I'm going to take him to the bar down the road so we can listen to the band tonight and also do a little dancing," she gleamed! Bianca loved to dance!

"Get it all out now, girl, because you won't be up for all that excitement once you get pregnant,"

Olivia tried to guide her into reality. She realized that Bianca though was still young and very much in her prime. If she were her, she would have been doing the same thing. Olivia was actually quite excited that Bianca had a date. That meant that she she wasn't becoming attached to her husband. She just hoped that now that Bianca had a taste of s*x, she wouldn't go spreading her legs for just anyone. However, she felt confident that a girl with her morals, who waited 25 years to have s*x in the first place, probably wouldn't do that.

Brian then walked into the room as the girls were busy commencing. "What are you ladies chatting about," he asked?" He could tell that the girls had been in a deep conversation, and he was now clearly intruding.

"Oh, nothing important," Bianca stated nervously, not wanting the man to know what she was about to be doing that evening.

Yeah, Somehow, she felt a little guilty. She didn't know why, either. It wasn't like she was cheating or anything! It was just a date. Single people go on dates all of the time.

Olivia picked up on the ambiguity that Bianca was portraying and decided that the good news should be shared with her husband. And she was going to need to be the one to break it to him.

Olivia went behind Bianca and tapped her arm.

“Don't be silly Bianca, you have exciting news! Brian, our girl here has a date tonight. Isn't that exciting,” she now grabbed hold of Brian’s arm and snuggled into it like a proud parent admiring her baby.

Brian's face ultimately changed from a big smile to more of a serious tone. This was not the exciting news that he was expecting. Not exciting at all. He was caught off guard by this news.

He quickly realized that he was forming an emotional attachment to Bianca, and it was now coming into play. He also knew that it was wrong to feel that way too, but he couldn't help it. He knew that she deserved happiness and should be able to date anyone that she pleased. But it still stung a little somehow.

“Why did it sting,” he wondered?

So instead of reacting as he had instinctively desired, he did the only thing that he knew to do, he turned his smile back on for the two ladies before him. He needed to put on a facade.

"Congratulations, Bianca! Is this someone that you've been out with before or a brand new thing," he tried to sound enthusiastic?

"Actually, I just met him today at the grocery store. Apparently, he just moved here," she explained uneasily.

"He's picking her up and taking her to the bar down the street to go dancing. Doesn't that sound fun, Brian," Olivia turned to him and asked? "Maybe we should do that too sometime?”

"Yes, we definitely should do that! You know that I love to shake my booty on the dance floor," he joked!

Both girls chuckled. He could be witty when he wanted to.

"In all seriousness, though, Bianca, please make sure that you are careful, especially since you are riding with someone that you know absolutely nothing about. Girls these days can't be too careful," Brian encouraged!

"Oh, Brian, that is why I love you so much! You are always thinking about taking care of someone else! You certainly will be a good Daddy,”Olivia leaned into Brian once more.

Olivia reached up and gave her husband a big kiss on the lips! She was totally clueless about the tension in the room. She was only thinking of herself and her happiness in that moment to even notice the awkwardness that had formed between the others.

Bianca's stomach became a little nauseous watching the two of them together. She tried to fight off the jealousy that was brewing inside of her but it was impossible.

“Why did it bother me so much,” she wondered?

"Okay then, if you don't need me anymore for the night, I'm going to head to the guest house," Bianca added before she quickly walked out of the room and left the two lovebirds in a deep embrace.

Bianca wasn’t sure what made her feel more awkward, telling the man she was growing feelings for that she was going on another date with someone else or seeing that man act lovingly to his wife. It was a toss up and she was glad to be done with it either way.

............

7:45 pm rolled around and Bianca was just finished up her makeup. She slipped into a pair of skinny jeans, heels, and an oversized sweater. She was ready to go.

Bianca looked at herself in the mirror.

“This will do. I look pretty darn good, if I do say so myself!”

She sat down on the bed watched for Austin. He hadn’t arrived yet, thankfully. She would have been so embarrassed not to have been ready for when he showed at 8. Her mind began to wander. She had hoped that he would like her. She had hoped that she wouldn’t put off any odd vibes to the new stranger.

Bianca looked around once again out her windows, which inevitably looked diagonal to Brian’s office windows in the distance past the driveway in the main house. She saw the light on.

“He must be working. He was working late!”

“Stop it! Stop worrying about him, what he’s doing or what he thinks! He is not your man,” she told herself.

She took a deep breath and exhaled fully. “He isn’t my man! I need to move on. I can’t have him. It would never work!”

Just then, Bianca heard a knock at the door.

“He must be early”, she thought to herself. She looked at her clock and it was now 7:50 pm.

She hadn't even heard him drive up the driveway, which was odd. She soon realized that it wasn't her date knocking, though. It was another familiar man.

"Oh, Brian, it's you! What are you doing here," she curiously stared up into his beautiful eyes at her door.

Brian looked at her in a concerned tone. “I just need to know that you will be safe tonight! Let me see your cell phone, please," he quietly demanded.

Bianca then reached in her pocket and grabbed her cell phone to hand to the man.

“Was he invading my privacy,” she wondered?

She then watched as he proceeded to add his name and cell phone number in her contacts. He labeled the contact as ‘Brian’. It was pretty forward of him to think that he was the only Brian she knew. But truth be told, he was.

"Please text me when you arrive at your destination and before you leave to come back home tonight. I will be worrying about you all night long if you don't," he gave her a small smile before he began to exit the guest house again.

Brian then turned back around and faced her one more time.

Bianca’s heart skipped a beat when he did.

"If you need me for anything else, don't hesitate to call me. I am happy to pick you up anytime, day or night! Just know that, please.”

All Bianca could do was give him a slight nod. She hadn’t expected him to care so much. She wasn’t sure why. He was a very caring individual overall. But..he did barely know her. Or at least, he hadn’t know her that long. He did know her. He knew her like no one else ever had. He got her. And she got him!

This time, he left the guest house for real and made his way back to the main house where he had come from, back to the glistening light that gleamed in the window.

Bianca just stood there for a moment and tried to process what had just happened again. He had a way of making her second guess everything. A way of flipping everything she was thinking up side down and in its back..

“Why did he have to be so sweet,” she sighed? “It would be so much easier if he had had flaws. But as of yet, I don’t know of any, she sighed.”

Interrupted by her thoughts, Bianca could see lights coming up the driveway now. So, she grabbed her coat and made her way outside to meet her date. Yes, it was date time, whether she was ready or not. A date!

With a big grin on his face, Austin stepped out of his pickup truck and opened the passenger door for Bianca.

She noted that he was dressed in jeans, a flannel shirt, and a pair of cowboy boots. He was looking good. He cleaned up from today, which any woman would appreciate. Not that he looked bad before. But he had on cologne now and his hair was done, just so.

He also took note that she was staring at him and his clothes, giving him the full one over.

"What are you looking at? It's a country and western band playing tonight! I had to play the role," he gave her another big smile and a cute wink!

Bianca appreciated his confidence and humor. She was really looking forward to this date. Plus, he did look cute in his tight jeans.

He opened the door for her and Bianca stepped up inside the big blue truck that was taller than she was, by a great distance. Inside, she noted that he had obviously been a neat freak. Everything was pristine and in its place.

She wasn’t sure why very thankful that the Stanton’s had a paved driveway. She would have hated to track debris inside for fear that she would get his truck dirty

“Do you like my baby, he alluded to his truck.

“Ah, sure. It’s very, ah, clean,” was all she could manage to say!

It was a truck. She wasn’t exactly into trucks. She had certainly ridden in them before. It was nothing special to her. It wasn’t al all fun like Brian’s Jeep, but Bianca could tell that he was seeking validation.

“Of course it is! I wouldn’t want her to be dirty, bother at least,” he joked!

“Oh Lordy, what did he mean by that,” she awkwardly wondered.

When they arrived at the bar, Austin got out and opened the door for his date again, which Bianca appreciated greatly.

“I guess chivalry wasn't dead after all,” Bianca mentally noted to herself again. She was finding it more and more with this guy.

Walking inside, he once again opened the door for her and gestured her by the small of her back to proceed ahead of him. Inside, the band was already playing and the dance floor was heavily saturated with people who were doing their best line dancing moves. It looked like a good time was in her future.

Bianca was relieved. She never really came to these places often, but she wanted to show Austin a good time. Plus, she was up for some fun!

"Are you ready to get right out there," Bianca asked Austin?

"Yes, Ma'am,” he replied in his best cowboy accent! He then took her hand and leaded her into the dance floor, to the tune of “Boots Scoot and Boogie!”

That evening, the two had a great time on the dance floor. His moves were definitely not stellar, but Bianca appreciated the effort that Austin put forth.

He grabbed her by the hand and spun her around to the tone of the “Watermellon Crawl “ She was having a blast! The crowd was vibing and she was in good company. Just what she had hoped for.

After about four or five songs of dancing in a row, Bianca remembered that she was asked to text Brian when she arrived. She had completely forgotten. Opening her phone, she noticed that she had a missed call and a text message from him already and it was only 8:20 pm.

“How did he get my number,” she wondered? Then she remembered that he probably took it off the application that she had submitted for employment. That made sense.

The text message read, "Please let me know that you arrived safely! Have fun! -Brian"

She decided that she would text him back. "Sorry, I completely forgot to text you when I arrived.”

His response came back instantaneously. "That's okay, thank you.”

“You got another hot date lined up,” Austin joked at her texting away feverishly.

“No! Just uh, my boss,” she made it know.

“We’ll tell him to get lost. Tell him you are mine tonight, he grabbed her by the hand !

With that, Bianca put her phone away and went back to enjoying her date as she had before. She deserved this date and wanted to make the most of it. In order to do that, she needed to put her boss as far out of her mind as possible. Maybe Austin was just the guy to help her with that. She hoped anyway!